How do players end up on waivers?

There are two main ways a player can end up on waivers. Both are optional and can be configured by the commish from the League » Settings » Edit Waiver Wire Rules page.

1. Drop-Claim: An owned player is placed on waivers if they are dropped from the owner's roster, becoming a free agent.
2. Game-Start: A free agent player is placed on waivers when that player's real game begins.

Example 1: Drop-Claim Waivers

Matt Ryan is dropped by a team in your league on Thursday. No team will be able to add Ryan without first going through the claim system. Ryan is placed on waivers for 24 hours (or 48 hours, depending on league settings). After that time, Fleaflicker automatically processes all claims for Ryan and awards him to the team with the best waiver position.

If nobody claims Ryan, he becomes an unrestricted free agent. (Why is this done? The NFL and most professional sports leagues have a similar rule in place. Just because Ryan is released by one team doesn't mean he has no value to the rest of the league. If you don't act immediately, you will miss out and that is unfair.)

Example 2: Game-Start Waivers

Todd Gurley is an unrestricted free agent and is playing on Sunday at 4:25 PM ET. After 4:25 PM ET, Gurley will automatically be placed on waivers. Teams wishing to add him to their roster must submit a claim for him. All claims are processed during the league's kickoff waiver processing day(s).

If nobody claims Gurley after the league's final waiver processing day, he becomes an unrestricted free agent at 8 AM ET. (Why is this done? Imagine a starter is injured during a game. Their backup's value instantly skyrockets. If you don't act immediately, you will miss out and that is unfair.)