We are now in the top half of my mock draft series. This year is interesting, we have a clear-cut number 1 in all formats. After that, there is a lot of depth and different directions you could go. You could come away with the top WR in the draft, whether you view it as Lamb or Jefferson or Hill or someone else. You could also take one of the few blue-chip RBs available like McCaffrey if he falls due to his injury, or Hall or Robinson. I think picking somewhere between 4th and 6th will likely be the sweet spot I want to fall in on draft day.
Picking Fifth Overall in Standard Leagues
This mock draft will simulate a 10-team, 1-quarterback, standard league. The roster will consist of 2 wide receivers, 2 running backs, 1 tight end, and 1 Flex position along with seven bench slots. The kicker and D/ST picks will not be included. I’ll make my way back through the draft in reverse order over the coming weeks.
ROUND ONE
1.01- Christian McCaffrey SF – RB
1.02- CeeDee Lamb DAL – WR
1.03- Tyreek Hill MIA – WR
1.04- Breece Hall NYJ – RB
1.05- Bijan Robinson ATL – RB
1.06- Justin Jefferson MIN – WR
1.07- Ja’Marr Chase CIN – WR
1.08- Amon-Ra St. Brown DET – WR
1.09- A.J. Brown PHI – WR
1.10- Garrett Wilson NYJ – WR
MY PICK: Bijan Robinson
My mock draft begins with a pick that was controversial last year. A year ago I said you could make the case for Bijan Robinson as the top pick. He undoubtedly has the talent to be one of the best players in fantasy football. We saw it every week when he’d have at least one new play added to his rookie season highlight wheel. However, usage was a major issue, as was a trend for all Falcons stars playing for Arthur Smith.
How many games do you think Bijan touched the ball at least 20 times? Including receptions, a total of two. Considering how talented Bijan is with the ball in his hands, that lack of usage felt criminal. That should change under Zac Robinson, the new offensive coordinator under Raheem Morris. They both come from the Rams organization who showed last year they will go with the hot hand, even if it’s two unknowns like Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua. You produce, you get the ball. That’s how it was in LA last year, and should be this year in Atlanta.
If Bijan gets the same treatment as Kyren Williams, he has a legitimate shot to finish as the top player in fantasy football. With Christian McCaffrey nursing an injury, we could come full circle with that Bijan Robinson top-pick conversation again.
ROUND TWO
2.01- Jonathan Taylor IND – RB
2.02- Jahmyr Gibbs DET – RB
2.03- Puka Nacua LAR – WR
2.04- Nico Collins HOU – WR
2.05- Derrick Henry BAL – RB
2.06- Marvin Harrison Jr. ARI – WR
2.07- Isiah Pacheco KC – RB
2.08- Saquon Barkley PHI – RB
2.09- Kyren Williams LAR – RB
2.10- Brandon Aiyuk SF – WR
MY PICK: Marvin Harrison Jr.
I’m really curious about what happens to Marvin Harrison Jr’s draft stock as we get later in the preseason. Malik Nabers has lit up everything from Giants camp, social media and Detroit Lions player’s faces so far this preseason. He’s a legit candidate for Rookie of the Year and should get a ton of usage. That thinking would naturally mean he would have a better season than Marvin Harrison Jr. So do we see an overcorrection of draft stock?
Nabers’ draft stock is rising and will continue to rise. However, do we see people begin to overlook Marvin Harrison Jr. simply because Nabers’ stock rises? It shouldn’t but we humans are a historically overly reactionary species. Harrison has torn up Cardinals camp by all reports, so why isn’t he getting the same love? Lack of highlight-worthy plays? Smaller market? No joint practices? Whatever the reason, don’t let Nabers’ camp impact your thinking on Harrison Jr.
He is one of the best WR prospects in a long time. Think A.J. Green, but a smoother route runner. Harrison is also in a far better situation than Nabers, with Kyler Murray at QB compared to Daniel Jones. Harrison has a higher floor than Nabers. I think their ceiling are marginally close but that ceiling is top 5-10 WR. I think Harrison has the easier path to that kind of season, which is why he is regularly going in round 2.
ROUND THREE
3.01- Josh Allen BUF – QB
3.02- Mike Evans TB – WR
3.03- Drake London ATL – WR
3.04- Deebo Samuel Sr. SF – WR
3.05- Travis Etienne Jr. JAC – RB
3.06- Jalen Hurts PHI – QB
3.07- Sam LaPorta DET – TE
3.08- Travis Kelce KC – TE
3.09- Davante Adams LV – WR
3.10- DJ Moore CHI – WR
MY PICK: Travis Etienne Jr.
This start to my mock draft is the ideal start through three rounds in my opinion. Come away with one of the blue-chip RBs, a WR with top-ten potential and a second RB before the position gets thin. That last selection is what I find here with Travis Etienne Jr.
