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OPRK stands for opponent ranking in ESPN fantasy football.
OPRK is how well the opposing defense ranks against your prospective fantasy player’s position. [1]
@HeyimCorey
In the image of the ESPN fantasy football app above, OPRK is inside the blue rectangle.
The OPRK values for your starting players are listed in the OPRK column.
I’m Tracy, and I’ve been an NFL and fantasy football student for years. So I know the rules and available options regarding ESPN fantasy football.
In this post, I’ll explore the numbering and coloring system for OPRK. If you want to field the best fantasy lineups, OPRK is a great tool, and I’ll cover invoking OPRK to create the best lineups.
Let’s get smarter!
Key Takeaways
- Since there are 32 NFL teams, OPRK values range from 1 to 32.
- OPRK values range from 1 to 32 and may be colored red or green.
- Lower, red OPRK numbers mean it may be a formidable opponent; higher, green OPRK numbers represent an easier opponent.
What Is the Numbering System?
You’ll notice that OPRK values are numbered.
Since there are 32 NFL teams, OPRK values range from 1 to 32.
An OPRK of 1 indicates that your opponent allows the fewest fantasy points to that player’s position.
An OPRK of 32 means your opponent allows the most fantasy points to that player’s position.
Low OPRK numbers mean it may be a formidable opponent; high OPRK numbers represent an easier opponent. [2]
What Is the Color System?
In the image above, you’ll notice that OPRK values may also be colored red or green.
Green represents that your player’s opponent is ranked in the bottom 10 teams (23 – 32) at defending that position.
Red represents that the opposing team ranks in the top 10 teams (1-10) at defending that position. [3]
For example, running back Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants face the Indianapolis Colts (Ind) on Sunday.
In the green rectangle, the Indianapolis defense ranks 29th against running backs.
The OPRK of ‘29’ is colored in green as the Colts rank in the bottom 10 teams in allowing fantasy points to running backs (they rank 29 out of 32 teams in defending the run).
Barkley is on target for a fantastic fantasy performance.
In addition, you notice that your starting D/ST, the New England Patriots, are squaring off against the Miami Dolphins (Mia) offense on Sunday afternoon.
Since your ‘player’ is the New England defense, the OPRK indicated inside the red rectangle is for the Miami Dolphins offense.
The Miami offense scores the 7th most fantasy points against opposing defenses.
The OPRK of ‘7’ is colored in red as the Dolphins rank in the top 10 teams in scoring fantasy points against defenses (they rank 7 out of 32 teams at scoring fantasy points).
Lastly, you will notice that wide receiver Stefon Diggs and the Buffalo Bills face the Cincinnati Bengals (Cin) on Monday night.
In the gray rectangle, the Cincinnati defense ranks 12th against wide receivers.
The OPRK of ‘12’ is neither green nor red, as the Bengals do not rank in the top or bottom 10 teams in allowing fantasy points to wide receivers (they rank 12 out of 32 teams in defending wide receivers). [4]
When is OPRK Useful?
OPRK is by no means the end-all, be-all regarding your starting fantasy football lineups.
It is merely one part of the recipe in lineup creation.
However, it can provide fantasy players with a powerful tool in certain circumstances.
Imagine your typical starting running back is matched against the number one-ranked defense against running backs.
In addition, suppose your backup running back is facing the worst-ranked defense against the run.
In such an extreme scenario, pivoting to your backup running back for the upcoming week would be prudent.
This short YouTube video illustrates the process for those running backs to start and those running backs to avoid based on OPRK.
Nonetheless, all positions in your starting lineup, e.g., QB, WR, TE, D/ST, K, etc., must be subject to identical processes.
Closing Thoughts
Your best players should be in your starting lineups, regardless of the defenses that they face.
However, I am willing to consider pivoting to a player in a much better matchup in extreme circumstances.
Let me know your thoughts on starting your backup in a far better matchup versus playing your starter in a dreadful matchup for fantasy production.
Is this a strategy that you might employ?
Read more:
- CAN YOU DO ESPN FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT ON IPHONE AND HOW?
- DOES OVERTIME COUNT FOR ESPN FANTASY FOOTBALL?
References
- https://thefantasyfootballcounselor.com/15-most-commonly-used-fantasy-football-terms-defined/
- https://fantasy.espn.com/football/fantasycast
- https://support.fanduel.com/s/article/What-is-OPRK-and-where-can-I-find-it
- In Espn Fantasy Football Why Are Some Oprk Values Listed In Red And Others In Green?
