Fantasy Football: How to Draft From the 11th Pick

Draft order in fantasy football is all about preference. Some managers prefer the top pick, securing perhaps the best player in the league while others would rather pick later, banking on players to slide, offering great value.

Picking early or late requires plenty of patience, though, as managers often have to endure long waits before getting two picks with quick turnarounds. There's value to be had from every draft spot, even the last few selections.

Let's break down effective draft strategies from the 11th overall pick in 12-team fantasy football leagues.

Fantasy Football 11th Pick Strategy

Round 1 and Round 2

The first-round selection is always the tone setter for fantasy drafts. The position to target at 11th looks pretty clear.

According to FantasyPros' average draft position, A.J. Brown (9th ADP) and Puka Nacua (13th ADP) are the closest receivers to the 11th overall selection. Brown would require a slide while reaching on Nacua would be risky business with the second-year target battling a knee injury.

This leaves running back as the most likely choice. Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, and Jahmyr Gibbs are all carrying 11th overall ADPs.

Gibbs could be the most risky choice as he splits a backfield with David Montgomery and sustained a hamstring injury at training camp on August 12th.

FanDuel Research's season-long projections have Barkley finishing as RB4 versus Taylor as RB6, but the separation is only by about 1.1 FanDuel points (FDP) for the season. The Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line was rated as the league's second-best unit while the Indianapolis Colts came in at third, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Picking between Barkley or Taylor could be like grasping at straws. Both backs will also have to worry about their quarterbacks taking rushing touchdowns as Jalen Hurts and Anthony Richardson both have elite rushing capability.

With running back as the likely choice for round one, taking a wide receiver next would be ideal. We have a quick turnaround with the second-round selection taking place at 14th overall.

In this slot, our choices at tailback could be a sliding Gibbs or Kyren Williams. After totaling the highest snap share at his position last season, Williams is an intriguing options, but waiting until the third round for a receiver could mean your top receiver ends up as Michael Pittman Jr. or Jaylen Waddle. Pittman lacks touchdown production while Waddle is a clear second target in his offense.

Nacua, Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Davante Adams are some potential wideout targets with the 14th overall pick. Nacua is still a risk with his knee injury, Harrison is a bit of an unknown as a rookie, and we don't know the Las Vegas Raiders' QB situation quite yet.

Wilson could be the most ideal selection here with Aaron Rodgers healthy. He could tap into his breakout potential that many chased in 2023 fantasy drafts.

Round 3 and Round 4

The first brutal wait occurs from the second round to the third. It's a 21-pick gap with the next selection at 35th overall.

If you're looking for one of the top tight ends on the board, this is an unfortunate spot. Sam LaPorta (26th ADP) and Travis Kelce (27th ADP) are holding similar ADPs in half-PPR leagues. The 14th selection is too early to take LaPorta or Kelce, and they will likely be taken within this 21-pick gap.

This same can be said for the top quarterback on the board, Josh Allen -- who has a 22nd overall ADP. The next-best signal-callers are Jalen Hurts (32nd ADP) and Patrick Mahomes (33rd ADP). Either QB would be an excellent selection at 35th overall. If either is available, the answer for the third round looks clear.

Remember, we have a quick turnaround with the fourth-round selection sitting at 38th overall. The same idea for taking a QB can be applied here if you waited as Lamar Jackson has a 38th overall ADP.

Assuming we already have signal-caller taken care of, options for a receiver includes Pittman, Waddle, and Cooper Kupp. I love the value of Kupp here; I have him as a potential league-winner.

Despite holding the record for the most PPR fantasy points by a receiver in a single season, he's currently WR19. Nacua is dealing with an injury, and Kupp's numbers were barely behind Puka when both played with Matthew Stafford slinging the ball in 2023. In fact, he had only seven fewer targets and even one more touchdown than Nacua during this 11-game sample size.

Running back is yet another promising option, for Rachaad White holds a 35th overall ADP and James Cook is 39th. White finished as RB7 in half PPR last season, and Cook was still RB11 despite scoring only six total touchdowns.

Overall, the third and fourth rounds are gearing up to be great spots for managers holding the 11th overall pick. Tight end could be the only position left out as several top-five ADP QBs are here paired with high ceilings held by receivers and running backs.

Round 5 and Round 6

Following two rounds with a load of promising options, it's difficult to say what needs will be present at this stage. The fifth-round pick is 59th overall while the sixth is 62nd.

The one need that feels pretty certain at this stage is tight end. These could be the rounds to take care of the position.

We'd need a decent slide from Dalton Kincaid, who has an ADP of TE5 and 52nd overall. No worries, though, as George Kittle (TE6; 62nd overall) and Kyle Pitts (TE7; 62nd overall) are realistic options.

If you prefer to wait on quarterback, Joe Burrow has a 61st overall ADP while Kyler Murray is 67th. Dak Prescott isn't far behind, carrying 70th.

Through four rounds, it's felt like the best route was taking a running back and wide receiver to begin the draft, followed by a quarterback and tailback or wideout in the third and fourth rounds. With tight end looking like a clear target with the quick turnaround, the other position of need could likely be another wideout or running back -- whichever has only one selected at this stage.

You can't really go wrong either way. Aaron Jones (56th ADP), James Conner (59th ADP), Rhamondre Stevenson (59th ADP), and Montgomery (61st ADP) all bring solid running back value and are around this pick range.

At wideout, Tee Higgins (58th ADP), Zay Flowers (59th ADP), George Pickens (59th ADP), and Tank Dell (65th ADP) are sitting in this range, as well. All four players aren't too shabby, either, assuming that a potential Brandon Aiyuk trade doesn't harm Pickens' position for targets.

Takeaways

Don't panic if you end up with one of the last picks in a 12-team fantasy football league. There's arguably better value throughout the draft with a later pick. Nearly every round is shaping up to offer solid value, which can get even better if players slide in your draft.

Here's a short list of takeaways for drafting from the 11th slot:

• The decisions over the first two rounds shouldn't require too much thought. The first round seems like an obvious spot to take a running back while 14th overall is a pick fit for a wide receiver.
• The quick turnaround at between Round 3 and Round 4 could be the most promising picks. Either round is an excellent spot for targeting a top-five quarterback. Kupp is a potential league-winner falling right around the 35th and 38th picks. Plus, White and Cook are potential running back targets with high ceilings. The second quick turnaround could prove to be a separation point for managers holding the 11th pick.
• Tight end seems like the only position that could require patience. Due to an early second-round pick followed by a long wait for the third, managers aren't really in a spot to take LaPorta or Kelce. The third and fourth rounds aren't great spots for a tight end, either. Eventually, an ideal position comes along in the fifth or sixth.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.