Fantasy Football Draft Guide: 12-Team PPR Draft Strategy (2024)

Fantasy Football Draft Guide: Round-by-Round

Fantasy drafts are hard. There’s a lot to think about each time you’re on the clock:

It’s easy to be overwhelmed and make costly draft mistakes.

And is there anything worse than seeing your top picks falter while your opponents land the late-round league winners?

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

The 12-team PPR draft strategy guide below will take you through top targets for every pick of your draft.

We’re using our 3D Values and recent ADP to pinpoint the best picks in each round.

Consider this your game plan heading into your draft.

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

That’s where the customized, 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.

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: CeeDee Lamb

You might be surprised to see Lamb -- and not Christian McCaffrey -- topping our PPR rankings.

But Lamb is coming off a massive 2023 season, leading all WRs in PPR points. The 25-year-old has grown his target share and yards per route run each season. And he returns to the same offense with the same QB in 2024.

It all makes Lamb arguably the safest pick in fantasy football.

Next best: Christian McCaffrey

McCaffrey’s 24.7 PPR points per game last year beat all other RBs by more than 3.0. He set career highs in numerous categories, including:

McCaffrey turns just 28 this June and should still have at least one more big fantasy season in him.

The only downside: Our Injury Predictor gives him a 63.6% chance of injury and 3.0 projected games missed this season. McCaffrey is currently sidelined with a calf injury, although he's fully expected to be ready by Week 1.

Other option

• Tyreek Hill

Rounds 2 & 3

Top targets: De'Von Achane & Deebo Samuel

Achane’s 11 games last year included PPR explosions of:

• 51.3 points
• 27.0 points
• 25.3 points
• 23.7 points
• 23.5 points

He averaged an absurd 7.8 yards per carry and took 13 of his 103 attempts (12.6%) for 15+ yards.

The 188-pounder will never be a workhorse. But he doesn’t need to be to deliver bunches of fantasy points thanks to his big-play ability.

Samuel finished 15th among WRs in total Half PPR points last year; 14th in points per game. He remains one of the bigger injury risks in fantasy football – but also a good bet for WR1-level production when he’s on the field.

Next best: Travis Etienne & Jaylen Waddle

Etienne ranked third at his position in PPR points last year, tallying the fourth-most carries and seventh-most targets among RBs.

Tank Bigsby will need to be much better this season to take significant work from Etienne, a 25-year-old former first-round pick.

Waddle missed three games and parts of a couple more last season. And he got unlucky in the TD department, scoring on just four of 72 catches.

Yet he still finished 22nd among WRs in PPR points per game. Waddle set a career high and ranked eighth among 84 qualifying WRs in yards per route run.

This is a young, explosive WR in a strong offense that still boasts WR1 upside.

Other options

• Isiah Pacheco
• Derrick Henry
• Cooper Kupp

Rounds 4 & 5

Top targets: Joe Mixon & Tee Higgins

The Texans traded for Mixon before he could hit the open market -- and then signed him to a three-year, $27 million extension. That all points to Mixon operating as the clear lead back for a Texans offense that could explode in QB C.J. Stroud's second season.

Higgins battled through injuries last year but still flashed week-winning upside with four top-10 finishes among his 12 outings. He ranked top-14 in PPR points per game in both 2021 and 2022 and is just 25.

Joe Mixon and Tee Higgins figure to pop as strong Round 4/5 targets on your Draft War Room.

Next best: Ken Walker & Mark Andrews

There's been a ton of positive buzz on Walker's role under Seattle's new coaching staff. He's been a rankings riser in August and is a solid value here.

Andrews still looks like an elite fantasy TE. HisPPR scoring average in nine healthy games last year would have ranked third at his position.

Andrews' 1.96 yards per route run ranked third among 33 TEs with 40+ targets. He has now ranked top 6 in YPRR at his position in all six of his NFL seasons.

Other options

• Anthony Richardson
• D.K. Metcalf
• DeVonta Smith
• Trey McBride

Rounds 6 & 7

Top targets: Raheem Mostert & Rashee Rice

Mostert is coming off a career-best season, finishing third among RBs in PPR points per game in HC Mike McDaniel’s diabolical scheme.

There are obvious regression and durability concerns heading into 2024 – but those are more than baked into Mostert’s Round 7 price tag.

We're still waiting for news on Rice's potential suspension, which adds obvious risk to his profile. But we're also talking about a guy who'd be going 3-4 rounds earlier if there wasn't that risk. Rice is a particularly nice pick here if you already have three WRs.

Next best: Chris Godwin & Evan Engram

Godwin scored just twice last year but ranked 15th among WRs in catches (83) and 23rd in receiving yards (1,024). Better TD luck will make him a strong value in 2024 fantasy drafts.

