One of the questions I struggle the most with during draft season is "what's your draft strategy" and that's because, for the most part, I let the draft room determine my draft strategy. I'm as comfortable with Zero-RB as I and with Robust RB, and I think most managers should be if they want to optimize their chances of winning. And in a Dynasty start-up, there's another layer added on top of that. My first few picks also determine my strategy.
To better understand this, we can take a look at one drafter's team in our recent mock. Alfredo Brown started his team from the No. 2 pick with Ja'Marr Chase. Chase is the rare player who would fit perfectly as the best player on a rebuilding team or the best player on a contending team. But the next pick changed everything because he selected Travis Kelce. Kelce in Round 2 is too early for me, but Brown did exactly what he should have done after making that pick.
His next five picks were Austin Ekeler, Justin Fields, Derrick Henry, Tyler Lockett, and Keenan Allen. Suddenly, it looks like everyone else is playing for second place in 2023. Brown may be rebuilding his team as early as 2024, but he's established himself as the clear favorite for this year.
I took the opposite path with my squad, building a youthful team around CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Hurts, and Drake London. The one exception to my strategy was Joe Mixon, because I thought Round 5 was too far for him to fall. if my team surprises and competes in Year 1, I'll keep Mixon, if not, he should be easy enough to deal at the deadline and he may be worth more then to a contender than he is now.
You don't have to be so married to a strategy that you eschew all value, but it should serve as a guide as you move through a start-up. It should be more than a tie-breaker, but it doesn't have to determine every single pick. Still, I'd like my roster better if I'd taken a younger player there.
Fantasy Football Today Newsletter
Know What Your Friends Don't
Get tips, advice and news to win your league - all from the FFT podcast team.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
There was an error processing your subscription.
The analysts who participated in this mock draft are:
Dave Richard, CBS Sports
Alfredo Brown, Footballguys
Cristian Crespo
Heath Cummings, CBS Sports
Adam Aizer, CBS Sports
Frank Stampfl, CBS Sports
Dan Schneier, CBS Sports
Chris Towers, CBS Sports
Jay Felicio, Front Yard Fantasy Sports
R.J. White, CBS Sports
Joel Cox, CBS Sports
Jamey Eisenberg, CBS Sports
And here are the full results:
Round 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos | Team | Player |
1 | Dave Richard | J. Jefferson WR MIN |
2 | Alfredo Brown | J. Chase WR CIN |
3 | Cristian Crespo | P. Mahomes QB KC |
4 | Heath Cummings | C. Lamb WR DAL |
5 | Adam Aizer | B. Hall RB NYJ |
6 | Frank Stampfl | A. Brown WR PHI |
7 | Dan | J. Taylor RB IND |
