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Perfect Draft: 14-Team PPR (Updated Sept. 2)

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 supercharged Draft War Room 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 Draft War Room (formerly the MVP Board) and ADP to get an idea of where the value will be in each round.

This is the 14-Team 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 Draft War Room will help you adjust your strategy if your league settings differ.

As you know, ADPs can vary from site to site and draft to draft. So if you don’t see a player available in a given round, head to the next one for your selection. (Remember, we’re shooting for an optimistic outcome!)

Note: September 2 updates are in bold. Remember to check your Draft War Room for the most up-to-date rankings customized to your league's rules.

PICK 1, 2 OR 3

Round 1

QB:

RB: Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor

WR: Cooper Kupp

TE:

McCaffrey projects for 335 PPR points — only 5 ahead of Jonathan Taylor. Colts HC Frank Reich came out and said he wants the Colts to run less in 2022, but Taylor remains a top-3 pick regardless.

Overall, our top-3 goes like this: McCaffrey, Taylor, Kupp. Austin Ekeler sits 4th, a clear tier below Kupp.

Round 2

QB:

RB: Alvin Kamara, Leonard Fournette

WR: Tyreek Hill, Tee Higgins, Keenan Allen, Mike Evans

TE:

Kamara’s the pick here if available — especially if you went WR in the 1st. His availability at this spot seems unlikely with several recent reports indicating that he’ll dodge a 2022 suspension (including this one from Adam Schefter). But if your league is full of risk-averse players — a suspension remains possible — the Saint just might slide to you here.

Otherwise, we’re focusing on Fournette and the WRs. Lean best-available WR if you went RB in the first, and aim to snag at least 1 RB through 3 rounds if you started with Kupp (or perhaps Justin Jefferson).

Round 3

QB:

RB: James Conner, Travis Etienne, Ezekiel Elliott

WR: D.J. Moore, Michael Pittman

TE: Kyle Pitts

Take note: There will be a tier drop at RB by the time your 4th-round pick arrives. Etienne is particularly enticing for his raw talent and pass-catching upside. You have to stomach some injury risk with Conner, but there’s no doubting his workload — or the potential in Arizona’s offense. He comes out 29 points ahead of Etienne.

Pitts is a unique pick, as he supplies an edge in a deeper format where quality TEs are even more scarce. If you pass on him, though, we’d look to wait several rounds on the position.

Moore and Pittman are fine picks here, with 130+ targets all but wrapped up.

Round 4

QB:

RB:

WR: Brandin Cooks, Allen Robinson, Jerry Jeudy

TE: Darren Waller

RB is shaky at this point, with ADP showing guys like J.K. Dobbins and Josh Jacobs as potentially your top choices. Especially if you have 2 RBs already, pivot to a loaded WR group.

The trio above has Cooks 10 points ahead of Robinson; 15 ahead of Jeudy. Waller’s an OK pick here, although we’ll find a value option later on who’s projected for only 11 fewer points.

Round 5

QB: Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray

RB:

WR: Jerry Jeudy, Marquise Brown, Courtland Sutton, Rashod Bateman

TE:

This portion of the draft remains littered with scary, downside RBs. So we’d be patient with adding another back to your stable.

Instead, choose from a difference-making passer or an upside cluster of WRs. All 6 guys figure to be gone by your Round 6 pick.

Round 6

QB:

RB: Tony Pollard, Dameon Pierce

WR: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hunter Renfrow

TE: Dallas Goedert

Pollard makes for an ideal RB3 — and we like his chances of gaining standalone value, even with a healthy Zeke. It’s a stretch for him to make it this far, but consider him an easy pick if available.

JuJu and Renfrow supply PPR-friendly profiles. The Raider should slot into a Wes Welker-type role for new HC Josh McDaniels.

Goedert is one of our top TE targets because of his price, talent and past production. In an offense that should lean pass more — with a young, ascending QB — he should out-produce a TE8 ADP.

