Walt
Aug. 5, 2026.
The following is a round-by-round blueprint of how I plan on drafting in my fantasy football leagues this summer.
Keep in mind that depending on the circumstances, you might not be able to completely follow this strategy once your draft begins. There could be a run on a certain position; an unexpected player could fall; or another owner may take one of the key sleepers early. You have to be able to play a lot of it by ear, but having a strategy going into the draft helps a lot.
Also, most of this assumes a 12-man league with two running backs, two receivers and a flex (ESPN standard). If your league requires you start two quarterbacks, three receivers, two flexes, etc., you'll need to adjust accordingly.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
Drafting Early: Picks 1-2:
ROUND 1: I consider there to be two elite players I would choose in this range: Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson in that order. This applies to both standard and PPR leagues. I prefer Gibbs because he's on the better team and has the easier schedule.
ROUNDS 2-3: There are no quarterbacks or tight ends worth considering in this range unless you're in a weird league that starts multiple players at each position. People will draft Brock Bowers and Trey McBride in this range, but that is a foolish way to approach your fantasy draft because there are so many quality quarterbacks and tight ends available late in the draft.
With that in mind, target any potential second-round running backs who may fall to you. This includes De'Von Achane, Derrick Henry, and Chase Brown.
It's likely, however, that all of those running backs will be off the board at 2.11 or 2.12. In that case, you should take a receiver like A.J. Brown, Emeka Egbuka, Drake London, or Nico Collins with your second-round pick.
Your third pick is a choice. You can target a second receiver, or go after a running back like Breece Hall, Javonte Williams, or Cam Skattebo. You'll get more value with a receiver, but then again, running backs can vanish quickly. If you're confident that you can double up on receivers at the four-five turn, go after a wideout at 3.01 or 3.02.
ROUNDS 4-5: This is when you'll want to go double running back. There will be plenty of talented backs available in this range, including Cam Skattebo, Quinshon Judkins, David Montgomery, and Bhayshul Tuten.
If you went running back-receiver at the two-three turn, then going running back and receiver would make sense. I like Luther Burden and Jameson Williams as receivers in this range. Either way, make sure you have at least three running backs at this stage of the draft. Don't target a quarterback or tight end yet.
ROUNDS 6-7: The ideal start here would be four running backs and two receivers, or four running backs, one receiver, and one quarterback. I would only target a quarterback if I could get someone like Drake Maye, Joe Burrow, or Jalen Hurts. Here are the other options:
Running backs: Bucky Irving, Jadarian Price, Rhamondre Stevenson
Wide receivers: Parker Washington, Jordyn Tyson, Rome Odunze
ROUNDS 8-9: You can grab your starting quarterback in this range if you haven't already. You'll be looking at Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert, Jared Goff, and Matthew Stafford, among others.
Some players I like in this range are Blake Corum, Kyle Monangai, Jayden Reed, and Michael Pittman Jr. I still wouldn't reach for a tight end, but one player at the position who makes sense at this juncture is Harold Fannin.
ROUNDS 10-11: Get your starting quarterback now if you haven't done so yet because idiots in your league will begin to draft backups too early for no reason. It won't do them any good, but their stupid strategy will hurt you if you don't have a starter yet. You might be able to get one of the Round 9 quarterbacks at this spot. If not, consider Baker Mayfield, Cam Ward, or Malik Willis. Daniel Jones is risky, but has big upside.
I've seen some value tight ends fall to this spot as well. I've gotten Dallas Goedert, Mark Andrews, Chig Okonkwo, and Jake Ferguson in this range. All are outstanding choices, with Goedert being my preferred choice.
Otherwise, it's time to begin plucking players off the 2026 Fantasy Football Sleepers list. Check out that list for players to consider. You need to swing for the fences in the double-digit rounds because your league could be won with a great value selection or two in the final third of the draft.
And lastly, I'm going to put this in caps because I can't emphasize this enough: DO NOT DRAFT A KICKER OR A DEFENSE YET!!!!!
