- Tee Higgins falls to Round 3: While most people in the third round should consider a running back or tight end, Higgins has fallen enough that he becomes a value at the 28th overall pick.
- Trey McBride provides another safe floor: The Arizona Cardinals similarly kept their offense nearly identical to last season, making McBride the safest tight end option in the draft.
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Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
This perfect draft strategy for 12-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 fourth 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: Wednesday, August 13
Round 1, Pick 4: Draft a running back
Typically, Ja’Marr Chase, Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson are off the board at this point in the draft. It’s way too early for a tight end or quarterback, so the option is Gibbs, who is the clear consensus top available running back, or Justin Jefferson, who is the clear consensus top available wide receiver. Gibbs has a new offensive coordinator while Jefferson has a new quarterback, presenting some risk for both players. While Jefferson might be the safer option, Gibbs has more upside. It’s also easier to find wide receivers to be excited about in later rounds. This makes Gibbs the better 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 21: Draft a tight end
It is generally helpful to select a tight end early or a quarterback early. This allows you only to pick one player at those positions and place them in your lineup each week. That gives you more roster flexibility to add additional high upside options at running back and wide receiver, increasing your odds of selecting this year’s breakout star. We can be more confident in the late-round quarterbacks this season relative to the tight ends, and it can also be easier to select which quarterback to start each week based on matchups. The best way to ensure you can get a top-three tight end at a decent value is with Trey McBride at this pick, as Brock Bowers is likely off the board, and if McBride is gone by Round 3, it will be a little early for George Kittle.
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 3, Pick 28: Draft a wide receiver
The options are either a running back or wide receiver here. While running back was the top option for anyone with the third pick, the fact that someone like Kenneth Walker III or Omarion Hampton could fall to this pick in the fourth round makes it fine to pick the best available wide receiver here. However, it is okay to pick a running back here and wide receiver in the next round if there is a running back you particularly like on the board.
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