10-Team PPR Draft Strategy

 

Round-by-Round 10-team Draft Strategy

You’re heading into a 10-team PPR draft. What do you need to know?

Here are two key things …

1) This format favors opportunity volume.

When you’re trying to decide between closely ranked players, lean toward the guy with volume upside.

The leader in targets and/or receptions won’t always be the better fantasy producer. But if you’re weighing them together in your draft, then there’s already at least something about them that makes them similar values.

Select the option with a path to a volume spike, and you’ll get the guy with an easier breakout case.

2) There will be plenty of “good” players for everyone.

What’s that mean? It’s easier in a 10-team league for every manager to start out with a team he/she likes – especially if you only need to start 2 WRs and 2 RBs – than it is in a 12-team draft.

So you can afford to go after a top QB and/or TE rather than stacking WRs and RBs basically whenever you think it makes sense.

But “top” is the key. You want to chase ultimate upside here. That’s where you’ll gain edges.

And if some of those upside targets disappoint, this league size will make it easier to find attractive replacements on waivers.

How Can You Take Advantage of the Format?

It all starts with your Draft War Room.

Use the fantasy football league sync to import all the specific settings from your league. And then as you draft, that Draft War Room will automatically update with every pick.

The result: round-by-round pick recommendations catered to your exact draft situation.

I used the Draft War Room to lay out these pick paths from every area of your 10-team draft. We're going 16 rounds with these lineup settings:

• 1 QB
• 2 RBs
• 2 WRs
• 1 TE
• 1 Flex (RB/WR/TE)
• 1 K
• 1 DST
• 7 bench spots

 

10-Team PPR Draft Strategy: Pick 1

Round 1

Target: Ja'Marr Chase

We could lump other positions in with this one, but Chase comes up well ahead of everyone else on the board in 3D value for this format:

• Chase 100.0
• CeeDee Lamb 89.4
• Bijan Robinson 88.9

So it makes sense to treat this spot as a solo for this year. And drafting on the end  ("at the turn") can differ from picking even a spot or two away.

Let's see how it goes from here ...

 

Rounds 2 & 3

Top Targets: Bucky Irving & Breece Hall

If you start three WRs, then Drake London and Tee Higgins will lead the pick recommendations for your second selection at this turn. But the board likes a RB double-tap to follow Chase for your 2-WR lineup.

It's fair to wonder if Irving can hold up over a full season to the workload he handled late in 2024. But if he does get that same share, you're getting an RB1-level performer.

Hall disappointed last season but remains one of the biggest all-around talents at his position. He finished each of the previous two seasons among the top 7 in PPR points per game.

Next Best: Drake London & Alvin Kamara

You could sub one of these players into the duo above, if you'd like.

London posted big numbers in his small sample with Michael Penix last season. We're not just extrapolating that for 2025, though. He wound up WR9 in expected PPR points per game for the whole year.

You probably don't need to take Kamara this early to land him. But he's fine to take early. Kamara led all RBs in expected PPR points per game last year, thanks primarily to his receiving.

You might find Kamara behind Chase Brown on your board at this turn, but I'd be hesitant to combine a WR and RB from the same team within the first three rounds. It's asking a lot to need high-end production from both players, even in a high-powered offense.

Other Options

Chase Brown, Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins, Kyren Williams

 

Rounds 4 & 5

Top Targets: Alvin Kamara & Rashee Rice

See? Kamara made it back to us at the end of Round 4 here and sits well ahead of everyone else even after I've drafted two RBs and one WR through three rounds.

If we take Kamara first, then Rice leads the WR pack by a healthy margin. But the board definitely wants you to go wideout even if he's gone.

Next Best: Mike Evans & James Conner

Evans carries some cushion over the other WRs, behind Rice. We project him just 27th among WRs in targets per game, which hurts his weekly floor. But Evans has made a career of outperforming expected point totals with his downfield acumen and end-zone prowess.

Conner doesn't appear likely to make it back to your Round 6 turn. So he's an option here if you want him.

The cover boy of our Underrated Players article has finished each of his four Arizona seasons among the top 12 RBs in PPR points per game.

Other Options

Garrett Wilson, Chuba Hubbard, D.J. Moore, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, D.K. Metcalf

 

Rounds 6 & 7

Top Targets: DeVonta Smith & Aaron Jones

The Board told you to double-tap RBs early and take another last time because it foresaw plenty of WR value remaining on the board these past two turns.

We know Smith trails A.J. Brown in target share and plays in one of the league's most run-heavy offenses. But he finished 21st and 17th among WRs in PPR points per game in that situation the past two years.

Jones figures to cede more work after the Vikings traded for and paid RB Jordan Mason. But last year's role made him the RB13 in expected PPR points per game. He could come down from that and still make plenty of sense as your RB4 here.

Next Best: Jaylen Waddle & Isiah Pacheco

Which one of these numbers doesn't belong?

