Fantasy football can be predictable and unpredictable simultaneously, especially when it's draft season.

There's only so much preparation one can do before things go haywire. Picks are made that you never expected, your preference will be stolen just before you, and often times you can be left scrambling looking for answers. Having your cheat sheets and must-draft lists will only bring you so far.

Thankfully, if you're sitting there with the No. 2 pick in the draft, you can await what is almost an inevitable No. 1 pick and make your decisions from there.

It's after that where you have to fight the long wait between picks and hope that the turn for the person picking first doesn't leave you regretting your choice.

No. 2 can be great but sticky. That being said, here's what you should be thinking about to round out your team for what is hopefully a successful fantasy season.

Fantasy Football 2nd Pick Strategy

Round 1 and Round 2

The start of this year's fantasy football drafts is pretty simple.

There's a trio going at the top of most drafts. That trio, of course, is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.

It doesn't go beyond that all that much -- especially following the Cooper Kupp injury, and at the second pick, it's even easier to assume that you'll be selecting between McCaffrey and Chase with Jefferson the player going first in most drafts (1.3 ADP, per FantasyPros)

It'll come down to preference on that one. With the way wide receivers are going in the first few rounds, you may not want to miss out on that, and Chase has the potential to be the WR1. The Bengals wideout finished with 87 receptions, 1,046 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns in just 12 games.

When your turn comes back around in the second, there are a few ways you could go. There's an opportunity to get a second top receiver, locking up two high-floor guys with your first two picks. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Garrett Wilson, and Jaylen Waddle are two great choices to consider here along with getting yourself a running back to pair with your first pick. Jumping at one of the elite quarterbacks can be an option too ahead of the turn.

Round 3 and Round 4

When you jump into the third round, you'll have to decide which way you want to go. The "No RB" strategy could result in you following up in the third round by selecting one of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Jalen Hurts; it's likely there's at least one available. Elite quarterbacks are a premium now. If you want to look elsewhere, selecting the second tight end off the board with Mark Andrews is a possibility.

If you don't want to be weak in the backfield, then the RBs who may be available at 3.02 that wouldn't be a reach include Josh Jacobs, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Najee Harris.

Moving to the fourth round, it'll come down to what you did in those first three picks. If you avoided running backs to focus on WR, QB, and even TE, this is where you want to at least consider getting one even if the value isn't there with the "RB dead zone" being real.

Don't sweat and go over the top because you don't have. You already waited. You can wait longer.

Jerry Jeudy is a name that could give you a number-one wide receiver at FLEX or your WR2.

Round 5 and Round 6

At this point through four rounds, we're likely sitting with two star wide receivers, a top three QB, and a quality FLEX or our first RB off the board.

Depending on where we went with that fourth-round selection, the fifth and sixth will pretty much follow up there.

Taking a chance to fill out the lineup is something that many will overlook to get a bench -- a.k.a. making sure you get players that you may or may not be able to play every week. Making sure to fill out QB, two RBs, two WRs, TE, and FLEX should be the goal -- as long as you're not reaching for a TE. After a while, it is what it is at that position.

If you're sitting here in need of running backs, you should begin to stock up. Alexander Mattison, James Conner, Rachaad White, and Javonte Williams should all be options in both of these rounds. Mattison, Conner, and White are good considerations in Round 5 as they may not have the most efficient seasons but are locked in as the top options on their teams, which means there are plenty of opportunities coming their way to get points.

Williams is certainly the type of pick you consider thinking of long-term potential. If the Denver Broncos' offense can put it together and his health is as good as they say it is, it should equal some success for you later in the season.

It's all about looking for a mix of consistency and high ceilings down the line once you hit those middle rounds, and if we are looking for runners, this appears to be an important focal point.

Takeaways

The 1.02 pick is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because you're going to get a stud but in many ways are tempted by the top guy that you can't get.

However, as the draft goes on, there's a real chance to create an impressive roster as there's plenty of ways to go at the Round 2 and Round 3 turn. From there, you can fill out your team to be a contender whether you go all in at receiver and fill out the rest of your roster in the later rounds or find balance with top guys at three of the four major positions.

Hopefully, this gives you an idea of how to make a team that's going to dominate as fantasy football drafts take a dramatic turn from what they were just a year ago as wide receivers and quarterbacks carry more value.

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.