14-Team Draft Strategy: How to Win From Any Spot

Pick-by-Pick 14-Team Draft Strategy

Fantasy drafts should be a blast...

But sometimes they can be a headache.

Think about the countless variables you need to consider each time you’re on the clock:

• Scoring system
• Positional value
• Team needs
• ADP
• Upside
• Injury risk

It’s easy to be overwhelmed and make costly draft mistakes.

And is there anything worse than seeing your top picks falter while your opponents land some late-round studs?

The solution: A pick-by-pick draft strategy guide to help you make optimal picks.

The 14-team draft strategy guide below will take you through top targets and secondary options for every round, no matter where you're picking.

We’re using our 3D Values and current ADP to pinpoint the top picks in each round.

Consider this your game plan heading into your draft.

Of course, no fantasy football draft matches ADP. You must adjust your 14-team draft strategy as you go to maximize value.

That’s where the customized, dynamic fantasy football cheat sheet in your Draft War Room comes into play. It instantly analyzes 17 value indicators each time you’re on the clock to help you make the best pick. Don't enter your next draft without it.

Note: This strategy guide assumes a 16-round draft and starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 Flex, 1 K and 1 DST. The Draft War Room will help you adjust your strategy if your league settings are different. We're also keeping a best-case scenario approach intact for all draft positions, so you may not find players available when you're on the clock in a particular round. If that happens, simply skip ahead to the next round for draftable options. And remember: ADPs will vary across different fantasy platforms.

14-Team Draft Strategy for Pick 1 or 2

Round 1

Top Target: Puka Nacua

Nacua claims the top spot with a perfect 100 3D Value. He’s topped a 26% target share in all three seasons, producing WR1, WR4, and WR6 finishes in PPR points per game.

Nacua is positioned for another high-end workload alongside Davante Adams.

Next Best: Ja’Marr Chase

Chase’s PPR points per game dropped from 23.7 in 2024 to 19.7 last fall. That dip looks less alarming when you remember Chase was unlikely to repeat a 17-TD season. He still finished WR3 even though Joe Burrow played a career-low eight games.

The 26-year-old retains a strong blend of safety and upside.

Other Options

• Jahmyr Gibbs
• Bijan Robinson

Rounds 2 & 3

Top Targets: Breece Hall & Rashee Rice 

At this stage, Hall looks like the top remaining RB in Tier 4, with Josh Jacobs close behind. 

Hall’s three-year extension made him the NFL’s fourth-highest-paid RB by average annual value, and the offense should get a lift from Geno Smith and rookies Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq after finishing 29th in yards and points last season.

Rice was recently released from jail after violating the terms of his probation. He comes with risk, but the upside is easy to see in a Chiefs offense that didn’t add meaningful target competition over the offseason. 

Rice averaged 18.5 PPR points per game in 2025, enough to finish as the WR5.

Next Best: Chris Olave & Javonte Williams

Olave averaged 6 catches, 82.5 yards, and 0.75 TDs in eight games with Tyler Shough. That’s a 17-game pace of 102 catches, 1,402 yards, and 12.75 TDs.

Jordyn Tyson probably keeps Olave from reaching that ceiling, but the veteran can still pay off a Round 3 ADP, especially if Shough takes a step forward in Year 2.

Williams finished RB12 in PPR points per game last season while setting career highs in carries (252), rushing yards (1,201), and rushing TDs (11). Dallas rewarded him with a contract extension right after the season, then passed on adding to the backfield this offseason.

That gives the 26-year-old another shot at RB1 production in a Dallas offense that finished second in yards and seventh in scoring in 2025.

Other Options

• Travis Etienne
• DeVonta Smith
• Colston Loveland

Rounds 4 & 5

Top Targets: D’Andre Swift & Terry McLaurin

Swift averaged 16.2 opportunities per game on his way to an RB15 finish in Chicago’s balanced, up-tempo offense. The Bears return the same backfield setup with Kyle Monangai, keeping Swift in line for similar volume.

A quad injury and missed time from Jayden Daniels ruined McLaurin's 2025. Back healthy and still locked into a clear No. 1 WR role, he's a strong rebound candidate. New OC David Blough is expected to move him around the formation much more than Kliff Kingsbury did, which should create favorable matchups.

Next Best: David Montgomery & Christian Watson

Montgomery played the 1B role behind Jahmyr Gibbs in each of the past two seasons, but he’ll regain lead back status in Houston. Like Swift, he brings a healthy volume projection (16.7 opportunities) for a fantasy RB2.

Watson posted career-best marks in targets per route run (0.23) and yards per route run (2.51) last year. With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone and no major replacement added, Watson’s target outlook looks even stronger. 

He stands out as a priority WR in this range.

Other Options

• Jameson Williams
• Mike Evans
• Bhayshul Tuten
• Harold Fannin Jr.

Rounds 6 & 7

Top Targets: Tucker Kraft & J.K. Dobbins

The expectation is that Kraft will return at full strength for Week 1. Although he played just two games with a healthy Watson last season, he still finished an impressive fourth among TEs at 14.7 PPR points per game. Romeo Doubs’ offseason departure (and the removal of his 85 targets) strengthens Kraft’s case for mid-tier TE1 production.

