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

Round-by-Round Draft Guide

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 Dynamic Most Valuable Player 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 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 Draft Guide for Pick 1, 2, or 3

Round 1

Top target: 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.

Next best: CeeDee Lamb

If you miss out on McCaffrey, turn your attention to an elite WR. Lamb tops our fantasy football WR rankings after leading the position in PPR points last year.

The 25-year-old has grown his target share and yards per route run each season.

Lamb returns to the same offense with the same QB in 2024, making him a safe fantasy selection.

Other option: Tyreek Hill

Rounds 2 & 3

Top targets: Jaylen Waddle & Josh Jacobs

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.

Jacobs might look like a reach based on ADP, but this is where he should be going in drafts. Heinked a big four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers in free agency and is seemingly set up for a workhorse role in an ascending offense.

Next best: Travis Etienne & Cooper Kupp

Etienne is a nice fallback if you miss on Jacobs. He ranked third at his position in PPR points last year., tallying the fourth-most carries and seventh-most targets among RBs. The 25-year-old former first-round pick is a safe bet for another hefty workload in 2024.

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.

Other options: Deebo Samuel, Chris Olave

Rounds 4 & 5

Top targets: Isiah Pacheco & Travis Kelce

A pair of Chiefs? Why not?

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. We'll see if Kansas City adds a RB in the draft,but Pacheco is a good bet to operate as lead back in 2024.

Kelce’s best days are clearly behind him at 34. He no longer projects to dominate TE in fantasy points. But he still sits atop the fantasy football TE rankingsand is coming two or three rounds cheaper than last year.

Next best: Mark Andrews & Tee Higgins

If you miss out on Kelce, Andrews is a nice Plan B as an elite fantasy TE. His PPR scoring average in nine healthy games last year would have ranked third at his position.

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.

Other options: James Cook, Rachaad White, Christian Kirk, Keenan Allen

Rounds 6 & 7

Top targets: James Conner & Joe Burrow

Conner remained productive and efficient last year.

Conner tallied career highs and ranked top 5 among 49 qualifying RBs in:

• Yards per carry
• Rush yards over expected per attempt
• Yards after contact per attempt
• Pro Football Focus rushing grade

He's set to again operate as Arizona's clear lead back in 2024 and is a big-time value at this point of your fantasy draft.

Burrow and his WRs dealt with injuries throughout last season. But he’s an easy rebound candidate with better health after finishing QB7 and QB4 the previous two years.

Next best: Dak Prescott & DeAndre Hopkins

Prescott sits just behind Burrow in the fantasy football QB rankings,and there’s a sizable gap behind them. You could even consider taking Prescott over Burrow if you took CeeDee Lamb in Round 1.

The Titans paid up for WR Calvin Ridley in free agency -- but Hopkins easily beat Ridley in key metrics last year like yards per route run and Pro Football Focus receiving grade. We're betting on Hopkins leading the team in targets this season. And there will be more targets to go around with the arrival of pass-leaning HC Brian Callahan.

Other options: Alvin Kamara, D'Andre Swift, Diontae Johnson, Chris Godwin

Rounds 8 & 9

Top targets: Javonte Williams & Jaylen Warren

This is a nice spot for RB value. Don’t be afraid to grab Williams and Warren here if you only took one RB in the first seven rounds.

Williams’ 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.

Warren finished 21st among RBs in PPR points last year on the strength of 61 catches. He could get a boost in rushing volume in 2024 with the arrival of new OC Arthur Smith.

Next best: Courtland Sutton & Jake Ferguson

Sutton probably won't score another 10 TDs like he did last year -- especially with Denver's question mark at QB. But Jerry Jeudy's departure leaves him as the Broncos' clear No. 1 WR. He's a value in the eighth or ninth round of your draft.

Ferguson finished TE9 in PPR points last year, despite underachieving in the TD department. He’ll remain a big part of Dallas’ passing game in 2024 and is a nice value here if you didn’t land Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews.

Other options: Zamir White, Jakobi Meyers, Mike Williams

Rounds 10 & 11

Top targets: Tyler Lockett & Jonathon Brooks

Death, taxes, and Tyler Lockett being undervalued. He finished with his fewest PPR points last year since 2017 but still ranked 34th among WRs. He’s currently outside the top 50 WRs in ADP.

