Is it too soon for a 2022 fantasy football mock draft? Nope! We are officially less than a month out from the official start of the new league year. On March 16, 2022, NFL free agency officially begins. Not long after, the draft takes place, OTAs begin, and before you know it, training camp will be upon us.
With all that said, it can’t hurt to get some form of a mock draft out of the way here in February. If not for anything else, it will help ween us off one of the most exciting NFL postseasons of all time. More importantly, it gives us fantasy football managers an idea of the landscape before the NFL off season madness begins.
It is a long seven months before the 2022 football season officially kicks off. Keeping that in mind, consider the value in seeing how a 2022 mock draft looks today with the ability to compare it to mock drafts months from now. In doing so, we can monitor risers and fallers at each position. By getting a grasp on things early, it can make sifting through the hype and noise during the preseason that much easier.
I’m in the business of keeping things light. If not for anything else, consider this mock draft a great excuse to keep talking football and debate future NFL moves. So, I’ll be doing just that. I’ve awarded myself the first overall pick, because I can, and plan to guide you through my decision-making process. I’m only going to make ten selections just to see how a team looks with 100 players off of an early board.
So, enjoy breaking down this fantasy football mock draft in February. Your road to a 2022 fantasy football league title starts now.
Picking First Overall in a February Mock Draft
The following mock draft was completed, simulating my strategy and results for a 10-team, one quarterback, Point Per Reception league. The hypothetical roster consists of three wide receivers, two running backs, one tight end, and one RB/WR/TE Flex position. For this mock draft, I will break down 10 of a typical 16 round draft.
ROUND ONE
1.01- Christian McCaffrey (CAR RB)
1.02- Jonathan Taylor (IND RB)
1.03- Austin Ekeler (LAC RB)
1.04- Derrick Henry (TEN RB)
1.05- Cooper Kupp (LAR RB)
1.06- Dalvin Cook (MIN RB)
1.07- Alvin Kamara (NO RB)
1.08- Najee Harris (PIT RB)
1.09- Joe Mixon (CIN RB)
1.10- Justin Jefferson (MIN WR)
MY PICK: Christian McCaffrey
There are more legitimate arguments as to who should be the first overall pick in 2022 fantasy football drafts than in recent seasons. Plenty of the names listed above are worthy of the top selection. I continue to fall back on Christian McCaffrey’s ability to score anywhere from 25.0 to 30.0 points any given week.
Yes, he’s missed 23 games combined in the last two seasons. However, it’s been for ankle, hamstring, and shoulder injuries, none of which concern me for the 2022 season. McCaffrey is a proven fantasy football cheat code regardless of the coach, quarterback, or any other variable. I’m more than willing to build my 2022 fantasy football team around him.
Cooper Kupp at fifth overall catches my eye. Listen. I get it. He just finished the best statistical season for a wide receiver ever. As of now, there’s no reason to believe he can’t be a threat to top the position again in fantasy football. That’s as good of a reason as any to take him when you can.
Seeing Justin Jefferson toward the end of the first round leads me to believe more wide receivers will come off of the draft board in the first and second rounds than in years past. In PPR formats, it’s worth considering. The top-six wide receivers in 2021 scored more than 295.0 PPR points. Only the top-two running backs accomplished that.
ROUND TWO
2.01 – Ja’Marr Chase (CIN WR)
2.02- Cam Akers (LAR RB)
2.03- Davante Adams (GB WR)
2.04- Javonte Williams (DEN RB)
2.05- Tyreek Hill (KC WR)
2.06- Stefon Diggs (BUF WR)
2.07- Ceedee Lamb (DAL WR)
2.08- De’Andre Swift (DET RB)
2.09- Travis Kelce (KC TE)
2.10- Deebo Samuel (SF WR)
MY PICK: Deebo Samuel
I think Deebo will ultimately go sooner than the end of the second round of future mock drafts. With Trey Lance limitedly under center last season, we still saw glimpses of a what a special connection he could have with Deebo throughout the 2022 season. As little as one month ago, Lance rolled out of the pocket and hit Deebo for a 45-yard score. It’s possible Lance hinders Deebo’s stunning usage out of the backfield. I still want as much Deebo as I can next fantasy football season rather than play against him.
