Updated August 27, 2024

Since the mid-1990s, I’ve been quite successful in fantasy football. I’ve been asked, “What’s your secret?” Well, there’s not a secret per se, but there is one clear thing that I do for each draft every year.

The best and most helpful thing you can do: Have a clear draft plan! Know which players are likely to be on the board when you select and know which of those players you like most. Don’t make those decisions while you’re on the clock.

Now, remember, fantasy football is all about value. The plan for each potential pick ought to be informed by a desire to maximize value at each selection. Let’s go round by round and determine what would be the ideal draft plan.

Note on League Size & Settings: This draft plan assumes a 12-team league with typical fantasy scoring/settings. This plan should work well for PPR and non-PPR leagues. With slight modifications, you could also use this plan in 14-team leagues too.

 

Round 1: Understand Your Options: Running Backs vs. Wide Receivers

When it comes to my overall strategy, I find myself at a fork in the road starting in round one: Should I go for an elite running back or an exceptional wide receiver? It’s not just about picking a name from the list; it’s about weighing my options carefully.

If you’re drafting at the top of round one, this is easy. Take one of the top three running backs. But if you’re drafting in the middle or later parts of the first round, I think you can go either way. Honestly, it boils down to personal comfort—whether you feel more secure with a running back or a wide receiver leading your team.

At the end of the day, I’m still thoroughly convinced that the running back position is the hardest position to fix mid-season. If my wide receivers end-up being a trainwreck, I’m confident that I can potentially fix that later in the year, but not so with running backs. So, with that in mind, I’d rather draft a running back in round one in most formats, if possible. Here’s my overall top 14 players:

• RB- Christian McCaffrey
• RB- Breece Hall
• RB- Bijan Robinson
• RB- Jonathan Taylor
• RB- Saquon Barkley
• WR- Tyreek Hill
• WR- CeeDee Lamb
• WR- Ja’Marr Chase
• WR- Justin Jefferson
• WR- A.J. Brown
• WR- Amon-Ra St. Brown
• RB- Jahmyr Gibbs
• RB- Josh Jacobs
• WR- Garrett Wilson

Obviously, check-in on the Lamb contract situation and the Gibbs injury before you draft.

 

Rounds 2–3: Building Strategy

I’ve already given 14 names. That’ll get you through round one and the turn. If your league-mates have drafted other players than these, then I’d say, “Congrats! You’ve got some value coming your way!”

After these initial 14 guys are gone, my next pick would evolve based on my first pick.

If I chose a running back in round one, then I want to make sure that at least one of my next two picks is a wide receiver. In fact, I’d even be okay with taking two receivers with my next two picks.

But if you started with a wide receiver in round one, then it’s imperative you get a running back in round two. Lots of guys are fine starting with back-to-back wideouts. But based on everything I’ve seen thus far this summer, if you start with two wideouts,  you’re likely going to end up with a shaky starting lineup.

If I’m drafting in the mid-to-late second round and any of the aforementioned players were to fall to me, then I’d obviously take him, the value would be too good.

If I want/need a wideout, the next set of names that I’d be most likely considering:

• Davante Adams
• Deebo Samuel
• Brandon Aiyuk
• Puka Nacua
• Chris Olave
• Mike Evans
• Drake London

If I’m looking at running backs then I’m looking at:

• Isiah Pacheco
• Joe Mixon
• Travis Etienne
• James Cook
• Kyren Williams

Okay, so far, I’ve given you 26 names total. To get you through round three, I need to give you an additional ten names. Let’s hope that some of your league-mates draft quarterbacks or tight ends or lesser RBs/WRs in the first few rounds; if that happens, then several of the aforementioned names may still be available for you in round three.

However, if all of these 26 of these guys are gone when you draft in round three, then here’s my next pool (in order of preference):

• WR- DJ Moore
• WR- Nico Collins
• RB- Kenneth Walker
• RB- Alvin Kamara
• RB- De’Von Achane
• WR- Stefon Diggs
• WR- DK Metcalf
• WR- Michael Pittman
• RB- Aaron Jones
• RB- Derek Henry

That’s 36 names. That’ll get you through the first three rounds. The ideal roster constructions to have after the first three rounds:

• 2WR+1RB
• 1WR+2RB

Avoid taking three players from the same position. And, for the love of all things beautiful and holy, DO NOT draft a quarterback or tight end in the first three rounds, no matter what!

