Daily Fantasy Sports is a booming business, and many, many sites are trying to get in on the act. Well, at least they were when I first wrote this back in 2015. How things change. Now we appear to be down to just four sites, and one of them (Yahoo!) was not even on the chart just two years ago. So I thought it was high time for an update to compare all four sites, and if you have others, please let me know.
So how can you compare all of these sites and what they have to offer?
I am attempting here to help you - at least a little. Below is a chart that I created that compares several sites for what their roster construction, salary cap and their respective scoring options (at least the key ones). So if you want to play in a DFS contest that offers two quarterbacks, unfortunately that option is now gone, but there are still choices for variety. Don't like kickers? Well, neither do most DFS players as only FanDuel still requires them. Like the flex spot concept? See which sites below have that option as well (hint - non-kicker sites).
The chart is not meant to be a be-all, end-all type of summary. In fact, I can see already that this chart will need to be updated on a regular basis, as new sites are added to the fray. But until that next update, I hope that this chart helps you to make those decisions as to where to play some DFS football.
Note - FanDuel added Late Swap for 2017, so do not gloss over that for this year!
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Site
|
Salary
|
Number of Starters
|
PPR
|
Late
|
Bonus
|
||||||
|
Cap
|
QB
|
RB
|
WR
|
TE
|
Flex
|
D/ST
|
K
|
Swap?
|
|||
|
DraftKings
|
$50,000
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Yes
|
100 yds rush/rec =3; 300 yds pass=3
|
|
FanDuel
|
$60,000
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0.5
|
No
|
None
|
|
FantasyDraft
|
$100,000
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
No
|
100 yds rush/rec =3; 300 yds pass=3
|
|
Yahoo!
|
$200
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0.5
|
Yes
|
None
|
Table 1 - Comparison of Multiple DFS Sites for 2017
Some takeaways from the chart:
- Every site requires a quarterback, at least two running backs and two wide receivers, plus one tight end and a defense.
- Only one site (FanDuel) still requires a kicker.
- Every site offers at least a half a point per catch (1/2 PPR). Some offer a full point (PPR).
- Nearly every site offers a flex position (FanDuel being the main one that does not). Some like the rigidity of a firm roster composition, but many like the ability to use another running back, wide receiver or tight end to round out the roster.
- Gone are the sites that used to differentiate themselves by using two quarterbacks (led by FantasyAces, FantasyFeud and DraftDay).
- DraftKings, among a few others, offers the ability to change players up until their respective games start (otherwise known as the "Late Swap" option). FanDuel added this option back for 2017, an important change.
- Bonus scoring is a bit more rare, but both DraftKings and FantasyDraft award extra points for players that achieve certain milestones (three points each for 100 yards rushing, 100 yards receiving and/or 300 yards passing).
- Salary cap amounts vary widely, from as little as $200 up to $100,000.
Whatever type of league you are looking for, from PPR to 1/2 PPR to two quarterbacks to no kickers, there are plenty of options from which to choose to construct your favorite type of lineup. Do a little research on the sites listed above and try these sites out. Most of all, have fun - and hopefully win a little extra money this season.
Good luck this year.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to pasquino@footballguys.com