The best pick in a round of a fantasy football draft takes a lot of factors into consideration. What’s the best pick for your roster may not be the best pick for another. While there can be a multitude of answers for who the best pick is in each round, I’m laying out some of mine based on the player alone as well as certain situations where I would make them a priority.
This piece speaks to targeting specific players in the specified rounds. If you think you can get them a round later, then by all means do so. The rounds specified below are where I would feel most comfortable drafting each player and would walk away feeling very positive with the value. I’m basing these picks off of a 12-team, 1QB, 1.0 Point Per Reception format.
Also, check out the worst picks for each round in fantasy football drafts.
The Best Picks to Make in Each Round of Your Draft
Round One: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
Christian McCaffrey is recovering from a calf injury. CeeDee Lamb is holding out for a contract extension. Ja’Marr Chase is holding in for a contract extension. Tyreek Hill is working through a hand injury. Sam Darnold is Justin Jefferson’s quarterback. I can nitpick just about all of the top picks in a 2024 fantasy football draft. It’s hard to come up with something negative to say about Amon-Ra St. Brown.
I’m not here pounding the table for St. Brown to be the 1.01 pick in your drafts. If you have a draft this weekend or any time soon, however, you could take him anywhere in the first round and it would be justified. Amon-Ra St. Brown carries minimal risk and has just as much of a chance to be the overall WR1 as those around him in the first round. He was just 3.5 points per game shy last season of doing so as the WR4.
St. Brown logged the fifth-most targets, and fourth-most targets per game, and remains the top target on last season’s fifth-highest scoring offense that made minimal changes. They also paid Jared Goff to remain their franchise quarterback. Amon-Ra St. Brown is the best pick to leave the first round of your draft with that doesn’t invite unnecessary stress into your life with about two weeks until the season kicks off.
Round Two: Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Following up on my “minimizing risk” talk, I’m about to tell you why a 30-year-old running back with 2,354 career touches is the best pick in Round Two. Simply put, Derrick Henry is different. He has never averaged less than 4.2 yards per carry in a single season and boasts six straight seasons of 10+ rushing touchdowns. Before you try and tell me that “he’s bound to break down soon”, people have been saying that for years now. Derrick Henry clocked his fastest run of last season (21.7 mph) in the Tennessee Titan’s final game. That was the third-fastest time for a running back in 2023 behind Chase Brown (22.1) and De’Von Achane (21.9). Different.
If Derrick Henry were anywhere else, I’d have a few more reservations. He’s on a Baltimore Ravens team that ranks 1st, 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 1st in rush attempts by season since 2019 respectively. A lot of that is attributed to Lamar Jackson, but the running backs get plenty of run as well. Last season, Gus Edwards ranked 10th in red zone rush attempts including ranking first in attempts inside the five-yard line. His 13 rushing touchdowns ranked fifth amongst all players last season, 12 of which were scored from five yards and in.
We can all agree, even at 30 years old with the wear and tear, that Derrick Henry is a better running back than Gus Edwards. If given the same opportunities, Henry could push to break his career-high 17 rushing touchdowns this season. Especially with defenses having to keep an eye on Lamar Jackson, Henry is the best pick with the best floor/ceiling combination in a game where elite running backs are hard to come by. I love starting 2024 drafts with a wide receiver followed by Derrick Henry where possible.
Round Three: Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
If Stefon Diggs weren’t on the Houston Texans, Nico Collins would be in the Round Two conversation. He might still be depending on who you talk to. Collins’ 2023 breakout is not a fluke. Considering how incredible C.J. Stroud was compared to the quarterbacks in Houston at the start of Collins’ career, as well as the coaching difference, it’s no wonder Collins broke out in a big way last season.
A lot of people are going to tell you that Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell are going to impact Nico Collins’ target share. While that may be true, Collins yielded a WR15 finish on a fantasy points-per-game basis in 2023 with just a 19.3% share. I don’t see his target share dipping below that.
Even then, Nico Collins is one of four wide receivers with an Average Depth of Target of over 10.0 yards as well as over 500 Yards After the Catch. That short list includes CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill, and D.J. Moore. It’s two metrics I like to look at for receivers in regards to the quality of their targets in how far they travel as well as the player making plays on their own with the ball in their hands. Collins is in elite company in this regard.
C.J. Stroud has the strongest rapport with Nico Collins. Stroud is primed for another 4,000-yard season and should eclipse 30 passing touchdowns fairly easily. I believe Collins to be Stroud’s top target therefore prioritizing him as the best pick of Round Three.
Round Four: Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks
By next season, I think Kenneth Walker is going to be coming off of fantasy draft boards two rounds higher. In a new Seattle Seahawks regime, Walker is regarded as a three-down back that offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, states is “…electric out of the backfield as a pass-catcher.” Walker’s 37 receptions in 2023 is three less than backup Zach Charbonnet’s. A significant shift in passing game usage could really elevate Walker closer to being a top-10 running back in fantasy football and relegate Charbonnet to a true handcuff role.
Walker is the lead back on what should be an improved offense overall. The Seahawks ranked 23rd in third-down conversions last season. Additionally, Geno Smith ranks 20th in completion percentage, as well, from the 2023 season. Assuming the Seahawks move the ball better, Walker should see more touches and a higher quality of touches in the red zone. If you decide to start your draft with a wide receiver-heavy build in the first three rounds, then Walker is the best pick in Round Four as a player who can have an RB1 season without the price tag.
