Fantasy Football Draft Guide: 12-Team PPR Draft Strategy

Fantasy Football Draft Guide: The Smart Way to Attack Every Round

Fantasy drafts demand precision. Every pick forces you to juggle ...

scoring settings
positional value
roster needs
ADP
upside
and injury risk

All while the clock is ticking.

Get it wrong, and your season could be over before it even starts.

Your solution: A round-by-round draft strategy guide to maximize value with every pick.

This 12-team PPR draft strategy guide highlights top targets and fallback options for every pick of your draft.

We’ve baked in our 3D Values alongside the latest ADP to help you zero in on the best choices each round.

Consider this your game plan heading into your draft.

No fantasy football draft goes exactly as planned. You’ll likely need to adjust your strategy throughout the draft to maximize value.

That’s where the dynamic fantasy football cheat sheet on your Draft War Room comes into play, instantly analyzing 17 value indicators each time you’re on the clock to help you make the best pick.

Combine the Draft War Room with this round-by-round game plan and you’ll be armed with the ultimate fantasy football draft guide to build a championship-caliber team.

Note: This strategy guide assumes a 16-round draft and starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 Flex, 1 K and 1 DST. The Draft War Room will help you adjust your strategy if your league settings are different.

Fantasy Football Draft Strategy for Pick 1, 2, or 3

Round 1

Top target: Puka Nacua

It’s a tight race atop the 2026 fantasy football rankings. But Nacua edges WR Ja'Marr Chase and RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson in 3D value in this specific format.

Nacua easily led all WRs in PPR points per game last year, finishing 2.3 clear of No. 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

In 24 healthy games over the last two seasons, Nacua has posted absurd averages:

10.9 targets
8.4 catches
109.6 yards
0.54 TDs

Next best: Jahmyr Gibbs

If you’d rather open your draft with an elite RB, Gibbs is a strong pivot off Nacua.

He saw an increased role over the second half of last season, averaging 14.4 carries and 7.0 targets per game. Gibbs led all RBs with 24.8 PPR points per game over that stretch.

Swapping David Montgomery for Isiah Pacheco could mean even more work for Gibbs in 2026.

Gibbs holds a higher baseline and ceiling projection than Bijan Robinson, although Robinson sports the higher floor projection.

Other options:

Bijan Robinson
Ja'Marr Chase

Rounds 2 & 3

Top targets: Chase Brown and A.J. Brown

Chase Brown is coming off a RB8 finish in PPR points per game, and the Bengals (surprisingly) made no significant additions to the backfield this offseason.

That puts him in line to again play a big role in a high-scoring offense.

A.J. Brown's 2025 felt underwhelming, but he still finished 12th among WRs in PPR points per game and 17th in yards per route.

He remains a bonafide No. 1 WR and gets an upgraded situation in New England, where QB Drake Maye led the Patriots to a fourth-place finish in passing yards last year. (The Eagles ranked 23rd.)

Next best: Derrick Henry & Nico Collins

Henry beat Father Time again last year, finishing RB7 in PPR points per game. He ranked fourth league-wide in carries and remained as efficient as ever, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and ranking top four in rush yards over expected per attempt and yards after contact per attempt.

Henry will remain a workhorse for the 2026 Ravens, who should be even better with a healthier season from QB Lamar Jackson.

Collins ranked ninth among WRs in PPR points per game across 14 full outings last season. That followed a WR12 finish in 2024.

Durability is a fair concern for a guy who has missed 19 games through five NFL seasons. But when he’s on the field, you’re getting a locked-in fantasy WR1 in the late-second or early-third round.

Other options:

Josh Allen
Rashee Rice
George Pickens
Brock Bowers

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Rounds 4 & 5

Top targets: Jaylen Waddle & Cam Skattebo

Waddle got a big boost up the WR rankings with his move to Denver, where he’ll get steady QB play from Bo Nix in an offense that finished fourth in pass attempts last year.

The Giants showed interest in RBs like Ken Walker and Jeremiyah Love this offseason but ultimately didn't land anyone. That makes Skattebo the favorite to lead the backfield this year.

He flashed his upside last year by ranking eighth among RBs in PPR points per game from Weeks 2-7. He boasts three-down potential and top-12 fantasy upside.

Next best: Davante Adams & Colston Loveland

Adams is in for some regression after scoring 14 times in 14 games last year. But he’ll once again be one of the best TD bets at the position. He ranked top 3 among WRs in red-zone targets, targets inside the 10, and end-zone targets last year, despite missing three games.

Loveland proved efficient throughout his rookie season and closed strong. His averages over his final four games (including playoffs):

12.0 targets
7.0 catches
94.5 yards
0.5 TDs

Loveland could flirt with Trey McBride- or Brock Bowers-level fantasy production this season. And he’s going two rounds later in drafts.

Other options:

Lamar Jackson
Drake Maye
D'Andre Swift
Terry McLaurin
Emeka Egbuka

Rounds 6 & 7

Top targets: Christian Watson & Jalen Hurts

Watson ranked 19th among WRs in PPR points per game last year, registering career bests in yards per route and PFF receiving grade, despite coming off a January 2025 ACL tear.

Watson finds additional target upside in 2026 with Romeo Doubs off to New England.

Even in a down 2025, Hurts ranked QB7 in fantasy points per game. That followed top-5 finishes in each of the previous three years.

We expect this Eagles offense to bounce back in 2026 under new OC Sean Mannion, making Hurts a good bet for upper-end QB1 production once again.

Next best: D.K. Metcalf & Jaylen Warren

Metcalf is coming off a WR25 finish in PPR points per game on a 21.3% target share. He could maintain that type of share in 2026, despite the addition of WR Michael Pittman Jr. And the Steelers could throw more under new HC Mike McCarthy, who has been a pass-leaning play caller.

Warren quietly finished RB19 in PPR points per game last year.

