12-Team Non PPR Draft Strategy: The Adjustments You Need To Make To Win

 

What’s the optimal 12-team Non PPR draft strategy?

Fantasy drafts are tricky. There are countless variables to consider each time you’re on the clock:

• Scoring system
• Positional value
• Team needs
• ADP
• Upside
• Injury risk

It’s easy to be overwhelmed and make costly draft mistakes.

And is there anything worse than seeing your top picks falter while your opponents land the late-round league winners?

The solution: A round-by-round draft strategy guide to maximize value with every pick.

The 12-team Non PPR draft strategy guide below will take you through top targets and secondary options for every pick of your draft.

We’re using our 3D Values and current ADP to pinpoint the best picks in each round.

Consider this your game plan heading into your draft.

No fantasy football draft goes exactly as planned, of course. You’ll likely need to adjust your Non PPR draft strategy throughout the proceedings to maximize value.

That’s where the customized, dynamic fantasy football cheat sheet on your Draft War Room comes into play, instantly analyzing 17 value indicators each time you’re on the clock to help you make the best pick.

Combine the Draft War Room with this round-by-round game plan, and you’ll be armed with the ultimate Non PPR fantasy football draft guide.

Note: This strategy guide assumes a 16-round draft and starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 Flex, 1 K and 1 DST. The Draft War Room will help you adjust your strategy if your league settings are different.

 

Non PPR Draft Strategy for Pick 1, 2, or 3

Round 1

Top target: Saquon Barkley

You’ll find a RB topping your Draft War Room here, with Barkley leading Bijan Robinson and Derrick Henry.

Barkley is coming off a historic 2024 season, scoring the 23rd-most non-PPR points by a RB in NFL history. He returns to a nearly identical situation in 2025 in a high-scoring Eagles offense behind an elite offensive line.

Next best: Bijan Robinson

Robinson doesn’t project for as many carries or rushing yards as Barkley. But he’s just as good a TD bet and will do more as a receiver.

Robinson might also be a safer bet than Barkley, considering he’s five years younger.

Other options

• Derrick Henry
• Ja’Marr Chase

  

Rounds 2 & 3

Top targets: Kyren Williams & Drake London

Williams ranked third among RBs in expected non-PPR points per game and seventh in actual points per game last year.

Strong goal-line usage fueled those numbers. Williams led all RBs with 70 red-zone carries and ranked third with 20 carries inside the 5-yard line.

The Rams drafted another RB (Jarquez Hunter) and have talked about deploying more of a committee this season. But the three-year extension Williams signed in early August confirms that he remains a centerpiece of this offense.

London is coming off a WR6 finish in non-PPR points and could be even better in 2025. He’s still ascending at 24, and QB Michael Penix Jr. might prove to be a significant upgrade over last year’s version of Kirk Cousins.

Next best: Lamar Jackson & Bucky Irving

QBs gain value in non-PPR leagues. The format doesn’t impact their scores, but it lowers RB, WR, and TE scores by removing reception scoring.

That makes the elite QBs such as Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Jayden Daniels worth considering as early as Round 3.

Irving was awesome as a rookie, leading all RBs in yards after contact per attempt and finishing sixth in rush yards over expected per attempt.

He took over as Tampa Bay's clear lead back over his final eight games and ranked seventh among RBs in non-PPR points per game. Expect similar usage in 2025.

Other options

• Jayden Daniels
• Chase Brown
• James Cook
• Tee Higgins

 

Rounds 4 & 5

Top targets: James Conner & Mike Evans

Don’t be afraid to open your non-PPR draft with three RBs inside your first four or five picks (assuming you can start three RBs).

Conner kept rolling last year, finishing RB14 in non-PPR points per game. That followed a RB7 finish in 2023.

He’ll remain Arizona’s clear lead back in 2025 and presents nice value here.

Evans is showing no signs of slowing down at 32. In fact, he averaged a career-best 2.41 yards per route on his way to a WR6 finish in non-PPR points per game last season.

Evans has now finished as a top-10 WR in non-PPR points per game in six of the past seven years.

Next best: Chuba Hubbard & D.K. Metcalf

Hubbard finished 11th among RBs in non-PPR points per game last year. He proved excellent as a runner, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and ranking top-9 in rush yards over expected per attempt, yards after contact per attempt, and Pro Football Focus rush grade.

Hubbard's receiving performance trailed well behind, though. He's in danger of losing work to Rico Dowdle and/or Trevor Etienne there. That’s less worrisome in non-PPR than if would be in other formats.

Metcalf boasts exciting TD upside in Pittsburgh. He has averaged 8.0 TDs per season on an 11% TD rate for his career. QB Aaron Rodgers, meanwhile, owns a career 6.1% TD rate. That’s second-highest among all QBs with 1,000+ career attempts since the 1970 merger.

Other options

• David Montgomery
• TreVeyon Henderson
• Marvin Harrison Jr.
• Terry McLaurin
• D.J. Moore
• Xavier Worthy

   

Rounds 6 & 7

Top targets: Jameson Williams & Tetairoa McMillan

Time to start filling out your WR corps if you went RB-heavy early.

Williams is coming off a breakout 2024 and ran particularly well over the second half, averaging 73.4 yards and 0.5 TDs over his final eight games. He ranked 18th among WRs in non-PPR points per game during that stretch.

