How to WIN Your Fantasy Football League From the 1.12

It’s fantasy football season, and if you’re looking to prepare for your draft, you’re in luck! This article will cover the best strategy for a full point per reception (PPR), 12-team league that starts 1QB/2RBs/2WRs/1TE. If your league settings differ slightly, you should follow a similar strategy but move certain players up and down the board.

For this article, we’ll be using the official Fantrax average draft position (ADP).

Round 1 (12)

Take a Balanced Approach Part One: Wide Receiver

When drafting at the 1.12/2.01, you should almost always go with one wide receiver and one running back. Since you’re at the turn, it doesn’t matter what order you take them in, so keep that in mind for this article.

To start, I’m going with CeeDee Lamb (14.35). Lamb is only getting better, and now that he’ll have Dak Prescott for a full season, he should be able to dominate. If you’re not a fan of Lamb, you can never go wrong with Davante Adams (14.84). Although Adams is already 30 and stepping into a horrible situation, he averaged 19.7 points per game (PPG) last season, even with a bad offense. 

Round 2 (13)

Take a Balanced Approach Part Two: Running Back

So far this offseason, one of my most drafted players is becoming Nick Chubb (16.61). Chubb is currently my RB5, so I love starting my draft with him. Not only is Chubb uber-talented, but he’s also stepping into a great situation in 2023. However, I would also be fine with Jonathan Taylor (21.05) and Tony Pollard (21.58) as well.

For starters, I expect Deshaun Watson to return to his former self, which will give this offense a massive boost. Kareem Hunt is still a free agent and unlikely to return, which will allow Chubb to become more involved in the passing game. Lastly, the Browns’ offensive line is ranked second according to PFF, which will allow Chubb to dominate on the ground once again.

Round 3 (36)

Grab a High Upside Wide Receiver

For those of you who have read my other draft articles, this is the first time I’m not going with T. J. Hockenson (47.78). Instead, I’m taking Amari Cooper (39.1) at the 3-4 turn. As you can tell with my Nick Chubb selection, I’m all in on the Browns this year. If you’re unable to get Cooper, I would target Keenan Allen (39.76) or T. J. Hockenson (47.78).

Last season, even with the below-average quarterback player of Jacoby Brissett and Deshaun Watson, Cooper was the WR15 on a PPG basis. I’m betting on Watson to return to his prime, which should easily allow Cooper to finish as a low-end WR1.

Round 4 (37)

Draft an ELITE Quarterback

In almost every draft this year, I’m going out of my way to get a positional advantage. This means taking an elite tight end or quarterback. In this draft, I’m going the elite quarterback route and taking Justin Fields (42.35). If you’re not sold on Fields, Lamar Jackson (37.43) is a great pick as well.

The reason I’m taking Fields above Jackson is based on rushing upside. Jackson has been a much better player overall, but his rushing yards have gone down every year since 2019. On the other hand, Fields is only 24 and fresh off a 1,143-yard season. I’m betting on Fields to take the next step and have a Jalen Hurts-esque season with his improved situation. 

Round 5 (60)

Go After a Wide Receiver Value

With Calvin Ridley (43.11) heading to the Jaguars, Christian Kirk (60.15) has become an afterthought. Mike Williams (62.62) and Chris Godwin (62.99) are also good selections if you’re unable to get Kirk.

At this point of the draft, all that’s left is your flex spot. In the flex spot, you should always be looking for a wide receiver with upside. Kirk has the most upside of the three due to the offense he’s playing in. Even so, both Williams and Godwin have the potential to be big hits this year as well. 

Round 6 (61)

Grab a Sleeper Running Back

In Round 6, you can get one of the biggest sleepers in fantasy football as your running back two. James Conner (71.39). 

Even if Kyler Murray is out, Conner averaged 20.1 PPG last season without Murray. The Cardinals made no noticeable additions to the running back room, which sets Conner up to be a bell cow in 2023. 

Round 7 (84)

Grab an Underrated Wide Receiver

One of my favorite players this year, Jahan Dotson (89.36), falls perfectly into this slot. Dotson and Treylon Burks (85.94) are the last wide receivers  with a ton of week-to-week upside. 

I would love to double down on wide receiver.
The optimal pairing would be Burks (85.94) and Dotson (89.36).

Round 8 (85):

Draft More Wide Receiver Value

Assuming you were able to get Dotson, my number one choice would be Treylon Burks (85.94). If you’re unable to get Dotson or Tagovailoa, I would also be fine taking Brian Robinson (100.96) for some running back depth.

However, at this point in the draft, I’m chasing upside, and Burks fits this mold. The former first-round pick has all the talent in the world and is stepping into his second season. If Ryan Tannehill and this Tennessee offense are better than expected, Burks could have a league-winning season.

Round 9 (108)

Draft for Upside Part One

One player I can’t stop drafting these late rounds is Quentin Johnston (108.38). If you can’t get Johnston, I’m also targeting Elijah Moore (114.95) and Zay Flowers (115.55) at this turn. 

Out of the three, I’m targeting Johnston due to how high-powered this offense is. Justin Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore loves to push the pace of play.

Round 10 (109)

Draft for Upside Part Two

At the turn, I’m taking another high-upside receiver in Moore (114.95). Flowers (115.55) is a great value as well, but I would rather add Moore to my Browns stack.

We know the talent is there with Moore after he flashed his rookie year, averaging 12.2 PPG. Moore has the opportunity to be the wide receiver two in a much improved Browns offense. If Watson returns to his former self like we’re betting on, Moore will be a massive hit.

Projected Starting Roster through 10 Rounds
QB: Lamar Jackson 

RB1: Nick Chubb

RB2: James Conner

WR1: CeeDee Lamb

WR2: Amari Cooper

TE: TBD (Late round tight end) Tyler Higbee (139.53) Gerald Everett (164.74)

Flex: Christian Kirk

Bench

• Treylon Burks
• Jahan Dotson
• Quentin Johnston
• Elijah Moore

Whether you’re drafting from the 1.04 or somewhere else, we have strategies for it all. 

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