NFL fantasy football: Drafting from the 4th spot in 0.5 ppr 12-team leagues

The 4th spot in the NFL draft puts you in a good position to build your team around some quality WRs.

Round 1 Pick 4: 

Jonathan Taylor (Yahoo Average Draft Position (ADP) 1.1), Christian McCaffery (Yahoo ADP 4.9), Austin Ekeler (Yahoo ADP 3.8): If available here, get them

Cooper Kupp: (Yahoo ADP 3.8): Cooper Kupp went from 11 fantasy points per game in 2020 to more than 21 points per game last year. So is 2022 going to be more like last year or 2020? We’re betting it will look more like last year. Matthew Stafford is still Kupp’s quarterback (QB). He still plays in Sean McVay’s up tempo system. Barring injury, Kupp should finish in the top three at WR this year. That is good production from this spot.

Justin Jefferson: (Yahoo ADP 6.4): Justin Jefferson has a new coach this year in Kevin O’Connell. This is a good thing, since O’Connell comes fresh off being the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl winning LA Rams. As a part of that campaign, he fully unlocked the potential of Cooper Kupp, who had a historic wide receiver (WR) season. If Jefferson is able to make that leap this year, he could finish as the #1 WR this year (he was #5 last year).

Dalvin Cook: (Yahoo ADP 6.3): Dalvin Cook has a secure 3 down role for the Vikings, including playing on receiving downs. His issue has been the occasional niggle which has kept him out for 5 games last year and 2 games the year before. If he can stay on the field, he’s going to provide assured running back 1 (RB1) production, which is what you want out of this spot.

Also Read| NFL: Why not signing Tom Brady worked for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020

Other targets:

Derrick Henry (Yahoo ADP 4.9)

Round 2 Pick 21:

Deebo Samuel (Yahoo ADP: 20.2): Deebo Samuel finished as the overall WR3 last year. Can he do the same this year? He will most likely not repeat his 7 rushing touchdowns (TDs) from last season, so expect some regression. He has the same coaching staff which is known for pushing the pace of an offense. Sure, his QB Trey Lance is an unproven sophomore. But Deebo’s skill is unquestioned. His team accordingly rewarded him with a big extension this preseason. If Deebo’s available at this price, prioritise him.

Alvin Kamara (Yahoo ADP: 22.2): Alvin Kamara had top 5 finishes amongst running backs (RBs) the last 2 seasons, including a 2020 season in which he finished first. He will continue to dominate high value RB touches for the Saints this season as well, with the overall offense bolstered by a healthy Michael Thomas and rookie Chris Olave. There are some questions regarding a looming suspension due to his involvement in a violent confrontation last year, but it looks like those repercussions will wait till 2023. If he’s available here, get him.

Saquon Barkeley (Yahoo ADP: 23.1): Saquon Barkeley, like Christian McCaffery, has disappointed his drafters the past two seasons by not being able to play a majority of games. Will a freak injury derail his campaign this year as well? We don’t know the answer to that. What we do know is that Saquon is a value at this ADP. In the last full season he played, he finished as the overall RB2. He’s still only 25, so there’s plenty of scope for a bounce back season this year.

Mark Andrews (Yahoo ADP: 24.5): Mark Andrews was the top tight end (TE) last year, finishing well ahead of Travis Kelce. He’s going a round later than Kelce in drafts this year, despite being 6 years younger. Make him a priority if available here to create an advantage at the TE position.

Also Read| Who are the 5 best defensive players in the NFL currently?

Other targets:

Leonard Fournette (Yahoo ADP: 20), Josh Allen (Yahoo ADP: 20.4), Javonte Williams (Yahoo ADP: 22.9),

Round 3 Pick 28:

Saquon Barkeley (Yahoo ADP: 23.1), Mark Andrews (Yahoo ADP: 24.5): Get them here if available

AJ Brown (Yahoo ADP 34): AJ Brown has shifted from the run-first Tennessee Titans to the more uptempo Philadelphia Eagles this year. Joining him on his new team are dual threat QB Jalen Hurts and sophomore WR DeVonta Smith, who should take some double team pressure off AJ. AJ’s talent has always been unquestionable, and he’s demonstrated the ability to produce efficiently with a relatively low volume of targets. Hopefully it all comes together for him this year, which could lead to a top 5 finish at WR.

Keenan Allen (Yahoo ADP 30.2): Keenan Allen keeps piling on the WR1 seasons every year. Another year of maturity for QB Justin Herbert should counterbalance another year of wear and tear added to Allen’s body (He turned 30 this year). Expect him to stave off age and produce another stellar fantasy year as the alpha in the Chargers offense.

Also Read| NFL: Top 5 major on-field fights in last decade

Other targets:

James Conner (Yahoo ADP 31.9), Tee Higgins (Yahoo ADP 30.3)

Round 4 Pick 45:

Diontae Johnson (Yahoo ADP: 47.2): Diontae Johnson, despite poor play from fading future hall of fame QB Ben Roethlisberger, finished at WR8 last season. Pittsburgh is not going to take a step forward at QB this year, with either rookie Kenny Pickett or a somewhat washed up Mitch Trubisky taking on that role. But they’re arguably going to be no worse either. Expect Diontae to finish as a low end WR1 or high end WR2, which is plenty of value at this spot.