Engram's114 catches last year were the second most by a TE in NFL history. He's back in HC Doug Pederson's TE-friendly offense this season and should remain busy after the departure of WR Calvin Ridley.

Other options

• Dak Prescott
• Tony Pollard
• Calvin Ridley

Rounds 8 & 9

Top targets: Javonte Williams & Jayden Daniels

This is a nice spot for RB value, with Williams leading the way.

His 2023 inefficiency was no surprise coming off a nasty knee injury. He should be much closer to pre-injury form this season. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry and caught 59 passes across his first 21 NFL games. Vibes on Williams this August have been positive.

Daniels' combination of deep-passing and rushing skills give him immediate top-5 fantasy upside. He's our favorite QB target in fantasy drafts. For more on Daniels, check out our list of 2024 fantasy football breakouts.

Next best: Jonathon Brooks & Diontae Johnson

Brooks is a rookie RB with a limited college resume coming off a torn ACL. That's the bad news.

The good news:

• Brooks was awesome in his 10 games as Texas' feature back last year, averaging 114 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards per game.
• Carolina traded up to make him the first RB off the board in this spring's draft.
• He joins a backfield with weak competition from Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders.
• New Panthers HC Dave Canales just helped Rachaad White to a breakout season.

Brooks might miss the first few games of the season. But he has easy top-20 fantasy upside over the second half of the year, making him an attractive pick this deep into your fantasy draft.

Johnson isn't as exciting as Brooks, but he's a good bet for steady production this year. He's been a strong target earner throughout his career and should continue to gobble up targets in Carolina amid a shaky WR corps.

Other options

• Tyjae Spears
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• Christian Watson
• Dallas Goedert

Rounds 10 & 11

Top targets: Chase Brown & Tyler Lockett

Brown has been a big training-camp riser. He's drawn praise from coaches and beat writers while reportedly taking the majority of the first-team reps.

A big-play back on a potential top-5 offense, Brown has exciting fantasy upside.

Lockett is on the downswing of his career, finishing with his fewest PPR points last year since 2017. But he still ranked 34th at his position and is now outside the top 50 WRs in ADP.

Next best: Curtis Samuel & Courtland Sutton

Samuel inked a three-year, $24 million deal in free agency with Buffalo, where he'll reunite with OC Joe Brady. Brady was Panthers OC in 2020 when Samuel turned in a career-best WR23 PPR finish. He's locked in as the starting slot receiver for a high-scoring Bills offense.

Sutton is coming off a WR35 finish and could see a target boost this year with WR Jerry Jeudy off to Cleveland.

Other options

• Trevor Lawrence
• Zach Charbonnet
• Jameson Williams
• Mike Williams
• Pat Freiermuth

Rounds 12 & 13

Top targets: Ty Chandler & Jahan Dotson

The Vikings signed Aaron Jones to be their lead back -- but expect Chandler to remain involved in a committee backfield after a nice finish to 2023. But his real upside is as a handcuff to Jones, who turns 30 in December and has missed multiple games in five of seven NFL seasons.

Dotson is coming off an underwhelming 2023 season but is now super cheap for a 24-year-old, former first-round pick. He's essentially locked into a top-two WR job this year. And Washington upgraded at QB with the selection of Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick of this spring's draft.

Next best: Antonio Gibson & Rashid Shaheed

Gibson looks like a handcuff-plus. He should play a passing-down role behind a healthy Rhamondre Stevenson. And if Stevenson misses time, Gibson would likely dominate New England's backfield work.

Shaheed has flashed in limited opportunities through two NFL seasons, averaging a huge 11.1 yards per target. He looks like the Saints' clear No. 2 WR heading into 2024 and should find himself in a more creative offense under new OC Klint Kubiak.

Other options

• MarShawn Lloyd
• Jaleel McLaughlin
• Gabe Davis
• Brandin Cooks

Rounds 14, 15 & 16

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

Pinpoint a player with upside in Round 14. Your Draft War Room will flip to Upside Mode in the second half of your draft and highlight players with lofty ceilings.

Use your final two picks on a K and DST. We typically recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at both positions throughout the season. Here are a few Ks and DSTs with favorable Week 1 matchups:

Kickers

• Ka'imi Fairbairn (at IND)
• Jason Sanders (vs. JAC)
• Michael Badgley (vs. LAR)
• Tyler Bass (vs. ARI)

DSTs

• NO (vs. CAR)
• CIN (vs. NE)
• CHI (vs. TEN)
• SEA (vs. DEN)

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

Round 1

Top target: Justin Jefferson

Jefferson vs. Ja'Marr Chase got closer with QB J.J. McCarthy's season-ending injury. But we still slightly prefer Jefferson.

Injuries cost him seven games and parts of two others last year. But his PPR scoring average in the other eight would have led all WRs.

