Fantasy Football Draft Strategy

Aug 16, 2025

Overview

The video analyzes 2025 fantasy football draft ADP data for the first ten rounds, recommending players to draft earlier than consensus and those to avoid in favor of higher-upside alternatives.

Round 1 – Preferred Picks Over ADP

  • Derrick Henry and Ashton Genty (late first round) are better targets than Christian McCaffrey and Puka Nakua due to durability and stability concerns.
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown is preferred over Puka Nakua given a less risky situation.

Round 2 – Safer, Higher-Upside Choices

  • Bucky Irving, Josh Jacobs, and Drake London are strong late second-round picks.
  • Jacobs and Irving are safer than Devon Achane (injuries, QB risk).
  • Drake London is preferred over Brian Thomas Jr. due to projected target competition.
  • Jacobs and Irving are preferred over Jonathan Taylor, given Taylor’s volatility and health history.

Round 3 – Risk Management and Target Player

  • Third round is deemed risky with limited "must-have" players.
  • Kairean Williams is the only third-rounder strongly endorsed due to volume and role security.
  • Willing to skip third-round options (e.g., Lad McConkey, Trey McBride, Tyreek Hill, Breece Hall, James Cook, T. Higgins, Garrett Wilson) for preferred value in round four.

Round 4 – Early Value Picks

  • Alvin Kamara, Terry McLaurin, Kenneth Walker, and James Conner are recommended over many round three options.
  • McLaurin is considered stable and likely to remain with Washington.
  • Kamara offers a safer weekly floor, especially in PPR formats.
  • Walker is liked for his offensive role despite injury concerns.
  • Conner should be handcuffed with Trey Benson for risk mitigation.

Rounds 5–6 – Wide Receivers and Running Backs to Target

  • DK Metcalf and David Montgomery are preferred over Rashee Rice and Joe Mixon due to safer roles and less uncertainty.
  • Sixth-round RBs/WRs (DeAndre Swift, TreVeyon Henderson, Jameson Williams, Tony Pollard, George Pickens, Calvin Ridley) offer significant upside and value.
  • Willing to take these players over some fifth-rounders (e.g., DeVonta Smith).

Rounds 7–8 – Late Best-Value Picks

  • Chris Olave and Rome Odunze are highly recommended for seventh-round value, with Olave discounted due to past draft position.
  • Evan Engram (eighth round) is a value tight end and preferred over Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews for his likely target share.

Rounds 9–10 – Final Round Deep Value

  • Jordan Mason is a prime ninth-round running back, especially as a fill-in if Aaron Jones misses time.
  • Dak Prescott is a late-round quarterback target offering top-12 upside.
  • Matthew Golden is a high-upside late receiver, preferred over several injured or risky options.
  • J.K. Dobbins (tenth round) is projected to start for Denver and is ranked higher than Travis Etienne and Cam Skattebo.

Decisions

  • Draft Derrick Henry and Ashton Genty over Christian McCaffrey and Puka Nakua in round one.
  • Prioritize Kairean Williams in round three; avoid mid-round risk for value in round four.
  • Prefer DK Metcalf and David Montgomery over higher-ADP but riskier WR/RBs.
  • Target Evan Engram as a value TE above Kelce or Andrews.

Action Items

  • TBD – All fantasy drafters: Adjust draft boards to prioritize recommended players by round/ADP as outlined.
  • TBD – Drafters selecting James Conner: Ensure Trey Benson is added as a handcuff.
  • TBD – Monitor: News on Lad McConkey (Keenan Allen status), RJ Harvey (camp performance), and other injury updates.

Questions / Follow-Ups

  • Monitor Keenan Allen's training camp for Lad McConkey adjustment.
  • Track RJ Harvey’s camp news and ADP.
  • Watch for clarity on Quinton Judkins’s legal status and contract.
  • Assess Chris Godwin and Khalil Shakir’s injury recoveries before drafting.