Your first three picks define your team. Aside from taking productive players, each pick is critical because the player pool is ever-shrinking. You could build entirely different teams based on what positions you take and in what order. Respecting how drafts typically raid positions improves your chance to build an optimal team.
To follow are sample three-round drafts for 12-team leagues. They use either standard performance scoring, performance plus a point per reception or “2QB” leagues where you can start two of them. Those three formats cover almost all leagues. They are all serpentine with reverse order of drafting every other round (1-12, 12-1,1-12, etc.)
The names are less important than the positions because each draft slot has its own unique situation. Just as important is your future picks and what you must do after three rounds. Let’s examine where each team is after three rounds and what they should be considering.
This will be updated again on August 23. The positions selected are more important than individual names. Rankings can change daily so these may not exactly match rankings.
Performance scoring league
Team 1: RB S Barkley, WR A Brown, WR A Cooper
Drafting first allows a lot of freedom with picks 2 and 3. This is not a reception point league but snagging two top WR still makes some sense since the position otherwise doesn’t contribute much. Obviously, next pick needs to be an RB if not two in a row. But can leave WR alone until the second half of the draft since probably only needs one more starter.
Team 2: RB A Kamara, RB L Fournette, RB D Cook
This is the flip side to what Team 1 did. Drained the RBs with first three picks and that should fill the flex already. In a non-PPR league, this is not a bad way to start and picking with the 24th and 25th picks still allows great RB quality. This start admits that WR will potentially be a liability but at least the lack of reception points means that doesn’t hurt as much. Next two picks must include a WR and a top TE if there, otherwise maybe a second WR.
Team 3: RB C McCaffrey, WR J Smith-Schuster, RB K.Johnson
Good start in this format since the starting RBs are taken and WR1 has one of the top tier players as well. This is sort of a generic start in this scoring format. Has the freedom to go anywhere with RB1, RB2, and WR1 on board. Keep an eye on RB quality while cherry-picking WR, TE and QB.
Team 4: RB E Elliott, RB D Henry, WR B Cooks
By this point, even in a non-PPR league, the quality in WR is starting to decline in Round 3 so getting best available is prudent. Like Team 3, can cherry-pick from here on out but needs to grab another RB pretty soon just to make sure to cover bye weeks and potential injuries.
Team 5: WR D Hopkins, WR O Beckham, RB D Freeman
Starting to get to the middle of the first round and top running backs fall to a new tier. Hopkins makes sense even in this format and taking Beckham could prove deadly for WR1 and WR2 even in this format. But next two picks almost have to be RB and even Freeman as RB1 carries risk the last two years. This probably feels better making these picks than it looks by the end of the draft.
Team 6: RB J Mixon, WR M Evans, WR A Thielen
Safe start with Mixon and Evans snagged a top WR1 before they were gone. Opted to go with WR2 in the third round since RB’s were already raided and even the quality in WR was dropping in this non-reception point league. Like many middle rounders, tends to build an average team because all picks come after runs start. Have to land difference-making sleepers later.
Team 7: RB D Johnson, RB D Williams, TE Z Ertz
Starting out RB-RB is always a decent ploy with no reception points even though both the RB1 and RB2 are probably only average for their position. Going with Ertz makes some sense given that most consider there are only two TE that are clearly big advantages albeit less so without that reception point. Has to mine the WR hard over the next few rounds while adding another RB and maybe even a QB.
Team 8: WR D Adams, WR M Thomas, QB P Mahomes
The contrarian. Drafting from this slot can build a very average team but starting out WR-WR is less impressive without a reception point. Tacking on the top QB makes for big advantages in their positions but RB will suffer and likely needs the next three picks to go to RB unless a really big value falls in another position.
Team 9: RB L Bell, RB N Chubb, WR R Woods
Good example of what “safe” gets you. Will end up with two of the top ten or twelve running backs but no better than the #7. So RB1 is below average compared to most others and RB2 is a bit better in that slot. Drafting this late in the first round means that third pick of wideout doesn’t net any advantage. But safe start and can cherry-pick the best value.
Team 10: RB J Conner, RB T Gurley, WR T Lockett
Sticking with the RB-RB start this late still pays off with a safe start and the deeper into the first round, the better that RB2 will be. But – WR1 is a disadvantage in a weak scoring position. So starting out this way will be safe and means you have to draw your difference makers later on which is always harder.
Team 11: WR T Hill, RB M Gordon, RB M Mack
This late in the first round means thinking about your second pick as well since the next guy takes two and then you are back up. If you go with any non-RB pick here, you have to decide what you want to control and what you let Team 12 pick. In this case, went with a top WR knowing that a decent RB1 would be had in Round 2 and it wouldn’t have mattered as much which one. Doubled on RB with the third pick is a very safe start but in this format, the start isn’t exactly building a monster team.
Team 12: TE T Kelce, WR J Jones, WR T Hilton
This is what happens to that final pick in the first round. Do you just take RB-RB knowing your start is a very average team or swing for some fences? Taking a top TE is less advantageous in this format than with reception points but still offers value in a position with nearly none otherwise. This team would look awesome with that reception point though wouldn’t be available in that format. Have to mine running backs for likely next three rounds.
