Fantasy: Best strategy based on your draft position

Going into your fantasy football draft with a game plan is key to your success. While it's helpful to know your draft slot well in advance and run a few mock drafts, that's not always possible. We're here to help with ideal draft strategies for each first-round pick position.

These approaches are based on a 12-team league with half-PPR scoring. We reference FantasyPros' average draft position (ADP), but ADPs may change after publication.

General draft tips

• Get a set of rankings you're confident in and stick to them as closely as possible. theScore's top 250 rankings are available here.
• Study your league: If history shows it tends to be heavy on running backs or quarterbacks usually go early, adjust accordingly.
• Pay attention to other managers' rosters: If the two managers picking between you and your next pick already have a quarterback, there's no reason to take a QB with your earlier pick since that same player will be available to you in the next round.

Jump to: Early first round | Middle first round | Late first round | Ideal teams

Early 1st-round pick

Round 1 (Picks: 1-4)

You're sitting pretty if you were lucky enough to secure a top-four pick. Ideally, you're drafting in the top two and taking Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson without much stress.

Ja'Marr Chase at No. 3 is extremely safe, and he's a no-brainer if available at No. 4. From there, it's between Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor at No. 4, but no one would blame you if you took one of them at No. 3 to lock down a workhorse at running back.

Target - Elite RB or Chase

Round 2-3 (Picks: 21-28)

The first name that stands out in this range is Brock Bowers (ADP - 20th). Many people are still hesitant to take a tight end this early, but Bowers is a different beast. If he's there at No. 21, he's worth picking.

This range also includes Josh Allen (ADP - 22nd). If you're set on having the league's best fantasy quarterback, then Allen is your guy. But Justin Herbert's ADP is 79th. Would you rather have Allen and Tony Pollard or Herbert and Derrick Henry? The latter feels like the better duo.

If you're leaving the third round with two players out of Bowers, Henry, Nico Collins, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, George Pickens, Kyren Williams, and Breece Hall - in addition to your first-round RB - then you've set your team up nicely.

Targets - Bowers, best RB available, one stud WR

Round 4-5 (Picks: 45-52)

Hopefully, you have two starting RBs at this point, because now's the time to start grabbing wide receivers with upside.

Emeka Egbuka, Garrett Wilson, Ladd McConkey, Luther Burden III, Jaylen Waddle, and Terry McLaurin all fall within this range. The quantity of WRs available makes taking Bowers in the second round even more intriguing.

If you still need a second RB, don't wait any longer. The drop-off after David Montgomery, D'Andre Swift, and Bhayshul Tuten is severe.

Targets - Two WRs unless you're desperate at RB

Round 6-7 (Picks: 69-76)

If you missed out on Bowers, this is a good time to start looking at TE. Tucker Kraft, Sam LaPorta, and Kyle Pitts Sr. are all going off the board around this point. But don't reach for a TE instead of filling another need, especially if Christian Watson or Rome Odunze slip.

Quarterbacks may also be in play, with Jalen Hurts, Caleb Williams, and Justin Herbert being selected in this range. However, if your league tends to wait on quarterbacks, it's probably safe for you to wait as well.

Targets - Tight end if needed, highest available player on your rankings

Round 8-9 (Picks: 93-100)

By now, a handful of wild-card picks will have left the draft board out of whack, so let your rankings be your guiding light. This is the stage of the draft to fill in any remaining vacancies. At quarterback, Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence, or Bo Nix would all be strong options.

Now is also the time to start taking swings on players with big potential. Blake Corum and Jonathan Brooks stand out with ADPs at No. 93 and 94, respectively. Those are the types of players with league-winning upside you should target in the later rounds.

Targets - Quarterback, high-upside running backs

Middle 1st-round pick

Round 1 (Picks: 5-8)

Usually, a middle first-round pick is the worst slot in the draft, but after the top two running backs, the expected production from picks No. 3-8 is rather flat.

Although ADP doesn't have a clear top eight, Amon-Ra St. Brown should be considered with a top-eight pick despite going No. 11 overall. In this range, you'll likely be deciding between McCaffrey, Taylor, Nacua, St. Brown, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The preference should be a running back, but it's far from settling if you land Smith-Njigba or St. Brown - you can find an RB in Round 2.

Targets - McCaffrey, Taylor, best available WR

Round 2-3 (Picks: 17-20, 29-32)

If you drafted a WR in Round 1, seriously consider taking an RB in Round 2. Chase Brown or Kenneth Walker III would be fantastic selections to pair with your first-round pick, regardless of position.

