Players to Target in Every Round of Fantasy Football Drafts

Aug 09, 2022

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It's August, which means fantasy football draft season is starting to ramp up! I've already done a lot of drafting this offseason in the form of best ball, but there are several players that I have become more enamored with as I go through my drafts. So I took it upon myself in this article to go round-by-round, highlighting one of the players that I’m typically targeting in that round. To be clear, the players listed below are not the ONLY players to target at that given ADP. However, either based on 4for4’s tools and analysis, my own personal preference, or some other factor, they are players unlikely to find a home on my fantasy teams at that draft price.

I skipped the first round because I would gladly have any of them on my team. I also skipped the last few rounds (of standard-length drafts) as those should be reserved for kickers and defenses. ADP was based on 4for4’s ADP tool. For more ADP bargains, check out the ADP Bargain tool.

Round 2: RB Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

I get it, A.J. Dillon is the hot new commodity and a lot of people's pick to be a breakout and league-winner this year. But Aaron Jones has been a touchdown machine, totaling double-digit touchdowns in each of the last three seasons, and there's really no reason that his workload should get that much smaller. Plus, with a lack of elite receiving threats after Davante Adams was traded to Las Vegas, Jones could easily top his career-high 52 receptions in a season as we currently have him projected for a whopping 72 receptions (second most behind Christian McCaffrey). He has the ceiling that many of the first-round running backs have.

Round 3: WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Entering his third season, Higgins is primed to continue to build on the success he had in his sophomore season last year. Very little has changed about Higgins' situation from this year to last (other than the Bengals getting an upgraded offensive line), so there is very little reason to doubt that his role will change. Last year, Higgins boasted a 24% target share, 35% air yards share, and 9.9 yards per target as Joe Burrow's second-favorite target.

Round 4: WR Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

Earlier in the offseason, I was not that hot on Michael Pittman Jr. being drafted this high, but I've changed my tune for a couple of reasons. Per Reception Perception, Pittman ranked 13th and 8th in success rate against man and zone defenses, respectively - both incredible marks for a second-year receiver. Additionally, Pittman gets a bonafide upgrade at quarterback going from Carson Wentz to Matt Ryan, who has made Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley fantasy superstars. Finally, the Colts did not add much in the way of competition for Pittman outside of a Day 2 receiver in the draft. All signs point up for Pittman!