We’ll see exactly how Pittsburgh’s backfield shakes out this season with Kenneth Gainwell out and Rico Dowdle in. But that change could mean even more pass-catching work for Warren, who has averaged 46.3 catches over the last three seasons.

Other options:

Rhamondre Stevenson
Parker Washington
Tucker Kraft

Rounds 8 & 9

Top targets: George Kittle & Michael Pittman Jr.

This is a good spot for TE value, with varying degrees of upside and risk on Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Dalton Kincaid.

Kittle leads the group in ceiling after finishing third among TEs in PPR points per game across his 10 full outings last year. The Achilles injury obviously adds risk, but an 8th- or 9th-round cost makes Kittle relatively replaceable.

Pittman has been a strong target earner, posting a 20+% target share in five straight seasons. He has a good chance to make it six straight this year in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers have very little proven production beyond D.K. Metcalf.

Note: If you drafted Metcalf earlier and are looking for a WR here, consider Jordan Addison or Jakobi Meyers instead.

Next best: Trevor Lawrence & J.K. Dobbins

Lawrence is coming off a QB6 finish while leading the position in expected fantasy points per game. He was even better over the second half of the season (QB1) as he settled into HC Liam Coen’s scheme.

Lawrence’s combination of passing and rushing upside gives him an exciting fantasy ceiling.

Dobbins was Denver's clear lead back ahead of R.J. Harvey before last year's season-ending injury. He averaged 15.3 carries and ranked 23rd among RBs in PPR points per game through Week 10.

The two-year, $16 million deal the Broncos gave Dobbins this offseason says he's in for a similar role in 2026.

Other options:

Brock Purdy
Jordan Addison
Jakobi Meyers
Ricky Pearsall
Quentin Johnston
Travis Kelce
Dalton Kincaid

Rounds 10 & 11

Top targets: Jonathon Brooks & Josh Downs

Brooks sat out all of last season recovering from the second tear of his right ACL. But he’s seemingly on track to be a full-go for 2026. And his competition for touches in Carolina’s backfield is Chuba Hubbard, who’s coming off an underwhelming season.

Brooks is one of our favorite late-round targets at RB.

Will Downs finally get a chance at a full-time role with the departure of Michael Pittman? The Colts seem willing to give him a shot.

Downs would rock top-30 PPR upside as a full-timer.

Next best: Xavier Worthy & Jayden Higgins

A Week 1 shoulder injury impacted how the Chiefs deployed Worthy last year, HC Andy Reid admitted earlier this offseason.

There's bounce-back potential with the 23-year-old former first-round pick, especially if WR Rashee Rice continues to deal with health problems and off-field issues.

Higgins flashed nice efficiency last year, ranking top-5 among 15 qualifying rookie WRs in targets per route, yards per route, and Pro Football Focus receiving grade.

There’s room for him to garner a lot more volume this season, making him a breakout candidate.

Other options:

Bo Nix
Rachaad White
Jordan Mason
Mark Andrews
Dallas Goedert

TIP

Prioritizing high-upside players in the later rounds is 1 of 7 key tenets of our fantasy football draft strategy.

Rounds 12 & 13

Top targets: Kyler Murray & Jalen McMillan

We expect Murray to beat out QB J.J. McCarthy for the starting job in Minnesota. And if he does, he’ll boast obvious top-12 upside thanks to his rushing ability, HC Kevin O’Connell’s scheme, and the Vikings’ weaponry.

Murray is an ideal target if you’re waiting at QB.

McMillan finds big opportunity in Tampa Bay after the departure of Mike Evans.

He was a good-looking prospect coming into the league, scored eight TDs as a rookie, and then popped for a 114-yard game in Week 17 last year after missing most of the season with a neck injury.

Jalen McMillan is one of our seven 2026 fantasy football sleepers.

Get the full list.

Next best: Tyjae Spears & Rashid Shaheed

Spears has established himself as a productive pass-catching back, ranking 13th at his position in total receptions and 14th in receiving yards over the last three seasons. That gives him a nice base in PPR leagues.

If he can siphon a few more carries from 29-year-old Tony Pollard, Spears could turn into a weekly RB3 or Flex option.

Shaheed is a classic post-hype sleeper. He struggled after last year's midseason trade to Seattle. But a full offseason to settle into the offense should mean a much more productive 2026. Shaheed was reportedly a star of the Seahawks' spring workouts.

Other options:

Tyler Shough
Isiah Pacheco
Chris Rodriguez
Rashid Shaheed
Brenton Strange

Rounds 14, 15, & 16

Top targets: High-upside bench stash, K, & DST

Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

Cam Ward
Kaytron Allen
Jonah Coleman
MarShawn Lloyd
Jaydon Blue
Travis Hunter
Denzel Boston
Adonai Mitchell
Antonio Williams
Tre Harris
Chig Okonkwo

You’ll probably want to play matchups and stream at K and DST throughout the season. Here are a few options at both positions with favorable early-season schedules:

DSTs

Chargers (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
Packers (at MIN, at NYJ, vs. ATL)
Jaguars (vs. CLE)
Chiefs (vs. DEN, vs. IND, at MIA, at LV)

Cameron Dicker (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
Tyler Loop (at IND, vs. NO, at DAL)
Harrison Mevis (vs. SF, vs. NYG)

Fantasy Football Draft Strategy for Pick 4, 5, or 6

Round 1

Top target: Puka Nacua

Nacua, Ja'Marr Chase, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Bijan Robinson make up a clear top 4 in our fantasy football rankings and ADP. That makes picking fourth a great spot: Just take whoever falls to you.

We'll highlight Nacua here since he's currently 1.04 in ADP. He easily led all WRs in PPR points per game last year, finishing 2.3 clear of No. 2 Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

In 24 healthy games over the last two seasons, Nacua has posted these absurd averages:

10.9 targets
8.4 catches
109.6 yards
0.54 TDs

Next best: Christian McCaffrey

If those top four guys are off the board, you'll find McCaffrey topping the rankings in your Draft War Room.

