With the 2024 NFL season kicking off in less than a week, fantasy football draft season is at its peak. Whether you're preparing for your first draft of the year or just wanting to do a few more after countless drafts already, time is running out.
There are many decisions to make in the draft, but the first decision to make in any draft is who to select with the No. 1 overall pick. Whether you have a 10-team league, a 12-team league, a 14-team league, or any other number of teams, the No. 1 overall pick is one of the few decisions that will likely be the same across most formats.
We're going to look at this from a more traditional league perspective, and there may be some adjustments to be made if you're in a superflex or 2QB or if you value quarterbacks or a specific position a little differently, but for most people drafting this week, the decision for the No. 1 pick is going to be pretty much the same.
What does ADP say about the No. 1 overall pick?
The average draft position is San Francisco 49ers Running back Christian McCaffrey is often ranked No. 1. There are two ways to approach the ADP. Fantasy Pro If you look at some of the popular fantasy football sites, such as Yahoo!, Sleeper, and RTSports, McCaffrey is consistently ranked number one on every site.
Fantasy Football Calculator Looking at the broader landscape of draft prospects, McCaffrey again leads the way here. Injuries were a concern in 2020 and 2021, but he's stayed on the field and been incredibly productive since joining the 49ers.
Who should you pick #1 in PPR and standard leagues?
That's true in either league. CMC is a beast in PPR, but his workload makes him valuable in standard leagues, too. Even if he doesn't match up to his 21 total touchdowns from last season, he'll still be plenty in the end zone for a high-octane 49ers offense.
Who is the possible hidden player at No. 1?
First-round options aren't sleepers in the traditional sense, but there are some big-name talents to consider if you want to face some headwinds. Dallas Cowboys Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Miami Dolphins Wide receiver Tyreek Hill has consistently posted 1.02 and 1.03 in some form, with some chasing him at 1.01. Going after one of those two makes sense in PPR leagues. In standard leagues, he's less valuable, but still isn't the worst choice.
Speaking of standard leagues, Atlanta Falcons Running back Bijan Robinson New York Jets Running back Breece Hall are both favorites at 1.01. Their overall ADPs are a bit lower, but that's in part because the Falcons and Jets have big question marks heading into the season. Their upside is undeniable, but both carry relatively high risk with the high reward.
Who should be the first pick in the rookie draft?
If you're in a dynasty league, you may have already had a rookie draft. However, if the draft doesn't take place until Week 1 after the last holiday weekend, some familiar names are routinely selected first. Arizona Cardinals Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is the clear No. 1 pick. New York Giants Wide receiver Malik Neighbors came in second. Chicago Bears Wide receiver Rome Odunze was third.
Other top candidates besides wide receiver include: Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Dynasty leagues can make a big difference compared to traditional redrafts or basic keeper leagues, but for now, Harrison Jr. is the top option.
