Fantasy Football: How to Draft From the 1st Spot

When it comes to fantasy football drafts, virtually nothing is certain.

You can prep for any outcome and have your sleepers stashed away, but when your draft queue gets emptied right before your eyes or when one of your league-mates takes that wide receiver you were certain you would get two rounds later, everything changes.

The only thing that's certain is when you hold that coveted number-one pick.

Because then everything is in your hands.

At least for one selection.

If you are so lucky to have been granted the number-one overall pick, here is what you should be thinking about during your fantasy football drafts.

Fantasy Football 1st Pick Strategy

Round 1 and Round 2

Naturally, the first pick of the first round means that every player in the player pool is available to you -- unless you're in a dynasty or keeper league, but that's not what we're discussing here.

No, instead, we're looking at everyone available, and even with hundreds of names to choose from, there are only a few in the mix for the first overall pick.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase seem to be this year's Big Three.

You can maybe throw in Austin Ekeler if you think he continues to overperform in the touchdown department.

But in leagues with a full or half point per reception, the pretty clear choice is Jefferson, who is coming off of a 1,809-yard, 128-catch season while actually underperforming in terms of touchdowns.

Then, in the second round, you're at the mercy of the runs your leaguemates go on. And if it didn't already happen, a quarterback run could hit after the 2/3 turn, so the elite quarterbacks -- Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes -- can enter the conversation for you at 2.12 or 3.01.

You can also make the case of shoring up both onesie positions -- quarterback and tight end with a quarterback and Mark Andrews -- but more on that in a second.

Round 3 and Round 4

No superflex position (QB/RB/WR/TE) is off the board at the 2/3 turn, and that makes your second and third picks from the 1.01 overall position very fascinating and very flexible.

Assuming you went with Jefferson 1.01, another receiver is still a viable play, especially in three-WR leagues or full-PPR drafts. You'll have a large tier to dig through but could be looking at Jaylen Waddle, Chris Olave, Tee Higgins, and DeVonta Smith to name a few. There's nothing wrong with a WR/WR start in 2023.

Then again, starting WR/QB/TE could very well get you the top-scoring option at all three positions -- if Jefferson hits again and Mark Andrews closes the gap on Travis Kelce -- but would leave your running back group off to a weak start.

A crop of running backs will be available at the 3.01 slot, the first pick of the third round. (Or the 2.12 if you prefer to take your running backs with earlier picks.)

Average draft positions suggest Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, and Travis Etienne among the top of that tier.

If you're bold, you can look to start WR/QB/TE through your third pick. Otherwise, a WR/RB start will get you some balance while still allowing you the flexibility of locking up an elite QB or TE with the first pick of the third round.

If the elite QBs are drafted and Andrews is taken early, don't overreact. Take the added value at RB and WR and adjust from there.

Round 5 and Round 6

As with any position, by your fifth- and sixth-round picks, you are really starting to play the board and your leaguemates based on who is left.

Be on the lookout for players at the bottom of tiers rather than at the top of new ones.

Lamar Jackson may still be there for those who didn't take a quarterback, and I'd consider him the bottom of the first-tier of quarterbacks this season.

Are Kelce, Andrews, T.J. Hockenson, and George Kittle gone? How big of a gap do you view between someone such as Darren Waller and Pat Freiermuth? You can likely avoid reaching for the top tight ends of Tier 2 from this point in the draft.

If you locked up your QB and TE by the 3/4 turn, then now is your chance to reap that freedom and lock up RBs and WRs until your roster can't hold any more of them.

Consider stacking your quarterback with some of his pass-catchers, as well.

Takeaways

The biggest benefit of drafting from the 1.01 -- aside from grabbing (hopefully) the best fantasy football asset in the league -- is that it's the only time in a draft where you hold all the knowledge.

After that, you're reacting to how the rest of your league drafts.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• If your league goes heavy RB/WR through the end of the second round, you can consider a QB/TE combo at the 2/3 turn and try to separate with difference-makers at those two positions.
• If your league values the elite quarterbacks by the end of the second round, don't get antsy and take one of your own. Draft value will be created at RB and WR in that case.
• Quarterback sleepers and tight-end sleepers are always an option for those of us starting with a flex-heavy draft at receiver and running back. So, while a core of Jefferson, Allen, and Andrews (or something similar) is very appealing, you don't need to be locked into that approach -- especially if a receiver or back you love slips to the end of the second round.

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.