Amari Cooper figures to be a target monster in a rather lackluster Cleveland receiving corps. He averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game (17th) and had a 27% target share in Weeks 2-7 during the regular season. Frankly, one of the reasons I love the Nos. In 2021, the team used the fourth overall pick to take tight end Kyle Pitts.Both players set rookie records and should be a major part of the . WR Adam Thielen, MIN (6.09)You know in his prime, Thielen was a bad dude. McCaffrey is slowly creeping up within striking distance of Jonathan Taylor for the number one pick. My pick: With two running backs and an elite tight end already on our roster, we continued to stockpile young receivers on the verge of breakouts. This is an actual league that is played out and contains 18-man rosters and starts the standard line-up of QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, TE, Flex (RB, WR or TE), PK and DEF. Its time to finally let Russ cook. I went very heavy at running back in this mock, starting with Austin Ekeler with my first pick. If youre a fantasy nerd like me, turn on notifications from your favorite NFL insider for breaking news around the league. There's no wiser choice. After starting with a 3-3 record, the Falcons lost five of their final seven games with Marcus Mariota under center. Historically, the third, fourth and fiftth. section: | slug: fantasy-football-draft-prep-how-to-draft-from-the-third-overall-pick-in-a-full-point-ppr-league | sport: football | route: article_single_fantasy | ADP: Average Draft Position (ADP) is a list of NFL players ordered by their average position taken in fantasy football drafts. One other twist that this analysis shows is that the early rounds are going to be very typical, there wont be a lot of decisions to be made, just stick to your player values and position strategy and youll be fine but since weve been doing this analysis, weve never seen the mid- to late-rounds be such a tumultuous twist of values. While few teams can match that kind of firepower at those positions, we'll see if he can put his roster over the top by finding competent running back options in the mid-to-late rounds. You don't need to be dialed-in like you're guarding the nuclear codes. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. That's especially true in 2022 because of the potential to add an early (albeit a small) steal in the very first round. Tom . However, keep in mind that Williams finished 13th in touches last season (246, 14.6 per game) and would be the favorite to take another step forward in the passing game Aaron Jones-esque after finishing as one of two rookie RBs inside the top-15 in route participation in 2021: Najee Harris (first) and Javonte Williams (13th). I would choose LeVeon, AP, or Jamaal. While Craig was likely just locked-in to the idea of getting a backup tight end here, so I won't fault him for picking another player he likely feels is undervalued, the problem is just the player. You need to start a second RB, but FLEX is also a weekly starting position, and I would rather find an advantage there. No kickers and or defense/special teams were used. The Bolts' line came in eighth in our recent Offensive Line Rankings. Round 1 (Pick 6): Now it gets interesting. I'd advise going RB-WR or WR-RB from this spot, considering what's likely to be there for you in Round 2. Use this tool as one resource of many in your tool belt on draft day. Kamara is fresh off of an overall RB1 finish last season, where he had a total of 1,688 yards from scrimmage and a whopping 21 touchdowns. Same old song and dance for Dalvin Cook in 2021. I will be using the mock draft simulator from FantasyPros, in case you would like to practice on your own. Pranav is a 17-year-old from Massachusetts. The Playbook: Week 18 My pick: With Diontae Johnson, D.K. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Round 2 (Pick 11 in 10-team, Pick 15 in 12-team): I'm pretty big on the Mixon/Lamb pairing in a 12-team league, if you at all have a chance to get it, but Adams/Swift is a plenty desirable start in that format as well. Fantasy Football Draft Kit Your ultimate football draft guide Dominate your Fantasy Football draft with our free printable Draft Kit, which gives you must-have top-200 rankings for PPR, half-PPR . The draft is just the start of the season. Even getting an "top-tier" RB in the m. Mike Gesicki may see his target numbers dip in 2022 in a run-heavy offense alongside target magnets Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Covering Baltimore sports, from high school to the pros since 2006. All Rights Reserved. Each pick was optimized using projections and value-based rankings from the 4for4 Draft Hero tool. The underclassman deadline has come and gone, so we now know the official pool of players available for the 2023 NFL Draft. And even those 10 were a lightning striking twice outcome. Doesn't mean they'll end the season as that player but going into the draft they'll have the best odds at finishing in the top 5. In the past four seasons, his 25.6 PPR fantasy points per game is by far the most by any player at any position (minimum 40 games), and he has scored at least 20 points in 32 of 38 games in which he played 30-plus snaps. Not everyone does, but I have Travis Kelce and Andrews as very clear top-two-rounds picks in 12-teamers. Fantasy Football Pick 3 Strategy A career year is on the way for the 23-year-old wideout; he might lead the lead in targets. When healthy, hes the best all-around tight end in the game. Each one finds himself in an improved situation this year, with Wilson landing in a well-stocked Broncos offense, Hurts getting a true No. Additionally, draft order drawn in close proximity to the draft itself provides