Fantasy Football 2024: Ideal Strategy for Each Spot in 12-Team Mock Drafts
It typically takes more than a good fantasy football draft to win a championship.
League titles can absolutely be lost during the talent grab, though.
While hitting on mid-to-late sleepers is hugely helpful, you cannot afford to misfire on an early selection. That's when everyone else will be snatching up the NFL's best of the best, so it's imperative for you to do the same.
We're here to help steer you the right direction by plotting out early draft strategies from each selection spot.
Picks 1-4
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If you're fortunate enough to nab a top-four pick, the smartest thing you can do is not trying to be too smart. This is not the time to overthink things.
Regardless of league format, Christian McCaffrey is the obvious choice at the first pick. When he's healthy, he's as productive as any skill player you'll find. And he'll put you far enough ahead at running back that you'll probably want to grab receivers with at least your next two picks unless some elite running back slips through the cracks.
After McCaffrey, it should be a feeding frenzy at receiver, particularly if your league offers any reward per reception. CeeDee Lamb and Tyreek Hill is a coin flip for the second and third picks. Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase might be in the same too-close-to-call-it race at the No. 4 spot.
After that, you're likely just searching for values at running back (preferably) or receiver. You could also add a fun wrinkle by snatching up Josh Allen in the second round if he makes it that far, potentially giving you the top performer at two of the most important positions in fantasy.
Picks 5-8
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If you're drafting in the middle of the first round, there's a decent chance you'll wind up deciding which running back should be second off the board: Bijan Robinson or Breece Hall. There isn't much of a reason to have a strong preference for one over the other, but if you do, go with your gut.
If Robinson or Hall is your first pick, then receivers should probably be your second and third choices. High-end running backs falling down might change that, though if you start with back-to-back running backs, you might be chasing upside at receiver for the rest of your draft.
If you aren't getting Robinson or Hall here, then you should be getting a top-shelf receiver: Jefferson, Chase or Amon-Ra St. Brown. Hair-splitting is a must to separate this trio. Jefferson might be the best player, but he has the worst quarterback situation. Chase and St. Brown don't have that problem, but they do face more competition for touches (the latter more than the former).
If receiver is your first pick, you should get away from the position for at least one of your next two picks. There are some interesting running backs in the middle of the second round, like Kyren Williams, Travis Etienne Jr. or De'Von Achane, or you could consider Allen there, too. If you start receiver-receiver, then your third round choice might revolve around Isiah Pacheco or Rachaad White at running back, Sam LaPorta or Travis Kelce at tight end or Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes at quarterback.
Picks 9-12
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The later you draft in the first round, the more important your second pick becomes. You'll miss out on the highest level of top-tier stars, but you'll get the first crack at the second-rounders. So if you nail these two picks, your top two could rank among the league's best.
Scoring format matters here, because if there are no points (or half-points) per reception, then A.J. Brown might be the only receiver worth considering with one of these picks. Maybe some would include Puka Nacua and Garrett Wilson in that discussion, but for standard scoring leagues, you might get better mileage out of running backs Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley and Jahmyr Gibbs.
If per-reception bonuses are added, then Nacua definitely belongs in the discussion, and Wilson has an argument, too.
Because you're theoretically missing out on a top-eight talent, your first pick doesn't need to drive your next few selections as much. Diversifying is usually helpful when possible, but reaching for Travis Etienne Jr., Derrick Henry or Isiah Pacheco isn't worth it, even if they'd make your roster better balanced.
If you add one of Taylor, Barkley or Gibbs, though, then receiver is probably the way to go in the second round. Wilson, Nacua and Marvin Harrison Jr. all hold more intrigue than the next-tier running backs. Hit rounds three and later, and you're just looking for the best values before eventually weighing positional needs.
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