What’s going on, Fantasy Alarm #FAmily? If there is one question that absolutely floods my inbox, my Twitter feed, and our Discord channels every single summer, it’s this: "Howard, who do I take with the ninth pick?" It makes sense. Sitting at the back end of a 12-team snake draft can feel like no-man 's-land. You miss out on the consensus top-tier consensus anchors, and you’re forced to watch the draft board transform before you ever make a turn. Well, fret no more. This article series, in conjunction with our Ultimate Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet and our brand new, lightning-fast Mock Draft Simulator, will not only help answer that nagging question but will also completely guide you with your subsequent picks to construct a powerhouse roster.

Now, let's establish a hard truth right out of the gate: technically, the perfect draft doesn't exist. Draft rooms are living, breathing organisms; human emotion triggers reaches, and unexpected runs will always throw wrinkles into your plans. But if you rigidly follow the draft grid in the Ultimate Cheat Sheet, maximize your tools, and select the proper players at your necessary positions while keeping raw value at the forefront of your mind, you can build a team that will comfortably take you to the championship.

Of course, you can deviate from the cheat sheet blueprint if a specific player calls your name, but be incredibly careful that you don’t overlook strong value—especially at positions you may feel like you already have covered. A definitive rule to live by: if there is a player available from an earlier round and it is from either the running back or wide receiver position, consider that player first, regardless of what position they play. You can balance out the structural needs of your roster further into the draft. If your league mates are going to hand you a player who holds clear second-round value in the fourth round of your draft, you should take it 99 times out of 100. We all know the draft is just the first step in a grueling season, and your weekly waiver wire work and lineup choices need to be completely on-point. However, if you execute this precise fantasy football pick 9 draft strategy, failure is no longer an option. Let’s look at how the draft grid unfolds.

Round 1, Pick 9: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: As we creep closer and closer to the back end of the draft, we are keying in on a potential Robust-RB draft strategy. That's not to say we are automatically going for a running back in Round 2, but after everything we witnessed over the last two seasons, securing a pair of early running backs has been the winning ticket. We will continue to explore.

Top Target: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Detroit Lions

Securing Amon-Ra St. Brown at the ninth pick is an absolute foundational masterclass for your fantasy football PPR strategy. During the 2025 regular season, St. Brown proved to be an unstoppable target-earning juggernaut, commanding a massive 29.4% target share in Detroit's explosive offense. He parlayed that heavy utilization into 117 receptions for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns, establishing a near-unbeatable weekly baseline. His underlying efficiency metrics remain historic, highlighted by an elite 88.2 PFF receiving grade and a spectacular 2.41 yards per route run that ranked top-5 among all qualified NFL wideouts. By securing his top-5 positional upside at the ninth slot, you insulate your team from early-round volatility and secure an elite point-per-game anchor who completely drives your wide receiver position.

Other Targets: CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson

 

 

 

Round 2, Pick 16: Draft a Running Back

Why: With an elite-level wide receiver tucked away on the roster, you want to grab a running back here. Sure, you could go with another high-end wideout like CeeDee Lamb or Justin Jefferson and possibly try a Zero-WR strategy, but with so many picks coming off the board between your second and third selections and so many people grabbing the bell-cow RBs early, you really want to give yourself a strong RB option and open up the possibility of going with either Hero/Anchor-RB or even a Robust/Bully-RB strategy instead. There's great depth at the receiver position, and your selection of St. Brown gives you a huge opportunity to explore the other positions early.

Top Target: Omarion Hampton, RB Los Angeles Chargers

Selecting Omarion Hampton in the second round is a premier move that perfectly complements your early fantasy football draft position strategy. Despite a rookie campaign limited to just nine games due to an ankle fracture, Hampton was an absolute statistical powerhouse when active, averaging a highly efficient 15.1 PPR fantasy points per game (ranking 13th among all NFL running backs) and posting a robust 17.3 touches per game. His underlying metrics scream elite breakout capability; his 84.8 PFF rushing grade ranked 8th in the NFL, while his power was fully on display by forcing 32 missed tackles and averaging a bruising 3.4 yards after contact per attempt. Furthermore, he showcased an unheralded pass-catching floor by hauling in 32 of his 34 targets (94.1% catch rate). Now entering 2026 completely healthy as the focal point of innovative new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's dynamic outside-zone running system, Hampton will run behind a fully restored offensive line featuring franchise tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. This elite positional efficiency ensures a tier-one volume ceiling, making him the perfect second-round anchor for your fantasy roster.

