Fantasy: Strategy for drafting in the middle of each round
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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 (Aug. 18)
Here's a look at how to attack the draft if you've been assigned one of the middle picks in a 12-team half PPR scoring league. While the average draft positions (ADP) can vary from site to site, this will help guide you toward building a roster that can be dominant in 2023.
Round 1Picks: 1.05-1.08
When you're picking in the middle of the opening round, you normally won't have an opportunity to secure a top-two receiver (Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase), and there are no guarantees you'll have a chance to select a top-tier running back (Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler).
The mid-first can sometimes feel too early to reach for the next group of ball carriers, which is why you should take the sure thing in Tyreek Hill.
In his first season in Miami, Hill had a career year with 119 catches and 1,710 receiving yards en route to finishing with the third-most fantasy points at his position. With the Dolphins' concentrated passing attack, you can expect him to be in the conversation as one of the league's best wideouts yet again.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
Others to consider: Austin Ekeler, Cooper Kupp, Travis Kelce
Round 2Picks: 2.05-2.08
If Tony Pollard were to slip through to the middle of the second, he'd be an automatic pick. Unfortunately, he tends to go at the Round 1-2 turn. The good news is that one of Garrett Wilson, Davante Adams, or Amon-Ra St. Brown often falls to this range.
Wilson's ADP has also been creeping up with every highlight-reel training camp catch from Aaron Rodgers. The fact that Wilson earned the seventh-most targets as a rookie is encouraging, but it's the upgrade at quarterback that will help him take his production to elite levels.
Don't be surprised when Wilson is a first-rounder in next year's fantasy drafts.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
| WR2 | Garrett Wilson | 2nd |
Others to consider: Davante Adams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jonathan Taylor
Round 3Picks: 3.05-3.08
Starting your draft with back-to-back receivers is especially favorable this year, thanks to all the running back value that's trickling down into the third and beyond.
Several ball carriers have had red flags and scared fantasy managers away, like Josh Jacobs (contract issue), Rhamondre Stevenson (Ezekiel Elliott signing), Travis Etienne (Tank Bigsby addition), Breece Hall (injury recovery), and Joe Mixon (recently resolved court case).
While I'd be willing to take a chance on any one of those backs, we'll avoid the risk and welcome rookie Jahmyr Gibbs to our roster. The 12th-overall choice in this year's NFL draft is an explosive pass-catcher out of the backfield, and the Lions intend to lean on his playmaking ability.
If the history of early first-round running backs is any indication, Gibbs is a worthwhile investment in Round 3.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 3rd |
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
| WR2 | Garrett Wilson | 2nd |
Others to consider: Mark Andrews, DK Metcalf, Calvin Ridley
Round 4Picks: 4.05-4.08
With the top four quarterbacks off the board and no values showing up at running back or tight end in this round, we'll keep stockpiling receiving talent.
For the first time since 2016, Keenan Allen missed more than two games, suiting up for just 10 contests last year. However, when he was healthy, he averaged the fifth-most fantasy points among wideouts over the final eight games.
Even at 31 years old, Allen is an outstanding route runner and continues to be Justin Herbert's most targeted option whenever he's on the field. He's an absolute steal in the fourth round and gives us an unfair advantage with him as our WR3.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 3rd |
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
| WR2 | Garrett Wilson | 2nd |
| WR3 | Keenan Allen | 4th |
Others to consider: Aaron Jones, Amari Cooper, DJ Moore
Round 5Picks: 5.05-5.08
When you pass on drafting one of the top four QBs, this is the next range to consider addressing the position.
After taking Keenan Allen one round earlier, it only makes sense to pair him with his real-life teammate Justin Herbert.
On top of being one of the best young passers in the league, Herbert is also very insulated against skill-position injuries this season. The Chargers have a deep receiving corps with Allen, Mike Williams, Quentin Johnston, and Josh Palmer, a quality tight end duo in Gerald Everett and Donald Parham, and one of the best pass-catching backs in Austin Ekeler.
Herbert is one of the safest fantasy QB picks for 2023, even if you have to pay up to get him in this round.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| QB1 | Justin Herbert | 5th |
| RB1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 3rd |
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
| WR2 | Garrett Wilson | 2nd |
| WR3 | Keenan Allen | 4th |
Others to consider: Alexander Mattison, Jerry Jeudy, JK Dobbins
Round 6Picks: 6.05-6.08
With a balanced roster so far, we have the luxury of going in almost any direction we want this round. Alvin Kamara's ADP is on the rise after he was given a shorter suspension than many had projected, but he would be the pick here if available.
Since we expect Kamara to be drafted more times than not by this spot, we'll take a more general approach and add a high-upside tight end in Darren Waller.
On top of already having elite fantasy seasons on his resume from his time with the Raiders, Waller's new team, the Giants, have expressed a desire to make him their leading receiver. Most beat writers around the club also expect that to be the case.