A season-ending foot injury interrupted another efficient year from Dobbins, who finished fourth among 51 qualifying RBs in rush yards over expected per attempt. Denver rewarded him with a two-year contract carrying $8 million guaranteed. RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman may obstruct the ceiling, but Dobbins should remain the lead option in an offense strengthened by Bo Nix’s development and Jaylen Waddle’s arrival.

Next Best: Michael Pittman & Trevor Lawrence 

Pittman’s short-area role should mesh with Aaron Rodgers, who has long favored quick, high-percentage throws. Pittman has finished below 9 yards in average target depth in four of six seasons and should clear a 20% target share in HC Mike McCarthy’s pass-friendly offense.

He’s ideally your WR3.

You probably haven’t been pushed toward a QB yet, which is fine given the options available now and later. 

Lawrence supplies a nice mix of safety and upside entering Year 2 in the Liam Coen offense. The Jags surround him with plenty of receiving talent, while Lawrence is coming off a career-best 359-9 rushing line.

Other Options

• Justin Herbert
• Kenneth Gainwell
• Kyle Monangai
• Jordan Addison
• Jakobi Meyers

Rounds 8 & 9

Top Targets: Josh Downs & Bo Nix 

Downs has rarely played in two-WR sets, but with Michael Pittman and Adonai Mitchell gone, his usage should climb. 

If you passed on QB earlier, Nix makes sense in this range. His rushing adds fantasy value after 21 yards and 0.29 TDs per game on the ground last season, and Jaylen Waddle gives him a major upgrade at WR.

Next Best: Kyler Murray & Jonathon Brooks

Murray makes for a strong QB1 pick if you remain needy at the position.

He should have little trouble beating out J.J. McCarthy for the starting job. Any delay in naming him QB1 could keep his ADP suppressed, but Kevin O’Connell and Minnesota’s talented pass-catching corps boost the fantasy appeal.

Brooks carries obvious risk after two ACL tears and only three games across the past two seasons. But that risk is easier to accept at this stage as an RB3 or RB4. His health appears to be trending well, and a complementary role alongside Chuba Hubbard could eventually grow into more.

Other Options

• Xavier Worthy
• Makai Lemon
• Romeo Doubs 
• Mark Andrews
• Dalton Kincaid

Rounds 10 & 11

Top Targets: Jayden Higgins & Tyler Shough

Higgins drew some buzz from HC Demeco Ryans after a 41-525-6 line as a rookie.

“[He is] going to have a great year. He has lined up at multiple spots. He’s playing stronger. He’s making all of the tough catches. He’s playing extremely fast."

There’s some QB risk with C.J. Stroud after his ugly end to last season, but Houston’s No. 2 WR is an easy target this late as your WR5.

Shough is a fallback option if you missed out on earlier-round QBs like Lawrence, Nix, or Murray. After taking over for Spencer Rattler, the Shough-led Saints finished fifth in situation-neutral pass rate, an approach we’d expect to continue after the addition of top pick Jordyn Tyson.

Next Best: Rashid Shaheed & Isiah Pacheco

Shaheed gets a full offseason after arriving in a midseason trade, and the target competition behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba is thin. Cooper Kupp looks like a fading role player after last year’s 2.9 catches and 37.0 yards per game, while Tory Horton is coming off an eight-game rookie season because of a shin injury. 

Shaheed could see something close to a full-time role and contribute to fantasy lineups as a WR3/flex.

Maybe Pacheco turns out to be a pure handcuff for Gibbs managers and a weak flex option for everyone else. But the numbers (from our own Jared Smola) say there’s potential value in the Lions’ No. 2 RB after the team combined for 530 RB opportunities in 2025.

Other Options

• Alvin Kamara
• Dylan Sampson
• Jalen McMillan

Rounds 12 & 13

Top Targets: Chig Okonkwo & Adonai Mitchell

If you landed a weekly starter like Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, or Colston Loveland, pass on a TE2 here. Otherwise, Okonkwo has streaming appeal in a Washington passing game that’s wide open behind Terry McLaurin. 

Recall that the former Titan signed a three-year deal containing $16.7 million guaranteed, signaling a fantasy-relevant role.

Mitchell is a talent bet after flashing with games of 3-96, 8-102-1, and 6-58-1 last year. He should now fill a starting role alongside Garrett Wilson, even if rookies Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq added target competition.

Next Best: Tank Bigsby & Antonio Williams

The 2025 sample was small, but Bigsby made his 63 carries count. 

Among 65 RBs with 50 or more attempts, he finished:

• first in yards after contact per attempt
• second in missed tackles forced per attempt
• third in yards per carry

That explosiveness makes him one of the more appealing contingency backs behind 29-year-old Saquon Barkley.

Like Okonkwo, Williams will have a shot to fill the No. 2 target role for the Commanders. The team praised his versatility after the draft, a trait that should help him see the field early.

Other Options

• Cam Ward
• Brian Robinson Jr.
• Kaytron Allen
• Tre Harris
• AJ Barner
• Greg Dulcich
• Terrance Ferguson

Rounds 14, 15, & 16

Top targets: High-upside bench stash, K & DST

Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

• Jaydon Blue
• Mike Washington Jr.
• Ryan Flournoy
• Isaac TeSlaa
• Jack Bech

You’ll probably want to play matchups and stream at K and DST throughout the season. Here are a few options at both positions with favorable early-season schedules:

DSTs

• Chargers (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
• Packers (at MIN, at NYJ, vs. ATL)
• Jaguars (vs. CLE)

Ks

• Cameron Dicker (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
• Tyler Loop (at IND, vs. NO, at DAL)
• Harrison Mevis (vs. SF, vs. NYG)

14-Team Draft Strategy for Pick 3, 4, or 5

Round 1

Top Target: Jahmyr Gibbs 

Assuming Nacua and Chase are gone, Gibbs is the top choice here. 

