Fantasy: Strategy for drafting in the middle of the round

In this three-part series, theScore's fantasy editors break down the best ways to approach your draft depending on where you're selecting in the round.

Draft Position

Picks 1-4
Picks 5-8
Picks 9-12

After running down how to attack your draft from the top four slots, we now turn our attention to the middle of the round.

Being stuck near the halfway point can seem a lot less glamorous, but it prevents you from being caught at the end of big runs at a position.

Picking from the center of the round also allows you to make a play for any player you covet, since the distance you'll have to reach for them is limited.

Here's a look at our plan for drafting with one of the middle four picks.

Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of FantasyFootballCalculator and based on 12-team leagues with standard scoring.

Round 1

Picks: 1.05-1.08

After the first four picks of the opening round, most of the elite running backs have been taken. If you're drafting from the fifth slot, you may have Jamaal Charles or Marshawn Lynch fall to you, but they aren't likely to be around much further than that.

Instead of selecting the fifth or sixth running back on the board, let's grab the game's top receiver. Antonio Brown has been one of the most consistent fantasy producers the last two years, averaging nearly 1,600 yards and over 10 touchdowns per season. If Brown's name is called before your pick, Dez Bryant isn't a bad fallback option.

WR1 - Antonio Brown (1st)

Round 2

Picks: 2.05-2.08

Failing to secure a running back in the first two rounds feels wrong, but there's no guarantee one of the top-10 backs will fall to you, and the mid-second round is a little early for Justin Forsett, Lamar Miller or Frank Gore.

Elite wide receivers have a great return on investment since they don't tend to get hurt as often as running backs. A.J. Green is a bit of a forgotten man after an injury-plagued season affected his numbers. He still managed to go over 1,000 yards for the fourth straight year, despite missing three games. Green will return to dominance in 2015.

WR1 - Antonio Brown (1st)
WR2 - A.J. Green (2nd)

Round 3

Picks: 3.05-3.08

We can't wait much longer to address our backfield. Fortunately, Ingram represents a nice option in the third round, as a player who is going to outproduce his ADP.

The Saints are planning to run a more balanced attack this season thanks to their beefed up offensive line. C.J. Spiller's status for Week 1 remains in doubt after he underwent a knee scope. Meanwhile, Ingram is talking up his receiving skills, which would only add to his value.

There aren't any other enticing backs at this point in the draft, so if Ingram goes earlier than expected, pivot and take a receiver like Jordan Matthews.

RB1 - Mark Ingram (3rd)
WR1 - Antonio Brown (1st)
WR2 - A.J. Green (2nd)

Round 4

Picks: 4.05-4.08

As much as the need for another running back looms over this team, the only options available at this area of the fourth round are players with question marks. Locking down sure things at the top of your draft is imperative for season-long fantasy success.

It's tough to call a player a sure thing before you've even seen him play a down in the NFL, but Amari Cooper becoming a star is an absolute certainty. The Raiders rookie has shown that he's ready for the pro game, and is going to see a ton of passes thrown his way in Oakland's offense. Cooper will be a WR2 with WR1 upside in his debut season.

RB1 - Mark Ingram (3rd)
WR1 - Antonio Brown (1st)
WR2 - A.J. Green (2nd)
WR3 - Amari Cooper (4th)

Round 5

Picks: 5.05-5.08

When you go with multiple receivers early, your RB2 slot is going to suffer. The good news is that running backs are sidelined with injuries more than any other fantasy position, which creates waiver wire opportunities. If your draft picks don't pan out, some smart moves on the wire can help shore up the position.

For now, Chris Ivory steps into the lineup as the second starter at running back. The Jets have a chance to contend, but not if Ryan Fitzpatrick or Geno Smith try to win games through the air. Ivory will see a heavy workload in an offense that could surprise. Ivory has the potential to be a top-20 fantasy back.

RB1 - Mark Ingram (3rd)
RB2 - Chris Ivory (5th)
WR1 - Antonio Brown (1st)
WR2 - A.J. Green (2nd)
WR3 - Amari Cooper (4th)

Round 6

Picks: 6.05-6.08

In part one of the series, I discussed the decision-making behind taking an elite tight end early or waiting for a high-upside player in the late rounds. However, for the second straight article we will be taking a tight end in the middle rounds.

Martellus Bennett was a huge part of the Bears' passing attack in 2014, and it's a trend that's likely to continue with Brandon Marshall gone. Alshon Jeffery will be a target hog, but Bennett has a strong chance to be the second option on a team that will be in comeback mode a lot this season.

There aren't many tight ends capable of posting 90 catches, 900 yards and half a dozen touchdowns. Bennett could top those numbers this season, making him worthy of a sixth-round selection.

RB1 - Mark Ingram (3rd)
RB2 - Chris Ivory (5th)
WR1 - Antonio Brown (1st)
WR2 - A.J. Green (2nd)
WR3 - Amari Cooper (4th)
TE1 - Martellus Bennett (6th)

Round 7

Picks: 7.05-7.08

The worries over Joique Bell's injuries, coupled with the excitement surrounding rookie Ameer Abdullah, have caused Bell's draft stock to plummet. If he's available in the seventh round he could be a steal, since he will still have at least a share of the Lions' backfield when he returns.

Bell's draft stock is volatile, so let's select another player who has potential to deliver a big return on a seventh-round gamble. The Falcons used a third-round pick on Tevin Coleman and while a hamstring injury has limited his preseason output, his battle to be the starting running back rages on.

Kyle Shanahan's system has created many quality fantasy backs. If the rookie can gain the upper hand in Atlanta's backfield, he'll venture in RB2 territory for fantasy.

RB1 - Mark Ingram (3rd)
RB2 - Chris Ivory (5th)
WR1 - Antonio Brown (1st)
WR2 - A.J. Green (2nd)
WR3 - Amari Cooper (4th)
TE1 - Martellus Bennett (6th)
Bench - Tevin Coleman (7th)

Round 8

Picks: 8.05-8.08

The value in waiting on quarterback is too good to pass up. While other owners are drafting running backs and receivers who aren't likely to make it to their starting lineup, we're selecting a top-7 quarterback.

If his fantasy performance in 2014 wasn't enough proof, Ryan Tannehill has been showcasing his talents in the preseason. An up-tempo offense, a freshly stocked arsenal of weapons and a growing sense of comfort in Bill Lazor's system all point to Tannehill taking another step forward. The fact he can still be had in the eighth round feels nefarious.

Of course, if Tannehill's stock rises, Eli Manning and Sam Bradford also hold the ability to produce QB1 numbers.

QB1 - Ryan Tannehill (8th)
RB1 - Mark Ingram (3rd)
RB2 - Chris Ivory (5th)
WR1 - Antonio Brown (1st)
WR2 - A.J. Green (2nd)
WR3 - Amari Cooper (4th)
TE1 - Martellus Bennett (6th)
Bench - Tevin Coleman (7th)

Round 9

Picks: 9.05-9.08

We can't forget about running back. There's no reason to waste our time on run-of-the-mill rushers this late in the draft. Instead, it's important to identify players who could become difference makers during the year.

First-year back Duke Johnson is already the best pass-catcher in the Browns' backfield and if he is as explosive as head coach Mike Pettine says, Johnson might lead this team in a number of categories. Fellow rookie David Johnson represents similar upside, though his is tied to an Andre Ellington injury.

Late Rounds

Receiver depth should be a top priority after the ninth round. A dependable veteran like Anquan Boldin isn't a bad choice, but upside continues to be paramount. DeVante Parker, Markus Wheaton and Brian Quick are all intriguing late-round selections at wideout.