Age and injury history make McCaffrey riskier than Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson. But McCaffrey easily led both guys in expected and actual PPR points per game last year.

In fact, his 24.4 points per game last year were the eighth-most by a RB over the last 10 seasons.

Barring injury, he’s set to play a similar role in 2026 and clearly has the upside to lead all RBs in fantasy points.

Other options:

Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Round 2

Top Target: Chase Brown

Chase Brown is coming off a RB8 finish in PPR points per game, and the Bengals (surprisingly) made no significant additions to the backfield this offseason.

That puts him in line to again play a big role in a high-scoring offense. Cincinnati ranks second in our Fantasy Environment Scores.

Next best: A.J. Brown

A.J. Brown's 2025 felt underwhelming, but he still finished 12th among WRs in PPR points per game and 17th in yards per route.

He remains a bonafide No. 1 WR and gets an upgraded situation in New England, where QB Drake Maye led the Patriots to a fourth-place finish in passing yards last year. (The Eagles ranked 23rd.)

Other options:

Derrick Henry
Nico Collins
Brock Bowers

Round 3

Top target: Rashee Rice

It's been a tumultuous offseason for Rice, but he's on track to be out there for Week 1.

A healthy Rice has been a fantasy monster, averaging 18.3 PPR points over his last 21 games. Only five WRs (including Rice himself) averaged more last year.

Next best: Breece Hall

Hall finished just RB21 in PPR points per game last year on a bad Jets offense. Expect that unit to take a step forward in 2026 with QB Geno Smith, a couple of rookie pass catchers, and a promising offensive line.

Hall's new three-year, $43.5 million contract is a sure sign that he'll remain heavily involved.

Other options:

Josh Allen
Josh Jacobs
Chris Olave

3D Values identify exactly what a player is worth in YOUR league.

Learn how to use 3D Values to win your draft.

Round 4

Top target: Zay Flowers

Flowers is coming off a career-best 14.5 PPR points per game, good for 13th among WRs. That was despite QB Lamar Jackson missing four games and parts of a few others.

There’s still more upside here. Flowers turns just 26 in September and has improved his target share, targets per route, and yards per route across each of his three NFL seasons.

Next best: Cam Skattebo

The Giants showed interest in RBs like Ken Walker and Jeremiyah Love this offseason but ultimately didn't land anyone. That makes Skattebo the favorite to lead the backfield this year.

He flashed his upside last season by ranking eighth among RBs in PPR points per game from Weeks 2-7. He boasts three-down potential and top-12 fantasy upside.

Other options:

Jaylen Waddle
Emeka Egbuka
Colston Loveland

Round 5

Top target: Davante Adams

Next best: Drake Maye

Maye was spectacular last year, leading the league in both completion rate and yards per attempt. He finished third among QBs in fantasy points per game.

Now he heads into his third season and second with OC Josh McDaniels with a big WR upgrade in A.J. Brown.

Maye should be a fantasy difference maker and is worth a pick in Round 5.

Other options:

Joe Burrow
D'Andre Swift
David Montgomery
Terry McLaurin
Tyler Warren

Round 6

Top target: Christian Watson

Watson ranked 19th among WRs in PPR points per game last year, registering career bests in yards per route and PFF receiving grade, despite coming off a January 2025 ACL tear.

Watson finds additional target upside in 2026 with Romeo Doubs off to New England.

Next best: Jayden Daniels

Daniels is on sale after an injury-wrecked 2025 season.

He's just two years removed from finishing QB6 in fantasy points per game as a rookie. His combination of passing and rushing ability remains salivating. And new OC David Blough promises to bring more variety of Washington's offense, potentially unlocking Daniels' true ceiling.

Other options:

Jalen Hurts
Jaylen Warren
Rome Odunze
D.K. Metcalf

Round 7

Top target: Rhamondre Stevenson

Stevenson was New England's best RB last year, beating TreVeyon Henderson in:

rush yards over expected per attempt
yards after contact per attempt
missed tackles forced per attempt
yards per route run

Henderson could earn more work in year two, but Stevenson figures to remain heavily involved in New England's high-scoring offense.

Next best: Tony Pollard

Pollard is coming off a RB28 finish in a Titans offense that ranked bottom-3 in points and total yards last year.

If the unit takes a step forward in QB Cam Ward's second season, Pollard could finish significantly higher as the team's lead back.

Other options:

Marvin Harrison Jr.
Courtland Sutton
Jordyn Tyson

TIP

Put this draft strategy to the test with the FREE Mock Draft Simulator.

Round 8

Top target: Sam LaPorta

The back injury that ended LaPorta’s 2025 season adds risk but also delivers a deep discount. This guy was a fifth- or sixth-round pick in most drafts last year.

LaPorta was producing just fine before going down last season, ranking seventh among TEs in PPR points per game. Assuming health, he’ll remain a big part of this high-scoring Lions offense.

Next best: Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence’s combination of passing and rushing upside gives him an exciting fantasy ceiling.

Other options:

Justin Herbert
J.K. Dobbins
Parker Washington

Round 9

Top target: Michael Pittman

Next best: J.K. Dobbins

Dobbins was Denver's clear lead back ahead of R.J. Harvey before last year's season-ending injury. He averaged 15.3 carries and ranked 23rd among RBs in PPR points per game through Week 10.

The two-year, $16 million deal the Broncos gave Dobbins this offseason says he's in for a similar role in 2026.

Other options:

Brock Purdy
Rachaad White
Kenneth Gainwell
Jordan Addison
Quentin Johnston
George Kittle
Travis Kelce
Dalton Kincaid

Round 10

Top target: Jonathon Brooks

Brooks is one of our favorite late-round targets at RB.

Next best: Xavier Worthy

A Week 1 shoulder injury impacted how the Chiefs deployed Worthy last year, HC Andy Reid admitted earlier this offseason.

