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Perfect Draft: 12-Team Non-PPR (Updated Aug. 29)

By Kevin English | Updated on Tue, 23 May 2023 . 1:27 PM EDT

You should go into every fantasy draft with a general plan of attack.

Of course, you’ll need to be able to adjust throughout the draft and pounce on value wherever it presents itself. That’s where the dynamic MVP Board with Suggested Picks comes in.

But building a round-by-round strategy beforehand certainly helps. That’s exactly what we’re doing with the Perfect Draft series — using the MVP Board and ADP to get an idea of where the value will be in each round.

This is the 12-Team non-PPR Perfect Draft. Each strategy guide assumes 16-round drafts and starting lineups of 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 Flex, 1 K and 1 DEF. The MVP Board will help you adjust your strategy if your league settings are different.

Note: August 29 updates in bold.

Pick 1, 2, 3 or 4

Round 1

RB: Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey, James Conner

Zeke's now even risker in this range. Jerry Jones said on the 29th that he's "operating as though right now [Zeke's] going to miss regular-season games."

Conner, who recently jumped ahead of David Johnson, boasts a much better O-line and similar touch certainty.

Rounds 2-3

RB: Devonta Freeman, Kerryon Johnson, Aaron Jones, Leonard Fournette

WR: Mike Evans, Adam Thielen

TE: Travis Kelce

Kelce’s the pick here if available — but that’s a long-shot.

More likely, you’re looking at Evans or another RB.

Melvin Gordon used to reside here, but holdout risk drops him out of this range.

Rounds 4-5

RB: Chris Carson, Derrick Henry, Sony Michel, Mark Ingram

WR: Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, Julian Edelman, Kenny Golladay, Tyler Lockett, Chris Godwin

Carson’s ADP is on the rise. Seattle’s staff has recently talked up a larger receiving role, boosting Carson’s RB2 profile.

If you have 3 RBs + Kelce entering the 5th, that’s fine. Remember, this setup assumes you must start only 2 WRs.

Still, you’d be wise to snag the best available WR. Godwin’s someone we’ll highlight on cheatsheets. He's a red zone weapon with volume upside who notably improved from year 1 to year 2. The 23-year-old also hasn’t missed a game through 2 seasons. He might be gone by your 4th-round pick, but each of the other WRs make fine selections.

Rounds 6-7

RB: Kenyan Drake, Latavius Murray

WR: Alshon Jeffery, Josh Gordon, Will Fuller, Allen Robinson, Sammy Watkins

TE: Evan Engram, Hunter Henry

If you’re looking for a difference-making WR2/3, Fuller’s your guy. Health is the question mark, as he’s coming off an ACL tear. But Fuller’s upside is massive. He ranked as the WR14 through 7 healthy games last year. Back in 2017, he tallied a trio of 2-TD games.

Henry and Engram have the exact same PPR projection. With Engram ahead by 20 targets, though, he’s the higher-floor selection.

Drake suffered a mid-August foot injury. He's also been the subject of trade rumors. If he sticks in Miami, Drake will carry receiving-yard upside and the potential to see double-digit weekly carries.

Gordon supplies a high weekly floor as New England's likely #2 target. He's ideal in best ball setups.

Rounds 8-9

QB: Cam Newton

RB: Rashaad Penny, LeSean McCoy, Royce Freeman, Matt Breida

WR: Sammy Watkins, Curtis Samuel, Marvin Jones, Corey Davis, Dante Pettis

TE: David Njoku, Vance McDonald

Here’s a time to consider going QB. Carson Wentz is likely gone, so look at Newton. He’ll work with perhaps the best pass catching unit of his career. Health is really the only question mark here, but we’ve heard positive reports on that front in camp.

If you’re hunting for upside, Sammy Watkins pops. We expect some regression from Kansas City’s pass game, but it’s clearly still one to target.

168 targets were vacated when Antonio Brown packed up for Oakland. McDonald — if healthy — stands to benefit.

Pettis' value has tanked in recent weeks, but he's still the likely #1 for a Kyle Shanahan-led offense.

