The Best Pick in Every Round + Week 1 Waivers with Scott Barrett

Scott Barrett highlights Adonai Mitchell as an elite separator based on his 'average separation score' data. While acknowledging past struggles with drops and fumbles, Barrett notes that Mitchell's deep-route profile aligns perfectly with Geno Smith's strengths, suggesting significant upside on a bad team.

Matthew Berry highlights Amon-Ra St. Brown as a high-floor, high-upside mid-round wide receiver. St. Brown is the only wide receiver to average at least 18.5 fantasy points in each of the last three seasons and led the NFL with 34 red zone targets in 2025.

Scott Barrett views Bijan Robinson as a top-tier pick, noting he has a '1,000-1,000 season in the range of outcomes.' While Barrett prefers Gibbs at the 1.01, he would take Robinson 100% of the time if drafting at the 1.02.

Matthew Berry is bullish on Carson Beck, having spent 100% of his FAAB on him in a deep superflex league. Berry believes Beck will eventually take over as the Cardinals' starting quarterback this season, noting that the team likely didn't draft him just to wait until next year to address the position.

Christian Watson is a high-upside target who is moving from the X to the Z receiver position, allowing him to run more intermediate routes. In 19 career games with at least a 20% target share, he averages 16 fantasy points per game. He finished as a top-12 wide receiver over the final seven games of last season.

Colston Loveland is a favorite round four pick for Scott Barrett. Over his final eight games, he commanded a 25% target share. Analysts are high on his potential to become a top-three tight end, with some comparing his late-season breakout to Puka Nacua's production.

Scott Barrett views David Montgomery as a safe, high-floor pick in round five with fringe RB1 potential. Despite a 40% snap share last year, the team intends for him to be the bell cow in a high-scoring offense with favorable game scripts and red-zone opportunities.

Scott Barrett considers Devon Achane the best pick in round two, citing his top-six fantasy points per game finish over three straight years and his status as a target leader in a weak wide receiver room. Barrett dismisses concerns about the offense's pace, noting Achane's elite efficiency.

Matthew Berry identifies Devonta Smith as his ride-or-die pick in round three, projecting a monster season with top-five wide receiver upside. With AJ Brown's 28% target share vacated, Smith is poised for a massive role; he has been targeted on 29% of his routes when Brown is off the field, a rate comparable to Puka Nacua and Ja'Marr Chase.

Matthew Berry notes that Drake London is a must-start in all leagues regardless of the quarterback situation. Berry suggests a slight bump for London when Michael Penix is under center, as Penix is more apt to look downfield compared to Tua Tagovailoa.

Scott Barrett identifies George Kittle as the best fantasy pick in round nine, noting that over the last two years, Kittle has averaged the same fantasy points per game as Justin Jefferson. While there are health concerns, Barrett suggests pairing him with other tight ends like Isaiah Likely, Dallas Goedert, Dalton Kincaid, or Mark Andrews.

While some beat reporters suggest Isaiah Likely is the clear number two option in the Giants' passing attack behind Malik Nabers, Matthew Berry notes that his coaching source was lukewarm on Likely, preferring Malachi Fields instead.

Scott Barrett identifies Jahmyr Gibbs as the best pick in round one, forecasting a 'vintage LaDainian Tomlinson-esque season.' Barrett notes that in games without David Montgomery, Gibbs averages 27.4 fantasy points per game, making him a massive edge pick.

Matthew Berry urges managers to add Jonah Coleman, who is available in over 50% of leagues. Berry projects Coleman to become the starting running back for the Broncos over the second half of the season.

Jonathan Brooks is a high-upside target in round eight. While currently dealing with a minor injury, he has the talent to win the starting job in Dave Canales' offense, which has historically produced valuable fantasy running backs.

Matthew Berry advocates for Josh Downs in round nine, dismissing concerns about Keenan Allen's age and injury history. Berry notes that Downs will play in two-wide receiver sets and was targeted on over 25% of his routes when Michael Pittman was off the field last year, giving him a clear path to being the leading wide receiver on a high-powered Colts offense.

Justin Herbert is a prime target for a career-best fantasy season under Mike McDaniel. He has a high floor, having finished lower than QB13 in points per game only once in his career. His increased usage of his legs last year adds to his fantasy appeal.

Matthew Berry is very high on Justin Herbert, noting he has finished lower than QB13 in points per game only once in his career. With Mike McDaniel calling plays, Berry believes Herbert is primed for the best fantasy season of his career, citing his increased usage of his legs last year and projecting top-three to top-four quarterback upside.

Matthew Berry ranks Kenneth Walker III as his RB6, noting that when Walker receives at least 18 touches, he averages over 18 fantasy points per game. Berry believes a finish as the overall RB1 is within his range of outcomes given the team's intent to use him more in the passing game.

Luther Burden is a target for a breakout season in the Bears' offense. Despite missing some preseason time due to injury, he is expected to be ready for Week 1. He recorded the best rookie season yards per route run since Odell Beckham Jr. and is a key piece of the high-powered Bears attack.

Matthew Berry suggests picking up Malachi Fields on waivers, noting he could emerge as the Giants' number two wide receiver. Berry cites a connection with a coach who has been raving about Fields, making him a strong roster option while Malik Nabers works back to full health.

Despite injury concerns, Malik Nabers is a high-upside target in round three. If 100% healthy, he would be a first-round pick. In his last seven full games, he averaged 118 yards and 22.7 fantasy points per game. Even if his explosiveness is slightly hampered, his massive projected target share makes him a potential league-winning edge pick in the second half of the season.

Scott Barrett identifies Malik Nabers as his favorite pick in round three. Barrett notes that if Nabers were 100% healthy, he would be a first-round pick, citing his production of 118 yards per game over his last seven full games.

Scott Barrett names Malik Willis his number one must-draft quarterback at cost due to his hyper-mobility. Despite concerns about the offense, Barrett compares his potential to what fantasy managers hoped for from Justin Fields, emphasizing his significant upside across the full season.

Mike Evans is a preferred round seven pick due to his role in a Kyle Shanahan offense with Brock Purdy. While injury risk exists, it is baked into his ADP. Evans has a strong track record of playing through injuries and remains an elite 50-50 ball winner.

Parker Washington is Scott Barrett's favorite pick in round six. In the Liam Coen offense, the slot receiver is the alpha, as evidenced by Coen's history with Cooper Kupp and Wan'Dale Robinson. Washington showed proof of concept in his final five games last year and is a perfect stylistic fit for Trevor Lawrence.

Rhamondre Stevenson is a clear-cut starter and a value pick in round seven. He ranked third in fantasy points per touch among running backs with at least 100 touches last year. Despite the presence of other backs, he is the primary option in the Patriots' offense.

Scott Barrett highlights Tee Higgins as an extreme value in round four. In games where Joe Burrow has played over the last two years, Higgins has produced WR6-level numbers in targets, fantasy points, and expected fantasy points per game.