For many people, once we’re past July 4th, that’s when fantasy football redraft season kicks off. The first teams report for training camp on the 22nd of July. We’ll no doubt see some veteran free agent signings in the coming days as teams look to solidify their roster, ready for the race to be ready.
Over the next few weeks, much could change with injuries, trades and signings, but if you’re drafting from the 1.02, this article will prepare you in the best way. You can also prep by participating in a fantasy football mock draft or two.
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Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Pick 1.02
Players to Consider at 1.02 Fantasy Football Draft Pick
These players will likely be available when you make your selection:
- Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL)
- Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)
- Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN)
- Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
There isn’t a strong consensus 1.01 so far. We’ve had years when the first overall pick was an automatic selection, but people are deeply split on the two running backs, with plenty of experts leaning either way. There are also those who prefer to push the running back position and take the elite and consistent production that Ja’Marr Chase gives.
Players to Target at 1.02 Fantasy Football Draft Pick
Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL)
Last year’s PPR RB2 in fantasy points per game, and now free from Tyler Allgeier, Bijan Robinson feels primed to take a big step forward in 2026.
Allgeier tied Robinson for 43.5% of the team’s carries inside the 5-yard line last season, and had 32 carries inside the red zone, compared to Robinson’s 35. The Falcons did add Brian Robinson Jr. in free agency, but they weren’t rushing to add a second body to this backfield, waiting almost two weeks before adding their second back.
Robinson led the league in missed tackles forced (75), with 27 more than any other player, while also ranking in the top five in rushing yards, explosive run rate and yards per carry, while topping the league in yards after contact per attempt (3.06).
Where Robinson can take the leap is simple — touchdowns. Robinson scored only seven rushing touchdowns, which resulted in the lowest touchdown rate (2.4%) among the top seven running backs in fantasy. Nobody else was below 3%.
The only real hole in Robinson’s profile is that we’re projecting a lot of touchdowns, and that can be risky.
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)
Another young running back who has seen things clear out behind him is Jahmyr Gibbs, with the departure of David Montgomery, and only Isiah Pacheco added to the running back room. The reality is that Pacheco has gone under four yards per carry in each of the last two seasons, has missed time in each of the last three seasons and has recorded more than 19 receptions just once in the past four seasons.
Perhaps a change of scenery helps Pacheco find his feet again, but Gibbs has the clearest avenue he’s ever had and is coming off a career-high 94 targets. Gibbs has had over 50 receptions in each of his three NFL seasons and has averaged 13 touchdowns per season. With more touches, Gibbs could be one of the highest-ceiling plays in fantasy football.
One way to consider this argument is which backup do you believe steals more work: Pacheco or Brian Robinson Jr.?
Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN)
The Bengals might have slightly improved their defense, but they’re unlikely to become a unit that consistently allows them to move away from the passing game, and that continues to be excellent news for Ja’Marr Chase.
For two consecutive seasons, Chase has led the league in targets with 175 and 185, respectively. Chase also has two years with 1,400+ receiving yards, and his consistency is worth paying for. Much of Chase’s ceiling is tied to Joe Burrow‘s health. In games with Burrow at quarterback since Chase was drafted, he averages 0.78 touchdowns and 20.67 PPR points. In the games without Burrow, those numbers drop to 0.33 touchdowns and 15.48 points.
Those aren’t terrible numbers, but the lack of touchdowns hurts. Burrow is fully healthy this offseason, and the ceiling is the name of the game at the top of the draft. Lock in Chase for another WR1 overall season.
Best Format-Specific Picks at 1.02
- Best PPR Selection: Jahmyr Gibb
- Best Half-PPR Selection: Jahmyr Gibbs
- Best Non-PPR Selection: Jahmyr Gibbs
If Jahmyr Gibbs is off the table, leaning towards Bijan Robinson slightly ahead of Chase is no bad thing. These two running backs look completely ready for legendary seasons.
Players to Avoid at 1.02 Fantasy Football Draft Pick
Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)
Last season was by far Puka Nacua‘s most complete year in the NFL, with 10 receiving touchdowns. That was one more than he’d managed in his first two years combined. Touchdowns aren’t always sticky, though, and before committing to Nacua this early, we have to consider that more in-depth.
Stafford had a career-high 7.7% touchdown rate in 2025 — 0.9% higher than any other year in his career and 0.7% higher than Brock Purdy and Lamar Jackson, who tied for the second-highest rate. It’s not unusual to see that kind of efficiency regress.
The Rams were kept in passing scripts as their secondary struggled at times, but they’ve made additions there this year, with the notable trade for Trent McDuffie, and the defense in general should be stronger with Myles Garrett now a Ram.
We also have to consider that nine of Nacua’s 17 end-zone targets came in games when Davante Adams played fewer than 60% of the snaps. Adams was an end-zone hog when healthy, but it’s hard to project which way his health will go in 2026.
Ultimately, with the defensive improvements and chances of regression, it seems too costly to take Nacua this highly.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
Efficiency is always a concern when looking year-to-year in fantasy football, and it’s hard to ignore how efficient Jaxon Smith-Njigba was in 2025. Smith-Njigba ranked fifth in targets, but was second in receiving yards (1,794). Four of his touchdowns came on passes of 20+ yards downfield, with an absurd 60% catch rate. Smith-Njigba averaged 2.10 fantasy points per reception on those passes.
Only Smith-Njigba and Alec Pierce (2.02) were above 1.80 among wide receivers with 10+ targets 20 yards downfield. Sam Darnold played out of his mind, and the Seahawks ran pure. They didn’t add any notable name-brand wide receiver, but re-signing Rashid Shaheed to a big contract could give him more opportunity to be involved, with a full offseason to learn the playbook.
Tory Horton should be healthy, who, despite playing only eight games, finished with five receiving touchdowns, with only AJ Barner (six) and Smith-Njigba (10) scoring more.
Roster Constructions to Consider at 1.02 Fantasy Football Draft Pick
Most people will likely lean towards the running back position at 1.02, which sets you up for either a Hero RB build or an RB/RB start. Starting with either Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs likely allows you to build a Dual RB with Kenneth Walker III or Kyren Williams as your second running back.
Your wide receiver room likely starts with George Pickens or Chris Olave as your WR1. Contrast that with a Hero RB start of Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs, and then a combo of Trey McBride, George Pickens or Chris Olave.
Running back tends to dry up more quickly than usual this year, but having only one wide receiver through three rounds can leave your wide receiver room struggling to catch up.
Fantasy Football Mock Draft From the 1.02 Pick
We used our FREE fantasy football mock draft simulator to show you an example of a draft from the 1.02 position. You can sync your league for free and mock draft against your fantasy football league settings to better prepare for your draft. Here’s how our fantasy football mock draft went from the 1.02 position.
We started with a classic Dual RB build, then pushed it as long as possible to move away from receivers. Making up for missing out in the first two rounds by choosing a volume approach and scooping value. Harold Fannin Jr. fell to us past ADP, and opting to wait on quarterback helped smooth this roster out.
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