• 14
• 14
• 22
• 56

Those were Waddle's final rankings in PPR points per game the past four years, making 2025 the clear outlier.

Jonnu Smith's departure helps the target outlook, but the Dolphins should have been looking to rebound Waddle's opportunity even before that.

Pacheco similarly had an offseason that indicated his team still believes in him. The fourth-year RB stunk after returning from his broken leg in 2024. But Andy Reid said in April that he thought Pacheco came back too early and that he expects much more from his lead back in 2025.

Other Options

D'Andre Swift, Zay Flowers, Tetairoa McMillan, Tony Pollard, TreVeyon Henderson

 

Rounds 8 & 9

Top Targets: Chris Olave & Chris Godwin

Upside Mode has kicked on for this turn. That automatically increases the value of the ceiling projections and ceiling likelihood within our 3D Value system to highlight high-upside players the rest of the way.

We've gotten here with four RBs and three WRs, but the values still say it's a good time to keep passing on QB and TE.

This pair would present a fourth-year WR who was going 12th at the position in ADP last summer and another who averaged the third-most PPR points per game before dislocating his ankle.

Seems like a nice pair of upside shots at this stage.

Next Best: Jordan Addison & Brian Robinson Jr.

Addison finished each of his first two seasons among the top 31 WRs in PPR points per game. His ceiling would obviously rise with a Justin Jefferson injury.

Robinson's not an exciting pick here but would make plenty of sense as your fifth RB. He posted eight top-24 PPR weeks last year despite reaching 50% playing time in only eight games and ceding the backfield receiving lead to Austin Ekeler.

It helped that his offense that ranked:

• fifth in scoring
• seventh in total yards
• sixth in DVOA

Other Options

Jaylen Warren, Travis Etienne, Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel

 

Rounds 10 & 11

Top Targets: Justin Fields & Dalton Kincaid

This is why you can push off QB and TE through those first nine rounds, at least by current ADP.

Fields sits ninth in our QB rankings but has displayed top-6 scoring ability. Kincaid stands ninth in our PPR TE rankings.

He disappointed vs. high expectations the past two years. But Kincaid ranked 10th among TE in target share from Week 7 on as a rookie and repeated that for all of 2025. He's at least a solid PPR floor play.

Next Best: Justin Herbert & Travis Etienne

Herbert finished eight of the final 11 weeks last year among the top 13 fantasy QBs. He should get more help with the arrival of Round 2 WR Tre Harris, but the Chargers also look likely to lean back toward the run a bit.

Either way, Herbert makes sense if Fields doesn't stay on the board for you.

Etienne trailed Tank Bigsby in rushing efficiency last year and watched the team add fourth-rounder Bhayshul Tuten in May. But he should at least face an open competition for roles and workload this summer.

Etienne's an easy bet as a reserve, even if you want to pair him with a backfield mate.

Other Options

Tyler Warren, Tucker Kraft, Jake Ferguson, Najee Harris, Tyjae Spears, Dallas Goedert

The next group of TEs doesn't quite hop over Etienne if Kincaid's gone. But you could certainly reach over the Jaguars RB if you favor a TE at this stage.

 

Rounds 12 & 13

Top Targets: Najee Harris & Jayden Reed

Harris and Spears arrive to my spot here separated by just 0.2 points in 3D Value. So feel free to roll with your favorite. That'd probably be spears for my own RB5 slot, but I won't argue against Harris.

Reed has slid from WR2-3 territory in ADP last offseason to the WR4 neighborhood this time around. That makes his weekly upside worth stashing, in case he gets better target volume and becomes more startable.

Next Best: Tyjae Spears & Tyler Warren

If you didn't get your TE before now, then this is a good turn to do so.

You probably can't count on Warren getting here, because he's likely to generate some camp buzz this summer. But the

Other Options

Tucker Kraft, Jake Ferguson, Dallas Goedert, Josh Downs, Tank Bigsby, Bhayshul Tuten

 

Rounds 14-16

Top Targets: Upside + K + DST

Time to secure your season-opening kicker and team defense. Your DWR rankings will obviously still help with both.

Our Trust Factor ratings add a layer at DST by favoring positive early-season matchups and devaluing defenses with bad matchups. 

That’s how you should play the position all season rather than trying to find one every-week starter (in most formats).

---

 

10-Team PPR Draft Strategy: Pick 2, 3, or 4

Round 1

Top Target: CeeDee Lamb

Lamb let you down if you drafted him first last year, finishing just 10th among WRs in PPR points per game. But he ranked fifth in expected points per game and fourth before the Week 9 contest that ended Dak Prescott's season.

The QB's back, and we're betting that WR George Pickens helps the offense more than he hurts Lamb's target share.

Next Best: Bijan Robinson

Robinson sits ahead of Saquon Barkley in both our rankings and ADP, thanks primarily to a much stronger receiving role. That gives him a higher weekly floor than the Eagles RB.

Robinson sits just ahead of the next couple of WRs, which tells you a bit about how WR value might spread over the next few rounds.

