Overview
The speaker presents comprehensive, data-backed fantasy football draft strategies for every draft position, focusing on building balanced, high-potential teams in 2025. Four tailored approaches address picks 1, 2–5, 6–8, and 9–12, with round-by-round guides and sample team builds.
General Draft Principles
- Build well-rounded rosters rather than targeting specific positions in fixed rounds.
- Remain flexible and adapt to draft flow and player availability.
- Secure three running backs and two wide receivers by the end of round five.
- Prioritize value picks in mid-to-late rounds for depth and upside.
- Adjust strategies yearly based on changing player pools and trends.
Strategy for Pick 1
- Select a top wide receiver (e.g., Jamar Chase) in round one.
- Draft two running backs at the 2/3 turn to avoid a positional drop-off.
- Use rounds 4–5 to grab best available RB/WR, achieving the 3 RB/2 WR benchmark by round five.
- Rounds 6–10: Target a mid-round QB and TE, add RB/WR depth.
- Rounds 11–13: Take a second TE and more depth options.
- Rounds 14–16: Draft defense (14), kicker (15), and a lottery ticket or QB2 (16).
Strategy for Picks 2–5
- Take a top-four running back in round one.
- Draft a top-12 RB or top WR in round two, depending on availability.
- In round three, secure RB2 or WR1 as needed; RB3 also an option.
- Rounds 4–5: Complete 3 RB/2 WR core with best available talent.
- Rounds 6–16: Follow the same approach as pick 1 for filling out the remainder of the roster.
Strategy for Picks 6–8
- Select best available WR (or a top-four RB if one falls) in round one.
- Prioritize RB1 in round two; do not wait until round three.
- In round three, focus on RB2, WR2, or RB3 based on roster needs.
- Achieve 3 RB and 2 WR by the end of the fifth round.
- Fill out remaining positions as in earlier strategies.
Strategy for Picks 9–12
- Start with one RB and one WR in the first two rounds (order flexible).
- Secure RB2 in round three; avoid waiting on running backs.
- Use rounds 4–5 to complete 3 RB, 2 WR by round five with some flexibility.
- Finish the draft by targeting QB, TE, depth, defense, kicker, and late-round upside.
Sample Team Builds
- Each draft slot example includes a mix of established starters and high-upside players.
- Backfield depth is emphasized, especially with handcuffs and injury-prone starters.
- Teams generally stack a mid-round QB, two TEs (if avoiding the elite tier), and speculative breakout players late.
Recommendations / Advice
- Follow positional benchmarks to avoid depth issues, particularly at RB.
- Use round-specific guidelines but stay flexible based on draft dynamics.
- Target upside in the late rounds with handcuffs and sleepers.
- Avoid waiting too long on critical positions, especially running back.
Decisions
- Provide tailored draft strategies for four positional groupings (1, 2–5, 6–8, 9–12)
- Emphasize balanced team construction over rigid positional drafting