Brooks is our top-rated rookie in the 2024 RB class. He's recovering from a November ACL tear but is expected to be ready for the start of the season. The talented 6'0, 216-pounder has three-down potential and is an upside target at this point of your draft.

Next best: Curtis Samuel & Trevor Lawrence

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 in 2020. He's locked in as the starting slot receiver for a high-scoring Bills offense.

Lawrence is a nice value here if you're still looking for a QB1. He's finished as a top-10 fantasy QB in each of the past two seasons.

Other options: Jared Goff, Gabriel Davis, Jerry Jeudy, Dallas Goedert

Rounds 12 & 13

Top targets: Kendre Miller & Dontayvion Wicks

Injuries marred Miller's rookie season. But he was an exciting prospect heading into the league last offseason and flashed in Week 18. Miller finds himself in a 2024 Saints backfield with a pair of declining veterans in Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. He's one of our favorite 2024 fantasy football sleepers.

You'll also find Wicks in that Sleepers article. Hebeat both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs in targets per route and yards per route as a rookie last year and has a chance in 2024 to win a top-3 WR job on an ascending Packers offense.

Next best: Jahan Dotson & Pat Freiermuth

Dotson is coming off an underwhelming 2023 season but is now super cheap for a 24-year-old, former first-round pick. He remains a strong bet for a top-two WR job this year. And Washington will upgrade at QB with the second overall pick of this spring's draft.

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: Deshaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers, MarShawn Lloyd, Jaylen Wright, Brandin Cooks, Zay Jones, Darnell Mooney, Joshua Palmer,Michael Mayer

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. Aim for a K on a high-scoring offense and a DST with sack and takeaway upside.

We’ll have more advice on K and DST targets after the NFL schedule comes out.

Fantasy Draft Guide for Pick 4, 5, or 6

Round 1

Top target: 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.

Next best: Justin Jefferson

Injuries cost Jefferson 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:

Minnesota's QB situation sans Kirk Cousins is a slight concern for Jefferson's outlook. But note that he averaged 7.5 catches, 119 yards, and 0.5 TDs across four healthy games without Cousins last year.

Other options: Breece Hall, Bijan Robinson

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.

London is a prime 2024 bounce-back candidate.

Next best: De’Von Achane

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

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: Deebo Samuel, Chris Olave

Round 3

Top target: Josh Jacobs

Jacobs struggled last year but is just two seasons removed from a RB3 PPR finish.

He's still just 26 and is teed up for a bounce-back campaign after inking a big four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers that should set him up for workhorse duties.

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: Travis Etienne, Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel

Round 4

Top target: Travis Kelce

Kelce’s 14.8 PPR points per game last year were his fewest since 2016 – but still led all TEs.

The 34-year-old’s best days are behind him. But he’s still a good bet to provide a significant weekly and season-long advantage at his position.

In fact, Kelce sits atop our2024 TE rankings – and is coming two or three rounds cheaper than last year.

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.

We'll see if Kansas City adds a RB in the draft,but Pacheco is a good bet to operate as lead back in 2024.

Other option: Tee Higgins

Round 5

Top target: Mark Andrews

Next best: Christian Kirk

Kirk finished 12th among WRs in his 2022 Jaguars debut and was sitting 24th through 11 healthy games last year.

He's back in the same offense with the same QB this season. And Jacksonville's swap of Gabriel Davis for Calvin Ridley gives Kirk more target upside.

Other options: Patrick Mahomes, Joe Mixon

Round 6

Top target: Joe Burrow

Burrow looks like one of the best QB values in early fantasy drafts.

He and his WRs dealt with injuries throughout last season. But he’s an easy rebound candidate with better health after finishing QB7 and QB4 the previous two years.

Next best: DeAndre Hopkins

The Titans paid up for WR Calvin Ridley in free agency -- but Hopkins easily beat Ridley in key metrics last year like yards per route run and Pro Football Focus receiving grade.

We're betting on Hopkins leading the team in targets this season. And there will be more targets to go around with the arrival of pass-leaning HC Brian Callahan.