Last year Etienne took a step back in efficiency. His YPC fell nearly a yard and a half. His touchdown numbers and increased receiving role were his saving grace but the TDs cannot be counted on consistently. However, I have faith that Etienne could be in for a big season. Payday is coming soon, and he’ll need to get back to his efficiency from 2022 if he wants to score a nice contract and avoid the franchise tag. If he can find that rushing form again he will be a nice find in round three.
ROUND FOUR
4.01- De’Von Achane MIA – RB
4.02- Josh Jacobs GB – RB
4.03- James Cook BUF – RB
4.04- Rachaad White TB – RB
4.05- DK Metcalf SEA – WR
4.06- Mark Andrews BAL – TE
4.07- George Pickens PIT – WR
4.08- Joe Mixon HOU – RB
4.09- Lamar Jackson BAL – QB
4.10- Kenneth Walker III SEA – RB
MY PICK: Mark Andrews
Mark Andrews here is a nice sweet spot. I could go WR and land Pickens or Pittmann. Both felt like reaches in round four, especially if Aiyuk does finally make his way to Pittsburgh. Instead, I settle on taking one of the best TEs. Despite the addition of Zay Flowers, Andrews remained the top passing target in Baltimore and should be again this season now that he’s fully healthy again. Taking him here in my mock draft, I don’t have to worry about scraping the bottom of the barrel or reaching if we see a run on TEs the rest of the way.
ROUND FIVE
5.01- Chris Olave NO – WR
5.02- David Montgomery DET – RB
5.03- Alvin Kamara NO – RB
5.04- Trey McBride ARI – TE
5.05- Patrick Mahomes II KC – QB
5.06- Zamir White LV – RB
5.07- James Conner ARI – RB
5.08- Najee Harris PIT – RB
5.09- Aaron Jones MIN – RB
5.10- Rhamondre Stevenson NE – RB
MY PICK: Patrick Mahomes II
I don’t want to keep talking about the same players but finding Mahomes here in this mock draft is a steal. I get arguably the top QB in fantasy football in a spot where I’d normally be picking from the tier 2 QBs. The timing felt right and I don’t want to let him fall any further. Taking Mahomes in round five will be one of those selections your league looks back on and wonders how you got him here.
ROUND SIX
6.01- Anthony Richardson IND – QB
6.02- C.J. Stroud HOU – QB
6.03- Cooper Kupp LAR – WR
6.04- Tony Pollard TEN – RB
6.05- Zack Moss CIN – RB
6.06- Malik Nabers NYG – WR
6.07- Raheem Mostert MIA – RB
6.08- Dalton Kincaid BUF – TE
6.09- Javonte Williams DEN – RB
6.10- Brian Robinson Jr. WAS – RB
MY PICK: Malik Nabers
I mentioned him before but Malik will likely not be available in round six like he was in this mock draft as we get closer to September. Heck, a week ago he was available in the eighth round. Nabers has been on fire in Giants camp and I think we are only scratching the surface on how I think he will be used. It wouldn’t shock me if we see Nabers line up in the backfield and get the ball on designed plays. The Giants did that a lot last year when Wan’Dale Robinson was healthy. Nabers could easily finish as a top-10 WR. With his usage he will likely have yardage to do so, it may all come down to how frequently he finds the endzone.
The concern with Nabers isn’t about him, to me it isn’t even about Daniel Jones despite all his flaws. The question you have to ask, is did Giants finally solve their offensive line woes that have plagued this team for years? Eluemunor has had a great camp at RT so hopefully, he and the other additions of Jon Runyan and Gerg Van-Roten can help sure things up around Andrew Thomas and John Michael Schmitz. They don’t have to be great, but even if they are okay Nabers should be due for a huge season as the engine driving the Giants offense.
ROUND SEVEN
7.01- D’Andre Swift CHI – RB
7.02- Jaylen Waddle MIA – WR
7.03- Joe Burrow CIN – QB
7.04- Jordan Love GB – QB
7.05- Devin Singletary NYG – RB
7.06- Jonathon Brooks CAR – RB
7.07- Kyler Murray ARI – QB
7.08- Dak Prescott DAL – QB
7.09- Michael Pittman IND – WR
7.10- Amari Cooper CLE – WR
MY PICK: Devin Singletary
I’m not wild about this pick. I was hoping Javonte William would have fallen one more round so I could have landed him instead of Singletary. I just laid out how the Giants offensive line should be better. That remains true, however, Singletary’s success is more directly tied to that offensive line turnaround which is why he scares me.
Furthermore, Singletary has other factors that could impact his value. Rookie Tyrone Tracy has had a nice camp so has fellow rookie Dante “Turbo,” Miller. Eric Gray had an impressive preseason against the Lions last night. In short, I don’t think Singletary’s job is safe. If these young guys continue to impress, Singletary could get lost in a timeshare.