McMillan boasts a strong prospect profile and has a good chance to immediately emerge as Carolina’s top target. If QB Bryce Young keeps playing like he did over the second half of last season, McMillan will be a good bet for WR2-level production.

Next best: Isiah Pacheco & Jaylen Waddle

Pacheco's 2024 season got derailed by a September broken leg. He operated as a workhorse before that injury, though, and the Chiefs added only complementary pieces to the backfield this offseason.

A healthy Pacheco remains a good bet to lead his backfield. Remember that he finished 14th among RBs in non-PPR points per game in 2023.

Waddle's volume and efficiency tanked in a weird Miami passing season. But that looks like an outlier when you compare it to the rest of Waddle's career:

• Sixth overall pick of the 2021 draft
• Caught 104 balls as a rookie
• Finished WR13 in year 2
• Finished WR22 in year 3

Waddle's a strong bounce-back bet in 2025, especially after Miami traded TE Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh.

Other options

• Tony Pollard
• TreVeyon Henderson
• Calvin Ridley
• Rome Odunze
• Mark Andrews

  

Rounds 8 & 9

Top targets: Deebo Samuel & Jordan Mason

Blame the pneumonia for Samuel's disappointing 2024 season. He was as efficient as ever before getting sick and now lands in an ascending Commanders offense. Samuel's after-catch ability is a good fit in OC Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

Mason has been a rankings riser this summer. Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell called his backfield a "1A-1B" situation with Aaron Jones and Mason. And Minnesota might lean on the run a bit more this season under first-year starting QB J.J. McCarthy.

Next best: Tyrone Tracy & Ricky Pearsall

Tracy has climbed the RB rankings in August with reports that he'll open the season as the Giants' clear lead back. He was in that role over his final 11 games last year and ranked 23rd among RBs in non-PPR points per game.

WR Brandon Aiyuk won't be ready for the start of the season after last October's multi-ligament knee injury. WR Jauan Jennings has missed most of August with a calf injury.

That leaves Pearsall as the likely No. 1 WR in an always-efficient 49ers passing game. His ceiling extends into the top-20 at the position.

Other options

• Dak Prescott
• Jaylen Warren
• J.K. Dobbins
• Chris Olave
• Emeka Egbuka
• Jauan Jennings
• Tucker Kraft

  

Rounds 10 & 11

Top targets: Justin Fields & Dallas Goedert

This is a good spot to target your QB1 and TE1.

It's not always pretty, but Fields has continually produced as a QB1 with upside thanks to his high-end rushing production. His 50.2 rushing yards per game rank second among QBs over the last four seasons, behind only Lamar Jackson.

Goedert struggled with injuries last year but drew a 20.2% target share in his eight full games and ranked third among 43 qualifying TEs in ESPN receiver score. He’s still a good bet for top-12 production on a per-game basis, especially if the Eagles throw a bit more this season.

Next best: Jacory Croskey-Merritt & Keon Coleman

Croskey-Merritt was a huge August riser, going from afterthought to potential lead ball carrier for the Commanders after Brian Robinson was traded to the 49ers.

Croskey-Merritt doesn't project to do much in the passing game. But if he can capture 12-15 carries per game, plus goal-line work, he could flirt with RB2 production.

Coleman was coming on before a Week 9 wrist injury last year, posting 4-125-0 and 5-70-1 lines in the two preceding games. The 33rd overall pick of 2024 has an opportunity to earn a big role in a high-scoring Bills offense this season.

Other options

• Caleb Williams
• Rhamondre Stevenson
• Darnell Mooney
• Michael Pittman
• Dalton Kincaid
• Tyler Warren
• Colston Loveland

   

Rounds 12 & 13

Top targets: Bhayshul Tuten & Rashid Shaheed

Tuten might open the season as Jacksonville's No. 3 RB. But don't be surprised if he works his way into a significant role -- and maybe the lead job -- throughout the year.

Tuten was hand-picked by the Jaguars' new regime and is an explosive player, clocking a 4.32-second 40 time at 206 pounds.

Shaheed drew a 23.3% target share and averaged 2.04 yards per route before a season-ending knee injury in Week 6 last year. Both  marks ranked top-30 among WRs. He's back to 100% now and remains locked in as New Orleans’ No. 2 WR.

The Saints need to answer their big QB question but project for a significant spike in play volume under new HC Kellen Moore.

Next best: Drake Maye & Jayden Higgins

Target Maye here if you're still looking for your QB1 (or want a high-upside QB2). He ranked 15th among QBs in fantasy points per game last year -- as a rookie with one of the league's worst supporting casts. Maye got pass-catching and offensive line upgrades this offseason, giving him breakout potential.

Higgins might not open the season in a full-time role. But it shouldn't take him long to work into that position. That gives the talented rookie a path to significant fantasy value if Houston's passing game bounces back. The 2023 Texans produced a pair of top-12 WRs in PPR points per game in Collins and Tank Dell.

Other options

• Trevor Lawrence
• Jerome Ford
• Dylan Sampson
• Ray Davis
• Tyler Allgeier
• Trey Benson
• Keenan Allen
• Christian Kirk
• Marvin Mims

  

Rounds 14, 15 & 16

Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

• Ollie Gordon
• Rico Dowdle
• Chris Rodriguez
• Brashard Smith
• Marquise Brown
• Cedric Tillman
• Luther Burden
• Jalen Coker
• Troy Franklin
• Kyle Williams
• Chig Okonkwo

Use your final two picks on a kicker and DST. Target a kicker on a strong offense. We recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at DST throughout the season.

