There is a lot that goes into preparing for a fantasy football draft. It can be overwhelming knowing when to take what position and how many players per position.
The research can be so daunting, you decide to just wing it. But some preparation is always better than none.
This all-inclusive breakdown answers these dreaded questions that you might have before your 12-team draft. We go over how to approach each position, what to do with early-round picks, and who our personal favorite players are.
TIPS TO WIN YOUR LEAGUE: 2025 Fantasy Draft Kit
How to attack each player position in 12-team fantasy drafts
Quarterbacks
The idea that selecting QBs early in drafts is a bad decision is no more. In fact, for redraft leagues especially, it's more beneficial than not.
This top tier of QBs includes Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, and Jalen Hurts.
If you can't manage or simply don't want to land one of the top four guys, that's OK, too. In this case, it's best to wait until the later rounds for QBs such as Drake Maye, Brock Purdy, and Caleb Williams.
Waiting until the very end of the draft can still work, but it gets a little riskier. You could hit on a guy like Cam Ward, but it's best to get a QB1 you feel confident in.
Running backs
The running back position continues to be disrespected in modern-day fantasy football. The strategies that suggest taking zero RBs in the first ‘X’ amount of rounds are awful.
The value at RB drops off much quicker than the WR. Last season, 24 RBs averaged 12 or more fantasy points per game, while 38 WRs averaged 12 or more points per game.
If you want to go WR-heavy, that's fine. After all, the so-called "RB dead zone" is not a thing anymore. Just make sure you have 2-3 RBs you feel extremely confident in.
Wide receivers
The WR position going into 2025 might be the deepest it's ever been. You can select guys such as Ricky Pearsall and Emeka Egbuka in Round 7.
While the pool is deep, you should not avoid the position early; a good strategy is to plan on having three WRs before Round 6.
However, you don't need to feel pressured to draft a WR in the first round, even if it is a PPR league.
You want plenty of options at receiver that are reliable; it's harder to replace injured WRs with guys who will get the same production.
It's actually easier to replace an injured RB because of the usual direct handcuff that will step into that production.
Get plenty of depth at the position, but stay aware that there are great options late so you don't have to force anything at the WR position.
Tight ends
Your approach to the TE position should be similar to the QB, but more extreme.
You want a top option such as Trey McBride, George Kittle, or Brock Bowers, then take them and don't worry about the cost. But if you don't get one of those three, do not waste a middle-round pick on a guy with no value. I'm talking about waiting until the last few rounds of your draft, because there will always be someone of value.
The reason for this strong stance is the math; it simply does not make sense to draft a middle-of-the-pack TE.
Last season in PPR scoring, the TE7 on the year averaged just 3 points more a game than the TE20. The math simply does not add up to select one of these guys when there are other great WRs or RBs available
Defenses & kickers
There's not much to say about these positions; draft them dead last.
In some cases, you can even not draft these positions and grab two extra guys you like to see if they win the starting job at their position. Then pick up the positions before Week 1.
Seriously, I don't care if it's the 1985 Bears defense. Do not draft a defense or kicker before the last two rounds.
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Early-round advice for 12-team leagues by draft pick
No. 1 overall
Take Ja'Marr Chase the second you're on the clock, there's no need to overthink this one.
This is not to say Chase will repeat his triple crown season a year ago or that he'll even finish as the WR1, but he is by far the safest pick in all of round one. At worst, he's the WR3, and that's with things going horribly.
From here, you'll be picking at the turn and have flexibility with the way you want to draft. Because you have the best WR in football, you don't have to hit this position again.
Guys such as Kyren Williams and Omarion Hampton have a good chance of being available. Grabbing two RBs at the turn would be an awesome way to balance out your team.
Picks 2-6
Many managers will complain that picking in the middle of your draft is the worst.
While certain advantages come with picking near the turns, there is one thing that always happens when you are in the middle of your draft.
Managers, in turn, reach for players because they have to wait so long for the draft to get back to them. You can take advantage of this.
With your first round pick, it varies depending on who falls to you.
After Chase, CeeDee Lamb, or Justin Jefferson, you shouldn't be looking at the receivers until all the bell cow RBs are gone. This includes Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, and you could throw in CMC.