8 | Chris Towers | J. Waddle WR MIA |
9 | Jay Felicio | S. Diggs WR BUF |
10 | R.J. White | A. St. Brown WR DET |
11 | Joel Cox | S. Barkley RB NYG |
12 | Jamey Eisenberg | C. McCaffrey RB SF |
Round 2 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
13 | Jamey Eisenberg | G. Wilson WR NYJ |
14 | Joel Cox | K. Walker III RB SEA |
15 | R.J. White | J. Jacobs RB LV |
16 | Jay Felicio | T. Higgins WR CIN |
17 | Chris Towers | J. Allen QB BUF |
18 | Dan | D. Smith WR PHI |
19 | Frank Stampfl | T. Etienne RB JAC |
20 | Adam Aizer | C. Olave WR NO |
21 | Heath Cummings | J. Hurts QB PHI |
22 | Cristian Crespo | T. Hill WR MIA |
23 | Alfredo Brown | T. Kelce TE KC |
24 | Dave Richard | C. Kupp WR LAR |
Round 3 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
25 | Dave Richard | D. Adams WR LV |
26 | Alfredo Brown | A. Ekeler RB LAC |
27 | Cristian Crespo | D. Metcalf WR SEA |
28 | Heath Cummings | D. London WR ATL |
29 | Adam Aizer | K. Pitts TE ATL |
30 | Frank Stampfl | D. Samuel WR SF |
31 | Dan | J. Williams RB DEN |
32 | Chris Towers | C. Godwin WR TB |
33 | Jay Felicio | N. Harris RB PIT |
34 | R.J. White | M. Andrews TE BAL |
35 | Joel Cox | N. Chubb RB CLE |
36 | Jamey Eisenberg | R. Stevenson RB NE |
Round 4 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
37 | Jamey Eisenberg | D. Moore WR CHI |
38 | Joel Cox | T. Hockenson TE MIN |
39 | R.J. White | G. Pickens WR PIT |
40 | Jay Felicio | D. Swift RB DET |
41 | Chris Towers | J. Jeudy WR DEN |
42 | Dan | T. Burks WR TEN |
43 | Frank Stampfl | J. Burrow QB CIN |
44 | Adam Aizer | C. Watson WR GB |
45 | Heath Cummings | D. Pierce RB HOU |
46 | Cristian Crespo | D. Goedert TE PHI |
47 | Alfredo Brown | J. Fields QB CHI |
48 | Dave Richard | J. Dobbins RB BAL |
Round 5 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
49 | Dave Richard | J. Williams WR DET |
50 | Alfredo Brown | D. Henry RB TEN |
51 | Cristian Crespo | T. Pollard RB DAL |
52 | Heath Cummings | J. Mixon RB CIN |
53 | Adam Aizer | T. Lawrence QB JAC |
54 | Frank Stampfl | C. Ridley WR JAC |
55 | Dan | M. Pittman WR IND |
56 | Chris Towers | D. Hopkins WR ARI |
57 | Jay Felicio | L. Jackson QB BAL |
58 | R.J. White | J. Herbert QB LAC |
59 | Joel Cox | B. Aiyuk WR SF |
60 | Jamey Eisenberg | T. McLaurin WR WAS |
Round 6 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
61 | Jamey Eisenberg | A. Jones RB GB |
62 | Joel Cox | A. Cooper WR CLE |
63 | R.J. White | M. Williams WR LAC |
64 | Jay Felicio | M. Brown WR ARI |
65 | Chris Towers | D. Cook RB MIN |
66 | Dan | J. Dotson WR WAS |
67 | Frank Stampfl | M. Evans WR TB |
68 | Adam Aizer | T. Allgeier RB ATL |
69 | Heath Cummings | E. Moore WR CLE |
70 | Cristian Crespo | A. Dillon RB GB |
71 | Alfredo Brown | T. Lockett WR SEA |
72 | Dave Richard | C. Akers RB LAR |
Round 7 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
73 | Dave Richard | I. Pacheco RB KC |
