1st Round Targets
Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Christian McCaffery, Cooper Kupp, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Nick Chubb, Saquon Barkley or Davante Adams
- Austin Ekeler’s usage over the past few years has me nervous about his injury risk.
- I’m passing up Bijan Robinson this year despite his upside because I’m skeptical of how the Atlanta offense will perform.
2nd Round Targets
Derrick Henry, Stefon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, or Garrett Wilson
- If it’s a PPR league I’m probably taking the receivers listed over Henry, depending on how the draft is shaping up.
- I love Garrett Wilson’s upside but for this year at least I’m going with the more proven, veteran receivers until I see the Jets offense with Aaron Rodgers in action.
- Jonathan Taylor is still a top 5 overall talent in my opinion but until the trade request situation is resolved, he’s too difficult to project to draft this early.
3rd Round Targets
Travis Etienne Jr., Chris Olave, Jahmyr Gibbs, Najee Harris, or Deebo Samuel
- I’m a big believer in Etienne’s development in addition to the entire Jacksonville offense.
- Najee Harris was a flat out disappointment last year but I’m banking on quarterback Kenny Pickett improving and elevating the entire Pittsburgh offense with him, giving Harris more opportunities and more room to run.
4th Round Targets
Mark Andrews, Calvin Ridley, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Breece Hall
- This is when I like to target an elite tight end or quarterback, again depending on how the draft is shaping up.
- There are plenty of high upside quarterbacks available later in this year’s draft so unless Mahomes or Allen fall in my lap at the right spot, I’m waiting on the position until later.
- Breece Hall will be a top 5 overall fantasy pick for years to come. What he showed last year was incredible but this year I’m a bit nervous with him coming off injury, the team signing Dalvin Cook, and what the Jets offense will look like.
- I would definitely target Hall if I was in a dynasty league.
5th Round Targets
Jerry Jeudy, T.J. Hockenson, Amari Cooper, Kenneth Walker III, or D.J. Moore
- I was a fan of receiver Jerry Jeudy coming out of Alabama and he put up a nice stat line last year despite quarterback Russell Wilson floundering. I don’t think there’s any way Wilson plays that poorly again and with head coach Sean Payton in town I think Jeudy finishes 2023 as a WR1.
- D.J. Moore has always had the talent but many believe his quarterbacks have been holding him back. I’m buying into the hype surrounding Bears quarterback Justin Fields’ improvement this offseason and I’m intrigued as to what Moore can do this year.
6th Round Targets
Justin Fields, Justin Herbert, Alvin Kamara, Darren Waller, or James Connor
- There’s a good chance that Fields is gone at this point in your draft but if he’s around I’m taking him without hesitation.
- Coaching is holding back the Chargers and Justin Herbert. He has all the talent and weapons galore on offense. I think this is great value at this spot and Herbert reminds everyone he’s still among the league’s best at his position when it’s all said and done.
- Alvin Kamara is a risky pick here because of his decline in production last year combined with his age and 3-game suspension. With that being said, I wouldn’t be shocked if he looked more like the Kamara from years prior with Derek Carr as his new quarterback.
- One of my biggest sleepers this season; I think the move to New York does Darren Waller wonders and he finishes 2023 as a top-5 tight end.
7th Round Targets
James Cook, J.K. Dobbins, Brandon Aiyuk, Kyle Pitts, or Javonte Williams
- I love J.K. Dobbins’ talent, but his health and the threat of Lamar Jackson and Gus Edwards eating into his touches have me wary.
- Most people are steering clear of Kyle Pitts because of his failure to live up to expectations in his first two seasons in the league. He is too talented to stay down long and I’m gambling on a breakout year.
8th Round Targets
San Francisco 49ers’ Defense, George Pickens, A.J. Dillon, Michael Pittman Jr., D’Andre Swift, or Pat Freiermuth
- This is about the earliest I ever take a team defense and only one of the top 3 projected ones at that. The 49er’s have done it a few years in a row now so they’re my top pick this season.
- Steelers receiver George Pickens’ chemistry with Kenny Pickett is undeniable and I see a breakout season on the horizon.
- D’Andre Smith never saw as many touches as we all anticipated in Detroit. Now in a crowded running back group in Philadelphia that risk still remains. But the upside is tantalizing so I’m taking a risk on him.
9th Round Targets
Philadelphia Eagles Team Defense, Buffalo Bills Team Defense, or Dallas Cowboys Team Defense
- This is a good time to start thinking about your starting defense.
- One of my favorite draft strategies is to take a solid backup defense early since I like to swap them in when my primary defense has a tough matchup.
10th Round Targets
Jamaal Williams, Khalil Herbert, Evan Engram, or New England Patriots Team Defense
- If you haven’t drafted a tight end by this point in the draft, the drop off after Engram here is significant.
- Barring a last minute signing, it looks like Jamaal Williams will fill in for Alvin Kamara for the first three games of the season while Kamara serves his suspension. He’ll return to a backup role after that but the added value during those first three weeks have me sold.
11th Round Targets
Jahan Dotson, Rashaad Penny, David Njoku, or Cole Kmet
- Who knows how the running back position will play out in Philadelphia, but Rashaad Penny is capable of putting up RB1 numbers when healthy and given the opportunity.
- If you waited to take a tight end and ended up drafting a fringe starter, I like to invest in a solid backup like David Njoku or Cole Kmet.
12th Round Targets
Tua Tagovailoa, Treylon Burks, Jordan Addison, or Zay Flowers
- At this point in the draft I take my biggest risks, taking fliers on young players with upside.
- I’m not big on drafting a backup quarterback, but if that’s your style, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is being drafted as a backup but has starter talent and opportunity.
13th Round Targets
Justin Tucker, Ezekiel Elliott, Elijah Moore, or Elijah Mitchell
- This is the earliest I would ever take a kicker and only for Justin Tucker, but he’s probably already gone at this point.
- Running backs Ezekiel Elliott with the Patriots and Elijah Mitchell with the 49ers are solid depth pieces. They become valuable if Rhamondre Stevenson or Christian McCaffery get hurt, which is entirely possible if not likely at some point this season.
14th Round Targets
Evan McPherson, Daniel Carlson, Younghoe Koo, Tyler Bass, or Harrison Butker
- This is a nice spot to take a top-tier kicker since most people wait until the final round.
15th Round Targets
Miami Dolphins Team Defense, Quentin Johnston, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jeff Wilson Jr., or Jameson Williams
- Lions receiver Jameson Williams is a luxury to keep on your bench for the first 6 weeks of the season due to his suspension but if your wide receivers are shaky, he’s an excellent draft and stash option.
- Jeff Wilson Jr. is slated as the starter in Miami but rumor has it they’re interested in Jonathan Taylor after losing out on Dalvin Cook.
StraightSports 