There's bounce-back potential with the 23-year-old former first-round pick, especially if WR Rashee Rice continues to deal with health problems and off-field issues.

Other options:

Bo Nix
Jordan Mason
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Mark Andrews

Round 11

Top target: Josh Downs

Will Downs finally get a chance at a full-time role with the departure of Michael Pittman? The Colts seem willing to give him a shot.

Downs would rock top-30 PPR upside as a full-timer.

Next best: Jayden Higgins

Higgins flashed nice efficiency last year, ranking top-5 among 15 qualifying rookie WRs in targets per route, yards per route, and PFF receiving grade.

There’s room for him to garner a lot more volume this season, making him a breakout candidate.

TIP

Higgins made our list of top 2026 fantasy football sleepers.

Other options:

Tyrone Tracy
KC Concepcion
Matthew Golden
Dallas Goedert

Round 12

Top target: Kyler Murray

Murray is an ideal target if you're waiting on QB.

Next best: Tyjae Spears

If he can siphon a few more carries from 29-year-old Tony Pollard, Spears could turn into a weekly RB3 or Flex option.

Other options:

Tyler Shough
Rashid Shaheed
Brenton Strange

Round 13

Top target: Jalen McMillan

McMillan finds big opportunity in Tampa Bay after the departure of Mike Evans, who has averaged 1,088 yards and 9.0 TDs over the last 12 seasons.

McMillan was a good-looking prospect, scored eight TDs as a rookie, and then popped for a 114-yard game in Week 17 last year after missing most of the season with a neck injury.

Next best: Isiah Pacheco

At minimum, Pacheco is a strong handcuff to Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit's high-scoring offense.

And there's a chance that he has some standalone value in a David Montgomery-lite role. Lions RBs combined for 407 carries and 123 targets last year. Gibbs can't handle all that work.

Other options:

Malik Willis
Chris Rodriguez
Jonah Coleman
Chig Okonkwo

Round 14, 15 & 16

Top targets: High-upside bench stash, K, & DST

Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

Cam Ward
Kaytron Allen
MarShawn Lloyd
Jaydon Blue
Travis Hunter
Denzel Boston
Adonai Mitchell
Antonio Williams
Tre Harris

You’ll probably want to play matchups and stream at K and DST throughout the season. Here are a few options at both positions with favorable early-season schedules:

DSTs

Chargers (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
Packers (at MIN, at NYJ, vs. ATL)
Jaguars (vs. CLE)
Chiefs (vs. DEN, vs. IND, at MIA, at LV)

Cameron Dicker (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
Tyler Loop (at IND, vs. NO, at DAL)
Harrison Mevis (vs. SF, vs. NYG)

Fantasy Football Draft Strategy for Pick 7, 8, or 9

Round 1

Top target: Christian McCaffrey

There’s some age and injury risk with McCaffrey. But he’s as good a bet as any to lead RBs in fantasy points per game.

McCaffrey did just that last year, handily beating Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs. In fact, McCaffrey’s 24.4 points per game were the eighth-most by a RB over the last 10 seasons.

Next best: Amon-Ra St. Brown

St. Brown is one of the safest picks in fantasy football. He has missed just one game over the past three seasons and finished third among WRs in total PPR points in all three.

St. Brown returns to a very similar situation with the Lions in 2026.

Other options:

CeeDee Lamb
Ashton Jeanty
Justin Jefferson

Round 2

Top target: Saquon Barkley

Barkley disappointed last year, finishing 15th among RBs in PPR points per game. He still ranked seventh at the position in expected points, though, and was generally held back by a sagging Eagles offense.

There’s bounce-back potential for the unit in 2026 under new OC Sean Mannion. And remember that Barkley is just a season removed from leading all RBs with 22.0 PPR points per game.

Next best: Drake London

London ranked eighth among WRs in both expected and actual PPR points per game last year. He drew a 29.2% target share and has now topped 28% in three of four NFL seasons.

London projects for big volume again in 2026, making him a relatively safe bet for top-10 fantasy production regardless of who’s under center for Atlanta.

Other options:

Kenneth Walker III
Chase Brown
A.J. Brown

Round 3

Top target: Rashee Rice

It's been a tumultuous offseason for Rice, but he's on track to be out there for Week 1.

A healthy Rice has been a fantasy monster, averaging 18.3 PPR points over his last 21 games. Only five WRs (including Rice himself) averaged more last year.

Next best: Breece Hall

Hall's new three-year, $43.5 million contract is a sure sign that he'll remain heavily involved.

Other options:

Josh Jacobs
Javonte Williams
Tee Higgins

3D projections factor in ceiling and floor to give you a complete look at every player's fantasy value.

Learn more about how 3D projections help you draft smarter.

Round 4

Top target: Zay Flowers

Flowers is coming off a career-best 14.5 PPR points per game, good for 13th among WRs. That was despite QB Lamar Jackson missing four games and parts of a few others.

There’s still more upside here. Flowers turns just 26 in September and has improved his target share, targets per route, and yards per route across each of his three NFL seasons.

Next best: Cam Skattebo

The Giants showed interest in RBs like Ken Walker and Jeremiyah Love this offseason but ultimately didn't land anyone. That makes Skattebo the favorite to lead the backfield this year.

He flashed his upside last season by ranking eighth among RBs in PPR points per game from Weeks 2-7. He boasts three-down potential and top-12 fantasy upside.

Other options:

Lamar Jackson
DeVonta Smith
Garrett Wilson
Jaylen Waddle
Colston Loveland

Round 5

Top target: Terry McLaurin

Injuries to McLaurin and his QB wrecked his 2025 fantasy output. But he actually posted career bests in both yards per route and Pro Football Focus receiving grade.

McLaurin heads into 2026 as the clear No. 1 target for a healthy Jayden Daniels. He's an easy bounce-back bet.

Next best: Drake Maye

Maye was spectacular last year, leading the league in both completion rate and yards per attempt. He finished third among QBs in fantasy points per game.