the added frustration of managers hoping to build around Jonathan Taylor having zero chance at getting him, if they don't draw the requisite draft slot. Last year in Weeks 1-9, he was the WR2 in fantasy points per game behind only Cooper Kupp. Round 6: Quarterbacks were an enticing buy in the sixth round, as Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray found teams. My pick: We were back at it with another young receiver in the eighth round, this time snagging rookie Treylon Burks. I just wrote what seems like my 10th article hyping Pickens a few days ago. Started publishing fantasy content on the web in 1993 and hasn't stopped yet. You can do your own mock draft in seconds byclicking here. But all in all, he tends to only rise to the occasion for fantasy purposes when targets become available in the offense because of injuries to other players. Caesars: Get up to $1,500 on Caesars. I understand that the target share will take a dip now that Davante Adams has arrived and Darren Waller should be healthier in 2022, but Renfrow's rapport with Derek Carr is undeniable. The Chargers star tied for the league lead in total touchdowns last year with 20 and finished as the RB3 in average fantasy points per game. (See also: No. Our resident fantasy guru Shawn Childs got both of these options at a steep discount. While Penny's strong final month in 2021 is fresh in the minds of fantasy managers, he's also a player who spent the prior three-and-a-half years struggling to stay on the field. While the Draft Hero suggested two receivers above Kamara, Id like to secure a running back this early in drafts. All Rights Reserved. Tristan's picks: Jefferson/Kamara (10-team league), Ekeler/Jones (12-team league). If having the ability to choose your pick in your draft and it's a third-round reversal, I prefer Picks 8 and 9 to Picks 6 and 7, as you get closer to the valuable turn coupled with an elite third-round selection, as previously mentioned. In a 10 team league, drafting at 1 or 2 means you get CMC or Barkley and then when the 2/3 turn comes around you can usually stack Kelce and Mahomes (or Kittle/Jackson are usually there too). Round 5: Receivers dominated the fifth round, as they should. However, I would not anticipate the pass-heavy approach to continue into 2022. We fret this chore to a degree we shouldn't, perhaps because of the perceived importance of that precious first-round pick. Round 4, Pick 6: Javonte Williams (RB DEN). Each manager starts with a pool of hypothetical money (usually $200) to "bid" on players. Rookies James Cook and Kenneth Walker have an opportunity to play themselves into the lead back role, while Darrell Henderson, Melvin Gordon, and Rachaad White would all need an injury to reach their high-end outcomes. It's your league. In reality, Kelce lost only four points on his per-game average, with his 2022 role potentially expanding following Hill's trade. McKissic. He's also getting even more reinforcements up front in the form of first-round guard Zion Johnson. Since many leagues operate in such a way where team owners one way or another get to select their own draft position, heres the order to call them out in to give you the best chance of success in 2022: If you like to be sly, and who doesnt, see if you can negotiate yourself into the 5th draft position as its the second best position to be in and represents the best value slot this year. This does not mean you are destined to win. These are the best draft strategies for the first three rounds calculated for the 3rd draft spot: To calculate the best strategies for each draft position, first we projected the fantasy points of thousands of teams drafted in our public mock drafts. Anything in the middle of the draft (for me, spots 3-7) isn't fun. He has played fantasy football since he was seven and enjoys working with numbers and data. For the first time in 77 years and just the third time in team history, the first pick of the NFL draft belongs to the Chicago Bears. His nine total rushing TDs ranked 12th in the league and nearly doubled his expected output (5.5, 30th) the sixth-highest difference at the position. As a big believer in drafting one of the sure-fire tight ends or (essentially) not drafting one at all, I was pumped to get Waller, but we have to acknowledge two things when it comes to his profile in 2022. I rounded out my draft with Corey Davis, a receiver Im higher on than most in the fantasy community. After a round is over, the following round is in the reverse order of the previous round. Check out all of PressBoxs sign-up offers. What is the best draft strategy? My pick: Mark Andrews was my third-round pick during our 10-team mock in July, and he once again lands on my team. Sure, his fantasy production dipped, while the position's replacement level rose, but it wasn't by the dramatic margins perceived. Useful for fantasy draft preparation. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL). FFT: Biggest wild-card questions, winners & losers, NFL Playoff Challenge picks, Divisional Round lineups, Playoff Stock Watch, rankings by position, NFL Playoff Challenge picks, Wild Card Weekend lineups. Before excelling in the wide back role for the 49ers, Deebo Samuel was already an elite option at wide receiver for fantasy football. We now have the clear top-two targets in what should be a very concentrated Ravens passing attack. Jump to Pick: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Draft Recap. