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This perfect draft strategy for 10-team, single-quarterback, redraft, PPR fantasy football leagues uses a consensus of current average draft positions (ADPs) from ESPN, Sleeper and Yahoo! to deliver a round-by-round guide for managers picking tenth overall. To find more information about any player mentioned in this article, click on the player’s name to find their fantasy football player profile.
Last updated: Friday, August 22
Round 1, Pick 10: Draft a wide receiver
Anyone picking from the middle of the first round to the end is either picking their top available wide receiver or a running back like Christian McCaffrey, Ashton Jeanty or Derrick Henry. There are six wide receivers ranked third to eighth, and seemingly no two analysts have the receivers in the same order. All of them could end up as the top overall wide receiver if everything goes well, but all of them are going through some changes with some combination of new play-callers, new quarterbacks and new competition for targets. It’s best to pick the best wide receiver available.
Top Target: Nico Collins
Collins was a third-round pick who broke out in 2023. He’s posted back-to-back seasons with PFF receiving grades in the 90s. Last season, he averaged 19 fantasy points per game when removing the games he was either injured, returning from injury, or Week 18 when the Texans had already secured their playoff spot. This would have been good for third-best among wide receivers. If anything, he will have less competition for targets this season without Tank Dell or Stefon Diggs. The major problem for Collins has been injuries, as he’s missed at least two and an average of four games per season.
Possible Targets: Brian Thomas Jr., Malik Nabers, Drake London, A.J. Brown, Tee Higgins
Round 2, Pick 11: Draft a running back
In a 10-team league, it’s generally easier to land an elite quarterback and tight end and end up with a balanced roster. Particularly for those picking at the end of the round, there is a chance you can add both a tight end and quarterback in the third and fourth rounds. However, it will be hard to find two running backs worth starting in the fifth and sixth rounds. Therefore, it makes sense to pick up a running back now to help ensure a quality starting lineup with no weaknesses.
Top Target: Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty finished his time at Boise State with a 99.9 career rushing grade while averaging over 200 yards per game in his rookie season. He is one of the top three running back prospects of the past decade. He landed with the Las Vegas Raiders with the 6th overall pick in the draft, on the team that most needed a running back. Jeanty will be one of the few running backs in the NFL in a feature role. He proved in 2023 that he could be an elite receiving back with 3.2 yards per route run. The Raiders have limited receiving options, and Chip Kelly’s offenses have often featured running backs in the passing game. The only thing holding him back from the top few fantasy running backs is the offensive line. The top three projected running backs all play behind top-five run-blocking lines, while the Raiders’ line is merely average.

Possible Targets: Bucky Irving, De’Von Achane, Chase Brown, Josh Jacobs, Kyren Williams
Round 3, Pick 30: Draft a quarterback
In 10-team leagues, it can be helpful to add both a quarterback and a tight end early, as the gap between the elite four and three tight ends and the rest of the players at those positions is larger than the gaps at running back and wide receiver. In these leagues, it’s easier to end up with running backs and wide receivers you’re happy with, even if you’re one of the last teams to fill your starting lineup at those positions. These next two rounds are the last two times you can add one of the elite options at these positions.
Top Target: Jalen Hurts
Hurts has been a consistent quality fantasy starter since becoming the Philadelphia Eagles‘ starter late in 2020. His 22.6 fantasy points per start since 2020 ranks second-best for all quarterbacks, behind Josh Allen. For many reasons, his fantasy points per start hit a new low last season. A lot of his stats that were down last season should bounce back this season, except for passing dropbacks per game. While that might increase from last season, Saquon Barkley’s presence will ensure he remains below league average in dropbacks per game.
Possible Targets: Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Brock Purdy, Justin Fields
Round 4, Pick 31: Draft a tight end
As mentioned above, this is the time to add an elite tight end.
Top Target: George Kittle
George Kittle has arguably been the best tight end in the NFL during his career. His run blocking has been the best, and his numbers are better than Travis Kelce on a per-play basis. However, the 49ers’ run-first philosophy mixed with Kittle’s injury history has left Kittle running fewer routes than other elite tight ends. He’s made up for it in recent seasons with Brock Purdy, whose ability to find Kittle down the field led to more big plays from Kittle than any other tight end in recent seasons. This makes him a clear top-three fantasy tight end, but his age, mixed with a chance his average depth of target decreasing, makes him the clear third option between him, Brock Bowers and Trey McBride.