Round 7

QB: Tom Brady

RB: Cordarrelle Patterson, Chase Edmonds, Rhamondre Stevenson

WR: Tyler Lockett, Drake London

TE:

Realistically, you can exit this round with something like:

C. McCaffrey

K. Allen

T. Etienne

A. Robinson

K. Murray

D. Goedert

C. Edmonds

Edmonds is particularly enticing with a new contract in hand — and a totally new (and improved) Dolphins coaching staff in town.

London is currently battling a knee injury, but it doesn’t look serious for the rookie.

Round 8

QB: Trey Lance

RB: James Cook, Darrell Henderson, Nyheim Hines

WR: Christian Kirk, Robert Woods, Treylon Burks

TE:

If you’re without a QB, this looks like a fine range to acquire Lance. While his passing performance has been up and down in camp, we have little doubt he’ll be a strong rushing performer. And with George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk as pass targets, he has strong, post-catch talents.

This range also turns up some nice WR3 candidates, including 1 of our favorite WR values in Kirk.

Round 9

QB:

RB: Nyheim Hines, Kenneth Gainwell

WR: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Garrett Wilson, Rondale Moore, George Pickens

TE:

The value just isn’t here at QB/TE. We’ll soon find targets at both spots, though.

So change gears and look to add where you’re thin. Hines and Gainwell supply relative PPR safety but are best off as RB3s.

Round 10

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa

RB: Jamaal Williams, Tyler Allgeier, Isiah Pacheco

WR: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Garrett Wilson, Rondale Moore, George Pickens

TE:

When it comes to Lawrence and Tua, we love their environments for 2022. Just don’t treat them as weekly starters. And if you landed a Murray or Jackson type, feel free to pass on a QB2 altogether.

Pacheco is a major summer riser, but he'll start out at least behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire. At WR — and perhaps across all positions — no star has shined brighter than Pickens’. It’s tough to see the math working for him with a healthy Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool (plus Pat Freiermuth) but at this stage in the draft, you’re simply buying into Pickens’ freakish talent.

Round 11

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa

RB: Khalil Herbert

WR: George Pickens, Julio Jones, Jahan Dotson, Romeo Doubs, Isaiah McKenzie, Nico Collins

TE: Evan Engram, David Njoku

Engram and Njoku pop as major TE values. Deshaun Watson will now miss 11 games, but it’s not like Njoku will be a total zero without him. Plus, if your league allows deep benches, the high-athletic TE could be a major difference-maker down the stretch.

Engram could easily finish top-2 in targets on an offense that should be ascending.

See how your league has drafted, but waiting any longer than this might cause you to miss out on either guy.

Round 12

QB:

RB: Zamir White, Eno Benjamin, Jeff Wilson

WR: Jahan Dotson, Parris Campbell, Romeo Doubs, Josh Palmer, Nico Collins

TE:

By now, you likely have something like 1-2 QBs, 4-5 RBs, 5-6 WRs and 1-2 TEs. Determine where you’re thin and shoot for some upside. Benjamin pops as a bench stash behind James Conner. Doubs has been a training camp darling but will need to hold off a healthy Christian Watson (among others) for targets.

Rounds 13-16

QB: Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz

RB: Eno Benjamin, Jeff Wilson, Dontrell Hilliard

WR: Wan’Dale Robinson, Josh Palmer

TE: Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett

K: Brandon McManus, Dustin Hopkins

DEF: Ravens, Titans

Wait until the final 2 rounds to land a kicker and a defense. Throughout the year, you can use our weekly rankings to help play the matchups at both positions.

PICK 4, 5 OR 6

Round 1

QB:

RB: Austin Ekeler, Joe Mixon, Saquon Barkley

WR: Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson

TE:

A top-5 pick locks you into Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, Cooper Kupp, Austin Ekeler or Justin Jefferson.