Other options

Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua

 

Rounds 2 & 3

Top Target: Brian Thomas Jr. & Bucky Irving

Finishing this turn with Dallas' alpha, Jacksonville's 2024 breakout, and a top-12 RB would be nice.

Thomas faces a potential target-share challenge from Travis Hunter. But the new guy might also simply enhance the offense while siphoning his work from others.

Irving carries some uncertainty thanks to a change at OC, but new guy Josh Grizzard has indicated he'd like this year's backfield to look like it did late last season. That, of course, was when Irving took over the primary job and starting scoring like a RB1.

Next Best: Drake London & Kyren Williams

London could become a true fantasy star this year if his huge late-season volume from QB Michael Penix Jr. carries over. But even if that normalizes, London still looks like a good bet for WR1-level performance.

And speaking of good bets, Williams finished each of the past two seasons among the top 4 RBs in opportunity share.

Each offseason seems to bring a new question about whether he can actually deliver for our fantasy teams again, but the value's good anywhere in Round 3.

Other Options

Tee Higgins, Chase Brown, Breece Hall, Tyreek Hill

 

Rounds 4 & 5

Top Target: Breece Hall & James Conner

If you get here with two WRs and one RB, then a pack of runners will flood your board.

Hall leads the way, and his current ADP stands more than three rounds later than where you had to draft him last year. We still have work-split questions to answer as the Jets move through their first summer under HC Aaron Glenn. But Hall's talent makes him easier to believe in.

If you get to your Round 5 spot with two RBs and two WRs, then the Draft War Room most likely wants you to grab a third RB. That could change if you start three WRs, but the RB value looks strong in this range.

Conner shouldn't need much selling at this point. He has finished all four of his Arizona seasons among the top 12 RBs in PPR points per game.

Next Best: Alvin Kamara & Rashee Rice

Current ADP says Rice might make it to 5.02, but don't bet on that holding through draft season. Fantasy managers tend to get excited about Patrick Mahomes receivers, especially young ones.

If Rice does make it to your Round 4 slot, then feel free to reach over the RBs to grab him. At least one of these veteran backs is likely to last until Round 5 (and quite possibly more than one).

Kamara finds himself undervalued by the market for the second straight year. But we're not making the same mistake we did in failing to highlight him better in 2024.

Even if the 30-year-old Saint doesn't match his talent of a few years ago, he led all RBs in expected PPR points per game last season. That means the team gave him the ball a ton, especially in the passing game. And that's the most important factor in RB output.

Other options

Kenneth Walker III, Chuba Hubbard, Mike Evans, David Montgomery, Garrett Wilson

The biggest thing to keep in mind for this turn is that it presents options. You can spend your Round 4-5 picks on two RBs, two WRs, or a split and leave happy.

Play around with the Mock Draft Trainer to see what you like best.

 

Rounds 6 & 7

Top Target: DeVonta Smith & Aaron Jones

Smith makes for a nice third WR in a 2-WR PPR lineup, or fourth if you start three. He doesn't win on target volume but has been hyper-efficient through four seasons -- including a 69.8% career catch rate -- and plays in one of the league's top scoring offenses.

At the least, there's spike-week appeal to combine with safer target bets in your lineup.

Jones sits at a scary age for RBs (30). But that was a risk factor last season as well, and he set career highs in carries, rushing yards, and total touches.

Feel free to reach over him for the younger Pacheco if you'd like, but don't overrate Jordan Mason's arrival in how you view Jones. (He's still Minnesota's backfield leader when healthy.)

Next Best: Zay Flowers & Isiah Pacheco

Flowers sports a better role (No. 1 WR) on his team but carries a volume question similar to Smith's. That said, better TD luck than he had the past two years (6.0% TD rate) could vault his production even without a target spike.

Pacheco returns to the clear backfield lead after limping through the end of 2024. Andy Reid indicated early this year that his RB probably returned a little too early from his leg fracture ... and later said his top back "looks tremendous."

You know what else looks tremendous? Pacheco's upside at market cost. That's why he led this RB Sleepers list.

Other options

Jaylen Waddle, D'Andre Swift, Tony Pollard, Tetairoa McMillan, Travis Hunter, George Pickens

 

Rounds 8 & 9

Top Target: Tetairoa McMillan & Brian Robinson Jr.

This is a good turn to keep reinforcing your RB and WR groups, because the QB and TE ADPs suggest you'll still find good options later. Exactly who you pick can come down to personal preference (or, obviously, who actually makes it to you).

McMillan should immediately claim the No. 1 WR role in Carolina. Even if you're not excited about him, Bryce Young, or the offense, that alone makes for a solid buy at this stage of your draft.

Robinson won't give anyone goosebumps but would make plenty of sense here. He posted eight top-24 PPR weeks last year despite reaching 50% playing time in only eight games and ceding the backfield receiving lead to Austin Ekeler.

