Tearing down: FantasyPros.
This week: 'Tis the season for fantasy football. Let's check out FantasyPros and see how it could help you win your league this year.
I love data. I love technology. I love product management. I love sports.
These loves intersect in several different ways, and I would like to explore these intersections in the next few posts.
Given that we’re rolling strong into the next NFL season, I wanted to dig into one of the platforms I’ve used over the years. I find it interesting how it connects four of my favorite things.
If you’ve been nerding out over the years playing fantasy sports, you realize that having the right tools at your disposal can make or break your season.
FantasyPros has established itself as a go-to platform, offering various features designed to help fantasy players make informed decisions.
But what makes FantasyPros so effective?
Let's break it down.
User Experience (UX)
Aesthetic and Visual Design
FantasyPros has nailed the balance between simplicity and functionality. The clean visual design, dominated by a white, green, and gray color scheme, directs your focus where it matters—rankings, expert opinions, and projections.
The layout is intuitive, catering to seasoned veterans and fantasy newcomers alike. With clear icons and well-labeled features, the platform minimizes confusion and maximizes usability. Whether you’re gearing up for a draft or analyzing mid-season performance, everything is just a click away.
Ease of Use
Navigation on FantasyPros is incredibly streamlined. A top menu bar leads you to core functionalities like Rankings, My Playbook, and Expert Consensus. Each section is clearly defined, and additional filters make it easy to drill down into specific categories.
Whether you’re looking for waiver wire advice or player projections, the experience is smooth and efficient. I’ve found the drop-downs and filters especially helpful when narrowing decisions during your draft day.
Onboarding
FantasyPros offers a seamless and quick onboarding experience. Upon signing up, users are prompted to sync their leagues with platforms like ESPN, Yahoo, and Sleeper.
This smooth integration immediately personalizes the experience by offering customized insights based on league settings. You’re already getting value from the first interaction, which sets FantasyPros apart from more generic fantasy tools.
Features and Functionality
Draft Wizard
The Draft Wizard is a standout feature. This tool lets you simulate mock drafts in real-time while offering advice based on your league settings.
As someone constantly testing different draft strategies, I’ve found this feature to be a confidence booster before heading into actual drafts. Seeing potential player fits and assessing team strength in various mock scenarios is invaluable.
The coolest feature within this section is their Draft Intel section. I’ve had the same league for years, and most of the folks have been the same. FantasyPros can give me all the tendencies over time, identify strong patterns, and help me better prepare for the upcoming draft.
My Playbook
My Playbook is where FantasyPros shines during the season. From waiver wire suggestions to start/sit recommendations and trade analysis, it’s a personalized hub of advice tailored to your specific league and team.
This feature keeps you engaged throughout the season, allowing you to optimize your lineup and improve your chances of winning. The personalized touch makes it one of the most valuable tools for serious fantasy players.
Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR)
FantasyPros aggregates expert rankings from across the industry, which is a huge plus. Instead of relying on a single source, you can see how various experts rank players and make more informed decisions based on consensus.
What’s even better is that you can customize these rankings according to your league’s scoring system, making them highly adaptable to your specific needs.
Although I personally don’t use ECR directly once the season is up and running, I do find the feedback related to industry people that comes through other features such as My Primer, Start/Sit Assistant, and Trade Finder—all fed ECR—to be solid additions to the platform.
Underlying Architecture
Tech Stack and Data Aggregation
While the exact details of FantasyPros’ tech stack remain proprietary, it’s clear that the platform efficiently leverages APIs to pull data from multiple sources, including significant fantasy league platforms (such as the onboarding situation mentioned above)
This data aggregation enables real-time syncing and personalized recommendations, ensuring the user experience remains consistent across both desktop and mobile.
FantasyPros is built to handle the demands of fantasy sports enthusiasts, and its robust backend effectively supports that mission.
I couldn’t tell you a single time that I’ve run into a technology glitch using the platform in recent times. I think the only time I did have trouble over the years was the real-time Draft Assistant, and I believe it had more to do with ESPN in retrospect.
Value Proposition
Free vs. Premium
The last topic I wanted to hit on was the free versus premium approach FantasyPros uses.
I commend FantasyPros for offering quite a bit of value from a complimentary perspective. You can find it without spending money if you’re a casual player just looking to learn more and get some direction.
The free version of FantasyPros offers plenty of value, but the premium features are where the real magic happens. Upgrading unlocks deeper analysis, customized cheat sheets, and advanced tools like the League Analyzer, which can make a significant difference in competitive leagues.
I find the premium tier worth the investment, especially when playing in high-stakes or highly competitive leagues where every edge matters, aka the real nerds.
Final Thoughts
FantasyPros excels as a comprehensive tool for fantasy sports enthusiasts. It combines expert insights with user-specific data to create a tailored experience for casual and competitive players.
Whether prepping for a draft or managing your team throughout the season, FantasyPros simplifies complex decision-making and provides valuable tools to help you succeed.
The platform’s ability to aggregate expert opinions, simulate draft scenarios, and offer personalized in-season advice makes it an indispensable asset for any serious fantasy player.
Have you used FantasyPros or something similar to help you somehow manage your hobbies? Comment below and let us know.
Thank you for reading on Substack, and be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn.
Are you interested in talking about product things with me directly? Book a 15-minute chat, and let’s party.
Love it Mike! I'm seeing quite a few 'teardowns' pop up across our little network of PMs on Substack, great to get some inspiration :)