Your first three picks define your fantasy football team. Each one is critical because the player pool is ever-shrinking, and you have to select a mixture of available players to produce an optimal team. And those initial rounds determine what you’ll do in the later rounds of the draft. Get them wrong, and you may not be able to recover.
To follow are sample three-round drafts for 12-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 virtually 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 still need after three rounds. Rankings change daily, so these may not exactly match site rankings. Pay the most attention to the positions and how they work together for an optimal start.
Performance scoring league
Performance scoring without reception points means that top running backs are a premium, and quarterbacks are comparatively more valuable. Wide receivers and tight ends are devalued but still total four starters in most fantasy football leagues. Most teams take two running backs over their first three picks and it’s hard to argue against the logic because the supply is very low by Round 4.
The above three rounds are an optimal way to start the draft for all twelve draft slots. Let’s consider where each should be looking next after the three-pick start:
Team 1: RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Stefon Diggs, QB Josh Allen
First pick gets that great top running back, but then 15 are gone by the second pick. Scooped up a Top-3 quarterback and wideout for a great start but has to spend on running backs probably in both Rounds 4 and 5. Rather than follow the run on depleted running backs, tried to gather highly rated starters though the bang for the buck is lower with no reception points.
Team 2: RB Austin Ekeler, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, WR CeeDee Lamb
Plenty of upside on Gibbs, and then opted for the best wideout. Fairly standard opening and owning Ekeler will be an absolute advantage with reception points. Threw away the chance to start two quarterbacks with WR1 of Lamb and needs to address QB1 next just to have a suitable starter from a position that drains quickly. This is the start that ends up taking rookie quarterbacks and others that have a less clear path to starting every week. It is possible to get lucky, but pretty much every other team is hunting for quarterback scraps as well.
Team 3: RB Bijan Robinson, WR Cooper Kupp, RB Breece Hall
Hard to pass by Kupp in the second round with running backs draining fast and leaving a riskier Breece Hall in the third round. That’ll work out better later in the year when Hall should be back to form but means getting another running back soon is in order just in case Hall is slower to return. But a safe start that opens up best available players from all positions.
Team 4: RB Nick Chubb, RB Joe Mixon, RB David Montgomery
This plan feels great so far loading up on running backs but that means there will be minimal advantage left in any other position and if either Chubb or Mixon was to miss time, it ensures the entire team takes a step down without stars in other positions to compensate.
Team 5: RB Derrick Henry, WR Davante Adams, WR Jaylen Waddle
Mid-draft is always a challenge to avoid building an average team. Opting for two wideouts does offer value in those positions, but realistically team must raid running backs for whatever is left for a few rounds and keep an eye out for when to seed in a quarterback.
Team 6: RB Saquon Barkley, WR Tyreek Hill, RB Isiah Pacheco
Similar to Team 5, only opted for running back in the third round with Pacheco. Solid start, nothing flashy in this format, but reaching Pacheco quality in the third was likely lucky. Now situated to take best available for the next couple of round from any position. May be heading toward being an average team.
Team 7: RB Jonathan Taylor, RB Miles Sanders, WR Amari Cooper
Definitely a safe start and could work out, assuming a healthy and happy Taylor eventually agrees to play and Sanders makes the transition to Carolina. Cooper avoids a weak WR1 just in time. Free to go anywhere that value lies with this core.
Team 8: WR Justin Jefferson, QB Patrick Mahomes, RB Ken Walker
Hard not to like the best wideout and quarterback on the same team, but the scoring doesn’t make it as advantageous and picking Walker in the third was a need, along with probably the next two rounds hunting for running backs.
Team 9: RB Tony Pollard, WR A.J. Brown, RB Rachaad White
Started with Pollard since the next three teams could have totaled six more running backs and still ended up with Brown for a solid WR1. The White pick is strong enough that the fourth round can consider any position but a running back needs to be taken in the next two rounds.
Team 10: WR Ja’Marr Chase, RB Aaron Jones, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
The loss of reception points in this format makes these wideouts possible, but with lesser impact. But starts out with potentially two Top-10 wideouts and a solid pick for running back. Doesn’t have to consider wideouts for four or more rounds and can raid more running backs along with a quarterback thrown in.
Team 11: TE Travis Kelce, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, QB Jalen Hurts
Kelce may offer less without the reception points, but he is still a big advantage at the otherwise lowest-scoring position in this format. Still was able to reach the No. 3 quarterback for a nice job of seeking advantages where possible in this late-round spot. Probably use the next six or eight rounds to just gather wideouts and more running backs.
Team 12: RB Travis Etienne, RB Josh Jacobs, WR Garrett Wilson
Picking last without reception points means nothing feels great, especially with Kelce and the Top-2 wideout gone. Doubling down on RB1 and RB2 is a safe play for an average team, but at least owns the best RB2 in the league and has an upside wideout in the third. Will need to swing for the fence in search of a sleeper to upgrade the firepower.
Reception-point league
This scoring style boosts the value of wide receivers and elite tight ends but devalues quarterbacks. 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.