The 6th pick is tricky, as there’s no obvious value. Mixon, then Barkley, pop up as the top suggested picks. Barkley used to make it deep into Round 2, but those days are gone in sharp leagues. Mixon and Barkley are separated by only 1 fantasy point, so it’s close to a toss-up.

Round 2

QB:

RB: Alvin Kamara, Leonard Fournette

WR: Tyreek Hill, Tee Higgins, Keenan Allen

TE:

From our view, Kamara is still discounted slightly due to his legal situation. But the general belief now is that he’ll dodge a suspension — at least in 2022.

He’s the pick here, especially if you went WR in the 1st. If not, pivot to Fournette or the best available WR.

Round 3

QB:

RB: Travis Etienne, Ezekiel Elliott, Breece Hall

WR: D.J. Moore, Michael Pittman, Mike Williams

TE:

We love Etienne (scroll down a bit at the link). He’s an ideal RB2 with huge pass-catching potential.

Moore, Pittman and Williams are low-end to fringe WR1-types, each boasting big-time spike week potential. Recall that Williams was the #1 WR in all of fantasy for the first 5 weeks of 2021.

Round 4

QB:

RB:

WR: Brandin Cooks, Allen Robinson, Jerry Jeudy

TE: Darren Waller

RB is shaky at this point, with ADP showing guys like J.K. Dobbins and Josh Jacobs as potentially your top choices. Especially if you have 2 RBs already, pivot to a loaded WR group.

The trio above has Cooks 10 points ahead of Robinson; 15 ahead of Jeudy. Waller’s an OK pick here, although we’ll find a value option later on who’s projected for only 11 fewer points.

Round 5

QB: Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray

RB: Tony Pollard

WR: Rashod Bateman, Michael Thomas, Adam Thielen

TE:

There’s not much to get excited about at RB beyond Pollard. Sure, a healthy Zeke Elliott will limit the ceiling, but we believe Dallas’ chatter about an increased passing game role for the contract-year back. He’s an electric talent worth betting on as an RB3/FLEX+.

Jackson and Murray supply access to a potential overall QB1 — and they prevent you the headache of having to stream QBs in a deep league.

If they’re gone, though, pivot to the best-available WR, which just might be our 2022 Breakout Player.

Round 6

QB:

RB: Tony Pollard, Dameon Pierce

WR: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hunter Renfrow

TE: Dallas Goedert

JuJu’s been the Chiefs’ best-performing WR at camp. We wouldn’t put it past him to post a big-time bounce-back season, especially with so many targets up for grabs in K.C.

Goedert is one of our top TE targets because of his price, talent and past production. In an offense that should lean pass more — with a young, ascending QB — he should out-produce a TE8 ADP.

Round 7

QB: Tom Brady

RB: Cordarrelle Patterson, Chase Edmonds, Rhamondre Stevenson, James Cook

WR: Tyler Lockett, Drake London, Christian Kirk, DeVonta Smith

TE:

Realistically, you can exit this round with something like:

A. Ekeler

K. Allen

B. Hall

B. Cooks

K. Murray

D. Goedert

C. Edmonds

Edmonds is particularly enticing with a new contract in hand — and a totally new (and improved) Dolphins coaching staff in town.

London is currently battling a knee injury, but it doesn’t look serious for the rookie.

Round 8

QB: Trey Lance

RB: James Cook, Darrell Henderson, Nyheim Hines

WR: Drake London, Christian Kirk, Brandon Aiyuk, Kadarius Toney, Robert Woods, Treylon Burks

TE:

If you’re without a QB, this looks like a fine range to acquire Lance. While his passing performance has been up and down in camp, we have little doubt he’ll be a strong rushing performer. And with George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk as pass targets, he has 3 strong, post-catch talents.

This range also turns up some WR3 candidates, including 1 of our favorite WR values in Kirk. Burks brings a wider range of outcomes but might struggle for immediate consistency. He’s best off as a WR4 to open the season.