Jefferson also set career highs last year in:

And note that he averaged 7.5 catches, 119 yards, and 0.5 TDs across four healthy games without Cousins last year.

Next best: Ja'Marr Chase

With a healthy Joe Burrow over the first nine games of last season, Chase averaged 7.7 catches, 91 yards, and 0.6 TDs per game.

An elite talent in the prime of his career, Chase is a safe pick with the upside to lead all WRs in fantasy points.

Other options

• Breece Hall
• Bijan Robinson
• Amon-Ra St. Brown

Round 2

Top target: Drake London

London disappointed fantasy owners last year but remained strong on a per-target and per-route basis.

Now he's freed from Arthur Smith and in what should be a much pass-heavier offense under new HC Zac Robinson. And he got a big QB upgrade with the arrival of Kirk Cousins.

Next best: De'Vone Achane

Achane’s 11 games last year included PPR explosions of:

• 51.3 points
• 27.0 points
• 25.3 points
• 23.7 points
• 23.5 points

He averaged an absurd 7.8 yards per carry and took 13 of his 103 attempts (12.6%) for 15+ yards.

The 188-pounder will never be a workhorse. But he doesn’t need to be to deliver bunches of fantasy points thanks to his big-play ability.

Other options

• Travis Etienne
• Chris Olave

Round 3

Top target: Deebo Samuel

Samuel finished 15th among WRs in total Half PPR points last year; 14th in points per game.

He remains one of the bigger injury risks in fantasy football – but also a good bet for WR1-level production when he’s on the field.

Next best: Jaylen Waddle

Waddle missed three games and parts of a couple more last season. And he got unlucky in the TD department, scoring on just four of 72 catches.

Yet he still finished 22nd among WRs in PPR points per game. Waddle set a career high and ranked eighth among 84 qualifying WRs in yards per route run.

This is a young, explosive WR in a strong offense that still boasts WR1 upside.

Other options

• Jalen Hurts
• Cooper Kupp
• Nico Collins

Round 4

Top target: Joe Mixon

The Texans traded for Mixon before he could hit the open market -- and then signed him to a three-year, $27 million extension.

That all points to Mixon operating as the clear lead back for a Texans offense that could explode in QB C.J. Stroud's second season.

Next best: Mark Andrews

Other options

• Malik Nabers
• DeVonta Smith
• D.K. Metcalf
• Trey McBride

Round 5

Top target: Tee Higgins

Higgins battled through injuries last year but still flashed week-winning upside with four top-10 finishes among his 12 outings. He's an easy bounce-back bet this year with better health for both he and QB Joe Burrow.

Don't forget that Higgins ranked top-14 in PPR points per game in both 2021 and 2022. He's still just 25.

Next best: James Conner

Conner remained excellent in his age-28 season last year, setting career highs and ranking top 5 among 49 qualifying RBs in:

Conner finished 13th at his position in PPR points per game and should again be Arizona's clear lead back in 2024. He's a strong value here.

Other options

• Anthony Richardson
• Tank Dell
• Keenan Allen
• Amari Cooper

Round 6

Top target: Raheem Mostert

Mostert is coming off a career-best season, finishing third among RBs in PPR points per game in HC Mike McDaniel’s diabolical scheme.

There are obvious regression and durability concerns heading into 2024 – but those are more than baked into Mostert’s Round 7 price tag.

Next best: Evan Engram

Engram's114 catches last year were the second most by a TE in NFL history.

He's back in HC Doug Pederson's TE-friendly offense this season and should remain busy after the departure of WR Calvin Ridley.

Other options

• Joe Burrow
• Rhamondre Stevenson
• D'Andre Swift
• Christian Kirk
• Terry McLaurin
• Rashee Rice

Round 7

Top target: Chris Godwin

Godwin scored just twice last year but ranked 15th among WRs in catches (83) and 23rd in receiving yards (1,024).

Better TD luck will make him a strong value in 2024 fantasy drafts.

Next best:Dak Prescott

His future in Dallas beyond 2024 might be uncertain, but Prescott is a strong fantasy value for this year.

He's coming off a QB3 finish and returns his top three targets in WR CeeDee Lamb, TE Jake Ferguson, and WR Brandin Cooks.

Other options

• Tony Pollard
• Calvin Ridley
• Jake Ferguson

Round 8

Top target: Jaylen Warren

Warren is coming off a RB20 finish in PPR points and now gets to play in run-loving OC Arthur Smith's attack.

Next best: Diontae Johnson

QB play is a concern for Johnson after Bryce Young's ugly rookie season. But Young is capable of a year two bounce-back under new HC Dave Canales.

Plus Johnson should dominate targets in Carolina. Canales confirmed in late July that Johnson will be featured in the offense.