Wideouts are drafted faster than recent years, and there are so many question marks at running backs that there are reasonable risks out until the sixth round or later. Top-3 quarterbacks and tight ends are often gone by the third round, no later than the fourth in most PPR leagues.
Team 1: WR Justin Jefferson, WR Jaylen Waddle, TE Mark Andrews
Certainly a strong start in a reception-point league. The best WR1 in the league adds the eleventh wideout drafted for maybe the top set of two wideouts in the league. Adding Andrews sews up that advantage at tight end but also means the RB1- which needs to come next – may only be the 20th-best running back. At least make running back the next two picks or plan on getting lucky with a sleeper since running backs still offer the most consistent points.
Team 2: RB Christian McCaffrey, QB Josh Allen, RB Travis Etienne
This start feels very safe, even if it doesn’t pay homage to the reception point. The backfield is set by Round 3, and adding the No. 2 quarterback is a big advantage at the highest-scoring position. Next four rounds have to consider wideouts and maybe a tight end.
Team 3: WR Ja’Marr Chase, RB Aaron Jones, WR Amari Cooper
Standard sort of start with elite Chase for WR1 and then filling RB1 with the tenth back drafted. Cooper at WR2 means the position can wait without much harm while getting another running back and a quarterback, possibly a tight end if the value is there.
Team 4: RB Austin Ekeler, WR Garrett Wilson, WR DeVonta Smith
Strong start with an elite running back and then doubled on wideouts for plenty of reception points every week. Has to consider running back next before the position becomes risky. Can hold off on WR3 for a while addressing the other positions. Ekeler strong enough that it’s okay to accept some risk on RB2.
Team 5: RB Saquon Barkley, QB Patrick Mahomes, RB Josh Jacobs
Barkley nails down the RB1 and Jacobs made for a risky RB2 but with potential great upside. Wedging in Mahomes is an advantage at the highest-scoring position but now has to respect those reception points that were ignored and mine wideouts and an eventual tight end for maybe all of the first half of the draft.
Team 6: WR Tyreek Hill, RB Najee Harris, WR Chris Olave
Started with a Top-3 wideout and then still reached the ninth running back taken for a balanced start. Added upside Olave for WR2 so should throw more wideouts on the back burner at least until securing a couple of running backs and a quarterback. Solid start at the middle of the round and should watch out for any players that fall.
Team 7: TE Travis Kelce, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, QB Jalen Hurts
Kelce is the natural No. 7 once the top running backs and wideouts are missing. Middle teams can easily end up average but this start yielded the top tight end, a decent WR1 to prevent a liability, and then just managed to land a Top-3 quarterback. The next six to eight rounds have to be alternating running backs and wideouts, with running backs at least next round if not two.
Team 8: WR Cooper Kupp, RB Jonathan Taylor, WR Drake London
Tough spot since Top-3 running backs and wideouts are gone, along with the only tight end guarantees an advantage. Opted to start WR-RB-WR with a solid effect. Kupp is a lock to be a pass sponge and London offers upside. The Taylor pick is risky and yet high upside – something that middle-round teams have to consider to create some advantage at a position while following runs on most all positions.
Team 9: RB Bijan Robinson, WR CeeDee Lamb, WR DK Metcalf
Always a tougher spot to draft from and yet this worked out very well. Landed the hot rookie Robinson which feels great from his upside and then doubled down on wideouts for a stronger set of WR1/WR2. Can consider any position next, but has to revisit running backs at least once in the next two rounds.
Team 10: WR Stefon Diggs, RB Derrick Henry, RB Joe Mixon
Opened with wideout before the tier emptied and then opted for two running backs for a strong backfield. Needs to mine the wideouts for the next several rounds while stopping for a quarterback at some point. Upside tight end later can make up some ground.
Team 11: WR A.J. Brown, WR Davante Adams, RB R. Stevenson
Scooped two wideouts to start and in this format it makes sense. Took Stevenson as a need pick in the third round. Some advantage at WR1/WR2 and can look at any position for a round or two that offers best value. Strong start at wideout means can wait on WR3 and go for quarterback and more running backs.
Team 12: RB Nick Chubb, RB Tony Pollard, TE T.J. Hockenson
Final pick doubled down with running backs after seven wideouts and Kelce was taken – one was in order and two backs means they can ignore the position for the next three rounds or more while loading up on the wideouts and seeding in a quarterback. Hockenson offers a Top-3 tight end for an advantage in one position.
Super Flex / QB-heavy 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 and is used by most if not nearly all team owners. Some leagues can have eight quarterbacks in the first round and six in the second round. In others, maybe half as many. So pay attention and assume the worst when the quarterbacks start flying off the shelf. And, guaranteed, they will be heavily represented in those first two rounds.
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.
Team 1: QB Patrick Mahomes, RB Nick Chubb, QB Jared Goff
No question where the first pick goes – only which quarterback you consider the top player. QB1 Mahomes feels very good in this format and allowed a Top-5 RB1 to fall. That third pick of QB2 Goff was the twelfth quarterback taken and while that’s probably doable in most leagues, there are others where the position is raided even harder. This start feels good but that 4.12 pick better look at wideout. It is a deep position but about to become a liability.
