In fantasy football, the first overall pick is always a point of contention. Some fantasy managers love the ability to secure the projected top player on the board. In contrast, others feel the nature of a serpentine draft causes the team with the first selection to lose out on valuable depth. However, as with any other draft position, a great team can still be constructed. Here’s how to win your fantasy league drafting from the first pick.

(10-team PPR league, ESPN ADP)

1.01: RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

There’s no need to overthink this one. CMC is the projected first pick this year (in any fantasy league) after he set a new career-high in rushing yards and yards per carry in his first full season in San Francisco, while still maintaining a solid role in the passing game. McCaffrey has been a top-2 option in four of the last six seasons, with both down years being due to injury. He provides not only an RB1 ceiling but also an exceptionally high floor.

2.10: RB Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars

ETN is one of my favorite targets this year. He is being drafted as the RB9, despite an RB3 finish last season. He had a massive workload last year, receiving 325 total touches. Tank Bigsby is not a threat to Etienne’s share of the Jacksonville offense, which is due for improvement when you consider their bevy of playmakers. Drafters are taking ETN much closer to his floor than his ceiling, making him a great pick at the 2/3 turn.

3.01: WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

No Brady? No problem. Evans showed last year why he has quietly been one of the best receivers of this generation. He had his fourth career top-10 fantasy season and extended his 1000-yard season streak to ten straight seasons. He has one of the highest floors in the league, and due to his red zone prowess (5 seasons with 10+ touchdowns), a high ceiling as well. Evans is a solid WR1 for your team that already has two great running backs, and should be the first pick of the third round in most fantasy leagues.

4.10: RB De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

Achane burst onto the scene in 2023 with a four-touchdown, 51.3-point performance against the Denver Broncos in his second career game. He finished as a top-10 RB in four of his other eight games, excluding week eleven where he was injured after just one carry. His 7.77 yards per carry set an NFL record. Injury concerns have caused him to fall in drafts, but don’t pass up a potential league-winner in the fourth round.

5.01: WR DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

The Slim Reaper didn’t build upon his WR9 finish from 2022 but was still solid in 2023. He was the WR19 in PPR after 81 catches for 1066 yards and seven touchdowns. He set a new career-high in yards per target but saw 24 fewer targets. As Philadelphia’s second option, he is unlikely to have another top-10 season but is still a very safe WR2 option.

6.10: WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

With Ja’Marr Chase still not practicing, Higgins could be in for a monster target share to open the season. His value will likely decrease after a game or two when Chase and the Bengals get a deal done, but Higgins has been a solid producer while playing alongside Chase. In 2022, Higgins was the W18 in PPR leagues. He could have an explosive start to the season and then be a great bye-week option.

7.01: TE Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

Stefon Diggs is gone, and Kincaid has a great opportunity to be Josh Allen‘s top option in the passing game. The second-year tight end struggled early but found his footing later in the season. He was a top-10 TE in six of his last eleven games, including two top-5 performances. He may not step into the upper echelon of tight ends this year, but a finish in the TE5-TE7 range is very achievable.

8.10: QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

The first pick of the 8/9 turn is Kyler Murray, filling out this team’s starting lineup. The Arizona QB has great young options to work with in the form of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride. He has struggled with injury the last two seasons, making this a bit of a risky pick. However, his rushing ability gives him a solid floor and he should be in the QB8-QB10 range if he stays healthy.

9.01: WR Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears

It just feels wrong to me that last year’s WR3 in PPR points per game is going in the ninth round. Yes, Allen is 32. Yes, he has dealt with injuries during his career. And yes, he is on a new team with a new QB and an unknown target share. However, this is still a player who has been the WR14 or better in every healthy season he’s had since 2017. If Caleb Williams plays close to his potential as the first pick in this year’s draft, I don’t see a scenario where a healthy Keenan Allen isn’t at least a WR3 and a great choice this late in drafts.

10.10: RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

Warren was the RB22 last season, finishing one spot ahead of teammate Najee Harris. Warren is also being drafted a round and a half later than Harris. He took over the passing game duties, catching 61 balls while also posting 784 yards at 5.26 yards per carry. He also led all running backs in missed tackles forced per touch, showcasing his undervalued talent.

11.01: QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Normally, I’m not a proponent of drafting more than one quarterback. However, Daniels has game-breaking potential that you have to take in the eleventh round. The second overall pick has officially been named the starter and his dual-threat upside is elite. You should make him the first pick of this round because if said upside hits, he may start for this team over Murray, dependent on matchups.

12.10: WR DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans

Hopkins’ ADP has fallen considerably after he suffered a knee injury during training camp. However, the veteran receiver is now expected to be ready for week one. Former Bengals OC Brian Johnson is now the head coach, meaning the Titans should be more pass-heavy in 2024. The question is if Will Levis is capable of supporting both Hopkins and Calvin Ridley. The more likely scenario is that only one is fantasy-relevant, but my money is on Hopkins, who has already built rapport with Levis in 2023.

13.01: RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns

Nick Chubb is starting the year on the PUP list and will miss at least the first four games. Ford stepped up in his place last year and was solid, finishing as the RB16. While is value may evaporate late in the season, he should be a very solid back-end RB2 and a valuable bench piece until Chubb is able to make his return. This is your final important pick of the draft, as you will be taking your defense and kicker with your last two selections.

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The Perfect Fantasy Draft from the First Pick:

QB: Kyler Murray

RB: Christian McCaffrey

RB: Travis Etienne

WR: Mike Evans

WR: Devonta Smith

TE: Dalton Kincaid

FLEX: De’Von Achane

BN: Tee Higgins

BN: Keenan Allen

BN: Jaylen Warren

BN: Jayden Daniels

BN: DeAndre Hopkins

BN: Jerome Ford

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