Other options: Alvin Kamara, Diontae Johnson, Chris Godwin

Round 7

Top target: 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 big-time value here.

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: Diontae Johnson, Chris Godwin, Evan Engram

Round 8

Top target: Javonte Williams

This is a nice range for RB value.

Williams’ 2023 inefficiency was no surprise coming off a nasty knee injury. He should be much closer to pre-injury form this season.

Remember that Williams averaged 4.4 yards per carry and caught 59 passes across his first 21 NFL games.

Next best: Jaylen Warren

Warren finished 21st among RBs in PPR points last year. He caught 61 balls while also ranking third among 49 qualifying RBs in yards per carry, rush yards over expected per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt.

Warren could get a boost in rushing volume in 2024 with the arrival of OC Arthur Smith.

Other options: Jordan Love, Kyler Murray, Courtland Sutton, Jake Ferguson

Round 9

Top target: Tyler Lockett

Death, taxes, and Tyler Lockett being undervalued.

He finished with his fewest PPR points last year since 2017 but still ranked 34th among WRs. He’s currently outside the top 50 WRs in ADP.

Next best:Zamir White

White exits free agency as the clear favorite for the Raiders' starting job. Josh Jacobs is done, and HC Antonio Pierce labeled Alexander Mattison a depth piece.

White ranked ninth among RBs in PPR points as Vegas' lead back over the final four weeks of last season.

Other options: Brian Robinson, Courtland Sutton,Jake Ferguson, Dallas Goedert

Round 10

Top target: Jonathon Brooks

Brooks is our top-rated rookie in the 2024 RB class. He's recovering from a November ACL tear but is expected to be ready for the start of the season.

The talented 6'0, 216-pounder has three-down potential and is a high-upside shot at this point of your draft.

Next best: Curtis Samuel

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 in 2020.

He's locked in as the starting slot receiver for a high-scoring Bills offense.

Other options: Trevor Lawrence, Chuba Hubbard, Gabriel Davis, Jerry Jeudy

Round 11

Top target: Jayden Daniels

With a lethal combination of deep passing and rushing, Daniels will have top-five fantasy upside as soon as he hits the field.

And as a likely top-three pick in the draft, he has a good shot to start Week 1.

Washington would be an excellent landing spot.

Next best: Gabriel Davis

Davis will never be a well-rounded, consistently productive WR.

But that doesn't mean he can't help your fantasy team. Even in what felt like a disappointing 2023 season, he scored as a top-14 WR in PPR points in five different weeks.

The Jaguars gave him a three-year, $39 million deal in free agency, essentially guaranteeing Davis a big role this season.

Other options: Chuba Hubbard, Zach Charbonnet, Jerry Jeudy

Round 12

Top targets: Dontayvion Wicks

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.

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: Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Wright, Jahan Dotson, Brandin Cooks, Joshua Palmer

Round 13

Top target: Kendre Miller

Injuries marred Miller's rookie season. But he was an exciting prospect heading into the league last offseason and flashed in Week 18.

Miller finds himself in a 2024 Saints backfield with a pair of declining veterans in Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.

He's one of our favorite 2024 fantasy football sleepers.

Next best: Zay Jones

Jones averaged 7.4 targets on an 18.5% share in eight healthy games last year. That’s a full-season pace of 126 targets that would have landed Jones 21st among WRs.

That followed an 82-823-5 line and WR26 PPR finish in 2022.

Jacksonville swapped out Calvin Ridley for Gabriel Davis in free agency, which is a net gain for Jones' target potential this year.

Other options: Deshaun Watson,MarShawn Lloyd,Darnell Mooney,Michael Mayer

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. Aim for a K on a high-scoring offense and a DST with sack and takeaway upside.

We’ll have more advice on K and DST targets after the NFL schedule is released.

Fantasy Draft Guide for Pick 7, 8, or 9

Round 1

Top target: 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.

Next best: 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.

Other option: Puka Nacua

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.

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

Next best: 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.

Other option: Saquon Barkley, De’Von Achane

Round 3

Top target: Josh Jacobs

Jacobs struggled last year but is just two seasons removed from a RB3 PPR finish.