He led all RBs in PPR scoring over the second half of last season, and the David Montgomery trade could shift even more work his way.

Next Best: Bijan Robinson

Robinson has finished RB4 and RB2 over the past two seasons. 

The QB questions persist in 2026, but Robinson has already proven he can overcome them. His 730 touches over the past two seasons lead the league.

Other Option

• Christian McCaffrey

Round 2

Top Target: A.J. Brown

Brown didn’t deliver the dominant season fantasy managers expected, but he still finished 12th in PPR points per game. Now paired with Drake Maye in last year’s fourth-ranked passing offense, Brown retains a high ceiling in New England.

Next Best: Breece Hall

Hall stands out as the preferred RB in this range, just ahead of Jacobs. His three-year extension places him fourth at the position in average annual value, signaling continued feature-back usage.

The surrounding offense should also improve with Geno Smith under center and Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq joining a unit that ranked 29th in points and yards.

Other Options 

• Josh Jacobs
• George Pickens
• Brock Bowers

Round 3

Top Target: Javonte Williams

Williams finished RB12 in PPR points per game last season while setting career highs in carries (252), rushing yards (1,201), and rushing TDs (11). Dallas rewarded him with a contract extension right after the season, then passed on adding to the backfield this offseason. That gives the 26-year-old another shot at RB1 production in a strong Dallas offense.

Next Best: DeVonta Smith

Smith’s target outlook improved after the trade of A.J. Brown. Makai Lemon arrives to likely prevent Smith from seeing an elite target share, but that’s not needed for him to return value as our WR14. 

Current projections still have the sixth-year pro for a career-high 25.8% target share.

Other Options

• Travis Etienne
• Tee Higgins 
• Garrett Wilson

Round 4

Top Target: Terry McLaurin

A quad injury and missed time from Jayden Daniels ruined McLaurin's 2025. Back healthy and still in a clear No. 1 WR role, he's a strong rebound candidate. 

He should also benefit from the arrival of new OC David Blough, who's expected to move him around the formation much more than former play caller Kliff Kingsbury. That’ll allow McLaurin to see more favorable matchups.

Next Best: D’Andre Swift

Chicago’s balanced, up-tempo offense helped Swift finish as the RB15 in PPR points per game last season. Johnson will return the same backfield pairing with Kyle Monangai, which still supplied Swift with 16.2 opportunities per game.

Other Options

• Quinshon Judkins
• David Montgomery
• Ladd McConkey

Round 5

Top Target: Christian Watson

Even while working back from a January 2025 ACL tear, Watson produced the best season of his career by several measures. 

He finished 19th among WRs in PPR points per game, set new highs in yards per route run and PFF receiving grade, and now gets an extra boost from Romeo Doubs’ exit.

Next Best: Jalen Hurts

Hurts has reached 8 rushing TDs in five straight seasons. The arrivals of rookies Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers, plus the trade for Dontayvion Wicks, give this group more depth than it has had in recent seasons.

Other Options

• Joe Burrow
• Bhayshul Tuten
• D.K. Metcalf
• Harold Fannin Jr.

Round 6

Top Target: Parker Washington

OC Grant Udinski expects Washington’s season-ending hot stretch from 2025 to carry over to the fall. He enters a contract year after finishing WR16 from Week 8 on.

Travis Hunter’s expected focus on defense only helps Washington’s path to snaps and targets.

Next Best: Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh let Kenneth Gainwell and his 85 targets walk in free agency, and some of that work should shift to Warren, who projects as the 1A ahead of Rico Dowdle. 

After a 61-catch 2023, Warren has recorded 38 and 40 catches over the past two seasons.

Other Options

• J.K. Dobbins
• Jordyn Tyson
• Brian Thomas Jr.
• Tucker Kraft

Round 7

Top Target: Trevor Lawrence

You probably haven’t been pushed toward a QB yet, which is fine given the options available now and later. 

Lawrence supplies a nice mix of safety and upside entering Year 2 in the Liam Coen offense. The Jags surround him with plenty of receiving talent, while Lawrence is coming off a career-best 359-9 rushing line.

If you already drafted Bhayshul Tuten and Parker Washington, consider Justin Herbert here or wait another round or two for Kyler Murray.

Next Best: Justin Herbert

Under new OC Mike McDaniel, Herbert has worked to speed up his footwork, which should create more efficiency, more yards-after-catch chances, and fewer hits.

McDaniel’s resume includes two top-six finishes in yards and a No. 1 finish in scoring, both with a much more limited QB in Tua Tagovailoa.

Herbert has the talent and supporting cast to approach a top-five season.

Other Options

• Kenneth Gainwell
• Kyle Monangai
• Blake Corum
• Ricky Pearsall

Round 8

Top Target: Jonathon Brooks

The injury history is significant, but Brooks appears ready to return after missing 2025 with a second tear of his right ACL. Chuba Hubbard failed to strengthen his grip on the backfield last season, giving Brooks an opportunity to compete for substantial touches. 

