- Drake London had a breakout 2024 season: A new coaching staff and quarterback led London to go from a borderline fantasy starter to a must-start and potential top-10 option.
- Pick the best remaining player: There have been a clear top-five players by ADP, and ideally, Jahmyr Gibbs is the one to fall.
- Subscribe to PFF+: Get access to player grades, PFF Premium Stats, fantasy football rankings, all of the PFF fantasy draft research tools and more!
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
This perfect draft strategy for 10-team, single-quarterback, redraft, PPR fantasy football leagues uses a consensus of current average draft positions (ADPs) from ESPN, Sleeper and Yahoo! to deliver a round-by-round guide for managers picking fifth overall. To find more information about any player mentioned in this article, click on the player's name to find their fantasy football player profile.
Last updated: Thursday, August 21
Round 1, Pick 5: Draft a running back
Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley and Jahmyr Gibbs are the clear top five players by ADP, but there is significantly less consensus on who should be the sixth pick. Typically, Gibbs is the player among the five to fall, making him the top option. He ranks third in my rankings, ahead of Jefferson and Barkley, so picking him here would be a steal. If Gibbs is picked earlier and someone else falls, it’s fine to select the other top-five option.
Top Target: Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs was the 12th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft and is one of just three running backs selected with a top-20 pick in the last seven drafts. His playing time has been limited the past two seasons as he splits time with David Montgomery. He’s managed to be an elite fantasy option with the most fantasy points per carry over the last two seasons of any running back. When Montgomery was injured late last season, he showed he could be the best running back in fantasy football if given enough opportunity. The Lions have a new offensive coordinator and new running back coach, which could lead to an increase in chances for Gibbs, pushing him closer to the top of the fantasy draft board.
Possible Targets: Christian McCaffrey, Ashton Jeanty, Bucky Irving, De'Von Achane, Derrick Henry
Round 2, Pick 16: Draft a wide receiver
Ten wide receivers have a strong case to finish among the top three at the position, speaking to the strength of the position. Given there are at least four running backs who are selected in the first round, at least one early in the second round and Brock Bowers, who is usually an early second-round pick, there should be at least one, if not more, of the top wide receivers available. It makes sense to pick the best one with this pick.
Top Target: Drake London
Drake London was the eighth overall pick in the 2022 draft, but failed to be a regular fantasy football starter in his first two years due to limited quarterback play, Arthur Smith’s run-first offense, and a rotation at wide receiver. In 2024, the Falcons were still a run-first team thanks to Bijan Robinson, but he was on the field more often, the quarterback play was much better, and he played in the slot more often. London was playing like a top-three fantasy wide receiver in three games with Michael Penix Jr. last season, but Penix was also throwing to London at an unsustainable rate. Penix’s quality of play will determine if London can finish among the top 10 fantasy wide receivers.
Possible Targets: A.J. Brown, Tee Higgins, Garrett Wilson, Ladd McConkey, Marvin Harrison Jr.
Round 3, Pick 25: Draft a tight end
Throughout the offseason, I generally advocated for a quarterback or a tight end early. However, the ADP for the best sleeper options has gotten earlier, while that hasn’t been the case for the best sleeper quarterbacks. It is also easier to predict which week a quarterback might play well based on the opponent compared to a tight end, making it easier to have two quarterbacks compared to tight end. That means tight end is the better option to target earlier.
Top Target: Trey McBride
McBride became the Cardinals' primary tight end in the middle of the 2023 season, and he’s been an elite fantasy option at the position ever since. He averaged at least 15 PPR points in both seasons once he became the starter. McBride led the league in both receptions per game (6.9) and receptions per route (0.21) last season. His yards per game (71.6) and targets per game (8.7) were both second-best. The Cardinals kept the coaching staff and players on the offense essentially the same as last season, making it easier to expect more of the same from McBride. If anything, we can expect a few more touchdowns after his low touchdown total from last season.
Possible Targets: George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Sam LaPorta, David Njoku, Tucker Kraft
Round 4, Pick 36: Draft a wide receiver
Generally, it’s helpful to have one running back after the first four rounds. After picking a running back and a tight end last round, that leaves quarterback or wide receiver. Every quarterback available here should be available in the next round, leaving wide receiver as the best option.
Top Target: Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson had the best statistical season of his career with Aaron Rodgers throwing him passes. He gains Justin Fields, who will run and get sacked more than Rodgers did, but he also has less competition for targets without Davante Adams or Tyler Conklin. He could play more in the slot, as his new offensive coordinator, Tanner Engstrand, worked for several years with Amon-Ra St. Brown. Wilson has 1.97 yards per route run from the slot compared to 1.54 out wide during his career. This should lead Wilson to his first season as a top-20 fantasy wide receiver in points per game.
