Embarking on a journey of fantasy takes a fierce competitor with mighty wisdom and courage. The paths ye take to hoist a mighty title of honor often entail treacherous trading with scoundrels villains who pounce at the chance to cheap another, and stealing of treasures from the depths of waivers. The wicked bye weeks and injuries are like season-long plagues that stand in the path of victory with a relentless questioning and mind-blogging decisions. Yet, the honor is one of glory. Taunting others with a constant reminder of their failure and your ultimate achievement.
To help you on your journey, I’ve assembled what I would consider the player picks to look out for each round and give them a consideration depending on where your at in the draft. In order to help us understand their position I like to play a game I called Rock, Paper, and Scissors.
In this version, I go round-by-round and discuss the players that I think fall into each of the categories based on their ADP. To help you understand what each categories means, I’ve broken them down below.
Fantasy Football Rock, Paper, and Scissors
- Rock – A solid player to take in that round. Know what to expect and the production value is safe at that spot in the draft. The value isn’t great, but isn’t bad and no one would blink an eye taking them in that round.
- Paper – This is the money player in that round. He’s going to come in higher than his ADP and will produce better than what’s expected. He might be a little risky but he’s got the upside to back it up.
- Scissors – This is the player that could cut you deep. He’s got some risk and may not produce at the level that the ADP would expect. Based on where he’s being drafted, the value may not warrant the pick, the player has history, bad situation, or uncertain role.
2017 Fantasy Draft Picks By Rounds
| Round | Rock | Paper | Scissors |
| 1 | David Johnson – RB | Melvin Gordon – RB | Ezekiel Elliott – RB |
| 2 | Jordy Nelson – WR | Jay Ajai – RB | Michael Thomas – WR |
| 3 | Aaron Rodgers – QB | Todd Gurley – RB | Isaiah Crowell – RB |
| 4 | Travis Kelce – TE | Terrelle Pryor – WR | Allen Robinson – WR |
| 5 | Michael Crabtree – WR | Carlos Hyde – RB | Sammy Watkins – WR |
| 6 | Jarvis Landry – WR | Martavis Bryant – WR | Ty Montgomery – RB |
| 7 | Larry Fitzgerald – WR | Andrew Luck – QB | Tyler Eifert – TE |
| 8 | Golden Tate – WR | Cam Newton – QB | CJ Anderson – RB |
| 9 | Tevin Coleman – RB | Brandon Marshall – WR | DeSean Jackson – WR |
| 10 | Ameer Abdullah – RB | Donte Moncrief – WR | Paul Perkins – RB |
| 11 | Frank Gore – RB | Derek Carr – QB | Doug Martin – RB |
| 12 | Jeremy Hill – RB | Jeremy Maclin – WR | Danny Amendola – WR |
| 13 | Cole Beasley – WR | Thomas Rawls – RB | Darren Sproles – RB |
| 14 | Andy Dalton – QB | Jacquizz Rodgers – RB | Tavon Austin – WR |
| 15 | Marvin Jones – WR | Taylor Gabriel – WR | Ted Ginn – WR |
Round 1 = No big surprise with the rock being DJ. The value play is Gordon because of where he’s normally being taken at. He’s wouldn’t be a good #1, but late in the first round he’s got the lots of upside. EZE because of the risks he brings and the ADP of #1. Of course, later rounds would make more sense.
Round 2 = Jordy is the rock in this round because of what he brings and who he has throwing to him. It’s like money in the bank. He could go anywhere in this round and it’s solid. Jay comes in as the money because he could finish in the top 5 RBs when it’s all done. If that’s the case then grabbing him in the 2nd is a steal. Thomas is the cut because he’s still got some risk. It’s only his 2nd year and although he’s got the starting job, it’s hard to take a guy in the second round that hasn’t done it for that long. Saints brought in AP and Ginn to give them more options, and the rest of the players like Snead, Ingram, and Fleener are still there. Yes, I do think Thomas should have a good year, but in the second round there’s players with more upside and less uncertainty.
