Fantasy Premier League Draft Rankings 2023/24: Top Picks That Will Win Your League

Fantasy Premier League draft season brings out the inner football genius in everyone. As managers huddle around their screens debating between Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland, having reliable player rankings can mean the difference between glory and endless banter from friends.
With the Premier League’s unpredictable nature, nailing those draft picks has never been more crucial. From consistent point producers to hidden gems waiting to explode, understanding player values and potential returns helps managers build championship-caliber squads. Whether it’s a first-round superstar or a late-round differential, every selection counts in the quest for FPL draft supremacy.
Understanding Fantasy Premier League Draft Rankings
Fantasy Premier League draft rankings provide a strategic framework for selecting players during the draft phase. These rankings reflect player values in a draft-specific format rather than the traditional FPL system.
How Draft Rankings Differ From Regular FPL
Draft FPL operates on an exclusive player ownership model where each player belongs to only one team in a league. This fundamental difference creates a distinct valuation system compared to regular FPL’s unlimited ownership format. Regular FPL emphasizes team value management with price changes while draft rankings focus on relative player scarcity at each position. Draft managers prioritize securing elite performers early since replacement options become limited as the draft progresses. Position scarcity plays a crucial role in draft rankings, with premium goalkeepers ranking higher than in traditional FPL due to the limited pool of reliable options.
Key Metrics Used in Draft Rankings
Draft rankings incorporate multiple performance indicators to evaluate player potential:
Metric | Description | Impact on Ranking |
---|---|---|
Points Per Game | Average FPL points scored per match | High |
Minutes Played | Total playing time in previous season | Medium |
Goal Involvement | Combined goals and assists | High |
Clean Sheet Potential | Defensive scoring opportunity | Medium |
Fixture Difficulty | Upcoming match difficulty | Low |
These metrics create a composite score that accounts for consistency, reliability and scoring potential. Historical performance carries significant weight in draft rankings, particularly for established Premier League players. Bonus point potential influences rankings more heavily in draft formats since these additional points often determine head-to-head matchups.
Top-Ranked Forwards for FPL Draft

Elite forwards shape FPL Draft success through consistent goal-scoring abilities paired with high bonus point potential. Forward selection demands careful consideration of both proven goal-scorers and emerging talents.
Premium Strikers Worth Your First Pick
Erling Haaland leads the forward rankings with 36 goals scored in the previous season plus 9 assists. Harry Kane follows with 30 goals plus 3 assists, demonstrating elite consistency across multiple seasons. Mohamed Salah maintains top-tier status with 19 goals plus 12 assists, combining scoring prowess with playmaking ability. These premium options command first-round draft capital due to their proven track records against any opposition.
Value Forward Options
Gabriel Jesus tops the value tier with 11 goals plus 8 assists in 26 appearances last season. Ollie Watkins emerged as a reliable option with 15 goals plus 6 assists. Alexander Isak showed promise with 10 goals in 22 matches despite injuries limiting his playing time. Darwin Núñez presents upside potential in Liverpool’s attack with 9 goals plus 3 assists in his debut season. These forwards offer strong returns at mid-round draft positions based on their goal involvement metrics.
Must-Have Midfielders in Draft Format
Midfielders serve as the backbone of successful FPL Draft teams, offering consistent returns through goals, assists, and bonus points. Their dual threat capabilities make them essential components for draft managers seeking balanced point production.
Premium Midfield Options
Mohamed Salah tops the premium midfield rankings with 230+ points in six consecutive seasons. Kevin De Bruyne maintains elite status through his exceptional assist rate, averaging 0.71 assists per 90 minutes. Bruno Fernandes demonstrates remarkable consistency with 200+ points in three straight campaigns. Bukayo Saka emerges as Arsenal’s primary attacking threat, contributing 15 goals and 11 assists last season. Son Heung-min presents excellent value with his goal-scoring prowess, averaging 0.45 goals per match across his Premier League career.
