Draft position strategy varies depending on the round and league format, but here is a general overview of what to target at each round position in a typical 12-team fantasy football draft:
Round 1
- Early picks (1-2): Ideal for securing elite running backs or top wide receivers like Saquon Barkley or Ja'Marr Chase, who are expected to be top picks in 2025
- Middle picks (5-8): Good for balanced selections; you can still get elite receivers or top-tier running backs such as Breece Hall or Bijan Robinson
- Late picks (10-12): You may miss out on the very top players but can still draft strong wide receiver pairs or value picks; some prefer these spots for the advantage of back-to-back picks in snake drafts
Round 2
- Focus on securing complementary players to your Round 1 pick, often wide receivers or running backs who have high upside but fell in the draft order
Round 3
- This is a good round to target quarterbacks if top QBs like Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes are still available, especially around picks 10-12
- Also a good time to pick high-upside RBs or WRs who may have slipped through the first two rounds
Middle Rounds (4-7)
- Target solid starters and potential breakout players, including tight ends and secondary skill positions.
- Look for value picks according to ADP and team needs
Later Rounds
- Focus on depth, backups, high-upside sleepers, and positional flexibility.
- Consider drafting quarterbacks or tight ends if you waited on those positions earlier
Summary Table for Round 1 Draft Position in 12-Team Leagues
Draft Position| Recommended Strategy
---|---
1-2| Elite RB or WR (e.g., Barkley, Chase)
3-5| High-end RB or WR, balanced approach
6-8| Top WRs or RBs with upside (e.g., Hall, Robinson)
9-12| Strong WR pair or value RBs, advantage of back-to-back picks
Optimal draft positions tend to be early in the first round (1 or 2) for maximum value, but middle positions (5-7) are also favored by some for balanced spacing and less stress
. Quarterbacks are generally best picked in the 3rd round or later unless a top-tier QB is available earlier
. This strategy varies slightly depending on league format (PPR, half-PPR, standard) and scoring settings but provides a solid framework for drafting at each round position.