Other Targets: Chase Brown, Drake London, A.J. Brown

Round 3, Pick 33: Draft a Running Back

Why: Just look at the board and look at your copy of the Ultimate Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet. What's more abundant right now, here at the tail-end of the third round? With just six picks between this and your next pick, you can take a strong running back option and still land yourself a fantastic WR2. If you don't see/like any of the backs available, then you can consider another WR here. If you do, keep a watchful eye on running backs in maybe the fifth round. Hero/Anchor-RB strategy still intact if you go that route.

Top Target: Kyren Williams, RB Los Angeles Rams

Williams has a 2026 average draft position (ADP) of #31, firmly embedding him in the third round of 12-team leagues. Despite managers fearing a heavier backfield split with backup Blake Corum, the statistical reality shows that Williams maintains an elite efficiency profile and safe usage baseline. In 2025, he logged 1,252 rushing yards (4.8 yards per carry) and maintained a dominant 62.9% rushing success rate, which ranked first in the NFL. Furthermore, data analyzed by FantasyPros highlights that Williams retained 63% of the team's red zone rushing attempts, ensuring a direct path to continuing his streak of three consecutive top-10 fantasy finishes in points per game. Securing a highly efficient, high-volume goal-line back on the league's top-ranked offense at a third-round valuation provides unmatched statistical insulation and top-five upside for your draft.

Other Targets: Javonte Williams, Tetairoa McMillan, Garrett Wilson

Round 4, Pick 40: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: Regardless of who you picked in the third round, the receiver options right now are far superior to the running backs likely available. You're either going to score a rock-solid WR2 or an even more spectacular WR3. Either way, this part of the draft screams receiver over anything like a QB or a TE.

Top Target: Tee Higgins, WR Cincinnati Bengals

Despite managers pricing in his injury history and his role alongside Ja'Marr Chase, the advanced data underscores his elite efficiency. Across 15 games in 2025, Higgins commanded an exceptional 33.4% share of the Bengals' total air yards and registered a downfield average depth of target (aDOT) of 13.4 yards, which ranked 14th among qualified NFL wide receivers. Even with a capped total target share, he maintained a stellar 27% targets per route run (TPRR) metric and tied for second in the NFL with a career-high 11 receiving touchdowns. This translated directly into a highly efficient 13.1 Half-PPR fantasy points per game profile, finishing the year as the WR9 in per-game production. With a healthy Joe Burrow under center, drafting Higgins as your fantasy WR2 in the fourth round provides unparalleled statistical value and a proven week-winning floor.

Other Targets: Jaylen Waddle, Terry McLaurin, Luther Burden

 

 

 

Round 5, Pick 57: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: If you've taken the top target listed here, then you've got two backs and two receivers. I know I said that if you took a wideout in Round 3, to be on the lookout for RBs in the fifth round, but our Mock Draft Simulator is keeping you on your toes, and all the Round 5 options are gone. Could you move into Round 6 of the Cheat Sheet and grab a back a round early? Sure, but then we'd be leaving WR value on the table, and we don't want to do that.

Top Target: DJ Moore, WR Buffalo Bills

Moore slides squarely into the fifth round of 12-team leagues due to a down 2025 season plagued by an overcrowded receiver room and some sketchy early-season quarterback play. However, the analytical data highlights a major bounce-back profile following his offseason trade to Buffalo. Reuniting with new head coach and play-caller Joe Brady, under whom Moore averaged 14.0 fantasy points per game and recorded three straight 1,100-yard receiving seasons while in Carolina, Moore is slotted immediately into the clear target-earning role vacated since Stefon Diggs left. Furthermore, Next Gen Stats reveal that Moore has generated 1,044 receiving yards against man coverage since 2023, ranking fifth among all NFL receivers. Tethered to Josh Allen in a passing offense projected to lead the NFL with 3.2 touchdowns per game, drafting Moore in the fifth round allows you to secure an elite separator and a projected 120+ target weapon at a bargain flex price.