He’s one of our preferred RB targets in the later rounds.

Next Best: Xavier Worthy

Worthy's PPR points per game fell from 11.0 as a rookie to 7.9 last season, but Andy Reid said a shoulder injury was limiting him. 

Back healthy and now named the Chiefs' "summer practice MVP" by The Athletic's Jesse Newell, Worthy looks like the clear No. 2 WR in a Chiefs offense that lacks pass-catching depth.

Of course, there’s room for a larger role given the volatile start to Rashee Rice’s career.

Other Options

• Kyler Murray
• Matthew Golden
• Jayden Reed
• Josh Downs
• KC Concepcion

Round 9

Top Target: Kyler Murray

Murray is one of our favorite mid-round QB picks thanks to his rushing ability and his new landing spot with HC Kevin O’Connell. 

Murray averaged 35 rushing yards per game before last year’s foot injury, while Minnesota surrounds him with a strong WR corps of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. We fully expect him to secure the QB1 job over J.J. McCarthy.

Next Best: Romeo Doubs

Doubs posted a career-high 1.73 yards per route run last season. He then joined the Pats on a four-year free agent deal that calls for $39 million in guarantees. 

Doubs will sit behind A.J. Brown, but he gets a QB upgrade in Drake Maye and joins a team that ranked fifth in pass rate over expected and sixth in red zone pass rate over expected last season.

Other Options

• Jacory Croskey-Merritt
• Stefon Diggs
• Dalton Kincaid
• Mark Andrews

Round 10

Top Target: Dalton Kincaid

A healthy Kincaid could return plenty of value. Last year, his 2.79 yards per route and 0.70 fantasy points per route led all 38 TEs with 40+ targets.

Dawson Knox will remain involved, but there’s room for Kincaid to capture a larger role if he can stay healthy.

Next Best: Jayden Higgins

Higgins drew some buzz from HC Demeco Ryans after a 41-525-6 line as a rookie.

“[He is] going to have a great year. He has lined up at multiple spots. He’s playing stronger. He’s making all of the tough catches. He’s playing extremely fast."

There’s some QB risk with C.J. Stroud after his ugly end to last season, but Houston’s No. 2 WR is an easy target this late as your WR5.

Other Options

• Tyler Shough
• Tyjae Spears
• Woody Marks
• Jalen McMillan
• Rashid Shaheed

Round 11

Top Target: Dylan Sampson

Sampson showed his value in the passing game last year, topping Quinshon Judkins in yards per route (1.86 to 1.05) and Pro Football Focus receiving grade (80.6 to 64.2). 

Judkins is also coming off a dislocated ankle and fibula fracture, and any lingering limitation could open the door to a larger weekly role for Sampson. 

Next Best: Antonio Williams

Not many Round 3 rookies open the season as a No. 2 WR. But that’s the opportunity in front of Williams after the Commanders moved on from Deebo Samuel and, at least to this point, passed on making any other notable addition.

Other Options

• Jordan Love
• Chris Rodriguez
• Chig Okonkwo

Round 12

Top Target: Chig Okonkwo

Okonkwo never delivered a true breakout in Tennessee, although poor QB play deserves some of the blame. A healthy Jayden Daniels gives him a much better setup in Washington, while a three-year contract containing $16.7 million guaranteed points to a meaningful role.

Assuming you didn’t already draft a weekly TE1 or a pair of TE1 candidates, Okonkwo is worth stashing as a TE2 while we see how large a target share he can command.

Next Best: Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Tracy offers a similar profile to Sampson: a capable receiver behind a starter coming off a serious 2025 injury. Cam Skattebo is expected to be ready for Week 1, but it’s unclear whether he’ll immediately regain pre-injury form.

Ideally, Tracy joins your roster as an RB4 or RB5.

Other Options

• Cam Ward
• Keaton Mitchell
• Omar Cooper Jr.

Round 13

Top Target: Tank Bigsby

The 2025 sample was small, but Bigsby made his 63 carries count. 

Among 65 RBs with 50 or more attempts, he finished:

• first in yards after contact per attempt
• second in missed tackles forced per attempt
• third in yards per carry

That explosiveness makes him one of the more appealing contingency backs behind 29-year-old Saquon Barkley.

Next Best: Ryan Flournoy

Flournoy topped 100 yards twice in 2025, including once with Lamb active. That production helped him claim the No. 3 WR role and build trust with both Dak Prescott and HC Brian Schottenheimer.

"He earned it the right way, he earned it through special teams. He earned it by doing the run blocking, doing the things in the run game -- the dirty work, if you will," Schottenheimer said in June. "Now he's one of those guys -- because he does everything right -- Dak [Prescott] doesn't hesitate when he looks at him. He just turns it loose. He gets to his spot."

