The Fantasy Football Lab

@thefflab
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Lab! We’re two friends who spent years having deep conversations about fantasy football strategy, league drama, and roster debates before one day deciding to finally just hit record. We focus on the typical analytics you need to dominate your redraft and dynasty leagues, but we don't stop there. We take pride in exploring unique league types, custom settings, and the rich history that makes every fantasy league special. Dedicated to "Brewing Better Leagues," our channel is also a hub for league managers. Through our "Commissioner Corner," we tackle how to handle tough commissioner challenges, navigate tricky league etiquette, and manage heated divisional rivalries to help you run the best league possible. Whether you're looking for an analytical edge in your next matchup or trying to build a stronger league community, step into the lab, subscribe, and join the conversation!

  1. 6d ago

    How to Win Chopped League Waivers | Data From 42k Waiver Claims Fantasy Leagues

    How should you actually spend your FAAB in a Guillotine or Chopped fantasy football league? We went beyond gut feeling and analyzed 89 active leagues, 41,179 waiver claims, roughly 1,500 team-seasons and 1,100 eliminations to see what actually helped managers survive. In this episode of the Fantasy Football Lab, Arlen breaks down: • Why simply saving all your FAAB isn’t necessarily the winning strategy • Why spending early can actually LOWER your elimination risk • The danger of relying too heavily on $0 pickups • How much of your budget you should target having left at the halfway point • The “Grinder” vs. “Sniper” FAAB strategies • Why burning 71% of his budget by Week 3 eventually got Arlen axed • How much you should spend on quarterbacks in 1-QB leagues • Why odd-numbered bids can give you a small but real advantage • How dramatically player prices fall when stars return to waivers later in the season One of the biggest takeaways: aim to reach the midpoint with roughly 50–75% of your original FAAB remaining — but don’t be afraid to spend when your roster actually needs help. In a Guillotine League, you aren’t building the perfect roster for December. Your first job is much simpler: Don’t finish last this week. Subscribe to the Fantasy Football Lab for more data-driven fantasy football strategy, league formats, experiments and lessons from the Lab. #FantasyFootball #GuillotineLeague #FAAB 0:00 Intro — The Guillotine League FAAB Problem 1:18 How Guillotine & Chopped Leagues Work 2:45 89 Leagues & 41,179 Waiver Claims Analyzed 4:02 The Survival Bias Problem 5:38 Should You Spend Your Entire FAAB Budget? 7:04 Is Saving FAAB for Later Actually Better? 8:31 The Hidden Risk of $0 Waiver Wins 10:18 How Much FAAB Should You Spend? 12:05 How Much Budget Should You Have at Midseason? 14:04 Grinder vs. Sniper FAAB Strategy 16:01 How I Blew 71% of My FAAB by Week 3 18:11 6 Rules for Guillotine League Waivers 20:15 Divide Your Budget by the Number of Chops 21:38 Why $0 Pickups Should Be Supplements 22:43 Don't Overspend at Quarterback 23:35 The Odd-Bid Advantage 24:22 You're Renting Players, Not Buying Them 25:18 The MASSIVE Discount When Players Hit Waivers Again 27:13 What the Data Can't Tell Us 28:08 The Guillotine League FAAB Game Plan

  2. Sep 4

    Fantasy Football Crash Course

    Nate introduces the concept of Fantasy Football 101 and the importance of making it accessible to new players. He explains the basics of fantasy football, including drafting strategies and post-draft management. Nate also outlines lab standards for maintaining an active, fair, and fun fantasy football league. Takeaways Introduction to Fantasy Football 101 and its accessibilityUnderstanding the basics of fantasy football, including drafting strategies and post-draft management Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Fantasy Football 10102:36 Understanding Fantasy Football04:27 Draft Strategy - Part 108:08 Draft Strategy - Part 212:35 Draft Strategy - Part 316:30 Post-Draft Management19:49 Lab Standards for Fantasy Football

  3. Sep 3

    These Bold Predictions Will Age Great (Or Terribly) | Fantasy Football Lab

    It's Bold Predictions time. Arlen and Nate throw out the takes they're either never bringing up again or never shutting up about — Justin Herbert as QB1, a wild bold RB order led by Gibbs and James Cook, Jonah Coleman climbing Denver's depth chart, full 2026 NFL award picks, and yes, a Rams-Chargers Super Bowl. Plus a live look at their slow dynasty draft going on in the background. Drop your own bold prediction in the comments — tell us how wrong we are. 🏈 Subscribe for more dynasty fantasy football breakdowns 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don't miss an episode Chapters 0:00 Intro & slow draft recap (Waddle/Genty banter) 5:29 Bold Prediction: Marvin Harrison Jr. & Brian Thomas Jr. bounce-back seasons 11:33 Nate's Bold QB Rankings: Herbert, Caleb Williams, Josh Allen, Maye, Burrow 15:36 Arlen's Bold RB Rankings: Gibbs, James Cook, Bijan, Hampton, Kenneth Walker 22:13 Bold Prediction: Jonah Coleman becomes Denver's lead back 25:41 2026 NFL Awards Predictions 31:19 Bold Prediction: Rams vs. Chargers Super Bowl 33:02 Bold Prediction: Xavier Worthy top-10 WR 35:44 Bonus Bold Prediction: Josh Jacobs under 1,000 yards 37:09 Outro

