• Lots of value to be had: Late first-round picks can be an ideal opportunity to grab a young, high-potential wide receiver entering their peak.
• Target quarterback and tight end in the fourth and fifth rounds: After starting the team with a solid foundation, it’s good to end with a top-six quarterback and tight end.
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Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
The perfect draft series combines current ADPs from expert and casual drafts to see who should be available at each pick and make the best picks given that information. This draft is designed for 12-team PPR leagues for anyone picking 11th.
Last updated: 7:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Round 1, Pick 11: Draft a wide receiver
In most leagues, the top three running backs are selected in the top six picks, making the value in the second half of the first round at wide receiver. While Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley have ADPs in the later part of the first round, they are both older players who had their best season a few years ago. There is reason to be optimistic about them this year, but they might not return to glory. The far safer play is picking a wide receiver in the first round.
Top Target: Puka Nacua (Player Profile)
Nacua finished with the fourth-most fantasy points among all wide receivers last season, making it one of the best rookie seasons by a wide receiver of all time. His situation this year is very similar to last year, with Sean McVay as his head coach, Matthew Stafford as his quarterback, and Cooper Kupp as his primary competition. It is certainly possible that Nacua will have an even better sophomore season. Still, he has a one-year sample size of excellent play compared to the wide receivers selected ahead of him who have been clear elite options for multiple seasons.
Possible Targets: Garrett Wilson, Davante Adams, Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, Drake London
Round 2, Pick 14: Draft a wide receiver
Similar to the first round, the value in this round is also at wide receiver, making wide receiver the strength of your team. This is where the “zero running back” strategy gains popularity—wide receivers selected around this time are generally more reliable as fantasy starters throughout the season than the running backs available in the same range.
Top Target: Davante Adams (Player Profile)
The big reason to be excited about Davante Adams this year is his reunion with Luke Getsy, who played a pivotal role in Adams' development. When Getsy became the Packers' wide receivers coach in 2016, Adams' production skyrocketed from 483 yards and one touchdown to 997 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2017, Adams earned his first Pro Bowl selection.
Getsy then left for a stint as the offensive coordinator at Mississippi State before returning to the Packers as the quarterbacks coach. In 2020, he added the title of passing game coordinator, which coincided with Adams earning his first All-Pro season. Adams continued to excel in 2021 under Getsy, finishing as a first-team All-Pro once again.
Last season, the Raiders coaching staff had a history with Jakobi Meyers, which benefited Meyers, particularly early in the season. Now, with Getsy on board, the Raiders have a coach who can maximize Adams' potential. Adams is excited about this reunion, and it's likely a significant reason why he's content to stay with the Raiders rather than seek a trade.
Possible Targets: Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, Drake London, Mike Evans, Nico Collins
Round 3, Pick 35: Draft a running back
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