Engel's Angles: Favorite Fantasy Draft Targets by Round

You will never hear me say I was “sniped” on a fantasy football draft pick. I have several players queued up in every round and just take the top one remaining when it is my turn. Of course, though, there are players I prefer in each round if I can get them.

These are my favorite targets in each round this season, based on current ADPs in a 12-team PPR format. I will be revising my choices as ADPs fluctuate throughout the preseason, so you can look forward to upcoming editions of this feature. You may see several players be taken earlier or later in your leagues, as every draft is different, yet these players are prime considerations for me throughout the selection process.

You can never fully build a team as you want it to work out, but here is the first 2020 wish list.

The King’s Favorite Targets in Every Round

Round One: Saquon Barkley (ADP: 2)

This could be the season when Barkley overtakes Christian McCaffrey as the No. 1 player in fantasy football. Picking CMC at No. 1 overall is no surefire decision. The Giants offense might progress under Daniel Jones in 2020, and Barkley may have more big-play upside than McCaffrey. He had three long runs of 59 or more yards in 2019 games, and two long receptions of 50-plus yards. McCaffery had three total long plays of 50-plus yards, none as a receiver.

If I get a chance to pick my draft slot this season, I wanted to be at second, to get Barkley as one of the top-three superstar backs who dominate touches for their team. If I am not in position to get McCaffrey, who I have ranked ahead for durability purposes, I am just as happy with Barkley.

Round Two: Lamar Jackson (ADP: 21)

Yes, Engel is on repeat. I have already been very vocal about targeting Jackson as soon as the first half of the second round. Group thinkers will remind us that you have to wait on a QB and Jackson is due to regress. I will wait on any QB other than Jackson. There is no other QB who can post his starting RB type of numbers at the position.

Even if he regresses, his floor can likely be 900-plus rush yards and approximately 28 TD passes. He’s the only QB who can provide you with that sort of dual production. You get an unofficial RB with respectable passing totals. That is why I took him in the second round of the FSGA National Conference Draft, which was a 14-teamer.

My FSGA National Conference Draft from the third slot. Board via RealTime Fantasy Sports.

Round Three: Melvin Gordon III (ADP: 34)

He is proof that you don’t have to tie yourself to taking two RBs in the first two rounds. Gordon was considered a first-rounder just two seasons ago. He will be the clear lead RB in Denver and is set for a strong rebound season. Gordon is lasting until the late fourth round in some drafts, and he is being undervalued.

Round Four: Calvin Ridley (ADP: 44)

I am flexible in this round, as I will also have my eye on Cooper Kupp and Keenan Allen, who is being docked too much for a QB change in Los Angeles. I may take Allen as a WR2 if I already have one by this point. Ridley has caught 17 TD passes in his first two seasons and should continue to ascend this year. I may also take Gordon at this point in some leagues.

Round Five: DK Metcalf (ADP: 49)

It is very close between Metcalf and teammate Tyler Lockett here. You will likely have to go after Metcalf first because of the perceived upside. Lockett’s role is well defined and he is underrated as a fantasy WR2. But Metcalf truly blossomed in the NFL Playoffs last year. I will also consider DeVante Parker here, I am a believer. Metcalf, Lockett, and Parker are my favorite WRs in this round, but you have to target Metcalf earlier because he is more widely coveted.

Rounds 6-10

Round Six: Cam Akers (ADP: 67)

This rookie is being undervalued. No other first-year RB has a clearer path to a starting job. The Rams used their top NFL Draft choice on him in April and his competitors for the No. 1 job are more of complementary pieces. If Akers is gone by this point, I will consider Stefon Diggs or Tyler Boyd if available.

Round Seven: Tyler Higbee (ADP: 73)

Jared Goff had an affinity for Higbee when the two were rookies in 2016, as he looked for him frequently in his first pro preseason. Higbee finally emerged as hoped down the stretch last season and now Goff can have full confidence in going to him regularly. Higbee is ready to challenge to be a Top 5 fantasy TE.

Tyler Higbee's late-season 2019 game logs via NFL.com

Round Eight: Marvin Jones Jr. (ADP: 92)

Matthew Stafford is healthy again and Jones is an ideal target if you still need a WR3 or flex option from the position by this point. Jones caught nine TD passes for the second time in three years last year despite Detroit’s QB issues.

Round Nine: Diontae Johnson (ADP: 100)

I have great confidence that he will be a very good fantasy WR3 this year working with a revived Ben Roethlisberger. Johnson will be Pittsburgh’s WR1 next year when JuJu Smith-Schuster is gone, so look for him to become heavily involved this season. I also would love to land Hayden Hurst here if I miss on Higbee.

Round 10: CeeDee Lamb (ADP: 117)

Rookies usually do not become reliable starters, but Lamb is the best of the bunch. He profiles as a more complete all-around WR than Michael Gallup and it just a matter of time before he moves past him on the depth chart. Noah Fant is an excellent TE target here if you need one, as the breakout is coming in 2020.

Rounds 11-16

Round 11: Preston Williams (ADP: 132)

The QB situation in Miami can be good enough for him to build on his surprising flashes of rookie success. Williams is a very promising WR4/5 selection as the Dolphins make a real move back to respectability this season.

Round 12: Duke Johnson (ADP: 142)

I do not trust David Johnson to stay healthy, and I can say the same about all of Houston’s top WRs. Duke Johnson may be pushed into a very heavy offensive role at some point as both a runner and receiver. I would not expect outstanding rushing production, but the pass-catching promise in a larger role makes Duke Johnson an interesting late-rounder.

Round 13: Breshad Perriman (ADP: 153)

I would not be surprised to see him become the top fantasy WR option from the Jets. Perriman won’t be playing in a pass-happy offense like he was in Tampa Bay during last year’s late-season surge. It was clear he was finally starting to break through after a few years of mediocrity. That makes him a terrific later flier.

Breshad Perriman's late-season 2019 game logs via NFL.com

Round 14: N'Keal Harry (ADP: 168)

He was drafted in the first round by Bill Belichick, which remains a major endorsement of his promise, and he will be an important and versatile target for Cam Newton. He will fit well with the new QB, as Harry will be expected to gain yardage after the catch and win on contested catches.

Round 15: Indianapolis Colts (ADP: 180)

If I do not get a very elite unit, my preference is the highest-ranked unit on my board that also has the best Week 1 matchup, because I usually stream defensive units. I have the Colts ranked as a Top 10 defense and they draw the Jaguars in their season opener.

Round 16: Carlos Hyde (ADP: 184)

I will usually finish with a kicker here, and I do not throw darts. I have carefully studied and ranked them, and I will ideally be looking at Zane Gonzalez. But I will consider Hyde by Round 14 because I expect Harry’s ADP to rise in the next few weeks. There is no apparent return date for Rashaad Penny, and Chris Carson is a well-documented injury risk. Hyde may have to start for Seattle at any time, and the Seahawks needed him after seeing how depleted their backfield became late last season. If you still want a great late play by the final round, Hyde is your man.

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