The easy first step in drafting from the No. 8 spot is making a list of your eight favorite players for Fantasy this year. You're guaranteed one of them because that's how math works!
But it's for the best if you make that list with the assumption that you'll take a running back in Round 2. That's because there's a consensus top nine receivers this year, and they figure to all be gone by the time you're up again at 17th overall.
So make that list wisely -- if you're against taking two running backs with your first two picks, plan on going with a wideout in Round 1.
My choice was made for me when Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson went fifth and sixth in our half-PPR mock. After Amon-Ra St. Brown got swiped at seventh overall, I was happy to accept the slim value and draft Justin Jefferson.
And that made my decision in Round 2 that much easier. As predicted, Kyren Williams was available as were James Cook, Travis Etienne, Isiah Pacheco, Rachaad White, and Derrick Henry. A buffet of running backs! Who doesn't love a buffet? I took Williams and felt great about my start.
That balanced approach -- starting with a receiver and a running back -- allowed me to go in any direction with my next several picks without having to feel pressure to draft for need. I especially dug that in this format, which requires three starting wide receivers and a flex.
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Here's the team from the No. 8 spot:
1.08 Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN
2.05 Kyren Williams, RB, LAR
3.08 Deebo Samuel, WR, SF
4.05 Kenneth Walker, RB, SEA
5.08 Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN
6.05 CJ Stroud, QB, HOU
7.08 Aaron Jones, RB, MIN
8.05 Ladd McConkey, WR, LAC
9.08 Khalil Shakir, WR, BUF
10.05 Blake Corum, RB, LAR
11.08 David Njoku, TE, CLE
12.05 Tua Tagovailoa, QB, MIA
13.08 Hunter Henry, TE, NE
14.05 Tank Bigsby, RB, JAC
I think my weak spot is at flex but I have three candidates to fill that role: Jones, McConkey, and Shakir. Not only do I think Shakir has season-long appeal, but his matchup against the Cardinals in Week 1 isn't bad. Ditto that for McConkey against the Raiders, though we'll see how Justin Herbert's foot feels for that game. Aaron Jones isn't a slouch either.
You could argue that my tight ends are weak too, but that's what I get for waiting to fill the position. I do think both Njoku and Henry have good volume potential. Henry not only could be second on the Patriots in targets, but veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett has a good track record of leaning on his tight ends.
Also, I wouldn't expect Stroud to last until Round 6 or Tagovailoa until Round 12 in your drafts. Our mock was filled with people who love to wait on quarterbacks, me included. I recommend waiting to take a quarterback until it feels like you've got a steal on your hands. If you reach, you lose. I don't think I reached on either guy.
I knew a running back would fall to me in Round 2; I didn't think it would be one as strong as Williams. He was awesome in his games last season and appears to be the main guy for the Rams backfield this season. I especially like how Williams' skills improved as last year went on. When I took him, I made a mental note to also get Blake Corum later, a goal I accomplished in Round 10. Locking up that duo was something I definitely wanted to do once I got Williams.
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It's okay to depend on Ridley as a third receiver, and that's what he is on my team. But if I could do it again I would have taken Lamar Jackson instead. The value in Round 5 is insane, and the drop-off at receiver from Ridley to someone like Chris Godwin, Marquise Brown, Terry McLaurin, or Christian Watson with my next pick is barely negligible. As excited as I am about C.J. Stroud as my starter (that's who I took in Round 6), I would have been psyched to have landed Jackson a round earlier. I think I rushed the pick. The lesson learned: Make sure you consider everyone at every position before going with your final decision.
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Tough call between Samuel and Walker. I need both of them to not only stay healthy but remain productive because the depth I have at running back and receiver isn't stellar. Aaron Jones is effectively my backup for both players -- as an RB2 if Walker misses time, or as my flex if Samuel misses time. I'd think I'd be hurt more if Samuel were to miss time, or worse, become ineffective.
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