Round 9

QB:

RB: Nyheim Hines, Kenneth Gainwell

WR: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Garrett Wilson, Rondale Moore, George Pickens

TE:

The value just isn’t here at QB/TE. We’ll soon find targets at both spots, though.

So change gears and look to add where you’re thin. Hines and Gainwell supply relative PPR safety but are best off as RB3s.

Round 10

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa

RB: Jamaal Williams, Tyler Allgeier, Isiah Pacheco

WR: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Garrett Wilson, Rondale Moore, George Pickens

TE:

We love the environments surrounding Lawrence and Tua — just don’t treat them as weekly starters. And if you landed a Murray or Jackson type, feel free to pass on a QB2 altogether.

Pacheco is a major summer riser, but he'll start out at least behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire. At WR — and perhaps across all positions — no star has shined brighter than Pickens’. It’s tough to see the math working for him with a healthy Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool (plus Pat Freiermuth) but at this stage in the draft, you’re simply buying into Pickens’ freakish talent.

Round 11

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa

RB: Khalil Herbert

WR: George Pickens, Julio Jones, Jahan Dotson, Romeo Doubs, Isaiah McKenzie, Nico Collins

TE: Evan Engram, David Njoku

Engram and Njoku pop as major TE values. Deshaun Watson will now miss 11 games, but it’s not like Njoku will be a total zero without him. Plus, if your league allows deep benches, the high-athletic TE could be a major difference-maker down the stretch.

Engram could easily finish top-2 in targets on an offense that should be ascending. After all, the WR corps is unsettled — and working with a new coaching staff under HC Doug Pederson.

Round 12

QB:

RB: Zamir White, Eno Benjamin

WR: Jahan Dotson, Parris Campbell, Romeo Doubs, Nico Collins

TE: Evan Engram, David Njoku

By now, you likely have something like 1-2 QBs, 4-5 RBs, 5-6 WRs and 1-2 TEs. Determine where you’re thin and shoot for some upside.

Benjamin pops as a bench stash behind James Conner. Doubs has been a training camp darling and flashed in Week 1 of the preseason, while Campbell — if healthy — should finally emerge alongside Matt Ryan. There’s no doubt that Indy is currently thin at WR.

Rounds 13-16

QB: Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz

RB: Eno Benjamin, Jeff Wilson, Dontrell Hilliard

WR: Wan’Dale Robinson, Josh Palmer

TE: Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett

K: Brandon McManus, Dustin Hopkins

DEF: Ravens, Titans

Wait until the final 2 rounds to land a kicker and a defense. Throughout the year, you can use our weekly rankings to help play the matchups at both positions.

PICK 7, 8, 9 OR 10

Round 1

QB:

RB: Austin Ekeler, Joe Mixon, Saquon Barkley, Najee Harris

WR: Ja’Marr Chase

TE:

If Ekeler doesn’t fall, this is a bit of a no-man’s land.

Assuming McCaffrey-Taylor-Ekeler-Kupp-Jefferson-Cook-Henry are off the board come the 8th pick, the highest DMVP picks are: Mixon, Barkley and Harris. (Note: A player’s DMVP value takes into account his projection, your league’s scoring rules and your team needs.)

We’d take the best available player from that group. Barkley might even make it back to you in the 2nd, but we’re buyers even in Round 1.

Round 2

QB:

RB: Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara, Leonard Fournette

WR: CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill

TE: Travis Kelce

Kelce supplies a huge positional advantage, particularly in a 14-teamer. He also ensures that you won’t have to play the frustrating game of streaming TEs. Current projections have Kelce leading TEs in scoring by a whopping 40 points, the largest gap from #1 to #2 at any position.

We’d pass on Kelce in Round 2 if you started WR, as your RB options might be slim come the 3rd. But he’s a viable pick if you start with, oh...I don't know.... Barkley!