Other Options

• Brian Robinson Jr.
• Kaytron Allen
• AJ Barner
• Greg Dulcich
• Terrance Ferguson

Rounds 14, 15, & 16

Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

• Jaydon Blue
• Mike Washington Jr.
• Isaac TeSlaa
• Jack Bech

You’ll probably want to play matchups and stream at K and DST throughout the season. Here are a few options at both positions with favorable early-season schedules:

DSTs

• Chargers (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
• Packers (at MIN, at NYJ, vs. ATL)
• Jaguars (vs. CLE)

Ks

• Cameron Dicker (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
• Tyler Loop (at IND, vs. NO, at DAL)
• Harrison Mevis (vs. SF, vs. NYG)

14-Team Draft Strategy for Picks 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10

Round 1

Top Target: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

The four names listed in Round 1 make up Tier 2 of our PPR WR rankings. Ideally, you’d land JSN, who finished last year as the WR2 in PPR points per game.

Next Best: Amon-Ra St. Brown

If you can’t secure Smith-Njigba, there’s not much of a drop-off to St. Brown. His 3D Value is only 3 points behind the Seahawk after finishing as a top-five PPR scorer in three straight seasons. 

He also hasn’t missed a game since Week 5 of 2023.

Other Options

• CeeDee Lamb
• Justin Jefferson

Round 2

Top Target: Kenneth Walker

Starting with a Round 1 WR will likely steer the board toward RB here, and a couple of options fit the value well. Walker tops the list after landing in Kansas City, where Emari Demercado and fifth-round rookie Emmett Johnson present limited competition. 

Walker brings workhorse upside behind a line that ranked 12th in adjusted line yards last season.

Next Best: Chase Brown

The Bengals have given Brown little reason to worry about his workload entering a contract year. Samaje Perine profiles as a lightly used No. 2, leaving Brown positioned for another busy season. 

He finished RB8 in PPR points per game last year, even with Joe Burrow sidelined for nine games. Brown remains a strong candidate to land in that range again.

Other Options

• Drake London
• A.J. Brown
• Nico Collins
• Brock Bowers

Round 3

Top Target: Javonte Williams

Williams finished RB12 in PPR points per game last season while setting career highs in carries (252), rushing yards (1,201), and rushing TDs (11). Dallas rewarded him with a contract extension right after the season, then passed on adding to the backfield this offseason. 

That gives the 26-year-old another shot at RB1 production in a strong Dallas offense.

Next Best: Zay Flowers

Even with Lamar Jackson unavailable for four full games and limited in others, Flowers finished 13th among WRs at 14.5 PPR points per game. He hit a career-high in catches (86) and yards (1,211), and the team certainly signaled trust in him by only adding mid-round rookies Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt to the WR corps this offseason.

If Jackson stays healthy, Flowers could reach new career highs in 2026.

Other Options

• Travis Etienne
• Cam Skattebo
• Garrett Wilson
• Malik Nabers
• Colston Loveland

Round 4

Top Target: Jaylen Waddle

Waddle lands among our top 20 PPR WRs after joining the Broncos. 

Denver’s catch-and-run-friendly attack should give him plenty of opportunities to turn short completions into chunk gains.

Next Best: Terry McLaurin

A quad injury and missed time from Jayden Daniels ruined McLaurin's 2025. Back healthy and still in a clear No. 1 WR role, he's a strong rebound candidate. He should also benefit from the arrival of new OC David Blough, who's expected to move him around the formation much more than former play caller Kliff Kingsbury. That’ll allow McLaurin to see more favorable matchups.

Other Options

• D’Andre Swift
• David Montgomery
• TreVeyon Henderson
• Ladd McConkey
• Luther Burden

Round 5

Top Target: Christian Watson

Watson posted career-best marks in targets per route run (0.23) and yards per route run (2.51) last year. With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone and no major replacement added, Watson’s target outlook looks even stronger. 

He stands out as a priority WR in this range.

Next Best: Joe Burrow

We saw the ceiling on Burrow in 2024, when he finished QB2 in fantasy points per game. His history of missed time is notable, but few other offenses boost passing volume like Cincy. 

Burrow’s 35.1 attempts in his healthy games last year trailed only Bo Nix, Patrick Mahomes, and Dak Prescott. Another pass-happy approach should remain alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Other Options

• Bhayshul Tuten
• Rome Odunze
• Harold Fannin Jr.
• Sam LaPorta

Round 6

Top Target: Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh let Kenneth Gainwell and his 85 targets walk in free agency. A chunk of those should shift to Warren, who projects as the 1A runner ahead of new Steeler Rico Dowdle. 

After a 61-catch 2023, Warren has recorded 38 and 40 catches over the past two seasons.

Next Best: Parker Washington

OC Grant Udinski expects Washington’s season-ending hot stretch from 2025 to carry over to the fall. He enters a contract year after finishing WR16 from Week 8 on.

Travis Hunter’s expected focus on defense only helps Washington’s path to snaps and targets.

Other Options

• J.K. Dobbins
• Michael Pittman
• Jakobi Meyers

Round 7

Top Target: Justin Herbert

Under new OC Mike McDaniel, Herbert has worked on speeding up his footwork in offseason practices. The result should be greater efficiency, more yards-after-catch opportunities, and fewer hits taken from the frequently battered Herbert.

McDaniel’s resume includes two top-six finishes in yards and a No. 1 finish in scoring, both with a much more limited QB in Tua Tagovailoa.

Herbert has the talent and supporting cast to approach a top-five season.

Next Best: Ricky Pearsall

Pearsall faces a revamped WR group, but no newcomer looks guaranteed to command a major role. Mike Evans missed nine games last season, Christian Kirk hasn’t reached 400 yards since 2023, and De’Zhaun Stribling arrived as a surprise pick at the top of Round 2.

