Fantasy football draft season is about to come to a close now that we have actual NFL football coming up. How exciting are both those prospects? Glad you agree.
But before that happens, if you have an event coming up and you need help with how to approach your first three rounds, we’ve got you covered. Remember to consult our handy 2024 fantasy football cheat sheet with all our content in one place, and happy drafting.
We’ll do 12 teams in snake draft style, with 0.5 points per reception as the basis for this one. Away we go with the first pick:
Team 1: RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 28: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The safest and most explosive pick at a position without a ton of certainty. Easy.
Team 2: WR CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 24: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after a first down during the fourth quarter in the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
He gets the nod over the next guy due to slightly more volume.
Team 3: WR Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Dec 3, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs with the ball as Washington Commanders safety Jartavius Martin (20) chases during the second quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
You could take him over Lamb and I wouldn’t disagree.
Team 4: RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) runs the ball in the second half against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dude is a home run hitter who does it all. A great combo who could be the No. 1 pick next year.
Team 5: RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Nov 26, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) reacts after scoring a touchdown after a catch against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
You could go any route here with him or one of the wideouts. But I love his dual-threat game in an offense that got Kirk Cousins as an upgrade.
Team 6: WR Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 07: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter in the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 07, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Obviously, given this ranking, it’s proof that I think it doesn’t matter who his QB is. He’s that good.
Team 7: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 28: Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions reacts after catching a pass for a first down during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The No. 1 wideout on a team with a diverse offense. Reliable and explosive!
Team 8: WR Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Dec 10, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) catches a pass mover the middle during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
As of publishing this, yes, you are playing with fire. But you’re getting him at a possible discount so that when (if?) he signs an extension, you get a star at wideout.
Team 9: WR A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) cannot catch a pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
As reliable of a wideout as there is, and he’s got a new offensive coordinator.
Team 10: RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) celebrates as he leaves the field Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Jenna Watson/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK
Sure, you may want to go receiver here. But I think Taylor is consistent this season and still scores a bunch even with Anthony Richardson at QB.
Team 11: WR Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Nov 12, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) misses a reception as Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) defends on the play during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Think about this: he was pretty awesome last year WITHOUT Aaron Rodgers. And now Rodgers is back.
Team 12: WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) carries the ball against Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (25) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t worry about the return of Cooper Kupp. He’s still going to get the ball a lot.
Round 2
Nov 12, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates with running back David Montgomery (5) after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Team 12: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (Round 1: WR Puka Nacua). An explosive RB to pair with a wideout.
Team 11: RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (Round 1: WR Garrett Wilson). Feels like he’s going to be really good in that offense even with questions about work in the red zone.
Team 10: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (Round 1: RB Jonathan Taylor). It’s not a reach. He’s just that good and he’s in a great situation.
Team 9: RB Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 1: WR A.J. Brown). It’s possible he has another huge year.
Team 8: WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (Round 1: WR Ja’Marr Chase). Going WR-WR isn’t that nuts.
Team 7: RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (Round 1: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown). Could score so many times in that run-heavy offense.
Team 6: WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (Round 1: WR Justin Jefferson). I think Olave is underrated.
Team 5: WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (Round 1: RB Bijan Robinson). Is this a little high? Yeah. But as you’ll see, I don’t love a lot of options in this range.
Team 4: WR Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders (Round 1: RB Breece Hall). Some are projecting ugly numbers in a bad offense, but he’ll get his looks.
Team 3: RB Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (Round 1: WR Tyreek Hill). He’s going to have a big year. Book it.
Team 2: RB Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (Round 1: WR CeeDee Lamb). There are risks everywhere with him. But he proved last year he can be good in this offense.
Team 1: WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans (Round 1: RB Christian McCaffrey). The receiver room is crowded, but here’s your WR1.
Round 3
Oct 8, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) runs with the football ahead of New York Giants safety Isaiah Simmons (19) and defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Team 1: RB De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (Round 1: RB Christian McCaffrey, Round 2: WR Nico Collins). He’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
Team 2: WR Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (Round 1: WR CeeDee Lamb, RB Kyren Williams). Still good, still runs the ball too.
Team 3: WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Round 1: WR Tyreek Hill, RB Isiah Pacheco). Will age catch up? Until we see it, he’s still the most consistent.
Team 4: WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (Round 1: RB Breece Hall, WR Davante Adams). A healthy Kupp could mean he returns to top-10 receiver status.
Team 5: TE Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (Round 1: RB Bijan Robinson, WR Brandon Aiyuk). The top tight end.
Team 6: RB Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (Round 1: WR Justin Jefferson, WR Chris Olave). Maybe he’s better in a more balanced offense.
Team 7: WR DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (Round 1: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, RB Derrick Henry). Better than you think he is.
Team 8: RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills (Round 1: WR Ja’Marr Chase, WR Drake London). Not a bad spot to grab him in.
Team 9: WR DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (Round 1: WR A.J. Brown, RB Travis Etienne). He might be a borderline WR1 in the new offense.
Team 10: WR DJ Moore, Chicago Bears (Round 1: RB Jonathan Taylor, WR Marvin Harrison Jr.). Caleb Williams could give him a boost even with Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze around.
Team 11: WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (Round 1: WR Garrett Wilson, RB Saquon Barkley). Investing in the Fins’ offense is a good idea.
Team 12: WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants (Round 1: WR Puka Nacua, RB Jahmyr Gibbs). Don’t fear the offense. Nabers is the real deal.
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