The first three picks define your team and set up the rest of your draft. The optimal team is built by understanding the nuances of a scoring system and how it fits into your league rules.
A 10-team league means positional quality lasts longer. Everyone has a “good” team, so you need less depth and more difference-makers.
To follow are sample three-round drafts for 10-team fantasy football leagues. They use either standard performance scoring, performance plus a point per reception, or “2QB/Super Flex” leagues where you can start two of any position. Those three formats cover almost all leagues.
The names are less important than the positions because each draft slot has its own unique situation. Just as important are your future picks and what you need after three rounds. Rankings can change daily so these may not exactly match rankings.
Performance scoring league
Performance scoring without reception points means that running backs are at a premium, and quarterbacks are a bit more valuable. Wide receivers and tight ends are devalued but are still usually four starters in a fantasy football league. Most teams will look to get two running backs in their first three picks, and it’s hard to argue against that logic.
Unlike other scoring formats that offer greater parity in fantasy scoring between positions, this one still covets running backs. There could be up to 18 or 20 backs taken over the first three rounds even in this smaller league size.
Team 1: RB Christian McCaffrey, QB Jalen Hurts, WR Tyreek Hill
Top running back counts huge in this format but thirteen are gone by the 2.12 so tabbed the Top-3 QB1 Hurts and still reached the fourth-best wideout for a nice advantage even without a reception point. Doubling up on running backs has to be considered next or the team backfield will ride too heavily on just what McCaffrey does – and drop badly if he is injured.
Team 2: RB Austin Ekeler, WR A.J. Brown, WR Davante Adams
Not unlike Team 1, Opened with RB1 Ekeler and then opted to double on wideouts for two of the Top-5. Not as great without a reception point, but still an advantage. And also needs to consider running backs heavily for at least two of next three rounds.
Team 3: RB Bijan Robinson, RB Aaron Jones, RB Miles Sanders
Strength of the team is the backfield to be sure, but will miss out on difference-makers in any other position. Given the scoring format, next pick should consider the highest-scoring available QB1 and then just accept that the wideouts and tight end are not going to be any advantage and may be a liability.
Team 4: RB Nick Chubb, QB Josh Allen, RB Joe Mixon
Solid start with the fourth running back selected and then adding QB1 Allen for an advantage. Found RB2 Mixon in the third instead of a wideout like Cooper Kupp which offers a solid base for their backfield but has to consider wideouts in two of the next three rounds before that quality drops too far to not be a problem. This is a very safe start and a likely contender.
Team 5: RB Derrick Henry, RB R. Stevenson, WR Cooper Kupp
Double downed on RB1 Henry and RB2 Stevenson who round out the positional Top-12. Opted for a minor advantage with WR1 Kupp which means should look at quarterback next. Solid running backs allows them to cherry pick if anyone falls but the main aim is to make a balanced team.
Team 6: WR Justin Jefferson, RB Josh Jacobs, RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Rather than just follow the run on running backs, zagged to take WR1 Jefferson and then doubled on running backs with RB1 Jacobs and RB2 Gibbs. There is plenty of upside with those backs, but also risk until the season starts and team can know exactly what they have for a backfield. But probably should consider a third running back earlier than later just for insurance. Quarterback is a reasonable fourth-round consideration.
Team 7: RB Saquon Barkley, QB Patrick Mahomes, RB Breece Hall
Barkley falls without reception points but still prevents any liability with their RB1. Tabbing QB1 Mahomes could make this team with firepower in the highest scoring position. Opted for RB2 Hall as the seventeenth back taken which was a safe move but risky all the same given his return from knee surgery. Wideouts need to show up soon but also need a decent third running back just to cover the “what if” from Hall.
Team 8: WR Ja’Marr Chase, RB Travis Etienne, RB David Montgomery
Here’s a standard and effective start from this slot. Grabbed WR1 Chase for a solid advantage in the position and then felt obligated to double down with RB1 Etienne and RB2 Montgomery who feels a bit weak given the committee backfield in Detroit. Could have gone with Stefon Diggs and likely not sacrificed much taking RB2 with the 4.03 in five picks. But at least Chase counts as more than just one wideout with his potential.
Team 9: RB Jonathan Taylor, RB Najee Harris, WR Stefon Diggs
Drafting this late made RB-RB as a safe move and does own two Top-10 running backs with RB1 Taylor and RB2 Harris. WR1 Diggs best pick at the 3.09 to grab a consistent wideout and still could reach a Top-5 quarterback next. This is a standard plan that may not spark great optimism but doesn’t feel bad either. Can look at non-RB for the next three rounds though RB3 shouldn’t wait any longer than that.
Team 10: TE Travis Kelce, RB Tony Pollard, WR CeeDee Lamb
Drafting at the end always means looking for best value while everything gets wiped out in front of the pick. Starting out with TE1 Kelce is an advantage, less in this format, and will make all other positions wait an extra round to get any attention. Taking RB1 Pollard with the 2.01 was prudent to avoid a glaring hole at running back that would be very hard to compensate. WR1 Lamb as the 3.12 is solid but has to use the 4.01 on running back.
