What Is Third Round Reversal? How It Impacts Your Fantasy Drafts

There’s a reason why no one likes picking the last few draft slots in fantasy leagues.

The nature of fantasy drafts revolves around the concept of taking the best players in the correct order. Typically, that leaves those with later draft slots grumbling and muttering complaints under their breath, left with a second-tier tandem of picks before sitting back and waiting a long time for the draft to snake back around to you.

Unless, however, your league utilizes a third-round reversal.

What Is Third Round Reversal?

For the uninitiated, a third-round reversal flips the draft order come the start of the third round. In a 12-player league, the team picking at 1.12 will later pick 3.01 as the order gets reversed. Consequently, the team picking the best player available at 1.01 will pick 3.12 to theoretically offset the value of the top overall pick.

Whether that format is for you is up to leagues to decide for themselves. But if that sounds like the holy grail in the form of a fantasy football setting, consider trying it out. And when you do, use these tips to take advantage of the format the best you can.

Third Round Reversal Draft Tips

If you’re picking 1-4 in drafts…

Congratulations on landing one of the best players you can get. Whether that’s Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, Ja’Marr Chase, or Justin Jefferson — or perhaps someone like CeeDee Lamb or Jahmyr Gibbs — you should be pretty happy.

Your first-round selection shouldn’t be impacted by the third-round reversal. Take the best player relative to your format, and enjoy the rewards.

The tricky part comes in the second round. Do remember that, instead of picking quickly on the third-round turn, you have quite the wait coming your way.

It’s still best to take the best players you can early in your fantasy drafts, but given the sudden wait between picks two and three, there are multiple things to consider. Superflex managers should be wary of the long wait coming in, potentially missing out on a high-end quarterback. The same concept holds weight for tight-end premium leagues as managers must consider the value versus the sudden turn.

Survey the field. Has there been a run on a certain position? What positions have been taken by other teams on the turn, as well as the few teams picking before you, once the round-reversal takes place?

Perhaps most importantly, try to identify what will be available to you at the turn in the third/fourth rounds. Do you like wide receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr., Davante Adams, or Terry McLaurin — guys typically being taken in that range — more than you like the wide receiver you can land at the end of the second round in Ladd McConkey or Tyreek Hill?

If so, maybe you want to target a running back or top-tier tight end in the second round and wait on a receiver. The fun thing about drafting is that you create your team, your way. But planning ahead never hurts, especially in third-round reversal leagues.

If you’re picking 5-8 in drafts…

Let’s keep it simple. Not much changes for the middle of the draft, as the third-round reversal only slightly impacts these teams’ draft slots.

Consider the slight advantage those picking seventh or eighth will get — perhaps it makes the difference between a tier of talent — and remember that when the third-round reversal takes effect.

Pay attention to the board and the needs of others. But for the most part, life remains the same for the mid-round managers.

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If you’re picking 9-12 in drafts…

Congratulations. There are few feelings better than the turn into the third round for the managers who waited the longest to pick.

It’s wise to adjust your first and second-round draft strategy with the reminder that you pick at the top of the third round. Again, factoring in your league format — tight end-premium, superflex, roster depth, IDP — matters greatly when considering which assets can come back around to you.

In Superflex, for example, the third-round reversal could set a team up well to take a quarterback early and follow with a high-end WR, RB, or TE with the knowledge that you can land a solid quarterback at the third-round turn. It can work exceptionally well in tight end-premium formats where doubling up on guys like Brock Bowers and George Kittle could be a legitimate strategy.

Make sure you factor in the team needs of your competitors, noting where they pick in the reversal round. You should also remember that, while benefiting from the early third-round pick, a long wait will ensue before the next selection. There are pros and cons to the entire situation, which is part of what makes third-round reversals so popular among managers alike.

You never win your leagues at the draft. But you do have fun there, and knowing how to maximize that while building the best fantasy roster through unique formats like third-round reversals is how managers can separate themselves in their leagues.

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