74 | Alfredo Brown | K. Allen WR LAC |
75 | Cristian Crespo | D. Johnson WR PIT |
76 | Heath Cummings | J. Cook RB BUF |
77 | Adam Aizer | C. Kirk WR JAC |
78 | Frank Stampfl | R. White RB TB |
79 | Dan | P. Freiermuth TE PIT |
80 | Chris Towers | A. Kamara RB NO |
81 | Jay Felicio | G. Kittle TE SF |
82 | R.J. White | M. Sanders RB CAR |
83 | Joel Cox | C. Sutton WR DEN |
84 | Jamey Eisenberg | K. Toney WR KC |
Round 8 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
85 | Jamey Eisenberg | G. Dulcich TE DEN |
86 | Joel Cox | D. Jones QB NYG |
87 | R.J. White | D. Montgomery RB DET |
88 | Jay Felicio | D. Harris RB BUF |
89 | Chris Towers | R. Bateman WR BAL |
90 | Dan | D. Mooney WR CHI |
91 | Frank Stampfl | J. Conner RB ARI |
92 | Adam Aizer | K. Herbert RB CHI |
93 | Heath Cummings | G. Davis WR BUF |
94 | Cristian Crespo | J. Meyers WR LV |
95 | Alfredo Brown | R. Doubs WR GB |
96 | Dave Richard | B. Robinson Jr. RB WAS |
Round 9 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
97 | Dave Richard | Z. White RB LV |
98 | Alfredo Brown | C. Claypool WR CHI |
99 | Cristian Crespo | A. Lazard WR NYJ |
100 | Heath Cummings | C. Kmet TE CHI |
101 | Adam Aizer | W. Robinson WR NYG |
102 | Frank Stampfl | A. Pierce WR IND |
103 | Dan | S. Moore WR KC |
104 | Chris Towers | D. Waller TE NYG |
105 | Jay Felicio | B. Cooks WR DAL |
106 | R.J. White | E. Elliott RB DAL |
107 | Joel Cox | L. Fournette RB TB |
108 | Jamey Eisenberg | K. Murray QB ARI |
Round 10 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
109 | Jamey Eisenberg | N. Collins WR HOU |
110 | Joel Cox | E. Engram TE JAC |
111 | R.J. White | J. Smith-Schuster WR NE |
112 | Jay Felicio | K. Gainwell RB PHI |
113 | Chris Towers | A. Gibson RB WAS |
114 | Dan | T. McBride TE ARI |
115 | Frank Stampfl | D. Schultz TE HOU |
116 | Adam Aizer | R. Moore WR ARI |
117 | Heath Cummings | D. Peoples-Jones WR CLE |
118 | Cristian Crespo | A. Mattison RB MIN |
119 | Alfredo Brown | J. Williams RB NO |
120 | Dave Richard | D. Watson QB CLE |
Round 11 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
121 | Dave Richard | T. Lance QB SF |
122 | Alfredo Brown | K. Hunt RB CLE |
123 | Cristian Crespo | M. Thomas WR NO |
124 | Heath Cummings | D. Njoku TE CLE |
125 | Adam Aizer | D. Knox TE BUF |
126 | Frank Stampfl | J. Palmer WR LAC |
127 | Dan | I. Hodgins WR NYG |
128 | Chris Towers | C. Edwards-Helaire RB KC |
129 | Jay Felicio | M. Valdes-Scantling WR KC |
130 | R.J. White | M. Gallup WR DAL |
131 | Joel Cox | P. Campbell WR NYG |
132 | Jamey Eisenberg | D. Foreman RB CHI |
Round 12 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
133 | Jamey Eisenberg | K. Osborn WR MIN |
134 | Joel Cox | R. Wilson QB DEN |
135 | R.J. White | D. Singletary RB HOU |
136 | Jay Felicio | O. Beckham Jr. WR LAR |
137 | Chris Towers | J. Warren RB PIT |
138 | Dan | T. Thornton WR NE |
139 | Frank Stampfl | E. Mitchell RB SF |