If you don’t like grabbing a TE this high, Kamara or Lamb look like high-on options. Selecting Kamara means you can really avoid RB — at a time when you want to do so — over the next 4+ rounds.

Round 3

QB:

RB: Travis Etienne, Breece Hall

WR: D.J. Moore, Mike Williams

TE:

We love Etienne (scroll down a bit at the link). He’s an ideal RB2, if you don't already have 2 backs.

Moore and Williams are low-end to fringe WR1-types, each boasting big-time spike week potential. Recall that Williams was the #1 WR in all of fantasy for the first 5 weeks of 2021. Baker Mayfield represents at least a small upgrade on Sam Darnold, giving some hope to a mini TD spike from Moore.

Round 4

QB:

RB:

WR: Brandin Cooks, Allen Robinson, Jerry Jeudy, D.K. Metcalf

TE: Darren Waller

RB is shaky at this point, with ADP showing guys like J.K. Dobbins and Josh Jacobs as potentially your top choices. Especially if you have 2 RBs already, pivot to a loaded WR group.

The trio above has Cooks 10 points ahead of Robinson; 15 ahead of Jeudy. Metcalf’s QB situation is really the only thing dropping him this far, but a WR1 season shouldn’t be ruled out.

Waller’s an OK pick here, although we’ll find a value option later on who’s projected for only 11 fewer points.

Round 5

QB: Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray

RB: Tony Pollard, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

WR: Rashod Bateman, Michael Thomas, Adam Thielen

TE:

There’s not much to get excited about at RB beyond Pollard. Sure, a healthy Zeke Elliott will limit the ceiling, but we believe Dallas’ chatter about an increased passing game role for the contract-year back. He’s an electric talent worth betting on as an RB3/FLEX+. CEH’s star has faded a bit, especially with rookie Isiah Pacheco quickly climbing the depth chart.

Jackson and Murray supply access to a potential overall QB1 — and they prevent you the headache of having to stream QBs in a deep league.

If they’re gone, though, pivot to the best-available WR, which just might be our 2022 Breakout Player. Thomas brings injury risk, but the word on him has been all positive so far.

Round 6

QB: Jalen Hurts

RB: Tony Pollard, Dameon Pierce

WR: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hunter Renfrow

TE: Dallas Goedert

Hurts is setup for success with a strong trio of pass-catchers and an elite O-line. Mix in his rushing ability, and he’s somebody we’ve drafted a ton at cost.

JuJu’s been the Chiefs’ best-performing WR at camp. We wouldn’t put it past him to post a big-time bounce-back season, especially with so many targets up for grabs in K.C.

Goedert is one of our top TE targets because of his price, talent and past production. In an offense that should lean pass more — with a young, ascending QB — he should out-produce a TE8 ADP.

Round 7

QB: Tom Brady

RB: Cordarrelle Patterson, Chase Edmonds, Rhamondre Stevenson, James Cook

WR: Tyler Lockett, Drake London, Christian Kirk, Brandon Aiyuk

TE: Zach Ertz

Realistically, you can exit this round with something like:

S. Barkley

T. Kelce

B. Hall

J. Jeudy

R. Bateman

J. Hurts

C. Edmonds

Edmonds is particularly enticing with a new contract in hand — and a totally new (and improved) Dolphins coaching staff in town.

London is currently battling a knee injury, but it doesn’t look serious for the rookie. Ertz is one of a few discount TE options that gets our attention. With DeAndre Hopkins sidelined for the first 6 games, a strong PPR start is within reach.

Round 8

QB: Trey Lance

RB: James Cook, Darrell Henderson, Nyheim Hines

WR: Christian Kirk, Kadarius Toney, Robert Woods, Treylon Burks

TE:

If you’re without a QB, this looks like a fine range to acquire Lance. While his passing performance has been up and down in camp, we have little doubt he’ll be a strong rushing performer. And with George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk as pass targets, he has 3 strong, post-catch talents.