If these guys are gone, the value is back to the WR position. Guys like Nico Collins and Malik Nabers stand alone. Puka Nacua would be here if Matthew Stafford were fully healthy.
Picks 7-12
The back of the first round of a fantasy draft is where you want to be in 2025.
The first round is simply not large enough to hold all the elite talent available. Being close to that first turn of the draft practically grants you two first-round picks.
While you can't necessarily go wrong with how you divide up these two picks, I suggest selecting one WR and one RB.
A duo of Malik Nabers and De'Von Achane, or Nico Collins and Ashton Jeanty, or even Amon-Ra St. Brown and Derrick Henry. All of which are great options and are interchangeable as a duo. This gives you immense flexibility for the rest of your draft.
Similar to all the other picks, balance is key for fantasy football.
2025 DRAFT SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | Value Picks | Deep Sleepers | 1 From Each Team
Favorite player in Rounds 1-8 of a 12-team fantasy draft
Round 1: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Lamb is projected as the sixth pick in fantasy drafts, and he's the second-best WR in the draft. In 2023, he was the WR1 overall and had an identical season to Chase. If Dak Prescott stays healthy, Lamb will be the WR2 at worst
Round 2: Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Collins should be a comfortable first-round pick. Collins finished as the WR8 last season in fantasy points per game, and he missed five games due to a hamstring injury.
Round 3: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
There is no one with the consistency and production in fantasy football such as Allen. Allen's overall QB finishes the last five years are as follows: QB1 in 2020, QB1 in 2021, QB2 in 2022, QB1 in 2023, QB2 in 2024.
Round 4: George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
The only reason Kittle is going below Brock Bowers and Trey McBride is because of his age. But he has shown no sign of slowing down, and the Niners showed how much they value him with his new $76 million contract through 4 years.
Round 5: Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Rice in Round 5 might be too high for some people due to the six-game suspension, and that's understandable. I'm just so high on him as a fantasy option, and getting roughly 10 weeks of Rice is league-winning upside.
Anyone saying to fade Rashee Rice because of "missed games" isn't helping you win.
They either misunderstand the game of fantasy football or are conservatively guarding their reputation.
Here's why 👇
Below is every WR since 2017 to make the playoffs in >55% of ESPN leagues: pic.twitter.com/SNjU4o4Dhm
— Ryan Heath (@RyanJ_Heath) August 28, 2025
Round 6: George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Both Cowboys WRs on this list, what could go wrong?
Pickens' separation and win rates were all good in Pittsburgh. He also got a large portion of the target share as well, but the play calling and QB play did not help him at all. Pickens is going to feast in this pass-heavy Cowboys offense. Getting him in round 7 is theft.
Round 7: Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos
Once Nix figured out Sean Payton’s offensive schemes, he was a must-start player.
From Week 8 on, Nix was the overall QB5 in fantasy. He finished the year as the QB9 overall. With a full season under his belt and new weapons, QB9 is his floor.
Round 8: Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers
The Packers selected Golden in the first round with the 25th overall pick. This made Golden the first WR the Packers have taken in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002.
I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE Matthew Golden will finish in this exact range in 2025.
He fits the exact prototype of "WR2-that-has-to-play-WR1-because-the-team-needs-it" ...
Fantasy WR3. Book it. pic.twitter.com/KIeJ80bCE6
— Matt Okada (@MattOkada) August 26, 2025
He's going incredibly low in fantasy drafts for a guy with this much upside.
WARNING: Avoid these fantasy draft busts
Benefits of playing in a 12-team fantasy league
More competition
If you are someone who likes a challenge, 12-man leagues are for you. It takes more effort and research to find those hidden gems at the bottom of the league.
Good management gets rewarded
Unlike smaller leagues, you can really stand out in a 12-man league with great managing. Drafting well and staying on top of waivers all get rewarded way more in larger leagues.
Drawbacks of playing in a 12-team fantasy league
A lower chance at reaching the playoffs
Fantasy football should be about having fun, depending on who asks. But, seriously, if you want a higher chance at making the playoffs, a smaller league is best for you.
More team maintenance
12-team leagues require much more maintenance than, say, a 10-man league. This is simply because more good players are less likely to be available. This demands that you do more research and digging for those players you might not even know.