- Justin Jefferson should rebound: The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver is projected to have Kyler Murray throwing passes to him now, which should make him a clear-cut first-round wide receiver like most seasons.
- Draft running backs early: A clear tier break emerges after the top group of running backs, making it important to secure two early. Roughly 12 or 13 of the first 22 picks should be running backs, with Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane standing out as a prime target in the early second round.
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This perfect draft strategy for 10-team, single-quarterback, redraft PPR fantasy football leagues for Picks 8-10 is built on a consensus of current average draft positions (ADPs) from ESPN, Sleeper and Yahoo. It's your round-by-round guide to building a winning roster.
Last updated: Thursday, Aug. 12
Round 1, Picks 8-10: Draft a wide receiver
In a typical draft, the top seven players are clear by ADP regardless of platform. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor, along with wide receivers Puka Nacua, Ja'Marr Chase and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, are likely gone by this range. If one of them happens to fall to you, take advantage and grab him rather than sticking with this strategy.
ADP from this point on is a lot less consistent. James Cook III is the next player up on ESPN, CeeDee Lamb on Yahoo! and Amon-Ra St. Brown on Sleeper. The top player in our rankings, though, is Justin Jefferson, based on how well he has played throughout his career whenever he has had a decent quarterback, and this year he should. It is at least possible you could take a player with an earlier ADP here and have Jefferson fall to the early second round, but I would go the safe route and pick him first.
Top Target: Justin Jefferson
Jefferson was a top-five fantasy wide receiver in points per game each season from 2021 to 2024. That streak ended in 2025 when he finished 30th, largely because his catchable target rate dropped nearly 10% and his end zone catchable target rate fell from 50% to 25% with Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy under center. The Vikings addressed the quarterback situation by signing Kyler Murray, the best available option. Murray has supported elite fantasy receivers before, including DeAndre Hopkins as a top-five receiver in 2020 and Trey McBride‘s TE2 season in 2024. There is always some risk with a new quarterback, but Murray represents a significant upgrade over what Jefferson dealt with last season. This change should be enough to return Jefferson to the top-five fantasy wide receivers.
Possible Targets: Amon-Ra St. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Drake London, A.J. Brown, Nico Collins
Round 2, Picks 11-13: Draft a running back or Drake London
A running back is the right call in most second-round situations, regardless of who you took in the first round. A few teams have shown a firm commitment to a single running back in a strong offense, leading to significant consistency among the top running backs over the past two seasons.
In addition, some teams have recently made major investments in a running back, either via a first-round pick or a highly paid free agent. This creates a notable tier gap between the top 15 running backs and everyone else, and most of them will come off the board within the first two rounds or the early third round. That means roughly 12 or 13 of the first 22 or so picks will be running backs.
Ideally, you'll be one of the teams with two of these backs on your roster, or even three if you're comfortable relying on several mid-round wide receivers.
Top Target: De'Von Achane
Achane is one of the most talented running backs in the league and the clear focal point of Miami's offense, which makes him a safe top-10 option. But the ecosystem around him works against a higher finish: The Dolphins' run-blocking has ranked among the worst in the league, the offense has struggled to score and an offseason of departures raises the risk that it takes another step back. With Achane’s volume already historic for his size and little room to grow, he profiles as a strong starter but an unlikely bet to crack the very top backs.
Possible Targets: Ashton Jeanty, Chase Brown, Kenneth Walker, Omarion Hampton, Drake London
Round 3, Picks 28-30: Draft a running back
The third round has a mix of solid running back and wide receiver options. If you haven't drafted a wide receiver yet, I would take one here. If you have, add a second running back. The top backs available in this round will likely share their backfields but play for some of the NFL's best offenses. Meanwhile, several wide receivers have a history of finishing among the top 10 in fantasy points.
Late in the second round is when you would expect the top quarterback, Josh Allen, and the top two tight ends, Trey McBride and Brock Bowers, to go off the board. While all three should again rank among the top players at their respective positions in 2026, the void between them and the rest of the field has shrunk, making the quarterbacks and tight ends available in the next few rounds better values.
