Fantasy Football: Draft Day List of Lists

Alright, we have our strategy ready. Now, it is time to refine our lists for Draft Day. It’s not just about the Master List. It’s about who you like in those later rounds and players you need to have an opinion on prior to your Draft. I, for one, have my first Draft on Saturday afternoon. So, let’s do this!

Master List – Standard Leagues

Here is the list everyone is waiting for. The Top 160. These are the Top 160 QBs, RBs, WRs, and TEs – No Kickers or DSTs (I’ve got those later).

So, based on my own opinions, projections, and adjustments for camp news, my list covers it all. Now, warning – this is a Standard Fantasy list (meaning no PPR). I will publish my PPR list next week (that’s my other Draft). Feel free to use this list or simply adapt it for your own league.

Note – This list has been updated with Andrew Luck and Lamar Miller news – Updated – 8/26/2019

1	Saquon Barkley, RB	NYG	RB1
2	Alvin Kamara, RB	NO	RB2
3	Christian McCaffrey, RB	CAR	RB3
4	Ezekiel Elliott, RB	DAL	RB4
5	DeAndre Hopkins, WR	HOU	WR1
6	James Conner, RB	PIT	RB5
7	LeVeon Bell, RB	NYJ	RB6
8	Davante Adams, WR	GB	WR2
9	Julio Jones, WR	ATL	WR3
10	JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR	PIT	WR4
11	Michael Thomas, WR	NO	WR5
12	David Johnson, RB	ARI	RB7
13	Nick Chubb, RB	CLE	RB8
14	Leonard Fournette, RB	JAC	RB9
15	Joe Mixon, RB	CIN	RB10
16	Todd Gurley II, RB	LAR	RB11
17	Travis Kelce, TE	KC	TE1
18	Tyreek Hill, WR	KC	WR6
19	Mike Evans, WR	TB	WR7
20	Odell Beckham Jr., WR	NYG	WR8
21	Antonio Brown, WR	OAK	WR9
22	Dalvin Cook, RB	MIN	RB12
23	Kerryon Johnson, RB	DET	RB13
24	Patrick Mahomes, QB	KC	QB1
25	Chris Carson, RB	SEA	RB14
26	Damien Williams, RB	KC	RB15
27	Devonta Freeman, RB	ATL	RB16
28	Keenan Allen, WR	LAC	WR10
29	Adam Thielen, WR	MIN	WR11
30	Stefon Diggs, WR	MIN	WR12
31	Amari Cooper, WR	DAL	WR13
32	Mark Ingram II, RB	BAL	RB17
33	Derrick Henry, RB	TEN	RB18
34	Aaron Jones, RB	GB	RB19
35	Josh Jacobs, RB	OAK	RB20
36	Tevin Coleman, RB	SF	RB21
37	Marlon Mack, RB	IND	RB22
38	Aaron Rodgers, QB	GB	QB2
39	Zach Ertz, TE	PHI	TE2
40	George Kittle, TE	SF	TE3
41	Kenny Golladay, WR	DET	WR14
42	Tyler Lockett, WR	SEA	WR15
43	Chris Godwin, WR	TB	WR16
44	Julian Edelman, WR	NE	WR17
45	T.Y. Hilton, WR	IND	WR18
46	Tyler Boyd, WR	CIN	WR19
47	Robert Woods, WR	LAR	WR20
48	Brandin Cooks, WR	LAR	WR21
49	Cooper Kupp, WR	LAR	WR22
50	Melvin Gordon, RB	LAC	RB23
51	David Montgomery, RB	CHI	RB24
52	Sony Michel, RB	NE	RB25
53	Phillip Lindsay, RB	DEN	RB26
54	Robby Anderson, WR	NYJ	WR23
55	Calvin Ridley, WR	ATL	WR24
56	Corey Davis, WR	TEN	WR25
57	Deshaun Watson, QB	HOU	QB3
58	Baker Mayfield, QB	CLE	QB4
59	Austin Ekeler, RB	LAC	RB27
60	Miles Sanders, RB	PHI	RB28
61	Tarik Cohen, RB	CHI	RB29
62	Duke Johnson	HOU	RB30
63	LeSean McCoy, RB	BUF	RB31
64	Kallen Ballage, RB	MIA	RB32
65	Derrius Guice, RB	WAS	RB33
