So, you got yourself the eighth overall pick in your draft. What’s your plan? Did you read the previous Perfect Draft from the No. 8 Pick in the Draft Guide? You should, even though it’s somewhat out of date already.

The draft landscape, the player pool, and overall draft ADP are changing every single day with the latest news. Draft strategies that may have worked a month ago aren't necessarily going to work this time around. For example, recent injury news on Ashton Jeanty has him sliding down draft boards, while his backup, Mike Washington, has seen his ADP on a meteoric rise. Is that the right move, though?

This is why we do mock drafts, and the Fantasy Alarm Mock Draft Simulator makes it incredibly easy to try out new and different approaches in your draft. But if you're looking for the way Howard Bender drafts at the eighth overall pick, this is the article you need to read before you start to draft.

The perfect draft may not exist in the real world, but it certainly does in mine. With the help of the Fantasy Alarm Ultimate Cheat Sheet, you can see what your draft could and should look like at this pick. Of course, you can deviate from the cheat sheet blueprint if you really want to, but be careful you don't overlook strong value, especially at positions you feel like you already have covered.

Also keep in mind: the draft is just the first step in a long season, and your waiver wire work and lineup choices need to be on point. But if you start with this approach, you will be way ahead of your competition. If you are properly using the cheat sheet and there is a running back or wide receiver available from an earlier round, give consideration to that player first regardless of position! Grabbing value is paramount to your success in this draft, and you can balance out your roster in the later rounds. If your league is going to hand you a player who has second-round value in the fifth round of your draft, you should probably take them!

Mastering a high-yielding fantasy football pick 8 draft strategy requires adaptability, execution, and zero fear. Let's break down how to optimize your fantasy football draft position strategy and build a championship roster with an unstoppable fantasy football PPR strategy.

Round 1, Pick 8: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: You're closer to the end of the round than you are to the beginning, and when it comes back around for your second-round pick, you should still have enough bell-cow running backs from which to choose. Take the elite-level receiver here and gain that extra edge with your receiving corps to kick off your fantasy football pick 8 draft strategy.

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

St. Brown is the ultimate anchor at the No. 8 overall pick because he provides unmatched volume and consistency at the top of your draft. In 2025, St. Brown turned in a career-best fantasy campaign, hauling in 117 receptions on 172 targets for 1,401 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns across all 17 regular-season games. Commanding a massive 31.7% target share in Detroit's high-powered offense, his elite reception floor and red-zone conversion rate make him a dominant PPR WR1 who completely eliminates early-round draft risk.

 

 

 

Round 2, Pick 17: Draft a Running Back

Why: While some love the Zero-RB strategy, I feel that it is too important to pass up one of the top-10 running backs in favor of a second wideout. Grab a top RB, anchor your roster, and then see what kind of value opens up for you in the next round.

Top Target: De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

Achane is the ultimate dual-threat anchor at Pick 17 because he pairs league-winning, explosive rushing efficiency with an elite receiving floor. In 2025, Achane enjoyed a dominant breakout campaign, rushing 238 times for 1,350 yards (a stellar 5.7 YPC) and eight touchdowns while hauling in 67 receptions for 488 yards and four receiving scores over 16 games. Ranking fifth among all running backs in PPR points per game (20.2), his game-breaking speed and heavy target share deliver a massive weekly floor and top-tier RB1 upside in the second round.

Round 3, Pick 32: Draft a Running Back

Why: While the majority of the teams picking behind you probably went RB-heavy with their first two picks, there are some who probably took the value at receiver and are looking to solidify themselves at the position as well. Get your guy here now as the remaining WR tiers are flush with talent.

Top Target: Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys

What we love about Javonte here is that he offers guaranteed, high-volume lead-back production in one of the league's most potent offenses. In 2025, Williams enjoyed a dominant campaign with the Dallas Cowboys, finishing as the RB12 in PPR formats by rushing 252 times for 1,201 yards (4.8 YPC) and 11 touchdowns across 16 games, while adding 35 receptions for 137 yards and two receiving scores. Operating behind an elite offensive line and benefiting from light defensive boxes created by Dak Prescott's high-powered passing attack, his heavy touch share and red-zone conversion rate deliver a firm floor and top-10 RB upside.

Round 4, Pick 41: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: You're locked into two bell-cow running backs, so let's pull some of that wide receiver talent in. There's no need to go tight end at the moment, and it's way too early to get into the quarterback position. Just start building your receiving corps with an undeniable WR2 value.

Top Target: Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Higgins offers elite, red-zone dominant WR1 upside without the early-round price tag. In 2025, Higgins hauled in 59 receptions for 846 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns in 15 games, finishing as the WR16 in PPR points per game despite playing most of the season with backup quarterbacks. Operating as an elite end-zone weapon—ranking top-six among all NFL wideouts in end-zone targets—his elite scoring ability and high-volume role alongside Joe Burrow deliver an explosive, weekly winner ceiling in the fourth round.

 

 

 

Round 5, Pick 56: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: With most leagues requiring three starting receivers—or two and a flex—it makes sense to stay with the position while others fight for a mid-level RB2. You've got great options from which to choose, and executing this fantasy football pick 8 draft strategy move secures a player who is probably going to be as valuable as your current WR2. Consider this both an important and necessary grab.

Top Target: Luther Burden, WR, Chicago Bears

Burden is a phenomenal 5th-round value at Pick 56 because his elite per-route efficiency points to a massive year-two breakout in Chicago's ascending offense. Despite playing a rotational role for most of his 2025 rookie season, Burden hauled in 47 receptions for 652 yards (13.9 YPC) and two touchdowns while displaying game-breaking efficiency by averaging 2.68 yards per route run. As his playing time expanded late in the year—highlighted by an 8-catch, 138-yard, 1-touchdown explosion in Week 17—he proved he possesses WR1 upside at a mid-round wide receiver price tag.