Jaylen Waddle (Yahoo ADP 43.6): Jaylen Waddle had a historic rookie WR season last year, finishing at WR17. One of the reasons was zero target competition. That changes this year, with superstar WR Tyreek Hill having now joined him in Miami. His QB is still the middling Tua Tagovailoa, which caps his true upside. But despite the increased competition, Waddle should safely finish as a WR2 with upside. If Tua and the Miami offense take another step forward as some experts expect, there is additional upside for Waddle.

Terry McLaurin (Yahoo ADP: 44.1): Terry McLaughlin gets Carson Wentz as his QB this year. While Carson is not a top tier QB, he’s the best Terry has had to this point in his career. Known as “Scary” Terry due to his ability to muscle contested catches away from his opponents, this QB upgrade should help McLaurin finish better than the WR25 finish he managed last season to finish comfortably in the WR2 range, which would be a good outcome from this spot.

Also Read| Aaron Donald: All controversies around the Los Angeles Rams star

Other targets:

Travis Etienne (Yahoo ADP 51.4), JK Dobbins (Yahoo ADP 56.1), Mike Williams (Yahoo ADP 49.4)

Round 5 Pick 52:

Diontae Johnson (Yahoo ADP: 47.2), Jaylen Waddle (Yahoo ADP 43.6), Mike Williams (Yahoo ADP 49.4), Terry McLaurin (Yahoo ADP: 44.1). These are excellent choices if they fall to you here.

Courtland Sutton (Yahoo ADP 53.3): Courtland Sutton is no longer recovering from a major injury. Nor is he being thrown to by inept QBs Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock. With Russell Wilson the new QB in Denver, Sutton has predictably become a darling of the fantasy community. We’re expecting a WR2 season for him. Draft him if available here.

Also Read| Aaron Donald comes out swinging in Rams Bengals joint practice fight: Watch

Other targets:

JK Dobbins (Yahoo ADP 56.1), DK Metcalf (Yahoo ADP 55)

Round 6 Pick 69: 

Brandin Cooks (Yahoo ADP 74.2): Brandin Cooks has finished over a 1000 yards receiving in every season since 2016 except for an injury marred 2019 season. Expect him to do the same this year. If you’re getting him here, draft him without question.

Jerry Jeudy (Yahoo ADP 66.5): Like his teammate Courtand Sutton, we’re expecting the arrival of Russell Wilson in Denver to significantly up the production of Jerry Jeudy. Russell has through his career shown an ability to support multiple WRs to elite fantasy seasons. You’re getting Jeudy a whole round later than fantasy darling Sutton. When the season is completed, we don’t expect their production to be that far apart.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Yahoo ADP 72.7): When the Kansas City Chiefs signed Ronald Jones, it seemed to be an attempt to reduce the workload of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who has performed hot and cold since his arrival to the NFL two seasons ago. But after a summer in which Jones came close to being cut, Edwards-Helaire’s role seems to be secure. You’re not going to get the starting RB for an explosive offense this late in the draft.

Also Read| Picking from the #3 draft spot in NFL Fantasy Football, 0.5 ppr leagues

Other targets: 

Marquise Brown (Yahoo ADP 74.8), Gabriel Davis (Yahoo ADP 73.7), Damien Harris (Yahoo ADP 66.8), Darnell Mooney (Yahoo ADP 94.9)

Round 7 Pick 76: 

Brandin Cooks (Yahoo ADP 74.2), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Yahoo ADP 72.7): Obvious great values if available

Marquise Brown (Yahoo ADP 74.8): With DeAndre Hopkins suspended for the first 6 games of the NFL season, Marquise Brown has a clear path to burst out of the gates with production for his new team, the Arizona Cardinals. Even after Hopkins returns, we expect Brown to retain a large role in the Kyler Murray led offense. He should finish in the WR2 range, which is a great performance at this ADP.

Gabriel Davis (Yahoo ADP 73.7): Gabriel Davis will be the secondary receiving option in the Buffalo Bills offense after stud WR Stephon Diggs. We expect the explosive offense led by stud QB Joss Allen to generate more than enough opportunities for both WRs though, and for Davis to continue the strong progress he displayed at the end of his sophomore season last year. That performance led the Bills to part ways with veteran Emmanuel Sanders, which shows the organisation is ready to give Davis a bigger role in 2022. Draft him here with confidence.

