Drafting in the top 8 often means securing a premier running back or one of the elite wide receivers. But when you're in the 9-12 range, the draft turns into a game of strategy and bold choices. Here's where thinking outside the box can really make a difference. Thankfully, A.J. Brown was picked just before my turn, giving me the perfect opportunity to select Garrett Wilson. Wilson is my WR6 this season and my favorite choice in this range for obvious reasons; he's a top breakout candidate, and Aaron Rodgers is returning from injury. Despite playing with subpar quarterbacks in his first two seasons, Wilson still eclipsed 1,000 yards in both years—a feat worth noting. If Rodgers performs even close to his former self, Wilson's touchdown numbers could see a significant spike.
In the second and third rounds, I stabilized my backfield with Kyren Williams and De'Von Achane, who were rising in our early offseason mocks until the Rams and Dolphins added rookies to their backfields. Despite their stocks falling, I'm not worried about the added depth. Competition in the backfield is common and can even enhance performance. While high volume is appealing, prioritizing the health of our fantasy stars is crucial. I'm thrilled with how my draft is shaping up.
With my backfield set and top quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes already off the board, I opted to take a chance on Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers. Nabers generated significant pre-draft buzz and was even considered by some to be a better prospect than Marvin Harrison Jr. Despite Daniel Jones being his quarterback, Nabers was still available three rounds later. Given that neither Harrison Jr. nor Nabers has played a game in the NFL yet, this seemed like a risk worth taking.
Having missed out on my top 4 ranked quarterbacks, I decided to roll the dice on Anthony Richardson. Despite a promising start, where he averaged 25.9 points per game in his first two full starts, his season was cut short by a shoulder injury. This has only heightened his fantasy allure. If he can stay healthy, Richardson's impressive physical traits could make him a serious contender for QB1 status.
To solidify my tight end position, I drafted Kyle Pitts in round 6 and added further depth with T.J. Hockenson in round 11. Although my pick of Pitts might carry some bias as a University of Florida alumnus, I'm optimistic about his potential for a breakout season. With Arthur Smith no longer at the helm and Kirk Cousins now leading the offense, Pitts could emerge as the most dynamic pass-catching tight end in the league.
Here's how my team came together from the 10th pick:
1.10: Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ
2.03: Kyren Williams, RB, LAR
3.10: De'Von Achane, RB, MIA
4.03: Malik Nabers, WR, NYG
5.10: Anthony Richardson, QB, IND
6.03: Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL
7.10: Najee Harris, RB, PIT
8.03: Zack Moss, RB, CIN
9.10: Keon Coleman, WR, BUF
10.03: Jakobi Meyers, WR, LV
11.10: T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN
12.03: Josh Downs, WR, IND
13.10: Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL
14.03: Jared Goff, QB, DET
If you're drafting from the 10th spot, you need to be imaginative. Don't hesitate to draft a star wide receiver and then secure your starting backfield, as running backs tend to slide down when wide receivers are pushed up. Then, focus on filling out key positions like quarterback and tight end. There are countless ways to build a league-winning team, and while a wide receiver-heavy strategy is popular, it doesn't always guarantee success.
There's a reason Kyle Pitts was selected 4th overall in the 2021 draft—his talent is off the charts. Unfortunately, we haven't seen his full potential yet. If you had placed Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews on the Falcons during this period, they'd likely have been fantasy non-factors. However, with another year to recover from his knee injury and the addition of Kirk Cousins, Pitts is set up for a breakout season. If he stays healthy, I anticipate he'll challenge for a spot among the top 3 tight ends this year.
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Everyone was buzzing about De'Von Achane this offseason—until suddenly, they weren't. When the Dolphins picked Jaylen Wright in the 4th round, it left fantasy analysts and fans scratching their heads. They had been hoping for a bigger share of the workload for Achane. But it's 2024, and the days of running backs grinding out 25+ carries a game are behind us, and I'm perfectly fine with that. Achane's rookie season was impressive, with 5 games where he scored at least 21 points—a performance few anticipated. Reflecting on my draft choices, I can't find a player I'd rather have taken instead of Achane. The only way I'll regret this pick is if Achane loses carries to Wright. If things go as planned, Achane could become the next Chris Johnson or at least fall just shy of CJ2k's tier.
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Why invest heavily in Jalen Hurts when you can grab a younger, faster alternative just two rounds later? Sure, injuries could be a concern, but remember, Hurts also dealt with his injury struggles last season and wasn't quite himself down the stretch. The key takeaway is that if Anthony Richardson stays healthy, his talent and potential make him a prime candidate for QB1 status this year, with a sky-high upside for the position.
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