Thread by @DaveKluge

Many of you might be gearing up for your first fantasy football draft soon.

Please allow me to help!

I've already done over 200 drafts - real drafts against real people for real money.

Here's what I've learned, who I'm targeting, and strategies I'm implementing. 👇 🧵

First of all, I'm Dave. 👋

I'm a Senior Writer and Show Host at @Footballguys.

In the industry's largest accuracy contest (with 200+ entrants), I've finished #2 and #17 in the last 2 years.

I don't believe in following consensus. I put in work to formulate my own opinions. 🧠

I've posted this thread for the last few years and have helped countless people win their leagues.

If you don't see a player's name, it means that I believe they are being overdrafted relative to their cost.

Now let's dive in, examining pockets to attack in your draft. 👇

If you've got the first pick this year, it's easy. Take Ja'Marr Chase.

If you're picking 2-6, you can't go wrong with any of these guys.

- CeeDee Lamb
- Saquon Barkley
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Bijan Robinson
- Justin Jefferson

The back half of Round 1 is where things get weird.

There are many different routes to take, but the reality is that the players from the end of Round 1 through the end of Round 2 are pretty flat, so don't be afraid to get YOUR guy.

After all, you're the one managing this roster.

But here's how I've got them ranked...

Christian McCaffrey
Malik Nabers
Nico Collins
Puka Nacua
Drake London
--
Jonathan Taylor
Chase Brown
--
Brian Thomas Jr.
Ladd McConkey
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Amon-Ra St. Brown
--
De'Von Achane
Ashton Jeanty
Derrick Henry

Don't force positions. Take the value.

There's an outdated mindset that you need to draft a specific position early.

ADPs this year have made for pockets in the middle rounds where you can get strong WRs and RBs (we'll cover that later), so draft the best values early and allow that to dictate your overall strategy.

If you're picking at the 2/3 turn, you'll likely luck into some of the players above, as other managers will reach for QBs and TEs.

DO NOT BE ONE OF THOSE MANAGERS.

Both positions are deep this year, and I'll provide you with the best late-round targets later in this thread.

Once you're in Rounds 3-4, there's a nice pocket of RBs that I find myself preferring to the WRs with similar value.

- Josh Jacobs
- Kyren Williams
- Alvin Kamara
- James Cook
- Omarion Hampton
- TreVeyon Henderson

But there are a few others worth considering here as well...

- Jameson Williams
- Tetairoa McMillan
- Travis Hunter
- DJ Moore
- Rashee Rice (buyer beware)

and...

- George Kittle

Kittle was last year's TE1 and is being drafted behind Brock Bowers and Trey McBride. Rather than paying up for them, wait and get similar production here.

My build preferences through Round 4:

1. 2RB/2WR
2. 3RB/1WR
3. 1RB/3WR
4. 2RB/1WR/1TE
5. 1RB/2WR/1TE

I don't want to be in a position where I go with 4 straight at any position. That's a tough hole to dig out of. Maintain some balance. But don't force it either.

If you have 3 RBs or WRs through 4 rounds, it's time to start targeting the other position to balance that disparity.

However, assuming you have a blend of each, continue to prioritize RB/WR value in Rounds 5-7.

Here's who I target in those rounds, in my preferred order...

Ricky Pearsall
Emeka Egbuka
D'Andre Swift
Isiah Pacheco
--
RJ Harvey
Calvin Ridley
Matthew Golden
Chris Olave
Tyrone Tracy
--
Aaron Jones
Tony Pollard
David Montgomery
Khalil Shakir

and...

- Travis Kelce

Similar to Kittle, another good TE value to target relative to his ADP.

Through 7 rounds, you'll have a strong corps of starters, and your team should look something like this:

- 2-3 RBs
- 3-4 WRs
- Maybe a TE

I'll provide QBs and TEs worth targeting in these rounds, but don't be afraid to accumulate more RB/WR depth first.

The guys I target...

Stefon Diggs
Jayden Higgins
Zay Flowers
--
Michael Pittman
Keenan Allen
JK Dobbins
Zach Charbonnet
--
Travis Etienne
Rome Odunze
Luther Burden
--
Rashod Bateman
Jakobi Meyers
Christian Kirk
Rashid Shaheed

I really like this RB/WR pocket, but there is also good QB/TE value.

QBs
Kyler Murray
Justin Fields
Brock Purdy
Drake Maye
Dak Prescott
Caleb Williams
Justin Herbert
Jordan Love

TEs
Mark Andrews
Tyler Warren
Colston Loveland
Tucker Kraft

You don't need to grab these guys. There are options later. But there's a tier falloff after this range.

If you were able to get a QB and TE by now, your roster is filled. You might have...

- 1 QB
- 3-4 RBs
- 3-5 WRs
- 1 TE

You might also have...

- 0 QB
- 3-5 RBs
- 5-7 WRs
- 0 TE

Either way is fine! But how you structure your team will affect your strategy in the final rounds.

Of the options above, I prefer the first. It allows me to close out my starting roster and save my final-round picks for high-upside stashes.

These running backs listed below have no projectable volume, but an injury ahead of them on the depth chart could make them smash plays.

I want to draft as many of these RBs as I possibly can.

Rachaad White
Tank Bigsby
Ray Davis
Tyjae Spears
Braelon Allen
Trey Benson
Tyler Allgeier
Will Shipley
Isaac Guerendo
Blake Corum
Tahj Brooks
Kyle Monangai
Miles Sanders
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Kendre Miller
Keaton Mitchell

But there's also some great WR value you can pick up late. And if they don't pan out, you won't feel bad about dropping them for a waiver-wire option.

Demario Douglas
Xavier Legette
Marvin Mims
Cedric Tillman
Quentin Johnston
Romeo Doubs
Wan'Dale Robinson
Tory Horton

But if you really played the waiting game at QB and TE, double-tap these guys in the following tweet and hope that they (or a waiver wire option) can present themselves as a weekly option.

Every year, names we don't expect end up finishing inside the top 10. So don't be scared.

QBs
Trevor Lawrence
Cam Ward
Bryce Young
Anthony Richardson
Geno Smith
Sam Darnold
Russell Wilson

TEs
Jake Ferguson
Mason Taylor
Kyle Pitts
Hunter Henry
Zach Ertz
Jonnu Smith
Chig Okonkwo
Mike Gesicki
Juwan Johnson

And that's it!

You've built a strong base with the key positions (RBs and WRs) and have enough depth to get through byes and injuries.

If you don't feel great about your starting QB or TE this year, fret not! Keep a close eye on the waiver wire for this year's breakout.

This is how I'm drafting as of today, but things change quickly around the NFL - injuries, roster moves, breakouts, and more.

I keep my rankings updated at @Footballguys, but you need to join over 700,000 on our Daily Email Update.

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