The first pick in a fantasy football draft can be a huge advantage or the most difficult position. Here is the best strategy for the first pick in a 10-person league (1 PPR). It is always an amazing feeling to have the entire draft board to choose from. It is the waiting 18 more picks in a draft that can leave owners at a loss with the number of elite players taken before the next opportunity.
Entering the draft with a drawn-up plan is vital in order to make split-second decisions that will best set up a roster for a strong playoff push. The strategy with the first pick is to gain positional advantages in a few positions, knowing that depth can be a problem with so many players leaving the board between selections.
Round 1, Pick 1: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB)
With the first pick in the draft, there are four primary directions conventional wisdom offers. The first-round pick for a team should be not only the top scorer but also the most reliable and consistent player on the roster. This year, the primary options are Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Jamar Chase, and Puka Nakua. While each of these players is great in their own right, with a lack of depth at the running back position, taking a premier back is the move.
Gibbs is pivotal in both the run game and passing attack for the Lions. With the departure of David Montgomery, expect him to build on his already strong career with a stellar 2026 campaign. Gibbs is a home run hitter, having the potential to score touchdowns every single time he touches the football. He has been in the top 10 every year of his career, finishing as RB2 in 2024 and RB1 in 2025.
As the first pick in the draft, it will be 19 picks before being back on the board. This move has to be a hit. A miss here will most likely cost managers any hope of a fantasy championship. Gibbs is the perfect blend of consistency, targets, and home run ability, and will find himself in the starting lineup as potentially the RB1 of the league every week.
Round 2, Pick 10: AJ Brown (WR)
With back-to-back picks, the roster needs to fill positional value. With a lot of top receivers gone by this time, AJ Brown is a perfect fit. Despite concerns that he has lost a step, Brown is looking to prove the critics wrong and is the best receiver Drake Maye has had the opportunity to play with. The early camp worries about lack of separation and chemistry with the quarterback are heavily outweighed by his statistics over the last three years.
At this point in the draft, the roster needs a receiver. With arguably the best running back, it is paramount to grab a receiver that will see the ball a lot. In a PPR league, target share is a huge factor, and Brown is set to have well over 100 targets per most projections. Even if the elite receiver has lost a step, the percentages of looks alone make a strong case for drafting him. Combined with Mayes’ accuracy, especially on deep balls, Brown could easily land in the top-five fantasy receivers by year’s end.
Round 3, Pick 1: Josh Allen (QB)
At the top of the third, there are a few directions that can be taken. Doubling up on a receiver or running back can be beneficial in bolstering the position. Another potential option is taking Brock Bowers to dominate a position. Taking the best tight end in the game is definitely a winning strategy, but grabbing Josh Allen is an equally dominant move.
Unlike most quarterbacks, Allen is worth taking this early in the draft. The Bills quarterback is a highly sought-after player, usually resulting in every team starting him making it into the playoffs. Allen racks up points both in the passing game and the rushing attack. In 2025, he accumulated 25 passing and 14 rushing TDs on the way to amassing 374.6 fantasy points. He is showing no signs of slowing down and can expect to be in the mix for QB1 once again.
Taking Allen at the top of the third gives the roster a strong positional advantage that can be pivotal come the end of the season. He is a lock starter each week, and his durability can give fantasy owners assurance at the quarterback position. Outside of an Allen injury, this pick should place the team in playoff contention.
Round 4, Pick 10: Tyler Warren (TE)
Rounding out the fourth, look to grab a top-five tight end. Every year, the position lacks depth. If one does not pick a tight end at the right moment, expect to stream at the position and face weeks with under five fantasy points. With Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and potentially Coleston Loveland off the board, picking Tyler Warren here finishes a solid player at each major position on the roster.
Warren is coming off a massive rookie campaign. The former Nittany Lion clicked with quarterback Daniel Jones, averaging 11.1 fantasy points per game and hauling in 4 touchdowns over the first 10 games of the season. Unfortunately, due to the injury at quarterback for the Colts, Warren saw a dip in productivity to close out the year.
Jones is set to return under center, and Warren is looking to follow up his rookie season with another stellar performance. With the departure of Michael Pittman and the injury of Alec Pierce, he is the clear primary receiver in the passing game and should see a high number of targets, opening up more opportunity for points.
