Guru's Guide: Drafting from the #9 Fantasy Pick

As I continue to mock draft teams from the various draft positions while using the most current ADP, I’m learning that the board does flow differently from drafting first or second overall, so my goal is to explore the optimal route to take from all 12 draft spots, and I’m producing an article like this and an accompanying video/podcast.

Keep in mind things will change in mid and late August, so I’ll update the drafted teams within my full Draft Plan article for subscribers once a week.

Here I’m going to cover the ninth overall selection and I’ve gone over several possible routes, but it’s really about the players available to me from nine more than anything else, since my Draft Plan can be fully executed from all 12 spots.

Team drafted using the Fantasy Points Generator

Listen to the accompanying Hansen’s Hints Podcast on Drafting from #9!

Round 1

We’re looking at the same scenario we had with pick eight, which is a balanced start with a WR and a RB with our first two picks. First up, the Fantasy Points Generator recommended this guy, and I’m fine with it. I may go Amon-Ra St. Brown here, but we’ll go with the bigger name with the higher ADP:

Round 2

Next up, the software actually recommended Patrick Mahomes, and checking off “Hansen’s Hints” gets you a Jaylen Waddle recommendation. Either are fine, especially Waddle. But Waddle is only his team’s #2, which is basically what all the remaining top WRs are. So once again, I’m looking at RB for my high-impact starter because he’s a lot more palatable with a stud WR1 in the fold already:

Round 3

With an RB1 in tow, I’m ideally adding my WR2 here, and I do with:

This was a small overpay, but I now have some security at WR, with the position taking up 66% of my roster through three rounds.

Round 4

Once again, this fourth round has been a little tough for me because no one is really standing out as a pick. I’m not that into Travis Etienne, Drake London, Joe Mixon, Terry McLaurin, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Williams, and DJ Moore, who are the best players available. I could go with a high-impact starter in TJ Hockenson, but it’s a little early for him, and I love Kyle Pitts later.

Joe Burrow was my pick the first time I ran through this, but the vibes on him are too shaky right now with the calf injury, so I redid this process and passed on Burrow for my WR3:

One thing that stood out for me doing this particular draft spot is how the WR talent drops off around 40 overall, so while I’m usually inclined to wait on TE if I use an early pick on a QB, a QB at 41 isn’t that bad with three non-QBs already in the fold, so I’m thinking Kyle Pitts again for this team soon.

Round 5

Next up, there are some decent RB options available, like Miles Sanders, but I’m not that into him here, and if I don’t take my guy at TE here, he won’t be available for me in Round 6.

Round 6

With my three WRs in the fold and my TE and RB1, it’s time for my QB, even though it’s not the most efficient move. I could have gone with another RB, but I didn’t love the ones on the board, and it was risky to hope Deshaun Watson would be available in the next round.

Rounds 7-9

Next, I’ll grab a handful of those great flex options I see in Rounds 7-9:

Rounds 10-15

I now have three RBs, four WRs, and 1 QB and 1 TE, which is pretty optimal, in my opinion.

It’s time to add as much quality depth as I can, which is typical for Rounds 11-15. I changed things up a little from the #8 spot article with Darnell Mooney a nice WR5, and Alec Pierce a potentially great value as my WR6. I also added the boring but intriguing Brian Robinson as my RB4. I took Kenny Pickett as my QB2 as usual, and I ended again with a great stash-and-hope option in Gus Edwards, given the shaky status of JK Dobbins.

Team Wrapup

Let’s see how I did drafting against the computer. Once again, I did go off on my own a few times, which is a little risky, but it’s usually fine. I’m #1 in total points and starting lineup points, which is the ultimate goal.

Yet again, while this draft doesn’t completely check all the boxes for me for 2023, it’s very close. They include:

1. At least one legit stud RB in Saquon Barkley.
2. No worse than a tier 3 TE (top-5-6) with the top tier 3 TE in Kyle Pitts.
3. Rachaad White
4. I got “decent” value at QB with Trevor Lawrence, who could be a top-5 guy if healthy.
5. I may not have a trio at WR for my starting lineup, but I do like my group with CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Christian Watson, Skyy Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Alec Pierce.