2026 Fantasy Football Draft Strategy Insights
Pat Fitzmaurice has shared a detailed strategy for the 2026 fantasy football draft, emphasizing the importance of a coherent plan for each round. His approach is divided into three phases: early, middle, and late rounds, guiding players from their first to last pick.
In the early rounds, Fitzmaurice advises focusing on league lineup requirements, particularly the number of wide receivers needed. He suggests prioritizing wide receivers in leagues that start three and leaning towards running backs in those that start two. He also recommends avoiding quarterbacks and tight ends in the first four rounds, except for specific tight ends like Brock Bowers or Colston Loveland.
As the draft progresses into the middle rounds, the focus shifts to building a durable roster capable of withstanding injuries. Fitzmaurice stresses the importance of securing wide receivers early, as they become scarce later in the draft. In the late rounds, he encourages managers to seek players with high upside rather than familiar names, and to prioritize depth at running back and wide receiver while avoiding handcuffing running backs too early.
