With fantasy drafts just weeks away, it’s time to put our hard hours of research to the test with some mock drafts.
For this draft, we will hold the first overall pick in a 12-team, PPR (one point per reception), 14-round fantasy draft.
Roster setup is standard; 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX, 1 K, 1 D/ST, 5 BENCH.
Round 1, Pick 1.01
Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson is the guy at pick No. 1 this year. I’d completely understand taking Ja’Marr Chase here as well, which would allow the same strategy regardless. However, I personally like Jefferson’s floor and ceiling over Chase this year.
Running back Christian McCaffrey is another option at the 1.01 which means a new strategy that I will demonstrate in a future post.
Round 2, Pick 2.12
Josh Jacobs, Running Back, Las Vegas Raiders
Jacobs has been slowly slipping down draft boards as a potential holdout looms. If Jacobs were to hold out, he would obviously not be a second-round selection and we would be looking at Tony Pollard or Rhamondre Steveson with the 2.12. For this scenario, we are making the assumption Jacobs starts the season. For a three-down back to fall to us at 2.12, it’s hard to pass up. Another popular option here is Jets running back Breece Hall, but he is someone I’m avoiding in redraft leagues as he’s coming back from ACL surgery and Pro Bowl back Dalvin Cook has been linked to the Jets.
Round 3, Pick 3.01
Mark Andrews, Tight End, Baltimore Ravens
The 3.01 is a spot that comes down to personal preference due to the number of quality players that fell here. I personally struggle to find tight end value late in drafts, so snagging Andrews here is a no-brainer for me. Andrews is the primary target on a Ravens offense that will see an uptick in passing this season with the hiring of offensive coordinator Todd Monken. I personally prefer the receivers and running backs in the later rounds over the tight ends, so I will be taking Andrews here every opportunity I get.
Round 4, Pick 4.12
Justin Herbert, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert made his way around the lengthy wait after the 3.01 so I had to take my opportunity here and select a quarterback in such a high-powered offense. The addition of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore should see an already elite offense take yet another step up with his creative play-calling and one of the NFL’s most talented quarterbacks at his disposal.
Round 5, Pick 5.01
Drake London, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons
I had a few receiver options to choose from here, including London, Jerry Jeudy, Terry McLaurin, and Christian Watson. However, my personal debate was between London and McLaurin. I decided on London as I really like his role and overall game in PPR formats. As a rookie last year with a mismatch of QBs, he managed to rack up 72 receptions for 866 yards and four touchdowns.
One important stat I found were his 16 targets inside the 20-yard line and nine targets inside the 10-yard line, which only produced four total touchdowns. With expected improvement on offense and attention on running back Bijan Robinson, I see a top-20 floor and top-15 ceiling finish for London this year.
Round 6, Pick 6.12
Mike Williams, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Chargers
With the 6.12, I decided to target another receiver here. With my quarterback being Herbert, I had the opportunity to select a booming touchdown stack with his 6-foot-4 target, Mike Williams. Williams has had an inconsistent career along with some injuries, but in the late sixth round, it is hard to avoid his potential as a WR3/FLEX.
Tyler Lockett, Christian Kirk, George Pickens, and Jordan Addison were also available.
Round 7, Pick 7.01
Rachaad White, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I love this area for running backs. White, Isiah Pacheco, Javonte Williams, David Montgomery, and James Cook were all available. White is my guy here for PPR formats, though, as he’ll be the Bucs’ RB1 with little competition. Plus, new quarterback Baker Mayfield had an 11.9 percent check-down rate last season, which ranked first in the league. In addition to his PPR potential, the Bucs will get back to running the ball more as offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich has left the team.
Round 8, Pick 8.12
Brian Robinson Jr., Running Back, Washington Commanders
I love Robinson this year with the addition of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. I fully expect this offense and Robinson to improve drastically. Bieniemy has coached the likes of Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Kareem Hunt, and Pacheco, and they all had successful campaigns under him. Robinson isn’t as dynamic as some of those backs in the passing game, but with early-down and goal-line work expected, I see Robinson as a 900-yard rusher with five-plus touchdowns this year.
Antonio Gibson, Rashaad Penny, and Khalil Herbert were also available.
Round 9, Pick 9.01
Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints
We’re only a few years removed from Thomas being a consistent top-10 fantasy WR, but injuries have plagued him over the past three seasons. In the three games he played last year, Thomas put up 22, 18, and 10 fantasy points before suffering a toe injury. The talent is clearly there, but the question is how many games can he give fantasy managers. The upside and floor are too good to ignore in the ninth round.
Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr, and Jameson Williams were also options.
Round 10, Pick 10.12
Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions
I waited on Williams and got lucky to have him fall to me here. If not for missing the first six games of the season due to breaking the NFL’s gambling policy, he would be seventh- or eighth-round pick. I love Williams’ upside in such a high-scoring offense; his blazing speed will create problems for defenders downfield and he has the agility to create with the ball in his hands. I wouldn’t expect consistent play, but that’s fine because some booming games can win leagues late in the season.
Other options included Elijah Mitchell, Darnell Mooney, or Jonathan Mingo.
Round 11, Pick 11.01
Geno Smith, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
You don’t have to go quarterback here, but with how physical the NFL is becoming and quarterbacks getting injured more often, I took Smith as a late sleeper option with some serious upside in a talented offense.
There would be no issue here with taking any other position.
Round 12, Pick 12.12
Jeff Wilson, Running Back, Miami Dolphins
I needed some running back depth here and Tank Bigsby went the pick before, so I’m taking Wilson, the goal-line and short-yardage back here behind Raheem Mostert in Miami. Mostert has a track record of getting injured while rookie Devon Achane is only 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, so Wilson should be featured as a pass-catching and change-of-pace back. In such a high-octane offense, it’s ideal to have some part of it, and Wilson costs practically nothing.
Romeo Doubs, Nico Collins, or Chase Brown would have been solid picks here, too.
Round 13, Pick 13.01
San Francisco 49ers, Defense/Special Teams
I decided to jump on defense before kicker as the Niners have one of the league’s best units along with a relatively easy schedule for a top NFL team.
Taking a premier kicker would have been fine, too.
Round 14, Pick 14.12
Riley Patterson, Kicker, Detroit Lions
This pick was a matter of preference as 11 kickers were already off the board here. Patterson is on a high-scoring offense and will play most of his games indoors.
Final Draft Board
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