Reception-point league
Team 1: RB S Barkley, WR A Brown, WR A Cooper
This is another reason why Team 1 is always hated in drafts. Gets the best player (RB1) and then still accesses two good, upside wideouts which matter more in the reception-points format. Nice part of this plan is that WR1 and WR2 are strong enough that the rest of the wideouts can probably wait while team gathers RB2, RB3, QB1 and maybe even TE1 before worrying about another WR.
Team 2: RB C McCaffrey, RB K Johnson, WR B Cooks
Starting out with the standard RB1 pick and then oped for RB2 knowing that Team 1 would potentially take a running back and wideout but wanted to control the running back. Cooks is no advantage ar WR1 but upside and likely not much of a liability. Very likely to again consider a running back and a wideout in next two picks.
Team 3: RB A Kamara, WR A Thielen, RB N Chubb
Ending up with RB-WR-RB solid start. Kamara an obvious pick and then opts for WR1 in the second round knowing that between one and four more running backs would be gone in Round 3. Running back depth is good enough this year to still offer a solid RB2 in the third round though the risk starts to rise for the later teams.
Team 4: RB E Elliott, RB D Cook, WR K Allen
Standard start feels good and looks pretty good. Still in the first half of the first round means that the second-round pick nets a solid RB2 with upside. WR1 ends up to be Keenan Allen for a decent WR1. Will need to pick up two wideouts over the next three or four picks.
Team 5: WR D Hopkins, RB T Gurley, RB D Williams
Jumping off the RB-Bus is easier with reception points and DeAndre Hopkins as good as it gets for wideouts for the last two years. Feel compelled to follow up with RB-RB though both will be only average most likely. Gurley could be a golden pick but carries more risk this year. Williams could be any number of other backs. Still, a solid start mid-draft with a big advantage at WR1.
Team 6: RB D Johnson, WR O Beckham, RB D Freeman
Have to like how this ended up. The entire team is high-risk, high-reward. Picking in the middle of the round, all you can do is find the best values when they float by. David Johnson and Odell Beckham have the potential to be the top players in their positions and yet it all has to go right for it to happen. Freeman, like Johnson, slowed the last two years after a couple of red-hot seasons. Standard RB-WR-RB start shoots for risky upside which would be fun at least until it goes south.
Team 7: RB L Bell, WR M Evans, TE Z Ertz
Mid-draft and looking to avoid an average team. Bell offers obvious upside and risk but WR1 of Mike Evans should be solid if not spectacular. In this format, taking TE1 of Zach Ertz makes sense since he and Travis Kelce were clearly the top two tight ends in 2018. Ertz produced nearly as well as Kelce but is available a full round later. This start means mining running backs and wideouts for the next three or four rounds with an eye to get a decent RB2.
Team 8: WR D Adams, RB L Fournette, RB J Jacobs
Opted for a great WR1 and then still found Leonard Fournette in the second round who could offer upside to return to his rookie form. The third-round pick is late enough to see the top wideouts and tight ends gone so snatching up the rookie Josh Jacobs is another upside play. While running backs are not obvious advantages, at least both offer upside to outperform their slot so next two of three picks can likely focus on wide receivers with an opportune running back added into the mix.
Team 9: RB J Mixon, RB J Conner, WR R Woods
Safe start that doesn’t look like a championship team but filled important holes with quality players. Drafting so late in the first round netted two very good running backs that may not be an advantage but likely not a liability either. But by this late, the quality in wideouts and tight ends have dropped. Still important to get that WR1 of Robert Woods (or the like quality) and in six more picks, likely can still get a very good WR2.
Team 10: RB M Gordon, WR T Hill, RB D Henry
This deep in the first round means that the round two wrap-around pick can still access a great WR1. Starting with a running back seems the safest play knowing that the second pick would likely be a wideout and it is better to control that RB1 knowing that the two teams to follow could take up to four running backs potentially. But like Team 9, by the third-round pick after 33 players are gone, nothing looks great so an RB2 is a safe pick.
Team 11: TE T Kelce, WR J Smith-Schuster, QB P Mahomes
This is a popular plan this year. And it makes much more sense later in the first round. Starting with Kelce in a reception-points league does make sense and has been an absolute advantage for the last two years. Scooping up a top wideout makes more sense than just another running back. Then going for broke with QB1 of Patrick Mahomes feels great when it happens. The advantage may not be a pronounced this year with Mahomes… but maybe it will. This plan is fun to do and does create champions. Or bottom dwellers. Gotta get lucky with the next three picks that may all be running backs.
Team 12: WR M Thomas, WR J Jones, WR T Hilton
Very standard Team 12 plan. Take the advantage of a killer WR1-WR2 combo and by the time the 3.12 pick happens, all low-risk running backs are gone but still, a few upside wideouts are there. This plan means you don’t have to touch (and shouldn’t) another wideout for six or eight rounds. And the next three picks are probably running backs.