Here are three DSTs with favorable early schedules:

• Broncos (vs. TEN, at IND)
• Steelers (at NYJ, vs. SEA, at NE)
• 49ers (at SEA, at NO)

  

  

Non PPR Draft Strategy for Pick 4, 5, or 6

Round 1

Top target: Derrick Henry

You’ll see RBs flooding the top of your rankings here, with Henry likely leading the way.

The 31-year-old showed no signs of decline last year, leading 47 qualifying RBs in rush yards over expected per attempt and Pro Football Focus rushing grade on his way to a RB2 finish in non-PPR points per game

Henry will remain a huge part of a high-scoring Ravens offense in 2025.

Next best: Jahmyr Gibbs

Gibbs finished third among RBs in non-PPR points per game last year. 

Those numbers got a huge boost from David Montgomery missing the final three games. But there’s a chance Gibbs gets a bigger piece of the backfield pie this year if:

1. New OC John Morton deploys a different split, or
2. The Lions play from behind more often, a scenario that would mean more Gibbs.

Other options

• Jonathan Taylor
• Christian McCaffrey
• Ashton Jeanty

  

Round 2

Top target: Kyren Williams

Williams ranked third among RBs in expected non-PPR points per game and seventh in actual points per game last year.

Strong goal-line usage fueled those numbers. Williams led all RBs with 70 red-zone carries and ranked third with 20 carries inside the 5-yard line.

The Rams drafted another RB (Jarquez Hunter) and have talked about deploying more of a committee this season. But Williams could lose some work and still be a nice value here. The three-year extension he signed in early August guarantees that he'll remain a big part of the offense.

Next best: Drake London

London is coming off a WR6 finish in non-PPR points and could be even better in 2025. He’s still ascending at 24, and QB Michael Penix Jr. might prove to be a significant upgrade over last year’s version of Kirk Cousins.

Other options

• Josh Jacobs
• Bucky Irving
• A.J. Brown

 

Round 3

Top target: Jayden Daniels

QBs gain value in non-PPR leagues. The format doesn’t impact their scores, but it lowers RB, WR, and TE scores by removing reception scoring.

That makes the elite QBs like Daniels, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen worth considering as early as Round 3.

Next best: Tee Higgins

The big four-year deal he signed this offseason keeps Higgins tied to one of the game’s best QBs and one of its pass-heaviest offenses.

That environment helped Higgins rank second among WRs in PPR points per game last year. It was his third top-12 finish among the last four seasons.

Yeah, the injuries can be annoying. But Higgins is a good bet for WR1-level production again in 2025. That’s nice to land in the third round.

Other options

• Chase Brown
• James Cook
• Ken Walker
• Tyreek Hill

  

Round 4

Top target: Mike Evans

Evans has showed no signs of slowing down at age 32. In fact, he averaged a career-best 2.41 yards per route on his way to a WR6 finish in non-PPR points per game last season.

Evans has now finished as a top-10 WR in non-PPR points per game in six of the last seven years.

Next best: Ken Walker

Walker has been climbing our RB rankings all summer amidst buzz about his role in new OC Klint Kubiak's offense. Seattle is expected to lean more on the run this season, with Walker as a focal point.

Even in last year's pass-heavy offense, Walker finished 17th among RBs in half-PPR points per game.

Other options

• Chuba Hubbard
• Marvin Harrison Jr.
• D.K. Metcalf

  

Round 5

Top target: James Conner

Don’t be afraid to open your non-PPR draft with three RBs inside your first four or five picks (assuming you can start three RBs).

Conner kept rolling last year, finishing RB14 in non-PPR points per game. That followed a RB7 finish in 2023. He’ll remain Arizona’s clear lead back in 2025 and presents nice value here.

Next best: D.K. Metcalf

Metcalf boasts exciting TD upside in Pittsburgh. He has averaged 8.0 TDs per season on an 11% TD rate for his career. QB Aaron Rodgers, meanwhile, owns a career 6.1% TD rate. That’s second-highest among all QBs with 1,000+ career attempts since the 1970 merger.

Other options

• David Montgomery
• TreVeyon Henderson
• Xavier Worthy
• Courtland Sutton
• DeVonta Smith

  

Round 6

Top target: Jameson Williams

Williams is coming off a breakout 2024 and was particularly good over the second half, averaging 73.4 yards and 0.5 TDs over his final eight games. He ranked 18th among WRs in non-PPR points per game during that stretch.

Next best: Jaylen Waddle

Time to start filling your WR room if you went RB-heavy early.

Waddle's volume and efficiency tanked in a weird Miami passing season. But that looks like an outlier when you compare it to the rest of his career:

• Sixth overall pick of the 2021 draft
• Caught 104 balls as a rookie
• Finished WR13 in year 2
• Finished WR22 in year 3

Waddle's a strong bounce-back bet in 2025, especially after Miami traded TE Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh.

Other options

• George Pickens
• Travis Hunter
• Calvin Ridley
• Mark Andrews

 

Round 7

Top target: Tetairoa McMillan

McMillan boasts a strong prospect profile and has a good chance to emerge as Carolina’s top target immediately. If QB Bryce Young keeps playing like he did over the second half of last season, McMillan will be a good bet for WR2-level production.