It helped that his offense that ranked:

• fifth in scoring
• seventh in total yards
• sixth in DVOA

Next Best: Chris Olave & Jaylen Warren

If you like Olave over McMillan -- or want to pass on the Saint altogether -- that's fine. Either way, this is late enough to take a shot on a guy who was going in Round 3 a year ago.

Similarly, Warren might seem like more fun than Robinson and would be fine to sub in for the Washington RB, especially as a bench stash. Robinson leads Warren by 0.1 in 3D Value in the Draft War Room I'm looking at.

Other Options

Jordan Addison, Deebo Samuel, Jerry Jeudy, Travis Etienne, Cam Skattebo

By the way, Upside Mode has kicked on in this range. That automatically increases the value of the ceiling projections and ceiling likelihood within our 3D Value system to highlight high-upside players the rest of the way.

 

Round 10 & 11

Top Targets: Justin Fields & Dalton Kincaid

If Fields gets here and you still need a QB, then you're in luck.

We rank him just one spot higher among QBs than ADP has him, but the guy has a No. 6 ranking in fantasy points per game (2022) to his credit. And his two-year contract with $30 million guaranteed locks him in as at least the 2025 starter.

Kincaid lacks the fantasy excitement of Fields but similarly presents good value at this turn.

The third-year Bill ranked 10th among TEs in target share over the second half of his rookie season, and then again throughout an injury-marred 2025. Even if he remains more of a floor play going forward, that's more attractive at his depressed ADP.

Next Best: Justin Herbert & Tyler Warren

Message: This is the turn to land your QB and TE if you haven't done so already.

Herbert doesn't need much of a sales pitch at this stage of your draft. And the Colts didn't draft Warren 14th overall to bring him along slowly in a needy pass offense.

Other options

Caleb Williams, Tucker Kraft, Jake Ferguson, Dak Prescott, Jakobi Meyers, Khalil Shakir

 

Rounds 12 & 13

Top Target: Jayden Reed & Najee Harris

This turn is less about specifically who to target and more about what to get. We're hunting for upside here, and don't ignore team fit.

That upside, of course, already gets factored heavily into the Upside Mode that's driving your pick recommendations at this stage. But it's OK to reach over Reed and/or Harris for Downs and/or Spears if you prefer the latter duo.

It's also OK to say, "I'm comfy with my RB (or WR) group at this point; I'm gonna just take two from the other position."

Next Best: Josh Downs & Tyjae Spears

Lastly, pay attention to the players' teams.

You don't need to avoid drafting teammates, but you shouldn't do so without being aware. You can draft Downs and Michael Pittman to the same roster if you want, for example, because they're both going late enough that you're not drafting them to start together.

Spears and Tony Pollard can similarly be rostered together for two key reasons:

1. Spears should present standalone value even when Pollard's healthy.
2. He's as direct a replacement as you'll find for a "handcuff" RB.

In most cases, playing the backup to your RB starter would mean a drop in production. The Titans RBs, meanwhile, look like twins in different jerseys.

In other cases, however, sharing a team might be a negative and break a tie in the favor or a different player at your draft turn -- especially earlier in your draft.

Other Options

Brandon Aiyuk, Tucker Kraft, Jake Ferguson, Dallas Goedert, Darnell Mooney, Rashid Shaheed, Hollywood Brown, Tank Bigsby, J.K. Dobbins

ADP says you can wait until this range and still land one of the TEs above.

 

Rounds 14-16

Top Targets: Upside + K + DST

Time to secure your season-opening kicker and team defense. Your DWR rankings will obviously still help with both.

Our Trust Factor ratings add a layer at DST by favoring positive early-season matchups and devaluing defenses with bad matchups. 

That’s how you should play the position all season rather than trying to find one every-week starter (in most formats).

---

 

10-Team PPR Draft Strategy: Pick 5, 6, 7, or 8

Round 1

Top Target: CeeDee Lamb

This might seem like too big a range to lump together, but it signals how close the WRs (and Christian McCaffrey) sit to each other in valuation.

Lamb's ADP for the format says he's the sixth player off the board on average. Don't be surprised if he's gone before your selection. But you also shouldn't despair in that case.

Next Best: Puka Nacua

Nacua lost five games and parts of two others to a knee injury last year. But he scored fantasy points even more efficiently than his first season when on the field. So he's an attractive consolation prize.

You might still find Nacua available if you pick at the back of this range, because plenty of drafters seem a little spooked by Davante Adams' arrival.

You'll still be in good shape in that case, though, with the guys listed below.

Other Options

Christian McCaffrey, Malik Nabers, Nico Collins, Brian Thomas Jr.

 

Round 2

Top Target: De'Von Achane

If you snagged a WR in Round 1, then this is a great time to get your RB1. And vice versa.

Because we got Lamb (or Nacua) in this exercise, Achane and Taylor lead the way. The former became a PPR maven in 2024, leading the position by 10 receptions and 49 receiving yards despite missing his QB for six games.