Now he heads into his third season and second with OC Josh McDaniels with a big WR upgrade in A.J. Brown.

Maye should be a fantasy difference maker and is worth a pick in Round 5.

Other options:

D'Andre Swift
David Montgomery
Mike Evans
Tyler Warren

Round 6

Top target: Christian Watson

Watson ranked 19th among WRs in PPR points per game last year, registering career bests in yards per route and PFF receiving grade, despite coming off a January 2025 ACL tear.

Watson finds additional target upside in 2026 with Romeo Doubs off to New England.

Next best: Jayden Daniels

Daniels is on sale after an injury-wrecked 2025 season.

Other options:

Jalen Hurts
Jaylen Warren
Rome Odunze
D.K. Metcalf

Round 7

Top target: Rhamondre Stevenson

Stevenson was New England's best RB last year, beating TreVeyon Henderson in:

rush yards over expected per attempt
yards after contact per attempt
missed tackles forced per attempt
yards per route run

Henderson could earn more work in year two, but Stevenson figures to remain heavily involved in New England's high-scoring offense.

Next best: Tony Pollard

Pollard is coming off a RB28 finish in a Titans offense that ranked bottom-3 in points and total yards last year.

If the unit takes a step forward in QB Cam Ward's second season, Pollard could finish significantly higher as the team's lead back.

Other options:

Marvin Harrison Jr.
Courtland Sutton
Jordyn Tyson

TIP

Looking for more ways to crush your fantasy league? Check out all of our Fantasy Football Tools.

Round 8

Top target: Sam LaPorta

The back injury that ended LaPorta’s 2025 season adds risk but also delivers a deep discount. This guy was a fifth- or sixth-round pick in most drafts last year.

LaPorta was producing just fine before going down last season, ranking seventh among TEs in PPR points per game. Assuming health, he’ll remain a big part of this high-scoring Lions offense.

Next best: Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence’s combination of passing and rushing upside gives him an exciting fantasy ceiling.

Other options:

Justin Herbert
J.K. Dobbins
Parker Washington

Round 9

Top target: Michael Pittman

Next best: J.K. Dobbins

Dobbins was Denver's clear lead back ahead of R.J. Harvey before last year's season-ending injury. He averaged 15.3 carries and ranked 23rd among RBs in PPR points per game through Week 10.

The two-year, $16 million deal the Broncos gave Dobbins this offseason says he's in for a similar role in 2026.

Other options:

Brock Purdy
Rachaad White
Kenneth Gainwell
Jordan Addison
Quentin Johnston
George Kittle
Travis Kelce
Dalton Kincaid

Round 10

Top target: Jonathon Brooks

For more on Brooks, check out our 2026 fantasy football sleepers.

Next best: Xavier Worthy

A Week 1 shoulder injury impacted how the Chiefs deployed Worthy last year, HC Andy Reid admitted earlier this offseason.

There's bounce-back potential with the 23-year-old former first-round pick, especially if WR Rashee Rice continues to deal with health problems and off-field issues.

Other options:

Bo Nix
Jordan Mason
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Mark Andrews

Round 11

Top target: Josh Downs

Will Downs finally get a chance at a full-time role with the departure of Michael Pittman? The Colts seem willing to give him a shot.

Downs would rock top-30 PPR upside as a full-timer.

Next best: Jayden Higgins

Higgins flashed nice efficiency last year, ranking top-5 among 15 qualifying rookie WRs in targets per route, yards per route, and PFF receiving grade.

There’s room for him to garner a lot more volume this season, making him a breakout candidate.

Other options:

Tyrone Tracy
KC Concepcion
Matthew Golden
Dallas Goedert

TIP

Pinpoint potential league winners with "Upside Mode" in your Draft War Room.

Round 12

Top target: Kyler Murray

Murray is an ideal target if you're waiting on QB.

Next best: Tyjae Spears

If he can siphon a few more carries from 29-year-old Tony Pollard, Spears could turn into a weekly RB3 or Flex option.

Other options:

Tyler Shough
Rashid Shaheed
Brenton Strange

Round 13

Top target: Jalen McMillan

McMillan finds big opportunity in Tampa Bay after the departure of Mike Evans, who has averaged 1,088 yards and 9.0 TDs over the last 12 seasons.

McMillan was a good-looking prospect, scored eight TDs as a rookie, and then popped for a 114-yard game in Week 17 last year after missing most of the season with a neck injury.

Next best: Isiah Pacheco

At minimum, Pacheco is a strong handcuff to Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit's high-scoring offense.

And there's a chance that he has some standalone value in a David Montgomery-lite role. Lions RBs combined for 407 carries and 123 targets last year. Gibbs can't handle all that work.

Other options:

Malik Willis
Chris Rodriguez
Jonah Coleman
Chig Okonkwo

Round 14, 15, & 16

Top targets: High-upside bench stash, K, & DST

Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

Cam Ward
Kaytron Allen
MarShawn Lloyd
Jaydon Blue
Travis Hunter
Denzel Boston
Adonai Mitchell
Antonio Williams
Tre Harris

You’ll probably want to play matchups and stream at K and DST throughout the season. Here are a few options at both positions with favorable early-season schedules:

DSTs

Chargers (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
Packers (at MIN, at NYJ, vs. ATL)
Jaguars (vs. CLE)
Chiefs (vs. DEN, vs. IND, at MIA, at LV)

Cameron Dicker (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
Tyler Loop (at IND, vs. NO, at DAL)
Harrison Mevis (vs. SF, vs. NYG)

Fantasy Draft Guide for Pick 10, 11, or 12

Fantasy Football Draft Strategy for Pick 10, 11, or 12

Rounds 1 & 2

Top targets: CeeDee Lamb & Justin Jefferson

Lamb got unlucky in the TD department last year, scoring just 3 times on a career-low 4.0% TD rate. He scored on 7.7% of his receptions over his first 5 seasons.