Other options

• Jonathon Brooks
• Javonte Williams
• DeAndre Hopkins
• David Njoku

Round 9

Top target: Jayden Daniels

With a lethal combination of deep passing and rushing ability, Daniels boasts immediate top-five fantasy upside.

Washington is a nice landing spot, with a solid group of weapons and an OC in Kliff Kingsbury who has experience with young, mobile QBs. Kingsbury guided Kyler Murray to a QB11 finish in fantasy points per game as a rookie back in 2019.

Next best:Dallas Goedert

Goedert is coming off an underwhelming 2023 season, missing three games and finishing 12th among TE in PPR points per game.

But that followed TE9 and TE5 finishes the previous two years. Goedert should remain a big part of a high-scoring Eagles offense that figures to play faster this season under new OC Kellen Moore.

Other options

• Tyjae Spears
• Brian Robinson
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• Christian Watson

Round 10

Top target: Chase Brown

Brown has been a big training-camp riser. He's drawn praise from coaches and beat writers while reportedly taking the majority of the first-team reps.

A big-play back on a potential top-5 offense, Brown has exciting fantasy upside.

Next best: Tyler Lockett

Lockett is on the downswing of his career, finishing with his fewest PPR points last year since 2017. But he still ranked 34th at his position and is now outside the top 50 WRs inADP.

Other options

• Brian Robinson
• Courtland Sutton
• Jameson Williams
• Curtis Samuel

Round 11

Top target: Mike Williams

Williams is coming off a September 2023 ACL. But that's where the bad news ends.

The good news:

• He's turned in three straight top-24 finishes in PPR points per game.
• He has a clear path to the No. 2 WR job for the Jets.
• He sports a career 10% TD rate.
• His QB, Aaron Rodgers, owns a career 6.2% TD rate.

Williams was activated from the PUP list on August 7.

Next best: Pat Freiermuth

Freiermuth disappointed last year, but this offseason has been good to him.

The Steelers upgraded at QB with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields; hired a TE-loving OC in Arthur Smith; and traded away target hog Diontae Johnson.

Other options

• Trevor Lawrence
• Zach Charbonnet
• Jerome Ford
• Jerry Jeudy
• Jakobi Meyers

Round 12

Top target: Ty Chandler

The Vikings signed Aaron Jones to be their lead back -- but expect Chandler to remain involved in a committee backfield after a nice finish to 2023.

But his real upside is as a handcuff to Jones, who turns 30 in December and has missed multiple games in five of seven NFL seasons.

Next best: Rashid Shaheed

Shaheed has flashed in limited opportunities through two NFL seasons, averaging a huge 11.1 yards per target.

He looks like the Saints' clear No. 2 WR heading into 2024 and should find himself in a more creative offense under new OC Klint Kubiak.

For more on Shaheed, check out 2024 WR Sleepers.

Other options

• Chuba Hubbard
• Gabe Davis
• Luke Musgrave

Round 13

Top target: Antonio Gibson

Gibson looks like a handcuff-plus.

He should play a passing-down role behind a healthy Rhamondre Stevenson. And if Stevenson misses time, Gibson would likely dominate New England's backfield work.

Next best: Jahan Dotson

Dotson is coming off an underwhelming 2023 season but is now super cheap for a 24-year-old, former first-round pick.

He's essentially locked into a top-two WR job this year. And Washington upgraded at QB with the selection of Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick of this spring's draft.

Other options

• Deshaun Watson
• MarShawn Lloyd
• Brandin Cooks
• Dontayvion Wicks

Rounds 14, 15 & 16

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

Pinpoint a player with upside in Round 14. Your Draft War Room will flip to Upside Mode in the second half of your draft and highlight players with lofty ceilings.

Use your final two picks on a K and DST. We typically recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at both positions throughout the season. Here are a few Ks and DSTs with favorable Week 1 matchups:

Kickers

• Ka'imi Fairbairn (at IND)
• Jason Sanders (vs. JAC)
• Michael Badgley (vs. LAR)
• Tyler Bass (vs. ARI)

DSTs

• NO (vs. CAR)
• CIN (vs. NE)
• CHI (vs. TEN)
• SEA (vs. DEN)

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

Round 1

Top target: Amon-Ra St. Brown

St. Brown has boosted his catches, receiving yards, receiving TDs, yards per target, and yards per route in each of his first three NFL seasons.

Last year’s monster 119-1,515-10 line landed him third among WRs in PPR points.

With QB Jared Goff and OC Ben Johnson back for 2024, St. Brown is one of the safest picks in fantasy football.

Next best: Breece Hall

Hall is coming off a PPR RB6 finish ... a year after tearing an ACL ... on an offense that lost QB Aaron Rodgers and finished bottom four in total yards and points.

