Even though we all have that moment after a fantasy football draft where we say to ourselves, “Nailed it,” it’s not really perfect. We won’t hit perfection because the draft will evolve differently depending on where we are picking. What I aim to do is provide you with my favorite range to draft from and create the best-case scenarios to build the perfect draft. You can practice for your “Perfect Draft” using our FREE mock draft simulator.
For my perfect draft, we will go with pick 10. It’s fair to look at this as more of an 8-11 range of guys, based on a 12-team half-PPR format. Let’s get to drafting!
Even though we all have that moment after a fantasy football draft where we say to ourselves, “Nailed it,” it’s not really perfect. We won’t hit perfection because the draft will evolve differently depending on where we are picking. What I aim to do is provide you with my favorite range to draft from and create the best-case scenarios to build the perfect draft. You can practice for your “Perfect Draft” using our FREE mock draft simulator.
For my perfect draft, we will go with pick 10. It’s fair to look at this as more of an 8-11 range of guys, based on a 12-team half-PPR format. Let’s get to drafting!
Perfect Fantasy Football Draft: Strategy, Advice & Targets (2025)
Round 1
Brian Thomas (WR – JAC)
Thomas comes in at WR8 and 12th overall in the half-PPR ranks. He finished 4th among wide receivers. He was WR7 from week 10 on and the third-highest ranked wideout from weeks 13 on. The offense should be humming in the air, and Thomas is going to expand on his 133 targets. Thomas might reach 100 catches this year and can easily contend with Tier 1 at the position. There are some other guys I don’t mind in this territory, but unless Malik Nabers or Puka Nacua fall, Brian Thomas is an incredible way to start your draft.
Round 2
Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)
There is no doubt that McCaffrey is polarizing in fantasy. He comes in at RB7 and 15th overall, but some have him ranked top 5 at RB, while others have him outside the top 12. As polarizing as he is, it’s easy for me; you’re either worried about the injury history or look past it because of his talent and the offense. In 2023, McCaffrey was the RB1 in half-PPR by a wide margin. The Niners will throw him the ball, but don’t implement enough of a rotation to justify a loss of carries to hurt him. He is too talented and is one of the easiest bets of a second-round RB who could be number one overall.
Round 3
Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)
Fields in at QB opens up the possibilities of directions Wilson could go, but he will stand alone as the primary target. We’ve seen Fields favor the top WR in his offense, which opens up the chance that Wilson not only can get 150 targets again, but surpass that number. Fields’ ability to open up defenses because of his legs really does work well for Wilson, who can play it deep or across the middle. Davante Adams and JSN are also options here if they fall.
Round 4
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)
Two Jets on a team might raise some eyebrows, but Hall is shaping up to be a really solid value. Aaron Glenn does throw out the multi-back thing, but if I get 20 touches a game out of Breece, I feel confident there is top 10 RB upside. Over his last six games of the season, Breece received 20 or more touches three times (using targets as touches here). In those three 20-touch games, he finished as RB3, RB8, and RB19. His receiving and rushing upside in an offense that will be more productive stands out in this range, and puts him as an ideal RB2 on my team. James Cook and Ken Walker are two potential pivots here as well if Breece is gone.
Round 5
This five/six turn I really like. Tetairoa McMillon as my WR3 is ideal. He comes in as WR29 and around the 60s of overall ADP. He was a target machine in college, and I expect him to be littered with targets this season. Brian Thomas is a good gauge of where McMillon could be headed. I feel more comfortable about that, as Bryce Young turned his game around in the second half.
Round 6
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)
The pairing of McMillon with Waddle is why I love this turn so much. McMillon’s ADP can fluctuate based on the risk that people are willing to take. Seeing as I have secured my two RBs, I can now pair the rookie with a veteran like Waddle, which makes so much sense. The Dolphins’ moving to more run-oriented game planning last season took most of us by surprise. Injuries definitely played a role in that. Waddle and Hill were also affected by Jonnu Smith‘s rise. Now that Jonnu is gone, and Hill is a year older, I think we are headed back to big Waddle target shares. Waddle is actually WR28 and ranked overall a few spots above Tet, but I am prioritizing the young upside first
Round 7
Travis Kelce (TE – KC)
This scenario doesn’t really work for the elite tight ends, but getting Kelce in the 7th is right where the last few usable tight ends go. There is no doubt Kelce has lost a step, but despite that, he still caught 97 balls. Weeks 1-10, he ranked as TE3 in PPR, and is in line for some positive touchdown regression, as his three touchdowns were the least of any full season of his career. The suspension of Rashee Rice gives an added boost in the red zone as well. If I missed on Kelce, I would give a strong look at Evan Engram here or even Mark Andrews, sticking with the Tight End position.
Round 8
Justin Fields (QB – NYJ)
I am not against elite QBs, so don’t think this is me screaming for late-round QBs, but based on my strategy, that is how it plays out. There are scenarios where a Kyler Murray can fall, but adding in yet another Jet (maybe I should be a little more worried about my perfect draft), Justin Fields is the target. I’ve already laid out his main targets, are guys I want, but throw in the offensive line, Fields is put in his best position yet to succeed. His rushing upside makes him a weekly top 10 QB, and I am not afraid to reach a little to get him, and then pair with a veteran QB a little later, as I have laid out.
Round 9
Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)
Brandon Aiyuk is hurt, Jauan Jennings is now wanting a new deal or shipping out of San Francisco, and Ricky is just sitting here saying throw me the ball. I am a big Jauan Jennings guy, but this is the type of distraction that can give Pearsall a leg up. He’s explosive with the ball in his hands and might be their new Deebo. Get it in his hands and let him do the work after the catch. He also provides the ability to stretch the field. This is important because Kittle and McCaffrey will take up some defensive attention. In this scenario, we are getting Pearsall as our fifth wideout, and that is the type of upside that you want. Since we are in bench range, I am also looking at Stefon Diggs, Josh Downs, Cooper Kupp, and Cam Skattebo.
Round 10
Jordan Mason (RB – MIN)
He’s becoming everyone’s favorite sleeper, and it’s because he is a menace with the ball in his hands. Aaron Jones is getting older, not super efficient near the goal line, and can’t put up a workhorse load. Jones is young and can do all of the above. He is behind Jones, but that may not stick this season, and more importantly, he has in-season value. He should see double-digit touches on a weekly basis, regardless of Aaron Jones’ status. I am comfortable with Jones, but if I felt dicey, I might have reached for Javonte Williams a round earlier, or maybe even go Javonte and Mason to have four good backs.
Later Round Targets
Instead of locking into specific players here, here are some of my later-round/bench options. I am considering second quarterbacks in this situation, given that I took Justin Fields. Had I taken a Joe Burrow, we wouldn’t worry too much. I’d like to walk out of my draft with at least one of those three running backs, Guerrendo and Blue being the top two options. There are some great late wideouts to target, and like the RBs, if I can get two of these options, I am going to be set on my bench with huge upside.
There you have it. My perfect draft from an ideal spot. As I mentioned, we could build a few other perfect drafts from other spots. Having a top-three or four pick and then having some value drop could create an amazing scenario as well.
Experiment and create your perfect draft with FantasyPros Draft Simulator right now. Drafts completed in just minutes. Fantasypros.com/mock today! Follow me on X @isitthewelsh
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