That makes Lamb an easy bounce-back bet in a fast-paced Cowboys offense that will throw plenty.

Jefferson was one of the biggest underachievers at WR last year. He ranked ninth in expected PPR points per game but finished just 30th in actual scoring.

The culprit: Minnesota’s QB play.

That should improve in 2026 -- whether it’s Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy -- making Jefferson a strong bounce-back candidate.

Next best: Ashton Jeanty & James Cook

Jeanty was stuck in a dreadful Raiders offense last season, leading to a RB15 finish in PPR points per game.

He dominated work, though, accounting for 72% of Vegas’ carries and 14% of the targets. That level of volume gives him an exciting ceiling in 2026 in what should be a much-improved offense under HC Klint Kubiak and an upgraded QB room.

Cook is coming off his second straight top-8 PPR finish. His 2024 felt fluky, fueled by a huge TD rate. But 2025 was much more repeatable. Cook averaged 19.2 carries per game and ranked seventh among RBs in expected PPR points per game through Week 17.

Expect him to play a similar role in 2026.

Other options:

De’Von Achane
Saquon Barkley
Drake London
A.J. Brown

Rounds 3 & 4

Top targets: Breece Hall & Zay Flowers

Hall's new three-year, $43.5 million contract is a sure sign that he'll remain heavily involved.

Flowers is coming off a career-best 14.5 PPR points per game, good for 13th among WRs. That was despite QB Lamar Jackson missing four games and parts of a few others.

There’s still more upside here. Flowers turns just 26 in September and has improved his target share, targets per route, and yards per route across each of his three NFL seasons.

Next best: DeVonta Smith & Tee Higgins

A.J. Brown's departure paves the way for Smith to take over as Philadelphia's top dog. He's hogged 33.0% of Eagles targets in 3 games without Brown over the last 2 seasons, posting these receiving lines:

7-76-1
7-79-0
6-84-0

Higgins is coming off a WR13 finish in PPR points per game, despite QB Joe Burrow missing nine games. Higgins ranked fifth at his position with a healthy Burrow in 2024.

He’ll continue to be a key part of Cincinnati’s pass-heavy offense in 2026.

Other options:

Josh Jacobs
Javonte Williams
Travis Etienne
Garrett Wilson
Colston Loveland

Rounds 5 & 6

Top targets: Drake Maye & Terry McLaurin

This is a good spot to target a high-end QB, with Maye leading the way. He was spectacular last year, leading the league in both completion rate and yards per attempt. He finished third among QBs in fantasy points per game.

Now he heads into his third season and second with OC Josh McDaniels with a big WR upgrade in A.J. Brown.

Drake Maye's 429-point ceiling projection ranks fifth highest among QBs.

Learn more about our ceiling and floor projections.

Injuries to McLaurin and his QB wrecked his 2025 fantasy output. But he actually posted career bests in both yards per route and Pro Football Focus receiving grade.

McLaurin heads into 2026 as the clear No. 1 target for a healthy Jayden Daniels. He's an easy bounce-back bet.

Next best: Jayden Daniels & Christian Watson

Daniels is on sale after an injury-wrecked 2025 season.

Watson ranked 19th among WRs in PPR points per game last year, registering career bests in yards per route and PFF receiving grade.

He finds additional target upside in 2026 with Romeo Doubs off to New England.

TIP

Christian Watson leads our list of 2026 fantasy football breakouts.

Other options:

Joe Burrow
Jalen Hurts
D'Andre Swift
Bhayshul Tuten
Mike Evans
Rome Odunze
Tyler Warren

Rounds 7 & 8

Top targets: D.K. Metcalf & Rhamondre Stevenson

Stevenson was New England's best RB last year, beating TreVeyon Henderson in:

rush yards over expected per attempt
yards after contact per attempt
missed tackles forced per attempt
yards per route run

Henderson could earn more work in year two, but Stevenson figures to remain heavily involved in New England's high-scoring offense.

Next best: Trevor Lawrence & Sam LaPorta

This is a fine spot to target your QB1 or TE1.

Lawrence’s combination of passing and rushing upside gives him an exciting fantasy ceiling.

The back injury that ended LaPorta’s 2025 season adds risk but also delivers a deep discount. This guy was a fifth- or sixth-round pick in most drafts last year.

LaPorta was producing just fine before going down last season, ranking seventh among TEs in PPR points per game. Assuming health, he’ll remain a big part of this high-scoring Lions offense.

Other options:

Justin Herbert
Caleb Williams
Tony Pollard
Rico Dowdle
J.K. Dobbins
Parker Washington
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Jordyn Tyson

Rounds 9 & 10

Top targets: Jonathon Brooks & Michael Pittman

For more on Brooks, check out our 2026 fantasy football sleepers.

Note: If you took Metcalf at the last turn, consider Jayden Reed, Jordan Addison, or Quentin Johnston instead of Pittman.

Next best: George Kittle & Jayden Reed

This is a good spot for TE value, with varying degrees of upside and risk on Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Dalton Kincaid.

Kittle leads the group in ceiling after finishing third among TEs in PPR points per game across his 10 full outings last year. The Achilles injury obviously adds risk, but a 9th- or 10th-round cost makes Kittle relatively replaceable.

Reed owns a strong career 2.09 yards per route and could see a boost in playing time and targets this season with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks out of the way.

Other options:

Brock Purdy
Rachaad White
Kenneth Gainwell
Jordan Addison
Quentin Johnston
Travis Kelce
Dalton Kincaid

TIP

Get dynamic rankings every time you're on the clock with live-draft sync.

Rounds 11 & 12

Top targets: Josh Downs & Jayden Higgins

Will Downs finally get a chance at a full-time role with the departure of Michael Pittman? The Colts seem willing to give him a shot.

Downs would rock top-30 PPR upside as a full-timer.

Higgins flashed nice efficiency last year, ranking top five among 15 qualifying rookie WRs in targets per route, yards per route, and Pro Football Focus receiving grade.

