BPA

What does BPA stand for in sports drafts?

Best player available

BPA is an acronym commonly used in sports drafts, especially in the NFL and NBA. It refers to a drafting strategy where teams select the most talented player still on the board, regardless of positional need.

The BPA approach is based on the idea that accumulating top-tier talent is more valuable in the long run than filling immediate gaps. Analysts, scouts, and fans often debate whether teams should follow the BPA strategy or draft based on specific roster needs. Supporters of BPA argue that drafting purely for need can lead to passing on superior talent, while critics note that positional imbalance can create depth issues.

You will see BPA widely used in draft discussions, both in professional sports and fantasy leagues. The concept has been a staple of draft strategy for decades and is often referenced in mock drafts, expert analysis, and team war rooms when making crucial selection decisions.

Example

The team really needs a cornerback, but they took a wide receiver instead
Yeah, but he was the BPA. You can't pass on that kind of talent just to fill a need
NFL draft BPA Reddit post
NFL draft BPA Reddit post

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Updated March 20, 2025

BPA definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary

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