Team 2: QB Josh Allen, WR Davante Adams, WR CeeDee Lamb
Drafting at the early part of the first round is still an advantage, though not so much for starting two quarterbacks. QB1 Allen is a huge advantage and opting for WR1 Adams and WR2 Lamb yields two Top-8 wideouts to offer high-point consistency in a position that tends towards hot and cold weeks for most. WR3 can wait while the next four picks should consider running backs. If QB2 waits at all, they should go RB-RB next and then assess the board for quarterback and tight end.
Team 3: RB Christian McCaffrey, WR A.J. Brown, QB Russell Wilson
There are super-flex drafts that are nothing but quarterbacks for the first eight picks, but usually a few teams opt for top players in other positions and it can happen this early. The best RB1 is always a source of consistently high weekly points, and then team went for a Top-6 WR1 since eleven quarterbacks were already taken. Ended up with QB1 Wilson because waiting until the fourth round would produce a below-average QB1. If QB2 is to be a starter, then he has to happen next. But a balanced approach opens up best available opportunities.
Team 4: QB Jalen Hurts, RB Bijan Robinson, RB Tony Pollard
This start yielded a Top-3 QB1 in Hurts for a nice advantage, then doubled down with RB1 Robinson and RB2 Pollard. Backfield is set so next picks are either the QB2 or wide receivers. Could consider a Top-3 tight end, but then wideouts would become a liability unless a sleeper was landed. This start will produce solid and consistent points from those first three picks.
Team 5: WR Justin Jefferson, QB Deshaun Watson, RB Derrick Henry
Top-3 quarterbacks were gone so opted with WR1 of Jefferson and then settled on QB1 Watson. RB1 was Henry as the seventh back taken. Jefferson is the star of the team so far, but balanced start means can search for best value players regardless of position. QB2 is a need pick next round only if two quarterbacks will start and Jefferson is so strong that WR2 and WR3 can wait a little longer.
Team 6: QB Joe Burrow, WR Stefon Diggs, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
After QB1 Burrow, opted for Top-5 WR1 Diggs and sewed up WR2 with St. Brown to give them two Top-10 wideouts. Taking a quarterback in the fourth may still reach someone worth starting but leaves running back as a liability short of landing a sleeper. Over next four rounds, at least two must be running back and likely three to address since at least two will be starters.
Team 7: QB Lamar Jackson, TE Travis Kelce, RB Jonathan Taylor
Grabbed the fifth-best quarterback for a minor advantage at QB1 and then snapped up TE1 Kelce for a nice boost even though he’ll impact all other positions even more in this format – but at least he lasts until the second round. RB1 Taylor is a risk that could pay off. But QB2 will be weaker and has to pursue wideouts in at least two of the next three rounds before they have a liability in a position that may start three players.
Team 8: WR Ja’Marr Chase, RB Saquon Barkley, QB Tua Tagovailoa
This draft slot is a challenge, even in this format. Five quarterbacks are gone as well as the top running back and wideout. Opted for WR1 Chase, then found the third-best running back instead of just taking the twelfth quarterback. QB1 weaker with Tagovailoa but this team opts to compete on non-quarterback value. And can go anywhere in future rounds with a solid start. If better value is in an other position, can wait two or three rounds before their QB2 and accept only one will be a starter.
Team 9: QB Trevor Lawrence, WR Cooper Kupp, WR Garrett Wilson
Another tough spot even in this format, started with great pick of Lawrence for QB1 and then respects the reception point to double on WR1/WR2 with Kupp and Wilson. This is a strong start for this spot. Wideouts can be ignored for another four rounds while they raid running backs and consider a second quarterback. This start can compete in this format.
Team 10: RB Austin Ekeler, QB Dak Prescott, WR Jaylen Waddle
Couldn’t resist RB1 of Ekeler at the 1.10 but then went with Prescott for QB1 not wanting any liability at quarterback. Balanced approach with WR1 in Waddle. There is no particular glaring need in the fourth round but should at least consider quarterback or an elite tight end to sew up the top spot for the main positions and then cherry-pick value the rest of the way.
Team 11: QB Justin Herbert, WR Tyreek Hill, RB Najee Harris
Took Herbert while the getting was still good, and the No. 3 wideout next is an advantage as well. Went for balance with RB1 in the third round and that means all positions are open for the next many rounds. Either a quarterback has to come in the fourth round or plan on not starting two of them. Which can be still effective.
Team 12: QB Kirk Cousins, QB Justin Fields, RB Aaron Jones
The beauty in super-flex leagues is that the penalty for going last in the first round is no longer as severe because mixing in all those quarterbacks extend the available quality of all non-QB positions, and while the first round may consume up to eight quarterbacks, owning both the eighth and ninth best is still an advantage from the highest-scoring position and those other positions will still have quality. Can do anything with this start.