If Waller can stay healthy, he's one of the few tight ends who could challenge for a top-three fantasy season.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| QB1 | Justin Herbert | 5th |
| RB1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 3rd |
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
| WR2 | Garrett Wilson | 2nd |
| WR3 | Keenan Allen | 4th |
| TE1 | Darren Waller | 6th |
Others to consider: Alvin Kamara, Brandon Aiyuk, Kyle Pitts
Round 7Picks: 7.05-7.08
We have one position in our starting lineup that's demanding to be filled, and it would be foolish to leave it unresolved any longer.
Rachaad White isn't the most exciting pick, but he projects to be a starting running back and should see plenty of receiving volume in the Buccaneers' offense. There aren't many backs fitting that description in this area of the draft.
With this type of build, White gives us an early-season volume option at RB2 who might surprise and turn into a year-long solution in that spot.
Either way, we'll be loading up on running backs in the later rounds.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| QB1 | Justin Herbert | 5th |
| RB1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 3rd |
| RB2 | Rachaad White | 7th |
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
| WR2 | Garrett Wilson | 2nd |
| WR3 | Keenan Allen | 4th |
| TE1 | Darren Waller | 6th |
Others to consider: James Cook, Jahan Dotson, George Pickens
Round 8Picks: 8.05-8.08
There are many different ways we could go to fill our flex, but we'll jump aboard Elijah Moore's offseason hype train in Cleveland.
Despite flashing big-time upside during his rookie season with the Jets, Moore wasn't able to establish himself as a consistent performer. After an injury-riddled campaign where he fell out of favor with the coaching staff, the 23-year-old was traded to the Browns.
The fresh start has been a welcomed development, and, by all accounts, Moore has excelled with his new opportunity. He's been one of the most targeted players in practice, and a breakout could be on the way with the team expected to throw more in Deshaun Watson's second year in the system.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| QB1 | Justin Herbert | 5th |
| RB1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 3rd |
| RB2 | Rachaad White | 7th |
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
| WR2 | Garrett Wilson | 2nd |
| WR3 | Keenan Allen | 4th |
| TE1 | Darren Waller | 6th |
| FLEX | Elijah Moore | 8th |
Others to consider: Khalil Herbert, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Gabe Davis
Round 9Picks: 9.05-9.08
Here come the depth running backs with significant ceilings if things fall their way.
We'll begin with the rookie Zach Charbonnet, who avoided an injury scare and looked the part of a lead back in the Seahawks' first preseason game. Kenneth Walker is nearing a return from the groin injury that sidelined him the last couple weeks, but this backfield could be more of a split than people realize.
Charbonnet's physical running style and pass-catching skills combine well with Walker's field-tilting big-play ability. And if Walker were to miss time in the regular season, Charbonnet would have top-15 fantasy upside.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| QB1 | Justin Herbert | 5th |
| RB1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 3rd |
| RB2 | Rachaad White | 7th |
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
| WR2 | Garrett Wilson | 2nd |
| WR3 | Keenan Allen | 4th |
| TE1 | Darren Waller | 6th |
| FLEX | Elijah Moore | 8th |
| Bench | Zach Charbonnet | 9th |
Others to consider: Antonio Gibson, De'Von Achane, Skyy Moore
Round 10Picks: 10.05-10.08
Jaylen Warren caught 28 passes and totalled 593 yards from scrimmage as a rookie backup behind Najee Harris last season.
He's picked up where he left off and appears to be making himself an undeniable aspect of the Steelers' offense, according to beat writers.
At worst, he'll offer flex value as a complementary piece to Harris. But it's also possible Warren turns this into a timeshare and makes a much larger impact on the fantasy landscape.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| QB1 | Justin Herbert | 5th |
| RB1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 3rd |
| RB2 | Rachaad White | 7th |
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
| WR2 | Garrett Wilson | 2nd |
| WR3 | Keenan Allen | 4th |
| TE1 | Darren Waller | 6th |
| FLEX | Elijah Moore | 8th |
| Bench | Zach Charbonnet | 9th |
| Bench | Jaylen Warren | 10th |
Others to consider: Nico Collins, Raheem Mostert, Samaje Perine
Later roundsAfter 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.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| QB1 | Justin Herbert | 5th |
| RB1 | Jahmyr Gibbs | 3rd |
| RB2 | Rachaad White | 7th |
| WR1 | Tyreek Hill | 1st |
| WR2 | Garrett Wilson | 2nd |
| WR3 | Keenan Allen | 4th |
| TE1 | Darren Waller | 6th |
| FLEX | Elijah Moore | 8th |
| Bench | Zach Charbonnet | 9th |
| Bench | Jaylen Warren | 10th |
| Bench | Roschon Johnson | 11th |
| Bench | Kenneth Gainwell | 12th |
- Top of the round
- Middle of the round
- End of the round (Aug. 18)
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