Fantasy Football: How to Draft From the 9th Spot

The latter half of the first round in fantasy drafts can be some of the toughest to prepare for.

Unlike a top pick, you'll have to not only worry about who you want to build your team around, but who your leaguemates want to center theirs around.

Even the most prepared drafters can have their plans go up in smoke after their presumed first or second-round pick unexpectedly gets snatched up so it's important to come prepared.

Here's what your first six rounds should look like from the No. 9 spot along with some general takeaways from the draft position.

Fantasy Football 9th Pick Strategy

Round 1 and Round 2

The most important thing you can do with a late first-round pick is draft value.

You can mock draft and do as much preparation as you'd like, but you won't know who's going to fall to you at the 1.09 until you're finally on the clock.

That means you have to be flexible and, in general, you want to take the best player on your board and roll from there.

With the ninth pick, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Cooper Kupp are three names that most likely won't fall to you but are absolute auto-drafts if they do.

Assuming none of those three are on the board, you're likely facing a slew of running backs at the top of the draft. While I am personally a huge advocate of taking a wide receiver in Round 1, there's a good chance one of Stefon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, or Davante Adams will still be there in Round 2 considering only 6 selections separate your first two picks.

If you're in love with one of those guys and don't want to risk losing them, go for it. All five of them are capable WR1s and there will be solid running backs still there in Round 2.

For me, the end of Round 1 is where we see a dropoff at the running back position. Nick Chubb, Saquon Barkley, and Bijan Robinson are all safe, weekly RB1s who have the potential to finish as the No. 1 player at their position. Robinson and Barkley become more valuable the more your league awards receptions, but for half-PPR, Chubb is my personal favorite.

In Round 2, you have two options.

If you chose a running back in Round 1, you almost have to go wide receiver with your second pick. Starting with Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry sounds really tempting, but this isn't 2016 anymore. Getting an elite wide receiver is incredibly important and the position falls off, quickly. Any of the five receivers listed above would suffice, though snagging Garrett Wilson for his upside is more than a fine option.

If you chose wide receiver in Round 1, that doesn't automatically mean you have to go with a running back in Round 2. Starting with two elite wideouts is a real strategy this season, and you won't regret pairing any two of the six receivers we've already talked about.

That said, the running backs here in Round 2 are really enticing as well. Henry and Tony Pollard are the top two options if you went receiver in the first round, but there's an argument to be made for Jonathan Taylor or Josh Jacobs given their enormous upside.

Mock Draft Picks: Nick Chubb (1.09) & Davante Adams (2.04)

Round 3 and Round 4

The third round is where you can start peeking at the more fringe positions: quarterback and tight end.

Don't reach for either of the two. However, if one of Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, or Josh Allen are still on the board, go for it. The same goes for Mark Andrews, but he's the only tight end I would take at this range. T.J. Hockenson will also be here, as well, but I don't love him compared to some of the receivers or running backs. Other than the three quarterbacks and Andrews, I wouldn't use an early-round pick on anyone else at those positions.

That means you're back to running back or wide receiver if none of those four are available. I tend to lean wide receiver in the early rounds -- especially if you already have a running back. That said, a good rule of thumb with your odd-round picks is to just take the best available talent -- with the caveat that you're looking ahead both at the teams in between your next pick and at the draft board at large.

The third round is where tier-based drafting begins to come into play. If there isn't an obvious faller, look at which position between running back and wide receiver has fewer players available in the lowest available tier and go from there.

Running back wise, Travis Etienne, Najee Harris, Joe Mixon, and Breece Hall are all fine options at the end of the third.

At the wide receiver position, Round 3 is likely the last time you'll see names like Tee Higgins, DeVonta Smith, and D.K. Metcalf. If, somehow, Jaylen Waddle or Chris Olave are still on the board, click "draft" as fast as possible.

When you come back around in Round 4, a similar strategy applies. Consider a select few quarterbacks or tight ends, or load up on receiver.

If Hockenson falls, this is probably the best place to get him -- he likely won't last much until your next pick.