66	Emmanuel Sanders, WR	DEN	WR26
67	Christian Kirk, WR	AZ	WR27
68	Mike Williams, WR	LAC	WR28
69	Curtis Samuel, WR	CAR	WR29
70	DJ Moore, WR	CAR	WR30
74	Dante Pettis, WR	SF	WR31
75	Allen Robinson, WR	CHI	WR32
71	Dede Westbrook, WR	JAC	WR33
72	Carson Wentz, QB	PHI	QB5
73	Matt Ryan, QB	ATL	QB6
76	Evan Engram, TE	NYG	TE4
77	Hunter Henry, TE	LAC	TE5
78	OJ Howard, TE	TB	TE6
79	Cam Newton, QB	CAR	QB7
80	Jameis Winston, QB	TB	QB8
81	Ben Roethlisberger, QB	PIT	QB9
82	Russell Wilson, QB	SEA	QB10
83	DeSean Jackson, WR	PHI	WR34
84	Jarvis Landry, WR	CLE	WR35
85	Michael Gallup, WR	DAL	WR36
86	Marvin Jones, WR	DET	WR37
87	Will Fuller, WR	HOU	WR38
88	Mohamed Sanu, WR	ATL	WR39
89	Alshon Jeffery, WR	PHI	WR40
90	Larry Fitzgerald, WR	AZ	WR41
91	AJ Green, WR	CIN	WR42
92	Philip Rivers, QB	LAC	QB11
93	Drew Brees, QB	NO	QB12
94	Tom Brady, QB	NE	QB13
95	Jared Cook, TE	NO	TE7
96	David Njoku, TE	CLE	TE8
97	Delanie Walker, TE	TEN	TE9
98	Adrian Peterson, RB	WSH	RB34
99	Peyton Barber, RB	TB	RB35
100	Kenyan Drake, RB	MIA	RB36
101	Darrell Henderson, RB	LAR	RB37
102	Jaylan Samuels, RB	PIT	RB38
103	Tony Pollard, RB	DAL	RB39
104	Darwin Thompson	KC	RB40
105	Latavius Murray, RB	NO	RB41
106	Rashad Penny, RB	SEA	RB42
107	Jordan Howard, RB	PHI	RB43
108	James Washington, WR	PIT	WR43
109	Marques Valdez-Scantling	GB	WR44
110	Geronimo Allison, WR	GB	WR45
111	John Brown, WR	BUF	WR46
112	Jamison Crowder, WR	NYJ	WR47
113	Devin Singletary	BUF	RB44
114	Justice Hill	BAL	RB45
115	James White, RB	NE	RB46
116	Ronald Jones, RB	TB	RB47
117	Eric Ebron, TE	IND	TE10
118	Mark Andrews, TE	BAL	TE11
119	TJ Hockenson, TE	DET	TE12
120	Vance McDonald, TE	PIT	TE13
121	Austin Hooper, TE	ATL	TE14
122	Noah Fant, TE	DEN	TE15
123	Trey Burton, TE	CHI	TE16
124	Jack Doyle, TE	IND	TE17
125	Jimmy Graham, TE	GB	TE18
126	Alexander Mattison, RB	MIN	RB48
127	Rex Burkhead, RB	NE	RB49
128	Kareem Hunt, RB	CLE	RB50
129	Royce Freeman, RB	DEN	RB51
130	Justin Jackson, RB	LAC	RB52
131	Ito Smith, RB	ATL	RB53
132	Dion Lewis, RB	TEN	RB54
133	Jared Goff, QB	LAR	QB14
134	Dak Prescott, QB	DAL	QB15
135	Lamar Jackson, QB	BAL	QB16
136	Mitchell Trubisky, QB	CHI	QB17
137	Kyler Murray	AZ	QB18
138	Kirk Cousins, QB	MIN	QB19
139	Derek Carr, QB	OAK	QB20
140	Jimmy Garoppolo, QB	SF	QB21
141	Sam Darnold, QB	NYJ	QB22
142	Matthew Stafford, QB	DET	QB23
143	Josh Allen, QB	BUF	QB24
144	Jacoby Brissett	IND	QB25
145	Mike Davis, RB	CHI	RB55
146	Alfred Blue, RB	JAC	RB56
147	Bennie Snell, RB	PIT	RB57
148	Sterling Shepard, WR	NYG	WR48
149	Sammy Watkins, WR	KC	WR49
150	Adam Humphries, WR	TEN	WR50
151	DK Metcalf, WR	SEA	WR51
152	Marquise Goodwin, WR	SF	WR52
153	Donte Moncreif, WR	PIT	WR53
154	Nelson Agholor, WR	PHI	WR54
155	N’Keal Harry, WR	NE	WR55
156	Kenny Stills, WR	MIA	WR56
157	Devin Funchess, WR	IND	WR57
158	Anthony Miller, WR	CHI	WR58
159	Preston Williams, WR	MIA	WR59
160	Deebo Samuel, WR	SF	WR60

