The BEST Guillotine Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
There’s a lot to take in when you’re trying out a new style of fantasy football. We’ve given some tips, targets, and twists about the guillotine format, so I figured I’d put together the best draft strategy for Guillotine Fantasy Football that takes everything we’re looking for and trying to avoid. Consistency and high workload are key. Volatility and unknowns are not ideal.
Guillotine Fantasy Football Draft Strategy
Based on the player ADP data on the Guillotine Leagues app, I’ll be constructing this Guillotine fantasy football draft from the 1.06 spot in the first round (early to middle in a full 18-team league) and continuing through the 12th round. I’ll also give a short reason for each of my selections.
Here are some of the criteria I’ll be aiming for throughout the draft:
- Proven reliability
- Currently healthy
- Veterans
- Starting schedule
- Less competition for playing time
- Consistency and high-floor
Enough talk. Let’s do this!
BEST Draft Strategy For Guillotine Fantasy Football 2024
Round 1: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
I’ve stated before that I would take Amon-Ra St. Brown as high as the second-overall pick in guillotine fantasy football leagues. He comes with a high floor and had double-digit points in 17 games last season. Ultimately, there is very little competition for targets.
Round 2: Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
A prolific offense, a strong defense, and a lack of any real competition at the position make this a no-brainer. I’d take Isiah Pacheco in the last first round if I didn’t like the wide receiver options.
Round 3: Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
Trey McBride had at least six catches in six of his last eight games of 2023. That stretch put him on a 17-game pace of 112 receptions and 1,143 yards. He finished hot and he should continue that trend well into 2024. Even if I had gone double running back or double wide receiver to start, this is a smash third-round pick.
Round 4: Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
One running back who is a popular breakout candidate for 2024. The build of my team could greatly influence my choice here. Since I started off fairly balanced, I had a lot of options. Zamir White is another case of having an easy road to opportunities. He finished last season with at least 20 touches and 85 yards in each of his last four games. Some other players I considered were Rashee Rice and D’Andre Swift.
Round 5: Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
With the news of Jaylen Warren likely not being available at the start of the season, I’m taking advantage of Najee Harris’ ADP before it inevitably moves up. Pittsburgh also has a softer strength of schedule than most teams through the first four weeks. Additionally, he’s got receiving chops to add to his value. I also considered Jayden Daniels, who also has a positive schedule to begin the campaign.
Round 6: Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
I seriously considered going with Courtland Sutton here to sure up my second wide receiver. However, I decided to go in another direction. In many fantasy football formats, securing a stack can be beneficial. More importantly, it can work in guillotine leagues. However, it also can hurt if that team falters. Personally, I’m not worried about that with Detroit. Their offense is strong and their early schedule includes the Rams, Cardinals, and Seahawks.
Round 7: Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers
If Sutton was still on the board, he would’ve been an easy pick here. Based on ADP, he’s probably already gone. It’s a little bit of a reach, but Adam Thielen had an outstanding start last season and he’s the most familiar pass catcher on the roster. He may not be the first option in the passing game with Diontae Johnson on the roster. However, he’s no worse than the second read. Thielen is a solid veteran presence for a young team that needs it.
Round 8: Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Green Bay Packers
At this point in this guillotine draft, it’s harder to find players that fit into many of the criteria we’re looking for. That said, Dontayvion Wicks has some sneaky upside and a beneficial schedule to start the season. Going up against the likes of the Eagles, Colts, Titans, and Vikings provides some very comfortable matchups for pass catchers. Had I not already taken three running backs, Antonio Gibson was on my radar at this point in the draft.
Round 9: Antonio Gibson, RB, New England Patriots
The ADP says he’s still here, so I’m taking Antonio Gibson. A veteran runner who excels in the passing game is the kind of player I look for in these later rounds. With a rookie quarterback in Drake Maye and a defense still finding its identity, there will be a healthy amount of check-downs in Gibson’s future.
Round 10: Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Sure, Johnston had a rough rookie campaign, but there’s potential on this west-coast roster. With the departure of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Gerald Everett, there’s not a clear primary wide receiver. If Johnston lives up to his first-round NFL Draft price, he could make for a darling late-round guillotine pick.
Round 11: Noah Fant, TE, Seattle Seahawks
This pick is purely based on perceived opportunity. Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson are both gone, leaving the bulk of tight end opportunities to Noah Fant. Despite a fairly crowded receiver group, Fant is still a very talented tight end and should have the lead TE role this year in Seattle locked down.
Round 12: Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
The early schedule ain’t pretty and he doesn’t have the greatest history. However, Sam Darnold’s last three full-game starts with Carolina in 2022 saw him produce 272 yards per game with six total touchdowns. Plus, he’s got some elite weapons to target. I also looked at Kalif Raymond and Colby Parkinson if you wanted to expand your potential upside outside of the quarterback position.
Guillotine Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Final Roster
In closing, here’s how the roster looks:
QB – Jared Goff
WR – Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR – Adam Thielen
RB – Isiah Pacheco
RB – Zamir White
TE – Trey McBride
Flex – Najee Harris
Flex – Dontayvion Wicks
Bench Spots – Antonio Gibson, Quentin Johnston, Noah Fant, Sam Darnold
Finish out your draft however you like, but with the stability and budding upside of these players, you should have little trouble making it to the first bye weeks of the season. Add in some savvy waiver bidding and you can make a great run in any guillotine league.
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