UPDATED 8/18: If you’ve caught my work here at Fantasy Alarm or tuned into SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio, you know there’s nothing I love more than getting down into the draft room trenches. Earlier in the draft season, we laid out a blueprint in the Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide, but let's be honest with ourselves: with training camp injuries piling up, roster battles settling, and Average Draft Position (ADP) shifting on a daily basis, executing the ultimate draft is highly time-specific. What worked a month ago needs to be recalibrated right now. 

Without a doubt, the single most common question we get as analysts on the radio and on social media is: "Howard, who do I take at the turn when I have the number one overall pick?"

This article series, powered by Fantasy Alarm’s Ultimate Cheat Sheet and our brand-new Mock Draft Simulator, is built specifically to answer that burning question while guiding you through every single turn on the draft board. Now, we all know the absolute "perfect draft" doesn't actually exist. Drafts are wild, living creatures. But if you stick to the draft grid on our Ultimate Cheat Sheet, select the right positional targets, and keep pure value at the forefront of every decision, you will build a powerhouse roster capable of taking you all the way to a championship trophy.

Of course, you can deviate from the cheat sheet blueprint if you see a market crash on a specific player, but be careful! Don't overlook incredible value just because you feel a position is "already covered." If your league gives you a second-round valuation in the fourth round, you grab it 99 times out of 100. In fact, as a golden rule: if a player from an earlier round is sitting there, whether a running back or wide receiver, consider that player first regardless of position. Roster balance can easily be sorted out later.

Remember, the draft is just step one in a long, grueling season; your waiver wire hustle and weekly lineup setting still need to be elite. But if you lock in with an updated fantasy football pick 1 draft strategy, failure is no longer an option. Let’s dive into how to execute the ideal draft from the top spot using a proven fantasy football draft position strategy and sound updated fantasy football PPR strategy.

Round 1, Pick 1: Draft a Running Back

Your chances of acquiring a true bell-cow back with the level of talent found in Bijan Robinson after 22 picks go by are next to nothing. Take the best player at one of the most important positions on the board. Robinson gets the edge over Jahmyr Gibbs because he's built as the true, every-down back everyone covets. His frame handles heavy volume and the brutal wear and tear of running between the tackles. Gibbs is explosive on the perimeter, but we saw his efficiency taper off late last season when tasked with sustained, interior carries.

Why Bijan is the Pick: Robinson put up a staggering 2025 campaign, racking up 2,298 total scrimmage yards (1,478 rushing, 820 receiving) and 11 touchdowns on 366 touches across 17 games. That historic, dual-threat workload makes him the undisputed crown jewel of fantasy football PPR strategy and the ultimate foundation for your updated fantasy football pick 1 draft strategy. 

 

 

 

Round 2, Pick 24: Draft a Wide Receiver

There are still a few elite wideouts available at the Round 2/3 turn, and they carry significantly higher projection floors than the next tier of running backs. You’ve already anchored your roster with a generational talent at RB1; now it’s time to pair him with an elite-level receiving talent.

Why Collins is the Pick: Collins proved his absolute alpha status in 2025 by commanding 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and 7 touchdowns in 15 games. Functioning as the clear target monster in an explosive Houston offense, Collins gives you a legitimate WR1 floor at the end of the second round. 

Round 3, Pick 25: Draft a Quarterback

You have the premier running back in fantasy football and an elite top-10 wide receiver. Why not secure the undisputed best signal-caller in the game by locking in Josh Allen while he’s sitting right there? His historical dual-threat production is unmatched, and there’s zero reason to doubt he finishes as the overall QB1 again. Mentally commit to punting the tight end position for now and focus heavily on RB and WR over the next few rounds. (Note: If Allen is snagged before your pick, pivot to the best available wide receiver).

Why Allen is the Pick: Allen once again led all quarterbacks in total touchdowns in 2025, consistently proving why he is the ultimate cheat code in fantasy. His rushing goal-line floor paired with elite passing volume gives your roster an unbeatable weekly ceiling.

Round 4, Pick 48: Draft a Wide Receiver

You need a reliable WR2, a player who demands a heavy target share and offers explosive, game-breaking upside. Most importantly, this range features receivers who serve as the primary pass-catchers on their respective depth charts. Follow the money and follow the target volume.

Why Evans is the Pick: Evans may not have continued his historic streak of 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2025, but injuries can upset the path for any high-level player. His move to San Francisco shouldn’t have any ill effects on his production, and as the X-receiver in a Kyle Shanahan scheme, he should deliver a vintage performance.