Rounds 10-11

QB: Jameis Winston, Jared Goff, Dak Prescott

RB: Jaylen Samuels, Matt Breida

WR: Tyrell Williams, John Brown, Michael Gallup, Anthony Miller

We’re mostly into pass catching RBs here, which is why we’d like to have 4 backs already.

Williams is one of our favorite draft values and would make an ideal WR4.

Rounds 12-13

QB: Mitchell Trubisky, Jimmy Garoppolo

RB: Dion Lewis, Devin Singletary

WR: Tyrell Williams, John Brown, Michael Gallup

TE: Jordan Reed, Trey Burton

Amari Cooper’s heel injury adds juice to Gallup’s upside. The downfield threat has excelled in camp and could reach 100 targets regardless of Cooper’s health.

Camp reports on Trubisky have mirrored his first 2 years — inconsistent. But scheme, talent and weapons all provide clear advantages for the Bear. Garoppolo checks in 26 points behind Trubisky. The 49er lacks rushing upside, while poor camp reports on Dante Pettis have his supporting cast in question.

Garoppolo is ideally a strict spot starter to begin 2019.

Reed suffered his 6th reported concussion this preseason, although he's expected to play Week 1. At ADP, he's a low-risk target.

Rounds 14-16

In most cases, your final 3 turns should include your kicker and D/ST picks, along with upside picks at any position you still need to fill in.

On defense, Dallas looks like a solid season-opening D, with matchups at home against the Giants, at Washington and then back home for Miami. There's also upside to Arizona, with 3 home games over the first 4 weeks, beginning with a visit by the Lions.

Pick 5, 6, 7 or 8

Round 1

RB: James Conner, Joe Mixon, David Johnson, Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb

WR: Odell Beckham

According to the MVP Board, Zeke’s the easy pick if available. But you have to be comfortable with the holdout risk. While we believe he suits up for Week 1, it’s far from a lock.

Conner recently passed Mixon in the rankings. The Steeler looked strong in the preseason and enjoyed workhorse-like 1st-team usage. Cincy's O-line remains a legitimate question mark.

Round 2

RB: Dalvin Cook

WR: Tyreek Hill, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mike Evans

TE: Travis Kelce

This is a fine spot to look at WR or TE. We’ll see Round 3 contains a few of our favorite RBs.

Melvin Gordon and Nick Chubb are no longer in play here. Gordon's holdout risk should push him into the late 3rd or 4th. Chubb is now a late 1st-rounder.

Round 3

RB: Devonta Freeman, Kerryon Johnson, Leonard Fournette

WR: Adam Thielen, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs

Both Vikings WRs supply high floors as volume-driven assets. Their floors exceed Cooper’s given his foot injury.

T.Y. Hilton left this range due to Andrew Luck's retirement.

Freeman jumped ahead of Johnson given minor concerns over Johnson's usage. The Lion remains a fine 3rd-round selection.

Round 4

RB: Chris Carson, Derrick Henry, Sony Michel, Mark Ingram

WR: Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, Julian Edelman, Kenny Golladay, Tyler Lockett, Chris Godwin

We’re talking non-PPR here, but Carson’s boosted receiving role certainly elevates his value. His OC added that the goal is for 50 targets this year. Carson mustered only 163 receiving yards (in 14 games) a year ago. He’s a strong pick at this point — even if you have 2 RBs already.

Woods’ non-PPR projection puts him 7 points ahead of Edelman. Godwin and Lockett are a pair of attractive upside picks.

Round 5

RB: Sony Michel, Duke Johnson, Tevin Coleman

WR: D.J. Moore, Tyler Boyd

TE: Evan Engram, Hunter Henry

It’s too early to consider a QB, so continue building at the other spots.

Moore’s been a bit quiet in camp as teammate Curtis Samuel has stolen headlines. But there’s plenty of upside in a 2nd-year 1st-round pick with top-flight athleticism and a target projection of 113.

Engram and Henry have identical non-PPR projections. Henry’s pegged for one extra score, but Engram’s 20 extra targets make him the safer selection.

