An Expert's Cheat Sheet to Dominating ESPN Fantasy Football Drafts

Aug 31, 2026

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

ESPN’s most popular scoring format is PPR, which boosts the value of wide receivers and running backs who make an impact in the passing game. Even with that scoring format in mind, only seven wide receivers have an ADP inside the top 24 on the platform.

Although only one quarterback starts for each team in ESPN leagues, they tend to be drafted earlier there than on other platforms. That creates a bit of a conundrum if you want to also load up on talent at wide receiver and running back.

Using ESPN’s ADP data from the 4for4 Multi-Site ADP tool, let’s highlight some draft strategies to consider and some players to target along the way in a 12-team league on the platform.

First Two Rounds Outlook

It’s important to start off your draft with two anchors to build your team around. Looking at the ADP data, running backs come off the board early. Among the top 24 players in ADP, 13 of them are running backs. If you decide to pass on a running back with your first two picks, then the talent level drops off significantly.

In the third and fourth rounds, the running backs coming off the board have been Javonte Williams (29), Breece Hall (31), Kyren Williams (34), Josh Jacobs (37), Travis Etienne Jr. (38), Cam Skattebo (41), and Quinshon Judkins (47). Jacobs won’t be selected in that range anymore, now that he is on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. Skattebo has injury concerns, and Judkins is on what could be one of the worst offenses in the league. Even Williams, who is one of the best options among this group, has Blake Corum waiting in the wings to potentially take away some of his work. None of these should be considered as RB1s in fantasy, so if you wait to draft your first running back until after the first two rounds, your upside might be capped at the position.

Looking at wide receivers, there are still some great options on the board after the first two rounds. Players like Nico Collins (25), George Pickens (27), Chris Olave (28), Malik Nabers (30), and Garrett Wilson (33) all have the potential to be a viable WR1 in fantasy. Young options with breakout upside such as Tetairoa McMillan (36), Emeka Egbuka (42), and Ladd McConkey (45) are also going in this range. With this in mind, even though it’s prudent to come out of the first two rounds with a wide receiver to build your team around, it’s also important to grab a running back before the talent level at the position drops off significantly.