Next best: Isiah Pacheco

Pacheco's 2024 season got derailed by a September broken leg. He operated as a workhorse before that injury, though, and the Chiefs added only complementary pieces to the backfield this offseason.

A healthy Pacheco remains a good bet to lead his backfield. Remember that he finished 14th among RBs in non-PPR points per game in 2023.

Other options

• Tony Pollard
• Rome Odunze
• David Njoku

  

Round 8

Top target: Ricky Pearsall

WR Brandon Aiyuk won't be ready for the start of the season after last October's multi-ligament knee injury. WR Jauan Jennings has missed most of August with a calf injury.

That leaves Pearsall as the likely No. 1 WR in an always-efficient 49ers passing game. His ceiling extends into the top-20 at the position.

Next best: Tyrone Tracy

Tracy has climbed the RB rankings in August with reports that he'll open the season as the Giants' clear lead back. He was in that role over his final 11 games last year and ranked 23rd among RBs in non-PPR points per game.

Other options

• Jaylen Warren
• Chris Olave
• Matthew Golden
• Emeka Egbuka

  

Round 9

Top target: Jordan Mason

Mason has been a rankings riser this summer. Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell called his backfield a "1A-1B" situation with Aaron Jones and Mason. And Minnesota might lean on the run a bit more this season under first-year starting QB J.J. McCarthy.

Next best: Deebo Samuel

Blame the pneumonia for Samuel's disappointing 2024 season. He was as efficient as ever before getting sick and now lands in an ascending Commanders offense. Samuel's after-catch ability is a good fit in OC Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

Other options

• Dak Prescott
• J.K. Dobbins
• Jauan Jennings
• Tucker Kraft

  

Round 10

Top target: Justin Fields

This is a good round to lock up your QB1 or TE1.

It's not always pretty, but Fields has consistently produced as a top-12 fantasy scorer thanks to his high-end rushing production. His 50.2 rushing yards per game rank second among QBs over the last four seasons, behind only Lamar Jackson.

Next best: Dallas Goedert

Goedert struggled with injuries last year but drew a 20.2% target share in his eight full games and ranked third among 43 qualifying TEs in ESPN receiver score. He’s still a good bet for top-12 production on a per-game basis, especially if the Eagles throw a bit more this season.

Other options

• Caleb Williams
• Rhamondre Stevenson
• Michael Pittman
• Tyler Warren
• Colston Loveland

 

Round 11

Top target: Keon Coleman

Coleman was coming on before a Week 9 wrist injury last year, posting 4-125-0 and 5-70-1 lines in the two preceding games. The 33rd overall pick of the 2024 draft has an opportunity to earn a big role in a high-scoring Bills offense this season.

Next best: Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Croskey-Merritt was a huge August riser, going from afterthought to potential lead ball carrier for the Commanders after Brian Robinson was traded to the 49ers.

Croskey-Merritt doesn't project to do much in the passing game. But if he can capture 12-15 carries per game, plus goal-line work, he could flirt with RB2 production.

Other options

• Darnell Mooney
• Dalton Kincaid
• Jake Ferguson

 

Round 12

Top target: Rashid Shaheed

Shaheed drew a 23.3% target share and averaged 2.04 yards per route before a season-ending knee injury in Week 6 last year. Those were both top-30 marks among WRs.

He's back to 100% now and remains locked in as New Orleans’ No. 2 WR. The Saints have a big QB question but project for a significant spike in play volume under new HC Kellen Moore.

Next best: Drake Maye

Target Maye here if you're still looking for your QB1 (or want a high-upside QB2). He ranked 15th among QBs in fantasy points per game last year -- as a rookie with one of the league's worst supporting casts. Maye got pass-catching and offensive line upgrades this offseason, giving him breakout potential.

Other options

• Trevor Lawrence
• Jerome Ford
• Trey Benson
• Christian Kirk
• Marvin Mims

 

Round 13

Top target: Bhayshul Tuten

Tuten might open the season as Jacksonville's No. 3 RB. But don't be surprised if he works his way into a significant role -- and maybe the lead job -- throughout the year.

Tuten was hand-picked by the Jaguars' new regime and is an explosive player, clocking a 4.32-second 40 time at 206 pounds.

Next best: Jayden Higgins

Higgins might not open the season in a full-time role. But it shouldn't take him long to work into that position. That gives the talented rookie a path to significant fantasy value if Houston's passing game bounces back. The 2023 Texans produced a pair of top-12 WRs in PPR points per game in Collins and Tank Dell.

Other options

• Dylan Sampson
• Ray Davis
• Tyler Allgeier
• Keenan Allen

  

Rounds 14, 15 & 16

Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

• Ollie Gordon
• Rico Dowdle
• Chris Rodriguez
• Brashard Smith
• Marquise Brown
• Cedric Tillman
• Luther Burden
• Jalen Coker
• Troy Franklin
• Kyle Williams
• Chig Okonkwo

Use your final two picks on a kicker and DST. Target a kicker on a strong offense. We recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at DST throughout the season.

