Fantasy: Strategy for drafting at the end 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

We've reached the final chapter of our strategy series. In the first two sections, fantasy owners with a top-eight pick got a glimpse at how their drafts could unfold. Meanwhile, owners selecting at the end of the round patiently waited their turn, just like they'll have to do on draft day.

When you're assigned a pick in the late-first round, it feels like you're starting at a disadvantage, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

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

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

Round 1

Picks: 1.09-1.12

The running backs available late in the first round all have cracks in their armor that could cause them to crumble. The same can't be said for the receivers in this range. You'll have your pick of elite pass catchers in the final four slots and since receivers tend to get injured far less than running backs, it's a wise investment.

Demaryius Thomas often gets less attention than other elite fantasy receivers, but few players have been as prolific in recent seasons. Over the last three years, Thomas has averaged 99 receptions with almost 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns per season. Antonio Brown and Dez Bryant will likely be off the board, leaving Thomas as an excellent option near the end of the first round.

WR1 - Demaryius Thomas (1st)

Round 2

Picks: 2.01-2.04

Though some owners can take it way too seriously, fantasy football is supposed to be fun. What's more fun than owning fantasy's biggest rising star?

As a rookie, Odell Beckham Jr. posted a 91-1,305-12 line in just three quarters of a season. He's less proven than some of the other premier players at his position, but his ceiling is the best receiver in the game and you'll want to be along for the ride to find out whether he can live up to the hype. If someone else pounces on OBJ, scoop up the surprisingly undervalued Calvin Johnson.

WR1 - Demaryius Thomas (1st)
WR2 - Odell Beckham Jr. (2nd)

Round 3

Picks: 3.09-3.12

With a pair of star receivers on our roster, we need to shift our focus to running back… before it's too late.

Joseph Randle doesn't have the talent to carry a rushing attack by himself, but behind the Cowboys' offensive line it's not out of the realm of possibility that he produces like an RB1. Some owners might be worried about his job security, but Randle has shown well in the preseason, strengthening his place atop the depth chart.

RB1 - Joseph Randle (3rd)
WR1 - Demaryius Thomas (1st)
WR2 - Odell Beckham Jr. (2nd)

Round 4

Picks: 4.01-4.04

Passing on running back early means we need to take a few chances in hopes of finding quality starters at the position. Randle isn't an ideal RB1, but we might be able to address that a bit later in the draft. For now, let's try to find another back who could outproduce his ADP.

Joique Bell continues to recover from knee and Achilles injuries and has yet to get back on the field. With Bell sidelined, rookie Ameer Abdullah has flashed game-breaking ability both in practice and during preseason action. At worst, Abdullah will start the year in a timeshare with Bell, but there is a chance he overtakes the veteran in the Detroit backfield and leads the team in touches.

RB1 - Joseph Randle (3rd)
RB2 - Ameer Abdullah (4th)
WR1 - Demaryius Thomas (1st)
WR2 - Odell Beckham Jr. (2nd)

Round 5

Picks: 5.09-5.12

The QB, RB, and WR options at the end of the fifth round aren't overly exciting, causing us to look elsewhere.

Greg Olsen topped 1,000 yards a year ago and there's a strong chance he eclipses that mark once again. Coming off a season where he saw 123 targets as a tight end, Olsen could see more passes thrown his way in 2015 due to Kelvin Benjamin's season-ending injury. Having Olsen as your starting tight end is like having a fourth starting receiver.

RB1 - Joseph Randle (3rd)
RB2 - Ameer Abdullah (4th)
WR1 - Demaryius Thomas (1st)
WR2 - Odell Beckham Jr. (2nd)
TE1 - Greg Olsen (5th)

Round 6

Picks: 6.01-6.04

This is where our plan gets interesting. Arian Foster's draft stock crashed after he underwent groin surgery a couple weeks ago. The timetable for his return is unknown, with reports stating he could miss anywhere from three or four games to half the season. When Foster does get back in the lineup, we know he's an RB1 as the focal point of the Texans offense.

Where Foster is selected could vary significantly depending on the draft, but his current ADP is in the sixth round. With the majority of our starters in set, we can gamble and wait on Foster, with the hope that he gives us a huge boost for the second half of the year. For those who find Foster too risky, LeGarrette Blount or C.J. Spiller represent good value in the early sixth round.

RB1 - Joseph Randle (3rd)
RB2 - Ameer Abdullah (4th)
WR1 - Demaryius Thomas (1st)
WR2 - Odell Beckham Jr. (2nd)
TE1 - Greg Olsen (5th)
Bench - Arian Foster (6th)

Round 7

Picks: 7.09-7.12

Randle and Abdullah's unproven abilities, as well as Foster's early-season absence, can be mitigated by selecting an RB4 who will see plenty of carries early in the year.

With Todd Gurley still working his way back to full health, Tre Mason should get the majority of the snaps for the Rams when the season kicks off. Reports have circulated that Gurley will miss games and/or be worked in slowly in September. Mason provides a nice safety net in case Abdullah or Randle falter at the start of the year, buying time until Foster's return.

RB1 - Joseph Randle (3rd)
RB2 - Ameer Abdullah (4th)
WR1 - Demaryius Thomas (1st)
WR2 - Odell Beckham Jr. (2nd)
TE1 - Greg Olsen (5th)
Bench - Arian Foster (6th)
Bench - Tre Mason (7th)

Round 8

Picks: 8.01-8.04

Finding a WR3 deep in the draft has become much easier in recent years. Larry Fitzgerald averaged five receptions and 80 yards per game in the six contests Carson Palmer appeared in last season. With Palmer back, Fitzgerald will restore some of his forgotten fantasy value.

Digging a little deeper, Anquan Boldin is another veteran with underrated value. Boldin has finished as a low-end WR2 the last two seasons, but is going in the 10th round this year. If both players are on the board, Fitzgerald gets the nod.

RB1 - Joseph Randle (3rd)
RB2 - Ameer Abdullah (4th)
WR1 - Demaryius Thomas (1st)
WR2 - Odell Beckham Jr. (2nd)
WR3 - Larry Fitzgerald (8th)
TE1 - Greg Olsen (5th)
Bench - Arian Foster (6th)
Bench - Tre Mason (7th)

Round 9

Picks: 9.09-9.12

Waiting on a quarterback has been a theme in this series. There are still several potential QB1s left for the taking in the ninth round and to solidify the roster, you should take two of them.

Philip Rivers was on a tear at the beginning of last year before nagging injuries slowed him down. Even with a four-game suspension for Antonio Gates, Rivers will be a reliable starter most weeks. Sam Bradford and Carson Palmer could also deliver QB1 numbers in fantasy, but they will likely still be available in a round or two.

QB1 - Philip Rivers (9th)
RB1 - Joseph Randle (3rd)
RB2 - Ameer Abdullah (4th)
WR1 - Demaryius Thomas (1st)
WR2 - Odell Beckham Jr. (2nd)
WR3 - Larry Fitzgerald (8th)
TE1 - Greg Olsen (5th)
Bench - Arian Foster (6th)
Bench - Tre Mason (7th)

Late Rounds

As mentioned above, you can grab a second quarterback in the 10th or 11th round, leaving you with a Rivers-Bradford or Rivers-Palmer tandem. Then it's just a matter of playing the best matchup each week.

Your other late round picks can be focused on receiver. Luckily, it's an extremely deep position this year, so you can target players like Steve Johnson, Brian Quick, DeVante Parker, or Kendall Wright to provide depth on your roster.