In retrospect, I felt I did everything right during the 2023 Fantasy Football Draft.

I ended up with Christian McCaffrey as the first overall pick, and not only did he play the entire season, but he also rolled up points as the top RB1 in Fantasy. AJ Brown was killing it during the first half of the season and finished as the WR4. And my RB2 may not have started the season in that spot, but after 21 TDs and 1,012 yards rushing, Raheem Mostert (RB3 overall) fit in just fine.

I may have reached a little early for my quarterback, but Lamar Jackson (QB3) seemed worth the risk. Michael Pittman had 109 catches for 1,100 yards, and TJ Hockenson was tearing it up (95 Rec/960 Yards/5 TDs) before tearing up his knee just before Christmas.

But apparently, defense really does win championships as I fell one game short of the playoffs after allowing the most points in the entire league.

I can’t do much about the defense, but I do have some thoughts about your Fantasy Draft this year, and what it will take to go all the way.

Round One – It feels a little silly to take a running back with the NFL being so pass heavy, but if you’re drafting with one of the first three picks, that’s exactly what you’re doing. Christian McCaffrey is still the consensus favorite to go first overall, but with a calf injury looming, I like Bijan Robinson and Breece Hall as safer picks.

After the top three are gone, look for receivers Tyreek Hill, Amon-Ra St. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson to round off the top of the list.

Credit via Sports Illustrated

As for me, I’m targeting Saquon Barkley depending on how the board looks. Lamb and Chase are holding out with contract issues, and Jefferson has no quarterback to throw to him. If Barkley can rush for 2,274 yards with 98 receptions over the last two seasons with a pathetic New York Giants’ offense, I like his chances with the Eagles.

Round Two – The general rule is if you went wide receiver in round one, you are taking a running back in round two, and vice-versa. Jonathan Taylor, Kyren Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs should work. Possibly Derrick Henry in Baltimore as well.

Since I went running back in round one, I’m looking at a group of wide receivers that most likely includes AJ Brown, Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., Puka Nacua, or maybe even Davante Adams.

Credit via Reddit

Give me Davante Adams if available, even with Uncle Rico throwing him the ball.

Round Three – It’s always tempting to finish off your backfield in round three, but unless Travis Etienne or Derek Henry fall, I’m going with the depth of the wide receiver here. Chris Olave, Jaylen Waddle, Mike Evans, DK Metcalf, Brandon Aiyuk, or Debo Samuel could work here.

I’m hoping for Cooper Kupp to fall this far. He was a WR39 last season due to injuries, but just 12 games of a healthy Kupp should solidify a Fantasy Playoff spot. And there are plenty of bench players to plug in for the final stretch if he does.

Credit via Pinterest

Round Four – Like Mostert last season, just find me a running back that starts for an NFL team, is relatively healthy, plays 60% of the downs, and doesn’t have much competition at the spot. Kenneth Walker III, James Connor, and D’Andre Swift fit that description.

I’m targeting Zamir White of the Raiders. With Josh Jacobs off to Green Bay, White looks like an inexpensive way to get an everyday starter, without much competition to take his carries.

Round Five and Six – Assuming that you have your two running backs and two receivers, it’s time for more receivers to fill your flex spot and to add insurance for injury. Especially if you took Cooper Kupp like I did.

DeVonta Smith, Stefon Diggs, Mike Evans, Keenan Allen, and others should be on the board still.

Pencil me in for Michael Pittman or Amari Cooper if available. And throw in a Calvin Ridley with his potential upside.

Round Seven – As you watch the quarterbacks start to fly off the board, this is where you pivot, and search for your tight end. The top five or six are probably gone, but if Evan Engram is still available, that’s a solid pick.

I’m thinking that Kyle Pitts may still be available around this spot. Too risky to draft him any earlier than this, but now that Pitts has Kirk Cousins, and a play-caller not named Arthur Smith, he may be a steal about here.

Round Eight – Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams are awfully tempting, but I really like Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. Daniels and Williams are both dynamic and can run, but they are rookies and will struggle playing for bad teams. Tagovailoa plays for a good team that throws the ball all over the place – and loves to run up the score.

I’ll take that instead.

Finish off your draft with a few more upside receivers, a backup tight end, a Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, or Aaron Rodgers as your backup quarterback, a defense, and finally, if you are married or in a relationship, draft any kicker you want…

…not named Harrison Butler.

Harrison Butker speaks to the 2024 graduates of Benedictine College, May 11, 2024, in Atchison, Kan. (Screencap from Benedictine College/YouTube)

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Alan Tapley The Athletic Supporter

Alan Tapley is an educator, author, and blogger who has lived just outside of Boulder for the last twenty years.  His published work includes two novels, two children’s books, a series of cartoons in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and multiple sports related articles. His love for family and the state of Colorado is only matched by one thing, his passion for sports.  The first baseball game he ever attended was at Wrigley Field, before there were lights.  At the final Bronco game at the old Mile High, he allegedly cut out a piece of his seat in the South stands.  But regardless of being here for the Avalanche’s last Stanley Cup, the Rockies only World Series appearance, and all the Broncos’ Super Bowl Victories, his wife never fails to remind him that he wasn’t at the University of Colorado in 1990, like she was.  The year the Buffs football team won the National Championship