In Round 3, either draft your RB2 or WR1. Bowers and Trey McBride are both likely gone, and it's not worth reaching for a quarterback yet. Javonte Williams, Malik Nabers, Chris Olave, and Hall fall into this bucket of picks. Leaving Round 3 with arguably two top-12 RBs and a true WR1 sets you up perfectly for the remainder of the draft.

Targets - RB2, top-tier WR

Round 4-5 (Picks: 41-44, 53-56)

You're likely staring at another WR selection in Round 4 - unless you want to take Colston Loveland to lock in a TE, since he won't be there in Round 5. Passing on him would allow you to draft Burden, Wilson, or Tee Higgins. However, if DeVonta Smith (ADP - 45th) is still on the board, that's the pick.

Quaterbacks become an option in Round 5, with Drake Maye and Joe Burrow available. However, continuing to add depth at key positions is more enticing. McLaurin, Jameson Williams, or Mike Evans would give you an formidable starting five.

Targets - QB or lock in a WR to slot into the flex spot

Round 6-7 (Picks: 65-68, 77-80)

It's time to start filling some holes. Jayden Daniels (ADP - 64th) might be there in Round 6. If not, Hurts (ADP - 70th) is a great alternative. The position players available at this stage are all relatively similar, so missing on one of them isn't the end of the world. Kraft is also a solid option if you're still looking for a TE.

In the seventh round, if TE is open, it's time to select LaPorta (ADP - 87th), who won't be there next round. If your flex or another WR spot is still open, Parker Washington or Jordyn Tyson should still be available here.

Targets - QB or lock in a WR to slot into the flex spot

Round 8-9 (Picks: 89-92, 101-104)

This round is a perfect example of why it's OK to wait on quarterback. Lawrence, Herbert, Jaxson Dart, and Dak Prescott are all going between picks No. 88-92.

If you have a quarterback, it's time to start taking swings - and don't be afraid to reach on players further down the draft board. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Josh Downs, Quentin Johnston, or even Stefon Diggs should all still be there, and they all have tremendous upside.

Targets - Best two players on your rankings

Late 1st-round pick

Round 1-2 (Picks: 9-16)

Do whatever you can to avoid picks No. 9 and 10, because the drop-off after No. 8 feels substantial. Landing an RB in Round 1 is a priority, so James Cook is a target - let someone else draft De'Von Achane.

A two-RB strategy is also a sound approach if possible. A duo of Cook and Henry or Saquon Barkley would give you a leg up over your league at the position. Grabbing Justin Jefferson instead of an RB could work too. Just remember, it's a long time until your next pick.

Targets - Two RBs or a Round 1 back and Justin Jefferson

Round 3-4 (Picks 33-40)

The best part about picking at the beginning or the end of a round is that you don't have the opportunity to get cute. You simply draft the player you want because they won't be there when you pick again.

You may get lucky at the Round 3-4 turn and have Williams or Hall fall to you. Either would be an automatic pick because the options in Round 5 are bleak. Travis Etienne Jr., Bucky Irving, and Cam Skattebo should also be there in Round 3.

Snagging another WR from the boatload available in this range would be ideal in Round 4. Nabers or Rashee Rice may still be around. Burden, Higgins, Wilson, Smith, or Zay Flowers are also fine selections.

Targets - Best available RB, best available WR

Round 5-6 (Picks 57-64)

You've locked in the two RB and WR spots, so this is a good time to fill the remaining slots. Burrow (ADP - 56th) should be there and would pair nicely with a Higgins selection. You could then add Tyler Warren to secure a top-four TE and then spend the remainder of your draft targeting RBs and WRs.

Targets - QB, TE, or a higher-ranked WR that is falling

Round 7-8 (Picks 81-88)

A full starting roster gives you the luxury of picking RBs and WRs without stressing about positional needs. If Tyson (ADP - 82nd) is still there, he's a steal - he could easily wind up being named Offensive Rookie of the Year. Marvin Harrison Jr. and DK Metcalf are also viable options to fill in at your flex.

Targets - Best available WRs

Round 9 (Picks 105-112)

Start swinging for the fences and don't be afraid to reach. Downs, Johnston, Diggs, and Rachaad White can all sit on your bench and may blossom into fantasy assets. Now is not the time to draft players like Travis Kelce or Tyler Allgeier - they aren't winning anyone a fantasy title.

Targets - RBs, WRs with upside

Ideal teams

Subscribe to push notifications in our NFL Fantasy News section.