Fantasy Football Pick 11 Strategy: How to Draft From the 11th Spot

Fantasy Football 11th Pick in 12-Team Leagues

The 11th pick in 2022 fantasy football drafts is one of the best spots to be in this year. The potential for a strong start makes this position even more appealing than usual given the options expected to be on the board.

Fantasy Football Pick 11 Strategy

So how can fantasy football drafters best take advantage of drawing the No. 11 pick in 2022? Here's a guide to the best draft strategy at 11.

Round 1/Round 2

This range isn't as clear-cut as the first nine-ish picks, but assuming Joe Mixon is off of the board, managers will likely be deciding between star wide receivers Davante Adams and Stefon Diggs. Adams' average draft position (ADP) of 11.2 means he's the more obvious consensus choice compared to Diggs (ADP 12.8).

There's a ton to like about Adams this year, even though he's on a new team. He finished as the WR2 in PPR scoring in 2018, followed by a WR1 finish in 2020 and another WR2 rank last season. He's a player fully capable of true top-end potential due to his knack for racking up big yards and touchdowns. Adams' outlook gets complicated a bit, though, moving from Green Bay to Las Vegas, leaving behind MVP winner Aaron Rodgers in favor of college teammate Derek Carr.

More concerning is the fact the Raiders have a more well-rounded pass-catching corps than the Packers, so Adams could take a dip in the key volume that helped propel him to fantasy star numbers. He's the no-doubt No. 1 option in Las Vegas, but Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller figure to be big parts of this passing attack, so it's worth keeping this in mind before drafting Adams.

Then it's a short wait before drafters are up again at No. 14. This is a great spot to grab a top running back before the quality starts to decline. D'Andre Swift (ADP 14) and Nick Chubb (ADP 16) are top RB targets here. Swift finished as RB15 in PPR scoring last year, but that number could've been even better if the injury bug didn't bite him again. Chubb was two spots better at RB13, and his role could increase if Cleveland trades backup Kareem Hunt. Swift's injury concerns could make you lean in Chubb's favor, but the former's pass-catching ability makes him a fantasy darling, especially in PPR formats.

Round 3/Round 4

Managers must then endure a 21-pick gap before they're on the clock at No. 35. There's a variety of ways to go here. Nabbing Cam Akers (ADP 36) would give you a second running back to pair with Swift or Chubb, solidifying your starting backfield with two options expected to carry the load for their respective teams in 2022.

Wide receiver could be in play again here as well with Michael Pittman Jr. (ADP 37) expected to be available. After finishing as the WR17 last year, he's seen as a breakout candidate with new QB Matt Ryan in town, so he'd form a formidable duo with Adams on your roster. Given how RB drops off from here, though, siding with Akers is the smart choice.

Nabbing Akers at 35 makes more sense given the wide receiver options available when you're up again at 38. Jaylen Waddle (ADP 39) is coming off of a WR13 finish as a rookie last season, showcasing the makings of a fantasy star for years to come. His volume will take a hit with Tyreek Hill now in town, but it's clear Waddle has a connection with QB Tua Tagovailoa, which could help fuel another great fantasy year. Terry McLaurin (ADP 40) is another wideout option. Despite one of the worst quarterback situations in the league last season, he still managed to finish as WR25. Now Carson Wentz provides a more stable option that likes to air it out downfield, which should play to McLaurin's deep threat abilities perfectly.

Round 5/Round 6

On the clock at No. 59, there's a few paths to follow. You could fill out your wide receiver depth with Courtland Sutton (ADP 59), who's expected to shine with fantasy-friendly quarterback Russell Wilson. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ADP 60) also warrants consideration for those light at running back. RB depth is crucial for any fantasy roster given bye weeks and injuries that can take your regular starters out of the lineup, sometimes unexpectedly.

Then there's Jalen Hurts (ADP 61), who would give managers major rushing production from the quarterback spot. His dual-threat skill set saw him finish as QB9 in fantasy last season despite subpar passing stats. That part of his game could take off with star wideout AJ Brown in town for the 2022 campaign, so he could turn out to be a value if he gets better in that area.

It's another short break before you're up at No. 62. Wideout Jerry Jeudy (ADP 62) could help you continue to fill out your wide receiving corps. AJ Dillon (ADP 63) is a more enticing target than Edwards-Helaire given his standalone value and clear path to huge volume should starter Aaron Jones go down. There's also TJ Hockenson (ADP 64), who'd be an ideal target for anyone that doesn't have a starting tight end yet.

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. 11 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.

New users earn an instant FREE entry when you sign up for FanDuel DFS! Sign Up Now!

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.