Rodgers is back for 2024, and the Jets made some significant upgrades on the offensive line this offseason.

Hall has the upside to challenge Christian McCaffrey for the RB scoring lead.

Other options

• Bijan Robinson
• Garrett Wilson

Round 2

Top target: Jonathon Taylor

Taylor has been dogged by injuries the past two years, missing 12 total games.

But he's still averaged 90 total yards and 0.6 TDs per game across that span -- after topping 2,100 total yards and leading all RBs in fantasy points in 2021.

Still just 25, Taylor is an easy 2024 bounce-back bet in an ascending Colts offense.

Note: We don't advise opening your PPR draft with two RBs. So if you took Breece Hall or Bijan Robinson in Round 1, go with Drake London here instead of Taylor.

Next best: Drake London

London disappointed fantasy owners last year but remained strong on a per-target and per-route basis.

Now he's freed from Arthur Smith and in what should be a much pass-heavier offense under new HC Zac Robinson. And he got a big QB upgrade with the arrival of Kirk Cousins.

London is primed for a career-best season in 2024.

Other options

• Saquon Barkley
• Kyren Williams
• Chris Olave

Round 3

Top target: Jaylen Waddle

Waddle missed three games and parts of a couple more last season. And he got unlucky in the TD department, scoring on just four of 72 catches.

Yet he still finished 22nd among WRs in PPR points per game. Waddle set a career high and ranked eighth among 84 qualifying WRs in yards per route run.

This is a young, explosive WR in a strong offense that still boasts WR1 upside.

Next best: Isiah Pacheco

Pacheco finished RB14 in PPR points per game last year – and was even better in games without RB Jerick McKinnon, who is still a free agent.

With mega-bust Clyde Edwards-Helaire behind him on the depth chart, Pacheco is in for a heavy workload on a high-scoring Chiefs offense.

Other options

• Jalen Hurts
• Deebo Samuel

Round 4

Top target: Cooper Kupp

Next best: Mark Andrews

Andrews still looks like an elite fantasy TE. HisPPR scoring average in nine healthy games last year would have ranked third at his position.

Andrews' 1.96 yards per route run ranked third among 33 TEs with 40+ targets. He has now ranked top 6 in YPRR at his position in all six of his NFL seasons.

Other options

• Joe Mixon
• Malik Nabers
• Trey McBride

Round 5

Top target: Tee Higgins

Higgins battled through injuries last year but still flashed week-winning upside with four top-10 finishes among his 12 outings. He's an easy bounce-back bet this year with better health for both he and QB Joe Burrow.

Don't forget that Higgins ranked top-14 in PPR points per game in both 2021 and 2022. He's still just 25.

Next best: James Conner

Conner remained excellent in his age-28 season last year, setting career highs and ranking top 5 among 49 qualifying RBs in:

Conner finished 13th at his position in PPR points per game and should again be Arizona's clear lead back in 2024.

Other options

• Anthony Richardson
• Tank Dell
• Keenan Allen
• Amari Cooper
• Christian Kirk

Round 6

Top target: Chris Godwin

Godwin scored just twice last year but ranked 15th among WRs in catches (83) and 23rd in receiving yards (1,024). Better TD luck will make him a strong value in 2024 fantasy drafts.

Next best: Evan Engram

Engram's114 catches last year were the second most by a TE in NFL history.

He's back in HC Doug Pederson's TE-friendly offense this season and should remain busy after the departure of WR Calvin Ridley.

Other options

• Joe Burrow
• D'Andre Swift
• Rashee Rice
• Terry McLaurin
• George Kittle

Round 7

Top target: Raheem Mostert

Mostert is coming off a career-best season, finishing third among RBs in PPR points per game in HC Mike McDaniel’s diabolical scheme.

There are obvious regression and durability concerns heading into 2024 – but those are more than baked into Mostert’s Round 7 price tag.

Next best:Calvin Ridley

Ridley got big free-agent money from Tennessee, where he joins what should be a much pass-happier offense under new HC Brian Callahan.

DeAndre Hopkins' knee injury helps Ridley's chances of at least opening the season as the Titans' No. 1 WR.

Other options

• Kyler Murray
• Jordan Love
• Tony Pollard
• Jake Ferguson

Round 8

Top target: Jaylen Warren

This is a nice range for RB value.

Warren is coming off a RB20 finish in PPR points and now gets to play in run-loving OC Arthur Smith's attack.

Next best: Jonathon Brooks

Brooks is a rookie RB with a limited college resume coming off a torn ACL. That's the bad news.

The good news:

• Brooks was awesome in his 10 games as Texas' feature back last year, averaging 114 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards per game.
• Carolina traded up to make him the first RB off the board in this spring's draft.
• He joins a backfield with weak competition from Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders.
• New Panthers HC Dave Canales just helped Rachaad White to a breakout season.