5 Players to Know Your Strategy On

1. Zeke Elliott, RB, DAL – Zeke is the biggest holdout of the 2019 training camp season. He is a complete beast. He should be a Top 3 pick or even 1st in a Standard league. However, with Le’Veon Bell in our immediate rearview, it is normal to be scared of the possibility Zeke will miss significant time or the season. Here is what I know, Zeke does not need training camp like most guys. Plus, Owner Jerry Jones loves Zeke. I don’t think he misses more than 1 game. Still, it is a risk. Personally, I’m still going to take him in the Top 5 picks. I can tolerate risk and pick up his back up – Tony Pollard – to cover Week 1. Know how you feel, especially if you are drafting from Picks 5-12.
2. Antonio Brown, WR, OAK – Brown has been a complete clown at the end of last season with PIT and this pre-season in OAK. He has the foot issue with the cryo treatment. He is still fighting about the stupid helmet with another appeal. He just started practicing with the team. Where do you stand on this guy? I have him in the Top 21, but not higher. He is my WR9. If he wasn’t a clown, then I’d have him in the Top 5 at the position. He has consistently produced, but missing camp could hurt him and his timing with QB Derek Carr. Don’t be the guy who just blindly drafts him in the 1st Round.
3. Todd Gurley, RB, LAR – Todd Gurley was the consensus 1st pick overall in 2018, and he delivered for like 13 weeks. Of course, teams like mine, cratered when Gurley’s mysterious knee injury surfaced. So, Gurley is downgraded from 2018. However, he is still in a prolific offense, he still can do it all, and he should still get goal line touches (the Rams run a lot inside the 5). He has great value! He is a Top 16 player for me – RB11 at least. I’d take the risk in getting a great RB at a cheap price. However, don’t be dumb, you need to handcuff this guy – I would take Darrell Henderson (the rookie) inside of the Top 100 picks – to cover yourself.
4. Melvin Gordon, RB, LAC – Unlike Zeke, I’m staying away from Melvin Gordon at his previous value with his holdout. Gordon has no leverage in his situation, so he may come to camp before Game 1. Still, the Chargers really like Austin Ekeler and even Justin Jackson has value without Gordon in camp. I would not pick Gordon in the Top 40 picks. I have him at 57th overall – RB27. He should be in the Top 10 overall and RB7. I’m a risk taker, but now with an offense that can live without him. Draft at your own risk.
5. Andrew Luck, QB, IND – Luck Retired, so – Don’t Draft him!!

5 Guys to Avoid on Draft Day

1. Josh Gordon, WR, NE – Don’t be that guy. Josh Gordon was re-instated for like the 4th time. He is on the non-injured reserve list, so he may not play until Week 7. Gordon is talented, but he struggles with off the field issues. Plus, everyone chases that historic 2013 run for him, but that is 6 seasons ago. Don’t draft him. Let someone else make that mistake. He didn’t make my list at all.
2. AJ Green, WR, CIN – As much as it pains me to say because I truly love his game, but do not draft AJ or until VERY LATE. He got injured early in camp this year and will miss at least 3 games. He has ended the past 2 years on the IR. As sublime as he can be when in the lineup, he will disappoint you. So, leave that headache to someone else.
3. LeSean McCoy, RB, BUF – McCoy has been a great fantasy asset for several years. However, age and role are in question in Buffalo this year. The Bills have brought in Frank Gore, who was not brought in to sit on the bench. Plus, I like another name on the depth chart (see below). So, McCoy is not someone I will be drafting this year.
4. Greg Olsen, TE, CAR – Another stalwart fantasy option didn’t even make my list this year. Olsen has been oft injured in recent years, and despite some productive games, he is not worth drafting to me. Plus, he has competition from Ian Thomas, the 2nd year man from Indiana.
5. Marcus Mariota, QB, TEN – Once a QB with high potential due to his legs, Mariota has now become a serious liability. Mariota has been injured in most seasons, and the Titans traded for former MIA QB Ryan Tannehill who could step in and start. I would simply stay away from Mariota on this run heavy offense for other more upsided options at QB.

