2026 Fantasy Football Draft Strategy From Pick 9: 10-Team PPR

Pick 9 has one major advantage:

I don't have to wait long after Round 1.

My first two picks are:

1.09 / 2.02

That means I can think about the opening as a pair.

1.09: De'Von Achane

I'm taking De'Von Achane.

The reason I like Achane so much in PPR is that he's not dependent on one type of production.

He's explosive as a runner.

But the receiving usage is what really protects the fantasy value.

Bobby Slowik is now Miami's OC after serving as senior passing-game coordinator last season.

So although Mike McDaniel is gone, Slowik isn't entering the building cold.

He was already there during the offense's 2025 season.

That gives me more confidence that the staff understands how valuable Achane can be as a receiver.

2.02: RB/RB Is Completely Fine

If James Cook falls, I'm happy to take him.

Other targets:

• Rashee Rice • Saquon Barkley • Derrick Henry • Chase Brown • Kenneth Walker III

Why Achane/Cook Doesn't Scare Me

Some people see two RBs and immediately worry about being too RB heavy.

I care more about player type.

Achane catches passes.

Cook catches passes.

Neither has to rely entirely on positive game script to contribute.

That's a much better RB/RB start than taking two backs who disappear every third down.

3.09 / 4.02: Now WR Usually Gets the Tiebreaker

Targets:

• A.J. Brown • Josh Jacobs • Javonte Williams • George Pickens • Tetairoa McMillan • Zay Flowers • DeVonta Smith • Josh Allen • Travis Etienne

If I started Achane/Cook, I want to leave this turn with at least one good WR unless the RB value becomes ridiculous.

5.09 / 6.02

Targets:

• Colston Loveland • Tyler Warren • Jameson Williams • DJ Moore • Carnell Tate • D'Andre Swift • David Montgomery • Jadarian Price

QB fallers:

• Jayden Daniels • Lamar Jackson • Drake Maye • Jalen Hurts

Don't Chase the QB Run

At Pick 52, if three managers take QB right before me, that doesn't mean I should take QB4 because I'm scared.

It means three RB/WR/TE players just got pushed down.

Use that.

7.09 / 8.02

Targets:

• Marvin Harrison Jr. • DK Metcalf • Michael Pittman Jr. • Parker Washington • Kyle Pitts • Sam LaPorta • Jaxson Dart • Mike Evans

By now, take the best value for the roster.

9.09 / 10.02: Good QB Values Begin

Targets:

QB

• Justin Herbert • Patrick Mahomes • Brock Purdy • Caleb Williams • Dak Prescott

WR

• Wan'Dale Robinson • Xavier Worthy

RB

• Jaylen Warren • Rico Dowdle • Kenneth Gainwell • Jonathon Brooks • Chuba Hubbard

Herbert + McDaniel

If Herbert is here, this is exactly the price where I want to stop waiting.

McDaniel has said he wants Herbert playing the best football of his career and has focused on efficiency and footwork rather than rebuilding the quarterback from scratch.

I like that.

Take an already talented QB and put him in an offense that has previously created space and efficient throws.

11.09 / 12.02: Washington's Backfield Is the Type of Uncertainty I Want

Targets:

• Jake Ferguson • T.J. Hockenson • Josh Downs • Isaiah Likely • Dalton Kincaid • Jordan Mason • Jacory Croskey-Merritt • Rachaad White

JCM vs. Rachaad White

I don't need to declare the winner in August.

They offer different profiles.

JCM gives me more rushing-oriented upside.

White has a much more established receiving résumé.

If the fantasy market strongly prefers one, I'm interested in the cheaper one.

That's the point of attacking uncertain backfields.

You don't have to correctly predict every outcome.

You have to get enough cheap exposure to situations where the market can be wrong.

13.09 / Round 14: Cheap WR Rooms Become Interesting

Targets:

• De'Zhaun Stribling • Chris Rodriguez Jr. • Denzel Boston • Juwan Johnson • Keenan Allen • Dolphins pass catchers • Raiders pass catchers

Why I'm Betting on Miami WRs Late

Miami's offense used 16 different pass catchers last season.

The WR room is unsettled.

That's not automatically a negative in Round 14.

It's why they're available.

Someone is still going to lead Miami's WRs in targets.

I don't need to know exactly who it is before the draft if the cost is nearly free.

The same logic applies in Las Vegas.

Round 15: Kicker

My order:

• Brandon Aubrey • Cameron Dicker • Harrison Mevis • Ka'imi Fairbairn • Will Reichard

I am deliberately not taking a kicker before now.

Rounds 11-14 are where uncertain RBs and WRs live.

Those players can become drastically more valuable in one preseason report or one Week 1 game.

Kickers generally cannot.

Aubrey is my top choice because of his range.

Dicker gets a boost from my belief in the Chargers offense.

If both are gone, I'm perfectly happy moving down the list.

Round 16: Defense

My Week 1 pool:

• Chargers vs. Cardinals • Jaguars vs. Browns • Steelers vs. Falcons • Cowboys at Giants • Seahawks vs. Patriots • Titans vs. Jets

The goal is not to accurately predict the highest-scoring defense of 2026.

I don't think that's a useful draft exercise.

The goal is to get one good matchup for Week 1.

After that, I can stream.

A defense can be great in real football and still be a mediocre fantasy play against an elite offense.

A merely decent defense can be a great fantasy start against an offense taking sacks and turning the ball over.

Matchups matter more than the logo.