  4. Sep 2

    7 Must-Stash Fantasy Football Sleepers Before Week 1 (Win Your League Early)

    Nate is MIA, so Arlen takes over the Fantasy Football Lab to break down 7 late-round "must-stash" players you need on your bench before Week 1 kicks off. Instead of burning roster spots on washed-up floor veterans or ambiguous handcuffs that clog your bench for months, this strategy targets high-upside players who will show you their true role immediately. If they hit, you just saved massive FAAB. If they bust, cut bait for early waiver gems without regret. Leave a comment down below to let us know who your favorite Week 1 lottery ticket is—and make sure to drop a wellness check for Nate! Featured Players: Tank BigsbyDontavian WicksTravis HunterJack BeshChris BellGreg DulcichDavid Njoku Video Chapters 00:00 - Solo Lab: Where is Nate?00:39 - The "Must-Stash" Philosophy & Early FAAB Strategy03:40 - Pick 1: Tank Bigsby (Elite Efficiency Handcuff)05:42 - Pick 2: Dontavian Wicks (Elite Separation Upside)07:00 - Pick 3: Travis Hunter (Pure Talent Lotto Ticket)08:41 - Pick 4: Jack Besh (Scheme Fit & Coaching Upgrade)11:16 - Pick 5: Chris Bell (Wide Open Miami Target Tree)12:56 - Pick 6: Greg Dulcich (The Low-Bar Tight End Stash)15:27 - Pick 7: David Njoku (Rebooted Role with Herbert)17:00 - Roster Management Strategy & Recap

  5. Aug 30 ·  Bonus

    Win Your Draft - 2026 Draft Strategies

    I ran a stack of mock drafts this week and counted positions. Running backs took 13 of the first 24 picks, with 5 more gone before round three ended. Your league mates aren't wrong to do that — they watched last season and adjusted. But the supply of good running backs in the middle rounds didn't change. Same guys, same committees, same coaching staffs that won't commit. All that changed is the price. Solo episode this week. I break down all five draft strategies in plain English, give you the one question that sits underneath every one of them, and then commit to what I'm actually doing at every draft slot this season — including the three-question test I use on any running back going in rounds four through eight. CHAPTERS 00:00 Solo episode — and what I found in 12 mock drafts 01:45 What's on the board today: 13 of the first 24 picks 03:00 The five draft strategies, defined fast 05:30 The one question underneath every draft strategy 07:00 Hero RB — what it buys, what it costs 09:00 Zero RB — the highest-workload build in fantasy 11:15 Robust RB — and why the WR room is shrinking 14:00 Balanced / Best Player Available — my actual default 17:00 Superflex — don't panic on your QB2 20:00 The 2026 running back dead zone, explained 21:30 Why the top of the board earned it 23:00 The part that costs you: repriced, not restocked 24:30 The fair counterargument 25:15 The three-question test for RBs in rounds 4-8 26:30 What I'm actually doing this year 28:00 Know yourself, don't tilt Drop your draft slot in the comments and what you're planning from it.

  6. Aug 28

    Fantasy Football Lab Partners: Our Must Draft "My Guys" For This Season

    Description: Welcome back to The Fantasy Football Lab. Arlen and Nate are planting their flags and revealing the lab partners they are locking into their rosters this season. We have scoured the depth charts and automated our data to find the ultimate breakout candidates, league winners, and volume hogs. Whether you are drafting from South Hill or anywhere else on the map, these are the three players each of us are staking our reputations on. Drop your top targets in the comments and let us know where we got it right or wrong. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the Lab & Honorable Mentions 04:36 Arlen's Lab Partner 1 10:43 Nate's Lab Partner 1 16:21 Arlen's Lab Partner 2 20:47 Nate's Lab Partner 2 26:40 Arlen's Lab Partner 3 32:00 Nate's Lab Partner 3 38:15 Outro & Final Staking

  7. Aug 26 ·  Bonus

    Fantasy Football: Adjusting QB Rushing Yards

    The conversation revolves around the customization of player scoring in fantasy football, focusing on the ability to adjust points for QB rushing yards and position-specific bonuses. The hosts discuss the need for customization to balance scoring and provide bonuses for specific player positions. Takeaways Customizing player scoringPosition-specific bonuses Chapters 00:00 Customizing Player Scoring03:05 Position-Specific Bonuses

  8. Aug 26

    FAAB Waivers Explained

    The conversation covers the topic of fantasy football and focuses on the use of fab waivers and IR spots. It explores the strategy of using fab waivers and the different ways to utilize IR spots in fantasy football leagues. Takeaways Fab waivers provide a fair and strategic way to acquire players off the waiver wire.IR spots can be used for players marked as doubtful or suspended, providing flexibility in managing fantasy football rosters. Chapters 00:00 Fab Waivers: Strategy and Fairness01:50 The Value of Early Fab Spending03:01 Aggressive Fantasy Football Strategies04:26 Utilizing IR Spots Effectively

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Lab! We’re two friends who spent years having deep conversations about fantasy football strategy, league drama, and roster debates before one day deciding to finally just hit record. We focus on the typical analytics you need to dominate your redraft and dynasty leagues, but we don't stop there. We take pride in exploring unique league types, custom settings, and the rich history that makes every fantasy league special. Dedicated to "Brewing Better Leagues," our channel is also a hub for league managers. Through our "Commissioner Corner," we tackle how to handle tough commissioner challenges, navigate tricky league etiquette, and manage heated divisional rivalries to help you run the best league possible. Whether you're looking for an analytical edge in your next matchup or trying to build a stronger league community, step into the lab, subscribe, and join the conversation!

Information

  • Creator
    @thefflab
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 @thefflab