According to fantasy football analyst Thunder Dan Palyo in his September 2, 2026 strategy breakdown, standard redraft leagues heading into the opening week of NFL games require a heavy early-round focus on running backs and receivers, while completely avoiding quarterbacks and tight ends through the first six rounds.
Draft Strategies by Position Slot in Standard Leagues
For managers holding the first or second overall pick, Palyo states that drafting Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson is the optimal move. Gibbs earns Palyo’s top overall ranking due to expectations that Detroit’s offense will go nuclear, though Bijan Robinson remains a viable alternative at number one. Because top-tier running backs vanish quickly by the second round, managers picking at the top should target wide receivers like Chris Olave, Nico Collins, and DeVonta Smith on the round two and three turn. A starting build of running back, receiver, receiver, and running back ensures a safe floor, according to Palyo.
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Managers landing slots three through six find a comfortable range to select a wide receiver over second-tier running backs. While Christian McCaffrey falls due to perceived regression and injury risk, Ja’Marr Chase serves as a no-brainer at third overall, according to Palyo. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Amon-Ra St. Brown present strong cases for the fourth pick, while Puka Nacua slides down boards due to health and off-field concerns. Managers taking a receiver in this range must secure a running back in round two, as waiting on a running back makes a Zero-RB approach difficult this season.
Draft slots seven through 12 present optimal territory for a running back-running back start. Palyo notes he is fading De’Von Achane and ranking lower on Kenneth Walker III than the consensus, but fully endorses Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, James Cook III, Chase Brown, Omarion Hampton, and Ashton Jeanty. Following an initial double running back build, managers should prioritize wide receivers in rounds three and four, or potentially grab a third running back like David Montgomery.
Building Mid-Round Depth at Running Back and Receiver
By the fifth round, rosters should ideally feature two running backs and two receivers before managers address other positions. Palyo advises passing on early quarterback upside from players like Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, and Caleb Williams, along with premium tight ends like Tyler Warren. Middle rounds offer high-value running backs such as Bhayshul Tuten, Jadarian Price, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Jaylen Warren.
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At wide receiver, Christian Watson remains a target in the fifth round following news regarding Josh Jacobs, paired with metrics showing Watson tied for third in yards per route run over the last two seasons, according to Fantasy Points Data cited on August 30, 2026. Additional mid-round targets include Rome Odunze, Parker Washington, Jordan Addison, and Chris Godwin. While Sam LaPorta and Tucker Kraft occasionally fall to the late sixth or early seventh rounds, Palyo emphasizes staying focused on running back and receiver values.
When to Draft Quarterbacks and Tight Ends in 2026
Quarterbacks selected after pick 100 offer immense value and allow managers to preserve early draft capital for skill positions, according to Palyo. Preferred mid-to-late round targets include Kyler Murray, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, Tyler Shough, Baker Mayfield, and Matthew Stafford. Managers frequently benefit from rostering two competent quarterbacks and playing favorable weekly matchups rather than locking into an early-round selection like Lamar Jackson.
At the tight end position, elite names like Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and Colston Loveland carry inflated draft costs in standard formats. Instead of investing early picks in George Kittle, Travis Kelce, or Kyle Pitts, managers can find comparable production later in drafts. According to Palyo’s positional blueprint, viable late targets include Isaiah Likely, Juwan Johnson, Dallas Goedert, Chig Okonkwo, Terrance Ferguson, Dalton Schultz, and Greg Dulcich.
Late-Round Defense, Kicker, and Waiver Wire Approach
Team defenses and kickers should always be drafted at the very end of drafts. Spending a mid-round pick on a top-5 defense or an early kicker wastes valuable depth at running back and receiver. Managers should stream defenses weekly based on matchups and utilize RotoBaller’s streaming resources.
Pro Tip: Actively managing the waiver wire during the first month of the NFL season is often more important than the initial draft foundation, as un-drafted players frequently emerge with immediate fantasy value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I draft a quarterback in the early rounds of a standard fantasy draft?
No, according to Thunder Dan Palyo, managers should fade early-round quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen to preserve capital for running backs and receivers, targeting later options like Kyler Murray or Jared Goff instead.
When should I draft team defenses and kickers?
Team defenses and kickers should always be selected in the final rounds, or streamed on a weekly basis, to avoid wasting high picks on unpredictable scoring positions.
Is a Zero-RB draft strategy recommended for 2026?
No, Palyo notes that a Zero-RB approach presents a difficult path this season, recommending instead to secure running back depth early in standard redraft formats.
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