Pearsall’s durability remains a concern after only nine appearances in 2025, but he topped 80 yards four times and tallied 2.02 yards per route run, good for 19th among 86 qualifying WRs.

He also benefits from a Kyle Shanahan-led passing game that has finished fourth, fourth, and fifth in passing yards over the past three seasons.

Other Options

• Kenneth Gainwell
• Rico Dowdle
• Makai Lemon
• Wan’Dale Robinson
• Jayden Reed

Round 8

Top Target: Jonathon Brooks

Brooks carries obvious risk after two ACL tears and only three games across the past two seasons. But that risk is easier to accept at this stage as an RB3 or RB4. His health appears to be trending well, and a complementary role alongside Chuba Hubbard could eventually grow into more.

Next Best: Josh Downs

Downs has historically left the field in two-WR formations, limiting his overall usage. With Michael Pittman and Adonai Mitchell gone, though, he should see a larger role in 2026.

We saw something closer to his ceiling in 2024 when he set career highs in catches (72), yards (803), and TDs (5) in only 14 games. That type of production is well within reach, especially if Daniel Jones can make a smooth recovery from his Achilles tear.

Other Options

• Bo Nix
• KC Concepcion
• Matthew Golden

Round 9

Top Target: Kyler Murray

No sweat if you missed out on Herbert. Murray is one of our favorite mid-round QB picks thanks to his rushing ability and his new landing spot with HC Kevin O’Connell. 

Murray averaged 35 rushing yards per game before last year’s foot injury, while Minnesota surrounds him with a strong WR corps of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. We fully expect him to secure the QB1 job over J.J. McCarthy.

Next Best: Jacory Croskey-Merritt

The Commanders’ RB room is wide open, but Croskey-Merritt likely has the upper hand for early-down work after rushing for 805 yards and 8 TDs as a rookie.

"I think it's really exciting to think about what he can look like in a second year behind this offensive line," new OC David Blough said early this offseason. "And it depends exactly kind of how the room looks, but man, [I'm] incredibly confident in what Bill can be in this league as a starting running back."

Just don’t expect much receiving work, especially after the Commanders added Rachaad White. That leaves JCM best suited as an RB3 or RB4 while this backfield shakes out.

Other Options

• Zach Charbonnet
• Tyjae Spears
• Jordan Mason
• Woody Marks
• Romeo Doubs

Round 10

Top Target: Stefon Diggs

Diggs remains unsigned as of this writing, but that’s likely to change as we get into training camp. 

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted on July 13 that five teams have been “checking in” on Diggs’ availability. His 1,013-yard season showed he can still produce at a high level, especially considering he was returning from a midseason 2024 ACL tear.

He’s a low-risk WR4 at this point.

Next Best: Dalton Kincaid

A healthy Kincaid brings the potential to give fantasy managers a nice ROI. Last year, his 2.79 yards per route and 0.70 fantasy points per route led all 38 TEs with 40+ targets.

Dawson Knox will remain involved, but there’s room for Kincaid to capture a larger role if he can stay healthy.

Other Options

• Isiah Pacheco 
• Dylan Sampson 
• Chris Rodriguez
• Jayden Higgins
• Jalen McMillan

Round 11

Top Target: Rashid Shaheed

Shaheed gets the benefit of a full offseason after coming over in a midseason trade. His target competition is light behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, with Cooper Kupp barely hanging on as a role player after last year’s 2.9 catches and 37.0 yards per game. Meanwhile, second-year WR Tory Horton is coming off an eight-game rookie season due to a shin injury. 

Shaheed could see something close to a full-time role and contribute to fantasy lineups as a WR3/flex.

Next Best: Tyjae Spears

The Titans used a mid-round pick on Penn State RB Nick Singleton, but HC Robert Saleh called Spears and Tony Pollard the team’s “bell cows” over the summer. 

Spears’ exact role under new OC Brian Daboll is still coming into focus, but he at least projects as the top receiving back after hitting 45 catches in two of the past three seasons.

Other Options

• Isiah Pacheco
• Tyrone Tracy Jr.
• Omar Cooper Jr.
• Chig Okonkwo

Round 12

Top Target: Chig Okonkwo

Teams that landed one of the previously mentioned early-round TEs (Bowers, Loveland, Fannin, or LaPorta) don’t need to spend another pick at the position. 

Everyone else can consider Okonkwo as a streamer in a wide-open Commanders receiving corps. Washington’s commitment – $16.7 million guaranteed over three years – suggests he’ll get opportunities.

Next Best: Adonai Mitchell

Mitchell is a bet on talent. He flashed it last year with games of 3-96, 8-102-1, and 6-58-1 and should now fill a starting role alongside Garrett Wilson. 

Mitchell also generated some hype, with The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt calling him one of the Jets’ “biggest stars” of the offseason.

Other Options

• Brian Robinson Jr.
• Keaton Mitchell
• Tank Bigsby
• Deebo Samuel
• Denzel Boston

Round 13

Top Target: Ryan Flournoy

Flournoy topped 100 yards twice in 2025, including once with Lamb active. That production helped him claim the No. 3 WR role and build trust with both Dak Prescott and HC Brian Schottenheimer.

