My Fantasy Football Team Drafted By ChatGPT
Is it time to turn over your fantasy draft to an AI bot? I decided to put it to the test to see if ChatGPT is ready to replace seasoned fantasy football experts.
As an experiment, I enlisted my chatbot assistant to act as my assistant GM in an OutKick NFL fantasy draft. The objective was to determine if pairing a human (me) with a powerful AI could create a winning roster for the 2025 season. Could we gain a clear advantage over the other human managers?
Here’s a breakdown of how our human-AI partnership fared after week one.
Bijan Robinson had six receptions, 100 yards, and one receiving touchdown for 24 fantasy points in Week 1.
ChatGPT's Winning Plays: The Pros
The AI assistant proved its worth in several key areas, demonstrating its potential as a powerful tool for any fantasy manager.
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A Resource, Not Just a Source: The AI's ability to process vast amounts of data in seconds was a game-changer. I could ask a question like, "Is round 3 too early for Jayden Daniels?" and receive a 250-word analysis with season projections almost instantly.
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Finding Hidden Gems: It unearthed valuable insights that I hadn't considered. When I asked about Chuba Hubbard in the 4th round, it told me he averaged .85 points per touch in 2024, even against heavy defensive fronts. The bot was especially high on him due to a lack of competition. It also strongly advised picking Zay Flowers in the 6th round, who went on to have the highest fantasy production for wide receivers in Week 1 with 28.10 points.
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Positive Reinforcement: One surprising benefit was the AI's positive attitude. When drafting late-round lottery picks, it always focused on the upside, which is a nice touch compared to the usual draft-day second-guessing.
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Team Organization: After each pick, I would inform the bot, and it would keep a running tally of my roster, providing a continuous analysis of the team's strengths and weaknesses.
AI Fumbles: The Cons
However, the chatbot also made some critical errors that highlighted its current limitations, primarily related to its access to real-time information.
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Outdated Player Information: GPT recommended I keep an eye on Will Levis, which was terrible advice since he is out for the entire year after shoulder surgery. It also suggested drafting Justin Tucker as my kicker, forgetting that he is no longer in the NFL.
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Factual Inaccuracies: The AI's initial analysis incorrectly listed Ladd McConkey as a rookie, and I had to correct it that he is in his second season. It also kept insisting that running back Chase Brown was a sleeper who would be available in the 10th round, overvaluing his draft position.
The Final Roster: A Human-AI Collaboration
Despite the hiccups, here is the final team we drafted:
| Round | Pick | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (3) | Bijan Robinson | RB |
| 2 | (22) | Ladd McConkey | WR |
| 3 | (27) | Jayden Daniels | QB |
| 4 | (46) | Chuba Hubbard | RB |
| 5 | (51) | DK Metcalf | WR |
| 6 | (70) | Zay Flowers | WR |
| 7 | (75) | Travis Kelce | TE |
| 8 | (94) | Zach Charbonnet | RB |
| 9 | (99) | Jakobi Meyers | WR |
| 10 | (118) | Cam Skattebo | RB |
| 11 | (123) | Jayden Reed | WR |
| 12 | (142) | Rachaad White | RB |
| 13 | (147) | Bhayshul Tuten | RB |
| 14 | (166) | DeMario Douglas | WR |
| 15 | (171) | Buffalo | DEF |
| 16 | (190) | Daniel Carlson | K |
Jayden Daniels had a solid performance in Week 1 with 233 passing yards, 68 rushing yards, and one touchdown.
Week One Results: Did The Bot Win?
With the draft complete, it was time for the first test. Here was my starting lineup for Week One:
- QB1: Jayden Daniels
- RB1: Bijan Robinson
- RB2: Chuba Hubbard
- WR1: Ladd McConkey
- WR2: DK Metcalf
- TE1: Travis Kelce
- FLEX: Zay Flowers
- DEF: Buffalo
My team put up a total of 137.92 points, which was the league's highest projected point total for the week. My opponent had 106 points heading into the Monday night game, needing a massive 31-point performance from Justin Jefferson to win.
UPDATE: My team won, 137.92 to 121.42. The human-AI partnership is officially 1-0.
Zay Flowers was a huge factor in the Week 1 win, with 143 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The Verdict: Is AI the Future of Fantasy Football?
So, is ChatGPT ready to replace your instincts as a fantasy GM? Not yet. However, it's an undeniably powerful resource that can give you an edge. For quickly analyzing data and finding insights you might have missed, it's a tool that could definitely help you win a title in your NFL fantasy league. After one week, the chatbot hasn't been fired, and that's a promising start.