Reception-point league
This style of scoring boosts the value of wide receivers and elite tight ends and slightly devalues quarterbacks relative to other positions. Running backs are popular in any scoring scenario but the added reception point means the position becomes deeper with third-down backs able to offer “start-able” fantasy value. The consistency of an above-average running back is also a very valuable contributor to the weekly fantasy score.
With a reception point and only ten teams, your roster should look very strong after three picks. All positions are deep in this format so think about “star power.”
Team 1: WR Justin Jefferson, RB Aaron Jones, QB Josh Allen
Early picks work out well in this format, more so than others. Start out with WR1 Jefferson for a great advantage, then still reached the tenth-best running back to prevent any holes in the position and still added the second-best quarterback. The quality will be lower on everything by the 4.10, but this starts out with a top wideout and quarterback, plus a decent RB1.
Team 2: RB Christian McCaffrey, RB Najee Harris, WR A. St. Brown
Opted for the best RB1 with McCaffrey and then used the back-end picks at 2.09 and 3.02 to double down with RB2 Najee Harris and only managed WR1 St. Brown as the ninth wideout. This format will raid the position harder than any other, but by the 4.09 pick there won’t be any top-tier players left. This is a safe start, but doesn’t do as much to obtain any advantages in any position other than the McCaffrey start.
Team 3: WR Ja’Marr Chase, RB Jonathan Taylor, TE Mark Andrews
Nice value play that can work in this format. Opened with WR1 Chase and then grabbed RB1 Taylor as the eighth back taken – could have been Najee Harris or Aaron Jones given the current questions surrounding Taylor. Went with TE1 Andrews in the third for an advantage in two positions. Can go anywhere with the next picks though it will be alternating running backs and wideouts other than seeding a QB1 where the best value lies.
Team 4: RB Austin Ekeler, QB Patrick Mahomes, WR Garrett Wilson
This plan is effective allowing RB1 Ekeler, grabs the top QB1 Mahomes and then still reaches WR1 Wilson as the tenth-best wideout. Now just consider wideout and running back for the next three or four rounds for a solid start.
Team 5: RB Saquon Barkley, WR CeeDee Lamb, WR Jaylen Waddle
Opted for RB1 Barkley as a Top-3 running back and then double downed with WR1 Lamb and WR2 Waddle. Great start considering the scoring format and allows the team to ignore wideout for three rounds or so since they only need a WR3 and can load up on running backs before their quality experiences that steep decline after Round 6.
Team 6: WR Tyreek Hill, WR Davante Adams, QB Jalen Hurts
Middle slots are always tough since so many players are taken on either side of every pick. Opened with WR1 Hill and then nabbed WR2 Adams for two of the Top-7 wideouts in a reception point league. Then still reached QB1 Hurts for a Top-3 at quarterback. Obviously has to mine running backs for at least two of the next three rounds, and maybe all three.
Team 7: TE Travis Kelce, RB Derrick Henry, RB Travis Etienne
Mr. 7th pick is TE1 Kelce who is most commonly taken right after the Top-3 wideouts and running backs are gone. Huge positional advantage but setting back all other positions by a round, it led to tabbing RB1 Henry and RB2 Etienne to feel safe. Wideouts are the deepest position and has to consider at least three of the next five picks for the position. But if you have to make up ground in any single position, wideout is where it is most possible.
Team 8: WR Cooper Kupp, RB Tony Pollard, RB Josh Jacobs
Went with WR1 Kupp before doubling on RB1 Pollard and RB2 Jacobs. That sews up two Top-12 running backs and an elite WR1. Need to address tight end and quarterback soon with an eye to getting a difference-maker because the safe start will turn into a very average team if anything happens to Kupp. Can hold off on running backs for at least three rounds.
Team 9: RB Bijan Robinson, RB Nick Chubb, WR Amari Cooper
Found the exciting RB1 Robinson and opted to get RB2 Chubb since six wideouts were gone. Reached WR1 Cooper as a Top-12 choice and needs to consider another wideout with next pick in just two more turns. Top-3 quarterbacks are gone and the best two tight ends. Needs a wideout and maybe two and can still reach a very serviceable quarterback in a few rounds.
Team 10: WR Stefon Diggs, WR A.J. Brown, RB Joe Mixon
That back-end turn is always interesting. In this format, even with just ten teams, the four best wideouts and running backs are gone, plus Travis Kelce. Very common and workable taking WR1 Diggs and WR2 Brown for two of the Top-7 wideouts. That position can wait for another four rounds while running backs and a quarterback are taken. Goes next with the 4.01 which means either the fourteenth-best running back for RB2 which is likely the best choice since there could be another ten gone by their 5.12 pick.
QB-heavy/Super-Flex league
This league starts two quarterbacks. That pushes value in other positions deeper into the draft since quarterbacks take up far more of the early picks. Each 2QB or super-flex league can use different scoring and other aspects that impact player value, so consider the nuances of your league.
