- 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.
- Brian Thomas Jr. found his rhythm: Over the last seven weeks, Thomas consistently scored fantasy points and had the third-most points among wide receivers during that stretch.
- The best deal of the year: Use the discount code earlybird to save up to 33% on your PFF+ subscription.
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
This perfect draft strategy for 12-team, single-quarterback, redraft, PPR fantasy football leagues uses current average draft positions (ADPs) specifically from Yahoo! to deliver a round-by-round guide for managers picking at the late middle of the draft — specifically from Picks 7, 8 or 9. 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: Friday, August 1
Round 1, Picks 7-9: Draft a wide receiver
Anyone picking from the middle of the first round to the end is either selecting their top available wide receiver or a running back, such as Ashton Jeanty or Derrick Henry. There are six wide receivers ranked third to eighth, where seemingly no two analysts have the receivers in the same order. All of them could end up as the top overall wide receiver if everything goes well, but all are going through some changes with some combination of new play-callers, new quarterbacks and new competition for targets. In Brian Thomas Jr.’s player profile, I detail why I believe he is the best option of the group, but there are legitimate reasons to pick a different receiver.
Top Target: Brian Thomas Jr.
Brian Thomas Jr. had a strong start to his rookie season and ended it among the league’s best fantasy receivers. In his final seven games, he gained at least 13 PPR points each week and averaged 21.5 points, third behind only Ja’Marr Chase and Puka Nacua. He played at least 84% of his team’s offensive snaps in all but one of those games. The team added Travis Hunter in the draft, and he will see a decent target rate, but typically, two great wide receivers can co-exist as long as there isn’t much more competition for targets. Thomas led all wide receivers in yards per route run out of the slot with 3.12, and new offensive coordinator Liam Coen has found a lot of success with his slot receivers in the past. An increased role in the slot could lead Thomas to remain among the top wide receivers in fantasy football.
Possible Targets: Puka Nacua, Nico Collins, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Malik Nabers, Drake London
Round 2, Picks 16-18: Draft a wide receiver, Jayden Daniels or Trey McBride
All options are on the table, outside of running back. Players like Christian McCaffrey and Ashton Jeanty have earlier ADPs on Yahoo! than on other platforms, making it difficult to find value at running back here. There are enough points later in the draft to take advantage of Yahoo!’s ADP at running back and wide receiver, so it’s fine to prioritize tight end and quarterback early. More quarterbacks might be available in Round 3 than tight ends, making Trey McBride the primary target for this pick.
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: Drake London, A.J. Brown, Ladd McConkey, Jayden Daniels, Tee Higgins
Round 3, Picks 31-33: Draft a quarterback or tight end
As mentioned last round, there are enough values at running back and wide receiver in later rounds. In an ideal world, Jayden Daniels falls a few picks later than usual so he can get selected here, but if not, then Jalen Hurts will still make for a great fantasy starting quarterback.
Top Target: Jalen Hurts
Hurts has been a consistent quality fantasy starter since becoming the Philadelphia Eagles‘ starter late in 2020. His 22.6 fantasy points per start since 2020 ranks second-best for all quarterbacks, behind Josh Allen. For many reasons, his fantasy points per start hit a new low last season. A lot of his stats that were down last season should bounce back this season, except for passing dropbacks per game. While that might increase from last season, Saquon Barkley’s presence will ensure he remains below league average in dropbacks per game.
Possible Targets: George Kittle, Joe Burrow, T.J. Hockenson, Patrick Mahomes, Sam LaPorta
Round 4, Picks 40-42: Draft a running back
Running back is the clear pick here. This team has avoided running back to this point, and there are still a few top-20 running backs who should still be available for drafting. Kenneth Walker III has a later ADP on Yahoo! than on other platforms, making it more likely he is available for this selection on Yahoo!.
Top Target: Kenneth Walker III
Kenneth Walker III has graded among the best running backs in the league, including a 91.3 rushing grade last season. His 0.42 avoided tackles per attempt last season were the most in PFF’s 19 years of statistics for all running backs with at least 50 carries. The next-most with any player with at least 150 carries in a season was 0.31, which is a tie that includes 2014 Marshawn Lynch and 2020 Nick Chubb. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will have an offense that plays to Walker’s strengths with his zone scheme and will prioritize getting him the football more than last season. However, he’s missed 10 games over the previous three seasons due to injury, and his play was negatively affected in several more while playing through injury. If he can stay healthy, he will have his best fantasy season yet, but staying healthy is a big if.
