I build a fantasy football draft board every summer. Mocks, film study, scheme trends, the numbers that translate to production, I look at it all. It's all part of the process. I draft players I like. Their traits, playmaking ability, the system fit. That includes the high-floor targets I can count on in my lineup, as well as the upside plays. You can take some risks here, too. Plus, everyone has their late-round fliers, the dart throws when the clock is running out in the 14th round. Take a shot.
So, let's go through my board by position, focusing on some of my favorite targets in redraft formats heading into draft season later this month. (I play in four home leagues.) We'll do this in multiple tiers based on current ESPN average draft position (ADP). I'll also give you five targets to put on your radar for the later rounds.
Have a great fantasy season. Let's win some leagues.
Jump ahead Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers Tight ends | Later-round targets
Quarterback
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (ADP: QB6)
Landing Burrow as a mid-tier QB1 fits my philosophy on getting value at the position. Sure, there are availability concerns with Burrow (he missed at least seven games in two of his past three seasons). But in playing the full 2024 season, Burrow scored 21.9 fantasy PPG and threw 43 touchdown passes. That's who I'm drafting here, the league's best pocket passer, with two premier targets in WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. I think Burrow will produce top-three QB numbers this season.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (ADP: QB11)
I'll take Williams all day as a fringe QB1. In 2025 (Williams' first season under head coach Ben Johnson), he scored 18.7 fantasy PPG and we saw how his natural playmaking ability leads to winning weeks (eight games with 20 or more points). With another year of development paired with Johnson's elite playcalling, I expect Williams to show even more growth as a rhythm passer. A big-time breakout looms here.
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints (ADP: QB19)
Drafting Shough as an upside QB2 fits if you carry two quarterbacks or play in a superflex format. In Weeks 13-18 last season, Shough had 117.5 fantasy points (QB4) and he scored at least 17 in each game. He's a timing-and-location thrower in Kellen Moore's system, plus he can create as a runner (186 yards rushing, 3 TDs). With a boost from the addition of rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson to play opposite Chris Olave, Shough has the skill set -- and the coach -- to push the QB1 line.