Brooks might miss the first few games of the season. But he has easy top-20 fantasy upside over the second half of the year, making him an attractive pick this deep into your fantasy draft.

Other options

• Javonte Williams
• Diontae Johnson
• DeAndre Hopkins
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• David Njoku

Round 9

Top target: Jayden Daniels

With a lethal combination of deep passing and rushing ability, Daniels boasts immediate top-five fantasy upside.

Washington is a nice landing spot, with a solid group of weapons and an OC in Kliff Kingsbury who has experience with young, mobile QBs. Kingsbury guided Kyler Murray to a QB11 finish in fantasy points per game as a rookie back in 2019.

Next best:Dallas Goedert

Goedert is coming off an underwhelming 2023 season, missing three games and finishing 12th among TE in PPR points per game.

But that followed TE9 and TE5 finishes the previous two years. Goedert should remain a big part of a high-scoring Eagles offense that figures to play faster this season under new OC Kellen Moore.

Other options

• Tyjae Spears
• Christian Watson
• Keon Coleman

Round 10

Top target: Chase Brown

Brown has been a big training-camp riser. He's drawn praise from coaches and beat writers while reportedly taking the majority of the first-team reps.

A big-play back on a potential top-5 offense, Brown has exciting fantasy upside.

Next best: Tyler Lockett

Lockett is on the downswing of his career, finishing with his fewest PPR points last year since 2017. But he still ranked 34th at his position and is now outside the top 50 WRs inADP.

Other options

• Brian Robinson
• Courtland Sutton
• Jameson Williams
• Curtis Samuel

Round 11

Top target: Mike Williams

Williams is coming off a September 2023 ACL. But that's where the bad news ends.

The good news:

• He's turned in three straight top-24 finishes in PPR points per game.
• He has a clear path to the No. 2 WR job for the Jets.
• He sports a career 10% TD rate.
• His QB, Aaron Rodgers, owns a career 6.2% TD rate.

Williams was activated from the PUP list on August 7.

Next best: Pat Freiermuth

Freiermuth disappointed last year, but this offseason has been good to him.

The Steelers upgraded at QB with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields; hired a TE-loving OC in Arthur Smith; and traded away target hog Diontae Johnson.

Other options

• Trevor Lawrence
• Zach Charbonnet
• Jerome Ford
• Jerry Jeudy
• Jakobi Meyers

Round 12

Top target: Ty Chandler

The Vikings signed Aaron Jones to be their lead back -- but expect Chandler to remain involved in a committee backfield after a nice finish to 2023.

But his real upside is as a handcuff to Jones, who turns 30 in December and has missed multiple games in five of seven NFL seasons.

Next best: Rashid Shaheed

Shaheed has flashed in limited opportunities through two NFL seasons, averaging a huge 11.1 yards per target.

He looks like the Saints' clear No. 2 WR heading into 2024 and should find himself in a more creative offense under new OC Klint Kubiak.

For more on Shaheed, check out2024 WR Sleepers.

Other options

• Chuba Hubbard
• Gabe Davis
• Josh Palmer
• Luke Musgrave

Round 13

Top target: Antonio Gibson

Gibson looks like a handcuff-plus.

He should play a passing-down role behind a healthy Rhamondre Stevenson. And if Stevenson misses time, Gibson would likely dominate New England's backfield work.

Next best: Jahan Dotson

Dotson is coming off an underwhelming 2023 season but is now super cheap for a 24-year-old, former first-round pick.

He's essentially locked into a top-two WR job this year. And Washington upgraded at QB with the selection of Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick of this spring's draft.

Other options

• Deshaun Watson
• MarShawn Lloyd
• Brandin Cooks
• Dontayvion Wicks

Rounds 14, 15 & 16

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

Pinpoint a player with upside in Round 14. Your Draft War Room will flip to Upside Mode in the second half of your draft and highlight players with lofty ceilings.

Use your final two picks on a K and DST. We typically recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at both positions throughout the season. Here are a few Ks and DSTs with favorable Week 1 matchups:

Kickers

• Ka'imi Fairbairn (at IND)
• Jason Sanders (vs. JAC)
• Michael Badgley (vs. LAR)
• Tyler Bass (vs. ARI)

DSTs

• NO (vs. CAR)
• CIN (vs. NE)
• CHI (vs. TEN)
• SEA (vs. DEN)

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

Rounds 1 & 2

Top targets: Jahmyr Gibbs & Garrett Wilson

Wilson has topped 80 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in two straight seasons to open his NFL career, despite crappy QB play.A healthy Aaron Rodgers could mean a breakout into elite fantasy status in 2024.