He's still just 26 and is teed up for a bounce-back campaign after inking a big four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers that should set him up for workhorse duties.

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, Travis Etienne

Round 4

Top target: Travis Kelce

Kelce’s 14.8 PPR points per game last year were his fewest since 2016 – but still led all TEs.

The 34-year-old’s best days are behind him. But he’s still a good bet to provide a significant weekly and season-long advantage at his position.

In fact, Kelce sits atop our2024 TE rankings – and is coming two or three rounds cheaper than last year.

Next best: Cooper Kupp

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.

Other options: Isiah Pacheco, Tee Higgins

Round 5

Top target: Mark Andrews

If you didn’t land Travis Kelce in Round 4, prioritize Andrews here.

His 1.96 yards per route run last year 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.

And Andrews’ PPR scoring average in nine healthy games last year would have ranked third at his position.

Next best: Christian Kirk

Kirk finished 12th among WRs in his 2022 Jaguars debut and was sitting 24th through 11 healthy games last year.

He's back in the same offense with the same QB this season. And Jacksonville's swap of Gabriel Davis for Calvin Ridley gives Kirk more target upside.

Other options: Joe Mixon, Ken Walker, Terry McLaurin

Round 6

Top target: Joe Burrow

Burrow looks like one of the best QB values in early fantasy drafts.

Burrow and his WRs dealt with injuries throughout last year.But with better health, he's an easy rebound candidate after finishing QB7 in 2021 and QB4 in 2022.

Next best: DeAndre Hopkins

The Titans paid up for WR Calvin Ridley in free agency -- but Hopkins easily beat Ridley in key metrics last year like yards per route run and Pro Football Focus receiving grade.

We're betting on Hopkins leading the team in targets this season. And there will be more targets to go around with the arrival of pass-leaning HC Brian Callahan.

Other options: Alvin Kamara, Diontae Johnson, Chris Godwin

Round 7

Top target: 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.

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: Diontae Johnson, Chris Godwin, Evan Engram

Round 8

Top target: Javonte Williams

This is another nice spot for RB value.

Williams’ 2023 inefficiency was no surprise coming off a nasty knee injury. He should be much closer to pre-injury form this season.

Remember that Williams averaged 4.4 yards per carry and caught 59 passes across his first 21 NFL games.

Next best: Jaylen Warren

Warren finished 21st among RBs in PPR points last year. He caught 61 balls while also ranking third among 49 qualifying RBs in yards per carry, rush yards over expected per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt.

Warren could get a boost in rushing volume in 2024 with the arrival of OC Arthur Smith.

Other options: Kyler Murray, Jake Ferguson, Mike Wiliams

Round 9

Top target: Tyler Lockett

Death, taxes, and Tyler Lockett being undervalued.

He finished with his fewest PPR points last year since 2017 but still ranked 34th among WRs. He’s currently outside the top 50 WRs in ADP.

Next best: Zamir White

White exits free agency as the clear favorite for the Raiders' starting job. Josh Jacobs is done, and HC Antonio Pierce labeled Alexander Mattison a depth piece.

White ranked ninth among RBs in PPR points as Vegas' lead back over the final four weeks of last season.

Other options: Brian Robinson, Zack Moss, Courtland Sutton, Jakobi Meyers, Dallas Goedert

Round 10

Top target: Jonathon Brooks

Brooks is our top-rated rookie in the 2024 RB class. He's recovering from a November ACL tear but is expected to be ready for the start of the season.

The talented 6'0, 216-pounder has three-down potential and is a high-upside shot at this point of your draft.

Next best: Curtis Samuel

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 in 2020.

He's locked in as the starting slot receiver for a high-scoring Bills offense.

Other options: Trevor Lawrence, Chuba Hubbard, Gabriel Davis, Jerry Jeudy, Dallas Goedert

Round 11

Top target: Jayden Daniels

With a lethal combination of deep passing and rushing, Daniels will have top-five fantasy upside as soon as he hits the field.

And as a likely top-three pick in the draft, he has a good shot to start Week 1.

Washington would be an excellent landing spot.

Next best: Gabriel Davis

Davis will never be a well-rounded, consistently productive WR.