(And yes, Achane was even better in Tua games.)

Next Best: Jonathan Taylor

Taylor's the first RB in our annual Underrated Players list because he's going eighth in ADP at the position despite having a RB1-overall season behind him.

Not just that ... Taylor also scored at an RB1-overall rate last year in his five games without QB Anthony Richardson.

Other Options

Brian Thomas Jr., A.J. Brown, Drake London

 

Round 3

Top Target: Chase Brown

We've gotten here with a WR and a RB rostered, and the Draft War Room looks thirsty for that RB2.

Brown's the first of four backs surrounding Tee Higgins on my board at this turn.

He finished 14th in PPR points per game last year despite sharing the backfield for half the season. From Week 9 on -- when Cincinnati made Brown the man -- he ranked fifth at the position in points per game.

The Bengals did nothing in the offseason to suggest they want to challenge his backfield lead.

Next Best: Joe Mixon

Last season might have kicked off a war against ageism at RB. Team 30 (years old) found Derrick Henry and Aaron Jones among the top 9 in rushing yards. James Conner and Alvin Kamara each hit the top 12 in rushing yards per game in their age-29 seasons.

That's what Mixon hits this year. And that factor might be helping drafters underrate him. The vet finished each of the past three seasons among the top 14 in PPR points per game. That included an RB9 ranking in his first Houston season. And he should easily lead the backfield again in 2025.

Mixon's ADP says you might get another shot at him in Round 4.

Other Options

Tee Higgins, Breece Hall, Alvin Kamara

 

Round 4

Top Target: Joe Burrow

This assumes the top 4 in our QB rankings have already gone. And the Burrow recommendation highlights the separation between him and our QB6, Patrick Mahomes.

Burrow doesn't bring the rushing that pushes our top 4 QBs to the top. But that didn't stop him from finishing second in both total fantasy points and points per game last season.

Next Best: Breece Hall

Hall disappointed last season vs. his Round 1 ADP but finished each of the previous two years among the top 7 RBs in PPR points per game. And now you can get him as much as three rounds later.

We'll watch for signals throughout training camp of the Jets' workload plans.

Other Options

Alvin Kamara, Kenneth Walker, Rashee Rice

 

Round 5

Top Target: James Conner

We've arrived here with two RBs, Burrow and one WR. But the Draft War Room still says it's time to keep fortifying the backfield.

(That changes, of course, if you need to start three wideouts.)

The perennially underrated Conner leads the way. And if you need the sales pitch on why to draft this guy in Round 5, then you must be new to Draft Sharks.

A homeowner on our annual Underrated list, Conner has delivered top-12 PPR points per game in each of his four Arizona seasons. Yet his ADP sits at RB20.

Next Best: Chuba Hubbard

Hubbard became the de facto workhorse in Carolina last year, with Miles Sanders forgetting how to play football and second-round pick Jonathon Brooks forgetting to bring a second knee.

The Panthers extended him in November at a little more than $8 million per year to show they want that lead to continue.

Other options

Garrett Wilson, D.J. Moore, D.K. Metcalf, David Montgomery

If you want a WR instead, the options ain't bad.

 

Round 6

Top Target: Jaylen Waddle

You shouldn't be surprised to see WRs ruling this turn, and the available names are key to why the Draft War Room went RB-heavy earlier.

Waddle let you down in 2024, but he finished the previous three seasons 22nd, 14th, and 15th in PPR points per game.

And guess what ... his worst season just happened to coincide with a crap year for the Miami offense. (Funny how that works.) So there's incentive for the Dolphins to get the ball back into Waddle's hands.

Next Best: DeVonta Smith

The Eagles' offense went extremely run-heavy last season, even by their own standards. Smith's numbers barely noticed, though, as he still finished 17th among WRs in points per game.

Despite A.J. Brown ranking third among WRs in target share (adjusted for games missed), Smith still managed a strong No. 12 finish.

He's also virtually tied with Waddle here in 3D Value: 75.0 to 74.7 on my board. So feel free to choose your favorite between them.

Other Options

Zay Flowers, Courtland Sutton, Travis Hunter, George Pickens

 

Round 7

Top Target: Tetairoa McMillan

Welcome to another round of "Hey, DWR! Why did you tell me to draft a third RB before my second WR?"

ADP says these two guys plus another couple of attractive names below will still be around in this range. And a couple of them have a shot to last beyond this pick.

McMillan's a relative unknown, obviously, as a rookie. But Carolina nabbed him eighth overall for a team lacking a lead wideout. The path is clear if he's ready, and you can draft him late enough that you'll be OK if he's not.

Next Best: Jameson Williams

Williams broke out last year and has continued to draw buzz throughout this offseason, despite an OC change.

Williams finished just 53rd among WRs in target share last year (adjusted for games missed) and may still have trouble in that category. But any increase in share will meet with nice yardage efficiency thanks to his speed and loaded offense.

