Last Updated: August 18th at 4:53pm ET
Our fantasy draft is not going to go perfectly. We’re going to get sniped, we’re going to panic when on the clock and our best-laid plans will go awry.
But we can still dream. These are my favorite players in each round, as of August 16th. Note that I am using the blended Average Draft Position (ADP) we have on our site in an effort to more closely replicate a “home league” setting.
Click here for my “Favorite Fliers,” where I explore players to target beyond Round 10. For more help with your draft, see Silva’s Shy Away 30 and all of our rankings.
ROUND 1
Ideal: Get one of the “Top Four” — I don’t think there is a lot separating Christian McCaffrey, Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, and Jonathan Taylor this year. But I do think that there is a real drop-off after that tier. So my perfect draft consists of me getting Pick No. 4 and taking whichever player from that top tier drops to me.
Runner up: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals — An all-time great WR prospect proved he has realistic paths to all-time great WR career. As a 21-year-old rookie, Chase went off for 81-1455-13. The marked improvement in the Bengals’ offensive line should lead to more pass-centric gameplans.
ROUND 2
Ideal: Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants — Barkley’s usage profile is rare in today’s NFL, and it’s the kind that can yield league-breaking seasons. He’s an every-down player who excels in the pass-game and will be used at the goal-line. Massive upgrades on coaching and offensive line will help.
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