Quiz: Fantasy Football Analytics

Test your understanding of fantasy football valuation, projection methods, and optimization strategies.

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1

In PPR scoring, how many points is each reception worth?

A) 0 points B) 0.5 points C) 1 point D) 2 points

Question 2

What does VORP stand for in fantasy analysis?

A) Value of Roster Position B) Value Over Replacement Player C) Variable Outcome Risk Projection D) Volume Over Random Performance

Question 3

In a 12-team league with 1 QB starter, what is typically the replacement level for quarterbacks?

A) QB8 B) QB10 C) QB13 D) QB18

Question 4

Which position typically has the HIGHEST scarcity in fantasy football?

A) Quarterback B) Running Back C) Wide Receiver D) Tight End

Question 5

What percentage should you regress TD rate toward the mean?

A) 25% B) 50% C) 75% D) 100%

Question 6

When calculating fantasy points, passing yards are typically worth:

A) 0.02 points per yard (50 yards = 1 point) B) 0.04 points per yard (25 yards = 1 point) C) 0.1 points per yard (10 yards = 1 point) D) 0.25 points per yard (4 yards = 1 point)

Question 7

In DFS tournaments, what does "leverage" refer to?

A) Using borrowed money to enter contests B) High projection relative to low ownership C) Stacking players from the same game D) The salary cap constraint

Question 8

Which strategy involves NOT drafting running backs early?

A) Robust RB B) Zero RB C) Balanced approach D) Hero RB

Question 9

What is the typical coefficient of variation (CV) for QB fantasy scoring?

A) 0.35 (most consistent) B) 0.50 (moderate) C) 0.70 (high variance) D) 0.85 (very high variance)

Question 10

When evaluating a waiver wire addition, you should compare their projection to:

A) Your best player at the position B) Your worst player at the position C) The league average at the position D) The top waiver wire alternative

Question 11

In DFS, a "stack" typically refers to:

A) Multiple entries in the same contest B) Correlated players from the same game C) Using all your salary cap D) Playing the same lineup every week

Question 12

What is the typical sensitivity factor for QB projections when using Vegas totals?

A) 0.3 B) 0.5 C) 0.8 D) 1.0

Question 13

When should you target high-variance players?

A) When you're the favorite in your matchup B) When you're the underdog in your matchup C) Always, for maximum upside D) Never, consistency wins

Question 14

What is the Kelly Criterion used for in DFS?

A) Player projection accuracy B) Optimal bankroll/entry sizing C) Lineup optimization D) Trade evaluation

Question 15

In PPR scoring, which player type gains the MOST value compared to standard?

A) Touchdown-dependent WRs B) High-volume pass-catching RBs C) Deep-threat WRs D) Goal-line RBs

Question 16

What is a typical rake percentage for DFS contests?

A) 5% B) 10-15% C) 20-25% D) 30%

Question 17

The "Zero RB" strategy is most effective in which scoring format?

A) Standard scoring B) Half-PPR C) Full PPR D) TD-only leagues

Question 18

When projecting future performance, volume metrics regress at what approximate rate?

A) 20% toward the mean B) 50% toward the mean C) 75% toward the mean D) 90% toward the mean

Question 19

What does a "bring-back" stack include in DFS?

A) Only players from your favorite team B) QB + WR from same team + opposing player C) Last week's winning lineup D) Cheap players to fill out roster

Question 20

In seasonal leagues, playoff schedule analysis becomes important starting around:

A) Week 1 B) Week 6 C) Week 10 D) The playoffs themselves

True/False Questions

Question 21

True or False: A player with 380 projected fantasy points should always be drafted before a player with 280 projected points.

Question 22

True or False: Rushing and receiving yards are worth the same per-yard in standard fantasy scoring (0.1 points).

Question 23

True or False: In DFS cash games, you should prioritize high-floor, consistent players.

Question 24

True or False: TD rate is one of the most stable fantasy statistics year-over-year.

Question 25

True or False: Tight End positional scarcity means you should always draft a TE in Round 1.

Short Answer Questions

Question 26

A running back had 1,200 rushing yards and 8 rushing TDs last season. Calculate his standard fantasy points from rushing only.

Question 27

Explain why a QB with 360 projected points might be less valuable than an RB with 280 projected points.

Question 28

In a tournament DFS contest with 10,000 entries, a player has 25% ownership. If that player scores 30 points (vs 15 projected), how many lineups benefit?

Question 29

Describe two scenarios where you should target high-variance players in fantasy football.