140 | Adam Aizer | D. Prescott QB DAL |
141 | Heath Cummings | D. Chark WR CAR |
142 | Cristian Crespo | T. Higbee TE LAR |
143 | Alfredo Brown | C. Samuel WR WAS |
144 | Dave Richard | C. Okonkwo TE TEN |
Round 13 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
145 | Dave Richard | J. Metchie III WR HOU |
146 | Alfredo Brown | C. Hubbard RB CAR |
147 | Cristian Crespo | J. Goff QB DET |
148 | Heath Cummings | T. Tagovailoa QB MIA |
149 | Adam Aizer | P. Strong Jr. RB NE |
150 | Frank Stampfl | D. Slayton WR NYG |
151 | Dan | A. Rodgers QB GB |
152 | Chris Towers | I. Likely TE BAL |
153 | Jay Felicio | D. Carr QB NO |
154 | R.J. White | J. Wilson RB MIA |
155 | Joel Cox | C. Austin III WR PIT |
156 | Jamey Eisenberg | K. Shakir WR BUF |
Round 14 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
157 | Jamey Eisenberg | I. Spiller RB LAC |
158 | Joel Cox | B. Scott RB PHI |
159 | R.J. White | M. Jones QB NE |
160 | Jay Felicio | R. Penny RB PHI |
161 | Chris Towers | M. Hardman WR NYJ |
162 | Dan | M. Carter RB NYJ |
163 | Frank Stampfl | R. Shaheed WR NO |
164 | Adam Aizer | K. Williams RB LAR |
165 | Heath Cummings | C. Otton TE TB |
166 | Cristian Crespo | J. Kelley RB LAC |
167 | Alfredo Brown | G. Smith QB SEA |
168 | Dave Richard | Z. Jones WR JAC |
Round 15 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
169 | Dave Richard | T. Hill TE NO |
170 | Alfredo Brown | T. Boyd WR CIN |
171 | Cristian Crespo | G. Everett TE LAC |
172 | Heath Cummings | D. Bell WR CLE |
173 | Adam Aizer | J. Robinson RB NE |
174 | Frank Stampfl | J. Woods TE IND |
175 | Dan | K. Cousins QB MIN |
176 | Chris Towers | C. Davis WR NYJ |
177 | Jay Felicio | M. Gesicki TE NE |
178 | R.J. White | H. Renfrow WR LV |
179 | Joel Cox | T. Chandler RB MIN |
180 | Jamey Eisenberg | M. Davis RB DAL |
Round 16 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
181 | Jamey Eisenberg | K. Pickett QB PIT |
182 | Joel Cox | J. Watson WR KC |
183 | R.J. White | S. Perine RB DEN |
184 | Jay Felicio | L. Shenault Jr. WR CAR |
185 | Chris Towers | J. McKinnon RB KC |
186 | Dan | N. Fant TE SEA |
187 | Frank Stampfl | C. Patterson RB ATL |
188 | Adam Aizer | T. Brady QB TB |
189 | Heath Cummings | T. Marshall Jr. WR CAR |
190 | Cristian Crespo | H. Henry TE NE |
191 | Alfredo Brown | Q. Watkins WR PHI |
192 | Dave Richard | D. Gray WR SF |
Dave Richard | ||
---|---|---|
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 1 | J. Jefferson WR MIN |
2 | 24 | C. Kupp WR LAR |
3 | 25 | D. Adams WR LV |
4 | 48 | J. Dobbins RB BAL |
5 | 49 | J. Williams WR DET |
6 | 72 | C. Akers RB LAR |
7 | 73 | I. Pacheco RB KC |
8 | 96 | B. Robinson Jr. RB WAS |
9 | 97 | Z. White RB LV |
10 | 120 | D. Watson QB CLE |
11 | 121 | T. Lance QB SF |
12 | 144 | C. Okonkwo TE TEN |
13 | 145 | J. Metchie III WR HOU |
14 | 168 | Z. Jones WR JAC |
15 | 169 | T. Hill TE NO |
16 | 192 | D. Gray WR SF |