Hines supplies some weekly PPR safety; everyone around the Colts has talked up a larger role for 2022. Cook and Henderson have less defined (but higher upside) roles.

This range also turns up some WR3 candidates, including 1 of our favorite WR values in Kirk. Burks brings a wider range of outcomes but might struggle for immediate consistency. He’s best off as a WR4 to open the season.

Round 9

QB:

RB: Kenneth Gainwell

WR: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Garrett Wilson, Rondale Moore, George Pickens

TE:

The value just isn’t here at QB/TE. We’ll soon find targets at both spots, though.

So change gears and look to add where you’re thin. Gainwell provides relative PPR safety but he's best off as an RB3. We're particularly excited about the upside on Moore and MVS at WR.

Round 10

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa

RB: Jamaal Williams, Tyler Allgeier, Isiah Pacheco

WR: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Garrett Wilson, Rondale Moore, George Pickens

TE:

We love the environments surrounding Lawrence and Tua — just don’t treat them as weekly starters. And if you landed a Murray or Jackson type, feel free to pass on a QB2 altogether.

Pacheco is a major summer riser, but he'll start out at least behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

At WR — and perhaps across all positions — no star has shined brighter than Pickens’. It’s tough to see the math working for him with a healthy Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool (plus Pat Freiermuth) but at this stage in the draft, you’re simply buying into Pickens’ freakish talent. The Cardinals have talked up more of a downfield role for Moore, but it’s something we never really saw during his rookie year.

Round 11

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa

RB: Khalil Herbert

WR: Julio Jones, Jahan Dotson, Romeo Doubs, Isaiah McKenzie, Nico Collins

TE: Evan Engram, David Njoku

Engram and Njoku pop as major TE values. Deshaun Watson will now miss 11 games, but it’s not like Njoku will be a total zero without him. Plus, if your league allows deep benches, the high-athletic TE could be a major difference-maker down the stretch.

Engram could easily finish top-2 in targets on an offense that should be ascending. After all, the WR corps is unsettled — and working with a new coaching staff under HC Doug Pederson.

Round 12

QB:

RB: Zamir White, Eno Benjamin

WR: Jahan Dotson, Parris Campbell, Romeo Doubs, Nico Collins, Josh Palmer

TE: Evan Engram, David Njoku

By now, you likely have something like 1-2 QBs, 4-5 RBs, 5-6 WRs and 1-2 TEs. Determine where you’re thin and shoot for some upside.

Benjamin pops as a bench stash behind James Conner. Doubs has been a training camp darling and flashed in Week 1 of the preseason, while Campbell — if healthy — should finally emerge alongside Matt Ryan. There’s no doubt that Indy is currently thin at WR.

Rounds 13-16

QB: Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz

RB: Eno Benjamin, Jeff Wilson, Dontrell Hilliard

WR: Wan’Dale Robinson, Josh Palmer

TE: Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett

K: Brandon McManus, Dustin Hopkins

DEF: Ravens, Titans

Wait until the final 2 rounds to land a kicker and a defense. Throughout the year, you can use our weekly rankings to help play the matchups at both positions.

PICK 11, 12, 13 OR 14

Round 1

QB:

RB: Joe Mixon, Saquon Barkley, Najee Harris, Dalvin Cook

WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams

TE: Travis Kelce

Let’s say you’re in the 12-spot. Following ADP, you’re likely looking at Barkley, Kelce or a WR. Prioritize Barkley, our 2022 Comeback Pick.

Round 2

QB:

RB: Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara

WR: Stefon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb

TE: Travis Kelce

If you passed on Barkley in the 1st and he slipped to you in the 2nd — congrats!

From here, I favor a balanced build throughout the draft, as you don’t want positional runs leaving you with tunnel vision. So a start like Barkley-Lamb or Diggs-Barkley would be ideal.

