Fantasy football draft strategy: Drafting from No. 1 pick in 10-team full PPR

When you secure the No. 1 overall pick in any fantasy football league, the first thing that comes to mind is “no-brainer.”

Contents

Fantasy football 2025: Picking No. 1 overall in PPR Round 1 Rounds 2/3: Commit to a plan Rounds 4/5: Land a staple Middle rounds: Build a contender Late rounds Mock draft results from No. 1 pick

The first pick typically requires minimal thought. For example, look back to 2024. The consensus No. 1 pick was Christian McCaffrey, and that didn’t turn out well. Things can go sideways in a hurry if that pick ends up injured early on.

To that end, when you find yourself basking in the glory of owning the right to select any player in the NFL to lead your fantasy squad, it’s critical to make the right choice.

2025 FANTASY FOOTBALL MOCK DRAFT: Bijan Robinson, Ashton Jeanty highlight first-round RBs

Assuming it’s a typical “snake draft” – meaning you pick first in Round 1 and last in Round 2, also referred to as “the turn” – waiting 18 picks to make your next selection doesn’t seem so simple. Nevertheless, having the first pick is an advantage and it’s essential to look ahead when picking at the turn.

So, let’s build a roster starting with selection 1.01 and explore how you should approach the draft:

Fantasy football 2025: Picking No. 1 overall in PPR

Round 1

The approach with the first overall pick this year is simple, as two obvious choices exist: Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. An argument can be made for Saquon Barkley but regression is on the horizon if history is any indication.

No player in NFL history has ever rushed for 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, and the “Tush Push” allows Jalen Hurts to continue to vulture goal-line touchdowns. Barkley had 482 touches combined in the regular season and playoffs, potentially suggesting less volume in 2025.

Dating back to 1998, Eddie George is the only player to have back-to-back seasons of 480-plus touches.

There’s more leniency at the running back position in 10-team leagues but the preferred pick is Robinson at 1.01. The Falcons back should be in an improved offensive environment with Michael Penix Jr. at the helm and Robinson possesses unique abilities as a receiver, reeling in 119 receptions over the last two seasons (third most among RBs).

He posted an elite 21.3 opportunities (carries + targets) per game in 2024 while earning top-five grades for his position both as a runner and a receiver, per PFF.

Rounds 2/3: Commit to a plan

You may be tempted to pick one of the top quarterbacks in this spot, but in a 10-team league, there will be plenty of value at the position later in the draft. Select the best running back available to pair with Robinson and go into the season with more confidence than your league mates at the most challenging position to navigate.

By the time you pick again in Round 4, the running back position will lack surefire options. Create the safety net now and stick to the plan.

In the case of our mock draft, Chase Brown was selected. Veterans like Jonathan Taylor, Kyren Williams and Josh Jacobs also make fine selections here, and all were available at the turn.

Next, land the best wide receiver available. The top 10 players at the position are likely off the board, but several players who are top options on their team should be available. Guys like Terry McLaurin, Ladd McConkey or Garrett Wilson make fine selections.

Rounds 4/5: Land a staple

The optimal draft strategy should have you positioned comfortably with two top RBs and a WR by this point. This approach in the first three rounds affords you the luxury of snagging one of the top three tight ends if they are available: Brock Bowers and Trey McBride were off the board but George Kittle

In the USA TODAY fantasy football mock draft, Kittle was available in this spot. The 49ers’ tight end landed a massive extension this summer as a result of his consistent performance. He’s finished as a top-five fantasy TE in six of the past seven seasons. With Deebo Samuel traded and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a knee injury, Kittle can easily outperform his ADP.

In case the top three tight ends aren’t available, the best course of action is to select the best remaining of the top four quarterbacks: Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts. The goal is to draft a TE or QB staple.

With the first pick of the fifth round, select the best player available: RB or WR.

Middle rounds: Build a contender

The approach to the middle and late rounds requires the same focus and execution you had early on.

Continue to fill out your team with the best RBs and WRs available. Typically, the league will have a “FLEX’ spot for your lineup and those positions are best suited to fill your team. There is no need for a second TE if you landed one of the top options.

Wait until the ninth or 10th round if you missed out on the top QBs. There’s no harm in being the last team to pick a QB, especially in a 10-team format. The law of supply and demand suggests it will pay dividends to fill your roster with more options at RB. There are many QBs you can trust, and holding more cards at RB could be the difference in winning a fantasy championship.

Late rounds

Look for situations with uncertainty on the depth chart. Usually, it’s where a rookie could stake his claim, but there are scenarios like the one in Buffalo this offseason with James Cook, who is searching for a contract extension. This could open the door for Ray Davis; the upside of Davis taking the majority of the snaps in a Josh Allen-led offense should not be ignored.

Continue to search for shaky depth charts. The Broncos and Chargers are fine examples. Denver drafted RJ Harvey in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and then signed J.K. Dobbins. Los Angeles selected Omarion Hampton in the first round but had signed Najee Harris beforehand in free agency. All four running backs would be worthy of consideration in the middle to late rounds.

Always wait to pick your defense. If your league has kickers, use your last pick for a sleeper instead. Add a kicker to your roster the day before Week 1, as kickers score in the same range and don’t provide an edge.