Javonte Williams sticks out to me here in this mock draft. Denver, of course, very intriguing with the rumors of landing Aaron Rodgers in a trade. As far as the backfield is concerned, I ultimately expect Melvin Gordon to stick around. That doesn’t crush Williams’ value, but it definitely caps his ability at consistent RB1 numbers. With that said, selecting him at 2.04 during this early mock draft seems high. Keep in mind, however, Denver’s new head coach, Nathaniel Hackett, made both Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon fantasy relevant as Green Bay’s offensive coordinator last season.
ROUND THREE
3.01- A.J Brown (TEN WR)
3.02- Josh Allen (BUF QB)
3.03- Mark Andrews (BAL TE)
3.04- Saquon Barkely (NYG RB)
3.05- Darren Waller (LV TE)
3.06- Keenan Allen (LAC WR)
3.07- George Kittle (SF TE)
3.08- Nick Chubb (CLE RB)
3.09- Kyle Pitts (ATL TE)
3.10-David Montgomery (CHI RB)
MY PICK: A.J. Brown
I believe in A.J. Brown’s ability to finish as a top-five fantasy football wide receiver, if healthy for a full season. We just need him to stay healthy for a full season. Even with a handful of missed games, on a team that loved to run the football, Brown saw 20% of the team targets. More importantly, he commanded 33.8% of total wide receiver targets on the season, even with an injury absence. He will be the Titans’ WR1 next season and a top option at the position for fantasy.
I don’t understand the massive tight end run that went on here in this mock draft. At this point, half of the mock draft teams have a starting tight end. It could give those teams a weekly advantage. However, I’m always more willing to invest in top wide receivers and running backs at this point in the mock draft based on volume and usage of their positions. There are still plenty of options at tight end with only four other teams now in need.
Josh Allen is the first quarterback off of the board in this mock draft. He should be the unanimous top quarterback ahead of the 2022 fantasy football season. He is the only quarterback to average over 24.0 fantasy points per game in both of the last two seasons.
ROUND FOUR
4.01- Dionte Johnson (PIT WR)
4.02- Antonio Gibson (WSH RB)
4.03- Jaylen Waddle (MIA WR)
4.04- DeAndre Hopkins (ARI WR)
4.05- Ezekiel Elliott (DAL RB)
4.06- DK Metcalf (SEA WR)
4.07- Chris Godwin (TB WR)
4.08- Mike Evans (TB RB)
4.09- Tee Higgins (CIN WR)
4.10- Aaron Jones (GB RB)
MY PICK: Aaron Jones
Selecting Aaron Jones at the end of the fourth round of this mock draft seems like a steal. Right? The entire 2022 outlook for the Packers could change over the course of the next few weeks. Jones, however, should assume a significant role in the Green Bay backfield.
After the 2022 season, Jones is due a $7.4 million roster bonus and only carries a $6.5 million dead cap hit if released prior to earning said bonus. This upcoming season is likely his last as a Packer which could result in getting everything they can out of him.
Speaking of contracts, Ezekiel Elliott’s restructuring of his own not too long ago makes it easier for the Cowboys to move on from him in 2023, as well. Zeke simply wasn’t healthy last season. His efficiency has trailed off since his rookie season and Tony Pollard has emerged as a legitimate threat to his touches. Still, in the fourth round of this mock draft, you could do much worse than snagging Zeke as your RB2, or even RB1 with studs elsewhere, for the 2022 fantasy football season.
ROUND FIVE
5.01- Hunter Renfrow (LV WR)
5.02- Calvin Ridley (ATL WR)
5.03- D.J. Moore (CAR WR)
5.04- Patrick Mahomes (KC QB)
5.05- Leonard Fournette (TB RB)
5.06- Tyler Lockett (SEA WR)
5.07- Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET WR)
5.08- Michael Carter (NYJ RB)
5.09- Brandin Cooks (HOU WR)
5.10- Elijah Mitchell (SF RB)
MY PICK: Hunter Renfrow
Is this too high for Hunter Renfrow? Too low? With new head coach, Josh McDaniels, and his success running the New England Patriots’ offense for the last 14 years, it feels like it’s just right. Especially when you look at the other wide receiver options in this round, Renfrow’s current situation seems the most stable. I’m specifically referring to quarterback, coach, and, of course, factoring in his 15.1 points per game average last season.