Alfredo Brown | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 2 | J. Chase WR CIN |
2 | 23 | T. Kelce TE KC |
3 | 26 | A. Ekeler RB LAC |
4 | 47 | J. Fields QB CHI |
5 | 50 | D. Henry RB TEN |
6 | 71 | T. Lockett WR SEA |
7 | 74 | K. Allen WR LAC |
8 | 95 | R. Doubs WR GB |
9 | 98 | C. Claypool WR CHI |
10 | 119 | J. Williams RB NO |
11 | 122 | K. Hunt RB CLE |
12 | 143 | C. Samuel WR WAS |
13 | 146 | C. Hubbard RB CAR |
14 | 167 | G. Smith QB SEA |
15 | 170 | T. Boyd WR CIN |
16 | 191 | Q. Watkins WR PHI |
Cristian Crespo | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 3 | P. Mahomes QB KC |
2 | 22 | T. Hill WR MIA |
3 | 27 | D. Metcalf WR SEA |
4 | 46 | D. Goedert TE PHI |
5 | 51 | T. Pollard RB DAL |
6 | 70 | A. Dillon RB GB |
7 | 75 | D. Johnson WR PIT |
8 | 94 | J. Meyers WR LV |
9 | 99 | A. Lazard WR NYJ |
10 | 118 | A. Mattison RB MIN |
11 | 123 | M. Thomas WR NO |
12 | 142 | T. Higbee TE LAR |
13 | 147 | J. Goff QB DET |
14 | 166 | J. Kelley RB LAC |
15 | 171 | G. Everett TE LAC |
16 | 190 | H. Henry TE NE |
Heath Cummings | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 4 | C. Lamb WR DAL |
2 | 21 | J. Hurts QB PHI |
3 | 28 | D. London WR ATL |
4 | 45 | D. Pierce RB HOU |
5 | 52 | J. Mixon RB CIN |
6 | 69 | E. Moore WR CLE |
7 | 76 | J. Cook RB BUF |
8 | 93 | G. Davis WR BUF |
9 | 100 | C. Kmet TE CHI |
10 | 117 | D. Peoples-Jones WR CLE |
11 | 124 | D. Njoku TE CLE |
12 | 141 | D. Chark WR CAR |
13 | 148 | T. Tagovailoa QB MIA |
14 | 165 | C. Otton TE TB |
15 | 172 | D. Bell WR CLE |
16 | 189 | T. Marshall Jr. WR CAR |
Adam Aizer | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 5 | B. Hall RB NYJ |
2 | 20 | C. Olave WR NO |
3 | 29 | K. Pitts TE ATL |
4 | 44 | C. Watson WR GB |
5 | 53 | T. Lawrence QB JAC |
6 | 68 | T. Allgeier RB ATL |
7 | 77 | C. Kirk WR JAC |
8 | 92 | K. Herbert RB CHI |
9 | 101 | W. Robinson WR NYG |
10 | 116 | R. Moore WR ARI |
11 | 125 | D. Knox TE BUF |
12 | 140 | D. Prescott QB DAL |
13 | 149 | P. Strong Jr. RB NE |
14 | 164 | K. Williams RB LAR |
15 | 173 | J. Robinson RB NE |
16 | 188 | T. Brady QB TB |
Frank Stampfl | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 6 | A. Brown WR PHI |
2 | 19 | T. Etienne RB JAC |
3 | 30 | D. Samuel WR SF |
4 | 43 | J. Burrow QB CIN |
5 | 54 | C. Ridley WR JAC |
6 | 67 | M. Evans WR TB |
7 | 78 | R. White RB TB |
8 | 91 | J. Conner RB ARI |
9 | 102 | A. Pierce WR IND |
10 | 115 | D. Schultz TE HOU |
11 | 126 | J. Palmer WR LAC |
12 | 139 | E. Mitchell RB SF |
13 | 150 | D. Slayton WR NYG |
14 | 163 | R. Shaheed WR NO |
15 | 174 | J. Woods TE IND |
16 | 187 | C. Patterson RB ATL |
Dan | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 7 | J. Taylor RB IND |
2 | 18 | D. Smith WR PHI |
3 | 31 | J. Williams RB DEN |
4 | 42 | T. Burks WR TEN |
5 | 55 | M. Pittman WR IND |
6 | 66 | J. Dotson WR WAS |
7 | 79 | P. Freiermuth TE PIT |
8 | 90 | D. Mooney WR CHI |