Top Target: Kyren Williams
Williams is one of four running backs to finish top 12 in fantasy points per game in each of the last three seasons. He benefits from one of the league's best offenses in Los Angeles, where the Rams retained nearly their entire offensive unit and upgraded significantly on defense. The only real ceiling concern is a drive-by-drive rotation with Blake Corum, who posted an identical 87.0 PFF rushing grade last season. Williams' edge as the better receiving back should keep him as the primary fantasy asset even if the split continues.
Possible Targets: Josh Jacobs, Breece Hall, Javonte Williams, Quinshon Judkins, Cam Skattebo
Round 4, Picks 31-33: Draft a wide receiver or Breece Hall
The fourth round offers a relatively easy choice: Take the best available wide receiver. That should be your pick regardless of which positions you targeted in the first three rounds.
The top 15 running backs are off the board at this point, leaving options that are returning from injury, in unknown situations or fighting for playing time. Allen, McBride and Bowers are gone, and the next-best quarterbacks and tight ends should be available in Round 5.
Top Target: DeVonta Smith
Smith has been a dependable fantasy starter throughout his career, ranking among the top 30 wide receivers in fantasy points per game in each of the last four seasons despite playing as the second option behind A.J. Brown. Smith has been at his best out wide, posting an 89.9 PFF receiving grade and 2.95 yards per route run there in 2025, tied for third-best in the league. With Brown traded and Philadelphia's additions of Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks profiling as slot options, Smith should play significantly more out wide while seeing a career-high target rate. His floor is safer than ever, and the Eagles rebounding as a team could push him into the top-five or top-10 conversation.
Possible Targets: Zay Flowers, Garrett Wilson, Ladd McConkey, Luther Burden III, Breece Hall
Round 5, Picks 48-50: Draft a running back
There are typically enough good tight ends and quarterbacks falling to Round 7 or later that it makes sense to keep building depth at running back or wide receiver. Tight ends could start to creep up at some point this summer, particularly if it becomes clear that the injured options will be ready for Week 1. As long as they keep falling, there's no harm in waiting.
The strength of the draft at this point is at wide receiver, but if a top-20 running back is still on the board, that's the pick. The middle rounds will offer plenty of chances to find value at receiver, while running back value dries up much faster. Add the back here, then punt the position for most of the rest of the draft unless the decent options start disappearing.
Top Target: Quinshon Judkins
Judkins was Cleveland's lead back as a rookie but ran behind one of the league's worst offensive lines, dragging his efficiency to 3.6 yards per carry. The Browns overhauled that line this offseason, and while it may still grade below average, it should be far better than last year's unit. Judkins is also coming off a season-ending ankle and fibula injury but has been a full participant this offseason and looks on track for Week 1, though there is some question about whether he will be at his usual standard right away. If he returns to form behind the improved blocking and a larger workload, he profiles as a top-20 back. As long as the second-year rusher stays healthy, his volume alone should make him a trustworthy weekly fantasy starter.
Possible Targets: D'Andre Swift, David Montgomery, Rhamondre Stevenson, Bhayshul Tuten, Tony Pollard
Round 6, Picks 51-53: Draft a wide receiver
The sixth round is a great time to add a third wide receiver. Waiting two more rounds for a solid tight end and quarterback costs you almost nothing.
That flexibility is the biggest difference between 10-team and 12-team leagues. In a 10-team league, you can land a dominant third running back and third wide receiver and still come away with a great quarterback and tight end. In a 12-team league, you have to pick one or the other.
If you want to avoid a wide receiver in this round for whatever reason, a running back like Quinshon Judkins is the best option. Backs in this range carry some risk, but only so many clear starting running backs remain.
