The Lineup Show - 10 BEST Fantasy Football Draft Strategies Ranked & Tiered with Joe Pisapia

Joe Pisapia pairs A.J. Brown with Omari Hampton in a hero RB strategy example at the turn (pick 12 in 12-team leagues), indicating satisfaction with Brown as a WR anchor at that draft position.

JSN is cited as one of the elite wide receivers (alongside Jamar Chase and Puka Nacua) that makes the hero wide receiver strategy viable; Pisapia notes JSN is slipping to sixth or seventh round after an amazing year, and he expresses strong conviction that JSN should not be outside the top three receivers, comparing the market's hesitation to unfounded concerns about James Cook last year.

Baker Mayfield's trajectory is cited as cautionary; he scratched 5000 yards two years ago, was an MVP candidate last year, but then injuries derailed his season, landing him at QB12 this year. Joe Pisapia uses Mayfield as an example of quarterback volatility and unpredictability in the context of why the QB position is deep this year.

Bijon Robinson is ranked alongside Jahmyr Gibbs ahead of Christian McCaffrey in Joe Pisapia's running back rankings, indicating preference for Robinson as a hero running back candidate over CMC.

Joe Pisapia identifies Bo Nix as one of his "magnificent seven" picks on Fandom NFL Today, noting that projection models show him producing QB9-level stats despite being drafted as the 15th quarterback off the board. Pisapia questions why Nix is projected for fewer passing yards than last year when the Broncos added Jalen Waddle and showed intent to open up the passing game. He encourages targeting Nix as a late-round value in super flex drafts, positioning him as a league-winner candidate in a year with a soft middle at the position.

Bo Nix is highlighted as one of three perfect late-round quarterback options alongside Brock Purdy and Jared Goff; Joe Pisapia endorses late-round QB strategy this year and specifically names Bo Nix as a player who finishes as a top-12 QB despite being drafted late, making him a strong value play in single-QB leagues.

Joe Pisapia uses Brian Thomas as an example of a player who might be the highest-ranked on a big board but not the optimal pick in a given draft situation; if five receivers are in the same tier and only one running back remains in that tier, the running back (even if sixth on the big board) may be the better selection if you can still get one of the five receivers at your next pick.

Pisapia loves Bowers as an incredible player but expresses uncertainty about his draft value due to the Las Vegas quarterback situation; he notes there is uneasiness about the quarterback situation and that while he has good thoughts about Kirk Cousins, he doesn't know yet, suggesting Bowers' role and production could be affected by quarterback uncertainty.

Joe Pisapia groups Brock Purdy with Bo Nix and other late-round quarterbacks as part of a strategy to avoid reaching for early-round QBs in super flex drafts. The implication is that Purdy offers value as a late-round option in a year with a soft middle at the position, allowing draft capital to be spent on elite wide receivers and other positions.

Brock Purdy is highlighted as one of three perfect late-round quarterback options alongside Bo Nix and Jared Goff; Joe Pisapia endorses late-round QB strategy this year and specifically names Purdy as a player who finishes as a top-12 QB despite being drafted late, making him a strong value play in single-QB leagues.

Joe Pisapia questions the opportunity cost of reaching for Caleb Williams in early rounds when similar production can be obtained from late-round quarterbacks, allowing draft capital to be allocated to premium wide receivers instead. The implication is that Williams' ADP is inflated relative to his expected production advantage over later-round options.

Caleb Williams is characterized as expensive relative to Bo Nix; the source states 'Caleb Williams is expensive Bo Nix,' suggesting Williams is overpriced compared to Nix's value proposition, with the added note that Nix has better nails (a humorous aside).

Cam Ward is cited as a younger quarterback showing a step forward in development; Joe Pisapia notes Ward's progression as part of a broader trend of younger QBs becoming more comfortable at the NFL level, contributing to optimism about QB health and experience improving offensive production this year.

Joe Pisapia identifies CeeDee Lamb as one of the great wide receivers available in the middle rounds of drafts, suitable for acquisition in the hero RB strategy after securing an RB1 anchor.

Joe Pisapia references McCaffrey as a cautionary tale from two years ago, noting that despite his early draft capital, he suffered injury that crushed fantasy seasons from day one; Pisapia had warned about the injury risk beforehand, emphasizing the danger of early running back picks with high workload history.

