When you draft in your PPR League, you must know who to pick first and then build on that. This is mainly why so many people take advantage of fantasy football mock drafts: They're trying to be prepared for what will be available after the first or second pick.
While some like the first pick, others may like the 12th pick, many don't appreciate the gravitas that the seventh pick in a 12-team PPR league has and how valuable it can be.
Think about it. You are seventh on the board. Ultimately, this also means you will have the 18th pick in the second round, followed by the 31st pick in the third round. We will analyze the first few rounds and see the best options for your draft strategy.
Rounds 1 and 2 of Your PPR League
Ja'Marr Chase is seventh in our average draft position ratings. You can't go wrong with this pick, as he is one of the best receivers in the game and an absolute gem to have. Chase had 100 receptions for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns despite catching passes from backup Jake Browning for a good chunk of the season. His ability to dominate the field and move the chains has made him a gem in fantasy football circles, and he is showing why he deserves all the love.
Amon St. Brown would be another good choice if someone grabs Chase before you. He caught 119 passes for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns, making him an ideal "must-start" in all your leagues. Significantly, Brown has had two consecutive seasons of at least 1,000 yards and is the first option for the Detroit Lions.
The second-round pick is just as important as the first-round pick. If you picked a wide receiver in the first round, you may want to go after a running back. In this case, Jonathan Taylor would be a great option. Last season, he rushed 169 times for 741 yards and seven touchdowns over 10 games while catching 19 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown.
If you drafted a running back with your first-round draft pick, Marvin Harrison Jr. would be a fantastic pick for your PPR League. Harrison will be the top target for quarterback Kyler Murray and looks like a generational talent that is waiting to explode.
Rounds 3 and 4 of Your PPR League
When you get out of the first two rounds, it becomes essential to get the next few picks right. Assuming you already grabbed a running back and a wide receiver, you have some options to choose from. If Sam LaPorta is on the board, you should draft him as your tight end. Laporta went off in his rookie season, catching 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ultimately, St. Brown is the only receiver on the Lions who gets more targets than him, and LaPorta would be a great option, especially considering tight ends can get scarce later down the line.
If LaPorta is not available, you want to snag a running back or wide receiver who will take you to the limit. Deebo Samuel Jr. may be available and is the ultimate weapon for the San Francisco 49ers, especially if they trade Brandon Aiyuk. Samuel caught 60 passes for 892 yards and seven touchdowns while also rushing 37 times for 225 yards and five scores in 15 games.
When Round 4 rolls around, your 43rd pick still holds a lot of value because this player is one of the ones on your team who should be consistent and dependable. You will likely see someone like DJ Moore, Joe Mixon, or Jaylen Waddle available. Again, this is where you pick based on need. If you have two running backs and a tight end, you have some options at wide receiver. However, if you already drafted one of each position, you have more flexibility.
Moore had 96 receptions for 1364 yards and eight touchdowns despite dealing with inconsistent quarterback play. Now, he gets to catch passes from Caleb Williams. Waddle had 72 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns but has shown in the past that he is capable of more. Mixon rushed 257 times for 1034 yards and nine touchdowns while also catching 52 passes for 376 yards and three scores. Ultimately, any of these guys would be a great choice for you.
Round 5 and 6 Picks For Your PPR League
Your 55th pick will be the side dish with your main course. This is where you see guys like Tee Higgins, George Pickens, James Conner, and David Montgomery pop up. Let's assume you have already grabbed someone from all the skill levels. Now, you probably want a quarterback or to add a second option for your skill positions.
Anthony Richardson and Joe Burrow are your best choices. Both come with injury-related issues from last season. If you choose to avoid quarterback for another round, then grab Pickens. Amazingly, he caught 63 passes for 1140 yards and five touchdowns last season despite mediocre quarterback play. Pickens will now catch passes from either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, so the potential is there.
Your sixth-round draft pick should be used to either acquire a position you have yet to acquire or fill some holes. With the 66th pick, someone like Christian Kirk would be good if you need a second receiver. Or, if you still need a quarterback, why not go with Dak Prescott?
Prescott had the best regular season of his career, passing for 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. He rolls it back with basically the same supporting cast.
Rounds 7 and 8
At this point, you are going for the best player available. You should have nailed down a player from each position by now. Significantly, you have two running backs, two wide receivers, a tight end, and a quarterback. Tony Pollard could be a steal if you find him available here.
When you get to Round 8, you are still searching for the best value. If you somehow still need a quarterback, you should go after Brock Purdy. He passed for 4,280 yards with 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season. Otherwise, a good option in this round would be someone like Xavier Worthy or Marquis Brown, both of whom will be deadly options for Patrick Mahomes.
Later Rounds
This is where you build depth. Remember, the NFL always has injuries. You should find potential backups for your studs or handcuffs for them. If you need a high-end backup quarterback, this is where you find one with someone like Caleb Williams. You might find a receiver like Rome Odunze who might go off. Many people drafted Rashee Rice in the later rounds, and it paid off big time. Therefore, there is always some value to find.
Recap
Always build a good strategy when drafting for your PPR League. Your draft strategy is essential, and you must also be ready to pivot when your entire league reaches for certain picks and takes a player you wanted off the board. The best way to win your PPR league is to start with a good draft and always have your eyes ready for any information on injuries and players who are ready to break out.
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