 

Round 4: Get Value, and Maybe a QB

Okay, if any of these aforementioned 36 names are available when you select, that’s who you ought to target. And based in average draft position (ADP) that I’ve seen on multiple sites, I think it’s likely that several of these names will still be on the board.

If all of those 36 names are gone then my next group includes these wideouts:

• DeVonta Smith
• Cooper Kupp
• Jaylen Waddle

QB Consideration: Now, if you’re drafting in the mid-to-late part of the 4th round, I might consider quarterback. If all of the aforementioned 39 names are gone AND if either Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes is available, then I’d take Allen or Mahomes (whichever you prefer). But again, only if those other/previous 39 guys are gone. But let’s be honest, in most leagues it’s highly unlikely that either Allen or Mahomes makes it that far.

After all those guys, the next grouping I’d consider is a pool of wideouts:

• George Pickens
• Zay Flowers
• Tee Higgins
• Marvin Harrison Jr.
• Tank Dell

If all those guys are gone, then I’ll look back at running backs:

• David Montgomery
• James Conner
• Rachaad White
• Rhamondre Stevenson

 

Round 5–6: Get More Value, and Maybe a TE

As you head into the middle rounds, if any of the aforementioned players are still available, then that’s who you ought to target.

As I delve into rounds five and six, there’s several running backs that I think could help my team. Ideally, I want to come out of the first six rounds with at least three running backs. The guys I’m looking at:

• Tony Pollard
• Najee Harris
• Gus Edwards
• Raheem Mostert
• Devin Singletary
• Javonte Williams
• Jaylen Warren
• Brian Robinson Jr.
• Austin Ekeler

Knowing that wide receiver options will become increasingly sparse in this section of the draft, it’s in my best interest to stock up. The most attractive guys in rounds five to six are:

• Christian Kirk
• Keenan Allen
• Amari Cooper
• Terry McLaurin
• Malik Nabers
• Chris Godwin
• Jayden Reed
• Diontae Johnson
• Christian Watson
• Marquise Brown
• DeAndre Hopkins
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Tight End Caveat: If you’re feeling good about your selections in the first five rounds (and assuming you have not drafted a QB), then you might want to consider a tight end in round six, but only if there’s great value.

In the very unlikely scenario that one of the top five tight ends is still on the board in round six, then pull the trigger, but not before round six, and not for anything less than top five. The top five guys are:

• Travis Kelce
• Sam LaPorta
• George Kittle
• Mark Andrews
• Trey McBride

As you exit round six, you ought to have one of these roster constructions:

• 3RB+3WR
• 3RB+2WR+1QB
• 3RB+2WR+1TE

Any other roster construction means your team will likely have terrible depth where (and when) it matters most.

 

Round 7–8: Options Galore

As stated earlier, if any of the aforementioned players are still available when you select in rounds 7 or 8, that’s who you ought to target. If those guys are gone, then here’s the group I’m looking at (in order of preference):

• RB- Chase Brown
• RB- Chuba Hubbard
• WR- Rashee Rice
• RB- D’Andre Swift
• RB- Tyjae Spears
• WR- Calvin Ridley
• WR- Jordan Addison
• WR- Courtland Sutton
• WR- Tyler Lockett
• WR- Jakobi Meyers
• RB- Jerome Ford
• WR- Brian Thomas Jr.
• WR- Ladd McConkey

Value: Chase Brown and Rashee Rice are two favorite value picks this season at this stage of the draft. I find myself taking both of them in most of my drafts. Brown is clearly the most talented RB on his team and I think he’ll become the Bengals’ primary ball carrier within the first few weeks of the season. Meanwhile, Rice is being drafted at a spot that assumes he’ll be suspended, but I’m convinced he won’t be suspended at all. The wheels of justice in the NFL move slow. I think it’s most likely that Rice will be suspended for a few games in 2025, making him a great value in 2024.

Quarterback Caveat: If you’re feeling good about the selections you’ve made thus far, then you might want to consider a quarterback, but only if there’s great value.