Budget Midfield Gems
Marcus Rashford offers exceptional value in middle rounds after recording 16 goals last season. James Maddison presents consistent creativity metrics with 12 assists in his previous campaign. Eberechi Eze stands out as a breakout candidate following 10 goal contributions in 2022/23. Pascal Groß delivers reliable returns through set-piece duties and crossing opportunities. Gabriel Martinelli provides scoring potential with 15 goals last season while maintaining a 90% starting rate. Michael Olise demonstrates increasing influence with 11 assists despite limited minutes.
Player | Goals | Assists | Points (22/23) |
---|---|---|---|
Salah | 19 | 12 | 239 |
Saka | 15 | 11 | 202 |
Rashford | 16 | 8 | 205 |
Maddison | 10 | 12 | 189 |
Martinelli | 15 | 6 | 180 |
Defensive Rankings and Strategy
Defensive selections in FPL Draft require careful consideration of clean sheet potential, bonus point accumulation, and attacking returns. A balanced defensive strategy combines premium defenders from top clubs with high-potential value picks.
Elite Defenders to Target Early
Trent Alexander-Arnold tops the defensive rankings with his exceptional creative output and set-piece responsibilities. Manchester City’s defensive assets offer premium value, with Kyle Walker providing consistent clean sheets and Ruben Dias accumulating bonus points. Andrew Robertson generates attacking returns through crosses and assists, making him a first-round consideration. Here’s how the elite defenders compare:
Defender | Team | Clean Sheets 22/23 | Goal Contributions |
---|---|---|---|
Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool | 14 | 9 |
Walker | Man City | 16 | 4 |
Dias | Man City | 15 | 3 |
Robertson | Liverpool | 14 | 11 |
Goalkeeper | Team | Clean Sheets 22/23 | Save % |
---|---|---|---|
Ederson | Man City | 18 | 72.5 |
Alisson | Liverpool | 14 | 75.2 |
Pope | Newcastle | 12 | 77.8 |
Building a Balanced Draft Strategy
A successful FPL draft strategy combines positional value with roster flexibility. Effective draft management requires understanding optimal pick timing for each position while maintaining adaptability throughout the season.
When to Pick Each Position
Premium forwards command first-round consideration due to their scarcity and consistent scoring potential. The optimal draft sequence starts with elite strikers like Haaland or Kane in rounds 1-2, followed by top midfielders in rounds 3-4. Premium defenders from top-6 clubs provide value in rounds 5-6, particularly those with attacking returns. Mid-tier forwards work best in rounds 7-8 when high-ceiling options remain available. Budget midfielders with proven track records fit rounds 9-10, while defensive rotation options suit rounds 11-12. Goalkeepers deserve consideration in rounds 13-14, targeting those from clubs with strong defensive records.
Trading and Waiver Wire Tips
Active waiver wire management creates roster advantages throughout the season. Managers gain edge by targeting players with favorable upcoming fixtures or those returning from injury. Trading becomes valuable after gameweek 4 once player form patterns emerge. Package deals combining two mid-tier players for one premium asset often succeed. The waiver priority system rewards strategic patience, particularly for monitoring newly transferred Premier League players. Defensive rotation partnerships maximize clean sheet potential across different fixtures. Position scarcity drives trade value, making premium forwards especially valuable in negotiations. Monitoring minute patterns for rotation-risk players helps identify valuable waiver wire additions.
Conclusion
Success in Fantasy Premier League Draft hinges on thorough research understanding of player rankings and strategic draft planning. The key to building a winning team lies in finding the perfect balance between proven performers and emerging talents across all positions.
Smart managers will leverage these rankings as guidelines while staying flexible enough to adapt their strategy during the draft. They’ll also keep a close eye on fixture schedules team dynamics and potential transfer market movements that could impact player values.
Remember that while rankings provide an excellent foundation they shouldn’t be followed blindly. The most successful FPL Draft managers combine these insights with their own research and intuition to create championship-caliber teams.