The same goes for Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Justin Fields, and Justin Herbert. Early ADP has all four of these guys going between picks 32-45. With your Round 4 pick slotting in at No. 40 overall, this is probably your last chance to get a top-tier quarterback -- especially in home leagues where you're more likely to see a massive run at the position. Wait any longer and you may as well load up on high-upside guys outside the top 100.

For running backs, make sure none of the guys recommended in Round 3 are still on the board. If they aren't, names like Dameon Pierce, Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker III, or Aaron Jones make sense.

The same goes for receiver. You may luck into some of the guys I mentioned in Round 3, but Calvin Ridley, Deebo Samuel, Amari Cooper, and DeAndre Hopkins feel good at this spot. You'll be able to load up on high-upside pass catchers later on, but after Round 4, there is a real drop-off in consistency.

Mock Draft Picks: DK Metcalf (3.09) & Tee Higgins (4.04)

Round 5 and Round 6

The draft really begins to open up in the fifth and sixth rounds.

While your leaguemates begin to scramble to fill out their starting lineup, you still want to target the best value -- even if you don't have every position figured out yet.

That isn't to say you can't take a tight end or quarterback (or both) in the middle rounds, but rather you shouldn't force it.

If any of Burrow, Fields, or Herbert are still on the board, this is a good spot to solidify your quarterback position. Trevor Lawrence is also an option, though you can use some strategy here and check out the rosters of the teams in between your two selections. If Lawrence is the last quarterback on the board, see if those choosing after you need a signal-caller. If they don't, you can wait until Round 6 and still get Lawrence if you so desire.

These two rounds are also a fine spot to snag a mid-round tight end if you didn't luck into Andrews or Hockenson earlier. Kyle Pitts, Darren Waller, Dallas Goedert likely won't last until Round 7, and they represent the last of the more consistent (Pitts notwithstanding) tight ends.

Still, don't force it.

There are still going to be a number of capable wide receivers and running backs on the board. If you went WR heavy early, these are golden spots to get your RB2. Alexander Mattison, Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, and Cam Akers are all quality, high-upside options with ADPs in this range. If you wait until Round 6, Alvin Kamara and James Cook have similar profiles and come at a lower ADP.

It's never a bad idea to go with another receiver. If someone like DeAndre Hopkins, Terry McLaurin, or D.J. Moore fall, they'd be great values here but even names like Christian Watson, Drake London, Tyler Lockett, and Mike Williams make sense.

You can start to think about your roster as a whole at this point but as a rule of thumb, I like to have at minimum three wide receivers after the first six rounds.

Mock Draft picks: Alvin Kamara (5.09) & Darren Waller (6.04)

Takeaways

You really have to be flexible in drafting from the 9th spot. Regardless of how much preparation and research you do beforehand, drafting that low and with that many picks in between your two selections is a skill within itself.

The biggest thing is not to panic -- especially if your top target goes unexpectedly. Draft value above all else.

Here are some other things to keep in mind:

• There will be a lot of quality running backs available with your first pick. Chubb, Robinson, and Barkley are all more than capable building blocks, but you almost have to go WR with one of your first two selections...if not both.
• After your Round 1 pick, pay close attention to the rosters of the two teams drafting in between your picks. If you're smart about it, you can afford to wait on certain players depending on who you think those other two teams need -- especially with quarterback and tight end.
• When in doubt, draft a receiver. You will not regret having too many in leagues with trades.
• Taking a quarterback or tight end in Round 2 or 3 is incredibly viable, but be flexible. If some top-end backs or receivers slip, there are plenty of quarterback sleepers and tight end sleepers available later. However, while it's perfectly fine to punt on a top guy at one of those positions, it's risky to do so for both.
• Regardless of draft position, play to win. The saying "if you ain't first, you're last" really manifests itself in fantasy football. Swing for upside and, when in doubt, take the best player available. Don't worry about building the perfect roster right off the bat. Draft talent and worry about fit later.

While you wait for Week 1's daily fantasy football slates to lock, you can get in on some best-ball fantasy football drafts on FanDuel. Just draft your team and watch the points pile up throughout the season

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.