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER. Walker might be behind Rashaad Penny on the depth chart right now, but it's only a matter of time before the second-round rookie overtakes the fragile veteran. The wide receiver depth this year is absolutely insane, so it makes more sense to lock in my RB1 than to take a receiver. Round 2 (Pick 13 in 10-team, Pick 17 in 12-team): Speaking of Kelce, it's not inconceivable -- and in fact, it's pretty likely -- that he'd last until this pick in 10-team leagues, something to tuck away. It's another reason I prefer the running back in Round 1 regardless of league depth, since this is a likely spot where you'd find Kelce or Lamb on the backswing. However, the team . He averaged an insane 10.1 targets, 6.1 receptions and 110.3 receiving yards per game, so wide back or no wide back matters very little. 3-5 draft slots is the heightened likelihood I'll have a good chance at Jefferson and Williams, two of my favorite picks in the first two rounds. Sure, Kelce would be there at No. Burks may have shown up a little out of shape and missed some practice time, but he's been garnering positive reviews in training camp and should eventually emerge as a starter in a Titans offense that desperately needs playmakers in the passing game. Kansas City has a premier quarterback and top-five offensive line that should give its young running back every chance to succeed. 2:52 pm ET. The value of having an elite tight end in your lineup is undeniable. This season, it's more of a WR-TE decision -- to-Kelce-or-not-to-Kelce -- and count me among those who are pro-Kelce. But be a good drafter, be a good leaguemate. It ultimately came down to Cooks or Mooney, and we went with the ascending player who should see another target spike in a barren Bears passing attack. Considering the (admittedly mild) concerns laid out earlier with the Harris/Cook/Mixon trio, a wide receiver is the most logical target for fantasy managers here, especially with the realistic chance at an Adams or Diggs in a 10-team or Lamb or Samuel in a 12-team league. That forces you to make compromises elsewhere, but if you back yourself to be able to find mid round value, you can end up with a very strong roster. Five-time nominee for the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. He had 405 points in Yahoo! ESPN offers the following Snake Draft Demo screenshot: Fantasy football snake draft strategy In a snake draft, each fantasy coach has one pick in each round. Round 1 (Pick 7): The latter half of the first round is where positional runs present potential pitfalls, and in leagues where as many as five running backs have already gone, it's often tempting to continue the run under the mistaken impression that they'll quickly dry up. This isn't so much a critique on the merits of Renfrow and Burks. Auction drafts are relatively new compared to snake drafts (and a bit more complicated) but still very popular. It's not too late to play with friends and family. The Eagles tight end finished as PFFs second-highest graded receiving tight end (91.1) and as the TE10 overall, with the majority of his fantasy production coming from Week 7 onward. I botched it. Thats the whole point of these mocks. So who was still available when Jordan was picked? That's a low-risk bet to make in the 12th round. Not paying attention, not thinking ahead, making snap decisions That's all right down the line on the list of "how not to draft." Note: We don't advocate going into your draft with just one dedicated draft strategy that you feel that you must adhere to. RB Brian Robinson, WAS (13.09)(Update: Robinson will likely miss the first month of the season due being shot twice in alleged robbery.) Round 1 (Pick 9): In a 10-team league, strategizing around the 10-slot team comes into the equation here, as picking a wide receiver here might mean watching Cook and Mixon go 10th and 11th. While no one should be rushing to invest in the Seahawks' passing attack, Lockett is guaranteed to finish higher than WR44. When hes not cheering for the Patriots, he can be found looking at various NFL and NBA-related statistics. This is a half PPR scoring league with the following roster spots: QB, RB,. Brown, WR, Eagles 4.10: Darren Waller, TE, Raiders 5.3: Amari Cooper, WR, Browns 6.10: Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals 7.3: Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns 8.10: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs 9.3: Hunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders 10.10: Rondale Moore, WR, Cardinals 11.3: Darrel Williams, RB, Cardinals 12.10: Gus Edwards, RB Ravens 13.3: Gerald Everett, TE, Chargers 14.10: K.J. Any receiver in a Tom Brady-led offense should be a sought-after commodity so consider me in on Gage in 2022. As we've learned in recent years, you can often find value by buying first-year wideouts who are the subject of negative reports during OTAs. The chart assumes you are using a 15 player roster. Round 5, Pick 5: Courtland Sutton (WR DEN). Pick #1 - Fantasy Football Draft Position Strategy. Whether you have the first overall pick or the last of the first round, having a sense of who will be available in each round is key. So instead of having the team with the 1st overall pick get two in a row to end the 2nd round and start the 3rd, that last team to pick . You don't currently have any notifications. The talent is there, as is the opportunity. Good luck and thank you for playing with ESPN Fantasy football this season! Jones makes it back to the fourth pick of the third round 12% of the time. That means you're most likely drafting towards the end of the first-round and are at the mercy of everyone making picks in front of you. Tristan's picks: McCaffrey/Hill (10-team league), McCaffrey/Allen (12-team league). Right after a 10-team draft, everybody's a winner. Hurts generally is the sixth or seventh QB off the board and while he was the seventh QB drafted, since Josh Allen wasn't picked until Round 5, all subsequent QBs were pushed down a little further.