After reviewing and discussing with plenty of fantasy football fanatics the results of my first mock draft of the season, I’m eager to dive back into the second installment. Trying different strategies and building a team around a variety of players is extremely beneficial to see how things could look when it’s time to actually put together a team for the 2024 season. My intention is to try something different, however slight, in each mock draft to see what works and what doesn’t.
Every Monday, until the start of the NFL season, I will be completing a fantasy football mock draft on what I like to call “Mock Draft Monday.” This series is a favorite of mine and one of the articles I look forward to the most during fantasy football draft season. I encourage you to review these mock drafts and complete some of your own!
Each week, I will select a mock draft team selecting players from a different draft spot with an analysis as to why I picked each player where I did and when I did. As I break down the results of each mock draft, I guarantee my reasoning for every pick will help guide your own decision-making process when it comes time to select your teams for the upcoming fantasy football season. So, follow along all summer long!
Picking Second Overall in the Second Mock Draft
The following mock draft was completed, simulating my strategy and results for a 10-team, 1 quarterback, Points Per Reception league. The hypothetical roster consists of 3 wide receivers, 2 running backs, 1 tight end, and 1 RB/WR/TE Flex position. I drafted from the second overall pick in this mock draft and will make selections from different draft positions each week. For this mock draft, I will break down just the first 10 of the total 16 rounds as many Average Draft Positions, particularly for the later rounds, are bound to change once NFL training camps begin. As always, I spend my final two picks on a Defense/Special Teams and Kicker so they won’t be included as we focus on individual player analysis.
ROUND ONE
1.01- Christian McCaffrey (SF RB)
1.02- CeeDee Lamb (DAL WR)
1.03- Tyreek Hill (MIA WR)
1.04- Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET WR)
1.05- Ja’Marr Chase (CIN WR)
1.06- Justin Jefferson (MIN WR)
1.07- Breece Hall (NYJ RB)
1.08- Bijan Robinson (ATL RB)
1.09- Jahmyr Gibbs (DET RB)
1.10- A.J. Brown (PHI WR)
MY PICK: CeeDee Lamb
I know I said I want to try different strategies with each mock draft, but if Christian McCaffrey comes off the board with the first pick, I’m obviously taking CeeDee Lamb with pick two. Lamb is my choice as the 1.01, so this is a situation where I’m thrilled to have the second overall pick. I promise if he’s there at third overall in my next mock draft, I’ll resist the urge to draft Lamb again.
Generally, when picking near the top, I would rather invest in a wide receiver. Christian McCaffrey scored the most total points (391.3) and points per game (24.5) in fantasy football last season, but the next closest running back in total points was Travis Etienne (268.7, 21st), and just one other running back (Kyren Williams, 8th) inside the top-20 in points per game. I’m not knocking the idea of taking a running back in the first round, but when such elite wide receivers are available this high up, that’s where I’m investing.
ROUND TWO
2.01 – Puka Nacua (LAR WR)
2.02- Garrett Wilson (NYJ WR)
2.03- Jonathan Taylor (IND RB)
2.04- Saquon Barkley (PHI RB)
2.05- Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI WR)
2.06- Drake London (ATL WR)
2.07- Davante Adams (LV WR)
2.08- Travis Etienne (JAX RB)
2.09- Chris Olave (NO WR)
2.10- Josh Allen (BUF QB)
MY PICK: Chris Olave
With just 30 seconds per pick, deciding who to take with the second pick of this mock draft came down to the wire. In the spirit of changing things up, Chris Olave joins the squad as a volume-based, every-week starter at the wide receiver position. Every wide receiver in 2023 with nine or more targets per game finished inside the top-20 at the position in fantasy points per game… except Chris Olave. His WR21 finish with the 12th-most total targets at the position is a disappointment. It’s still volume worth investing in, but you’re hoping Derek Carr and the entire Saints offense are better in 2024.