I think, as of now, Round 5 is where the confidence in landing a starting running back really drops off. There are still a few good options on the board, but none that I have the utmost confidence in potentially producing weekly RB1 numbers, let alone steady RB2 production. Similarly to the 2021 draft season, it seems there is a quick push for the top guys, then wide receivers fly off the board in mass.
This is the lowest I have seen Patrick Mahomes drafted in years. Quarterbacks, in general, are getting drafted later in this mock draft. Who knows if that trend will stick? I usually advise to wait to draft a quarterback. That holds true, yet again, other than using one of your top two or three picks on Josh Allen. He will likely be the only player at the position I can justify taking that high in standard quarterback scoring leagues.
ROUND SIX
6.01- Terry McLaurin (WSH WR)
6.02- Elijah Moore (NYJ WR)
6.03- Michael Pittman (IND WR)
6.04- Darnell Mooney (CHI WR)
6.05- Amari Cooper (DAL WR)
6.06- Damien Harris (NE RB)
6.07- Devonta Smith (PHI WR)
6.08- Josh Jacobs (LV RB)
6.09- Jerry Jeudy (DEN WR)
6.10- Adam Theilen (MIN WR)
MY PICK: Adam Theilen
I really like the value in this round at almost every pick. There are a lot of young wide receivers here set up to take big leaps in production this upcoming season. Some I feel just slightly better about than others, like Elijah Moore and Darnell Mooney, specifically because I know, for certain, who their Week 1 starting quarterback is. Even if a player, like Terry McLaurin, is a better-proven talent at this point in their careers, I want to see who is throwing him the ball before claiming a sixth-round draft grade in this mock draft is too low or not.
Meanwhile, consistently dominant fantasy football assets, like Amari Cooper and, my pick, Adam Theilen, are still here in the sixth round of the mock draft. I will gladly take Theilen here as the 31st wide receiver selected in this mock draft. Newly-appointed head coach, Kevin O’Connell, comes from the Super Bowl LVI winning Los Angeles Rams. As the offensive coordinator, who supported multiple fantasy football-relevant receivers, including 2021 fantasy MVP Cooper Kupp, I can get behind Theilen for at least one more season in Minnesota.
ROUND SEVEN
7.01- A.J. Dillon (GB RB)
7.02- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC RB)
7.03- Justin Herbert (LAC QB)
7.04- Brandon Aiyuk (SF WR)
7.05- Kyler Murray (ARI QB)
7.06- Aaron Rodgers (GB QB)
7.07- Odell Beckham, Jr. (LAR WR)
7.08- Joe Burrow (CIN QB)
7.09- Cordarrelle Patterson (ATL WR)
7.10- Dawson Knox (BUF TE)
MY PICK: A.J. Dillon
Look at this run of quarterbacks in Round 7. Other than maybe Justin Herbert, do you feel good about using one of your first seven picks on any of these players right now, knowing who is still available at the position? If you don’t feel good about it in this February mock draft, keep that in mind when your July and August fantasy football drafts roll around. You can bulk up your running back and wide receiver reserves then grab a quarterback later. I promise you, it can be done.
Grabbing A.J. Dillon here at standalone value is a solid pick. It’s very possible he overtakes Aaron Jones as the “1A” back in Green Bay this season. I still stand by the idea that Jones is too talented, especially as a pass-catcher, to take a backseat role in this offense. As of now, this mock draft is not likely indicative of where both of these players will end up being selected. Especially if Aaron Rodgers returns, I think they both have a chance to come off of 2022 fantasy football draft boards in the first five rounds.
ROUND EIGHT
8.01- Trey Lance (SF QB)
8.02- Lamar Jackson (BAL QB)
8.03- J.K. Dobbins (BAL RB)
8.04- Dak Prescott (DAL QB)
8.05- Allen Robinson (CHI WR)
8.06- Mike Williams (LAC WR)
8.07- Michael Thomas (NO WR)
8.08- Kadarius Toney (NYG WR)
8.09- Cortland Sutton (DEN WR)
8.10- T.J. Hockenson (DET TE)
MY PICK: T.J. Hockenson
Of course, the quarterbacks I had in mind to wait on all fly off the board early in Round 8 of this mock draft. There are still quality starters, especially if everything remains as is. However, the 2022 quarterback carousel, which is inevitably on the horizon, is going to have a major impact on the position’s ADP in the coming months.