Possible Targets: T.J. Hockenson, Sam LaPorta, David Njoku, Tucker Kraft, Dalton Kincaid
Round 5, Pick 50: Draft a running back
R.J. Harvey and Travis Hunter were two of the biggest winners of the NFL draft for fantasy purposes, and their ADP was always a little low relative to their potential. The first week of the preseason showed their teams have big plans for these two players, and they remain two of the biggest steals of the draft. The goal with these next two picks is to pick those two players.
Top Target: R.J. Harvey
Harvey was arguably the biggest winner in the draft at running back because he landed on a team where his skill set could lead to fantasy stardom. Denver Broncos running backs have caught 214 passes over the past two years, which is more than any other team, and Harvey is projected to be the Broncos’ primary receiving back. A top-ten season is within the realm of possibility if he dominates the passing down role and also averages at least eight carries per game. However, the Broncos’ backfield could remain volatile despite the addition of Harvey.
Possible Targets: D’Andre Swift, Jordan Mason, Jaylen Warren, Isiah Pacheco, TreVeyon Henderson
Round 6, Pick 51: Draft a wide receiver
As mentioned above, this is the time to take either a high-upside young wide receiver option or R.J. Harvey.
Top Target: Travis Hunter
The sky is the limit for Hunter, a truly unique athlete. He is arguably the best wide receiver and best cornerback in the 2025 draft class. That uniqueness makes it difficult to project how much he can help a fantasy manager at the wide receiver position. Fantasy-relevant wide receivers are consistently playing a minimum of 75% of offensive snaps, and there is a chance Hunter falls below that threshold. His role on offense could be restricted in a way that makes Hunter unstartable, but Hunter could also become the top wide receiver in the NFL and fantasy. He is arguably the most risky player to pick in fantasy drafts, offering both significant risk and reward.

Possible Targets: D.J. Moore, Jameson Williams, Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Worthy, DeVonta Smith
Round 7, Pick 70: Draft a wide receiver
The strength of this point of the draft is at wide receiver, as all of the clear-cut top running backs are no longer on the board, and every other running back is either fighting for the starting job, in a committee, or there is some uncertainty around their usage. On the other hand, the wide receivers available in this range are obvious starters, with either experience of being a fantasy starter or risky starters who haven’t proven themselves in the NFL yet, but have the upside to be top-10 players.
Top Target: Tetairoa McMillan
McMillan is a prototypical X receiver and one of the best X receivers coming out of college in a long time. His 89.5 receiving grade is the fifth-best among Power-Five receivers 6-foot-2 or taller in the last decade. The only receiver with more receiving yards during that time is CeeDee Lamb. He was selected eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers, and could be their top target earner as a rookie. He joins Dave Canales’ offense, who has a history of his X receivers reaching double-digit touchdowns in both his only season with Mike Evans and D.K. Metcalf twice. He is the safest rookie wide receiver option in both redraft and dynasty leagues.

Possible Targets: Chris Olave, Jaylen Waddle, Emeka Egbuka, Rome Odunze, Calvin Ridley
Round 8, Pick 71: Draft a wide receiver
As mentioned above, wide receiver is the strength of the draft, and you can never have too many wide receivers.
Top Target: Chris Olave
Olave has the talent to be a top-15 fantasy wide receiver. He scored the 16th-most fantasy points in 2023, and his PFF receiving grade has been at least 82.0 each season. The Saints added Kellen Moore as their head coach, and his slot receivers have been a consistent value in fantasy football. Olave is the wide receiver best suited to line up in the slot. However, Olave has five documented concussions. This makes him both more likely than the typical player to suffer another concussion and more likely to miss significant time if he suffers another one. After Derek Carr’s retirement, the Saints are stuck between three young and unproven quarterback options, which is also working against Olave.
Possible Targets: Emeka Egbuka, Rome Odunze, Calvin Ridley, Ricky Pearsall, Deebo Samuel
Round 9, Pick 90: Draft a wide receiver
The love for wide receivers doesn’t stop here. The top running backs available here should also be available in the next round, but the depth at wide receiver quickly disappears not long after this pick. Egbuka is the player listed here, but there is a chance his ADP will change dramatically with the news that McMillan will miss the first half of the season. If he’s no longer available, move on to the next best wide receiver.
Top Target: Emeka Egbuka
Egbuka was a very talented receiver out of Ohio State, but he was consistently the second wide receiver in Ohio State’s offense. He averaged 2.75 yards per route run against zone defenses over the last three seasons, which places him over the 95th percentile among FBS receivers. With the Buccaneers, he will be the second or third option in the short term. Jalen McMillan is expected to miss the first half of the season due to a preseason injury, while there is a chance Chris Godwin will miss the start of the season. That will give Egbuka an immediate opportunity to succeed.