There’s room for him to garner a lot more volume this season, making him a breakout candidate.

Next best: Kyler Murray & Tyjae Spears

Murray is an ideal target if you're waiting on QB.

If he can siphon a few more carries from 29-year-old Tony Pollard, Spears could turn into a weekly RB3 or Flex option.

Other options:

Tyler Shough
Tyrone Tracy
KC Concepcion
Matthew Golden
Dallas Goedert

Round 13

Top target: Jalen McMillan

McMillan finds big opportunity in Tampa Bay after the departure of Mike Evans, who has averaged 1,088 yards and 9.0 TDs over the last 12 seasons.

McMillan was a good-looking prospect, scored eight TDs as a rookie, and then popped for a 114-yard game in Week 17 last year after missing most of the season with a neck injury.

Next best: Isiah Pacheco

At minimum, Pacheco is a strong handcuff to Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit's high-scoring offense.

And there's a chance that he has some standalone value in a David Montgomery-lite role. Lions RBs combined for 407 carries and 123 targets last year. Gibbs can't handle all that work.

Other options:

Malik Willis
Chris Rodriguez
Dylan Sampson
Rashid Shaheed
Chig Okonkwo

Round 14, 15, & 16

Top targets: High-upside bench stash, K, & DST

Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

Cam Ward
Kaytron Allen
MarShawn Lloyd
Jaydon Blue
Travis Hunter
Denzel Boston
Adonai Mitchell
Antonio Williams
Tre Harris

You’ll probably want to play matchups and stream at K and DST throughout the season. Here are a few options at both positions with favorable early-season schedules:

DSTs

Chargers (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
Packers (at MIN, at NYJ, vs. ATL)
Jaguars (vs. CLE)
Chiefs (vs. DEN, vs. IND, at MIA, at LV)

Cameron Dicker (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
Tyler Loop (at IND, vs. NO, at DAL)
Harrison Mevis (vs. SF, vs. NYG)

The Ultimate Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: A Customized, Dynamic Cheat Sheet

Having round-by-round strategy heading into your fantasy football draft is important.

But drafts are unpredictable. You need to be nimble. You need to adjust on the fly to capture the most value.

You need a customized, dynamic cheat sheet.

The Draft War Room takes our award-winning player projections and tailors them to your league’s scoring and lineup settings, delivering a precise set of rankings just for you.

Then it recalibrates throughout your draft based on 17 value indicators to make sure you’re making the absolute best pick each time you’re on the clock.

FIRE UP YOUR DRAFT WAR ROOM NOW!

Draft Strategy: Tips & Tricks

7 Expert-Level Drafting Tips

1. Use Unique Rankings To Give Yourself an Edge

Many of your competitors will be drafting off of the same rankings (think: ESPN or Yahoo). Tough to get an edge that way. Put in the work. Stay up-to-date on the news. And don’t be afraid to break away from the herd when it comes to your rankings. It’s an easy way to out-draft your competition.

2. Weaponize ADP To Outsmart Your Competition

ADP is like having your opponent’s playbook. Whether subconsciously or not, ADP has a huge influence on draft behavior. Drafters rarely stray too far from it. Knowing which players your opponents are likely (and unlikely) to draft next can give you a big strategic advantage. (Hint: Use our ADP Market Index to help.)

3. Catch League-Winning Breakout Candidates

Leagues are won by nailing one or two breakout late-round picks. Think Drake Maye or Harold Fannin last year. When you’re on the clock and deciding between two or more players, always ask yourself: “Which of these guys is more likely to be the league-winning, had-to-have player?” Then take that guy.

4. Learn to Predict Your Opponents’ Picks

Drafting is part science (rankings, ADP, positional value) and part art. No two drafts will play out same. It’s your job to recognize the flow of your draft and react accordingly. It’s especially important to track positional needs. For example, if teams near you have selected a bunch of WRs but few RBs, you can assume they’ll be targeting RBs soon. Get out ahead of them and snag a RB with your next pick.

5. Discover the Next Rico Dowdle

Let your league mates waste later-round picks on handcuffing their own RBs. You can get the jump on them by targeting RBs behind fragile starters. That was Rico Dowdle and Woody Marks this time last year. And we’re eyeing some intriguing new candidates for 2026.

6. Take Advantage of Recency Bias

Fantasy managers tend to overreact to what we saw last season. That often leaves value for us to scoop up. A down year from elite QBs in 2025, for example, has guys like Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts coming at deep discounts in 2026 drafts.

7. Chase opportunity at RB… and talent at WR

Fantasy scoring at RB is closely tied to playing time and touches. Target RBs who project to get the rock a lot. WR is a more talent-driven position. Targets are earned, not given. That’s why advanced metrics like targets per route and yards per route run should be key factors in your WR rankings.

3 Fatal Draft Mistakes

1. Don't Match Your Rankings To Last Year’s Stats (Consider What's Changed)

Overweighing last year's fantasy finishes could cost you on draft day. Too much changes from year to year. That includes coaching staffs, offensive schemes, rookies, free agents, etc. That’s why it’s crucial that you live in the present and weigh all the offseason changes when creating your 2026 player rankings.

2. Don’t Be Stubborn About Your Pre-Draft Plan

Instead, be flexible. You might go in with a Zero-RB strategy. But if enough teams grab WRs by the second round, a workhorse RB might fall into your lap. That’s when it’s time to scoop up the player who will best help your team win … not reach for a position because it was part of your pre-draft plan.

3. Don’t Pass Up Player Value to Chase Positional ‘Need’

NFL teams that try to fill “needs” (instead of going “best player available”) most often crap out on their draft picks. Same holds true for you. Reaching for a “need” player most often blows your chances at winning. And remember: Drafting the best player available gives you a valuable trade chip down the road.

Advanced Draft Strategy

7 Key Strategies For Customized Player Rankings

The most advanced fantasy football draft strategy for any format, and any league, is a “Value Based Draft Strategy.” It can take different forms, and be based on any number of draft-value indicators.