Here are three DSTs with favorable early schedules:

• Broncos (vs. TEN, at IND)
• Steelers (at NYJ, vs. SEA, at NE)
• 49ers (at SEA, at NO)

 

 

Non PPR Draft Strategy for Pick 7, 8, or 9

Round 1

Top target: Derrick Henry

You’ll see RBs flooding the top of your rankings here, with Henry leading the way if he’s still available.

The 31-year-old showed no signs of decline last year, leading 47 qualifying RBs in rush yards over expected per attempt and Pro Football Focus rushing grade on his way to a RB2 finish in non-PPR points per game

Henry will remain a huge part of a high-scoring Ravens offense in 2025.

Next best: Christian McCaffrey

We won’t fault you for preferring a safer option in Round 1. But McCaffrey certainly has the upside to pay off. 

Just two years ago when he scored 1.7 more non-PPR points per game than any other RB. He’s had a healthy 2025 offseason and will continue to be the 49ers’ workhorse for as long as his body holds up.

Other options

• Ashton Jeanty
• Nico Collins
• Puka Nacua

  

Round 2

Top target: Jonathan Taylor

Taylor missed three games last season but averaged 21.6 carries and 102 rushing yards across the other 14. Those marks ranked first and third league-wide.

Indianapolis’ QB situation adds some risk to his 2025 outlook. But the second-round price tag factors that in. Taylor has the upside to be a top-5 non-PPR RB.

Next best: Nico Collins

Collins finished seventh among WRs in non-PPR points per game last year, despite a midseason hamstring injury and a disappointing season from Houston’s offense.

He ranked second in PFF receiving grade and third in yards per route among 84 qualifying WRs. This is a bonafide star well worth a pick in the early second round of fantasy drafts.

Other options

• Brian Thomas Jr.
• A.J. Brown
• Drake London
• Kyren Williams

 

Round 3

Top target: Jayden Daniels

QBs gain value in non-PPR leagues. The format doesn’t impact their scores, but it lowers RB, WR, and TE scores by removing reception scoring.

That makes the elite QBs like Daniels, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen worth considering as early as Round 3.

Next best: Tee Higgins

The big four-year deal he signed this offseason keeps Higgins tied to one of the game’s best QBs and one of its pass-heaviest offenses.

That environment helped Higgins rank second among WRs in PPR points per game last year. It was his third top-12 finish among the last four seasons.

Yeah, the injuries can be annoying. But Higgins is a good bet for WR1-level production again in 2025. That’s nice to land in the third round.

Other options

• Omarion Hampton
• James Cook
• Tyreek Hill

 

Round 4

Top target: Ken Walker

Walker has been climbing our RB rankings all summer amidst buzz about his role in new OC Klint Kubiak's offense. Seattle is expected to lean more on the run this season, with Walker as a focal point.

Even in last year's pass-heavy offense, Walker finished 17th among RBs in non-PPR points per game.

Next best: Mike Evans

Evans has showed no signs of slowing down at age 32. In fact, he averaged a career-best 2.41 yards per route on his way to a WR6 finish in non-PPR points per game last season.

Evans has now finished as a top-10 WR in non-PPR points per game in six of the last seven years.

Other Options

• Chuba Hubbard
• Marvin Harrison Jr.
• Terry McLaurin
• Davante Adams

 

Round 5

Top target: James Conner

Don’t be afraid to open your non-PPR draft with three RBs inside your first four or five picks (assuming you can start three RBs).

Conner kept rolling last year, finishing RB14 in non-PPR points per game. That followed a RB7 finish in 2023. He’ll remain Arizona’s clear lead back in 2025 and presents nice value here.

Next best: D.K. Metcalf

Metcalf boasts exciting TD upside in Pittsburgh. He has averaged 8.0 TDs per season on an 11% TD rate for his career. QB Aaron Rodgers, meanwhile, owns a career 6.1% TD rate. That’s second-highest among all QBs with 1,000+ career attempts since the 1970 merger.

Other options

• David Montgomery
• TreVeyon Henderson
• Xavier Worthy
• Courtland Sutton
• DeVonta Smith

  

Round 6

Top target: Jameson Williams

Williams is coming off a breakout 2024 and was particularly good over the second half, averaging 73.4 yards and 0.5 TDs over his final eight games. He ranked 18th among WRs in non-PPR points per game during that stretch.

Next best: Jaylen Waddle

Time to start filling your WR room if you went RB-heavy early.

Waddle's volume and efficiency tanked in a weird Miami passing season. But that looks like an outlier when you compare it to the rest of his career:

• Sixth overall pick of the 2021 draft
• Caught 104 balls as a rookie
• Finished WR13 in year 2
• Finished WR22 in year 3

Waddle's a strong bounce-back bet in 2025, especially after Miami traded TE Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh.

Other options

• George Pickens
• Travis Hunter
• Calvin Ridley
• Mark Andrews

  

Round 7

Top target: Tetairoa McMillan

McMillan boasts a strong prospect profile and has a good chance to emerge as Carolina’s top target immediately. If QB Bryce Young keeps playing like he did over the second half of last season, McMillan will be a good bet for WR2-level production.

Next best: Isiah Pacheco

Pacheco's 2024 season got derailed by a September broken leg. He operated as a workhorse before that injury, though, and the Chiefs added only complementary pieces to the backfield this offseason.

A healthy Pacheco remains a good bet to lead his backfield. Remember that he finished 14th among RBs in non-PPR points per game in 2023.