Round 3

QB:

RB: Travis Etienne, Breece Hall

WR: D.J. Moore, Mike Williams

TE:

We love Etienne (scroll down a bit at the link). He’s an ideal RB2 with huge pass-catching potential. You’re drafting Hall for his raw talent and 3-down potential, although we expect Michael Carter to retain a small role.

Moore and Williams are low-end to fringe WR1-types, each boasting big-time spike week potential. Recall that Williams was the #1 WR in all of fantasy for the first 5 weeks of 2021. Baker Mayfield represents at least a small upgrade on Sam Darnold, giving some hope to a mini TD spike from Moore.

Round 4

QB:

RB: Breece Hall

WR: Mike Williams, Brandin Cooks, Allen Robinson, Jerry Jeudy, D.K. Metcalf

TE: Darren Waller

Unless Hall slides, RB is shaky at this point, with ADP showing guys like J.K. Dobbins and Josh Jacobs as potentially your top choices. Especially if you have 2 RBs already, pivot to a loaded WR group.

The trio above has Williams only 1 point ahead of Cooks. The Texan is 10 points ahead of Robinson; 15 ahead of Jeudy. Metcalf’s QB situation is really the only thing dropping him this far, but a WR1 season shouldn’t be ruled out.

Waller’s an OK pick here, although we’ll find a value option later on who’s projected for only 11 fewer points.

Round 5

QB: Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray

RB: Tony Pollard, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

WR: Rashod Bateman, Michael Thomas, Adam Thielen

TE:

There’s not much to get excited about at RB beyond Pollard. Sure, a healthy Zeke Elliott will limit the ceiling, but we believe Dallas’ chatter about an increased passing game role for the contract-year back. He’s an electric talent worth betting on as an RB3/FLEX+. CEH’s star has faded a bit, especially with rookie Isiah Pacheco quickly climbing the depth chart.

Jackson and Murray supply access to a potential overall QB1 — and they prevent you the headache of having to stream QBs in a deep league.

If they’re gone, though, pivot to the best-available WR, which just might be our 2022 Breakout Player.

Going into the turn, it’s a good reminder to always check and see which league-mates need — or already have — a certain position (QB? TE?) and draft accordingly.

Round 6

QB: Jalen Hurts

RB: Tony Pollard, Dameon Pierce

WR: Michael Thomas, Adam Thielen, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hunter Renfrow

TE: Dallas Goedert

Hurts is setup for success with a strong trio of pass-catchers and an elite O-line. Mix in his rushing ability, and he’s someone we’ve drafted a ton at cost.

JuJu’s been the Chiefs’ best-performing WR at camp. We wouldn’t put it past him to post a big-time bounce-back season, especially with so many targets up for grabs in K.C. A healthy season from Thomas would provide a similar outlook.

Goedert is one of our top TE targets because of his price, talent and past production. In an offense that should lean pass more — with a young, ascending QB — he should out-produce a TE8 ADP.

Round 7

QB:

RB: Cordarrelle Patterson, Chase Edmonds, Rhamondre Stevenson, James Cook

WR: Tyler Lockett, Drake London, Christian Kirk, Brandon Aiyuk

TE: Zach Ertz

Realistically, you can exit this round with something like:

S. Barkley

C. Lamb

T. Etienne

A. Robinson

R. Bateman

J. Hurts

C. Edmonds

Edmonds is particularly enticing with a new contract in hand — and a totally new (and improved) Dolphins coaching staff in town.

London is currently battling a knee injury, but it doesn’t look serious for the rookie. Ertz is one of a few discount TE options that gets our attention. With DeAndre Hopkins sidelined for the first 6 games, a strong PPR start is within reach.

Round 8

QB: Trey Lance

RB: James Cook, Darrell Henderson, Nyheim Hines

WR: Brandon Aiyuk, Kadarius Toney, Robert Woods, Treylon Burks

TE:

If you’re without a QB, this looks like a fine range to acquire Lance. While his passing performance has been up and down in camp, we have little doubt he’ll be a strong rushing performer. And with George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk as pass targets, he has 3 strong, post-catch talents.