ROUNDS 12-13: More sleepers. Again, take high-upside players beginning in Round 10-11; doing otherwise would violate what I used to call the Wayne Chrebet Rule. Chrebet, a former Jets receiver, was a very good player in real life, but was only a fantasy WR5 (an average year for him would be about 900 yards and six touchdowns.) Yet, people would draft him even though as a possession receiver, he would offer no upside. You can always add someone like him on the waiver wire, so try to hit a home run with your late picks.
Oh, and once again, don't choose a defense or kicker yet. That's just lazy.
ROUNDS 14-16: In leagues that require each position to be chosen, Round 14 is my final skill-position player - a super-high-upside long shot. Round 15 is my defense. Round 16 is my kicker.
If you're not forced into drafting a kicker, don't. Select another high-upside player instead and wait until the final days before the regular season. That way, you maximize your chances of landing a great sleeper. You can simply get rid of a player who gets injured.
As far as defenses are concerned, you don't have to draft one either. Seriously, select as many high-upside players as possible and worry about a defense later. If you need to pick a defense per your league rules, I love playing matchups. Go to my 2026 Fantasy Football Defense Rankings for details.
Here's a video where I discuss how to draft from No. 2 specifically:
Drafting Middle: Picks 3-4:
ROUND 1: The "middle" usually constitutes 4-8, but that's different this year because of how the player are ordered in the first two rounds. Assuming Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are gone, you'll have your choice between Ja'Mar Chase and Puka Nacua. If one of Robinson or Gibbs is available, consult the "drafting early" section. Otherwise, make your choice between Chase and Nakua. They're very close, but I prefer Chase.
ROUNDS 2-3: With receiver being the first pick, you'll need at least one running back in this range, if not two. Depending on who's available in Round 2 will dictate what you do. If you can get one of De'Von Achane, Chase Brown, Omarion Hampton, or Ashton Jeanty in the second round, pull the trigger. Otherwise you'll be looking at receivers like A.J. Brown, Drake London, Nico Collins, and Emeka Egbuka.
In Round 3, London and Collins should both be gone. I like Egbuka in this spot. However, if you chose a receiver in the second round, or if Egbuka is unavailable, I'd target a running back like Breece Hall or Javonte Williams.
ROUNDS 4-5: You'll need at least three running backs exiting Round 5, if not four. I'd rather have four running backs than two after five rounds, but three is the ideal number.
My favorite running backs in this range are Breece Hall, Javonte Williams, Cam Skattebo, David Montgomery, Quinshon Judkins, and Bhayshul Tuten.
If you began the draft WR-RB-RB, then you can take your second receiver in this range. Luther Burden is my favorite target. Jameson Williams, D.J. Moore, and Terry McLaurin also make sense.
As I said in the early section, don't draft a quarterback or tight end this early. They're one-off positions, and there are too many quality depth players at the position.
Make sure to check out my updated fantasy football cheat sheets to see who the best-available players are.
ROUNDS 6-7: I'm looking to shore up my running backs and receivers. I want four running backs and two receivers after six rounds, but three and three is OK. Options here include Bucky Irving, Jadarian Price, Parker Washington, Rome Odunze, and Jordyn Tyson.
If all of those players are off the board, or if you're looking to stack A.J. Brown with Drake Maye, you can take Maye in the sixth round. Some quarterbacks who might have fallen like Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow would be logical choices as well.
I'm perfectly fine with a quarterback in Round 7 like Maye, Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, Justin Herbert, and Trevor Lawrence. There aren't many great running back or receiver options in Round 7.
ROUNDS 8-9: I'm often taking Blake Corum or Kyle Monangai in these two rounds. Jonathon Brooks and J.K. Dobbins make sense as well, but they carry much more risk.
If you haven't drafted your quarterback yet, you'll need to strongly consider one unless you can get good value elsewhere. I like Jayden Reed and Michael Pittman Jr. in the ninth round (Pittman in PPR only). At tight end, Harold Fannin is a fine choice.
