Mid First Round Draft Strategy - 2026 Fantasy Football Draft

Amon-Ra St. Brown is mentioned as part of the JSN, Aman-Rod, Jefferson, CD Lamb, Drake London tier where the analyst would be willing to take a running back in round one.

Listed among top wide receivers coming off the board in this draft scenario alongside other elite options.

Hall is viewed as a good pick in round three but not in the middle of the second round, suggesting his value is better later in the draft.

Robinson is being considered as a handcuff option late in the draft.

Brian Robinson Jr. would be the handcuff option if Bejon suffered an injury, providing backup running back value.

Bowers is ranked 20th overall but grades out as a very good mid-round two pick despite historical data suggesting tight ends in round two underperform; the analyst believes he's worth the selection despite dynamic rankings bumping him down.

Bowers is a must-draft player this season who will be exceptional due to coordinator and quarterback upgrades, with a crazy ceiling if he hits his top 15% outcome.

Bowers will benefit from an overall great offensive environment with coordinator and quarterback upgrades coming to his team.

Bowers had a strong start last season with 100+ receiving yards through three quarters in week one before getting injured, suggesting he was probably going to go off if healthy.

Strong tight end option to add to a roster with two running backs and two wide receivers for a solid early draft foundation.

Analyst strongly endorses Brock Bowers in the middle of the first round, noting the massive edge if he finishes as tight end one by three points per game, and recommends taking him if in that draft position.

One of only two running backs selected in this draft round alongside Quentin Judkins.

Not a preferred third running back option in round 5, with analyst expressing doubt about taking him even if available.

Analyst doesn't love Irving this season and wouldn't draft him as a third running back option in the mid-first round.

Analyst notes Caleb Williams' inaccuracy at times as a factor in the Bears' inconsistent offensive performance, with some games showing underperformance despite an awesome scheme.

Computer model recommends Carnell Tate over Justin Herbert, noting that Tate projects well in the Chargers system and locking in a fourth wide receiver provides flexibility for later rounds.

CeeDee Lamb is mentioned as part of the JSN, Aman-Rod, Jefferson, CD Lamb, Drake London tier where the analyst would be willing to take a running back in round one.

Rodriguez has capped upside because he won't have any work in the receiving game, and there's uncertainty about his effectiveness coming off a foot injury.

McCaffrey has injury risk but if healthy, he will be a top-three running back and excellent in all formats, making him a strong first-round pick.

McCaffrey opens the door to flexible draft strategy in rounds one and two, allowing for running back-receiver or running back-tight end combinations without locking yourself into a box.

Mentioned as part of offensive stack risk consideration with Mike Evans due to Purdy injury concern.

McCaffrey is ranked very close to JSN and Jonathan Taylor in round one projections, making him a viable early pick option.

Hubbard is in the tier where the analyst does not want him as a second running back, indicating he falls into the riskier range after the solid mid-tier options.

Loveland should not go until round four at least, indicating he is undervalued relative to his draft position.

Appeal comes from knowing the offensive scheme is amazing and having elite talent at QB, similar to Luther Burden's upside.

Analyst cites Colston Loveland alongside Luther Burden as having upside due to the Bears' amazing offensive scheme and Caleb Williams' talent, though with uncertainty about whether the offense will reach top-three status.

Went off the board early, missing the opportunity to draft him in this scenario.

David Montgomery is viewed as part of the next tier of running backs below Kyren Williams.

Guaranteed early down and goal line role with great defense; worst case is returning or slightly exceeding value; can easily be low-end RB1 and represents awesome value where he's being drafted.

Strong first-round pick option with good setup to grab him and pair with another wide receiver in subsequent rounds for a solid two RB, two WR start.

Henry is ranked 18th and the analyst has him as running back 11, which matches his 16-week performance last season; he offers high variance with a low floor in non-touchdown games but can 'drop an absolute nuke' and win championships.

Preferred wide receiver pick in this draft range; analyst would take him and hope to get David Montgomery in the next pick.

Analyst notes DeVonta Smith has a relatively locked-in target share with the Bears offense.

Devonte Smith is listed as one of five wide receiver options to fill two starting spots in the mock draft team.

Drake London is mentioned as part of the JSN, Aman-Rod, Jefferson, CD Lamb, Drake London tier where the analyst would be willing to take a running back in round one.

Quarterback selected early in the draft scenario.

Listed among top wide receivers coming off the board in this draft scenario.

Jamarr Chase is ranked as part of the top four receivers (Gibbs, Bejon, Jamar Chase, Puka) in the analyst's tier system.

Gibbs is mentioned as a first-round consensus pick in 12-team half-PPR leagues, representing the top tier of running back options.

Analyst is frustrated with Jameson Williams due to his volatility, noting he had two zero-point games last season, making him a risky early pick despite being better than some alternatives; prefers him in flex over WR2.

Williams is a frustrating player who had two zeros last season, making him risky to draft this early despite being a better pick than other options. The analyst has factored in a lower projection than average to account for his downside and bottoming-out weeks.