Round Five: Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
In 2023, three tight ends averaged more than eight targets per game. That’s T.J. Hockenson (8.5), Evan Engram (8.4) and Travis Kelce (8.1). All three of these tight ends finished as a top-five tight end on a points-per-game basis.
Upon Kyler Murray’s return from his late-2022 season ACL injury, Trey McBride broke out in a big way. From Weeks 10 through 18 with Murray under center, McBride averaged 8.2 targets per game. Falling right in line with those mentioned above, McBride was the TE3 on a fantasy points-per-game basis during this span.
Entering the 2024 season, McBride will likely finish second in Cardinals targets behind rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. Even with an expectation of a lesser target share than last season, McBride should still see more efficient targets in a full season with Kyler Murray as the starting tight end. There is a clear drop-off in tight end rankings so locking up McBride in Round Five as the potential TE4 or TE5 off of the board is the best pick to set the rest of your league scrambling soon after. You’re getting the last of the overall TE1 candidates at the cheapest price here.
Round Six: Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
Despite being 32 years old, Raheem Mostert has just 831 total career touches including the playoffs. You read that correctly. The 2023 season is obviously a career year for Mostert who could never quite stay healthy or find his way to the top of a depth chart.
So, what else could it be about Mostert that has him going so late in 2024 drafts? It could be the fact that the Miami Dolphins traded a 2025 third-round pick to select Jaylen Wright in the 2024 fourth round. Even then, why not just draft Mostert here and prioritize Wright near the end of your draft?
I’m not forgetting about De’Von Achane, of course. He’s been off of the board for a few rounds by this point. If Achane can maintain his efficiency from last season on a full 17-game pace, then of course he’s the player you want from this Miami backfield. If not, especially due to injury, then Mostert is another potential league winner here.
Mostert is the best pick at a position of scarcity with a likelier chance of outscoring or matching his draft position as opposed to falling short. After his 18 rushing touchdown season and then signing an extension, Mostert quite literally isn’t going anywhere in 2024.
Round Seven: Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
Since entering the league in 2019, Terry McLaurin has caught passes from 10 different quarterbacks. Dan Quinn will be McLaurin’s third head coach. Kliff Kingsbury will be his fifth offensive coordinator. Yet, despite the constant change, McLaurin has four straight seasons of 1,000+ receiving yards since 2020.
Aside from McLaurin, the reports out of Washington’s training camp are underwhelming regarding the other wide receivers. Jahan Dotson and Dyami Brown are the next best options, but each should finish significantly behind McLaurin in targets. If you believe Jayden Daniels is the best quarterback McLaurin has ever had, and that he can succeed in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, then McLaurin is no doubt the best pick in Round Seven. By this point, he could potentially be your Flex depending on your roster build.
Round Eight: Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
When you consider Austin Ekeler as my worst pick in Round Seven, it’s no wonder the guy he’s sharing the backfield with is the best pick in Round Eight. I could be way off on this, but it’s hard to imagine Ekeler finishing with more touches than Robinson this season. Robinson has exactly 214 touches in each of his first two seasons sharing the backfield with Antonio Gibson, who is now a New England Patriot.
Ekeler, who is now 29, should take a backseat to Robinson, 25, in terms of carries. Both have the threat of rookie Jayden Daniels stealing rushing production, but it could also create more opportunities if defenses are forced to keep Daniels in check on the ground.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has described Robinson as “a power back with great hands.” Though Ekeler should see more of the passing down snaps, at a lower cost I prefer Robinson who has improved, and should continue to improve, as a pass catcher and also get the first nod in red zone rush attempts.
Round Nine: Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
There are a few players I had to narrow down as the best pick in Round Nine. If you decide to wait for a quarterback in a 1QB league, then your patience will pay off with Caleb Williams. Prior to this pick, you will have eight rounds worth of strong wide receiver and running back depth with maybe a notable tight end mixed in. Meanwhile, most of your league have already selected their starting quarterback.
While rookie Jayden Daniels is regarded as the best rushing quarterback from the 2024 rookie class, Williams has rushing upside of his own. He averaged 8.07 rush attempts per game in 26 starts for USC. That number would rank fifth amongst NFL quarterbacks in both 2022 and 2023. The four other quarterbacks with more rush attempts per game all finished as top-eight fantasy quarterbacks. Williams has taken off running twice in two preseason games for 20 total yards including a wild scramble for a touchdown.
When you consider the weapons Williams has around him in the passing game, there’s not another quarterback left on the board with his kind of upside. Even then, just to be safe, the quarterback position feels deeper than usual. You can grab Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence, or even Justin Herbert a few rounds later just to ease your mind.
Round 10: Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
James Conner has played in 14 or more games just twice in his seven-year career. Over the last two seasons in Arizona, he has played in 13 games each time. We can’t accurately predict if Conner will miss time in 2024, or for how long, but we can at least prepare for it. Trey Benson is the Cardinals’ 2024 third-round pick. He is arguably the top prospect at the position from this draft class, coming off of the board second just 20 picks after second-rounder Jonathon Brooks.
At 6’0″ and 215 pounds, Benson can have a significant impact as both a runner and remaining on the field pass blocking. He logged no more than 156 carries in a single season at college, but averaged a notable 6.1 yards per carry in his final two seasons. Benson is the best pick amongst running backs in this range with the expectation that he may start a handful of games this year, especially as the season progresses.
Where did Colin get it wrong? Share your beef in the comments below and then make sure to check out our 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit for more great rankings and analysis.