Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Drafters Best Ball (2026)

Tom Strachan shares tips and player recommendations for Drafters best ball contests.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:21am

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In our latest fantasy football mock draft, Tom Strachan provides insights and player recommendations for Drafters best ball contests in 2026. The draft focuses on building a balanced roster with a strong foundation at running back and wide receiver, while also taking shots on upside players later in the draft.

Why it matters

Drafters best ball contests are growing in popularity, and this mock draft offers valuable guidance for fantasy managers looking to excel in these formats. The article highlights key draft strategy considerations, such as the importance of avoiding zeroes at positions and the potential benefits of correlating players from the same offenses.

The details

The mock draft follows Drafters' settings, which include full PPR scoring, two starting running backs, three starting wide receivers, one quarterback, one tight end, and one FLEX spot. The early-round picks focus on building a solid foundation with players like Bijan Robinson, Chris Olave, and Terry McLaurin. Middle-round selections aim to add depth and upside at running back and wide receiver, while late-round picks target high-upside quarterbacks and tight ends. The article also highlights the potential value of players like Aaron Jones, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and Chris Rodriguez Jr.

  • The mock draft was published on March 22, 2026.

The players

Bijan Robinson

A highly touted running back prospect with great ceiling potential.

Chris Olave

A wide receiver who had an impressive 2025 season, finishing as the WR7 in PPR points per game.

Terry McLaurin

A solid wide receiver who is a reliable bet for 1,000 yards when healthy, and could benefit from a bounce-back season for the Commanders' offense.

Aaron Jones

A running back who seems undervalued now that he's expected to be the lead back in Minnesota, ahead of the unimpressive Jordan Mason.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

A running back who appears to have a significant role in the Commanders' offense, with the team only adding Rachaad White on a modest deal.

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What they’re saying

“It's not impossible to win with Zero RB on Drafters; it's only a couple of years since we last saw someone do so, but typically, it can prove smart not to get too far behind at running back.”

— Tom Strachan, Fantasy Football Analyst

“Olave set career highs in targets (156), receptions (100), yards (1,163) and touchdowns (nine). A similar season would be excellent news for this team.”

— Tom Strachan, Fantasy Football Analyst

“If we're betting that McLaurin is a good value, it likely means the Commanders' offense in general is a strong bet to make.”

— Tom Strachan, Fantasy Football Analyst

The takeaway

This mock draft highlights the importance of building a balanced roster with a strong foundation at running back and wide receiver, while also taking calculated risks on upside players later in the draft. The article provides valuable insights for fantasy managers looking to excel in Drafters best ball contests, emphasizing the need to avoid zeroes at positions and the potential benefits of correlating players from the same offenses.