But that doesn't mean he can't help your fantasy team. Even in what felt like a disappointing 2023 season, he scored as a top-14 WR in PPR points in five different weeks.

The Jaguars gave him a three-year, $39 million deal in free agency, essentially guaranteeing Davis a big role this season.

Other options: Chuba Hubbard, Zach Charbonnet, Jerry Jeudy

Round 12

Top target: Dontayvion Wicks

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.

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: Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Wright, Jahan Dotson, Brandin Cooks, Joshua Palmer

Round 13

Top target: Kendre Miller

Next best: Zay Jones

Jones averaged 7.4 targets on an 18.5% share in eight healthy games last year. That’s a full-season pace of 126 targets that would have landed Jones 21st among WRs.

That followed an 82-823-5 line and WR26 PPR finish in 2022.

Jacksonville swapped out Calvin Ridley for Gabriel Davis in free agency, which is a net gain for Jones' target potential this year.

Other options: Deshaun Watson,MarShawn Lloyd,Darnell Mooney,Michael Mayer

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. Aim for a K on a high-scoring offense and a DST with sack and takeaway upside.

We’ll have more advice on K and DST targets after the NFL schedule is released.

Fantasy Draft Guide for Pick 10, 11, or 12

Rounds 1 & 2

Top targets: Kyren Williams & Garrett Wilson

It might feel a bit unnerving to spend a first- or second-round pick on a guy who was a waiver-wire darling just a year ago. But Williams was excellent last season, ranking top 10 among 49 qualifying RBs in yards after contact per attempt, rush yards over expected per attempt, and PFF rushing grade. Just as importantly, Williams’ volume was excellent. Only Christian McCaffrey averaged more expected PPR points per game.

Williams could lose 10-15% of his workload from last year and still pay off this price tag. The Rams made no RB additions in free agency. We'll see what the draft brings.

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

It’s ideal to leave these first two rounds with one RB and one WR. So if you miss on one or both of Williams and Wilson, target these guys.

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 posted back-to-back PPR WR7 finishes with the Eagles. Philadelphia should play faster and run more plays in 2024 under new OC Kellen Moore

Other options: Saquon Barkley

Rounds 3 & 4

Top targets:Travis Etienne & Cooper Kupp

Etienne ranked third at his position in PPR points last year. He tallied the fourth-most carries and seventh-most targets among RBs. The 25-year-old former first-round pick is a safe bet for another hefty workload in 2024.

Next best: Travis Kelce & Jalen Hurts

This is a good spot to consider an elite TE or QB.

Kelce’s 14.8 PPR points per game last year were his fewest since 2016 but still led all TEs. The 34-year-old’s best days are behind him. But he’s still a good bet to provide a significant weekly and season-long advantage at his position. In fact, Kelce sits atop our2024 TE rankings – and is coming two or three rounds cheaper than last year.

Hurts has finished QB3 and QB2 in fantasy points the past two years. He’s an especially attractive pick here if you nabbed WR A.J. Brown with one of your first two selections.

Other options: Isiah Pacheco, Mark Andrews

Rounds 5 & 6

Top targets: Joe Mixon & Christian Kirk

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.

Kirk finished 12th among WRs in his 2022 Jaguars debut and was sitting 24th through 11 healthy games last year. He's back in the same offense with the same QB this season. And Jacksonville's swap of Gabriel Davis for Calvin Ridley gives Kirk more target upside.

Next best: DeAndre Hopkins & Joe Burrow

The Titans paid up for WR Calvin Ridley in free agency -- but Hopkins easily beat Ridley in key metrics last year like yards per route run and Pro Football Focus receiving grade. We're betting on Hopkins leading the team in targets this season. And there will be more targets to go around with the arrival of pass-leaning HC Brian Callahan.

Burrow looks like one of the best QB values in early fantasy drafts. He and his WRs dealt with injuries throughout last season. But he’s an easy rebound candidate with better health after finishing QB7 and QB4 the previous two years.

Other options: Alvin Kamara, Ken Walker, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson, Chris Godwin

Rounds 7 & 8

Top targets: James Conner and D'Andre Swift

This is a nice spot for RB value.