Round 3 – Aaron is the rock because of what he brings and what you get. He’s the model of consistency and has all of his weapons back. Gurley is the paper because if you get him in this round it’s going to be a steal. He’s locked for the carries and goal line so the production will be there. It may not be the best situation, but it’s gotten better from last year so the production should go up. The Crow is the scissors because where he’s being drafted at with an ADP in the 3rd round, it’s going to be hard for him to return that value. They still have Duke and there isn’t much there in terms of options to spread the field so defenses will stack the box.
Round 4 – Travis is the rock in this round because of what he brings and the situation he’s in. I don’t always want a TE this earlier, but in the 4th round he’s a pretty solid pick. Pryor is the paper because of where he’s being drafted. Getting him in this round would be a steal and he’s going to outperform his ADP. Allen is the scissors because he’s got a tough situation with Blake not looking like a Pro QB and their commitment to the run game. He may not return 4th round value.
Round 5 – Crabtree is the rock because he’s got a set role and solid situation around him. He’s going to get his and this is a great spot to get him. Hyde is the paper since he’s returning to form and the clear starter for the niners. Grabbing a starting RB1 in the 5th round is a steal. Watkins is the scissors since he’s got a tough situation with a new offense, not ready for prime-time QB, and tons of injury history. Beware if you grab him in this round because it may not pay off.
Round 6 – Jarvis is the clear rock in this round because of what he brings and what he’s done. He’ll be good for around 100 catches and 1000 yards, but may not have the TDs. Martavis is the clear paper in this round because if healthy and playing, he could finish as a top 10 player. Stealing him in this round would be ideal. Ty is the scissors because it’s a cloudy situation and not enough experience at the position. Yes, he’s got Aaron throwing the ball, but they are trying to use him as a RB and that may not pay off with 6th round ADP.
Round 7 – Grabbing old man Larry in the 7th is an ideal pick. He’s going to get a good amount of targets and redzone opportunities. Luck is a steal at this point because he could finish as a top 5 QB. He’s got some weapons back and he’s been one of the best fantasy QBs when he plays. Tyler is the one to watch for because he’s got some injury history. Yes, he can produce when on the field, but he’s really TD dependent and if no touchdown happens, his stat lines don’t look so good.
Round 8 – Tate is the rock because his role and production is solid. You know what you’re going to get with him. Cam is the paper because like Luck, getting him this late really gives you an advantage. CJ is the one to watch out for because he’s been up and down in his career. If he can stay healthy he should be fine and a good pick, but if not, then this would be a busted option.
Round 9 – Coleman is a solid RB2 and getting him this late would be a good option. Marshall is the paper since he’s got a lot of upside and could finish well ahead of this ADP. DeJax is the scissors because he’s always been a TD dependent, up and down, sort of player that could make or break your season.
Round 10 – Ameer is getting the love in this round. If a starting RB1 is still around in the 10th, then grab him because it’s a solid pick. Donte is the paper here because he’s got a lot of upside and could finish way ahead of this ADP is he plays all 16 games. Perkins is the scissors because the backfield is crowded, he’s got no clear role carved out, and he’s in a pass first offense.
Rounds 11-15 – Gore is a solid pick this late and will get your a decent RB2 numbers each week. Hill is always a solid pick in these rounds as he’ll get some goal-line work. Beasley is a guy that should be able to perform well at his ADP so he’s solid in these late rounds. I also like Dalton and Jones in these late rounds. The paper guys would be Carr, Maclin, Rawls, and Rodgers because they should out-perform their ADP. They guys that may cut you would be Martin, Amendola, Sproles, and Austin, which are all risky based on their ADP, history, and situation.
Fantasy drafts don’t make or break the season, but they sure setup the foundation so drafting well gives you an advantage over the rest of the league. Know your values, create tiers, and draft the best values at each round and you’ll come out a fantasy football champion.