 

 

 

Round 5, Pick 49: Draft a Running Back

This is the perfect opportunity to select your RB2 and fortify your starting lineup with guaranteed weekly volume. The available backs in this range command the lion's share of touches for their teams and represent massive value discounts.

Why Montgomery is the Pick: While Montgomery saw a diminished role last season, he still managed to score eight touchdowns and showcase his skill set of running between the tackles. Now in Houston as the clear-cut No. 1 running back, we should see a return to volume and a spike in his rushing yard totals. If that can also mean more touchdowns, we are 100-percent here for that. His reliable workload inside the 5-yard line offers immediate, high-floor RB2 production.

Round 6, Pick 72: Draft a Running Back

You've built a stellar 1-2 punch with Robinson and Montgomery, but securing a strong RB3 option is vital for long-term roster health. This tier features backfield assets playing in run-first offensive schemes. Securing your third back here makes pivoting back to receivers and tight ends seamless.

Why Brooks is the Pick: He hasn’t played an NFL snap in almost two years, but the reports coming out of training camp have been very encouraging. Couple that with Chuba Hubbard now being listed as week-to-week with a hamstring injury, and you’ve got bell-cow potential in a Dave Canales offense.

Round 7, Pick 73: Draft a Wide Receiver

Most fantasy leagues require three starting receivers, and you already have two stars in place. My updated fantasy football draft position strategy for the WR3 slot is locking in a high-floor, target-rich veteran, leaving the high-variance upside shots for deeper in the draft.

Why Pittman is the Pick: It’s not about what Pittman did in Indianapolis last year; it’s about what his role in Pittsburgh will be. Aaron Rodgers will need Pittman to be that reliable go-to option to help move the chains. Mike McCarthy’s offensive scheme should put Pittman as the lean over the tight ends and possibly even over the many check-downs we saw last season.

 

 

 

Round 8, Pick 96: Draft a Wide Receiver

While you could put your third running back in your Flex spot, opening up options within your receiving corps gives you far more lineup flexibility. Since you went safe and dependable in Round 7, shoot for explosive upside here. Look for high target potential paired with a game-breaking ceiling.

Why Diggs is the Pick: Diggs maintained a target share just over 21% in 2025, operating as an intermediate route technician with high-volume potential. Getting his veteran target volume in the eighth round is incredible draft value.

Round 9, Pick 97: Draft a Tight End

This round represents the cutoff for tight ends capable of every-week fantasy starter production. You want a pass-catcher who projects as the primary or secondary read for his quarterback. While hitting on an elite TE1 early is great, this tier provides reliable production without the heavy draft capital investment.

Why LaPorta is the Pick: Injuries derailed LaPorta’s season last year, but his back surgery was a success, and he was given full clearance well ahead of training camp opening. We know that new OC Drew Petzing likes to rely on his TE to help move the chains and dominate inside the end zone, as evidenced by Trey McBride’s workload. He should do the same for LaPorta this season.

Round 10, Pick 120: Draft a Running Back

At this stage, you are building insurance depth, and the most critical position to hoard is running back. You will take plenty of late-round swings on wide receivers, but if you can grab an RB with a clear path to touches, pull the trigger every time.

Why Mason is the Pick: Mason demonstrated elite efficiency in 2025, averaging nearly 5.0 yards per carry when stepping into starter-level workloads. Securing his high-upside profile in Round 10 locks down your backfield depth.

 

 

 

Round 11, Pick 121: Draft a Wide Receiver

Targeting depth is simple here; you just need to decide between safe floor or maximum ceiling. With plenty of late-round flyers remaining on the board, grabbing a heavily targeted pass-catcher who is currently undervalued by the consensus is the sharp play.

Why Nailor is the Pick: Nailor flashed impressive big-play ability in 2025, averaging over 14 yards per reception while earning an expanded role down the stretch. He offers standalone value with massive contingent upside and could be heavily leaned on by Kirk Cousins. Remember, Nailor and Cousins worked together in Minnesota, so there should be some familiarity.

Round 12, Pick 144: Draft a Wide Receiver

In the final primary rounds, throw ADP out the window and get your guys. Since your core strategy relies on starting Josh Allen and Sam LaPorta every week outside of their bye weeks, drafting backup QBs or TEs is a wasted roster spot. Load up on wide receiver depth and see which lottery tickets hit.

Why Boston is the Pick: The rookie has really been turning heads in camp and has pushed for an increased target share. He was promoted to working with the first team early last week, and he’s been just as effective around camp now as he’s been in the past.