Hines supplies some weekly PPR safety; everyone around the Colts has talked up a larger role for 2022. Cook and Henderson have less defined (but higher upside) roles.

This range also turns up some WR3 candidates, including another camp riser in Aiyuk. Word out of 49ers camp was that he has the best connection with Trey Lance. Burks maybe brings a wider range of outcomes but might struggle for immediate consistency. That’s certainly the case for Toney, too. They’re best off as WR4s to open the season.

Round 9

QB:

RB: Nyheim Hines, Kenneth Gainwell

WR: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Garrett Wilson, Rondale Moore, George Pickens

TE:

The value just isn’t here at QB/TE. We’ll soon find targets at both spots, though.

So change gears and look to add where you’re thin. Gainwell provides relative PPR safety, but he's best off as an RB3. We're particularly excited about the upside on Moore and MVS at WR.

Round 10

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa

RB: Jamaal Williams, Tyler Allgeier, Isiah Pacheco

WR: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Garrett Wilson, Rondale Moore, George Pickens

TE:

We love the environments surrounding Lawrence and Tua — just don’t treat them as weekly starters. And if you landed a Murray or Jackson type, feel free to pass on a QB2 altogether.

Pacheco is a major summer riser, but he'll start out at least behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

At WR — and perhaps across all positions — no star has shined brighter than Pickens’. It’s tough to see the math working for him with a healthy Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool (plus Pat Freiermuth) but at this stage in the draft, you’re simply buying into Pickens’ freakish talent. The Cardinals have talked up more of a downfield role for Moore, but it’s something we never really saw during his rookie year.

Round 11

QB:

RB: Khalil Herbert

WR: Julio Jones, Jahan Dotson, Romeo Doubs, Isaiah McKenzie, Nico Collins

TE: Evan Engram, David Njoku

Herbert is one of our favorite bench stash RBs. There’s handcuff value in the event of an injury to David Montgomery. And with a new coaching staff in town, it’s possible we see more of a split backfield. (Note that OC Luke Getsy comes from Green Bay, where Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon split work almost evenly in 2021.)

Engram and Njoku pop as major TE values. Deshaun Watson will now miss 11 games, but it’s not like Njoku will be a total zero without him. Plus, if your league allows deep benches, the high-athletic TE could be a major difference-maker down the stretch.

Engram could easily finish top-2 in targets on an offense that should be ascending. After all, the WR corps is unsettled — and working with a new coaching staff under HC Doug Pederson.

Round 12

QB:

RB: Zamir White, Eno Benjamin

WR: Jahan Dotson, Parris Campbell, Romeo Doubs, Nico Collins

TE: Evan Engram, David Njoku

By now, you likely have something like 1-2 QBs, 4-5 RBs, 5-6 WRs and 1-2 TEs. Determine where you’re thin and shoot for some upside.

Benjamin pops as a bench stash behind James Conner. Doubs has been a training camp darling and flashed in Week 1 of the preseason, while Campbell — if healthy — should finally emerge alongside Matt Ryan. There’s no doubt that Indy is currently thin at WR.

Rounds 13-16

QB: Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz

RB: Eno Benjamin, Jeff Wilson, Dontrell Hilliard

WR: Wan’Dale Robinson, Josh Palmer

TE: Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett

K: Brandon McManus, Dustin Hopkins

DEF: Ravens, Titans

Wait until the final 2 rounds to land a kicker and a defense. Throughout the year, you can use our weekly rankings to help play the matchups at both positions.

Kevin English, Senior Analyst

Kevin brings 15 years of experience as a fantasy analyst and mid-stakes competitor across various formats (redraft, best ball, dynasty, DFS). His work has been featured on The Mercury News, Rotoworld, and FantasyPros.