Christian McCaffrey as a hero running back is compared to putting all chips on one number at a roulette table. Joe Pisapia notes that McCaffrey's ADP rose dramatically from 12–14th overall in July to 6th overall by Labor Day in best ball season last year, but Pisapia was uncomfortable making that investment despite McCaffrey's eventual success. The rapid ADP rise and injury risk profile make him a high-variance pick.

Mitch Anderson expresses skepticism about relying on Chuba Hubbard as a late-round running back target in a zero-RB strategy, characterizing him as a fringe starting running back that would be undesirable to anchor a fantasy team's RB position.

Joe Pisapia argues Loveland has an equal chance to outperform both Trey McBride and Caleb Williams despite not going ahead of them in ADP; the Bears showed their hand in wanting Loveland as a featured tight end, and Pisapia states "I think I know what Colston Loveland is every week," suggesting high confidence in his role and production consistency.

Joe Pisapia identifies DeAndre Swift as a rock-solid RB2 target in the hero RB strategy, suitable for acquisition after securing an RB1 anchor and building depth at other positions in 12-team leagues.

Joe Pisapia highlights David Montgomery's second-half rookie season as very useful in fantasy, exemplifying the type of late-round running back value that can emerge in zero RB strategies when the rookie class has strong second-half potential.

Joe Pisapia identifies David Montgomery as a rock-solid RB2 target in the hero RB strategy, suitable for acquisition after securing an RB1 anchor and building depth at other positions in 12-team leagues.

Joe Pisapia questions the opportunity cost of reaching for Drake May in early rounds when similar production can be obtained from late-round quarterbacks, allowing draft capital to be allocated to premium wide receivers instead. The implication is that Drake May's ADP is inflated relative to his expected production advantage over later-round options.

Jamar Chase is mentioned in the context of quarterback-receiver stacking strategy with Joe Burrow; the source discusses stacking Burrow and Chase as an example of pairing a pocket-passing quarterback with a pass catcher.

Chase is cited as one of the elite wide receivers (alongside Puka Nacua and JSN) that makes the hero wide receiver strategy viable; the source suggests these top-tier receivers are worth taking in the first round to anchor a roster.

Jahmyr Gibbs is ranked ahead of Christian McCaffrey in Joe Pisapia's rankings, positioned as the top running back option alongside Bijon Robinson, suggesting preference for Gibbs over CMC as a hero running back candidate.

Joe Pisapia cites Jalen Hurts as a historical example of a quarterback who controlled all the scoring in his offense (18 touchdowns a couple of years ago), justifying a reach in standard leagues where touchdowns are king. The reference suggests Hurts has demonstrated the dual-threat scoring ability that makes quarterbacks valuable in standard formats.

Jalen Hurts is characterized as a mobile, ground-game quarterback in the context of quarterback stacking strategy; unlike pocket passers like Joe Burrow, Hurts' rushing ability means stacking him with receivers is less critical to offensive production.

Pisapia uses James Cook as a historical comparison to JSN's current market discount; he notes that last year everyone in the industry couldn't draft Cook due to concerns about touchdown repeatability, but Pisapia had Cook everywhere and was very happy with the discount, suggesting the market was overreacting to coordinator/scheme changes that didn't materially diminish Cook's value.

Jared Goff is highlighted as one of three perfect late-round quarterback options alongside Bo Nix and Brock Purdy; Joe Pisapia endorses late-round QB strategy this year and specifically names Goff as a player who finishes as a top-12 QB despite being drafted late, making him a strong value play in single-QB leagues.

Joe Pisapia notes that the Broncos added Jalen Waddle and demonstrated intent to open up the passing game, which supports his thesis that Bo Nix should project for more passing yards than current models suggest. Waddle's addition signals an offensive shift toward increased passing volume.

Warren is mentioned as a fringe starting running back option, part of a weak running back class that makes the zero RB strategy undesirable in 2026; Joe Pisapia suggests avoiding relying on such late-round backs as your primary running back depth.

Mitch Anderson expresses skepticism about relying on Jalen Warren as a late-round running back target in a zero-RB strategy, characterizing him as a fringe starting running back that would be undesirable to anchor a fantasy team's RB position.

Joe Burrow is positioned as a pocket-passing quarterback worth stacking with receivers in best ball and redraft leagues; Joe Pisapia explains that stacking Burrow with pass catchers makes sense because drafters are taking a shot on him outperforming his ADP, and the Bengals offense is expected to come along with him since he is not a ground-game quarterback.

