Fantasy Football Draft Guide: Learning from the Experts
Head Coach Brian Jenkins
Fantasy football has become a cultural phenomenon, with millions of players competing each week to see whose imaginary team can outscore their friends, coworkers, and family members. If you're new to the game or looking to improve your draft strategy, there's no better way to learn than by studying how the experts approach their selections.
What is Fantasy Football?
Fantasy football is a game where you act as the general manager of your own NFL team. You draft real NFL players and score points based on their actual performance in games. When your quarterback throws a touchdown pass, you get points. When your running back rushes for 100 yards, you get points. The goal is simple: accumulate more points than your opponents each week.
Understanding Draft Basics
League Format
Most fantasy leagues consist of 8-12 teams, with 12-team leagues being the most common competitive format. In the recent ESPN expert mock draft we'll analyze, 12 seasoned fantasy analysts participated, giving us insight into current player valuations and strategies.
Scoring System
The mock draft used PPR (Points Per Reception) scoring, which awards one additional point for every catch a player makes. This scoring system tends to increase the value of pass-catching running backs and slot receivers who see high target volumes.
Draft Order
Fantasy drafts typically use a "snake" format, meaning if you pick first in Round 1, you pick last in Round 2. This creates strategic considerations about when to target certain positions.
Key Lessons from the Expert Draft
Round 1: Elite Talent Only
The first round should be reserved for the most reliable, high-upside players. In this mock draft, we saw an interesting mix of wide receivers and running backs dominate the early picks:
Wide Receivers Went Early: Ja'Marr Chase went first overall, followed by Justin Jefferson at third. This reflects the current NFL's pass-heavy approach and the reliability of elite wide receivers.
Running Back Scarcity: Despite questions about their workload certainty, running backs like Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and surprisingly, rookie Ashton Jeanty, went in the top five. This shows how valuable reliable rushing production has become.
The Surprise Pick
Stephania Bell's selection of Las Vegas Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty at fifth overall raised eyebrows. Jeanty typically goes around pick 13 in most drafts, but Bell saw enough upside to reach for him while proven veterans like Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey remained available. This illustrates an important fantasy principle: sometimes you have to trust your evaluation over consensus rankings.
Positional Strategy Through the Rounds
Rounds 2-3: Fill Your Starting Lineup The second and third rounds saw a continued focus on running backs and wide receivers, with the first tight end (Brock Bowers) coming off the board at pick 19. The first quarterback wasn't selected until pick 27 (Lamar Jackson), demonstrating the "late QB" strategy many experts employ.
Rounds 4-6: Value and Depth These middle rounds are where championships are often won. Players like Marvin Harrison Jr. (pick 42) and Breece Hall (pick 58) offer significant upside at discounted prices due to various concerns about their situations.
Late Rounds: Lottery Tickets Rounds 7 and beyond become about finding players with breakout potential or securing handcuff running backs who could become valuable if the starter gets injured.
Draft Strategy Tips for Beginners
1. Know Your League Settings
Before drafting, understand your league's scoring system, roster requirements, and waiver wire rules. A PPR league values pass-catchers differently than standard scoring.
2. Don't Reach for Quarterbacks
Unlike in real football, quarterback is often the least important fantasy position early in drafts. You can find solid QB production in later rounds while focusing on scarce running back and wide receiver talent early.
3. Handcuff Your Running Backs
Running backs get injured frequently. Consider drafting the backup to your starting running back in later rounds as insurance.
4. Pay Attention to Team Context
A great player on a bad team might struggle for fantasy relevance. Consider offensive line quality, defensive strength (which affects game script), and coaching philosophy when evaluating players.
5. Value Consistency Over Boom-Bust
Especially early in drafts, prioritize players with high floors over those with merely high ceilings. You want players who will contribute every week.
Position-by-Position Breakdown
Running Backs
Early Rounds: Target bell-cow backs who will handle 250+ carries and significant receiving work
Middle Rounds: Look for players in favorable offensive systems or those who could see increased usage
Late Rounds: Handcuff your starters and target change-of-pace backs with upside
Wide Receivers
Early Rounds: Focus on target leaders and red zone threats
Middle Rounds: Seek receivers in high-powered offenses or those due for positive regression
Late Rounds: Take flyers on rookies and players changing teams
Tight Ends
Strategy: Either draft an elite option early (like Brock Bowers at pick 19) or wait until very late and stream the position
Avoid: The middle-round "no man's land" where you pay starter prices for inconsistent production
Quarterbacks
Strategy: Wait until Round 6 or later unless an elite dual-threat QB falls
Target: Mobile QBs who add rushing upside and QBs in high-powered offensive systems
Common Rookie Mistakes to Avoid
Drafting a defense or kicker too early - These positions are largely unpredictable and should be your last picks
Overvaluing big names - Past performance doesn't guarantee future success
Ignoring bye weeks - Don't draft multiple players from the same team early
Following rankings blindly - Understand the reasoning behind player rankings
Panicking during the draft - Stick to your strategy and adapt when necessary
Mock Draft Takeaways
The ESPN expert draft reveals several key trends for the upcoming season:
Wide receiver depth is exceptional, allowing for a balanced approach to the position
Running back remains a premium position despite injury concerns
Quarterback can be addressed later without significantly hurting your team
Tight end is a boom-or-bust position requiring strategic timing
Final Advice
Fantasy football success comes from preparation, but also from staying flexible during your draft. Study player situations, understand your league's unique dynamics, and don't be afraid to pivot when value presents itself. The experts in this mock draft weren't afraid to reach for players they believed in or wait on positions others were targeting early.
Remember, winning your fantasy league isn't about having the most knowledge – it's about making better decisions than your opponents. Use expert drafts like this one as a guide, but trust your instincts when it matters most.
Whether you're drafting Ja'Marr Chase first overall or taking a flyer on a rookie like Ashton Jeanty in the first round, the key is having conviction in your choices and the flexibility to adapt as your draft unfolds.
