The Perfect Fantasy Football Draft: 12-Team League

Earlier this week, I shared what I considered to be the ultimate fantasy draft for a team playing in a 10-team league. More and more fantasy enthusiasts are playing in 10-team leagues. Of course, 12-team leagues are still quite popular and common, so it’s worth trying this exercise in a 12-team format.

Regardless the format, the perfect draft.is what we strive for in the world of fantasy football. Imagine a draft so impeccable that you barely need to make any roster moves all season, outside of injuries and bye weeks. It’s fantasy nirvana. And it’s within reach. (No really, it is).

How can I reach such fantasy perfection, you might ask?

Lucky for you, I’m about to take you on a wild ride to fantasy football glory with what I consider the perfect draft. This 12-team draft is based on PPR scoring and incorporates ADP (average draft position) to determine which players will (and won’t) realistically be available in a given round.

I’m going to build this team based on being somewhere in the middle to end of the first round, meaning that it will flip in even numbered rounds in a serpentine fashion. One thing you’ll notice is the heavy emphasis on wide receivers at the top, not to mention the fall of the running backs into the middle rounds.

Alright folks, sit back in your chair, relax and enjoy fantasy draft perfection!

Round 1

Nick Chubb, RB, Browns

I’m going to use a “Hero RB” strategy for this perfect draft, because it’s a 12-team league. Chubb is my fourth-ranked running back this season, but he’s falling into the middle to late first round. He has zero competition for touches in Cleveland.

Round 2

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions

St. Brown is a PPR dream come true, posting a combined 196 catches in his first 33 NFL games. If you go with a running back in Round 1, the USC product should be on your radar in the second. St. Brown won't make it past the middle of the second round in most drafts, so don't hesitate to take him quickly. 

Round 3

Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers

Allen missed seven games last year due to injuries, but he still averaged more than 16 points per game. He should be able to get to that mark again under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore., making him a strong No. 2 fantasy receiver.

Round 4

Amari Cooper, WR, Browns

Cooper ranked 10th in fantasy points among wide receivers last season but he’s still on the board in the third and fourth rounds based on ADP data. Imagine getting Cooper as your No. 3 wideout! He'll be the top target for Deshaun Watson. 

Round 5

Justin Fields, QB, Bears

I am focusing on quarterbacks earlier than I ever have in the past, and I’ll get one of the most mobile signal-callers in Fields in the fifth. I’ll bank on him making at least some progress as a passer this season, which should add to his fantasy appeal.

Round 6

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Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos

Williams comes with some risk, but he seems to be progressing well in his return from an injured knee. If his preseason debut is any indication, Williams could catch a ton of passes from Russell Wilson. I like him as a low-RB2 at this point.

Round 7

James Cook, RB, Bills

Cook’s stock is on the rise, as he looks like the surefire No. 1 running back in Buffalo’s explosive offense. I’m not sure he’ll play what we call a true “featured” role in Buffalo's thin backfield, but Cook is looking like a solid flex starter. 

Round 8

Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles

This is about as long as I want to wait on a tight end. Goedert isn’t the sexiest pick and his ceiling isn’t sky high, but he’s consistent in the stat sheets and will be a regular starter in most fantasy lineups. I like the value in the eighth round, too.

Round 9

Khalil Herbert, RB, Bears

The preseason has created buzz around Herbert, who is now being picked in the middle to late rounds as a fantasy flex starter. In fact, FF Calculator still has him on the board in Round 10. I love the value of Herbert, who should lead the Bears backfield committee in snaps, touches and points this season.

Round 10

Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs

This is where you take a shot on some sleeper picks, and Moore fits the bill. Kadarius Toney is expected to be back for Week 1, but he’s prone to injuries and Moore is getting a lot of positive buzz and is worth a look as a No. 4 or 5 wideout.

Round 11

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Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles

Forget about D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny, Gainwell is the best value in the Eagles backfield from a fantasy standpoint. He’s being left on the board until the later rounds, so I'm going to take the discount as long as I can.

Round 12

Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers

Christian Watson gets most of the fantasy buzz in the land of cheese, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Doubs actually leads the Packers wide receivers in targets and catches this season. He’s a great bargain in most drafts, so get him late now.

Round 13

Kenny Pickett, QB, Steelers

Pickett is my favorite sleeper quarterback this year. He’s been getting rave reviews in Steelers camp and has looked great in preseason work, so I'm expecting a major move upward in the stat sheets. He could finish as a top-12 fantasy quarterback.

Round 14

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills

Rookie tight ends typically don’t put up great totals, but I’m still taking a shot on Kincaid as a backup. He’ll be playing the slot in the Bills offense and could be an exception to the rookie tight end “rule.” Plus, he's catching passes from Josh Allen.

Round 15

Daniel Carlson, K, Raiders

Carlson has quietly been one of the two best kickers in fantasy football over the last three seasons. He’s a solid option and will remain a top-notch kicker. 

Round 16

Cowboys defense

The Niners and Eagles will be the top two defenses picked in most drafts, but I’m going all “homer” and grabbing the Boys. This unit is loaded with talented players.