This assumes super-flex, where the option to start a second quarterback in a flex position exists. Some leagues may see six or seven quarterbacks in the first round and five or six more in the second round.
It is also assumed that there are reception points. That is by far the most common in that type of league. It is also notable that a team can win without automatically starting two quarterbacks, even when allowed. Virtually no one drafts with that in mind.
In a smaller 10-team league with additional valuable players from the quarterback boost, almost every fantasy team looks great so taking elite players is paramount to winning – get your starters before worrying about depth.
Team 1: QB Patrick Mahomes, RB Bijan Robinson, WR Stefon Diggs
No question who that first pick is. QB1 Mahomes (occasionally Josh Allen) is the most coveted player in this format but picking first meant that eleven quarterbacks were gone by the 2.10. But top values still there for RB1 Robinson and WR1 Diggs. It’s a solid start with firepower. Next pick at 4.10 should evaluate what is left at quarterback and decide if not starting a second quarterback may make most sense. Balanced opening allows cherry picking best values.
Team 2: QB Josh Allen, RB Saquon Barkley, RB Nick Chubb
Opened with QB1 Allen and like Team 1 noticed the quarterback shelves had been deeply raided and opted to assemble a very strong backfield with RB1 Barkley and RB2 Chubb for two of the Top-5 backs. Even in this smaller sized league, has to consider wideout for at least two of the next three picks and maybe all three. Solid backfield can let RB3 wait but wideout and tight end are trending to be weak.
Team 3: RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Cooper Kupp, QB Jared Goff
This year, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are almost always the Top-2 quarterbacks, with Jalen Hurts coming in a very strong third. Hurts would be a fine pick here as well, but opted for RB1 McCaffrey. That left the 2.08 pick already 11 deep in missing quarterbacks. So snapped up WR1 Kupp as the fourth-best wideout and then finally went with QB1 Goff without any real cost since no other quarterbacks were taken behind him. Can accept that two quarterbacks will not start and raid wideout or running back next. The next round quarterback will likely come with plenty of question marks.
Team 4: QB Jalen Hurts, QB Deshaun Watson, RB Tony Pollard
This plan is a safe approach with decent results. QB1 Hurts is a great pick and then QB2 Watson carries upside at least as the eleventh quarterback taken. Opted for RB1 Pollard over the sixth wideout (A.J. Brown or Davante Adams likely). Common approach should work but has to shuffle back and forth between running backs and wideouts for at least the next five or six rounds.
Team 5: WR Justin Jefferson, QB Dak Prescott, WR A.J. Brown
The use of reception points makes this work – it would not if it were just performance scoring. Opened with WR1 Jefferson for a distinct advantage and then still reached QB1 Prescott at the 2.06 pick. Doubled on wideouts with WR2 Brown. Leave the wideouts alone for at least four or five rounds and work on running backs while keeping an eye on when to still reach a QB2 before there is no value there. Can compete in this scoring format with that start, but even getting a bye-week cover at QB2 cannot wait long.
Team 6: QB Joe Burrow, WR Tyreek Hill, QB Russell Wilson
Middle of the draft but still opened with QB1 Burrow and then third-best wideout of WR1 Hill for an advantage. QB2 Wilson is a steal if he returns to form but risky with the chance that his 2022 performance shows up again. But this start leaves the team with a solid start and can raid running backs for the next two rounds before thinking of more wideouts.
Team 7: QB Lamar Jackson, TE Travis Kelce, WR Davante Adams
Have to like how this unfolds. Reached QB1 Jackson which felt good, and then TE1 Kelce for a big advantage at a small position. Then WR1 Adams as a Top-8 wideout. The next pick (just six turns away) can look at a QB2, but two running backs are in order in the next three rounds. The reception point helps this to make sense.
Team 8: QB Trevor Lawrence, QB Justin Fields, RB Derrick Henry
With a super flex and a reception point, high-value players exist much deeper in drafts and allow for end-of-the-round teams to actually gain an advantage. QB1 Lawrence and QB2 Fields wrap up two Top-8 quarterbacks to take advantage of the starting rules, and then still found RB1 Derrick Henry at the 3.08 pick. Solid start that goes again in four turns and can either balance with a wideout or solidify a good backfield with another running back.
Team 9: WR Ja’Marr Chase, QB Kirk Cousins, RB Jonathan Taylor
The question the next-to-last pick has to ask is which player can I live without. Going with WR2 Chase is a strong play and then still found QB1 Kirk Cousins there at his 2.02. The positions were drained by the 3.09 but went with RB1 Taylor to start the backfield and goes again in two picks where they decide if they want a running back or a wideout. That question will persist for the next several rounds.
Team 10: RB Austin Ekeler, QB Justin Herbert, WR CeeDee Lamb
Hard to imagine, but in this format the second-best running back can still be there at the 1.10 and RB1 Ekeler made sense. QB1 Herbert was an obvious pick knowing that their 3.10 pick will be looking at the scraps at quarterback. Went with WR1 Lamb for a balanced start that opens up all positions for best value over the next four rounds or more.