Next best: Jonathan Taylor & A.J. Brown

Despite ankle and thumb injuries, Taylor finished 11th among RBs in PPR points per game last year. He’s still in his prime at 25 and will remain a huge part of an ascending Colts offense.

Brown has finished fifth among WRs in PPR points in both of his two seasons with the Eagles. This passing game could be even better in 2024 under new OC Kellen Moore.

Other options

• Saquon Barkley
• Puka Nacua

Rounds 3 & 4

Top targets: Isiah Pacheco & Jaylen Waddle

Pacheco finished RB14 in PPR points per game last year – and was even better in games without RB Jerick McKinnon, who is still a free agent.

With mega-bust Clyde Edwards-Helaire behind him on the depth chart, Pacheco is in for a heavy workload on a high-scoring Chiefs offense.

Waddle missed three games and parts of a couple more last season and got unlucky in the TD department, scoring on just four of 72 catches.

Yet he still finished 22nd among WRs in PPR points per game. Waddle set a career high and ranked eighth among 84 qualifying WRs in yards per route run.

This is a young, explosive WR in a strong offense that still boasts WR1 upside.

Next best: Jalen Hurts & Cooper Kupp

Hurts has finished QB3 and QB2 in fantasy points the past two years and will operate in new OC Kellen Moore's fast-paced offense this season. Hurts is an especially attractive pick here if you nabbed WR A.J. Brown with one of your first two selections.

Puka Nacua might be the Rams' new No. 1 WR. But the gap between he and Kupp likely isn't as big as current ADP suggests.

In 11 healthy regular-season games together, Nacua out-targeted Kuppjust 95 to 94. Kupp's 14.6 PPR points per game in those outings ranked 20th among WRs.

Nacua is currently sidelined with a knee injury. He's expected to be ready for Week 1, but his situation certainly doesn't hurt Kupp's 2024 outlook.

Other options

• Deebo Samuel
• Malik Nabers
• Mark Andrews

Rounds 5 & 6

Top targets: James Conner & Tee Higgins

Conner remained excellent in his age-28 season last year, setting career highs and ranking top 5 among 49 qualifying RBs in:

Conner finished 13th at his position in PPR points per game and should again be Arizona's clear lead back in 2024. He's a nice value here.

Higgins battled through injuries last year but still flashed week-winning upside with four top-10 finishes among his 12 outings. He ranked top-14 in PPR points per game in both 2021 and 2022 and is just 25.

Next best: Rhamondre Stevenson & Anthony Richardson

After a slow start last year, Stevenson ranked 10th among RBs in PPR points over his final six healthy games. Thefour-year, $36 million extension he signed earlier this offseason is a clear sign that New England's new coaching staff views Stevenson as their lead back, despite the addition of RB Antonio Gibson.

Richardson is an exciting pick. He has a big arm, elite rushing upside, and plays under proven talent maximizer Shane Steichen. Richardson has the upside to push Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen for the QB scoring lead. Just note that we'll find plenty more QB value in the next few rounds.

Other options

• Chris Godwin
• Keenan Allen
• Amari Cooper
• Evan Engram
• George Kittle
• Kyle Pitts

Rounds 7 & 8

Top targets: Raheem Mostert & Diontae Johnson

Mostert is coming off a career-best season, finishing third among RBs in PPR points per game in HC Mike McDaniel’s diabolical scheme.

There are obvious regression and durability concerns heading into 2024 – but those are more than baked into Mostert’s Round 7 price tag.

QB play is a concern for Johnson after Bryce Young's ugly rookie season. But Young is capable of a year two bounce-back under new HC Dave Canales.

Plus Johnson should dominate targets in Carolina. Canales confirmed in late July that Johnson will befeatured in the offense.

Next best: Jaylen Warren & Calvin Ridley

Warren is coming off a RB20 finish in PPR points and now gets to play in run-loving OC Arthur Smith's attack.

Ridley got big free-agent money from Tennessee, where he joins what should be a much pass-happier offense under new HC Brian Callahan.

DeAndre Hopkins' knee injury helps Ridley's chances of at least opening the season as the Titans' No. 1 WR.

Other options

• Kyler Murray
• Jordan Love
• Jonathon Brooks
• Javonte Williams
• DeAndre Hopkins
• Marquise Brown
• David Njoku
• Jake Ferguson

Rounds 9 & 10

Top targets: Jayden Daniels & Tyjae Spears

With a lethal combination of deep passing and rushing ability, Daniels boasts immediate top-five fantasy upside.

Washington is a nice landing spot, with a solid group of weapons and an OC in Kliff Kingsbury who has experience with young, mobile QBs. Kingsbury guided Kyler Murray to a QB11 finish in fantasy points per game as a rookie back in 2019.

