Fantasy: Strategy for drafting at the end of the 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
Here's a look at how to attack the draft if you've been assigned one of the final four picks in a 12-team PPR scoring league.
Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of Fantasy Football Calculator and is based on 12-team leagues with PPR scoring.
Round 1Picks: 1.09-1.12
The end of the first round isn't a bad place to be this year, given the ample talent available in that range.
Nick Chubb is my favorite running back outside of the top six after he posted the eighth-most fantasy points over the final 11 weeks of his rookie season. He was going in the second round until recently, but the Duke Johnson trade has lifted Chubb's stock in the eyes of the fantasy community. He's an automatic pick here.
If you're not as high on Chubb as I am, you could just as easily go with one of the elite wideouts like Julio Jones or Michael Thomas.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
Others to consider: Dalvin Cook, Julio Jones, Michael Thomas
Round 2Picks: 2.01-2.04
Depending on your draft, it's possible names like Jones, Thomas, or Odell Beckham Jr. - who would all make for perfect pairings with Chubb - fall to the early second round.
Several fantasy managers have asked about the dangers of selecting teammates early in drafts, whether it's Chubb-OBJ or James Conner-JuJu Smith-Schuster. Don't be scared off, in each case we're talking about two of the best players at their positions.
Though we aren't going with a teammate tandem, Smith-Schuster is our pick, since he's always available in this spot and OBJ often doesn't make it out of the first round. An RB-WR start keeps us balanced and allows us to scoop up whatever value is on the board when the draft swings back to us at the end of the third.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
Others to consider: Dalvin Cook, Odell Beckham Jr., Travis Kelce
Round 3Picks: 3.09-3.12
It took a while for the hype train to reach Chris Carson station, but that finally happened over the last week. The result has been a rising ADP that's settled at the three-four turn.
Carson was an outstanding value in the fourth and fifth rounds over the last few months of last season. Despite my inner sadness over his soaring price, Carson's still well worth taking at the end of the third as a top-20 fantasy back with RB1 upside. The Seahawks star was a top-15 back in 2018 despite playing just 14 games.
He's also a safer option than unproven rookie backs like Josh Jacobs and David Montgomery.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| RB2 | Chris Carson | 3rd |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
Others to consider: Josh Jacobs, David Montgomery, Julian Edelman
Round 4Picks: 4.01-4.04
Brandin Cooks has been one of the most consistent fantasy receivers in the game over the last four years, averaging 77 receptions, 1,149 yards, and seven touchdowns per season.
Stockpiling players on good offenses is a recipe for fantasy success, and attaching ourselves to Sean McVay's passing attack accomplishes that goal.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| RB2 | Chris Carson | 3rd |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
| WR2 | Brandin Cooks | 4th |
Others to consider: Mark Ingram, Robert Woods, Tyler Lockett
Round 5Picks: 5.09-5.12
We passed on spending significant draft capital on Travis Kelce in the second round. Now we're faced with our next big decision at tight end with O.J. Howard, Evan Engram, Hunter Henry, and Jared Cook likely to be selected between the fifth and early seventh rounds.
We have to act in the next two picks if we want someone from that group, and that's exactly what we're going to do by choosing my top-ranked tight end of the four in Howard.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| RB2 | Chris Carson | 3rd |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
| WR2 | Brandin Cooks | 4th |
| TE1 | O.J. Howard | 5th |
Others to consider: DJ Moore, Evan Engram, Deshaun Watson
Round 6Picks: 6.01-6.04
Remember when we passed on rookie running backs Jacobs and Montgomery? We did so knowing we'd have a chance to secure a breakout back at the five-six turn. Fortunately, Miles Sanders, the next best rookie runner, is waiting for us.
The Eagles will almost surely deploy some form of committee backfield with Jordan Howard and Darren Sproles seeing touches, but Sanders is the most skilled of that crew and should eventually emerge as Philly's lead back.
There are a lot of receivers with good value in this section of the draft, but the position is so deep we'll be able to target it in the next two rounds.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| RB2 | Chris Carson | 3rd |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
| WR2 | Brandin Cooks | 4th |
| TE1 | O.J. Howard | 5th |
| FLEX | Miles Sanders | 6th |
Others to consider: Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, Alshon Jeffery
Round 7Picks: 7.09-7.12
Josh Gordon is a polarizing pick this year. He's a player fantasy managers should be wary of, yet he offers major upside in a Patriots offense that desperately lacks playmaking receivers outside of Edelman.
Expectations need to be adjusted for Gordon, who won't be the wideout that set the league on fire in 2013. He's still capable of putting up a 1,000-yard season, something he was on pace for during 11 appearances with the Pats a year ago.
Gordon was a top-30 fantasy receiver over that stretch and should finish in that range again ... as long as he stays on the field.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| RB2 | Chris Carson | 3rd |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
| WR2 | Brandin Cooks | 4th |
| WR3 | Josh Gordon | 7th |
| TE1 | O.J. Howard | 5th |
| FLEX | Miles Sanders | 6th |
Others to consider: Rashaad Penny, Dante Pettis, Darrell Henderson
Round 8Picks: 8.01-8.04
Gordon is an excellent WR3 given his week-winning upside. However, we can't be blind to the risk we're assuming by having him in our starting lineup. Therefore, another quality receiver is needed as insurance.