Question 30

A player's weekly scores were: 15, 20, 12, 25, 8, 22, 18, 16. Calculate the mean and identify the boom games (>1.5× mean).

Answer Key

Multiple Choice

  1. C) 1 point - Full PPR awards 1 point per reception.

  2. B) Value Over Replacement Player - VORP measures value above the best freely available alternative.

  3. C) QB13 - In 12-team, 1-QB leagues, the 13th QB is replacement level.

  4. D) Tight End - TE has the steepest dropoff after elite players.

  5. C) 75% - TD rate regresses 75% toward the mean due to variance.

  6. B) 0.04 points per yard - 25 passing yards = 1 fantasy point.

  7. B) High projection relative to low ownership - Leverage = differentiation opportunity.

  8. B) Zero RB - Strategy that avoids RBs in early rounds.

  9. A) 0.35 (most consistent) - QBs have the lowest week-to-week variance.

  10. B) Your worst player at the position - Compare to who you'd drop.

  11. B) Correlated players from the same game - Typically QB + pass catcher.

  12. C) 0.8 - QBs are highly correlated with team scoring.

  13. B) When you're the underdog - Need boom games to overcome projection deficit.

  14. B) Optimal bankroll/entry sizing - Kelly Criterion determines bet/entry sizing.

  15. B) High-volume pass-catching RBs - They gain both reception points and volume stability.

  16. B) 10-15% - Most DFS sites take 10-15% rake.

  17. C) Full PPR - Zero RB leverages WR/TE volume that PPR rewards.

  18. A) 20% toward the mean - Volume is more stable than efficiency metrics.

  19. B) QB + WR from same team + opposing player - Captures both sides of shootout.

  20. C) Week 10 - Allows time to acquire players for favorable playoff matchups.

True/False

  1. False - VORP matters more than raw points. Position scarcity affects true value.

  2. True - Both rushing and receiving yards are worth 0.1 points in standard scoring.

  3. True - Cash games reward consistency and floor; just need to beat ~50% to profit.

  4. False - TD rate is highly variable and regresses heavily year-over-year.

  5. False - Only draft elite TEs (Kelce-tier) early; scarcity doesn't mean always pay up.

Short Answer

  1. Rushing Fantasy Points:
Yards: 1,200 × 0.1 = 120 points
TDs: 8 × 6 = 48 points
Total: 120 + 48 = 168 points

  1. QB vs RB Value Explanation: VORP accounts for replacement level. If QB13 scores 260 points, the 360-point QB has VORP of 100. If RB25 scores 120 points, the 280-point RB has VORP of 160. The RB provides more value over replacement despite fewer total points because replacement RBs score much worse than replacement QBs.

  2. Ownership Calculation: 25% of 10,000 = 2,500 lineups contain this player. If he outperforms, those 2,500 lineups benefit. The 7,500 lineups without him fall behind. Unique lineups gain differentiation advantage.

  3. High-Variance Scenarios:

  4. Underdog in weekly H2H matchup: When projected to lose, you need ceiling outcomes to win. High-variance players provide boom potential.

  5. DFS tournaments (GPPs): With thousands of entries, you need differentiated lineups to win. High-variance, low-ownership plays provide that differentiation.

  6. Variance Calculation:

Scores: 15, 20, 12, 25, 8, 22, 18, 16
Mean: (15+20+12+25+8+22+18+16) / 8 = 136 / 8 = 17.0

Boom threshold: 17.0 × 1.5 = 25.5
Boom games: 25 (close but not quite)
Actually: None exceed 25.5

If boom threshold is exactly 1.5× = 25.5, then 25 doesn't qualify.
If using ≥1.5×, then 25 is exactly at threshold.

Scoring Guide

  • 27-30 correct: Expert - Ready to compete in high-stakes leagues
  • 23-26 correct: Advanced - Strong analytical foundation
  • 18-22 correct: Proficient - Good grasp of fundamentals
  • 13-17 correct: Developing - Review VORP and variance sections
  • Below 13: Review Chapter 27 material thoroughly

Key Concepts Summary

  1. VORP > Raw Points - Positional scarcity determines true value
  2. PPR Favors Volume - Reception points change player rankings
  3. Regression is Essential - TD rates regress 75% to mean
  4. Variance is Contextual - Match variance strategy to situation
  5. DFS = Projection + Game Theory - Ownership matters in tournaments
  6. Bankroll Management - Kelly Criterion prevents ruin
  7. Process Over Results - Long-term edge comes from systematic analysis