Drafting from the top spot in a new 14-round, PPR fantasy draft comes with a clear philosophy: lock in Ja’Marr Chase as the centerpiece and backbone of your lineup, then build around him with complementary RBs and a deep wide receiver core. In a recent six-person mock draft series, the No. 1 overall pick set that exact approach, weighing Round 2-3 options carefully and avoiding an early quarterback to maximize value.
Here’s the outline of the strategy and the resulting roster from the No. 1 overall slot. The format is a 6-point for touchdowns, 1 point per 10 rushing/receiving yards, 1 point per 25 passing yards, and 1 point per reception. The starting lineup is QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, TE, and FLEX (RB/WR/TE).
Key strategy notes
– Primary goal: pair Chase with at least one running back at the Round 2-3 turn, with the option to go RB-RB if the right players are available. Target tight ends Bowers or McBride if they’re within reach, but otherwise stay flexible.
– Quarterback at the turn is avoided in this scenario to preserve the best available depth at RB/WR and to capitalize on high-end talent early.
– The draft favored a strong receiver corps, with the belief that a deep group at WR can power a competitive three-receiver lineup in a PPR format.
The No. 1 overall team
1.1: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
2.12: Kyren Williams, RB, Rams
3.1: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
4.12: Chuba Hubbard, RB, Panthers
5.1: DK Metcalf, WR, Steelers
6.12: Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens
7.1: Keon Coleman, WR, Bills
8.12: Bo Nix, QB, Broncos
9.1: Braelon Allen, RB, Jets
10.12: Jaydon Blue, RB, Cowboys
11.1: Michael Pittman, WR, Colts
12.12: Tyler Allgeier, RB, Falcons
13.1: Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys
14.12: Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons
Tight end strategy and quarterback selection
– After missing out on Bowers, McBride, and Kittle at the Round 2-3 window, the plan shifted toward late-round tight ends. The roster ended with Jake Ferguson and Kyle Pitts, a pairing that offers steady Week-to-week potential with upside, even though Pitts has faced fantasy disappointment in recent seasons.
– The quarterback pick came later with Bo Nix in Round 8, riding the late-season surge and the potential for a breakout sophomore campaign after finishing strong last year.
Roster strengths and depth
– Receivers form a formidable core: Chase, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf, Zay Flowers, Keon Coleman, and Michael Pittman provide a high floor with strong upside in a three-WR-flex format.
– Running backs provide a solid base in Williams and Hubbard, with upside depth from Braelon Allen, Jaydon Blue, and Tyler Allgeier. If Williams and Hubbard stay healthy and productive, the backfield should supply consistent production.
– The bench is built around upside and depth, including Allen, Blue, and Allgeier as reserves capable of stepping into a larger role if needed. The potential for Pitts to contribute steadily could compensate for any early-season tight-end variance.
Favorite pick and potential regrets
– Favorite pick: DK Metcalf. Despite the move to the Steelers and the change in quarterback, Metcalf’s target share and role as a primary receiver could translate into a strong PPR return, especially if the offense clicks and Metcalf earns a high-volume target seat.
– Pick I might regret: Keon Coleman. While Coleman possessed breakout potential and could become the Bills’ top option, the choice over a running back here might be revisited if the RB depth proves thin or if Coleman doesn’t deliver as expected early in the season.
Player who could make or break the team: Chuba Hubbard
– Hubbard’s performance is pivotal. If Williams and Hubbard deliver at a high level, the roster becomes exceptionally balanced with depth and flexibility. If one or both struggle or miss time, the lack of proven backup production could become a problem, as the bench relies on Allen, Blue, and Allgeier for meaningful snaps.
Additional observations and takeaways
– This approach emphasizes a strong WR corps early, banking on high-volume targets and PPR points to carry the team, with a hopeful but reasonable expectation that the RBs at the turn can provide steady production.
– The late-round QB selection (Bo Nix) acknowledges the value of streaming or relying on a favorable QB schedule while preserving early-round picks for RB/WR depth.
– The absence of draft capital spent on the Rams’ backfield depth later in the draft meant Williams and Hubbard needed to shoulder a robust workload. The plan accounts for that by prioritizing reliable receivers who can deliver consistent points each week.
Summary and outlook
This No. 1 overall strategy centers on anchoring the lineup with a premier receiver in Chase, building a deep and flexible WR corps, and pairing him with a solid, potentially explosive RB duo at the turn. The late-round quarterback and the two-TE approach provide a balanced finish to the roster, with tight ends Ferguson and Pitts offering both reliability and upside. The success of this plan hinges on Hubbard thriving, Williams remaining healthy, and the rookie and second-year receivers delivering as anticipated. If that happens, the roster should remain competitive throughout the season, with a clear path to strong weekly scores and potential trades to shore up any gaps as the year unfolds.