2026 Fantasy Football Draft Strategy From Pick 2: 10-Team PPR

Pick 2 plays a lot like Pick 1, but the turns are slightly friendlier:

1.02 → 2.09/3.02 → 4.09/5.02 → 6.09/7.02

The basic strategy is still value first.

1.02: Bijan Robinson

If Jahmyr Gibbs goes first, I'm taking Bijan Robinson.

Kevin Stefanski's arrival actually gives me another reason to like the fit.

Stefanski's offenses have repeatedly leaned on productive rushing attacks, and his background includes a heavy wide-zone foundation.

Bijan already wins with vision, patience, cutting ability and receiving skill.

This isn't asking him to become a different player.

It's putting one of the league's most complete backs into another offense that should prioritize the run.

2.09 / 3.02: Don't Be Afraid to Draft Another RB

• Rashee Rice • Saquon Barkley • Derrick Henry • Chase Brown • Kenneth Walker III • Breece Hall • Brock Bowers • Nico Collins

Because I started with an RB, a lot of people will instinctively think:

"Now I need WR."

I don't.

If Barkley and Breece are the two best players available, I'll take them.

A three-RB start isn't automatically bad in a league with a FLEX.

If Bowers Falls

Bowers changes my plan.

Klint Kubiak's Raiders offense is being built around Bowers and Ashton Jeanty.

If Bowers is available around this turn, I can buy an elite TE advantage.

But if I do that, I'm waiting on QB.

4.09 / 5.02: Build the Starting Lineup

QB

• Josh Allen if he falls and no Bowers

RB

• Travis Etienne • Kyren Williams • Quinshon Judkins

WR

• Emeka Egbuka • Ladd McConkey • Jaylen Waddle

Why Waddle Is One of My Favorite Targets

Sean Payton didn't acquire Waddle and then try to figure out what to do with him afterward.

Denver had a role in mind.

Waddle's speed and stop-start ability give Payton a player he can move around and manufacture space for.

That's a scheme fit I want to buy.

6.09 / 7.02: Continue Building Depth

RB

• D'Andre Swift • David Montgomery • Jadarian Price

WR

• Jameson Williams • DJ Moore • Carnell Tate • Marvin Harrison Jr. • DK Metcalf • Michael Pittman Jr.

If Lamar, Maye, Hurts or Daniels falls, I'll take the discount.

Otherwise I'm still waiting on QB.

8.09 / 9.02: Look for Falling Value

• Parker Washington • Kyle Pitts • Sam LaPorta • Jaxson Dart • Mike Evans • Trevor Lawrence • Dak Prescott • Wan'Dale Robinson

Why Pitts Is Interesting

Stefanski has a long history of incorporating tight ends into his offenses.

Pitts is not David Njoku.

But both are athletic receiving TEs capable of lining up in multiple spots.

Pitts also already showed increased production last season.

If he falls here, the scheme fit makes sense.

10.09 / 11.02: Buy Uncertain Backfields

• Jaylen Warren • Rico Dowdle • Kenneth Gainwell • Jonathon Brooks • Chuba Hubbard • Jacory Croskey-Merritt • Rachaad White • George Kittle • Dallas Goedert

The goal isn't to perfectly predict the Week 1 depth chart.

It's to buy discounted access to a backfield where a player's value can rise quickly.

12.09 / 13.02

• Jordan Mason • Blake Corum • Chris Rodriguez Jr. • Makai Lemon • KC Concepcion • De'Zhaun Stribling • Isaiah Likely • Dalton Kincaid • Jake Ferguson • Juwan Johnson

If I still need QB, I'm still comfortable waiting.

Kyler, Goff, Shough and Baker are exactly why.

Round 14

One more upside player.

If I've pushed QB to the absolute end, Cam Ward remains one of my favorite bets because of Brian Daboll's QB-development history.

Round 15

1️⃣ Brandon Aubrey 2️⃣ Cameron Dicker 3️⃣ Harrison Mevis 4️⃣ Ka'imi Fairbairn 5️⃣ Will Reichard

Round 16

Draft a favorable Week 1 defense and plan to stream.