The short answer
Forward is the position where scarcity matters most in FPL Draft. There are fewer reliable starting strikers than useful midfielders, so waiting too long can leave you chasing uncertain minutes on waivers.
Our updated top 20 places Erling Haaland first, with João Pedro, Alexander Isak and Igor Thiago leading the next tier.
OneFPL top 20 FPL Draft forwards
| Rank | Player | Club | Draft case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erling Haaland | Man City | The clear first overall pick: unmatched goal and captain-level ceiling |
| 2 | João Pedro | Chelsea | Eight pre-season goals, secure central role and excellent early fixtures |
| 3 | Alexander Isak | Liverpool | Proven premium striker in an elite attack |
| 4 | Igor Thiago | Brentford | 22 league goals last season and strong final-friendly form |
| 5 | Viktor Gyökeres | Arsenal | Starting-striker upside in the champions' attack |
| 6 | Ollie Watkins | Aston Villa | Reliable minutes and back-to-back 16-goal seasons |
| 7 | Jean-Philippe Mateta | Crystal Palace | Proven central role and penalty-box volume |
| 8 | Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Leeds | Good early fixtures and strong pre-season |
| 9 | Igor Jesus | Nott'm Forest | Four pre-season goals and less competition after Awoniyi's exit |
| 10 | Evanilson | Bournemouth | Secure No.9 when fit |
| 11 | Richarlison | Spurs | Strong pre-season role under De Zerbi |
| 12 | Brian Brobbey | Sunderland | Central striker with promoted-team volume |
| 13 | Benjamin Sesko | Man Utd | Long-term upside, but early availability/role is less certain |
| 14 | Yoane Wissa | Newcastle | Proven Premier League scoring if fit and starting |
| 15 | Oli McBurnie | Hull | Useful late-round starting striker |
| 16 | Kai Havertz | Arsenal | Strong team, but role competition lowers floor |
| 17 | Gonzalo García | Fulham | £6.0m normal-FPL price and upside if he owns the No.9 spot |
| 18 | Emersonn | Ipswich | Promoted-team starter upside |
| 19 | Dominic Solanke | Spurs | Strong historical output but competition/fitness matters |
| 20 | Taiwo Awoniyi | Coventry | Late transfer with Premier League pedigree; minutes must settle |
Why forwards should go earlier in Draft
In normal FPL, you can switch between similarly priced forwards. In Draft, once another manager owns a striker, you cannot simply buy him.
That makes replacement value crucial.
If your league has eight managers and each carries three forwards, 24 forward slots are occupied. The difference between the 5th-best and 25th-best forward can be enormous.
This is why our Top 100 FPL Draft rankings pushes the best forwards earlier than normal FPL price alone would suggest.
Tier 1: Haaland on his own
Haaland is the easiest No.1 overall pick.
Official FPL analysis calls him a must-have despite his record £15.5m normal-game price. Draft removes the budget issue entirely, leaving only expected points and availability. That makes him even more straightforward.
Tier 2: João Pedro, Isak, Thiago and Gyökeres
João Pedro has become one of the biggest pre-season risers in the game. Official FPL says he scored eight goals and supplied two assists over the summer, while Chelsea's early schedule is favourable.
Isak remains the Liverpool premium route with an elite ceiling.
Thiago is a classic Draft asset: a 22-goal striker who can be undervalued because Brentford are not a traditional top-six club.
Gyökeres carries huge team-strength upside but must justify an early selection with secure league minutes.
Late-round forwards
Late-round striker picks should usually satisfy one of two tests:
- Likely starter on a weaker team, or
- High-upside backup on a strong team who could become waiver-proof after one injury.
McBurnie, Emersonn and Awoniyi sit closer to the first category. Havertz sits closer to the second.
Avoid using multiple late picks on forwards who all need an injury to start.
Draft strategy by league size
| League size | Forward strategy |
|---|---|
| 4-6 managers | You can wait slightly longer because waivers remain deep |
| 8 managers | Aim for two reliable forwards relatively early |
| 10+ managers | Forward scarcity becomes severe; prioritise starters |
Read our FPL Draft sleepers guide for the late-round names and the Draft beginner guide for waiver strategy.
OneFPL verdict
Draft forwards earlier than you would in a normal FPL price-based decision. Haaland is the No.1 overall player, while João Pedro's summer has pushed him into the first group after the Norwegian.
FAQ
Who is the best FPL Draft forward?
Erling Haaland is the clear No.1 because Draft removes his £15.5m budget drawback.
Who is the best forward after Haaland?
João Pedro narrowly leads our second tier after eight pre-season goals and strong early fixtures.
How many forwards should I draft early?
In an eight-team league, securing two reliable starting forwards before the pool becomes thin is usually sensible.
Sources
OneFPL analysis. OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
Was this useful?