Traditional leagues are awesome—probably how you got hooked, just like I did. But if you’re diving into a Guillotine League in 2025, you’re leveling up to serious player status. 

This format is wild, challenging, and a ton of fun, and I’m here to guide you to victory! Let’s break down everything from the basics to draft strategy to managing your team all season long. With the right plan, you’ll be the last team standing. Let’s do this!

What Is a Guillotine League in Fantasy Football?

Guillotine Leagues feel familiar but pack a brutal twist. You still draft a roster, start a lineup (QB, RB, WR, TE, etc.), and score points in standard formats like half-PPR or full-PPR. But here’s where it gets crazy:

  • Number of Teams: Most leagues have 8–12 teams; guillotine leagues typically start with 18. Why? Because of the elimination system.
  • Elimination System: Each week, the lowest-scoring team gets the chop—no head-to-head matchups. By Week 17, it’s down to a final two-team showdown for the title.
  • Waivers: When a team’s eliminated, their players hit the waiver pool. This makes Free Agent Auction Budget (FAAB) a high-stakes game, as you decide when to splurge on stars or save for later.

Your strategy needs to adapt to this cutthroat format, balancing risk and reward to survive each week. Let’s dive into how to dominate your 2025 guillotine league.

Guillotine League Draft Strategy: Beware of Injuries, Suspensions, and Rookies

In a guillotine league, every week is do-or-die, so your draft needs to prioritize players who can produce now. Avoid risks that could sink you early:

  • Injuries and Suspensions: Steer clear of players with murky timelines. For example, Anthony Richardson (QB28, ADP 177) is coming off injury concerns, and someone like Rashee Rice (WR17, ADP 29) might face a suspension. Drafting them could leave you shorthanded and eliminated before they contribute.
  • Rookies: Rookies like Tetairoa McMillan (WR25, ADP 45) or J.J. McCarthy (QB18, ADP 130) often start slow as they adjust to the NFL. In guillotine, you can’t afford to wait for their breakout.

But here’s the flip side: these players often come at a discount. If you’re confident in your early-week roster, taking a calculated risk can pay off. 

For instance, stashing a rookie like Travis Hunter (WR29, ADP 54) in 2025 could be a steal if he hits midseason, saving your FAAB for other needs. Breece Hall (RB12, ADP 33) was a 2023 example—slow start, big finish. Weigh your risk tolerance: safe picks keep you alive early, but discounted upside can fuel a late run.

Bye Weeks Are Critical

Bye weeks hit harder in guillotine leagues because you can’t afford a weak lineup. Check bye weeks during your draft to avoid overlap. 

For example, drafting Ja'Marr Chase (WR1, ADP 1, Week 10 bye), Joe Burrow (QB5, ADP 51, Week 10 bye), and Tee Higgins (WR12, ADP 23, Week 10 bye) looks great until Week 10, when your lineup’s gutted, risking elimination. Spread out bye weeks to stay strong every week.

Bye weeks run from Week 5 to Week 14 in 2025. Early on (Week 5), 14 teams split the player pool, making replacements tougher. 

By Week 14, only five teams remain, with a stacked waiver pool to cover byes. Target players with later byes (e.g., Bijan Robinson, RB2, ADP 4, Week 5 bye) or diverse bye schedules to minimize risk.

Early Matchups Matter

The NFL schedule isn’t equal, and in guillotine leagues, early matchups can make or break your season. If you’re taking risks (e.g., rookies or injury-prone players), target players with soft early schedules to buy time. 

For example, Tampa Bay’s early 2025 matchups look favorable, so Baker Mayfield (QB7, ADP 86) could be a sneaky start until you upgrade via waivers. 

In an 18-team draft, you’ll need to start some shaky QBs or TEs—consider rookies like Caleb Williams (QB11, ADP 99) or Jayden Daniels (QB3, ADP 40), who face softer defenses early. Plan your draft to survive the first few weeks while you hunt for waiver upgrades.

Waivers Get Wild

Waivers are where guillotine leagues get nuts, and your FAAB strategy is make-or-break. Each week, eliminated teams dump their players into the pool, creating a feeding frenzy. Here’s how to navigate:

  • Go Big for Elite Players: If a stud like Saquon Barkley (RB1, ADP 2) hits waivers, don’t wait—bid aggressively. Elite players might not hit the wire again if their new team keeps winning. Missing out because you got outbid is a death sentence.
  • Fix Weaknesses Fast: Unlike redraft or dynasty, where “best player available” rules, guillotine demands you address roster holes immediately. If your QB (e.g., Geno Smith, QB26, ADP 158) or TE (e.g., Jonnu Smith, TE7, ADP 102) is dragging you down, spend FAAB to upgrade ASAP. By midseason, the league’s down to 10 teams, and lineups get stacked—weak spots will sink you.
  • Timing Is Everything: Early bids (Week 2) cost more—$20 of your $100 FAAB for a player like Bucky Irving (RB9, ADP 22) might drop to $2 by Week 12. If your team’s solid, save FAAB for later when better players hit waivers. Struggling? Spend early to survive. Trust your gut, or check Fantasy Alarm’s Discord for advice.
  • Strategy for the Home Stretch
  • To win a guillotine league, you’ve got to be ruthless—think fantasy villain-level ruthless. By the late season, your strategy shifts to not just building your team but sabotaging your rivals:
  • Block Your Opponents: If you’ve got Josh Allen (QB1, ADP 35) and Lamar Jackson (QB2, ADP 37), and a rival’s weak at QB, don’t let them snag a waiver QB like Jalen Hurts (QB4, ADP 47). Spend FAAB to hoard key players, especially if you face them in the Week 17 championship.
  • Leverage the NFL Schedule: Late-season schedules matter. Teams like Miami (Week 12 bye) or San Francisco (Week 14 bye) face tough defenses down the stretch, so avoid over-relying on players like Tyreek Hill (WR15, ADP 28) or Christian McCaffrey (RB5, ADP 13). Target players with favorable late matchups, like those on Jacksonville (Week 8 bye) or Cincinnati (Week 10 bye).
  • Build a Superteam: By Week 14, the waiver pool is loaded with stars from eliminated teams. Center your roster around elite players like Justin Jefferson (WR2, ADP 3) or Puka Nacua (WR4, ADP 7) to overpower the final weeks. Survive to Week 17, and your stacked lineup should seal the deal.

Final Thoughts

Guillotine leagues are a thrill ride, and winning takes a mix of strategy, guts, and ruthlessness. Draft a safe, balanced roster with spread-out bye weeks, prioritize early matchups, and use FAAB to plug holes or snag game-changers. 

By the home stretch, block your rivals and build a juggernaut. With players like Ja'Marr Chase (WR1, ADP 1) or Jayden Daniels (QB3, ADP 40) leading the way, you’ll be the last team standing in 2025. 

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