Other options

• Tony Pollard
• Rome Odunze
• David Njoku

  

Round 8

Top target: Ricky Pearsall

WR Brandon Aiyuk won't be ready for the start of the season after last October's multi-ligament knee injury. WR Jauan Jennings has missed most of August with a calf injury.

That leaves Pearsall as the likely No. 1 WR in an always-efficient 49ers passing game. His ceiling extends into the top-20 at the position.

Next best: Tyrone Tracy

Tracy has climbed the RB rankings in August with reports that he'll open the season as the Giants' clear lead back. He was in that role over his final 11 games last year and ranked 23rd among RBs in non-PPR points per game.

Other options

• Jaylen Warren
• Chris Olave
• Matthew Golden
• Emeka Egbuka

  

Round 9

Top target: Jordan Mason

Mason has been a rankings riser this summer. Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell called his backfield a "1A-1B" situation with Aaron Jones and Mason. And Minnesota might lean on the run a bit more this season under first-year starting QB J.J. McCarthy.

Next best: Deebo Samuel

Blame the pneumonia for Samuel's disappointing 2024 season. He was as efficient as ever before getting sick and now lands in an ascending Commanders offense. Samuel's after-catch ability is a good fit in OC Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

Other options

• Dak Prescott
• J.K. Dobbins
• Jauan Jennings
• Tucker Kraft

  

Round 10

Top target: Justin Fields

This is a good round to lock up your QB1 or TE1.

It's not always pretty, but Fields has consistently produced as a top-12 fantasy scorer thanks to his high-end rushing production. His 50.2 rushing yards per game rank second among QBs over the last four seasons, behind only Lamar Jackson.

Next best: Dallas Goedert

Goedert struggled with injuries last year but drew a 20.2% target share in his eight full games and ranked third among 43 qualifying TEs in ESPN receiver score. He’s still a good bet for top-12 production on a per-game basis, especially if the Eagles throw a bit more this season.

Other options

• Caleb Williams
• Rhamondre Stevenson
• Michael Pittman
• Tyler Warren
• Colston Loveland

  

Round 11

Top target: Keon Coleman

Coleman was coming on before a Week 9 wrist injury last year, posting 4-125-0 and 5-70-1 lines in the two preceding games. The 33rd overall pick of the 2024 draft has an opportunity to earn a big role in a high-scoring Bills offense this season.

Next best: Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Croskey-Merritt was a huge August riser, going from afterthought to potential lead ball carrier for the Commanders after Brian Robinson was traded to the 49ers.

Croskey-Merritt doesn't project to do much in the passing game. But if he can capture 12-15 carries per game, plus goal-line work, he could flirt with RB2 production.

Other options

• Darnell Mooney
• Dalton Kincaid
• Jake Ferguson

   

Round 12

Top target: Rashid Shaheed

Shaheed drew a 23.3% target share and averaged 2.04 yards per route before a season-ending knee injury in Week 6 last year. Those were both top-30 marks among WRs.

He's back to 100% now and remains locked in as New Orleans’ No. 2 WR. The Saints have a big QB question but project for a significant spike in play volume under new HC Kellen Moore.

Next best: Drake Maye

Target Maye here if you're still looking for your QB1 (or want a high-upside QB2). He ranked 15th among QBs in fantasy points per game last year -- as a rookie with one of the league's worst supporting casts. Maye got pass-catching and offensive line upgrades this offseason, giving him breakout potential.

Other options

• Trevor Lawrence
• Jerome Ford
• Trey Benson
• Christian Kirk
• Marvin Mims

  

Round 13

Top target: Bhayshul Tuten

Tuten might open the season as Jacksonville's No. 3 RB. But don't be surprised if he works his way into a significant role -- and maybe the lead job -- throughout the year.

Tuten was hand-picked by the Jaguars' new regime and is an explosive player, clocking a 4.32-second 40 time at 206 pounds.

Next best: Jayden Higgins

Higgins might not open the season in a full-time role. But it shouldn't take him long to work into that position. That gives the talented rookie a path to significant fantasy value if Houston's passing game bounces back. The 2023 Texans produced a pair of top-12 WRs in PPR points per game in Collins and Tank Dell.

Other options

• Dylan Sampson
• Ray Davis
• Tyler Allgeier
• Keenan Allen

   

Rounds 14, 15 & 16

Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.

Some names to consider:

• Ollie Gordon
• Rico Dowdle
• Chris Rodriguez
• Brashard Smith
• Marquise Brown
• Cedric Tillman
• Luther Burden
• Jalen Coker
• Troy Franklin
• Kyle Williams
• Chig Okonkwo

Use your final two picks on a kicker and DST. Target a kicker on a strong offense. We recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at DST throughout the season.

Here are three DSTs with favorable early schedules:

• Broncos (vs. TEN, at IND)
• Steelers (at NYJ, vs. SEA, at NE)
• 49ers (at SEA, at NO)

     

  

Non PPR Draft Strategy for Pick 10, 11, or 12

Rounds 1 & 2

Top targets: Derrick Henry & Jonathan Taylor

You’ll likely see RBs flooding the top of your rankings here. Plan on taking at least one — and likely two — with your first two picks.

The 31-year-old Henry showed no signs of decline last year, leading 47 qualifying RBs in rush yards over expected per attempt and Pro Football Focus rushing grade on his way to a RB2 finish in non-PPR points per game. He’ll remain a huge part of a high-scoring Ravens offense in 2025.

