Who Should You Draft With the 2nd Pick In Fantasy Football?

Landing the second pick in a fantasy football draft is an ideal proposition. You’ll have the ability to build your team around an elite option, regardless of what format you play. This season, there is mostly a consensus for the top two selections, although their order could flip-flop in some leagues. Let’s break down the options and discuss who to take with the second pick in fantasy football for various formats. ADP data comes from 4for4’s Multi-Site ADP.

The Candidates

Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (ADP 1)

Jahmyr Gibbs has come off the board first in most leagues, and for a good reason. According to 4for4’s Fantasy Points Browser, Gibbs finished last season fourth in fantasy points scored per game for running backs in standard leagues (17.1), fourth in half-PPR leagues (19.3), and third in PPR formats (21.6). Last year marked his second straight season with at least 243 rushing attempts and 1,223 yards on the ground. He also set career highs in targets (94), receiving yards (616), and receiving touchdowns (5). In the Lions’ high-powered offense, he has racked up 49 total touchdowns across three seasons.

As excellent as his touchdown production has already been, Gibbs could receive even more opportunities to reach the end zone this season with David Montgomery now a member of the Texans. Last season, Gibbs was given 52 carries inside the red zone, 10 of which came from inside the five-yard line. Montgomery had 34 red zone carries, 16 of which came from within five yards. Gibbs’ new backup is Isiah Pacheco, who did not receive a single rushing attempt from within five yards with the Chiefs last season. He has not been a great source for touchdowns, producing two scores on the ground over 20 games in the last two seasons. The sky is the limit for Gibbs in fantasy, so if he doesn’t go first in your draft, consider it a huge win to grab him with the second selection.

Bijan Robinson, Falcons (ADP 2)

Now we’re into realistic options for the second pick, with Bijan Robinson being the consensus second overall selection in most leagues. ADP data shows him going second overall on ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, and Fantrax. He was slightly more productive than Gibbs last reason, finishing third in fantasy points per game for running backs in standard scoring leagues (17.2), third in half-PPR leagues (19.5), and second in PPR scoring (21.8).

Like Gibbs, Robinson can contribute to both phases of the offense. He is coming off back-to-back seasons with at least 1,450 rushing yards, and he has received at least 72 targets in all three of his seasons in the NFL. Last year, he posted career highs in targets (103), receptions (79), and receiving yards (820). That was with terrible quarterback play around him. The addition of Tua Tagovailoa isn’t exactly a huge upgrade for the Falcons, but he did throw to his running backs a lot in Miami. Dolphins running back De’Von Achane received 85 targets last season and 87 targets the year prior. It’s difficult to pass up Robinson with the second pick, regardless of format.

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (ADP 3)

Ja’Marr Chase didn’t come close to matching the 17 touchdown receptions that he registered in 2024, finishing with eight scores last year. His 2024 performance was likely an aberration, given that he combined for 16 touchdowns across the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. However, he still had a 30.5% target share for the Bengals, helping him produce 125 receptions for 1,412 yards. A whopping 185 targets went his way, marking the second straight season that he led the league in targets.

Even in PPR formats, Chase averaged fewer fantasy points per game (19.6) than both Gibbs and Robinson last season. Joe Burrow only played eight games, but expecting him to stay healthy this season might be a lot to ask, given that he played 10 or fewer games in two of the last three seasons. Joe Flacco is a competent backup, so although he might prevent Chase from reaching his peak value if Burrow were to be sidelined, he at least leaves Chase with a high floor.

Puka Nacua, Rams (ADP 4)

Like Chase, Puka Nacua is a target monster. His 28.5% target share with the Rams last season enabled him to post 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has appeared in at least 16 games in two of his three seasons in the NFL. In both of those, he had at least 160 targets, 105 receptions, and 1,486 receiving yards.

There is a lot to like about Nacua for fantasy purposes. Matthew Stafford still looks to be at the top of his game, coming off an MVP season. Opposing defenses also must worry about Davante Adams in coverage, while Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are a dangerous duo on the ground. The Rams should score a lot of points with Nacua right in the thick of the action. A case can be made for selecting Nacua over Chase in drafts, but it’s still a bit of a reach to draft him over Gibbs or Robinson.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (ADP 5)

Chase has a stellar wide receiver partner in Tee Higgins. Adams isn’t getting any younger, but he is still an excellent touchdown threat that helps take attention away from Nacua on the Rams. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is more of a one-man wrecking crew for the Seahawks. That resulted in him getting 162 targets and posting a 35.7% target share for Seattle last year. They weren’t on shallow routes, either, given his average depth of target of 11.1 yards. For comparison, Chase had an average depth of target of 8.3 yards. Nacua’s was 9.0 yards.

The Seahawks bring back Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp as the primary wide receivers behind Smih-Njigba, so another hefty target share should be headed his way. The team will also likely be weaker at running back with Kenneth Walker III having departed for the Chiefs, so it’s possible they will throw a little more often. While he is being selected fifth on most sites, it’s certainly not a crazy idea to consider taking him higher.

Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (ADP 6)

After injuries limited Christian McCaffrey to just four games in 2024, he bounced back to play in all 17 games last year. For the first time in his career, he finished a season with at least 300 rushing attempts and 100 receptions. Among non-quarterbacks, he finished second in fantasy points per game in standard scoring leagues (18.5). In half-PPR (21.5) and PPR leagues (24.5), he finished first.

As good as McCaffrey was last year, he doesn’t come without concerns heading into 2026. He hasn’t been the healthiest of players, appearing in fewer than eight games in four of the last seven seasons. Including last year, he has three seasons in his career with at least 270 rushing attempts. The first two times he reached that threshold, he appeared in three and four games the next two seasons, respectively. He is also 30 years old now, which could make last season’s heavy workload even more troublesome. These concerns are why he’s not being considered with Gibbs and Robinson for the first pick.

Who Should You Pick?

The crown jewel in fantasy football this season is Jahmyr Gibbs, now that David Montgomery is no longer in the picture in Detroit. If he falls to second in your draft, take him. However, if he is no longer on the board, Bijan Robinson is a stellar consolation prize. He is still in his prime at 24 years old, and, like Gibbs, he provides major contributions both on the ground and in the passing attack. That gives him the edge over the wide receiver trio of Ja’Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Christian McCaffrey’s injury concerns make him too risky an option to take second overall.