Possible Targets: Omarion Hampton, Alvin Kamara, R.J. Harvey, James Conner, Chuba Hubbard
Round 5, Picks 55-57: Draft a wide receiver or R.J. Harvey
This team is balanced with one player at each of the four positions at this point, so there is only a need at running back and wide receiver from this point on. The strength of the next two rounds is at wide receiver, but it would be good to add a second running back that ranks among the top-24. The drawback of selecting a quarterback and a tight end early is that we need to use one of these two picks on a running back. I have a slight lean towards wide receiver at this pick and running back for the next.
Top Target: Jameson Williams
Jameson Williams was a highly talented college player, but an ACL injury and suspension led to a quiet first two seasons in the NFL. Detroit started using Williams more on short and intermediate passes in 2024, allowing him to take advantage of his speed after the catch. By mid-season, he consistently gained at least 8 PPR points per game, making him a reliable fantasy starter. He accomplished this despite Detroit having several other offensive weapons. The Lions have a new offensive coordinator who has always given a lot of praise to Williams, which could further increase his fantasy value this season.
Possible Targets: Tetairoa McMillan, Travis Hunter, R.J. Harvey, DeVonta Smith, Xavier Worthy
Round 6, Picks 64-66: Draft a wide receiver or D'Andre Swift
As mentioned last round, it makes sense to add a second top-24 running back after only drafting one running back in the first five rounds.
Top Target: D'Andre Swift
D’Andre Swift has spent five seasons in the NFL, playing for three different teams and more offensive coordinators. His role has fluctuated from an early down back to a passing down back, and everywhere in between. Last season, he was an early-down back and low-end fantasy starter who earned a lot of playing time but low efficiency. Ben Johnson is the new head coach of the Chicago Bears, and Swift worked with Johnson in 2022 with the Detroit Lions, when he set a career-low in carries per game but a career-high in yards per attempt as their third-down back. It’s unclear what his role will be this season as Chicago hasn’t changed the backfield much, but there is still a chance Chicago will add another running back.
Possible Targets: Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Worthy, Chris Olave, Jaylen Waddle, Deebo Samuel
Round 7, Picks 79-81: Draft a wide receiver
This is a similar range where wide receivers are the draft's strength. Running backs like Tony Pollard and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are drafted in this range, but it’s clear they will be sharing their respective backfields with Tyjae Spears and Cameron Skattebo, both of whom are available a few rounds later. Because there are so many running backs fighting for a starting job or in a committee, you can find some options in later rounds while building on wide receivers who have proven NFL success but are more risky due to past injury history.
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: Jaylen Waddle, Deebo Samuel, Jordan Addison, Jakobi Meyers, Jerry Jeudy
Round 8, Picks 88-90: Draft a running back
After focusing on wide receivers in two of the last three rounds, it’s time to turn back to the running back position. Even if this team passed on a quarterback or tight end early and still needs a starter at either position, it makes sense to add a third running back and wait even longer for the other position.
Top Target: Jaylen Warren
Jaylen Warren has been a borderline fantasy starter when healthy for the past two seasons and is projected to continue in that role for the 2025 season. His fantasy upside is increased by the possibility of maintaining a significant role over new competition, Kaleb Johnson, primarily in the passing game and potentially in the run game. However, there's also the risk that he could lose playing time if Johnson outperforms the previous competition, Najee Harris. This leaves Warren's fantasy value somewhat volatile and dependent on how the competition plays out.
Possible Targets: Jordan Mason, Rhamondre Stevenson, Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Tyjae Spears
Round 9, Picks 103-105: Draft a wide receiver
Round 9 is truly a toss-up. Every draft is different, and various runs on running backs or wide receivers could likely lead to one position being a strength over the other. For this draft, we’ll lean toward wide receiver, as there are still a few players who are expected to be the top wide receiver on their team available, which speaks to the strength of the wide receiver position.
