Fantasy Football 2024: Best Strategy for Each Pick in 12-Team Mock Drafts

As you sift through gobs of fantasy football analysis leading up to the 2024 NFL season, you might keep coming back to one question: What does it all mean?

No, we aren't talking about psychological introspection, but rather the challenge of knowing how to apply what you found.

Player rankings are helpful, but they can't universally apply to all leagues and rosters. Tier systems are more informative, but is the aim to always add the last player in a tier? What happens when you're facing a long gap between picks and can't know for sure if a tier will be wiped out before you're back on the clock?

What you might need are more clear and concise directions. Like the ones we're about to provide by running through the early-round selection strategies for all of the selection spots.

Picks 1-4

Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 11: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers heads to the end zone on a 21-yard touchdown catch during Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25-22. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

The choice at No. 1 is easy: Christian McCaffrey.

Barring injury, he's almost guaranteed to produce elite numbers. And he puts you so far ahead at the running back spot, that you can ignore the position for a few rounds unless an obvious bargain falls in your lap.

After that, you could go running back and take one of Bijan Robinson or Breece Hall, but receiver feels like your best bet, particularly if your league rewards a point (or even half-point) per reception. Then, it's just a matter of preference regarding which one you take: Tyreek Hill, Ja'Marr Chase or CeeDee Lamb.

If you grab a receiver with a top-four pick, you'll want to take at least one running back by the third round. Fail to do that, and you're looking at a scenario in which your best RB is probably someone like Alvin Kamara, Kenneth Walker III or Joe Mixon—not ideal.

If you're through the first three rounds with two running backs and a wide receiver or vice versa, you're in great shape to build a balanced roster over the rest of your draft.

Picks 5-8

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Breece Hall #20 runs teh ball against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Assuming the draft starts with McCaffrey and three receivers, pick No. 5 is where one of the biggest draft debates must be settled: Hall or Robinson?

Hall had the edge in fantasy scoring last season (214.5 to 188.3 in standard leagues, per FantasyPros), but Robinson was a rookie. He's also seen the Atlanta Falcons add a new quarterback (Kirk Cousins) and a new offensive coordinator (Zac Robinson), both changes that could give Robinson a better shot at success.

You're splitting hairs between the two backs, but if you get Hall or Robinson at picks Nos. 5 or 6, your backfield is in great shape. It probably makes sense, then, to go wide receiver with your next two picks (maybe Chris Olave, Deebo Samuel Sr., Nico Collins, Michael Pittman Jr. or Mike Evans), though you could also pounce on a quarterback (Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts) or even a tight end (Sam LaPorta, Travis Kelce).

If Hall and Robinson are off the board, then your mid-first pick should be a receiver. Assuming Hill, Lamb and Chase are off the board, you could be deciding between Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown. You probably want to go running back next (Travis Etienne Jr., Derrick Henry, Kyren Williams or De'Von Achane), and if you do, you can simply opt for the best value in the third round.

Picks 9-12

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SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 28: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball during the first quarter of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

This is the fingers-crossed draft range, as in yours will be crossed in hopes of adding an impact receiver like St. Brown or A.J. Brown. If you wanted to, you could include Puka Nacua and Garrett Wilson in that tier, too.

If we couldn't get St. Brown or Brown, though, we'd spend a late first on a running back. Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley and Jonathan Taylor would be the targets. Then, we'd go after a wide receiver with our next pick, with names like Nacua, Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Davante Adams all drawing consideration, before applying the best-player-available mindset to our third selection.

If you're one of the fortunate ones who get St. Brown or Brown, then running back is the priority for your next pick. That's where you're eyeing the likes of Etienne, Williams, Henry and Achane.

Because those backs aren't as reliable as the top tiers, you'll be tempted to hit running back again in the third round with players like Rachaad White, James Cook and Joe Mixon appearing on your radar.

If you don't see much difference between that group and, say, Josh Jacobs, Alvin Kamara and Kenneth Walker III, though, you could consider waiting until the fourth round to find your second running back.