Top Target: Luther Burden III
Burden excelled as a rookie despite never earning a full-time role, leading all Bears wide receivers with a 77.7 PFF receiving grade while finishing third among NFL wideouts in yards per route run (2.69) behind only Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. His snap share, below 30% in the first half of the season, regularly exceeded 50% by year's end. Chicago cleared his path to a starting job by trading DJ Moore and letting Olamide Zaccheaus walk, replacing them with only Kalif Raymond and a third-round rookie. Burden was especially dangerous in 12 personnel, generating 6.51 yards per route run, the best mark by any wide receiver in any personnel grouping with at least 40 routes. The addition of rookie tight end Sam Roush could push the Bears further in that direction. The expanded role makes Burden a prime breakout candidate, particularly as a value in casual leagues.
Possible Targets: Terry McLaurin, Parker Washington, Jameson Williams, DJ Moore, Christian Watson
Round 7, Picks 68-70: Draft a wide receiver, Justin Herbert or Tucker Kraft
The seventh round is an optimal time to select a tight end. Tucker Kraft, Sam LaPorta and George Kittle all have some injury concerns, which have pushed their ADPs down. There are also a lot of exciting young tight ends who have flown up draft boards, which has pushed these veterans down even further.
However, all three finished among the top seven tight ends in fantasy points per game last season, and all have recent seasons with at least 14.0 PPR points per game. As long as they are healthy, they are steals in the sixth round.
There is a chance each of those tight ends will be off the board, in which case it makes sense to wait. One option is to pick a quarterback now to ensure you don't miss out on those players as well. If not, go with a wide receiver.
Top Target: Parker Washington
Washington broke out late last season, taking over the slot in Liam Coen's offense and posting a strong finish through the playoffs while also displaying the ability to produce on the outside. He returns to a crowded Jacksonville receiver room, but projects as one of the team's top two targets alongside Brian Thomas Jr. Coen's track record with elite fantasy receivers gives him real appeal, but a balanced, run-leaning offense makes Washington more of a boom-or-bust play than a steady weekly producer.
Possible Targets: Christian Watson, Brian Thomas Jr., DK Metcalf, Tucker Kraft, Justin Herbert
Round 8, Picks 71-73: Draft a quarterback or wide receiver
The eighth round is a fine time to consider a quarterback, but it's important to read the room at the position this year. There are a lot of good quarterback options, so plenty of fantasy managers are waiting.
If quarterbacks are going early in your league, this is typically the point when everyone will have taken at least one, and some may even start picking backups in the next round or two. That means it's time to get one you're comfortable starting most weeks. If you're in a league where most people are waiting at quarterback, you can usually get one of the best options at a value here while others continue to wait.
If you would rather hold off at quarterback a while longer, this is a fine time to pick another wide receiver, as there are still a few great options on the board.
Top Target: Parker Washington
Washington broke out late last season, taking over the slot in Liam Coen's offense and posting a strong finish through the playoffs while also displaying the ability to produce on the outside. He returns to a crowded Jacksonville receiver room but projects as one of the team's top two targets alongside Brian Thomas Jr. Coen's track record with elite fantasy receivers gives him real appeal, but a balanced, run-leaning offense makes Washington more of a boom-or-bust play than a steady weekly producer.
Possible Targets: Christian Watson, Brian Thomas Jr., DK Metcalf, Justin Herbert, Trevor Lawrence
Round 9, Picks 88-90: Draft a wide receiver or Travis Kelce
The strength at this point in the draft is wide receiver, where some of the best breakout and sleeper options are still available.
This is also a fine time to consider a tight end if you missed out on the top tight ends earlier.
Top Target: Parker Washington
Washington broke out late last season, taking over the slot in Liam Coen's offense and posting a strong finish through the playoffs while also displaying the ability to produce on the outside. He returns to a crowded Jacksonville receiver room but projects as one of the team's top two targets alongside Brian Thomas Jr. Coen's track record with elite fantasy receivers gives him real appeal, but a balanced, run-leaning offense makes Washington more of a boom-or-bust play than a steady weekly producer.
Possible Targets: Josh Downs, Quentin Johnston, Michael Pittman Jr., Jayden Reed, Travis Kelce
Round 10, Picks 91-93: Draft a quarterback
Your options in the 10th round are wide open. The only position I wouldn't prioritize is tight end, since you will likely start the same one every week regardless of opponent.