Other Options

Aaron Jones, Isiah Pacheco, Calvin Ridley, Chris Godwin

 

Round 8

Top Target: Isiah Pacheco

Williams has a shot to get back to you in this round, and you can take him over the RBs if you'd like. But he drops down to "other options" in this exercise because we already grabbed our third WR last turn.

Pacheco presents tremendous upside from this range. The Chiefs showed us they believe in him rebounding to the backfield lead by adding only Elijah Mitchell and seventh-rounder Brashard Smith this offseason, while re-signing Kareem Hunt (after Mitchell) to only a small, one-year deal.

Next Best: TreVeyon Henderson

I'll be surprised if Henderson makes it this far in late-summer drafts, but he'll certainly be worth a look if he does.

The rookie will share the backfield with $9 million veteran Rhamondre Stevenson, but this year's coaching staff wasn't around when the Pats gave him that extension. They were in place for Henderson's early-second round selection.

Henderson's explosiveness plus the experience of new/old OC Josh McDaniels should make the new back an efficiency machine.

Also, we've entered Upside Mode in this range. That means more focus on the ceiling projections and ceiling likelihood to highlight the true potential difference makers.

Other Options

Jameson Williams, Chris Olave, Brian Robinson Jr.

 

Round 9

Top Target: Chris Godwin

These rounds will ping-pong between RB and WR if you take the early QB (like we did here) because there's TE value for a while.

This turn's a nice spot to stash Godwin, who's only real issue is the recovery from his season-ending ankle dislocation. Drafting him in Round 9, though, means you don't need to count on him at the beginning of the year.

Before he went down last year, Godwin was scoring as the WR3 in PPR points per game. And the Bucs paid him $22 million a year to keep him out of free agency. So they clearly believe he'll be OK.

Next Best: Chris Olave

Olave suffered for injury and a bad offense in 2024. But he finished 27th and 21st in PPR points per game the two years prior, and he's one of just five WRs to average at least 2.05 yards per route on 40+ targets each of the past three seasons. The others?

• Justin Jefferson
• A.J. Brown
• CeeDee Lamb
• Amon-Ra St. Brown

Olave's dramatically lower ADP removes nearly all of the risk.

Other Options

Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel, Brian Robinson Jr., Jaylen Warren

 

Round 10

Top Target: Dalton Kincaid

The Bills TE leads by a wide margin at this turn, and it's no shock. He sits ninth in our PPR TE rankings but just 14th in ADP.

Why? Because he let fantasy drafters down last year, finishing just 20th at the position in points per game. But Kincaid also ranked 10th among TEs in target share (adjusted for games missed) after hitting that same spot from Week 7 on in his rookie season.

If he can stay healthy this season, Kincaid should be well-positioned to remain the No. 2 target with one of the league's top QBs. And the market's lowered expectations mean he doesn't need to do as much to become winning pick.

Next Best: Tyler Warren

If Kincaid's gone, then Warren likely tops your board at this point. He trails Kincaid in ADP for this format at the moment, but don't be surprised if that's different when you draft.

Warren's huge final college season presents obvious upside, especially after it motivated the Colts to take him 15th overall in the draft. But it doesn't make him a lock to produce immediately.

Other Options

Travis Etienne, Jaylen Warren, Jauan Jennings, Jakobi Meyers

 

Round 11

Top Target: Travis Etienne

We get here with QB and TE covered, plus four RBs and four WRs. The pick suggestions will likely hinge on whether you start three WRs or two.

For this 2-WR exercise, the DWR favors RB. Etienne's no longer exciting, but that's why he's available in Round 11. Someone's going to lead Jacksonville's backfield, and he remains the best bet -- at least to open the year.

That said, it's OK to chase what you want on the board at this point.

Next Best: Najee Harris

Harris looks even less exciting than Etienne, because his rookie competition arrived in Round 1. But a potentially run-heavy Chargers offense could produce value for both. And Harris at least carries intriguing upside if Omarion Hampton goes down.

Other Options

Tyjae Spears, Jakobi Meyers, Jayden Reed, Ricky Pearsall, Josh Downs, Michael Pittman

 

Round 12

Top Target: Jayden Reed

More ping pong. If you drafted a WR last turn, then expect to see RBs here instead.

Reed retains weekly upside, and Green Bay's likely to throw at least a bit more than last year -- as long as Jordan Love stays healthy.

Next Best: Josh Downs

Downs carries breakout potential this season if Daniel Jones wins the QB competition. There's upside even if Anthony Richardson hangs on, though. That would mean improved play from the incumbent.

Other Options

Michael Pittman Jr., Darnell Mooney, Rashid Shaheed, Hollywood Brown

 

Round 13

Top Target: Tyjae Spears

It's all about upside at this point. Grab your favorites wherever they fit.

Spears should find more standalone value this year if he can stay healthier than in 2024. But his ultimate upside comes in the case of a Tony Pollard injury.