Round 5, Pick 1: Ladd McConkey (WR)
Rounding back-to-back picks at the top of the fifth, strengthen the receiver position and take Ladd McConkey. After a promising start to his career, the Chargers wideout had an up-and-down season in 2025, much like the rest of the offense. Now, with Mike McDaniel calling plays on offense, McConkey is primed for a rebound.
McDaniel is considered one of the top offensive minds in the game today. His creativity was on full display as offensive coordinator for the 49ers and head coach of the Dolphins. A key to the McDaniel offense is the Swiss-Army knife type player such as Deebo Samuel or Tyreek Hill. Now, McConkey has an opportunity to become the focal point of this new Chargers offense.
The former Bulldog has the speed to take the top off of defenses and the elusiveness to be used in motion and misdirections. Fantasy owners were disappointed last year, leading to hesitation in drafting him again. Ignore the doubters. McConkey is one of the top bounce-back players for 2026. His 2024 campaign (hauling in 82 receptions, over 1100 yards, and seven touchdowns) demonstrated his potential. McDaniel will maximize his skills, potentially landing McConkey in the top ten by year’s end.
Round 6, Pick 10: Jadarian Price (RB)
At this point in the draft, names are thinning out, and with only a single running back on the roster, now is the time to grab an RB2. The Seahawks parted ways with Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, opening the door for Jadarian Price to be the premier back in Seattle. His workload and potential are enough to warrant taking him as the second RB on the roster.
Price’s talent was largely overshadowed by Notre Dame teammate Jeremiah Love last year. Despite being the RB2 on the roster, he still was drafted in the first round by the Seahawks. Price has quick footwork and good vision, allowing him to find space between the tackles before turning upfield. His ability to make quick cuts, especially in the backfield, without much delay, causes initial defenders to miss while not slowing the play down.
When taking a rookie, there are always unknowns. Fortunately, Price enters a positive situation, joining a high-flying offense led by Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba that should allow for solid success. When a team spends a first-round pick, the expectation is starting the player day one, and Price should be no exception.
Round 7, Pick 1: DJ Moore (WR)
It is debated whether taking two players from the same team is a wise move. The risk of a single injury could cost both players, such as a quarterback going down and leaving his receiver with subpar play. If both players ball out, however, it can be extremely beneficial. Despite already having a Buffalo Bill in Josh Allen, selecting DJ Moore is a solid move at flex/WR3.
Moore has not been a reliable fantasy starter, finishing only once inside the top 10. His underwhelming career has left him as a fringe WR3 for most fantasy rosters. While Moore’s history leaves much to be desired, he arrives in Buffalo as the projected number one receiver on the team. In an offense that spotlights Allen and James Cook, Moore has a chance to be a major steal this late in the draft.
Allen has not had a go-to receiver since Stefon Diggs and will look to elevate the Bills’ passing game with his new weapon. At worst, Moore should be a solid WR3 with high upside both in receptions and touchdowns.
Round 8, Pick 10: Parker Washington (WR)
Parker Washington is quickly heating up as a top sleeper in this year’s draft. His 2025 season was the tale of two stories. Through the first six weeks, Washington averaged just 6.4 PPR points per game. Starting week seven, he became Trevor Lawrence’s most trusted receiver, exploding for 14.2 points per game. In Washington’s last three games, he averaged over 20 points per game, finishing as a top 10 receiver those final weeks.
In a crowded receiver room of Brian Thomas, Jakobi Meyers, and Travis Hunter, Washington has solidified himself as a legitimate threat. The question is, can he build on his late-season success? Lawrence has had a revolving door of receivers, never truly having a legitimate number one. Washington hopes to fill that void in 2026.
Under a more stable situation this offseason than in years past, the Jaguars are a sneaky team that could make a playoff run. A huge part of their success will be dependent on whether Washington can continue his hot streak with Lawrence. Consider him to be a depth pick with a high ceiling. Every year, there is a player who shocks the league and is the key to a playoff run. Washington has the potential to be that player.
Round 9, Pick 1: Rhamondre Stevenson (RB)
Entering the ninth round, the weakest point on the roster is running back. With only two starting backs, depth is needed. Rhamondre Stevenson provides a solid bench player who is the premier back in New England. This is a great value draft pick for the ninth round.
Stevenson finished as the RB25 overall due to splitting carries with rookie TreVeyon Henderson, but still managed 5.1 yards per carry. His strong finish to the season, combined with a solid start to training camp, appears to indicate his retention of the primary ball carrier role heading into 2026.