Possible Targets: Marvin Harrison Jr., Terry McLaurin, Davante Adams, Travis Hunter, D.J. Moore
Round 5, Pick 45: Draft a quarterback
In 12-team leagues, if you miss out on the top four quarterbacks, it makes sense to continue waiting for late-round options. In 10-team leagues, Mahomes can be a value because a lot of the best options available in this range will also be available in the next round. That makes it easier to take a chance on Mahomes here, even if the gap between him and guys available in the next few rounds is small.
Top Target: Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes is a three-time Super Bowl champion and three-time MVP. His fantasy production was elite, but in the last two seasons, his stats have fallen back to Earth. The Chiefs have only done as much as they need to win without blowing teams out. Additionally, their best receiver, Travis Kelce, is on the downswing of his career, and the wide receiver room hasn’t worked as well as planned in either season. Despite this, he’s had a high floor and has stayed healthy, leaving him among the top-12 fantasy quarterbacks. The wide receiver room on paper is the best it’s been since Tyreek Hill was on the team. If they can stay healthy, Mahomes should bounce back compared to the last two years.
Possible Targets: Baker Mayfield, Brock Purdy, Justin Fields, J.J. McCarthy, Trevor Lawrence
Round 6, Pick 56: Draft a running back
R.J. Harvey and Travis Hunter were two of the biggest winners of the NFL draft for fantasy purposes, and their ADP was always a little low relative to their potential. The first week of the preseason showed their teams have big plans for these two players, and they remain two of the biggest steals of the draft. The goal with these next two picks is to pick those two players.
Harvey’s ADP is earlier on Yahoo! and Sleeper, while Hunter’s ADP is earlier on ESPN, which should play into your decision. There are also other excellent wide receiver options to pivot to, like Jameson Williams and Tetairoa McMillan, while there is a larger gap between Harvey and the other running backs. This leads to Harvey being the first pick here, but it’s worth considering Hunter first, particularly on ESPN.
Top Target: R.J. Harvey
Harvey was arguably the biggest winner in the draft at running back because he landed on a team where his skill set could lead to fantasy stardom. Denver Broncos running backs have caught 214 passes over the past two years, which is more than any other team, and Harvey is projected to be the Broncos' primary receiving back. A top-ten season is within the realm of possibility if he dominates the passing down role and also averages at least eight carries per game. However, the Broncos' backfield could remain volatile despite the addition of Harvey.
Possible Targets: Jordan Mason, Jaylen Warren, Isiah Pacheco, TreVeyon Henderson, Aaron Jones Sr.
Round 7, Pick 65: Draft a wide receiver
As mentioned above, this is the time to take either a high-upside young wide receiver option or R.J. Harvey.
Top Target: Travis Hunter
The sky is the limit for Hunter, a truly unique athlete. He is arguably the best wide receiver and best cornerback in the 2025 draft class. That uniqueness makes it difficult to project how much he can help a fantasy manager at the wide receiver position. Fantasy-relevant wide receivers are consistently playing a minimum of 75% of offensive snaps, and there is a chance Hunter falls below that threshold. His role on offense could be restricted in a way that makes Hunter unstartable, but Hunter could also become the top wide receiver in the NFL and fantasy. He is arguably the most risky player to pick in fantasy drafts, offering both significant risk and reward.
Possible Targets: Jameson Williams, Tetairoa McMillan, DeVonta Smith, Chris Olave, Jaylen Waddle
Round 8, Pick 76: Draft a wide receiver
The strength of this point of the draft is at wide receiver, as all of the clear-cut top running backs are no longer on the board, and every other running back is either fighting for the starting job, in a committee, or there is some uncertainty around their usage. On the other hand, the wide receivers available in this range are obvious starters, with either experience of being a fantasy starter or risky starters who haven’t proven themselves in the NFL yet, but have the upside to be top-10 players.
Top Target: Chris Olave
Olave has the talent to be a top-15 fantasy wide receiver. He scored the 16th-most fantasy points in 2023, and his PFF receiving grade has been at least 82.0 each season. The Saints added Kellen Moore as their head coach, and his slot receivers have been a consistent value in fantasy football. Olave is the wide receiver best suited to line up in the slot. However, Olave has five documented concussions. This makes him both more likely than the typical player to suffer another concussion and more likely to miss significant time if he suffers another one. After Derek Carr’s retirement, the Saints are stuck between three young and unproven quarterback options, which is also working against Olave.
Possible Targets: Emeka Egbuka, Rome Odunze, Ricky Pearsall, Deebo Samuel, Jakobi Meyers
Round 9, Pick 85: Draft a wide receiver
As mentioned above, wide receiver is the strength of the draft, and you can never have too many wide receivers. Egbuka is the player listed here, but there is a chance his ADP will change dramatically with the news that McMillan will miss the first half of the season. If he’s no longer available, move on to the next best wide receiver.