"He earned it the right way, he earned it through special teams. He earned it by doing the run blocking, doing the things in the run game -- the dirty work, if you will," Schottenheimer said in June. "Now he's one of those guys -- because he does everything right -- Dak [Prescott] doesn't hesitate when he looks at him. He just turns it loose. He gets to his spot."

Next Best: Justice Hill

Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic wrote that the Ravens “view Hill as a good complement to Derrick Henry” while noting his ability as a receiver and in pass protection.

Baltimore used a mid-round pick on RB Adam Randall, but his two-year stint at the position suggests he’ll need time to develop. Hill makes for a fine stash behind the 32-year-old Henry.

Other Options

• Cam Ward
• Malik Willis
• Kaytron Allen
• Emmett Johnson
• Jaydon Blue
• Germie Bernard
• AJ Barner

Rounds 14, 15, & 16

Top Targets: High-upside bench stash, K, & DST

Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

• Jaydon Blue
• Mike Washington Jr.
• Isaac TeSlaa
• Jack Bech

You’ll probably want to play matchups and stream at K and DST throughout the season. Here are a few options at both positions with favorable early-season schedules:

DSTs

• Chargers (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
• Packers (at MIN, at NYJ, vs. ATL)
• Jaguars (vs. CLE)

Ks

• Cameron Dicker (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
• Tyler Loop (at IND, vs. NO, at DAL)
• Harrison Mevis (vs. SF, vs. NYG)

14-Team Draft Strategy for Picks 11, 12, 13, or 14

Rounds 1 & 2

Top Targets: Justin Jefferson & Ashton Jeanty

Jefferson might not make it here with an ADP of 1.10. But it’s certainly possible, and we’re happy to buy any kind of dip on the 27-year-old. 

Poor target quality helped sink his production last year, with a 71.7% catchable-target rate that ranked 36th among 43 qualifying WRs. Upgrading from J.J. McCarthy to Kyler Murray gives one of the league’s premier receiver talents an excellent chance to regain WR1 status.

Jeanty had little room to operate last season, averaging just 1.28 yards before contact per attempt. That ranked 48th among 49 RBs with at least 100 carries. The supporting cast should improve with Tyler Linderbaum added at center and LT Kolton Miller back healthy. 

New HC Klint Kubiak also arrives after directing a Seattle offense that ranked top 10 in rush attempts, yards, and TDs.

Next Best: James Cook & Drake London

Buffalo returns the same backfield and four of five offensive-line starters from a unit that ranked second in adjusted line yards. 

Promoting Joe Brady from OC to HC also preserves the offensive structure that helped Cook post consecutive top-eight PPR finishes.

Whoever starts at QB should continue funneling targets toward London. His 29.2% target share last season marked the third time in four years that he topped 28%, while his 16.8 PPR points per game established a new career high.

The board leans toward a balanced start here, but remain willing to double up at RB or WR if a clear value falls.

Other Options

• Kenneth Walker
• Chase Brown
• Omarion Hampton
• A.J. Brown
• Nico Collins

Rounds 3 & 4

Top Targets: Cam Skattebo & Tee Higgins

Skattebo quickly took the backfield from Tyrone Tracy Jr. last year and finished as the RB8 in PPR points per game from Weeks 2-7. The sample was limited because his season ended with a right ankle injury that required surgery.

Fortunately, Skattebo is on track to play Week 1. The Giants have given multiple indications that this offense will run through the second-year back.

Burrow’s nine-game absence didn’t stop Higgins from posting a WR13 finish in PPR points per game. When the pair stayed healthy in 2024, Higgins ranked fifth among WRs.

At 27, Higgins is also squarely in his prime according to our historical aging curves for WRs.

Next Best: Jaylen Waddle & Colston Loveland 

Waddle cracks the top-20 of our PPR WR rankings after the move to the Broncos. Our piece on NFL coaching changes highlighted his fit in an offense that’ll continue to feature catch-and-run opportunities.

A late draft slot likely takes you out of the running for Brock Bowers or Trey McBride, but this is a reasonable range to chase Loveland’s upside after what he showed as a 21-year-old rookie.

Among the highlights: a TE5 fantasy finish over the second half, plus a final five games (including the postseason) that really saw him take over:

• 80% route rate
• 25.1% target share
• A TE-high 19.1 expected PPR points per game 

Other Options

• David Montgomery
• TreVeyon Henderson
• Quinshon Judkins
• Terry McLaurin
• Luther Burden

Rounds 5 & 6

Top Targets: Christian Watson & Sam LaPorta

Watson posted career-best marks in targets per route run (0.23) and yards per route run (2.51) last year. With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone and no major replacement added, Watson’s target outlook looks even stronger. 

He stands out as a priority WR in this range.

LaPorta’s 2025 back injury is the concern, but his pre-injury production remained strong. He ranked seventh among TEs in PPR points per game and should continue to command a significant role in Detroit when healthy.

Next Best: Parker Washington & Jaylen Warren

OC Grant Udinski expects Washington’s season-ending hot stretch from 2025 to carry over to the fall. He enters a contract year after finishing WR16 from Week 8 on.

Travis Hunter’s expected focus on defense only helps Washington’s path to snaps and targets.

