What are projections in fantasy football?
Projections in fantasy football represent predictive numbers that estimate a player's production, be it for a game, week, month, within a specified date, or for a partial or full season. Prior to a league's draft or auction, projected stats based on that league's scoring system/format can be utilized to evaluate and rank players, with those expected to score points at the highest rate representing the most desirable targets. Numerous factors go into determining a player's projections. Among these are past performance, skill set, team context, health, general potential for improvement and anticipated playing time. While various sites and tools project many different stat categories, in terms of skill-position players, the most commonly referred to metrics are yardage (passing, rushing, receiving), touchdowns and, in some formats, catches. In leagues that factor in IDPs (individual defensive players), important stats include tackles, sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles and defensive touchdowns. Projections can also be team-based and, for the purposes of fantasy football, are applicable when it comes to evaluating the value of team defenses, which often occupy a positional slot in fantasy leagues.