Next Best: Tank Bigsby

The Jaguars RB beat Etienne on rushing efficiency last year. That could make him the carry leader to open this season. Or he could land third on new HC Liam Coen's depth chart.

This late in the draft, shoot for the upside instead of worrying about the downside.

Other Options

Tyler Warren, Josh Downs, Darnell Mooney, Rashid Shaheed, Hollywood Brown, J.K. Dobbins

 

Rounds 14-16

Top Targets: Upside + K + DST

Time to secure your season-opening kicker and team defense. Your DWR rankings will obviously still help with both.

Our Trust Factor ratings add a layer at DST by favoring positive early-season matchups and devaluing defenses with bad matchups. 

That’s how you should play the position all season rather than trying to find one every-week starter (in most formats).

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10-Team PPR Draft Strategy: Pick 9 or 10

Round 1

Top Target: Malik Nabers

Nabers led all WRs in target share as a rookie and delivered the seventh-most points per game at the position.

This year's QBs fall short of being exciting, but they should be a heckuva lot better than last year's dregs.

Next Best: Ashton Jeanty

Christian McCaffrey will lead Jeanty if he remains on the board. But the Raiders rookie is certainly in play.

He racked up 594 carries and 66 receptions over the past two years, and then the Raiders drafted him sixth overall into a ghost backfield. (The RB formerly known as Raheem Mostert looks like the No. 2 guy.)

Jeanty could challenge for the touch lead among all RBs right away, especially in a Chip Kelly offense that tends to turn up the play volume.

Other Option

Nico Collins, De'Von Achane

 

Round 2

Top Target: De'Von Achane

WRs would lead this spot if we went Jeanty (or McCaffrey) instead of Nabers last round. But high-ceiling RBs greet us instead.

Achane led all RBs by 10 receptions in his second season and finished sixth in PPR points per game. He was at his best with Tua Tagovailoa, who missed six games.

If the QB can stay healthy, then Achane can crack the position's top 4.

Next Best: Jonathan Taylor

Taylor would probably (secretly?) love to see Anthony Richardson lose this summer's QB competition. He scored fantasy points at a rate that would have led all RBs in the games that Richardson missed last year.

Taylor's worth a bet in Round 2, especially with another RB1-overall season already behind him (2021).

Other Option

Derrick Henry, Nico Collins, A.J. Brown

 

Rounds 3 & 4

Top Targets: Chase Brown & Jalen Hurts

I have to be honest: I entered this draft season wary of Brown inside Round 3. But the Bengals have sure acted like they believe in him as their new lead back.

The team added only sixth-round rookie Devin Neal and 30-year-old (in September) passing-down back Samaje Perine. Perhaps Perine steals more receiving work than Brown was giving away late last year.

But he ranked fifth among RBs in PPR points per game from Week 9 on last season (when he took over the backfield). Playing in the high-powered Bengals offense adds TD upside.

Hurts looked disappointing in fantasy last year only because he had been so good before that. But he still scored as the QB5 in healthy games and actually gained TD opportunities vs. 2023.

Expect this year to present a passing rebound with better health among A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert.

Next Best: Joe Mixon & Joe Burrow

Wow, the Draft War Room really likes Bengals and former Bengals around this turn, huh?

If Hurts goes before your Round 4 turn, then Burrow might very well jump over others to lead the pick recommendations. That's because he resides closer to our top 4 QBs in 3D Value than he does to No. 6 Patrick Mahomes.

Mixon, of course, doesn't actually get any credit for his Bengals history. He's recommended for a much better reason: The guy just keeps producing.

His first Houston campaign found Mixon finishing RB9 in points per game, despite leaving a pair of contests early.

He looks set up for another workhorse role after the Texans added only Day 3 pick Woody Marks and the husk of Nick Chubb.

Other Options

Breece Hall, Alvin Kamara, Tyreek Hill, Rashee Rice

 

Rounds 5 & 6

Top Targets: James Conner & D.J. Moore

Conner's four Arizona seasons have all found him landing among the top 12 in PPR points per game. That makes yet another low-RB2 ADP for him pretty insulting.

Take advantage.

Moore, on the other hand, is sliding primarily because the market's concerned about new target challenges.

But why fret over a college TE and a second-round WR stealing Moore's action? I say we bet on the prime-aged, time-tested receiver in a Chicago offense that everyone expects to improve immensely.

Next Best: David Montgomery & D.K. Metcalf

Montgomery actually led Jahmyr Gibbs in expected PPR points per game before the Week 15 game he left early with an injury. We'll see what the OC switch means, but he's worth a look as your third RB.

Metcalf should see strong target shares with Aaron Rodgers piloting an otherwise barren pass offense. (Sorry not sorry, Jonnu Smith.)

Other Options

Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Zay Flowers, Xavier Worthy

 

Rounds 7 & 8

Top Targets: Tetairoa McMillan & Isiah Pacheco

Grab a WR and a RB around this turn.

This combo gives you a top-10-drafted rookie wideout stepping onto a team that needs him to lead; plus a RB who finished 14th in PPR points per game last time we saw him healthy (2023).