Also Read| Collin Johnson carted off with leg injury during New York Giants practice

Other targets: 

Amari Cooper (Yahoo ADP 76.7), Darnell Mooney (Yahoo ADP 94.9)

Round 8 Pick 93:

Darnell Mooney (Yahoo ADP 94.9): Darnell Mooney had a strong rookie season last year. As a result the Chicago Bears have committed to making Mooney the star of the receiving corps this year, letting veteran Allen Robinson walk away in free agency. Mooney performed as a WR2 in the last 6 weeks of last year. We’re betting that with his larger role this year and another offseason of building chemistry with sophomore QB Justin Fields, Mooney will have a great 2022. Grabbing him here is a heist.

Chris Godwin (Yahoo ADP 91.9): Chris Godwin has slid in drafts this year due to injury and durability concerns. He finished as a WR1 last year. The only reason you’re finding him here is because of his torn ACL and MCL from last year and concerns he could miss time or start slow. If you find him here, you’re counting for production at a WR3 level, which he will comfortably beat even after accounting for both of those things.

Tony Pollard (Yahoo ADP 94): Tony Pollard is not going to have a change in role this year despite his impressive performance last season, in which he finished as the RB28 in half ppr. However, if starter Ezekiel Elliott were to get injured and miss games, Pollard would immediately inherit a role that would give him RB1 production for however long Elliott is out. This could, in the right situation, win you your league. The price is great at this spot. Pick him if available.

Rhamondre Stevenson (Yahoo ADP 96.9): Rhamondre Stevenson performed incredibly well in his rookie season despite legendary coach Bill Belichick’s well documented disdain for Rookie RBs. He was RB22 in the last 8 weeks of 2021. Now that James White is retired, the pass catching role in New England is Stevenson’s to keep. This should ensure enough production to justify Stevenson’s current ADP as is. There is additional upside though in case starting RB Damien Harris gets injured and misses games. If that happens Stevenson would play all three downs and become a fantasy RB1. Draft him here if still available.

Also Read| Picking from the #2 draft spot in NFL Fantasy Football, 0.5 ppr leagues

Other targets: 

Trey Lance (Yahoo ADP 106.7), Hunter Renfrow (Yahoo ADP 97.2), Elijah Moore (Yahoo ADP 98.6)

Round 9 Pick 100:

Darnell Mooney (Yahoo ADP 94.9), Rhamondre Stevenson (Yahoo ADP 96.9), Tony Pollard (Yahoo ADP 94): If you get any of them here, go for it.

Trey Lance (Yahoo ADP 106.7): Trey Lance in 2022, if all goes well, could produce a season similar to Lamar Jackson in 2019. The starting job in an explosive Kyle Shanahan offense is his, after the team has publicly committed to moving on from erstwhile QB Jimmy Garropollo. In 2019, that Lamar Jackson Season won many managers a fantasy football title. At this pick, you’re looking for upside. If you’ve waited for addressing the QB position, you shouldn’t hesitate to grab Lance here.

Also Read| Picking from the #1 draft spot in NFL Fantasy Football, 0.5 ppr leagues

Other targets: 

Hunter Renfrow (Yahoo ADP 97.2), Kenneth Walker (Yahoo ADP 102.6)

Round 10 (Pick 117):

Drake London (Yahoo ADP 121.5): Drake London scorched college football with his performance last year, commanding a 38% target share for USC. This year, he’s an NFL rookie and normally expectations should be tempered. But there is virtually no target competition for London in the Atlanta Falcons, the team that picked him as the first WR in this year’s draft. The only other receiver of note in the Falcons is sophomore TE Kyle Pitts. At this spot, you’re looking for upside, and there’s plenty of upside to have with London.

Christian Kirk (Yahoo ADP 122.3): Christian Kirk seems to have been forgotten in drafts this year even after he finished as a WR2 last year. He’s switched teams this year which has entailed a QB downgrade from Kyler Murray to Trevor Lawrence, a sophomore who’s still finding his feet in the NFL after being drafted as the #1 overall pick last year. But Kirk is going to be the focal point in the receiving game for his new team, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Regardless of how well the team does, the receiving volume and Kirk’s unquestioned talent should provide plenty of value and upside at this spot.

Robert Woods (Yahoo ADP 124.4): Robert Woods is a veteran on the wrong side of 30, and is also coming off a major injury. In addition, he’s signed on with a new team which is known for a run first offence. All of these would be red flags if you were drafting Woods in the middle of the draft. But in the later rounds, Woods is a steal. He’s been a consistent performer over the last few years, generally finishing at WR2 or better. And he has a secure role with his new team. His only target competition is rookie receiver Treylon Burks. If you need some insurance at the end of the draft so that you can insulate yourself against the inevitable injuries that will plague teams as the NFL season wears on, grab Woods at this spot.

Other targets: 

Michael Carter (Yahoo ADP 123.5), Darrell Henderson (Yahoo ADP 124.5), Alexander Mattinson (Yahoo ADP 125), Julio Jones (Yahoo ADP 124.1)

Targets for Round 11 and later: 

Chris Olave (Yahoo ADP 126.8), Kadarious Toney (Yahoo ADP 128), Sony Michel (Yahoo ADP 128.6), Garett Wilson (Yahoo ADP 129.1), Isiah Spiller (Yahoo ADP 130.6)