Dede Westbrook fits the mold as a breakout candidate. He should lead the Jaguars' receiving corps in 2019 and could easily be a top-36 fantasy wideout.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| RB2 | Chris Carson | 3rd |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
| WR2 | Brandin Cooks | 4th |
| WR3 | Josh Gordon | 7th |
| TE1 | O.J. Howard | 5th |
| FLEX | Miles Sanders | 6th |
| Bench | Dede Westbrook | 8th |
Others to consider: Larry Fitzgerald, Geronimo Allison, Royce Freeman
Round 9Picks: 9.09-9.12
With a balanced roster that includes a solid backup option for Gordon at receiver, we have two tasks remaining:
- Find a quarterback
- Load up on high-upside running backs
With several starting-caliber fantasy quarterbacks yet to be drafted, we take Devin Singletary - a back with a path to a lead role, something you don't often see at this stage.
The buzz around Singletary has begun to grow, as his preseason performances have alerted everyone to the fact he might already be the best playmaker in a Bills backfield shared with late-career veterans in LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| RB2 | Chris Carson | 3rd |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
| WR2 | Brandin Cooks | 4th |
| WR3 | Josh Gordon | 7th |
| TE1 | O.J. Howard | 5th |
| FLEX | Miles Sanders | 6th |
| Bench | Dede Westbrook | 8th |
| Bench | Devin Singletary | 9th |
Others to consider: LeSean McCoy, Corey Davis, Marvin Jones
Round 10Picks: 10.01-10.04
We spend too much time emphasizing this point, but waiting on a quarterback is incredibly beneficial to your roster.
Even in the 10th round, we get a passer with top-five fantasy upside in Jameis Winston. The former first overall pick split time with Ryan Fitzpatrick last year after an early-season suspension derailed his campaign. Even with the turnover-prone play of the Bucs' two quarterbacks, their offense was one of the most prolific passing attacks in the league.
If you combine Winston and Fitzpatrick's 2018 fantasy points, Tampa's starting QB would've finished second behind only Patrick Mahomes. If Bruce Arians' arrival can help make Winston a more consistent player, this could be the steal of the draft. Even if Winston struggles, there'll be plenty of options on the waiver wire because of how deep the quarterback position is in 2019.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| QB1 | Jameis Winston | 10th |
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| RB2 | Chris Carson | 3rd |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
| WR2 | Brandin Cooks | 4th |
| WR3 | Josh Gordon | 7th |
| TE1 | O.J. Howard | 5th |
| FLEX | Miles Sanders | 6th |
| Bench | Dede Westbrook | 8th |
| Bench | Devin Singletary | 9th |
Others to consider: D.K. Metcalf, Ronald Jones, DeSean Jackson
Round 11Picks: 11.09-11.12
Justice Hill is firmly behind Ingram on the Ravens' depth chart, but with the amount this team plans to run the ball, it might not matter.
The rookie will serve as a change-of-pace back behind Ingram, a role that was very rewarding for Kenneth Dixon owners down the stretch last season. In the event of an Ingram injury, fantasy managers rostering Hill would be able to cash in their lottery ticket for a potential RB2.
Singletary and Hill are ideal late-round fantasy backs to fill your bench with, but we're not done yet.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| QB1 | Jameis Winston | 10th |
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| RB2 | Chris Carson | 3rd |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
| WR2 | Brandin Cooks | 4th |
| WR3 | Josh Gordon | 7th |
| TE1 | O.J. Howard | 5th |
| FLEX | Miles Sanders | 6th |
| Bench | Dede Westbrook | 8th |
| Bench | Devin Singletary | 9th |
| Bench | Justice Hill | 11th |
Others to consider: Keke Coutee, Anthony Miller, Alexander Mattison
Round 12Picks: 12.01-12.04
Kansas City's offense, which seems capable of producing a top-20 fantasy back no matter who's in the backfield, could offer a lot of value in this range.
Rookie Darwin Thompson has outshone Carlos Hyde this preseason and is vying for a role as Damien Williams' backup.
Thomspon has looked explosive on the ground and through the air, hitting the hole with power and willing to take on defenders to grind out extra yards. His play drew praise from head coach Andy Reid, who has a history of turning late-round backs into stars. As we wait to find out if that will happen this year, you want to be the one who owns Thompson.
| Roster | Player | Round |
|---|---|---|
| QB1 | Jameis Winston | 10th |
| RB1 | Nick Chubb | 1st |
| RB2 | Chris Carson | 3rd |
| WR1 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2nd |
| WR2 | Brandin Cooks | 4th |
| WR3 | Josh Gordon | 7th |
| TE1 | O.J. Howard | 5th |
| FLEX | Miles Sanders | 6th |
| Bench | Dede Westbrook | 8th |
| Bench | Devin Singletary | 9th |
| Bench | Justice Hill | 11th |
| Bench | Darwin Thompson | 12th |
Others to consider: Jamison Crowder, Dion Lewis, Tyrell Williams
Later roundsThe truth is, after the 10th round or so, you no longer need to pay close attention to ADPs. You should be focused on filling out your bench with as many high-upside players as possible, with your sights set on running backs and receivers. Quarterbacks or tight ends can always be streamed or acquired by trading a bench player. Save your final two picks for a defense and a kicker.
Players to consider: Tony Pollard, Giovani Bernard, Chase Edmonds, Malcolm Brown, Michael Gallup, Kenny Stills, Tre'Quan Smith, Parris Campbell
Draft Position- Top of the round
- Middle of the round
- End of the round
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