Fantasy Football Pick 10 Strategy: How to Draft From the 10th Spot

Fantasy Football 10th Pick in 12-Team Leagues

The 10th pick in 2022 fantasy football drafts is a tricky spot to operate from this year. The fact there's clear consensus of the top-nine players means you'll be weighing less exciting options, making this position far from ideal, unless managers have a good plan of attack.

Fantasy Football Pick 10 Strategy

So how can fantasy football drafters best take advantage of drawing the No. 10 pick in 2022? Here's a guide to the best draft strategy at 10.

Round 1/Round 2

This part of the draft is where some parity may ensue with the likes of Joe Mixon, Davante Adams and Stefon Diggs all in consideration. The overall consensus choice is Mixon, who owns an average draft position of 10.3. Though he's currently being passed over in favor of six other RBs, he certainly has top-end potential. The Cincinnati star is coming off of an RB4 finish in PPR scoring last year after weathering through injuries the season prior.

The fact of the matter is: Mixon's a top running back when healthy. He was RB10 in 2018 and RB13 in 2019 before his boom in 2021 thanks to huge touchdown production. Though TD regression is a factor to consider, he's also playing in a high-powered offenese that should be in scoring position numerous times on a weekly basis. After ranking just No. 13 in red zone carries with 39 last season, Mixon still has clear room to take on more of those opportunities, which should help him keep his torrid scoring up. He could be a great pick as long as he avoids the injury bug that plagued him 2020.

Then managers are back up at 15 after a short wait. Nailing this selection is crucial given the 19-pick gap between this and your next choice. Thankfully drafting early in the second round has its perks. There's several attractive expected to be available here in Deebo Samuel (ADP 15), Nick Chubb (ADP 16) and Alvin Kamara (ADP 17).

Samuel boomed as the WR3 in scoring last year, while Chubb ranked as RB13 and Kamara was RB8. The appeal of building a top backfield with Mixon and either Chubb or Kamara is too hard to pass up, especially if Samuel reduces his dual-threat role that helped him become a fantasy star in 2021.

Round 3/Round 4

Then you're up again at No. 34. Kyle Pitts (ADP 34) is one option, and given how having a top-three tight end is a big advantage, drafters should consider him to lead their pass-catching corps. Justin Herbert (ADP 35) is a top target to fill the hole at quarterback, though there's values at this position available later on, so it would be wiser to stock up on skill-position talent.

Pitts is the obvious choice in this spot, but managers could nab a third RB in Cam Akers (ADP 36) to have one of the most well-rounded running back groups in the league. This would give you two clear starting options and a top FLEX play, making sure your RB production is top notch.

With the wide receiver options available at 39, opting for an RB-RB-RB strategy is viable. Jaylen Waddle (ADP 39) and Terry McLaurin (ADP 40) can lead your WR position if they get productive QB play. Waddle was the WR13 in PPR scoring last year, though the arrival of Tyreek Hill clouds his role. McLaurin was an underwhelming WR25, but his QB situation was among the league's worst in 2021, so he could prove to be a value if he forms a strong connection with new arrival Carson Wentz.

Round 5/Round 6

Pick 58 presents an opportunity to fill key holes as well. Assuming you're light on pass-catchers from the three-RB approach, Amari Cooper (ADP 58) and Courtland Sutton (ADP 59) are priority targets here. Cooper was WR27 last season, but his numbers could bounce back as the clear-cut No. 1 option in Cleveland. This is a player that finished as WR10 in 2019, so he's certainly capable of big production.

Sutton, meanwhile, is another candidate to take off with a new quarterback as Russell Wilson takes over in Denver. Wilson showed he could support two top fantasy WRs during his time in Seattle, so Sutton could rival his career-best WR19 finish in 2019 with Wilson now in town.

The choices at No. 63 are aplenty. AJ Dillon (ADP 63) could fill out your all-important RB depth with a productive rusher that would become an immediate starter if Aaron Jones goes down. TJ Hockenson (ADP 64) is an ideal tight end target for anyone who's passed on that position to this point. There's also Marquise Brown (ADP 65) to consider. He broke out as the WR22 in PPR scoring last year, and he's upgraded from a passing perspective, going from Lamar Jackson as his QB to Kyler Murray. The fact Arziona's No. 1 wideout DeAndre Hopkins will be suspended for the first six games means Brown should see a boatload of targets early on, making him a week-changing play if he rises to the occasion.

Later Rounds

Since fantasy football drafts are living organisms that evolve in real time, it's hard to pin down a specific strategy for later rounds. Managers will just have to let the picks play out, but there's some fantasy draft advice you should keep in mind. 

Prepare a list of sleepers you're high on for later rounds. Nabbing the right handcuff or low-profile guy that turns into a weekly starter off of your bench is a massive advantage that'll give you a leg up on your leaguemates. 

Don't be afraid to take risks when appropriate as well. The downtime between picks when you draw the No. 10 spot means you'll see plenty of players, sometimes even ones you really want, fly off of the board before your next turn. As long as you have a solid start (like the roster above), you can afford to reach if there's someone you believe in.

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Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.