Joe Pisapia notes Josh Allen has historically provided a huge edge at the quarterback position for the last six years, even in years he finished as QB2; there is often a very large gap between him and QB3, making him a value from a ceiling perspective year over year. Pisapia is interested in taking him early if he lands at ADP or slips past it, though he acknowledges 2026 is the deepest quarterback class ever from a fantasy perspective, which complicates the decision.

Joe Pisapia expresses confidence that Josh Allen will outperform his ADP, noting that while other quarterbacks in the negligible range (3rd–8th off the board) offer similar point differentials, Allen provides a meaningful advantage. Pisapia is comfortable with taking him at current ADP but advises against reaching for QB2 or QB3, preferring late-round quarterback values instead. In standard leagues, Allen's dual-threat scoring (passing and rushing touchdowns) makes him more valuable than in PPR formats.

Josh Allen is identified as a premium quarterback worth drafting at cost if available; Joe Pisapia states 'if you can get the right guy at the right cost, mainly if you can get Josh Allen, then I think it's worth it to start building your team around him,' positioning Allen as a tier-B quarterback strategy in redraft leagues.

Pisapia cites Josh Jacobs as a historical example of price enforcement and ADP arbitrage working; when Jacobs was with the Raiders, he kept falling in drafts despite Pisapia's conviction, and Pisapia eventually took him at a discount. That year Jacobs "went bananas for the Raiders," validating the contrarian pick and demonstrating the value of enforcing price on players with a track record.

Joe Pisapia believes Justin Jefferson is due for a bounce back in 2026 after a disappointing 2025 season; he emphasizes that Jefferson remains an all-world talent and cautions against overweighting one poor season against his four prior glorious seasons, positioning him as a mid-round target in the hero RB strategy.

Justin Jefferson is referenced as a dynasty asset; the mention occurs in the context of discussing draft strategy and the hero running back approach, with no specific projection, role change, or injury update provided.

Kenneth Walker has a documented history of breaking down annually and missing time each year, which makes him a risky hero running back candidate despite his strong playoff and Super Bowl performance. Age, situation, and health history should factor into whether to declare him a true hero RB.

Joe Pisapia identifies Lamar Jackson as one of the quarterbacks who controls all the scoring in their offense, making him valuable in standard leagues where touchdowns are king. This dual-threat scoring ability justifies reaching for him in standard league formats, though the implication is less value in PPR formats.

Joe Pisapia identifies Lamar Jackson as the reigning MVP and notes he is the 12th quarterback off the board, positioning him as part of the soft middle at the position. Despite his age, Pisapia suggests Jackson remains a valuable option in a year where the middle tier of quarterbacks is stronger than ever, allowing teams to wait on the position.

Lamar Jackson is cited as a mobile, ground-game quarterback in the context of quarterback stacking strategy; unlike pocket passers like Joe Burrow, Jackson's rushing ability means stacking him with receivers is less critical to offensive production.

Marvin Harrison Jr. put on 45 more pounds of muscle this summer, which Joe Pisapia's co-host believes qualifies him as a wide receiver one; the addition of muscle mass is cited as evidence supporting his WR1 projection.

Patrick Mahomes, the reigning MVP, is positioned as the 12th quarterback off the board and is endorsed by Joe Pisapia as a strong option despite his age; Pisapia emphasizes Mahomes plays in a great offense with a great coach, complete continuity, and an incredible set of weapons, arguing that his production will not collapse.

Nacua is cited as one of the elite wide receivers (alongside Jamar Chase and JSN) that makes the hero wide receiver strategy viable; the source suggests these top-tier receivers are worth taking in the first round to anchor a roster.

Joe Pisapia extensively discussed Saquon Barkley's 400+ carries two years ago on the Black Book and podcasts; he notes that when running backs hit the 400-carry threshold over the last 25 years (citing Hall of Famers Curtis Martin, Jamal Lewis, Edron James), they do not finish as RB1s the following year; Barkley did not finish as an RB1 last year despite the high workload, illustrating the regression risk of high-volume backs.

McBride had the third greatest tight end season of all time last year, but Pisapia cautions that asking for a repeat of that performance could be asking too much; he notes McBride did not have a great quarterback situation last year, which contextualizes the sustainability of his elite production.

Pisapia mentions Tyler Warren alongside Loveland as a tight end he is interested in during the draft, suggesting Warren is in the conversation for value and upside in the tight end tier that could go as early as round two or as late as round three depending on league dynamics.