It’s very unlikely that any of the next top six quarterbacks will still be on the board in round seven or eight, but if any of them are indeed still available, then pull the trigger—but not before round seven, and not for anything less than a top six guy. We’ve already mentioned Allen and Mahomes. The next top tier guys are:

• Lamar Jackson
• C.J. Stroud
• Joe Burrow
• Jalen Hurts

Going into round nine, you ought to, ideally, have one of these roster constructions (in order of my preference):

• 4RB+4WR
• 4RB+3WR+1QB
• 4RB+3WR+1TE
• 5RB+3WR

These configurations would be the ideal options. Any other roster construction other than these options means that your team will have terrible depth where it matters most.

QB–TE Note: Ideally, I do not want to draft both a QB and TE in the first 8 rounds. The two positions are correlated, in my mind. The earlier that I take a QB, then the more likely I am to wait on TE, and the earlier that I take a TE, then the more likely I am to wait on QB.

 

Round 9–10: Now It’s Time to Look at QB or TE

As stated in previous round notes, if any of the aforementioned players are still available when you select in rounds 9 or 10, that’s who you ought to target. Also, if you’ve already taken a QB or TE, do not take a second QB or second TE.

If you don’t have a QB, then target Jordan Love or Brock Purdy in the 9th round or Jayden Daniels in the 10th round (or if there’s a QB still available that you think is better than those guys, then take the better QB).

If you don’t have a TE, then target Dallas Goedert in round 10 (or if there’s a better TE still available in the 10th, then take the better option). I think there’s a chance, in some leagues, that Brock Bowers could still be there in the 9th round. I like his upside, so I might consider him too.

If there’s no great QB or TE options, then don’t reach. Just keep bolstering your roster depth at RB and WR. The potential RB and WR value picks that I might consider in the 9th and 10th rounds (in order of preference):

• WR- Joshua Palmer
• WR- Xavier Worthy
• RB- Ezekiel Elliott
• RB- Trey Benson
• RB- Antonio Gibson
• WR- Brandin Cooks
• WR- Jameson Williams
• WR- Rashid Shaheed

After round 10, you ideally ought to have one of these roster constructions (listed in order of my preference):

• 4RB+4WR+1QB+1TE
• 4RB+5WR+1TE
• 4RB+5WR+1QB
• 5RB+5WR
• 4RB+6WR

But, again, do not reach for players just to get to a specific construction. There will still be value in the later rounds.

 

Round 11 & Beyond: Rounding It Out

As I approach the later rounds, it’s all about filling out your roster with the best players available and then taking some shots on sleepers.

As stated earlier, if any of the aforementioned players are still available when you select in the later rounds, that’s who you ought to target. Of course, if you’ve already taken a QB or TE, do not take a second QB or second TE.

If you’ve not yet taken a quarterback, that’s fine. Guys like Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, and Aaron Rodgers will likely still be available in rounds 11 and 12, and guys like Baker Mayfield, Derek Carr, and Geno Smith will likely still be there in round 13.

If you’ve not yet taken a tight end, that’s fine too. Guys like Cole Kmet, Dalton Schultz, and Pat Freiermuth should be there in round 11, and both Luke Musgrave and Taysom Hill will still be there in round 12 (and maybe even round 13).

At RB and WR, my favorite late round sleepers and value picks are (listed in order of my preference):

• RB- Khalil Herbert
• RB- Blake Corum
• WR- Mike Williams
• WR- Michael Wilson
• RB- Zach Charbonnet
• RB- J.K. Dobbins
• WR- Jerry Jeudy
• WR- Marvin Mims, Jr.
• RB- Jaylen Wright
• WR- Josh Downs
• RB- Rico Dowdle
• RB- Keaton Mitchell

Some of the late round “dart throw” picks that I like include (listed in order of my preference):

• WR- Ricky Pearsall
• WR- Keon Coleman
• WR- Curtis Samuel
• WR- Adonai Mitchell
• RB- Jaleel McLaughlin
• WR- Jalen Tolbert
• RB- Ray Davis
• RB- Tyrone Tracy
• RB- Sean Tucker
• WR- Malik Washington
• RB- Dylan Laube

 

Kickers and Defenses

Don’t get cute. These two positions should be your last two picks. The rest of your roster should be fully done before taking a Defense or Kicker.

However, if you insist that you want better value and want to jump ahead of the runs on the positions, fine, then take Defense with your third-to-last pick and then Kicker with your second-to-last pick, and then use your actual last pick on a sleeper/flier pick. I don’t love that approach, but I understand it.