Taylor missed three games last season but averaged 21.6 carries and 102 rushing yards across the other 14. Those marks ranked first and third league-wide.

Indianapolis’ QB situation adds some risk to his 2025 outlook, but Taylor has the upside to be a top-5 non-PPR RB.

Next best: Ashton Jeanty & Nico Collins

Draft capital makes Jeanty a strong bet for big volume this season. Four of the last six RBs to go top-10 in the NFL Draft averaged 19+ touches per game as rookies.

OC Chip Kelly's historically fast-paced and run-leaning attack will also help Jeanty, who’s coming off a massive 2,601 rushing yards at Boise State last year.

Collins finished seventh among WRs in non-PPR points per game last year, despite a mid-season hamstring injury and a disappointing season from Houston’s offense.

He ranked second in PFF receiving grade and third in yards per route among 84 qualifying WRs. This is a bonafide star well worth a pick in the early second round of fantasy drafts.

Other options

• Brian Thomas Jr.
• Puka Nacua
• Malik Nabers

  

Rounds 3 & 4

Top targets: Jalen Hurts & Omarion Hampton

Hurts comes off a 2024 that was only relatively disappointing. He still finished fifth among QBs in fantasy points per game after back-to-back QB2 finishes.

Hurts set career highs in multiple passing metrics last year, despite WR A.J. Brown, WR DeVonta Smith, and TE Dallas Goedert all missing multiple games. And he remains easily the best bet for rushing TDs at the position

Elite QBs like Hurts gain value in non-PPR leagues. The format doesn’t impact their scores, but it lowers RB, WR, and TE scores by removing receptions from the equation.

Hampton was already an exciting prospect before all the Najee Harris turmoil. He topped 1,500 rushing yards in each of his final two college seasons, while also racking up 67 total catches. Hampton goes 6'0, 221 pounds and clocked a 4.46-second 40 time.

Harris' situation -- he finally returned to practice in late August and remains iffy for Week 1 -- only adds to Hampton's upside.

Next best: Mike Evans & Ken Walker

Evans has showed no signs of slowing down at age 32. In fact, he averaged a career-best 2.41 yards per route on his way to a WR6 finish in non-PPR points per game last season.

Evans has now finished as a top-10 WR in non-PPR points per game in six of the last seven years.

Walker has been climbing our RB rankings all summer amidst buzz about his role in new OC Klint Kubiak's offense. Seattle is expected to lean more on the run this season, with Walker as a focal point.

Even in last year's pass-heavy offense, Walker finished 17th among RBs in non-PPR points per game.

Other options

• James Cook
• James Conner
• Chuba Hubbard
• Davante Adams
• Marvin Harrison Jr.
• George Kittle

  

Rounds 5 & 6

Top targets: Jameson Williams & David Montgomery

Williams is coming off a breakout 2024 and was particularly good over the second half, averaging 73.4 yards and 0.5 TDs over his final eight games. He ranked 18th among WRs in non-PPR points per game during that stretch.

Expect another step forward in 2025. Lions coaches have been praising Williams' development all offseason.

Only 11 RBs averaged more non-PPR points per game than Montgomery last year. Perhaps he loses a little more work to Jahmyr Gibbs in 2025, but he’ll still be a good TD bet in a high-scoring Lions offense.

And if Gibbs misses time, Montgomery will be a top-12 fantasy option.

Next best: Isiah Pacheco & Jaylen Waddle

Pacheco's 2024 season got derailed by a September broken leg. He operated as a workhorse before that injury, though, and the Chiefs added only complementary pieces to the backfield this offseason.

A healthy Pacheco remains a good bet to lead his backfield. Remember that he finished 14th among RBs in non-PPR points per game in 2023.

Waddle's volume and efficiency tanked in what was a weird Miami passing season. But that looks like an outlier when you compare it to the rest of Waddle's career:

• Sixth overall pick of the 2021 draft
• Caught 104 balls as a rookie
• Finished WR13 in year 2
• Finished WR22 in year 3

Waddle's a strong bounce-back bet in 2025, especially after Miami traded TE Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh.

Other options

• TreVeyon Henderson
• Xavier Worthy
• Courtland Sutton
• DeVonta Smith
• Calvin Ridley
• Mark Andrews

  

Rounds 7 & 8

Top targets: Tetairoa McMillan & Tony Pollard

McMillan boasts a strong prospect profile and has a good chance to emerge as Carolina’s top target immediately. If QB Bryce Young keeps playing like he did over the second half of last season, McMillan will be a good bet for WR2-level production.

Pollard ranked 26th among RBs in non-PPR points per game last year. He sunk to RB32 in games with a healthy Tyjae Spears. But Spears went down with a high-ankle sprain in the preseason opener. That has him iffy for Week 1 and could limit his effectiveness into October.

Next best: Ricky Pearsall & Tyrone Tracy

WR Brandon Aiyuk won't be ready for the start of the season after last October's multi-ligament knee injury. WR Jauan Jennings has missed most of August with a calf injury.

That leaves Pearsall as the likely No. 1 WR in an always-efficient 49ers passing game. His ceiling extends into the top-20 at the position.

Tracy has climbed the RB rankings in August with reports that he'll open the season as the Giants' clear lead back. He was in that role over his final 11 games last year and ranked 23rd among RBs in non-PPR points per game.

