Your draft can be won before the season even starts. The key isn’t just finding the best players- it’s identifying the players who give you the most value at their current draft price.
In this article, I’m breaking down my best fantasy picks rounds 1-6, including the players I’m targeting, why I love their value, and how they can help build a championship-caliber roster.
Best Fantasy Picks in Round 1: Amon- Ra St. Brown
If I’m picking in the middle or back half of Round 1, Amon-Ra is one of the first names I’m looking at. He gives a combination I want from an elite first-round pick: target volume, consistency, touchdown upside, and a high weekly floor. Detroit’s offense continues to give him every opportunity to dominate, and I’d rather lock in an elite WR1 who can consistently finish near the top of the position than reach for a player based solely on upside.
The SunGod continues to be one of the most overlooked fantasy WRs in the game, just because he doesn’t flash like a Ja’Marr Chase or a Justin Jefferson. People constantly find reasons to rank other receivers ahead of him, yet the production speaks for itself. In PPR formats, St.Brown finished WR3 in 2023, WR3 in 2024, and WR3 in 2025. That’s three straight seasons as a top-3 fantasy WR, while averaging over 117 receptions and 1,390 yards during that span. If you want an elite WR1, tied to an elite offense, with an incredibly high floor and proven top-3 upside, I’m taking St. Brown in round 1 without hesitation.
Best Fantasy Picks in Round 2: Omarion Hampton
Best fantasy pick in round 2:
Hampton is the type of player I’m willing to target in Round 2 because the upside is massive aggressively. He has the talent to develop into a true workhorse back, and I expect him to be heavily involved both as a rusher and receiver. If the Chargers give him the volume I’m expecting, Hampton has a legitimate path to finishing as a top-5 fantasy RB. Hampton only played 9 games as year as a rookie. Still, the production was extremely encouraging: 124 carries for 545 yards, 5 total TDs, and an average of 5.2 YPC...and that was with an extremely injured offensive line.
Now the o-line is fully healthy, and the Chargers just hired new OC Mike McDaniel, which is perhaps the biggest reason I’m buying into a year 2 breakout. McDaniel’s offenses have historically been built around creating space, utilizing motion, and getting playmakers the ball in advantageous situations. The Chargers expect his scheme to bring another level of explosiveness to the offense, and Hampton has already said he’s excited about the new system. Give Hampton a healthy 17-game season in a McDaniel offense, and I think we could be looking at a true three-down RB with top-5 upside. At round 2 cost, I’m willing to bet on the breakout.
Best Fantasy Picks in Round 3: Malik Nabers
There are very few players in round 3 of your fantasy drafts who can realistically finish as a legitimate WR1 overall upside.
But then there’s Malik Nabers…
Right now, the market is appropriately discounting Nabers because of his knee injury. But after the news we got on Monday, August 17th, that he is most likely playing in Week 1, that discount may not last much longer. Nabers took part in live 11-on-11 work for the first time this summer, caught all three passes thrown his way in 7-on-7 drills, and looked good enough for the Giants to call it a significant step in his recovery. He was limited, but he is clearly progressing. That is exactly the type of development that can cause his ADP to climb quickly.
As a rookie in 2024, Nabers finished with:
170 targets, 109 receptions, 1,204 yards, 7 TDs, 273.6 PPR pts, and finished as WR7…and was just 21 yrs old.
Nabers has avoided the PUP, which was the biggest sigh of relief. If he returns to anything close to his rookie form, you’re potentially getting a top-5 fantasy WR at a round 3 price. Nabers isn’t a breakout candidate. He’s already proven he’s a WR1. You’re buying the injury discount before the market gets comfortable with his recovery. If he’s there, you’ll be thanking me later.
Best Fantasy Picks in Round 4: Emeka Egbuka
Emeka Egbuka is my clear favorite pick in round 4! We already saw what he can do and what his ceiling looked like. The first 6 weeks showed exactly why I’m buying the talent:
Weeks 1-6: 27 receptions, 469 yards, 5 TDs, 17.4 yards per catch, and 3 games with 100+ yards/TD production. He was an absolute monster until nagging injuries to him and the entire Bucks team. Now look at the situation heading into the 2026 season…Mike Evans is gone, a massive amount of vacated targets, and now he’s expected to play the Z in the offense, which fits his game perfectly.
Then there’s Chris Godwin. Godwin is still a talented player, but he’s now 30 years old and has played just 16 games combined over the last 2 seasons. I believe he is a non-factor to Egbuka’s ceiling, and Baker already has a connection we all saw that is only building more this offseason. My expectations are 80+ catches, 1,100 yards, and 7-9 TDs. That’s a potential top-15 fantasy WR, with upside for much more if the volume really takes off. Round 4 is where I’m smashing Egbuka. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if your league mates are considering taking him in round 3, so reach if you can.
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Best Fantasy Picks in Round 5: D’Andre Swift
D’Andre Swift isn’t the most exciting name to click, but that’s exactly why I love him as a Round 5 value.
Bucky Irving is actually my favorite RB to draft this round, but I already covered him in my last article, which is linked above, and why I’m high on him, but Swift is still a favorite of mine.
The biggest reason? Ben Johnson.
Swift has already shown he can produce in Johnson’s offense. Back in Detroit, he averaged 5.5 ypc in 2022, and he’s entering his second season in this young, exciting Chicago offense. And Swift has been remarkably consistent over the last three seasons:
2023: 1,049 rushing yards, 5 TDs. 2024: 959 rushing yards, 6 TDs. 2025: 1,087 rushing tards, 9 TDs. That’s 3 straight seasons of 950+ rushing yards, despite playing for three different offensive situations. Bears should have one of the more creative rushing attacks, and Johnson has already shown he knows how to maximize Swift’s skill set on the ground and in the air. If he gives you another 1000+ rushing yards with 8-10 TDs, you’re getting a very solid RB2 with legitimate weekly upside. He’s not a sexy pick. He’s a value pick. And those are exactly the players I want to target in round 5.
Best Fantasy Picks in Round 6: Parker Washington
Parker Washington is one of my favorite picks in round 6, and I think we’re getting close to the point where the market starts reaching for him sooner.
Washington really caught my attention late last season. Once he got a bigger opportunity, the production followed, showing he can be much more than just a depth piece in a crowded Jaguars wide receiver room.
The biggest reason I’m buying him now is the buzz coming out of Jacksonville’s offseason. The coaching staff has consistently praised Washington, and his chemistry with Trveor Lawernce espcially working out of the slot, fits their games well. He’s entering the season with a much clearer role, and the Jags clearly believe he can be a major part of this passing attack. Final 3 games: 17 catches, 280 yards, and 3 TDs. 14.5 yards per reception.
The scary part: Everyone is starting to catch on.
His ADP has been climbing since July, and I wouldn’t be surprised if people begin reaching for him in round 5 once the preseason hype continues. If Washington continues to get first-team work acting as the “WR1,” don’t be surprised when he’s no longer available when we’re drafting him today.