9 | 103 | S. Moore WR KC |
10 | 114 | T. McBride TE ARI |
11 | 127 | I. Hodgins WR NYG |
12 | 138 | T. Thornton WR NE |
13 | 151 | A. Rodgers QB GB |
14 | 162 | M. Carter RB NYJ |
15 | 175 | K. Cousins QB MIN |
16 | 186 | N. Fant TE SEA |
Chris Towers | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 8 | J. Waddle WR MIA |
2 | 17 | J. Allen QB BUF |
3 | 32 | C. Godwin WR TB |
4 | 41 | J. Jeudy WR DEN |
5 | 56 | D. Hopkins WR ARI |
6 | 65 | D. Cook RB MIN |
7 | 80 | A. Kamara RB NO |
8 | 89 | R. Bateman WR BAL |
9 | 104 | D. Waller TE NYG |
10 | 113 | A. Gibson RB WAS |
11 | 128 | C. Edwards-Helaire RB KC |
12 | 137 | J. Warren RB PIT |
13 | 152 | I. Likely TE BAL |
14 | 161 | M. Hardman WR NYJ |
15 | 176 | C. Davis WR NYJ |
16 | 185 | J. McKinnon RB KC |
Jay Felicio | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 9 | S. Diggs WR BUF |
2 | 16 | T. Higgins WR CIN |
3 | 33 | N. Harris RB PIT |
4 | 40 | D. Swift RB DET |
5 | 57 | L. Jackson QB BAL |
6 | 64 | M. Brown WR ARI |
7 | 81 | G. Kittle TE SF |
8 | 88 | D. Harris RB BUF |
9 | 105 | B. Cooks WR DAL |
10 | 112 | K. Gainwell RB PHI |
11 | 129 | M. Valdes-Scantling WR KC |
12 | 136 | O. Beckham Jr. WR LAR |
13 | 153 | D. Carr QB NO |
14 | 160 | R. Penny RB PHI |
15 | 177 | M. Gesicki TE NE |
16 | 184 | L. Shenault Jr. WR CAR |
R.J. White | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 10 | A. St. Brown WR DET |
2 | 15 | J. Jacobs RB LV |
3 | 34 | M. Andrews TE BAL |
4 | 39 | G. Pickens WR PIT |
5 | 58 | J. Herbert QB LAC |
6 | 63 | M. Williams WR LAC |
7 | 82 | M. Sanders RB CAR |
8 | 87 | D. Montgomery RB DET |
9 | 106 | E. Elliott RB DAL |
10 | 111 | J. Smith-Schuster WR NE |
11 | 130 | M. Gallup WR DAL |
12 | 135 | D. Singletary RB HOU |
13 | 154 | J. Wilson RB MIA |
14 | 159 | M. Jones QB NE |
15 | 178 | H. Renfrow WR LV |
16 | 183 | S. Perine RB DEN |
Joel Cox | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 11 | S. Barkley RB NYG |
2 | 14 | K. Walker III RB SEA |
3 | 35 | N. Chubb RB CLE |
4 | 38 | T. Hockenson TE MIN |
5 | 59 | B. Aiyuk WR SF |
6 | 62 | A. Cooper WR CLE |
7 | 83 | C. Sutton WR DEN |
8 | 86 | D. Jones QB NYG |
9 | 107 | L. Fournette RB TB |
10 | 110 | E. Engram TE JAC |
11 | 131 | P. Campbell WR NYG |
12 | 134 | R. Wilson QB DEN |
13 | 155 | C. Austin III WR PIT |
14 | 158 | B. Scott RB PHI |
15 | 179 | T. Chandler RB MIN |
16 | 182 | J. Watson WR KC |
Jamey Eisenberg | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 12 | C. McCaffrey RB SF |
2 | 13 | G. Wilson WR NYJ |
3 | 36 | R. Stevenson RB NE |
4 | 37 | D. Moore WR CHI |
5 | 60 | T. McLaurin WR WAS |
6 | 61 | A. Jones RB GB |
7 | 84 | K. Toney WR KC |
8 | 85 | G. Dulcich TE DEN |
9 | 108 | K. Murray QB ARI |
10 | 109 | N. Collins WR HOU |
11 | 132 | D. Foreman RB CHI |
12 | 133 | K. Osborn WR MIN |
13 | 156 | K. Shakir WR BUF |
14 | 157 | I. Spiller RB LAC |
15 | 180 | M. Davis RB DAL |
16 | 181 | K. Pickett QB PIT |