Pittsburgh let Kenneth Gainwell and his 85 targets walk in free agency. A chunk of those should shift to Warren, who projects as the 1A runner ahead of new Steeler Rico Dowdle. 

After a 61-catch 2023, Warren has reached 38 and 40 catches over the past two seasons.

Other Options

• Tony Pollard
• Michael Pittman Jr.
• Courtland Sutton
• Tucker Kraft

Rounds 7 & 8

Top Targets: Xavier Worthy & Jonathon Brooks

Worthy's PPR points per game dropped from 11.0 as a rookie to 7.9 last season. But he played through a shoulder injury that HC Andy Reid said was limiting. Back healthy, he looks like the clear No. 2 WR for a Chiefs offense that lacks pass-catching depth. The Athletic's Jesse Newell named Worthy the Chiefs' "summer practice MVP."

Of course, there’s room for a larger role given the volatile start to Rashee Rice’s career.

Brooks carries obvious risk after two ACL tears and only three games across the past two seasons. But that risk is easier to accept at this stage as an RB3 or RB4. His health appears to be trending well, and a complementary role alongside Chuba Hubbard could eventually grow into more.

Next Best: Trevor Lawrence & Jayden Reed

Lawrence is worth considering in this range after the elite QBs are gone. He ranked first among all QBs in fantasy scoring following Jacksonville’s bye week (a 10-game sample). 

Now, he gets a full offseason with Jakobi Meyers. And there’s optimism that Brian Thomas Jr. can look more like the breakout player we saw in 2024.

Reed enters a contract year with plenty of opportunities in front of him.

The Packers moved on from Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks over the offseason, removing 131 targets from the 2025 offense, and Reed should absorb some of that work with no major target competition added alongside Christian Watson and Matthew Golden.

Other Options

• Justin Herbert
• Kenneth Gainwell
• Blake Corum
• Makai Lemon
• Jordan Addison
• Ricky Pearsall

Rounds 9 & 10

Top Targets: Kyler Murray & Mark Andrews

If you weren’t able to land Lawrence or Herbert, Murray’s a fine alternative thanks to his rushing ability and his new landing spot with HC Kevin O’Connell. 

Murray averaged 35 rushing yards per game before last year’s foot injury, while Minnesota surrounds him with a strong WR corps of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. We fully expect him to secure the QB1 job over J.J. McCarthy.

Andrews shouldn’t be treated as a weekly fantasy starter at this point in his career. But he certainly brings some bounce-back appeal with Lamar Jackson back healthy and Isaiah Likely on the Giants. 

Next Best: Dalton Kincaid & Stefon Diggs

A healthy Kincaid brings the potential to give fantasy managers a nice ROI. Last year, his 2.79 yards per route and 0.70 fantasy points per route led all 38 TEs with 40+ targets.

Dawson Knox will remain involved, but there’s room for Kincaid to capture a larger role if he can stay healthy.

Diggs remains unsigned as of this writing, but that’s likely to change as we get into training camp. 

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted on July 13 that five teams have been “checking in” on Diggs’ availability. His 1,013-yard season showed he can still produce at a high level, especially considering he was returning from a midseason 2024 ACL tear.

Other Options

• Woody Marks
• Chris Rodriguez
• Romeo Doubs
• Jayden Higgins
• Rashid Shaheed

Rounds 11 & 12

Top Targets: Tyjae Spears & Chig Okonkwo

The Titans used a mid-round pick on Penn State RB Nick Singleton, but HC Robert Saleh called Spears and Tony Pollard the team’s “bell cows” over the summer. 

We’ll see what kind of role Spears can earn under new OC Brian Daboll. At a minimum, Spears projects as the top receiving back having hit 45 catches in two of the past three seasons.

If you already landed Colston Loveland or Sam LaPorta, pass on a TE2 here. Otherwise, Okonkwo enters his first season in Washington with a chance to finish second on the team in targets behind Terry McLaurin. A healthy Jayden Daniels would also be a major QB upgrade over what he had in Tennessee.

Next Best: Isiah Pacheco & Adonai Mitchell

Pacheco might not offer much standalone value, but our own Jared Smola points to upside in the Lions’ No. 2 RB after the team combined for 530 RB opportunities in 2025.

Mitchell is a bet on talent. He flashed it last year with games of 3-96, 8-102-1, and 6-58-1 and should now fill a starting role alongside Garrett Wilson. 

Mitchell also generated some hype, with The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt calling him one of the Jets’ “biggest stars” of the offseason.

Other Options

• Brian Robinson Jr.
• Keaton Mitchell
• Jauan Jennings
• AJ Barner
• Greg Dulcich
• Terrance Ferguson

Rounds 13 & 14

Target a player with big upside in Rounds 13 & 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

• Jaydon Blue
• Mike Washington Jr.
• Ryan Flournoy
• Isaac TeSlaa
• Jack Bech

Rounds 15 & 16

Top Targets: K & DST

You’ll probably want to play matchups and stream at K and DST throughout the season. Here are a few options at both positions with favorable early-season schedules:

DSTs

• Chargers (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
• Packers (at MIN, at NYJ, vs. ATL)
• Jaguars (vs. CLE)

Ks

• Cameron Dicker (vs. ARI, vs. LV)
• Tyler Loop (at IND, vs. NO, at DAL)
• Harrison Mevis (vs. SF, vs. NYG)