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.

Swift got a hefty three-year, $24 million deal from the Bears in free agency that makes him a strong bet for clear lead duties. The offense could take a big leap forward this season with Swift, WR Keenan Allen and (likely) QB Caleb Williams joining WR D.J. Moore and TE Cole Kmet.

Next best: Christian Watson & Jake Ferguson

Watson again struggled with injuries last year. But he also remained a valuable spike-week player, with WR8 and WR12 PPR finishes among his eight healthy outings. He's multiple rounds cheaper this year than last.

Ferguson finished TE9 in PPR points last year, despite underachieving in the TD department. He’ll remain a big part of Dallas’ passing game in 2024 and is a nice value here if you're still looking for your starting TE.

Other options: Javonte Williams, Courtland Sutton

Rounds 9 & 10

Top targets: Tyler Lockett & Brian Robinson

Lockett is being undervalued by fantasy drafters. Again. He finished with his fewest PPR points since 2017 last year but still ranked 34th among WRs. He’s currently outside the top 50 WRs in ADP.

RB Austin Ekeler figures to handle most passing-down snaps for Washington this season. But you were never drafting Robinson for his pass-catching production. He should remain Washington's lead ball-carrier this season after averaging 4.1 yards per carry and ranking 21st among 49 qualifying RBs in Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt last year. (Ekeler ranked 36th.)

Next best: Curtis Samuel & Dallas Goedert

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 in 2020. He's locked in as the starting slot receiver for a high-scoring Bills offense.

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: Trevor Lawrence, Zack Moss, Jonathon Brooks, Gabriel Davis, Jerry Jeudy

Rounds 11 & 12

Top targets:Jayden Daniels & Gabriel Davis

With a lethal combination of deep passing and rushing, Daniels will have top-five fantasy upside as soon as he hits the field. And as a likely top-three pick in the draft, he has a good shot to start Week 1. Washington would be an excellent landing spot.

Davis will never be a well-rounded, consistently productive WR. But that doesn't mean he can't help your fantasy team. Even in what felt like a disappointing 2023 season, he scored as a top-14 WR in PPR points in five different weeks. The Jaguars gave him a three-year, $39 million deal in free agency, essentially guaranteeing Davis a big role this season.

Next best: Dontayvion Wicks & Pat Freiermuth

Wicks quietly beat both Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs in targets per route and yards per route last year. He has a chance in 2024 to win a top-3 WR job on an ascending Packers offense.

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: Chuba Hubbard, Zach Charbonnet, Jerry Jeudy, Jahan Dotson, Brandin Cooks

Rounds 13 & 14

Top targets: Kendre Miller & Zay Jones

Injuries marred Miller's rookie season. But he was an exciting prospect heading into the league last offseason and flashed in Week 18. Miller finds himself in a 2024 Saints backfield with a pair of declining veterans in Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.

Jones averaged 7.4 targets on an 18.5% share in eight healthy games last year. That’s a full-season pace of 126 targets that would have landed Jones 21st among WRs. That followed an 82-823-5 line and WR26 PPR finish in 2022. Jacksonville swapped out Calvin Ridley for Gabriel Davis in free agency, which is a net gain for Jones' target potential this year.

Next best: MarShawn Lloyd & Darnell Mooney

Lloyd is an exciting rookie RB. He ripped off 7.1 yards per carry at USC last year and then clocked a 4.46-second 40 time at 220 pounds at the Combine. He should be a Day 2 pick and could claim a significant role in his NFL backfield this season.

Mooney struggled in bad Bears passing games the past two years. But he drew 98 targets as a rookie and then topped 1,000 yards in his second NFL season. Moving to Atlanta with OC Zac Robinson and QB Kirk Cousins gives Mooney a shot for a rebound season in 2024.

Other options: Deshaun Watson, Antonio Gibson, Wan'Dale Robinson, Demario Douglas, Michael Mayer

Rounds 15 & 16

Top targets: K & DST

Use your final two picks on a K and DST. Aim for a K on a high-scoring offense and a DST with sack and takeaway upside.

We’ll have more advice on K and DST targets after the NFL schedule is released.

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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 Jordan Love 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.