The Pauper League

The Pauper League is a free-to-play fantasy football brand offering an alternative way to follow the NFL. Its game puts backup players at the center: managers draft eligible players listed behind starters on each team’s opening depth chart, then track how injuries, promotions and other opportunities can change their prospects during the season. The concept is built around the idea that opportunity is everything, making the depth chart part of the story each Sunday.

The standard lineup has nine starting positions: a quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, a tight end, a flex, a punter and a team special-teams unit. Managers also have six bench places and share a fixed 100-point budget for waiver claims across the season. Position-specific eligibility and scoring rules shape roster choices, with distinct roles for punters and special teams.

The Pauper League describes itself as football-first and is currently inviting people to join a waitlist; public play is not yet open. Traditional live-season play and a historical season replay are listed as upcoming features.