Despite his volatility, Williams is still projected as the top player in this range and remains a better pick than other alternatives.

Jameson Williams is listed as one of five wide receiver options to fill two starting spots in the mock draft team.

Locked in for touchdowns and early down work with very safe floor; good pick in round three.

Javonte is a good round three pick who is locked in for touchdowns and early down work, making him a very safe pick despite limited reception upside.

Javonte is locked in for touchdowns and early down work, with only a small chance that Jaden Blue or Phil Mafa gain more of a role this season.

JSN is coming off an awesome season with a similar offense, and with the Seahawks losing Ken Walker and having a rookie running back, there's potential for increased passing volume and opportunity for JSN.

Warren is in the solid range of running backs where the analyst is comfortable with them as a second running back or flex option, representing good value before the drop-off.

Love is viewed as a good pick in round three but not in the middle of the second round, suggesting his value is better later in the draft.

Quarterback selected early in the draft scenario.

JT is a first-round consensus pick, though the analyst notes he could go earlier than Puka due to league preference for running backs this year.

Jonathan Taylor is ranked very close to McCaffrey and JSN in round one projections, though he was off the board in this particular draft scenario.

Jonathan Taylor is mentioned as being off the board in the mock draft, grouped with McCaffrey and JSN as very close projection options in the first round.

The analyst would not take Josh Allen in round two despite the computer suggesting it, indicating he's overvalued at that draft position.

Downs has significant upside if he plays in two-wide receiver sets on the outside; the main risk is if the Colts bring in a veteran free agent receiver, which could limit his role to 11 personnel.

Josh Jacobs is ranked below Kyren Williams in the analyst's tier of running backs.

Ranked below Kairen; part of next tier of running backs.

Analyst is very high on Justin Herbert this season due to the Chargers' offensive potential, bumping his projection up and noting he's 10 spots ahead of ADP; almost wants to consider him in the elite QB tier.

Herbert could be a top three quarterback this season due to the strength of the Chargers offense, making him a lock-up pick at this spot.

Analyst believes Justin Herbert is a good mid-round quarterback pick despite the computer model preferring a wide receiver, citing the Chargers' level of upside.

Chase is mentioned as a first-round consensus pick in 12-team half-PPR leagues.

Justin Jefferson is mentioned as part of the JSN, Aman-Rod, Jefferson, CD Lamb, Drake London tier where the analyst would be willing to take a running back in round one.

Mitchell is a great pick but the analyst doesn't think he needs to be taken this early in the draft; he prefers to target him late.

The analyst is making a bet on the Chargers offense and is fine overinvesting in their players late, including Mitchell, because the earliest Chargers pick was around round 7 and he can easily cut Mitchell if the offense underperforms.

Analyst is comfortable overinvesting in Katon Mitchell and the Chargers offense late in the draft, willing to take him around round 7 and easily cut him if the role doesn't materialize.

The analyst doesn't love Kyren Williams but would still take him over Scataboo, Josh Jacobs, and Dave Montgomery, though he worries about Cororm's role.

Can be taken in round 5 if you're a strong team that consistently makes playoffs and is good at trading and waiver moves, as it unlocks higher ceiling by locking up elite QB early while finding value at RB/WR.

Luther Burden ranks just ahead of Lamar Jackson in pure rankings, though analyst acknowledges Lamar is a great pick in this round.

Top wide receiver option by ADP and ranking with very high-end ceiling this season; appeal comes from knowing the offensive scheme is amazing and Kale Williams has the talent.

Analyst loves Luther Burden's ceiling case with the Bears, citing his immense talent, elite after-the-catch ability, and separation skills that should generate efficient usage; ranks him just ahead of Lamar Jackson in pure rankings and prefers him over Jameson Williams.

Luther Burden is listed as one of five wide receiver options to fill two starting spots in the mock draft team.

Presents offensive stack risk when paired with McCaffrey due to injury concern with Purdy.

Loved as a wide receiver option, though Luther Burden is preferred due to higher ceiling potential.

Puka is mentioned as a first-round consensus pick, though the analyst notes uncertainty about whether Puka or JT will go earlier depending on league preference for running backs.

Puka Nacua is ranked as part of the top four receivers (Gibbs, Bejon, Jamar Chase, Puka) in the analyst's tier system.

Concerns about inefficiency despite high target volume; feels like offense is forcing the ball to him in low-efficiency role; ranked significantly lower than ADP.

Ray Davis would be a solid backup option if Cook suffered an injury.

Barkley is listed as a first-round consensus pick in 12-team half-PPR leagues alongside other elite options.

Described as an awesome pick option available in the draft strategy being discussed.

Described as an awesome pick in the current draft range.

Pollard is in the solid range of running backs where the analyst is comfortable with them as a second running back or flex option, representing good value before the drop-off.

Travis Hunter was selected as the final pick in the mock draft.

Henderson has a higher ceiling than Swift or Montgomery but significantly more risk, with the possibility of repeating last season's performance or worse.

Tucker Craft would get early down work if Bucky suffered an injury.

Tight end selected early in the draft scenario.