Johnson's move to Houston supplies high-end RB2 upside. We'll see if they add another backfield piece. Coleman's value rises following Jerick McKinnon recent ACL setback.

Round 6

QB: Deshaun Watson

RB: Kenyan Drake

WR: Alshon Jeffery, Josh Gordon, Will Fuller, Allen Robinson

Watson’s probably gone here, but he’s worth mentioning. His relative value gets a small boost with Andrew Luck retired — although we’ll see that the QB position is historically deep.

WR looks like the target here, with Jeffery atop your list. Fuller and Gordon supply the highest ceiling of the bunch, so they bring extra appeal in best ball. There’s a chance Fuller slips to the 7th, while Gordon's ADP figures to vary wildly given his history.

Round 7

RB: Latavius Murray, Derrius Guice

WR: Will Fuller, Allen Robinson, Robby Anderson

QB and TE looks like dead spots here, so add to your RB or WR corps. Murray’s 8+ TD upside in a high-powered Saints O looks appetizing.

Anderson’s big-play ability is tempting, but we'll have to monitor his recent calf injury.

Round 8

QB: Carson Wentz, Cam Newton

RB: Rashaad Penny, LeSean McCoy, Royce Freeman

WR: Sammy Watkins, Curtis Samuel, Marvin Jones, Corey Davis

TE: Vance McDonald

By this point, you likely have something like 3 RBs and 4 WRs or 3 RBs 3 WRs and 1 TE. That makes it a fine time to consider 1 of our favorite QB targets. If healthy, both Wentz and Newton should prove to be excellent values.

Newton suffered a foot injury in the 3rd preseason game. He's expected to be fine for Week 1, but his season-long outlook now carries a bit more risk.

Round 9

QB: Jameis Winston

RB: LeSean McCoy, Royce Freeman, Matt Breida, Jordan Howard

WR: Marvin Jones, Corey Davis, Dante Pettis, Sterling Shepard

Winston’s again surrounded by excellent talent, this time in a make-or-break year. We like the addition of new HC Bruce Arians, who should keep Winston’s attempts in a healthy range.

Pettis' value has tanked in recent weeks, but he's still the likely #1 for a Kyle Shanahan-led offense.

Round 10

QB: Jameis Winston

RB: Devin Singletary

WR: Tyrell Williams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Courtland Sutton

Here’s your last call on Winston.

Williams enters the mix, but fantasy drafters have been sleeping on him all offseason.

Round 11

QB: Dak Prescott, Philip Rivers

RB: Dion Lewis

WR: Tyrell Williams, Mohamed Sanu, John Brown, Michael Gallup, Anthony Miller

Reminder: Take stock of how many teams in your league already have a QB. Both guys listed are strong spot-start options.

Round 12

QB: Mitchell Trubisky, Jimmy Garoppolo

RB: Dion Lewis

WR: Jamison Crowder, Devin Funchess

TE: Jordan Reed

You should be sorting your board by "Ceiling" projections instead of straight point totals at this stage. You want to stuff your bench with some difference-making talents.

Reed suffered his 6th reported concussion this preseason, but he's expected to play Week 1. He's very low-risk at ADP.

Round 13

QB: Mitchell Trubisky, Jimmy Garoppolo

RB: Ito Smith, Justice Hill, Chase Edmonds, Mike Davis

WR: Jamison Crowder, Albert Wilson

TE: Jordan Reed, Trey Burton, Kyle Rudolph, Jimmy Graham

If you landed a stud QB like Watson or Wentz, don’t feel the need to grab a backup. Same goes for TE, so use that spot on a potential difference-maker elsewhere.

Rounds 14-16

In most cases, your final 3 turns should include your kicker and D/ST picks, along with upside picks at any position you still need to fill in.

On defense, Dallas looks like a solid season-opening D, with matchups at home against the Giants, at Washington and then back home for Miami. There's also upside to Arizona, with 3 home games over the first 4 weeks, beginning with a visit by the Lions.