Draft Sharks' value-based draft strategy actually has 17 Draft Value Indicators. Here are 7 crucial ones you can use in your draft:

1. Master Cross Positional Value

Which positions are most valuable in your league? It's QB in superflex ... but not in 1-QB leagues. How do RBs stack up vs. WRs in PPR vs. half-PPR? Understanding values across positions involves using a specific algorithm to analyze player values. It weighs various factors like scoring rules, starting-lineup requirements, ADP, and league settings.

2. Track Positional Scarcity on the Fly

This one is super important but also super hard. To measure positional scarcity, you need to track each pick -- and calculate how it impacts the player pool. If there are seven QBs taken by the fifth round, that position becomes scarce. And QBs suddenly increase in value in your draft.

3. Prioritize Players With Greater Upside

You’re in the 11th round and torn between three players with roughly the same draft value. You need to highlight the player with the highest fantasy ceiling. Then make sure he doesn't slip by you in the heat of the draft. It might sound simple, but it’s mission-critical to identify these breakout players and pull the trigger when the time is right.

4. Look Out for “Bust” Red Flags

You probably know the red flags of a potential bust. But are you factoring them into your value of each player? Age, declining production, bad offensive line, competition for touches, a new offensive scheme that de-emphasizes a player’s role. Don’t blow your draft capital on a player who is screaming “bust!”

5. Get Scientific Injury Risk Assessments

You know the scenario… You spend a second-round pick on a stud WR -- and in Week 2, he suffers a soft-tissue injury and misses the next four weeks. Brutal. Injuries aren’t 100% predictable. But you can get reliable scientific data to avoid the biggest potential injury risk players.

6. Use Correlated ADP

This one is huge. Using ADP (Average Draft Position) is the ultimate measure to find value. But if you use redraft PPR ADP to prepare for your half-PPR best ball league, you’re doing yourself more harm than good. Find reliable ADP that is correlated to your specific rules and format.

7. Avoid Bye-Week Conflicts

You’d think this one would be so easy. But you know the truth. You’re in the heat of your draft, you’re on the clock, and bang … you double-up on the same bye week at a crucial position. You’re now forced to fix that mistake at some point in your draft – or later in your season.

Key Insight:

There are a lot of factors that go into drafting for true player value. It’s not just about using “position tiers” or employing a “Zero” or “Hero” RB strategy. It’s about using a mix of scientific metrics and educated guesses in predicting player production. And how you and your opponents behave during critical times in your draft.

How To Execute This Strategy:

You’ve got a lot to focus on if you want to execute these draft strategies in real-time – amid the chaos of your draft. In fact, it’s humanly impossible for anyone to implement every key strategy… AND work out every algorithm essential to a winning draft.

The real solution is to get real-time help from an AI “Draft War Room.”

Discover The Live-Draft Sync That Strategizes While You Draft

If what you’ve read so far makes sense, here’s a draft tool you need to learn more about.

It’s actually TWO tools that pair together so you can dominate your draft with one super tool!

A live-draft sync super-powered by the “Draft War Room” (DWR)

This super draft tool automatically re-ranks players on your draft board in real-time. Those dynamic player values are based on a variety of factors, including positional scarcity, team needs, injury risk, breakout potential, and bust risk. In fact, there are 17 draft-value indicators it calculates in real-time to come up with your player suggestions.

How It Works:

You're just a few clicks away from your league and draft being live-synced. From there, you’re on the road to draft domination. And it works across multiple platforms (ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, Underdog, and Sleeper, to name a few). For multiple league formats (dynasty, rookie, keeper, best ball, auction, superflex – and, of course, redraft).

What It Means For You:

You get dynamic player values customized to your league. Simply. And in real-time. When it's your turn to pick, the Draft War Room offers instant player suggestions tailored to everything happening in your draft. You’ll be unburdened from the pressure of being "on the clock." While at the same time getting specific player suggestions that are scientifically based and strategically sound.

Key Insight:

If you're serious about winning your fantasy league, you can’t rely on 2016 tools in 2026. It’s really that simple. We know too much about the science behind successful drafting to keep basing decisions on “gut” and “educated guesses.” And we need to have a lot more technology at our disposal to be consistent fantasy football champions.

How to Execute This Strategy:

Make sure you pick a “live-draft sync” over a simple “league sync.” A league sync doesn't work during your draft to adjust player values in real-time. To learn more about the live-draft sync option, check out this page explaining our live-sync tool.

Frequently Asked Questions About Draft Strategy

Who is the number one fantasy pick in 2026?

Puka Nacua is the number one fantasy pick in 2026. He scored over 2 PPR points per game more than any other WR last year and returns to a similar situation this season.

What position should I draft first in PPR league?

You can draft a WR or RB first in a PPR league. Puka Nacua sits atop the Draft Sharks rankings. But Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are close behind. All three are viable first picks in PPR.

What is the best position order to draft in fantasy football?

Our research found that the best draft position in 2026 depends on your scoring system. You want to pick 5th or 6th in PPR leagues, 1st in half-PPR, and at the end of Round 1 in non-PPR.

How many WR and RB should I draft?

You should typically draft 5, 6 or 7 RBs and WRs in traditional formats with a 16-round draft. That can (and should) change depending on your scoring rules and starting lineup requirements.

What round to draft a QB in fantasy football?

Try to be one of the first or last teams to take a QB in your draft. Elite QBs like Lamar Jackson and Drake Maye are worth their price. But you can also find strong values late, such as Kyler Murray and Tyler Shough.

When should I draft a kicker or defense in fantasy?

You should commonly draft a kicker or defense in the very late rounds in fantasy. Sometimes it might even be a good idea to pick up kickers and defenses on the waiver wire and stream them.

Next Up

Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: The Dynamic Draft War Room

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and in-season tools. He currently ranks ninth among 173 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.