Round 6, Pick 65: Draft a Tight End

Why: With two strong RBs and three strong wideouts, it makes sense to keep that starting lineup boosted. Grabbing yourself a high-end tight end should give your roster a strong and consistent floor each and every week.

Top Target: Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Warren is an absolute steal at Pick 65 because he gives you elite, focal-point target volume at a notoriously top-heavy position. In his 2025 rookie campaign, Warren asserted himself as a dominant presence in the Colts' passing game, hauling in 76 receptions on 112 targets for 817 yards and four receiving touchdowns (plus a rushing score). Pacing all 2025 rookie tight ends in catches and yards, his impressive 21.1% team target share and overall TE5 fantasy finish prove he provides a bankable, high-end weekly TE1 floor in the middle rounds.

Round 7, Pick 80: Draft a Quarterback

Why: The top-five quarterbacks are likely off the board, which means you can either start adding depth or get yourself a strong second-tier option. You can go mobile or seek out a pocket passer should your league use six points for a touchdown pass instead of four. Whichever direction you choose, you also have the option of potentially pairing your QB up with one of your receivers, which can be a fruitful proposition.

Top Target: Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears

Williams provides dynamic, top-tier QB1 upside without requiring early-round draft capital. In 2025, Williams took a massive leap in his sophomore campaign under Ben Johnson, finishing as the overall QB6 in fantasy scoring by throwing for a Bears franchise-record 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions across 17 starts. Combining that elite progression through the air with his localized mobility, adding 388 rushing yards and 3 scores on the ground, Williams gives you a bankable weekly floor and league-winning ceiling as the focal point of Chicago's surging offense.

 

 

 

Round 8, Pick 89: Draft a Running Back

Why: Now we're looking for positional depth and guys who could end up serving as your flex play. We'll go running back here because the position is starting to move into those time-share backs, and we want one of the better options out there.

Top Target: Kenny Gainwell, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Gainwell offers elite receiving volume and dual-threat utility that gives your bench a highly stable weekly floor. In 2025, he enjoyed a career-best campaign with Pittsburgh, rushing 114 times for 537 yards (4.7 YPC) and five touchdowns, while hauling in 73 receptions on 85 targets for 486 yards and three receiving scores over 17 games. He fills a very similar role in Tampa Bay, as new OC Zac Robinson funneled 103 targets to Bijan Robinson last season.

Round 9, Pick 104: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: You have some very stable, reliable receivers to lead the charge, which means you can fish for a little bit of upside here. Not necessarily a boom-or-bust type of player, but someone who has legitimate breakout potential to elevate your bench depth.

Top Target: Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers

Golden is a prime late-round wide receiver target in the ninth round because his deep-threat efficiency points toward a massive second-year breakout in Green Bay's explosive offense. Despite operating in a rotational capacity as a rookie in 2025, Golden flashed dynamic playmaking potential by recording 29 receptions for 361 yards (12.4 YPC) across 14 regular-season games before showcasing his true WR1 ceiling in the postseason with a 4-catch, 84-yard, 1-touchdown explosion. With his elite 4.29 speed and an expanded field-stretching role on tap for 2026, he offers week-winning upside late in your draft.

Round 10, Pick 113: Draft a Running Back

Why: If you can grab another running back who will see a strong percentage of the workload, then this is the time to grab him. Further down the list involves a lot of speculation. This tier has a mix of early-down plodders and third-down pass-catchers, so think about your scoring, think about your current roster, and make the determination then.

Top Target: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders

JCM provides proven goal-line efficiency and substantial workload upside late in drafts. During his 2025 rookie season, he rushed 175 times for 805 yards (4.6 YPC) and eight touchdowns across 17 games, accumulating 873 total scrimmage yards. Securing a running back with a clear share of his backfield's touches at this point in the draft gives your roster reliable standalone depth and immediate flex usability.

 

 

 

Round 11, Pick 128: Draft a Tight End

Why: While a backup tight end isn't a huge priority, at this point of the draft you can still get a decent one as your bye-week or injury fill-in. This level of tight end is still seeing a strong share of targets on the team and is likely a red-zone threat as well. It also keeps you covered should anything happen to your primary guy or to his quarterback.

Top Target: Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

Goedert delivers bankable, red-zone dominant target volume at a notoriously thin position. In 2025, Goedert posted a career-best fantasy campaign with Philadelphia, hauling in 60 receptions on 82 targets for 591 yards and a team-leading 11 receiving touchdowns across 15 games. Ranking as the overall TE6 in PPR points per game (12.3) thanks to heavy involvement in the Eagles' short-yardage and goal-line package, securing his consistent target share and proven scoring upside in the 11th round gives your roster an elite backup or high-floor weekly starter.

Round 12, Pick 137: Draft a Wide Receiver

Why: What I love about this part of the draft is that there are always guys who slip through the cracks. Maybe they're buried in the ADP rankings of the site on which you are drafting, or maybe there hasn't been enough time for the overall ADP to balance and update. Either way, you can find some high-ceiling upside plays in this part of your draft to complete your fantasy football pick 8 draft strategy, so take advantage!

Top Target: Kayshon Boutte, WR, Houston Texans

In 2025, Boutte displayed hyper-efficient big-play potential by hauling in 33 receptions on 46 targets for 551 yards and six touchdowns across 14 games, averaging an incredible 16.7 yards per catch and leading all qualified pass-catchers with 12.0 yards per target. Averaging a touchdown for every 5.5 receptions alongside a high 16.7-yard average depth of target, his elite vertical playmaking capability offers game-winning flex upside late in your draft.    

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.