Picks 9, 10, 11 or 12

Rounds 1-2

RB: James Conner, Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, Todd Gurley

WR: Odell Beckham, Julio Jones, Tyreek Hill

TE: Travis Kelce

In non-PPR, we’re locking up a workhorse back in Round 1. Then we’re targeting one of the high-ceiling WRs in the 2nd.

Melvin Gordon used to make sense in this range. But the holdout risk often pushes him into the 4th round.

Rounds 3-4

RB: Devonta Freeman, Kerryon Johnson, Aaron Jones, Leonard Fournette, Melvin Gordon, Chris Carson

WR: Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs, Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks

TE: George Kittle

Freeman, our Comeback Pick, has garnered buzz throughout the offseason. With Tevin Coleman in San Francisco — and little proven depth behind Freeman — top-10 upside is present in Atlanta’s high-powered O.

Cooper carries some extra risk now that he's dealing with a foot injury. We love the talent and volume here, but we’ll have to track his progress over the coming days.

Kittle recently jumped ahead of Zach Ertz in the rankings, largely due to San Francisco's uncertainty at WR.

Rounds 5-6

RB: Duke Johnson, Tevin Coleman

WR: D.J. Moore, Alshon Jeffery, Josh Gordon, Tyler Boyd

TE: Evan Engram, Hunter Henry

Moore vs. Boyd is a classic tale of upside (Moore) vs. safety (Boyd). Jeffery brings bounce-back appeal alongside a healthy Carson Wentz, but you may have to endure some ups and downs in Philly’s loaded O.

Johnson is in play here following Lamar Miller's ACL tear. We'll see if Houston adds another backfield part, though. Gordon enters the mix, too, but he's not much of a value in early Round 6.

Rounds 7-8

QB: Carson Wentz

RB: Latavius Murray, Derrius Guice, Rashaad Penny, Matt Breida

WR: Will Fuller, Allen Robinson, Robby Anderson, Sammy Watkins, Curtis Samuel

Around this time, it’s worth considering one of our favorite QB values. Back to 100%, Wentz is set to benefit from one of the league’s deepest pass catching corps.

Of course, we’ll find plenty of QB values later on. So there’s value in pivoting to where you’re neediest at RB and WR.

Fuller’s weekly ceiling is close to the elites at his position. Even if he plays 13-14 games, he could pay off handsomely at this price. Watkins’ TD upside will demand attention as long as he’s soaking up snaps alongside Patrick Mahomes.

Rounds 9-10

QB: Cam Newton, Jameis Winston, Jared Goff

RB: Matt Breida, Jaylen Samuels

WR: Marvin Jones, Corey Davis, Dante Pettis

TE: David Njoku

Breida probably won't last this long. But he's fine to consider in the 8th-round range following news that Jerick McKinnon suffered a setback in his return from a torn ACL.

Newton carries added risk after picking up a foot injury in the preseason. He should be ready for Week 1, though.

Pettis' value has tanked in recent weeks, but he's still the likely #1 for a Kyle Shanahan-led offense.

Rounds 11-12

QB: Dak Prescott, Mitchell Trubisky, Philip Rivers

RB: Devin Singletary, C.J. Anderson, Justice Hill

WR: Tyrell Williams, John Brown, Jamison Crowder

TE: Jordan Reed

Williams (shockingly) lasts to this point with regularity. He brings safety in volume -- upside with his big-play talent.

Reed checks boxes for historical production, athleticism and target outlook. Health remains the major drawback, especially after a recent concussion. But that risk is baked into a late-round ADP.

Rounds 13-16

You should be pushing off your kicker and D/ST picks until late. Whether to target either position at 13-14 or 15-16 will depend on how things go in your particular draft, though. If your league has a waiver run before the season starts, then don't bother drafting a kicker at all. Just pick 1 up off waivers. Use the extra spot for some injury insurance or a "watch" player until you need to set your lineup.

On defense, Dallas looks like a solid season-opening D, with matchups at home against the Giants, at Washington and then back home for Miami. There's also upside to Arizona, with 3 home games over the first 4 weeks, beginning with a visit by the Lions.