The Patriots are looking to repeat another Super Bowl run this year. With Drake Maye commanding the league’s attention, combined with the arrival of AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs, the Stevenson-led run game can greatly benefit. There are few running backs this late in the draft that offer starting lineup potential to ride the bench. Stevenson offers excellent depth and can fill in as an RB2 in the event of injuries, bye week needs, or if the RB2 does not pan out.
Round 10, Pick 10: KC Concepcion (WR)
With four receivers already rostered, KC Concepcion is worth taking a chance on to fill the final WR spot. He entered the NFL draft as one of the top receivers available. With elite acceleration, quick footwork, and blazing speed, Concepcion brings receiver-one talent to a Browns roster in desperate need of a playmaker on the outside.
Regardless of who starts at quarterback, Concepcion hopes to have a high target share percentage. This pick is a deep sleeper move, adding depth at receiver with another high-potential selection. There are a lot of unknowns when taking a rookie playmaker, especially when drafted to a bad team.
Concepcion also provides potential trade material if he hits the ground running. When a player gets hot, there is a strong chance other owners will be interested in a trade. Early success does not guarantee continued success. Concepcion is a solid investment in the final receiver spot that could prove beneficial as the season progresses.
Round 11, Pick 1: Kyle Monangai (RB)
As the draft nears its end, some owners will begin to grab kickers and defenses. Outside of Brandon Aubrey or a top three defense, avoid falling into the trap of sacrificing going early for either position just to end up streaming them. Outside of Gibbs, running back has a lot of questions on the roster. Adding another layer of depth adds more peace of mind at this point.
Kyle Monangai had a decent rookie showing in 2025, amassing over 900 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns, playing behind DeAndre Swift. A promising year one has his stock rising on draft boards and could lead to him not being available this late in the draft. In the event Monangai is still on the board, this is a steal in the 11th round.
While Swift still looks to retain the starting role, Monangai is solidly right behind. If Swift gets injured or reverts back to his inconsistent play that has characterized his career, Ben Johnson could turn to the second-year back. This is definitely a depth pick with the potential of a strong RB2 with RB1 upside if a perfect storm occurs.
Round 12, Pick 10: Isaiah Likely (TE)
Isaiah Likely is a major sleeper entering 2026. At 6’4″ and 220 pounds, the tight end was a monster in the passing game at Coastal Carolina. In his 2021 college season, Likely pulled in 59 receptions for 912 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading his selection in the fourth round by the Ravens.
Assuming a role behind All-Pro Mark Andrews, Likely has yet to fully step into his full potential. His smooth route running and receiver-like catching abilities have flashed, demonstrating his talent. Now, as a member of the New York Giants, he is expected to take on a more prominent role.
With Jaxon Dart as the starting quarterback and unknowns surrounding star receiver Malik Nabers, Likely will look to provide a security blanket and red-zone threat for the Giants’ offense. Taking the tight end late in the draft is an excellent depth pick with TE1 potential. Likely could also become a strong trade piece in the event he breaks out with so few strong tight end options week to week.
Round 13-Round 16:
Depending on bench depth, there is potentially up to three more rounds. If the league played in has a smaller bench, there is potential that a defense or a kicker will need to replace some of the rounds 10-12 picks. In the final rounds, choose a kicker and defense. Streaming a kicker or defense is never a bad move. Use the waivers to wheel and deal for these positions based on matchups. It is better to avoid negative points on defense rather than try to chase that 40-point game. More often than not, a positive-point defense is a winning strategy.
When choosing a kicker, look for those offenses that seem to stall in the red zone. It is less about the kicker and more about the type of team on the field. While extra points are better than nothing, it is those teams that have to settle for field goals time and again that are the move.
Final Strategies
Picking first always has its advantages and challenges. The biggest piece to the puzzle is finding at least two areas on the roster to have an elite positional advantage over the rest of the field and getting out ahead of the owners. While all owners try to predict, sitting in the first spot requires a little more intuition. 18 picks are a lot to go through before getting back on the board, and so taking an elite tight end or quarterback a round early could bode well in ensuring not getting left behind.
A few more players to consider late in the draft: Kyler Murray, Tyler Shough, Jalen Nailor, Romeo Doubs