The Titans coaching staff has made it clear all offseason that they'll deploy a committee backfield with Spears and Tony Pollard. Spears certainly earned a 2024 role with strong rookie season. He racked up 52 catches and averaged a strong 4.5 yards per carry.

Next best: Christian Watson & Dallas Goedert

Watson's hamstrings were a problem again last year, but he remained in a very fantasy-friendly role when healthy. Watson registered a big 15.6-yard average target depth and 15 end-zone targets -- tops among Packers and sixth among all WRs. There's still exciting upside here if Watson can stay on the field.

Goedert is coming off a down 2023 but still finished as a top-12 PPR TE for the fourth straight season. He's a relatively safe bet at this cost and still has the upside to score as a top-six fantasy TE as a big part of a high-scoring Eagles offense.

Other options

• Chase Brown
• Brian Robinson
• Tyler Lockett
• Courtland Sutton
• Jameson Williams

Rounds 11 & 12

Top targets: Jerome Ford & Pat Freiermuth

Ford is a near lock to open the season as Cleveland's lead back and should remain involved even when RB Nick Chubb returns from his multi-ligament knee injury. He's a nice value in Round 11.

Freiermuth disappointed last year, but this offseason has been good to him. The Steelers upgraded at QB with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields; hired a TE-loving OC in Arthur Smith; and traded away target hog Diontae Johnson.

Next best: Jakobi Meyers &Mike Williams

Meyers won't be a league-winner, but he's an awesome value at this price tag. Meyers ranked 28th among WRs in targets and 27th in PPR points last year.

Williams is coming off a September 2023 ACL. But that's where the bad news ends.

The good news:

• He's turned in three straight top-24 finishes in PPR points per game.
• He has a clear path to the No. 2 WR job for the Jets.
• He sports a career 10% TD rate.
• His QB, Aaron Rodgers, owns a career 6.2% TD rate.

Williams was activated from the PUP list on August 7.

Other options

• Trevor Lawrence
• Zach Charbonnet
• Khalil Shakir
• Jerry Jeudy
• Luke Musgrave

Rounds 13 & 14

Top targets: Ty Chandler & Jahan Dotson

The Vikings signed Aaron Jones to be their lead back -- but expect Chandler to remain involved in a committee backfield after a nice finish to 2023. But his real upside is as a handcuff to Jones, who turns 30 in December and has missed multiple games in five of seven NFL seasons.

Dotson is coming off an underwhelming 2023 season but is now super cheap for a 24-year-old, former first-round pick. He's essentially locked into a top-two WR job this year. And Washington upgraded at QB with the selection of Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 pick of this spring's draft.

Next best: Antonio Gibson & Dontayvion Wicks

Gibson is a handcuff-plus. He's the clear No. 2 RB in New England and would see a big workload if Rhamondre Stevenson misses time. But Gibson might also carve out enough work behind a healthy Stevenson to be useable in PPR leagues.

Wicks beat both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs in targets per route and yards per route as a rookie last year. He has a chance in 2024 to win a top-three WR job on an ascending Packers offense.

Other options

• Deshaun Watson
• Jaleel McLaughlin
• MarShawn Lloyd
• Brandin Cooks
• Marvin Mims
• Wan'Dale Robinson
• Darnell Mooney
• Ja'Lynn Polk
• Demarcus Robinson

Rounds 15 & 16

Top targets: K & DST

Use your final two picks on a K and DST. We typically recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at both positions throughout the season. Here are a few Ks and DSTs with favorable Week 1 matchups:

Kickers

• Ka'imi Fairbairn (at IND)
• Jason Sanders (vs. JAC)
• Michael Badgley (vs. LAR)
• Tyler Bass (vs. ARI)

DSTs

• NO (vs. CAR)
• CIN (vs. NE)
• CHI (vs. TEN)
• SEA (vs. DEN)

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Frequently Asked Questions About Draft Strategy

Who is the number one fantasy pick in 2024?

The number one fantasy pick in 2024 will almost certainly be RB Christian McCaffery in most leagues. But some managers might be tempted to pick WR CeeDee Lamb, WR Tyreek Hill, or even RB Breece Hall.

What position should I draft first in PPR league?

The position you should draft first in a PPR league is either a WR or a pass-catching RB like Christian McCaffery or Breece Hall.

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

The best position order to draft in fantasy football has traditionally been first. But some scientific data suggests that a later position like 6 or 7 can actually be optimal.

How many WR and RB should I draft?

How many WRs and RBs you should draft is typically 5, 6 or 7 in traditional formats with a 20-round draft. Of course, that can change depending on your scoring rules and starting lineup requirements.

What round should I draft a QB?

You should generally draft a QB in the middle rounds – unless you’re in a Superflex league. You can always find value in mid-round QBs like Jayden Daniels or Kyler Murray.

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.