For this draft, I lean toward a second quarterback, though waiting a few more rounds and adding running back and receiver depth is fine too.
Top Target: Brock Purdy
Purdy has finished among the top 12 quarterbacks in each of his three seasons as a starter, doing it both with a loaded supporting cast and through stretches of heavy injuries. His 91.1 offensive grade ranks sixth at the position over that span. Purdy is going outside the top 12 despite play that warrants a spot inside it, and San Francisco's offseason additions of Mike Evans and Christian Kirk should give him his best receiving group in years. The main risk is how many of his key weapons are aging veterans, since a decline from one or more could drag down the whole offense. On balance, Purdy is an undervalued quarterback and a strong reason to feel comfortable waiting at the position.
Possible Targets: Kyler Murray, Bo Nix, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff
Round 11, Picks 108-110: Draft a running back
Round 11 is the time to start selecting sleepers. Several running backs should see significant playing time and have a chance at a lead role if everything goes well. These backs can also be occasional fantasy starters when your other players are on bye.
Top Target: Jonathon Brooks
Brooks entered the league as the top running back of the 2024 class with no clear weaknesses in his profile, but two ACL tears in the same right knee wiped out most of two seasons. Carolina shut him down for all of 2025 to protect him and didn't meaningfully replace Rico Dowdle, a sign the team is counting on him. He looked good in OTAs, and while the Panthers may ease him in early, the starting job is his to take from Chuba Hubbard. That makes him one of the rare late-round backs with a clear path to an every-down role that doesn't depend on an injury ahead of him, and a strong value as long as his ADP stays late.
Possible Targets: Jordan Mason, Aaron Jones Sr., Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Round 12, Picks 111-113: Draft a wide receiver
Several young wide receivers have shown some promise but haven't become consistent fantasy starters yet, and there is reason for optimism around them. This is the point of the draft to take a chance on a player breaking out.
Top Target: Josh Downs
Downs has been quietly excellent across his first three seasons as the Colts' slot receiver, earning an 82.5 PFF grade and ranking among the top 30 in yards per route run. The catch for fantasy has been usage: Stuck in 11 personnel behind Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr., he played just 58.7% of snaps last season, well below the 80%-plus that most startable receivers see. After Indianapolis traded Pittman to Pittsburgh, Downs was bumped to second on the depth chart, and general manager Chris Ballard has publicly endorsed a bigger role. Following a 44th-place finish in fantasy points, Downs should climb into top-36 territory on added volume. Yet, he's being drafted like he'll regress, which makes him a nice late-round value.
Possible Targets: Quentin Johnston, Jayden Reed, Xavier Worthy, Stefon Diggs, Jayden Higgins
Round 13, Picks 128-130: Draft a running back
Round 13 is another chance to take a swing at a running back or wide receiver. The choice should come down to where your roster is weakest and needs reinforcing, as well as whether any players have fallen significantly below their ADP and are worth taking advantage of.
Top Target: Jordan Mason
Since 2022, Mason ranks third among running backs with at least 300 carries in yards per carry, yards after contact per carry and first down or touchdown rate. He is the only back in that group with a positive grade on over half of his runs, making him one of the most efficient runners in the league. Mason averaged 14.5 PPR points per game in his four starts last season with Minnesota, and with Aaron Jones now 31 and having missed at least five contests in two of the last three seasons, Mason is likely to be the primary back for some stretch of 2026. A healthier offensive line and the addition of Kyler Murray at quarterback should push Minnesota from 26th in scoring toward the top half of the league, which would directly benefit Mason through more goal-line opportunities and more fourth-quarter running. He is one of the top handcuff options in fantasy drafts, with real standalone value even if Jones stays healthy.
Possible Targets: Chris Rodriguez Jr., Keaton Mitchell, Tyler Allgeier, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Dylan Sampson
Round 14–18: Fill Depth
Use any additional picks to draft a kicker and team defense if required; otherwise, stock up on running backs and wide receivers.
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