Still, in fantasy drafts, we are taking our week 1 roster. If Singletary is a valuable RB3 for a few weeks, I’ll take that. Every other RB available doesn’t have the same early-season value he does.
ROUND EIGHT
8.01- Keenan Allen CHI – WR
8.02- Stefon Diggs HOU – WR
8.03- Jaylen Warren PIT – RB
8.04- Tyjae Spears TEN – RB
8.05- DeVonta Smith PHI – WR
8.06- Tank Dell HOU – WR
8.07- Tee Higgins CIN – WR
8.08- Zay Flowers BAL – WR
8.09- Nick Chubb CLE – RB
8.10- Gus Edwards LAC – RB
MY PICK: Tank Dell
Between Diggs and Collins, I think Tank Dell is being overlooked. Dell was a stud last season and had nearly identical stats to Collins before getting hurt. Through week 12, Collins had 73 targets for 50 catches and 800 yards while Tank had 75 targets and caught 47 of them for 709 yards. Dell had two more TDs. So who is the real WR1 in Houston? Don’t forget, Dell was hand-picked by C.J. Stroud.
If Dell is 100% I think he is 1A/1B with Collins and Diggs playing (a not too far off) third fiddle. The WR1 of a top passing attack going into his second season in round 8 is a heist. Dell should be taken here, especially if I need him to be my flex over Singletary quickly.
ROUND NINE
9.01- Chase Brown CIN – RB
9.02- Ezekiel Elliott DAL – RB
9.03- Austin Ekeler WAS – RB
9.04- Terry McLaurin WAS – WR
9.05- Calvin Ridley TEN – WR
9.06- Christian Kirk JAC – WR
9.07- Jordan Addison MIN – WR
9.08- Jerome Ford CLE – RB
9.09- Trey Benson ARI – RB
9.10- Jayden Reed GB – WR
My Pick: Calvin Ridley
I have explained before how Ridley could be a great find this late in the draft. His value should rise with the injury to DeAndre Hopkins. When Hopkins was around it was hard to say Ridley was the for sure WR1. Now he is, in an offense that will likely pass a lot more with Derrick Henry gone for Baltimore. So why not take Ridley here? Do you think you’ll get more out of Jordan Addison or Christian Kirk? Those two are likely matchup streamers, WR2s at best. If you want to play to win, take Ridley and see if he reaches the potential everybody thought he would get to a season ago.
ROUND 10
10.01- Rome Odunze CHI – WR
10.02- Chris Godwin TB – WR
10.03- Blake Corum LAR – RB
10.04- Rashee Rice KC – WR
10.05- Diontae Johnson CAR – WR
10.06- Hollywood Brown KC – WR
10.07- Zach Charbonnet SEA – RB
10.08- Xavier Worthy KC – WR
10.09- Christian Watson GB – WR
10.10- Keon Coleman BUF – WR
MY PICK: Hollywood Brown
I am starting to notice a trend where I come away with at least one Chiefs WR per draft. It’s hard to say who holds the most value, with all three going around the same spot. So it’s whoever you believe in/whoever is available. Worthy certainly presents the most upside, if he can fill the void left by Tyreek Hill. Rice’s value will be dependent on his suspension and if his speed not being on the same level as Brown and Worthy will hurt him. Hollywood Brown is the most proven of all the WRs and also has the most to prove. He signed a one-year deal and would like to cash in one final time if he has a good season in Kansas City. I don’t think you can go wrong taking any of these three WRs, especially this late.
STARTING LINEUP
QB – Patrick Mahomes II
RB – Bijan Robinson, Travis Etienne Jr.
WR – Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers
TE – Mark Andrews
FLEX – Devin Singletary
Bench: Tank Dell, Calvin Ridley, Hollywood Brown, Rico Dowdell (11.05), Brock Purdy (12.06) Tyler Lockett (13.05), Elijah Mitchell (14.06)
CONCLUSION
This mock draft might be the cleanest start of any I have done this year. Top 3 RB to start, great young WR in round two, solid RB seeking a payday in round three. After that, things got dicey. Andrews and Mahomes in back-to-back rounds I like, same with Nabers. After that thought, Singletary is the pick that stands out to me.
This is the second mock draft in a row where I don’t feel confident in my RB3/flex pick. I might have to jump on RB sooner and pass on one of QB, TE, or WR2 if I am to have a RB trio I can trust. The value just doesn’t last after the first twenty or so RBs.
I do love the depth I have at WR in this draft. Maybe I can deal Nabers or one of Dell, Ridley, or Brown for the RB I need to feel confident in this bunch. On the other hand, I might need to accept having one of those three I mentioned after Nabers as my WR2 and take my RB3 sooner. I’ll keep this in mind for future mock drafts.