Top Target: Jakobi Meyers
Jakobi Meyers went from an undrafted rookie to becoming the top wide receiver for the New England Patriots and then the Las Vegas Raiders. He’s been able to propel himself to a low-end WR2 these last two seasons, despite his situation not always being perfect. The Raiders made several changes to their offense this offseason. The biggest positive for Meyers is the Geno Smith addition, giving Meyers a better quarterback than he’s seen throughout his time as a starter in the NFL. This should lead to a higher touchdown total than last season. However, the team added Ashton Jeanty, which almost certainly will lead the Raiders to run more than last season, leading to Meyers running fewer routes. The Raiders also spent several draft picks on wide receivers who will contribute this season. If they have normal rookie seasons, Meyers is fine, but if someone exceeds expectations, then Meyers could fall down the target pecking order.
Possible Targets: Matthew Golden, Brandon Aiyuk, Darnell Mooney, Khalil Shakir, Josh Downs
Round 10, Picks 112-114: Draft a quarterback or wide receiver
This team is very balanced at this point, so these last few picks will be focused primarily on following value. Matthew Golden’s ADP is a full two rounds later on Yahoo! compared to other platforms, making him a clear value at this point in the draft. This is also the point to start taking quarterbacks if you were waiting for one.
Top Target: Matthew Golden
Golden was a polarizing prospect heading into the NFL draft. At Texas, he led the wide receiver room in offensive snaps and routes run in the regular season, but multiple wide receivers earned a higher grade than him. He posted 1.6 yards per route run in the regular season, fifth among Texas‘s top six wide receivers. Then the playoffs hit, and Golden was much more dominant. He caught 19 of 29 passes for 411 yards for 3.37 yards per route run. The Green Bay Packers allow him an opportunity to become an actual number one receiver, a chance he wasn’t going to see with most teams. Golden will be a perfect mid-to-late round dart throw at wide receiver with a lot of upside, but also the risk that he’s never a fantasy starter as a rookie.
Possible Targets: Darnell Mooney, J.J. McCarthy, Trevor Lawrence, Josh Downs, Marvin Mims Jr.
Round 11, Picks 127-129: Draft a running back
This is another example of picking up value based on Yahoo!’s ADP, as Tyjae Spears has a slightly later ADP on Yahoo! than other platforms, and is the highest-ranked running back available.
Top Target: Tyjae Spears
Tyjae Spears started his NFL career as the receiving down back, complementing Derrick Henry, and then was the backup to Tony Pollard. He’s shown a great ability to avoid tackles in the passing game, but that hasn’t been enough to be a fantasy starter. However, during the fantasy playoffs last season, Pollard was injured, and Spears scored the fifth-most fantasy points over the three-game stretch. Ideally, that strong play late in the season will be enough for Spears to earn more playing time, and potentially earn the starting role over Pollard.
Possible Targets: Bhayshul Tuten, Braelon Allen, Roschon Johnson, Dylan Sampson, Jaydon Blue
Round 12, Picks 136-138: Draft a running back
This round is a toss-up between running back and wide receiver, with a lean toward running back because it’s easier to find value at wide receiver next round.
Top Target: Braelon Allen
Braelon Allen, the Jets' fourth-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, aims to emulate David Montgomery‘s role in the 2025 season under new head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Allen's strength lies in short-yardage situations, converting 14 of 16 attempts when the Jets needed two yards or less for a first down, earning him a league-best 90.0 rushing grade on those plays. Montgomery was a consistent fantasy starter under these coaches thanks to a role that wore down defenses and his ability to score touchdowns. Allen needs to be used in the same way, the Jets need to score often enough for Allen to score a lot of touchdowns, and Justin Fields can’t be used for tush pushes in order for this to happen.
Possible Targets: Roschon Johnson, Dylan Sampson, Trey Benson, Tyler Allgeier, Keaton Mitchell
Round 13, Picks 151-153: Draft a wide receiver or Trevor Lawrence
Darnell Mooney is yet another late-round target who has a later ADP on Yahoo! compared to other platforms, and he is the clear top wide receiver available at this point in the draft.
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: Trevor Lawrence, Marvin Mims Jr., Luther Burden III, Michael Pittman Jr., Christian Kirk
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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