I think I could have continued to wait at tight end in this mock draft. However, Hockenson seems like he’s flying under the radar as of now and I didn’t want to pass up on the opportunity here to select him. In just 12 games played last season, Hockenson had at least eight targets in eight of those games. He finished as TE6 on a points per game basis, as well. There are a few hotter names from the 2021 season that will probably come off of the board before him. Buy the dip!
The wide receivers that went right before Hockenson all interest me. Allen Robinson and Mike Williams are two of the top free-agent wide receivers this offseason. I expect Williams to stay with Justin Herbert in L.A., but Robinson’s landing spot could propel him a few rounds higher than this mock draft suggests.
ROUND NINE
9.01- Rashod Bateman (BAL WR)
9.02- Melvin Gordon (DEN RB)
9.03- Marquise Brown (BAL WR)
9.04- Tony Pollard (DAL RB)
9.05- Travis Etienne (JAX RB)
9.06- James Conner (ARI RB)
9.07- Devin Singletary (BUF RB)
9.08- Gabriel Davis (BUF WR)
9.09- Chase Claypool (PIT WR)
9.10- Jarvis Landry (CLE WR)
My Pick: Rashod Bateman
I’m making this mock draft pick, in part (Remember: keeping it light), due to the rumor that Marquise Brown, taken two picks later, is retiring to pursue a career in streaming and video gaming. Whether that is true or not, Bateman is going to be an asset in his second year for quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
Bateman suffered an unfortunate core muscle injury right before his rookie season last year. In his first four games, with Jackson under center, Bateman logged 28 total targets. Even on a typically “run first” team, both Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews managed 1,000+ receiving yards last season. I expect Bateman to join the 1,000 Yard Club in 2022.
Gabriel Davis is a shockingly low draft pick in this mock draft. The last time we saw him play football, he hauled in eight of 10 targets for 201 yards and four touchdowns against the Chiefs. Yeah. That game. It will surely stick with some people come summertime. Especially with Josh Allen throwing the ball his way, Gabriel is going to rise up draft boards so don’t get used to seeing him here.
I really love Travis Etienne’s value in the ninth round. So much so that I regret passing up on him in favor of Bateman. With running back depth looking shakier as the mock draft progresses, Etienne’s comeback from a 2021 preseason foot injury is worth betting on.
On top of his collegiate chemistry from Clemson with quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, Etienne offers the new Jaguars coaching staff versatility out of the backfield. James Robinson will still be rehabbing an Achilles tear injury as the 2022 off-season begins paving the way for a heavy dose of Etienne. The breakout is coming.
ROUND 10
10.01- Rashaad Penny (SEA RB)
10.02- Michael Gallup (DAL WR)
10.03- Juju Smith-Schuster (PIT WR)
10.04- Jakobi Meyers (NE WR)
10.05- Robert Woods (LAR WR)
10.06- Miles Sanders (PHI RB)
10.07- Rondale Moore (ARI WR)
10.08- Devante Parker (MIA WR)
10.09- Kareem Hunt (CLE RB)
10.10- Chase Edmonds (ARI RB)
MY PICK: Chase Edmonds
The big story out of Arizona right now is Kyler Murray’s seemingly tumultuous relationship with the Cardinals organization. Even with that at the forefront, decisions still need to be made, specifically in the construction of the 2022 backfield. Both James Conner and Chase Edmonds are set to be free agents in the next month. Regardless of where Edmonds ends up, his value in PPR formats as a pass-catcher is worth grabbing in the tenth round of any draft.
Rashaad Penny, Michael Gallup, and Juju Smith-Schuster lead off this round of the mock draft. They’re all notably set to be free agents, as well. That said, it’s interesting to see their value at current and how it will fluctuate once the free agency period begins.
If Penny remains in Seattle, it’s hard to imagine he lingers this late in any 2022 fantasy football draft. Juju is almost guaranteed to explore options outside of Pittsburgh. Pairing him with a non-Ben Roethelisburger quarterback is something that piques my interest ahead of the 2022 season. Michael Gallup will be recovering from an ACL tear, but should still hold some value for the 2022 fantasy football season.