5 Lottery Ticket Guys to Get

These are the guys to target in Rounds 10-13 in your Draft. A “stash and hope” guy or a guy who could be a total surprise in the 2nd half of the year. All of these guys require some patience, and they are more picks to make once your team is really set.

1. Darwin Thompson, RB, KC – Thompson is a 5’8, 201 lbs. rookie from Utah State, in the mold of Brian Westbrook. Andy Reid has already come out to say he is looking at go with an RB by committee approach. However, traditionally, Reid uses one back exclusively. To me, that is indicative of Reid not being 100% behind Damien Williams who finished the 2018 season as the starter. Williams has a hamstring injury that he is returning from, and to me, if Thompson continues his trajectory could easily overtake Carlos Hyde and Williams in the most prolific offense in the league. Worth a selection, for sure, after Pick 100 or later.
2. Justice Hill, RB, BAL – Hill is the definition of a late round flier. At 5’10, 198 lbs, the OK State rookie will not be a feature back – he led the Big 12 in rushing as a sophomore, but injuries his junior year hurt his stock. However, he has been the talk of camp with big plays and explosiveness. I’ve heard comparisons to Alvin Kamara more than once. For a team that will run the ball more than anyone in the league, I would invest in Hill very late – 11th or 12th round maybe. He will go undrafted in most home leagues, but in expert leagues, he is a darling.
3. Devin Singletary, RB, BUF – Another rookie here, the 5’7″, 203 lbs RB from Florida Atlantic was very productive. The veteran LeSean McCoy is aging and his future is uncertain, as noted above. Plus, the Bills run the ball a ton. Frank Gore will likely leech into the workload, but Gore is even older than McCoy. I like Singletary a lot since he is so versatile. Another very late pick here – 11th or 12th round.
4. James Washington, WR, PIT – The Steelers do one thing better than anyone else – draft WRs. Washington waited his turn as Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown have done before him – in his 2nd year he should get a chance. Washington is quick with great route running. Juju will be the clear #1, but Donte Moncrief has never impressed anyone in an offense that should be very productive. So, it would not shock me to see Washington emerge over the season to be a clear WR2, and you can get him in the 10th Round.
5. Preston Williams, WR, MIA – Williams will go undrafted in most formats, but he has been the talk of training camp in Miami. The Dolphins are going to be terrible and need to throw a lot. Williams at 6’3″, 210 lbs has the size to make tough catches. Yes, this is a plug for a Colorado State rookie (my alma mater), but with your last positional pick, Williams is the ultimate stash and hope in the 13th round or later.

Defenses

Remember what I wrote – do NOT pick a DST until your 2nd to last pick or as late as possible in your league. I have a separate list because I won’t mix these DSTs with the position players – on purpose. You should only carry one, unless you have to carry more. I only have the Top 15, so if they are all gone, then you will be Streaming DST anyway, just pick the best Week 1 match up you see left.

Bears	DST1
Jags	DST2
Rams	DST3
Vikings	DST4
Broncos	DST5
Texans	DST6
Saints	DST7
Patriots	DST8
Browns	DST9
Cowboys	DST10
Chargers	DST11
Ravens	DST12
Bills	DST13
Eagles	DST14
Steelers	DST15

Kickers

Use your last pick for a Kicker or as last as possible in your league. Again, separate from the position players on purpose. You only need one, unless you have to carry 2. Just the Top 15 Kickers, any more is for really deep leagues or 2 Kicker rosters.

Zuerlein	LAR	K1
Tucker	BAL	K2
Gostkowski	NE	K3
Butker	KC	K4
Lutz	NO	K5
Fairbairn	HOU	K6
Gould	SF	K7
Elliott	PHI	K8
Crosby	GB	K9
Vinatieri	IND	K10
Maher	DAL	K11
Myers	SEA	K12
Badgley	LAC	K13
Tavecchio	ATL	K14
Gano	CAR	K15

That does it for the List of Lists. Use them wisely to select a team to compete each and every week of the season. Next week I’ll get you my PPR ranks, updated Standard ranks, and share any news from the most important week of pre-season, Week 3.

Good luck in your Drafts.

Wegs