Other Targets: Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas

Round 6, Pick 64: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: This is a crossroads pick -- you can either grab another receiver and have a stockpile or you can reach by a round and dip into the RB pool. Maybe even the TE pool if you feel it's necessary. With the plan I've laid out in this article, we don't need to reach. We have two strong RBs, and we should stay with the "best player available" philosophy. We'll round out the roster further into the draft.

Top Target: Marvin Harrison, WR Arizona Cardinals

Executing a comprehensive fantasy football pick 9 draft strategy means recognizing when an injury-induced discount creates a league-winning opportunity. While basic box scores show a modest 41 receptions for 608 yards in 2025, advanced analytical data reveal an elite underlying utilization profile. Prior to being sidelined by foot injuries, Harrison commanded a commanding sixth-ranked status in total NFL air yards and maintained a healthy downfield efficiency average of 14.8 yards per reception. With offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur taking over the play-calling duties to creatively move him around the formation, Harrison is primed to recapture his massive target volume. Backed by a historic prospect profile and tied to a passing game where he remains the co-primary option alongside Trey McBride, drafting Harrison in the sixth round buys an elite three-level separator at his absolute floor.

Other Targets: Courtland Sutton, Parker Washington

Round 7, Pick 81: Draft a Quarterback

Why: We've been hammering the RB and WR positions and are presented with some tremendous value at the QB position right now. We don't have a pairing set up for us, so we can simply choose the QB we like the most and who we believe has the highest upside based on their offensive scheme. We might have the possibility of pairing up further into the draft, but we don't want to force it.

Top Target: Trevor Lawrence, QB Jacksonville Jaguars

While some managers hesitate after a volatile career start, advanced statistical metrics show an elite floor and explosive ceiling established under offensive coordinator Liam Coen. In 2025, Lawrence orchestrated a heavy-volume offense that ranked sixth in the NFL with 63.6 plays per game, leading him to compile 4,007 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. His real fantasy trump card, however, lies in his sudden high-value rushing usage; he logged 82 carries for 359 rushing yards and a career-high 9 rushing touchdowns, ranking third in the NFL for red zone carries at the position. Over his final eight regular-season games, Lawrence was the overall QB1 in fantasy football. Backed by an improved pass-catching corps featuring Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas, drafting Lawrence in the seventh round lets you secure a proven top-five overall quarterback ceiling while hoarding elite skill players in the early rounds.

Other Targets: Caleb Williams, Justin Herbert

 

 

 

Round 8, Pick 88: Draft a Running Back

Why: We're not enamored with the TE selections at this point and have our eye on a few who could fall. But we need to start building out our RB depth so we're not caught without legitimate options, whether it's for a flex play or a bye-week fill-in. The good news is that we have some nice options for here and the subsequent rounds.

Top Target: Kenny Gainwell, RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Following a breakout 2025 campaign where he registered 187 touches and 1,023 total yards, advanced analytical metrics show that Gainwell ranked fifth among all NFL running backs with a 14.9% target share and finished eighth in first downs per route run. Backed by a newly signed two-year, $14 million contract, Gainwell fills the high-volume third-down vacuum vacated by Rachaad White. Given that projected starter Bucky Irving missed significant time with injuries last year, securing Gainwell's elite 1.60 yards per route run profile provides both a rock-solid standalone flex floor and a top-15 ceiling should he inherit the primary role.

Other Targets: Rhamondre Stevenson, RJ Harvey

Round 9, Pick 105: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: Based on the current options, the receiver position looks like it's still flush with enough talent that we don't have to reach for our tight end. Let's shoot for some upside here -- find a wideout with a really high ceiling and hope we can catch lightning in a bottle.

Top Target: Xavier Worthy, WR Kansas City Chiefs

While superficial box scores show a modest 42 receptions for 532 yards and 1 touchdown across 14 games in 2025, advanced analytical profiles reveal that Worthy maintained a dangerous 12.5-yard average depth of target (aDOT) and generated 207 yards after the catch, highlighting his continuous big-play threat. Furthermore, tracking data emphasizes his true ceiling when fully healthy: during a healthy stretch from Week 11 through the Super Bowl of his rookie campaign, Worthy averaged a robust 17.1 PPR points per game, which ranked as the WR15 overall. Now entering his third year, fully recovered from a torn shoulder labrum that limited the playbook, drafting Worthy in the ninth round secures a verified separator with record-breaking 4.21 speed inside Patrick Mahomes' explosive offense at a complete floor valuation.