Top Target: Emeka Egbuka
Egbuka was a very talented receiver out of Ohio State, but he was consistently the second wide receiver in Ohio State’s offense. He averaged 2.75 yards per route run against zone defenses over the last three seasons, which places him over the 95th percentile among FBS receivers. With the Buccaneers, he will be the second or third option in the short term. Jalen McMillan is expected to miss the first half of the season due to a preseason injury, while there is a chance Chris Godwin will miss the start of the season. That will give Egbuka an immediate opportunity to succeed.
Possible Targets: Ricky Pearsall, Deebo Samuel, Jakobi Meyers, Jauan Jennings, Stefon Diggs
Round 10, Pick 96: Draft a running back
After focusing on wide receivers in multiple rounds, it’s time to turn back to the running back position. You can ideally draft three backs who are in committees with high upside, and the first comes at this pick.
Top Target: Jordan Mason
Jordan Mason quickly went from undrafted rookie to the top backup running back for the 49ers, despite the team consistently spending mid-to-late round draft picks on running backs. An injury to Christian McCaffrey allowed Mason to be a starter to begin the 2024 season, and he was sixth in fantasy points per game over five weeks before he started dealing with injuries. Mason was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, where Aaron Jones Sr. is the main running back. The two will likely be in a committee that includes Mason receiving significant work in rushing situations, while Jones gets more in passing situations. Jones is over 30 years old and has dealt with multiple injuries over the last two seasons. While Mason might not score enough weekly to start in fantasy in normal situations, if Jones is dealing with an injury or is showing more signs of age, we could see Jones as a weekly player to start.
Possible Targets: Quinshon Judkins, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rhamondre Stevenson, Javonte Williams, Cam Skattebo
Round 11, Pick 105: Draft a running back
There are only a few running backs left who are expected to lead their team in carries, so it makes sense to add yet another running back before these players are no longer available.
Top Target: Rhamondre Stevenson
Rhamondre Stevenson has spent the last four seasons with the Patriots and has been an every-down lead back with a capable veteran backup most of the time. His quality of play is very dependent on the offensive line, and the line had the worst team run-blocking grade last season. He reunites with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was his offensive coordinator in his first season. In 17 of McDaniels' 18 seasons, the running back who leads his team in rushing attempts is not the same one who leads his backfield in third-down snaps. The Patriots spent the 38th overall pick on TreVeyon Henderson, who was arguably the best receiving back in this draft class. That means Stevenson will likely lose most of his passing-down work. He should still receive double-digit carries most weeks, and the Patriots made multiple changes to the offensive line, which should help his production.
Possible Targets: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Javonte Williams, Tank Bigsby, Braelon Allen, Jaydon Blue
Round 12, Pick 116: Draft a wide receiver
This team is very well-balanced at this point, and the goal should be to continue adding running backs and wide receivers. There is a clear tier gap after the first few top wide receivers from this round are no longer available, making wide receiver the position to target first.
Top Target: Darnell Mooney
Darnell Mooney had a strong start to his career with the Chicago Bears for a fifth-round pick, but then Chicago moved him to the slot, which didn’t end up working out. The Atlanta Falcons signed him in free agency prior to the 2024 season, moving him back to the outside, which caused him to be a frustrating WR3 option for fantasy teams. He had seven games with 80 or more receiving yards, and his career-high five touchdowns occurred during those seven games. However, he was held to three receptions for less than 40 yards in six of his games. Michael Penix Jr. has taken over as the Falcons' starting quarterback, and his quality of play will determine Mooney’s fantasy value. In a small sample, Penix has thrown deep at a high rate with high deep accuracy, which could lead to a huge season by Mooney, but if Penix regresses, then Mooney will be a fantasy backup.
Possible Targets: Marvin Mims Jr., Michael Pittman Jr., Christian Kirk, Keon Coleman, DeMario Douglas
Round 13, Pick 125: Draft a running back
Croskey-Merritt is the top player with this pick. His ADP is currently much later than this on most sites, but he is also potentially being drafted earlier than this in many drafts, depending on how up-to-date your league mates are with NFL news. Even if Croskey-Merritt isn’t available, it would be good to add another running back.
Top Target: Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has consistently improved as a running back from his time at Alabama State to New Mexico, where he significantly improved in both the run and passing game, averaging a first down on 37.2% of his runs and breaking long runs at a ridiculously high rate. After a brief stint at Arizona, he impressed at the Shrine Bowl with 97 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. He further cemented his potential at the combine, finishing in the 80th percentile or better in the 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, vertical jump and broad jump. Selected by the Washington Commanders, he quickly moved up the depth chart in the preseason, even playing ahead of Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr., suggesting he could be the primary early-down back, especially with trade rumors swirling around Brian Robinson Jr. While his role is likely to be primarily as an early-down runner in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, his talent makes him worthy of being one of the top 32 running backs drafted, though you may not have to draft him that high.
Possible Targets: Tank Bigsby, Braelon Allen, Jaydon Blue, Nick Chubb, Tyjae Spears
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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