Other options

• Jaylen Warren
• Chris Olave
• Rome Odunze
• Matthew Golden
• Emeka Egbuka
• David Njoku

  

Rounds 9 & 10

Top targets: Justin Fields & Deebo Samuel

This is a good turn to lock up your QB1.

It's not always pretty, but Fields has consistently produced as a top-12 fantasy scorer thanks to his high-end rushing production. His 50.2 rushing yards per game rank second among QBs over the last four seasons, behind only Lamar Jackson.

Blame the pneumonia for Samuel's disappointing 2024 season. He was as efficient as ever before getting sick and now lands in an ascending Commanders offense. Samuel's after-catch ability is a good fit in OC Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

Next best: Jordan Mason & Dallas Goedert

Mason has been a rankings riser this summer. Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell called his backfield a "1A-1B" situation with Aaron Jones and Mason. And Minnesota might lean on the run a bit more this season under first-year starting QB J.J. McCarthy.

Goedert struggled with injuries last year but drew a 20.2% target share in his eight full games and ranked third among 43 qualifying TEs in ESPN receiver score. He’s still a good bet for top-12 production on a per-game basis, especially if the Eagles throw a bit more this season.

Other options

• Caleb Williams
• Dak Prescott
• J.K. Dobbins
• Rhamondre Stevenson
• Jauan Jennings
• Michael Pittman
• Tucker Kraft
• Tyler Warren
• Colston Loveland

  

Rounds 11 & 12

Top Targets: Keon Coleman & Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Coleman was coming on before a Week 9 wrist injury last year, posting 4-125-0 and 5-70-1 lines in the two preceding games. The 33rd overall pick of the 2024 draft has an opportunity to earn a big role in a high-scoring Bills offense this season.

Croskey-Merritt was a huge August riser, going from afterthought to potential lead ball carrier for the Commanders after Brian Robinson was traded to the 49ers.

Croskey-Merritt doesn't project to do much in the passing game. But if he can capture 12-15 carries per game, plus goal-line work, he could flirt with RB2 production.

Next Best: Drake Maye & Rashid Shaheed

Target Maye here if you're still looking for your QB1 (or want a high-upside QB2). He ranked 15th among QBs in fantasy points per game last year -- as a rookie with one of the league's worst supporting casts. Maye got pass-catching and offensive line upgrades this offseason, giving him breakout potential.

Shaheed drew a 23.3% target share and averaged 2.04 yards per route before a season-ending knee injury in Week 6 last year. Those were both top-30 marks among WRs.

He's back to 100% now and remains locked in as New Orleans’ No. 2 WR. The Saints have a big QB question but project for a significant spike in play volume under new HC Kellen Moore.

Other Options

• Trevor Lawrence
• Jerome Ford
• Trey Benson
• Darnell Mooney
• Christian Kirk
• Marvin Mims
• Dalton Kincaid
• Jake Ferguson

 

Rounds 13 & 14

Top Targets: Bhayshul Tuten & Jayden Higgins

A couple of high-upside rookie stashes.

Tuten might open the season as Jacksonville's No. 3 RB. But don't be surprised if he works his way into a significant role -- and maybe the lead job -- throughout the year.

Tuten was hand-picked by the Jaguars' new regime and is an explosive player, clocking a 4.32-second 40 time at 206 pounds.

Higgins might not open the season in a full-time role. But it shouldn't take him long to work into that position. That gives the talented rookie a path to significant fantasy value if Houston's passing game bounces back. The 2023 Texans produced a pair of top-12 WRs in PPR points per game in Collins and Tank Dell.

Next Best: Tyler Allgeier & Cedric Tillman

Allgeier probably won’t have standalone fantasy value, but he’s a starter if Bijan Robinson misses time. Allgeier ran super efficiently last year, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and ranking fourth among 47 qualifying RBs in yards after contact per attempt (3.61). 

Tillman proved highly productive over four games as a full-timer last year, averaging:

• 10.0 targets
• 6.0 catches
• 75.5 yards
• 0.8 TDs

He's in line for a full-time role in 2025, making him one of the best deep sleepers at WR.

Other Options

• Ollie Gordon
• Rico Dowdle
• Chris Rodriguez
• Brashard Smith
• Marquise Brown
• Luther Burden
• Jalen Coker
• Troy Franklin
• Kyle Williams
• Chig Okonkwo

  

Rounds 15 & 16

Use your final two picks on a kicker and DST. Target a kicker on a strong offense. We recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at DST throughout the season.

Here are three DSTs with favorable early schedules:

• Broncos (vs. TEN, at IND)
• Steelers (at NYJ, vs. SEA, at NE)
• 49ers (at SEA, at NO)

  

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The Ultimate Non PPR Draft Strategy Guide: A Customized, Dynamic Cheat Sheet

Having round-by-round strategy heading into your draft is important.

But fantasy football drafts are unpredictable. You need to be nimble. You need to adjust on the fly to capture the most value.

You need a customized, dynamic cheat sheet.

The Draft War Room takes our award-winning player projections and applies them to your league’s exact rules to give you a precise set of rankings.

Then it recalibrates throughout your draft based on 17 value indicators to make sure you’re making the absolute best pick each time you’re on the clock.

CREATE YOUR DRAFT WAR ROOM NOW!