The NFL has kicked off April by approving several rule changes, most notably opening up when teams can declare onside kicks. Instead of waiting for the fourth quarter, they can now go for a kick at any point in the game. The game has changed, and that means fantasy sports has changed too, so players should remember these tips when they build their next roster.
Onside Kicks Will Unlock Volatility
When a team can try for an onside kick at any time, game stats can become more volatile. Before the rule change, that onside kick was reserved for the late game, often used like a Hail Mary pass. Put simply, it was a desperation play. Now it’s a strategy just like any other.
As for making those picks, you’ll want to do your homework and find the balance between skilled but cheap players. There’s no shortage of DFS platforms that can help with that by offering promo funds for players in the US. For example, the PrizePicks promo code for new users gets players $50 in funds after putting $5 into a contest, which could be the NFL or the other big leagues like the NBA, MLB, or even the NCAA Final Four.
More than any of the other rule changes, DFS players should pay attention to early onside kicks now. They open up more scoring and passing opportunities, so expect to see some of the more experimental coaches out there trying them out in the 2026-27 season.
If enough coaches pull for onside kicks, we could see the natural rhythm of football get completely disrupted. Instead of going play for play, point for point, a beastly offense could go for a touchdown, then an onside kick, and land near the goal line, all within a few seconds of play. Of course, volatility is a double-edged sword, so the players who aren’t in your DFS roster can pull this neat trick too. It’s much harder to run out the clock now, so expect intense, competitive, high-scoring games all the way through.
The move actually brings the NFL closer to what you’d see in NCAA football, where kicks aren’t as restricted and even surprise onside kicks are on the table. Athletes coming up from the NCAA should find the new, formalized but freed kick rules much easier to adapt to.
Double-Stacking Can Be More Lucrative Now
Many DFS players stack their roster, choosing collaborating players to get points for every pass and catch. This often means pairing the quarterback with his pass catchers, like the wide receivers or tight ends. If they play well, your score will compound and perform better than someone who didn’t double-stack.
Before the rule changes, a fourth-quarter onside kick usually hurt your fantasy score. It ended your drive and put the ball in the other team’s hands, who, if you’re pulling a desperate onside kick, would usually be further up your side of the field. After the changes, some of the NFL’s best coaches could pull onside kicks early in the game. Even failed kicks will put the ball at the goal line, speed up the game, and result in more points if you’re double-stacked on either team’s big movers.