Fantasy Draft Guide: Priority Targets

Players at Each Position To Prioritize in Your Drafts

Author

One Week Season
August 31, 2025

OWS Fam –

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Now, let’s dig into today’s feature from the Fantasy Scroll…

“Mike’s Guys”

By: Mike Johnson (X: @mjohnson_86 -- Discord: @MJohnson86)

While our main focus here at One Week Season is on the elements of game theory and deep understanding of our contests and competition, there is no question that player selection is an absolutely critical part of being successful in any realm of fantasy football. With the NFL preseason in the books, I put together this article outlining the three players at each position who I find myself drafting at a high rate and/or actively thinking about getting on my roster in optimal ways while I am drafting. Said another way, rankings are one thing, but when you are actually on the clock to make a selection there is often a “gravity” towards certain players that causes you to reach for them ahead of not only their ADP but also where you have them ranked….or in other scenarios they may fall in a draft and you abandon your previous strategy for that draft in order to roster them at a discount.

As we head into the heart of drafting season, these are the guys that I have the most conviction about and believe in with great confidence relative to where the field is valuing them.

Quarterback

Dak Prescott, DAL

In 2023, Dak was the QB1 from Week 6 to 18 as the Cowboys unleashed their passing attack and were clicking on all cylinders. Last season was a lost cause for Dallas as CeeDee Lamb held out through training camp, the team started off poorly in head coach Mike McCarthy’s lame-duck season, and they battled injuries which culminated in Prescott tearing his hamstring in Week 9. This year, the Cowboys enter the year with much less chaos, but a vulnerable defense and much-improved skill group. Dak is primed to resume slinging it to his two elite wide receivers, as the Dallas running game has a ton of question marks and he may challenge for the league lead in pass attempts. A return to form is in the cards.

J.J. McCarthy, MIN

The Vikings have had Kevin O’Connell as their head coach for three seasons. During those seasons, the MIN QB1 position has produced 300+ fantasy points in every season. This year, J.J. McCarthy takes over as the most physically talented QB O’Connell has coached. Elite weapons, a fantastic offensive line, a great arm, and underrated athleticism all give McCarthy a clear path to becoming an elite QB in his first year as a starter. He won’t be Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson, but McCarthy posting a top-five QB season is squarely in play.

Cam Ward, TEN

We are just a year removed from seeing QB Jayden Daniels lift a franchise to new heights despite a questionable supporting cast. Ward has the physical tools and on-field demeanor to do something similar and has an ADP among QBs somewhere in the 20’s. Ward has the ability to be the next dual-threat QB with a dynamic skill set that can lift his team far above their current expectations.

Running Back

Omarion Hampton, LAC

The Chargers offense is built around the running game and the team made it a priority to improve their backfield this offseason. Hampton was a first-round draft pick and has explosive ability far beyond anyone the Chargers put on the field last season. The eye injury to Najee Harris this summer gave Hampton a stranglehold on the feature-back role for Week 1 and I am betting that he doesn’t give it up. A three-down skill set, volume, and explosive ability is a recipe for success.

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