Next Best: Jameson Williams & Tony Pollard

The second combo presents a 2024 breakout WR who has continued to generate buzz this offseason.

Pollard doesn't match Pacheco on upside. He ranked a just OK 22nd in PPR points per game and 20th in expected in his first Titans season. And there's some risk that a healthier Tyjae Spears claims more work this year.

Other Options

TreVeyon Henderson, Calvin Ridley, David Njoku, Mark Andrews

 

Rounds 9 & 10

Top Targets: Chris Godwin & Dalton Kincaid

Godwin's coming off a dislocated ankle and watched his team draft WR Emeka Egbuka in Round 1. I can understand why that might make you a little hesitant. But here's why you should take my hand and cross the street ...

Godwin ranked third among WRs in PPR points per game when he went down last season. The Bucs then paid him $22 million per year to keep him from leaving in free agency.

Egbuka was a sensible value in a league that covets WRs on a team bound to lose Mike Evans soon. (He's 32 and in a contract year.)

Time for Your Tight End

When you get to Round 9, it'll probably look like your Draft War Room wants you to follow that WR selection with a RB. But don't be surprised if the TEs leap to the top after you get around the turn.

It makes sense. Grabbing Kincaid as your TE starter will present more value than the available RBs will as your No. 5.

Kincaid might have already let you down in the past, but his depressed ADP means you don't need to expect too much. And he's still a 25-year-old former first-round pick in an upside spot.

Next Best: Deebo Samuel & Tyler Warren

If Kincaid's gone, then Warren leaps over the RBs to lead the recs. And this would be a good time to take a shot on the first-round rookie who delivered a 104-1,233-8 receiving line in his final Penn State campaign.

Stashing Deebo on Your Bench Would Be Nice

Washington guaranteed Samuel's $17 million salary and added incentives after acquiring him from the 49ers. Expect a big role in an offense that sported little behind Terry McLaurin last season.

My colleague Jared Smola has pointed out that Samuel's 2024 efficiency declined after a mid-season bout with pneumonia:

• Five games before: 10.5 yards per target, 2.19 yards per route
• Nine games after: 6.8 per target, 1.26 per route

Other Options

Jaylen Warren, Brian Robinson Jr., Cam Skattebo, Jauan Jennings, Khalil Shakir, Jakobi Meyers

 

Rounds 11 & 12

Top Targets: Jayden Reed & Najee Harris

Reed landed just 41st among WRs in PPR points per game last year. But he tied for a mere 63rd in expected points per game. That means his mid-WR4 showing actually outperformed the usage Green Bay gave him.

Expect at least some lean back toward the pass this year. The Packers leaned heavily into the run after a mid-season groin injury to QB Jordan Love (following an early-season knee sprain). The further they lean, the better for Reed.

Harris is fine but will need an Omarion Hampton injury to present difference-making upside.

Next Best: Ricky Pearsall & Tyjae Spears

Pearsall carries some breakout potential in a Niners offense now missing Deebo Samuel and wondering when Brandon Aiyuk's repaired knee (ACL) will be ready.

San Francisco showed how much it likes Pearsall by drafting him in Round 1 last year. And he got significant playing time after recovering from his gunshot wound, despite missing loads of practice time.

Spears should get more touches than he did in an injurious 2024. More importantly, though, he's a Tony Pollard injury away from an attractive ceiling.

Other Options

Austin Ekeler, Tank Bigsby, Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., Darnell Mooney, Keon Coleman, Rashid Shaheed

 

Rounds 13 & 14

Top Targets: Tank Bigsby & Tucker Kraft

The Draft War Room likes a stash at RB or WR and a second TE here.

The merit of the first is obvious. The second might seem frivolous -- and you don't need a TE2 in a 10-team league. But it's also fine to nab Kraft or Ferguson as either insurance on Kincaid (whom we drafted earlier) or a platoon partner.

Next Best: Josh Downs & Jake Ferguson

I like Downs as a target in this range, especially if (when?) Daniel Jones wins the starting job.

The third-year wideout outperformed Michael Pittman last season and outscored his 2025 ADP despite his team's garbage QB play.

Other Options

Jordan Mason, Rashid Shaheed, Hollywood Brown, J.K. Dobbins, Jayden Higgins, Brandon Aiyuk

 

Rounds 15 & 16

Top Targets: K & DST

Time to secure your season-opening kicker and team defense. Your DWR rankings will obviously still help with both.

Our Trust Factor ratings add a layer at DST by favoring positive early-season matchups and devaluing defenses with bad matchups. 

That’s how you should play the position all season rather than trying to find one every-week starter (in most formats).

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Build Your 10-Team Draft Strategy

Now that you've gotten round-by-round tips from your draft position, it's time to set your own board.

The Draft War Room will sync with your league and guide you through your draft -- for any format.

Learn more about the industry's most powerful draft assistant in this video.