QB-heavy league
This sort of league will seed in quarterbacks in varying measures depending on how and why quarterbacks are so valuable. The most common is the ability to start two quarterbacks which change drafts significantly. It will extend the quality of running backs and wideouts deeper into the draft since quarterbacks will go far earlier than the mid-draft that is common in other sorts of leagues. This run-through assumes two quarterbacks and that well over half of the starters are taken by the third round.
Team 1: RB S Barkley, RB D Cook, QB C Newton
Barkley is a no-brainer start and those 2-3 wrap-around picks access decent players in all positions. As usual, picking #1 in the draft is an undeniable advantage and it made sense to include a quarterback in those two picks. Wideouts are going to wait for the fourth round but will last longer in this format anyway.
Team 2: RB C McCaffrey, WR T Hill, QB R Wilson
Same sort of plan as Team 1 except opted to get a top WR1 in Tyreek Hill before snapping up Russell Wilson for QB1. Even start with great to good players in each position. Open to the best player in next rounds though obviously needs to consider a running back in the next two picks if not both.
Team 3: RB A Kamara, QB B Mayfield, WR M Evans
Standard start with an elite running back and then still reached Baker Mayfield for an upside QB1. Opted for the advantage of a true WR1 in Mike Evans since running backs were entering a new tier. Like team two, balanced start yields freedom for the best player though running backs have to be considered very soon.
Team 4: QB P Mahomes, RB T Gurley, TE Z Ertz
Why not Mahomes? In this format, he might end up as the first player taken and likely won’t make it past this spot much in the worst case. Going with running back in the second pick was prudent but then opted for Ertz to get an advantage at tight end. Like the two previous teams, has a balanced start but has to consider both running back and wideout for the next four picks.
Team 5: RB E Elliott, RB J Conner, WR O Beckham
Even in this format, starting out with two running backs isn’t bad and this early for round two still accessed James Conner. Opted for WR1 with Odell Beckham in the third which could end up a superior WR1 but now has to think about quarterback in the next two picks or will end up with a disadvantage. Likely has to take two quarterbacks over the next four picks.
Team 6: RB D Johnson, WR J Smith-Schuster, QB M Ryan
Balanced approach. Started with a good RB1 with David Johnson then opted for a good WR1 with Smith-Schuster. Matt Ryan as QB1 is a solid start that opens the door to take the best player available though reality says next two picks likely RB-WR. Each pick has followed runs so has to get all their selections right or land sleepers if they want to rise above a moderately successful team.
Team 7: WR D Hopkins, RB L Fournette, RB K Johnson
While they’ll need a QB soon, the start is solid enough with top wideout for WR1. Safe picks with RB-RB though even those have at least some risk to match with their upside. While at least one quarterback needs to come likely in Round 4, and two by Round 7 or 8, can consider wideouts and a tight end while paying attention to running backs before all quality is gone.
Team 8: RB L Bell, WR J Jones, WR A Thielen
Took the safest route with RB1 in the first round and then opted for an elite WR1 in the second for a difference-maker. In the third round, running back and even quarterback was already drained so opted for a good WR1 knowing that the four teams that follow have already taken three quarterbacks and there should be something left. The challenge is that taking a quarterback in Round 4 will offer only an average player and no one on the squad is going to be a difference-maker unless they land a sleeper or two. They will have to do just that to hope for an above-average set of starters.
Team 9: QB A Luck, RB M Gordon, WR A Brown
The running back quality starts to wane at the end of Round 1 so looking elsewhere makes sense. And taking a quarterback here in this format makes a lot of sense even if it does drop the quality of the other positions. Going with Gordon as RB1 is more of a prudent, safe move knowing that by the third round the pickings will be very slim at running back. Opting for Antonio Brown in the third made for a balanced start with an upside player for WR1. This start pays homage to the format and allows the team to go for the best player available here on out though RB2 needs to show up in the next two rounds.
Team 10: WR D Adams, WR M Thomas, RB N Chubb
End of the first round means trying to find an advantage. Even in this format (which assumes reception points as well), starting out WR-WR is common and workable to gain an advantage there and then not need to touch wideouts again for four or five rounds – maybe more. RB1 at the third pick mostly for safety and a quarterback should be considered next. Running backs and quarterbacks are the focus for the next four rounds.
Team 11: QB D Watson, TE T Kelce, RB D Williams
For the eleventh pick in the draft, this is impressive in this format. Takes a top quarterback, then the best tight end and reasonably gets RB1 with best available in Round 3. Wide receivers are an obvious weakness though the deepest and easiest position to make up ground. Running back and wideouts are likely the picks for the next five or six rounds, with QB2 inserted before their quality disappears.
Team 12: RB J Mixon, QB A Rodgers, WR A Cooper
Opted for advantage with Aaron Rodgers for QB1 and Mixon at RB1 is no real advantage but prevents a liability at the position. Cooper for WR1 at the third takes a shot at upside player. Balanced start with no holes. As is the case with either end of the round, teams that pick twice in a row are either finding players that fell in the draft or taking someone early. Running back and wideout obviously follow, but QB2 and TE1 have to be seeded likely in the next four picks.
