Fantasy: Strategy for drafting at the top of the round

theScore's Justin Boone breaks down the best ways to approach your draft depending on where you're selecting in the order.

Draft position

• Top of the round
• Middle of the round
• End of the round

Here's how to attack the draft if you're assigned one of the first four picks in a 12-team half PPR scoring league. While the average draft positions can vary from site to site, this will guide you toward building a roster that can be dominant in 2024.

Round 1

Picks: 1.01-1.04

There are really only two options with a pick at the top of the first round - you either take Christian McCaffrey, or you invest in an elite receiver.

If you go with McCaffrey here, then your next two selections should be wideouts to make sure you're not falling behind at that position.

We're going with CeeDee Lamb since the Cowboys didn't add any playmakers in the passing game, which positions him for another massive target share. He finished second among WRs in fantasy points per game in a similar spot last year.

It's only a matter of time before the Cowboys and Lamb agree on a new contract, so don't be concerned that he's sitting out at the moment.

Others to consider: Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill, Breece Hall

Round 2

Picks: 2.09-2.12

The Round 2-3 turn can be a tough spot to find value in this year's drafts if your league sticks close to current ADPs.

This is too early to take a quarterback or tight end in regular formats, so you'd be wise to take the best running back or receiver available.

De'Von Achane might feel like a slight reach at this point, but few RBs offer the kind of week-winning upside he flashed last year. As a rookie, the 22-year-old averaged the fourth-most fantasy points per game while also finishing with the fourth-most runs of 20-plus yards.

You can read more of my thoughts on Achane in this year's breakouts column.

Others to consider: Kyren Williams, Chris Olave, Mike Evans

Round 3

Picks: 3.01-3.04

The top of the third round is like a wide receiver buffet. Starting your draft with one wideout and one running back allows you to stay balanced and capitalize on the WR value here.

There really are no bad choices among the names I've listed below. They're all high-end fantasy WR2s who will have a chance to be top-12 options this season.

Mike Evans is entering his 11th NFL campaign, but there doesn't appear to be any signs of decline yet. He's gone over 1,000 yards for 10 straight years and scored 13-plus touchdowns in three of his last four seasons.

Others to consider: DK Metcalf, Jaylen Waddle, Nico Collins

Round 4

Picks: 4.09-4.12

Normally, I'd prefer to add a third receiver or a tight end in this round, but the receivers in this range aren't overly enticing and there are plenty of TEs left on the board. If someone like Malik Nabers falls to you here, smash that draft button.

Given the options available - going by ADPs - I'm grabbing my RB2 earlier than usual because there's an intriguing back who could take his game to the next level.

Kenneth Walker has been getting steamed up recently, with his new coaching staff raving about his three-down skill set and the need to feed him as many touches as possible.

It's also worth noting that Walker has been a top-20 fantasy RB each of the past two seasons and is just one year removed from finishing as the RB14 (fppg).

Others to consider: Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, Alvin Kamara

Round 5

Picks: 5.01-5.04

Securing one of the top-seven tight ends is a goal of mine in every draft this year. That list includes Sam LaPorta, Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Dalton Kincaid, Trey McBride, George Kittle, and Kyle Pitts.

Picking at the edge in a traditional snake draft sometimes forces you to make that decision early since there could be a huge run in the position before it gets back to you in the next round.

With that in mind, we'll scoop up another one of my breakout candidates in Dalton Kincaid. As a rookie, he was the TE11 (fppg) over the final 12 weeks of the season.

With Stefon Diggs gone and no true No. 1 receiver to replace him, Kincaid is one of the rare tight ends who could lead his team in targets this year.

Others to consider: Alvin Kamara, Anthony Richardson, George Pickens

Round 6

Picks: 6.09-6.12

After passing on receivers at the Round 4-5 turn, it's time to focus on that position with our next couple of picks before the guaranteed producers dry up.

You could argue that Terry Mclaurin has never played with a quality NFL quarterback since arriving in the league. However, he's still managed four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

With first-rounder Jayden Daniels already showcasing his deep ball in the preseason, this could be a career year for the Commanders' top target.

McLaurin is a potential fantasy WR2 who's being drafted with a WR3 price tag.

Others to consider: James Conner, Dak Prescott, Rashee Rice

Round 7

Picks: 7.01-7.04

I feel much less confident about the pool of available receivers after the seventh round. You can still take shots on wideouts in the later rounds, but it's much harder to find a solid fantasy starter there.

That's why I typically like to get four receivers by Round 7. Fortunately for us, there's a screaming value still on the board.

It'll be interesting to see how much Rashee Rice's ADP rises in the coming weeks with no updates on his off-field situation and potential suspension. Things could change quickly if news breaks, but right now, I'm treating him as if he'll play the entire season.

We're talking about a player who was the WR16 (ffpg) from Week 7 on once he started consistently playing more than 50% of the offensive snaps. With Hollywood Brown likely to miss the start of the year with a shoulder injury, Rice could solidify himself atop the Chiefs' WR depth chart.

Others to consider: D'Andre Swift, Diontae Johnson, Raheem Mostert

Round 8

Picks: 8.09-8.12

By the eighth round, we have a good mix of upside youth and stable veterans. We've also managed to fill our entire starting lineup, except for quarterback.

There's no reason to wait on the position now, especially since one of my favorite breakout QBs is still on the board in Jayden Daniels.

The second overall pick should be one of the league's most prolific rushing QBs from the moment he steps on an NFL field. We were given a glimpse of Daniels' dual-threat abilities in the first preseason game when he rushed for a TD and connected on a 42-yard bomb.

His rushing ability alone makes him a potential fantasy QB1 as a rookie, and we get to pair him with his teammate and our WR3 McLaurin.

Others to consider: Javonte Williams, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ladd McConkey

Round 9

Picks: 9.01-9.04

With one quarterback, one tight end, and four receivers, I feel good about where we're at with those positions. We also have our two starting running backs locked in, but we need to fill out our depth with upside RBs.

Tyjae Spears is the fourth player from my breakouts article that we've managed to draft on this roster, and he's someone who could emerge as a weekly starter.

Spears carved out a significant role in the Titans' offense while playing alongside Derrick Henry during his rookie season. He managed 838 scrimmage yards, 52 receptions, and three touchdowns.

Now Henry is gone and the new Titans coaching staff has referred to Spears and Tony Pollard as interchangeable, which could lead to a hot-hand approach.

Targeting talented RBs in ambiguous backfields is a smart way to use your picks in this range, and Spears fits that description perfectly.

Others to consider: Chase Brown, Devin Singletary, Caleb Williams

Round 10

Picks: 10.09-10.12

Upside running backs are the best use of your late-round picks since they tend to be one injury away from massive fantasy value. Don't hesitate to fill your bench with them.

While I don't see Blake Corum overtaking Kyren Williams as the Rams' starting running back, the rookie could turn into a potential weekly flex option.

At worst, Corum offers a ceiling as a top-15 fantasy back if Williams misses time this season. He's the exact type of player you want to chase at this stage.

Others to consider: Brian Robinson, Zach Charbonnet, Curtis Samuel

Late rounds

After the 10th round or so, you no longer need to pay close attention to ADPs. You should focus on stocking your bench with as many high-ceiling players as possible, setting your sights on running backs and receivers.

If you want to be extremely proactive, you can pass on taking a defense or kicker and use those last two bench spots on more RBs and WRs. Closer to the regular season, you can either make trades to free up a roster spot or simply drop the bench stashes that didn't pan out.

Draft position

• Top of the round
• Middle of the round
• End of the round

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