11.01: Kirk Cousins, QB, MIN
11.02: Chase Claypool, WR, PIT
11.03: Justin Fields, QB, CHI
11.04: Russell Gage, WR, TBB
11.05: Los Angeles Rams Defense
11.06: DeVante Parker, WR, NEP
11.07: J.D. McKissic, RB, WAS
11.08: Julio Jones, WR, TBB
11.09: Derek Carr, QB, LVR
11.10: Jakobi Meyers, WR, NEP
11.11: Sammy Watkins, WR, GBP
11.12: Buffalo Bills Defense
12.01: Michael Gallup, WR, DAL
12.02: Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ
12.03: Gus Edwards, RB, BAL
12.04: Hunter Henry, TE, NEP
12.05: Evan McPherson, PK, CIN
12.06: Kenneth Gainwell, RB, PHI
12.07: Irv Smith Jr., TE, MIN
12.08: Corey Davis, WR, NYJ
12.09: Dameon Pierce, RB, HOU
12.10: Noah Fant, TE, SEA
12.11: Kadarius Toney, WR, NYG
12.12: Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, DEN
13.01: Rondale Moore, WR, ARZ
13.02: Tim Patrick, WR, DEN
13.03: Isaiah Spiller, RB, LAC
13.04: Jarvis Landry, WR, NOS
13.05: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, MIA
13.06: Marlon Mack, RB, HOU
13.07: Skyy Moore, WR, KCC
13.08: David Njoku, TE, CLE
13.09: Khalil Herbert, RB, CHI
13.10: Tyler Higbee, TE, LAR
13.11: New Orleans Saints Defense
13.12: Kenny Golladay, WR, NYG
Don't Be That Guy
Once you get into the double-digit rounds, picks become much more subjective. Every selection is a gamble. The odds a player will wind up on the waiver wire are high. Given that, it might seem wise to go ahead and draft high-end starters at kicker and defense.
Don't do it.
You can get elite-level defensive production at a discount by playing matchups—selecting a team late with a good Week 1 matchup and then swapping them out for a squad off the waiver wire. The difference at kicker between the No. 1 and No. 12 option in 2021 was all of 1.1 fantasy points per game.
Use the picks in this area on upside plays. Get the kicker and defense last.
The Julio Jones Effect
One week ago, Russell Gage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a seventh- or eighth-round pick and Julio Jones was undraftable. Now that Jones signed with the Bucs, he came off the board here just after Gage in Round 11.
Jones was once one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL, but if the last two seasons are any indication, those days are over.
Take advantage of the value with Gage, and let someone else chase the past with Jones.
This part of the draft was all about the wide receiver spot for me—about adding some depth, upside and "flex" options.
Two years ago, Pittsburgh's Chase Claypool caught nine touchdowns and finished inside the top 25 fantasy receivers. Kadarius Toney showed some flashes as a rookie last year and has reportedly shined in training camp. There are those in Denver who believe that Tim Patrick (and not Jerry Jeudy) is the wide receiver to roster behind Courtland Sutton in 2022.
If one of that trio hits, I'll be fine. If two hit, I'll be golden.