Possible Targets: Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Matthew Golden, Darnell Mooney, Khalil Shakir
Round 10, Pick 91: Draft a running back
After focusing on wide receivers in multiple rounds, it’s time to turn back to the running back position. You can ideally draft three backs who are in committees with high upside, and the first comes at this pick.
Top Target: Jordan Mason
Jordan Mason quickly went from undrafted rookie to the top backup running back for the 49ers, despite the team consistently spending mid-to-late round draft picks on running backs. An injury to Christian McCaffrey allowed Mason to be a starter to begin the 2024 season, and he was sixth in fantasy points per game over five weeks before he started dealing with injuries. Mason was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, where Aaron Jones Sr. is the main running back. The two will likely be in a committee that includes Mason receiving significant work in rushing situations, while Jones gets more in passing situations. Jones is over 30 years old and has dealt with multiple injuries over the last two seasons. While Mason might not score enough weekly to start in fantasy in normal situations, if Jones is dealing with an injury or is showing more signs of age, we could see Jones as a weekly player to start.
Possible Targets: Jaylen Warren, Quinshon Judkins, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rhamondre Stevenson, Javonte Williams
Round 11, Pick 110: Draft a running back
There are only a few running backs left who are expected to lead their team in carries, so it makes sense to add yet another running back before these players are no longer available.
Top Target: Rhamondre Stevenson
Rhamondre Stevenson has spent the last four seasons with the Patriots and has been an every-down lead back with a capable veteran backup most of the time. His quality of play is very dependent on the offensive line, and the line had the worst team run-blocking grade last season. He reunites with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was his offensive coordinator in his first season. In 17 of McDaniels’ 18 seasons, the running back who leads his team in rushing attempts is not the same one who leads his backfield in third-down snaps. The Patriots spent the 38th overall pick on TreVeyon Henderson, who was arguably the best receiving back in this draft class. That means Stevenson will likely lose most of his passing-down work. He should still receive double-digit carries most weeks, and the Patriots made multiple changes to the offensive line, which should help his production.
Possible Targets: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Tank Bigsby, Braelon Allen, Jaydon Blue, Nick Chubb
Round 12, Pick 111: Draft a wide receiver
This team is very balanced at this point, and the goal should be to keep adding running backs and wide receivers. There is a clear tier gap after the first few top wide receivers from this round are no longer available, making wide receiver the position to target first.
Top Target: Darnell Mooney
Darnell Mooney had a strong start to his career with the Chicago Bears for a fifth-round pick, but then Chicago moved him to the slot, which didn’t end up working out. The Atlanta Falcons signed him in free agency prior to the 2024 season, moving him back to the outside, which caused him to be a frustrating WR3 option for fantasy teams. He had seven games with 80 or more receiving yards, and his career-high five touchdowns occurred during those seven games. However, he was held to three receptions for less than 40 yards in six of his games. Michael Penix Jr. has taken over as the Falcons’ starting quarterback, and his quality of play will determine Mooney’s fantasy value. In a small sample, Penix has thrown deep at a high rate with high deep accuracy, which could lead to a huge season by Mooney, but if Penix regresses, then Mooney will be a fantasy backup.
Possible Targets: Josh Downs, Marvin Mims Jr., Michael Pittman Jr., Christian Kirk, Keon Coleman
Round 13, Pick 130: Draft a running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the top player with this pick. His ADP is currently much later than this on most sites, but he is also getting drafted earlier than this in a lot of drafts, just depending on how up-to-date your leaguemates are with NFL news. Even if Croskey-Merritt isn’t available, it would be good to add another running back.
Top Target: Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Croskey-Merritt has consistently improved as a running back from his time at Alabama State to New Mexico, where he significantly improved in both the run and passing game, averaging a first down on 37.2% of his runs and breaking long runs at a ridiculously high rate. After a brief stint at Arizona, he impressed at the Shrine Bowl with 97 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. He further cemented his potential at the combine, finishing in the 80th percentile or better in the 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, vertical jump and broad jump. Selected by the Washington Commanders, he quickly moved up the depth chart in the preseason, even playing ahead of Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr., suggesting he could be the primary early-down back, especially with trade rumors swirling around Brian Robinson Jr. While his role is likely to be primarily as an early-down runner in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, his talent makes him worthy of being one of the top 32 running backs drafted, though you may not have to draft him that high.

Possible Targets: Tank Bigsby, Braelon Allen, Jaydon Blue, Nick Chubb, Zach Charbonnet
Round 14–18: Fill Depth
Use any additional picks to draft a kicker and team defense if required; otherwise, stock up on running backs and wide receivers.
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