Other Targets: Jayden Reed, Jordan Addison, Jayden Higgins

Round 10, Pick 112: Draft a Running Back

Why: We saw more tight ends come off the board, giving us reason to keep kicking that can down the street -- don't worry, the Fantasy Alarm team knows how to unearth the late-round TE gems. Let's build up some of the RB depth, seeing as how we really only have three on the roster at the moment.

Top Target: Jordan Mason, RB Minnesota Vikings

Mason is priced as a backup despite out-producing teammate Aaron Jones across the board last season. Across 16 contests, Mason led Minnesota with 159 carries for 758 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, registering a stellar 4.8 yards per carry compared to Jones’ 4.2 average. Advanced metrics highlight his physical rushing style, as Mason generated a powerful +1.02 Rush Yards Over Expected (RYOE) per attempt and an explosive 56.0% rushing success rate, which easily bested Jones' 49.2% rate. Additionally, Mason ranked third among qualified league ballcarriers in explosive run percentage after Week 10. With Kevin O'Connell trusting him near the goal line and a declining 31-year-old counterpart ahead of him, drafting Mason in the 10th round secures a starting-caliber early-down hammer with a top-24 fantasy floor inside Kyler Murray's newly led offense.

Other Targets: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Tyrone Tracy

 

 

 

Round 11, Pick 129: Draft a Tight End

Why: Now that most teams have their tight end, and in some cases two, we can hit the position now. We will most definitely need to take a second tight end, given how long we've waited, but if we follow the Yin-Tang draft strategy, we know we need a high-floor guy and a high-upside guy.

Top Target: Oronde Gadsden, TE Los Angeles Chargers

Despite missing the first two weeks of his rookie season as a healthy scratch, he surged to haul in 49 receptions for 664 yards and 3 touchdowns. His underlying efficiency metrics paint an even clearer breakout picture; Gadsden maintained a phenomenal 13.6 yards per reception and an elite 71.5 PFF receiving grade, which ranked 18th among all qualified NFL tight ends. Furthermore, he flashed unmatched slate-breaking capability in Week 8, exploding for 7 catches and 164 yards to notch the fourth-highest single-game receiving yardage total by a rookie tight end in NFL history. Now slotted as the top pass-catching hybrid weapon under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's quick-strike, wide-zone offense, drafting Gadsden in the 11th round locks down a mismatch weapon with Justin Herbert at his absolute valuation floor.

Other Targets: Chig Okonkwo, Kenyon Sadiq

Round 12, Pick 136: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: Because we need another TE, and with Gadsden on our roster, we may as well take one of the high-floor guys we know will see targets.

Top Target: Chig Okonkwo, TE Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo is the ideal 12th-round contingency target, offering an insulated statistical floor to secure your roster if Oronde Gadsden faces a target squeeze. While Gadsden transitions into a complex, multi-receiver system, Okonkwo enters a Washington offense where he has been named the de facto number two receiving option behind Terry McLaurin. Backed by a newly signed three-year, $27 million contract, Okonkwo inherits a high-volume vacancy left by Zach Ertz, who drew 72 targets in just 13 games last season. Okonkwo's underlying efficiency remains incredibly stable; he has cleared 50 receptions in three consecutive seasons, capping off 2025 with 56 receptions for 560 yards and 6 touchdowns on a heavy 79-target load. With dynamic signal-caller Jayden Daniels actively favoring tight ends, drafting Okonkwo at his late-round valuation guarantees you an athletic, vertical seam-stretcher who commands guaranteed volume as a primary option.

Other Targets: Hunter Henry, Brenton Strange

Round 13–18: Fill Depth

Use any additional picks to draft a kicker and team defense if required; otherwise, stock up on running backs and wide receivers unless you waited on tight end. If you did, then a second TE never hurts. It's all about the Yin-Yang draft philosophy and our Dynamic Tiers.