Like so many great artists before us, we’re spending the 11th hour looking for that finishing touch on our final masterpiece. After drafting more than 125 teams by hand (I know, please don’t link my wife), it’s impossible not to form opinions on our favorite picks.

So today I strap on the rose-colored fantasy glasses and go round-by-round through my personal perfect draft. Enjoy!

ROUND 1—Malik Nabers, WR, NYG

In a rookie season driven by insane utilization numbers (+90% Snaps, ~31% Target/Route, +41% Team Air Yards) and married to some of the worst quarterback play in recent memory, Nabers still finished as fantasy’s WR7 (109-1204-7). 

Without even dreaming on a Jaxson Dart promotion, there’s almost no conceivable way Russell Wilson is worse than Big Blue’s 2024 combo of Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock, and Tim Boyle. Nabers would be going in the top-5 most other years.

ROUND 2—Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND

Dead set on securing at least one workhorse running back before they all disappear, Jonathan Taylor is available in the second and checking all my boxes. Regularly commanding nearly three-quarters of the Colts’ backfield touch share, Taylor also catches passes while securing just about 100% on Indy’s goal-line work. Love Shane Steichen, the fast track, and playing in a defensively weak AFC South division.

ROUND 3—Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL

Quick: Name three players you’re overly confident will outscore Lamar Jackson in total fantasy points. Well, that’s basically a trick question since there’s no right answer.

And somehow, though unbelievably so, Jackson’s still improving. The two-time league MVP just posted his best passing stats by all objective measures, including yards/attempt, passer rating, EPA/dropback, plus interception, and sack rates. By the mid-third, the player pool drops off in a distinct tier—when I cave in and pick the best player in the NFL.

ROUND 4—George Pickens, WR, DAL

Location, location, location. No word sums up my excitement for the new and improved George Pickens to show us what he’s got down in Dallas. Similar to Malik Nabers, Pickens managed elite WR production in the form of +2.0 yards per route run with horrendous QB play. Now, not only do we get a quarterback bump, but a chance to operate with CeeDee Lamb soaking up all the defense’s attention.

Bold call: Non-zero chance we get a facsimile of last year’s Bengals passing offense from the Cowboys.

ROUND 5—Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF

Assuming the role of target leader in a Kyle Shanahan offense always comes with a big-time fantasy ceiling attached, precisely what we’re betting on from San Fran’s Ricky Pearsall. A full offseason of preparation, plus over 125 vacated targets, even with a Jauan Jennings return sets Pearsall up for major success.

ROUND 6—Tony Pollard, RB, TEN

Keeping it simple with my favorite RB2 in the sixth round all summer, Tony Pollard. Anyone born after 2022 is old enough to remember Pollard as one of the most electrifying players in the NFL—and a first-round fantasy pick.

News flash, lower-body surgeries suck, especially for NFL running backs. Now years removed from any health issues, Pollard showed strong after-contact metrics in 2024. Plus, his only workload competition is starting the season on the shelf.

How does this not spell a high probability for profit at cost, even if I’m higher on the Titans’ offense than the public in general?

ROUND 7—Keon Coleman, WR, BUF

(prepares analytical tropes) First-round draft capital matters—especially when dealing with championship aspirations and last year’s top route runner lost to free agency. Josh Allen’s top WR spot is up for grabs.

It’s time to shine for Keon Coleman. Despite not earning tons of targets during his rookie campaign (4.4/game), he made the most of those that came his way (19.2 yards/reception, 7.2 YAC/catch, +48% explosive reception rate). I’m loving the discount for the league-winning upside.

ROUND 8—Tyler Warren, TE, IND

The Joker, Weapon X, and about a half dozen other comic-related analogies all fail to capture my excitement for Indy’s Tyler Warren. Already used to being the focal point of an offense at Penn State, the Colts’ rookie TE could immediately step into the role of target leader.

Talk about dynamism—Warren didn’t just eclipse 1,200 yards on 108 grabs as a Nittany Lion, he tacked on four rushing scores for good measure! 

ROUND 9—Dylan Sampson, RB, CLE

Ever panicked over injuries and bye-week replacements, my first bench player is almost exclusively a running back. Here’s my question regarding Cleveland: Is it possible they can simultaneously stink terribly while also being undervalued? That’s my feeling on the Brown’s 4th round pick in last year’s draft, Dylan Sampson.

Joe Flacco’s best days lie somewhere in the rearview mirror, but the old man still slings it. At the very least, hoping for rational play feels reasonable—making the starting RB a value no matter who it is. With Quinshon Judkins still unsigned and Jerome Ford registering negative yards in over 26% of career attempts, the path to sustained playing time is there.

ROUND 10—Marvin Mims Jr., WR, DEN

‘Tis better to aim high and miss than aim low and hit. That’s my philosophy from here on out, shopping only in the ceiling aisle at the fantasy hardware store. Does any player outside the top-125 ADP scream legendary upside like Marvin Mims?

Among all wide receivers with +50 targets in 2024, only Puka Nacua posted a higher fantasy points per route than Mims’ +0.66. At +26% target/route and +2.5 yards/route, all we need for a top-40 finish is for Sean Payton to dial up the route participation. Crazier things have happened—and at the price, it’s easily worth the cost of admission to find out.

FAVORITE +150 ADP TEAM BY POSITION

Once the starters are gone, all bets are off… it’s get your guy SZN in the draft room

QB: Bryce Young, CAR

RB1: Ollie Gordon, MIA

RB2: Kyle Monangai, CHI

RB3: Dameon Pierce, HOU

WR1: Darius Slayton, NYG

WR2: Romeo Doubs, GB

WR3: Jalen Coker, WR

WR4: Jordan Whittington, LAR

TE: Chig Okonkwo, TEN

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