In the ever-evolving world of fantasy football, keeper leagues add a new dimension of strategy, continuity, and long-term planning. If you’re playing on Yahoo and wondering how to select keepers in Yahoo Fantasy Football, this complete guide walks you through every step — whether you’re a league commissioner or a team manager.
From understanding how keeper leagues work, to setting them up correctly, to actually choosing the right players to keep — this is your go-to resource for mastering the keeper process on Yahoo Fantasy Football.
What Is a Keeper League in Yahoo Fantasy Football?
A keeper league allows managers to retain specific players from their previous season’s roster, carrying them over into the next season. This contrasts with redraft leagues, where rosters are wiped clean each year.
Keeper leagues are ideal for fantasy managers who enjoy building for the future, watching player development, and rewarding smart drafting or in-season pickups.
Key Characteristics of Yahoo Keeper Leagues:
Each manager can keep a set number of players from their previous season’s roster.
Keepers typically count as draft picks in upcoming drafts (i.e., each keeper may take up a round).
Keeper deadlines are set by the commissioner before the draft.
Commissioners must approve all keeper selections before the draft can begin.
Step 1: Enabling Keeper Settings (For Commissioners)
Before managers can choose keepers, commissioners must enable and configure keeper league settings.
How to Enable Keeper Settings:
Go to the league homepage.
Navigate to the Commissioner Tools section.
Click on Draft & Keeper Settings.
Enable Keeper League Tools.
Set a keeper declaration deadline — a date by which all managers must finalize their keeper selections.
Specify the number of players each team is allowed to keep.
Choose whether keeper players replace draft picks (e.g., 1st round, 2nd round) or are slotted at the end of the draft.
Optional Settings:
Add rules or notes (e.g., “Keepers must be drafted players only,” or “No first-round keepers”).
Decide if players added via free agency or waivers can be kept.
Set limits on how many years a player can be kept consecutively.
Once you save these settings, managers will be notified that the keeper window is open.
Step 2: How to Select Keepers in Yahoo Fantasy Football (For Managers)
After keeper settings are enabled by the commissioner, each team manager must select their keepers before the deadline.
Steps to Select Keepers:
Log into your Yahoo Fantasy Football account.
Go to your league and click on your team.
Find and click on the “Keepers” section.
You’ll see a list of eligible players from your roster.
Select the players you want to keep, up to the allowed number.
Click “Set Keepers” or “Confirm Keepers” to finalize your selection.
Once submitted, your selected keepers are locked in and sent to the commissioner for approval.
Step 3: Commissioner Approval of Keepers
After the keeper declaration deadline:
The commissioner logs into the league.
Navigate to Confirm Keeper Players or Review Keeper Selections.
Verify that each team followed the rules.
Make manual adjustments if necessary (for example, if someone selected an ineligible player).
Click “Approve All Keepers” or finalize individual approvals.
Once confirmed, the system integrates keeper players into the draft pool accordingly.
How Keepers Affect the Draft
Once keeper selections are finalized, Yahoo adjusts the draft automatically based on the settings.
Draft Integration Options:
Round Replacement: Each keeper takes the place of a specific draft round (e.g., keeping a player drafted in Round 6 uses your 6th-round pick).
Back-End Keepers: Keepers are slotted after all other draft picks.
Custom Assignment: Commissioners may manually assign which round each keeper occupies.
During the draft, if a manager has a keeper in a specific round, they’ll simply skip that pick, and the draft proceeds.
Keeper Strategy: How to Choose the Right Players
Knowing how to select keepers in Yahoo Fantasy Football isn’t just about following steps — it’s about strategy. Here’s how to choose keepers wisely and set yourself up for success.
1. Focus on Value Over Popularity
Don’t just keep your best players — keep your best value players. For example, if you drafted a breakout wide receiver in the 12th round last season, keeping him is more valuable than a top-tier player taken in Round 1 (who’d cost you a high draft pick).
2. Consider Age and Upside
Keeper leagues favor young, ascending talent over aging veterans. Prioritize players who are still improving or entering their prime.
3. Monitor Injury Reports
A player coming off major surgery or facing suspension might not be worth keeping. Weigh the risk versus the value of that draft pick.
4. Balance Positions
Avoid keeping all players from the same position unless they offer overwhelming value. Building a balanced keeper core helps you approach the draft with flexibility.
5. Think Two Seasons Ahead
Especially in leagues where players can be kept for multiple years, think beyond just the upcoming season. Will this player still be worth a keeper spot next year?
6. Follow the League Rules Closely
Every league is different. Some don’t allow free agents to be kept. Others increase the round cost each year. Make sure your strategy aligns with the specific keeper rules in your league.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Selecting keepers sounds simple, but managers and commissioners alike can make mistakes. Here are the most common to watch out for:
Missing the Deadline
If you don’t select your keepers by the deadline, you might lose the chance altogether. Set a reminder.
Keeping Injured or Suspended Players
Avoid selecting players who may miss a large part of the season due to injury or suspension unless they provide incredible long-term value.
Overlooking Draft Round Cost
Don’t just keep players because you like them. Ask: Does this player justify the draft round I’ll be losing?
Relying on the App Alone
While Yahoo’s fantasy app supports keeper selection, it’s sometimes limited. When in doubt, switch to the desktop version for full control and visibility.
Commissioner Tips for Smooth Keeper Management
If you’re a commissioner, you play a key role in ensuring everything runs smoothly. Here are a few tips:
Clearly communicate deadlines and rules before the season.
Set a reminder to approve keepers well before the draft begins.
Use league message boards to remind managers about the keeper process.
Export or screenshot the keeper list in case anything goes wrong during the draft.
Review all league settings to ensure keeper rules are consistent and clearly applied.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how to select keepers in Yahoo Fantasy Football is essential if you want to gain an edge in your league — not just this season, but for seasons to come. Whether you’re managing your first keeper league or have been playing for years, the key is preparation, smart strategy, and adherence to league rules.
Take your time, do the math, and choose wisely. A great keeper can be the cornerstone of a championship team.