ROUNDS 10-11: If you don't have a quarterback, you should probably take one in the 11th round before people begin drafting backups. Otherwise, continue to take running backs and receivers.
This is also the spot to draft tight ends. In all of my mock drafts, I've gotten a solid tight end in this area like Dallas Goedert or Chig Okonkwo.
THE REST: The rest of the draft will follow "Drafting Early." Check out my 2026 Fantasy Football Sleepers list for some ideas on whom to select late in your draft.
Here's a video where I discuss how to draft from No. 4 specifically:
Drafting Late: Picks 5-12:
ROUNDS 1-2: Pick 5 counts as drafting late this year because I'm taking the same player at No. 5 as I am at No. 12. For me, it's James Cook or Omarion Hampton. They're the best-available players in my Fantasy Football Rankings. However, if Ja'Marr Chase or Puka Nacua falls to you, consult the "Drafting Middle" section.
My goal is drafting consecutive running backs with these two selections. Outside of Cook and Hampton, I like Ashton Jeanty, Chase Brown, Saquon Barkley, and De'Von Achane. If all four are gone, you might be able to land A.J. Brown. If he's also off the board - you're probably at pick No. 5 or 6 - then you're SOL and have to reach for someone like Drake London or Nico Collins. The fifth spot is the worst place to draft from this year.
ROUNDS 3-4: If you went double running back in the first two rounds, you can come back with a receiver in the third frame. Emeka Egbuka, DeVonta Smith, and Ladd McConkey are all great options. If they're all gone, a running back like Breece Hall or Javonte Williams works.
Quad running back to start is OK. It's more ideal to have three running backs and one receiver after four rounds, however. If you grabbed a receiver in Round 3, consider Williams, Hall, Cam Skattebo, or David Montgomery in Round 4. If, however, you opened with a trio of backs, you'll be looking at Luther Burden in the fourth frame.
As I said in the other sections, don't draft a quarterback or tight end this early. They're one-off positions, and there are too many quality depth players at the position.
ROUNDS 5-6: There won't be any quarterbacks or tight ends worth taking here unless you're stacking A.J. Brown with Drake Maye or Zay Flowers with Lamar Jackson.
This will be your final chance to grab a talented workhorse running back, so make it count with Quinshon Judkins, Bhayshul Tuten, or Bucky Irving. Receivers I like here are Jameson Williams, Terry McLaurin, Parker Washington, and Jordyn Tyson.
ROUNDS 7-8: You can wait on a quarterback until Rounds 9-10, but keep stacking pieces in mind. If you took DeVonta Smith, you'll want Jalen Hurts. If you grabbed Ladd McConkey, pair him with Justin Herbert. Luther Burden goes with Caleb Williams, and so on. If you don't have a logical stacking piece, you can go running back-receiver again with a combo like Jayden Reed and Blake Corum.
ROUNDS 9-10: You'll want to draft a quarterback before the dumb people in your league pick backups. My favorite quarterbacks in Rounds 9-10 are Tyler Shough, Baker Mayfield, and Jaxson Dart. Remember to stack a quarterback with one of your receivers or tight ends.
Tight ends named Harold Fannin and Dallas Goedert are fine here as well.
There are some receivers worth considering at this juncture. Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Michael Pittman Jr. all work.
ROUNDS 11-12 AND THE REST: Find your tight end in Round 11-14 if you haven't taken one already. The rest of the draft will follow the Drafting Early strategy. Make sure you look at our cheat sheets. We have regular fantasy football cheat sheets and new customized fantasy football cheat sheets. Also, keep up to date with the rest of our Fantasy Football Rankings.
Here's a video where I discuss how to draft from each spot specifically:
More 2026 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/5 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 8/5 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 8/5 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 8/5 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 8/5 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 8/5 (Walt)
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2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
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2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 8/5 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Half-PPR - 8/5 (Walt)
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2026 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/5 (Walt)
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2026 Fantasy Football Values - 8/4 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 8/3 (Walt)
2026 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/3 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rankings - Aug. 5
2027 NFL Mock Draft - June 16
NFL Picks - Feb. 9
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