ROUND THREE
3.01- Brandon Aiyuk (SF WR)
3.02- Michael Pittman Jr. (IND WR)
3.03- Patrick Mahomes (KC QB)
3.04- Nico Collins (HOU WR)
3.05- Jaylen Waddle (MIA WR)
3.06- D.J. Moore (CHI WR)
3.07- Kyren Williams (LAR RB)
3.08- Jalen Hurts (PHI QB)
3.09- De’Von Achane (MIA RB)
3.10- Deebo Samuel (SF WR)
MY PICK: Michael Pittman Jr.
In hindsight, I probably should have just taken Brandon Aiyuk in the second round with expectations that Chris Olave would be here in the third. Looking ahead a few picks when you’re this close to the turn is important. Sometimes, you may even be able to accurately predict which players could, and maybe should, come off of the board when the manager at the top of the draft makes their back-to-back picks. This early on, it’s a bit unpredictable, evident by the first draft slot’s start of Christian McCaffrey, Josh Allen, and Bradon Aiyuk.
ROUND FOUR
4.01- Derrick Henry (BAL RB)
4.02- Stefon Diggs (HOU WR)
4.03- Travis Kelce (KC TE)
4.04- Mike Evans (TB WR)
4.05- Isiah Pacheco (KC RB)
4.06- Josh Jacobs (GB RB)
4.07- Sam LaPorta (DET TE)
4.08- Alvin Kamara (NO RB)
4.09- Rachaad White (TB RB)
4.10- DeVonta Smith (PHI WR)
MY PICK: Rachaad White
After reviewing my start from the first mock draft of WR, RB, WR, WR, WR, QB, and then taking my next running back in the seventh round, I’m making it a point to draft two running backs in the first five rounds. Rachaad White coming off of the board as the RB14 is a steal. He is last season’s RB9 and in position to finish inside the top 10 again.
White’s only new legitimate competition for touches in Tampa Bay is rookie Bucky Irving. While I do like Irving’s skillset, he’s not the every-down back that Rachaad White is, at least not yet. White’s 336 touches in 2023 ranked second to only Christian McCaffrey (339). Bucky Irving will mix in more than any other Buccaneers running back did last year, but White should still flirt with close to 300 touches in 2024, especially in scoring position.
With this idea in mind, snagging Rachaad White at the end of the fourth round, or later, is something to star and underline in your pre-draft notes. Even if you’re still a bit apprehensive about Bucky Irving, you can spend a late-round pick on him to lock up Tampa Bay’s entire backfield.
ROUND FIVE
5.01- Keenan Allen (CHI WR)
5.02- James Cook (BUF RB)
5.03- DK Metcalf (SEA WR)
5.04- Joe Mixon (HOU RB)
5.05- Malik Nabers (NYG WR)
5.06- Kenneth Walker (SEA RB)
5.07- Cooper Kupp (LAR WR)
5.08- Christian Kirk (JAX WR)
5.09- Lamar Jackson (BAL QB)
5.10- Rhamondre Stevenson (NE RB)
MY PICK: James Cook
I’m staying true to my word and adding a second running back in the first five rounds of the mock draft. After making an offensive coordinator change last season, James Cook’s breakout began shortly thereafter. Cook’s 17.8 points per game (RB5) from Week 11 through 17, with a new O.C., is a significant difference from his 11.8 points per game (RB29) start from Week 1 through 10.
Under Joe Brady, the interim, and now current offensive coordinator, James Cook logged more targets per game, more games with 15+ rush attempts, and scored more touchdowns. Ahead of the 2024 season, the Bills are adding soon-to-be 25-year-old fourth-round rookie, Ray Davis. While I do foresee a role for him, similar to that of Latavius Murray last season, this is James Cook’s backfield. In hindsight, I may have taken Kenneth Walker over Cook given Josh Allen’s propensity to run, but it’s a coin flip decision I can live with.
ROUND SIX
6.01- Zay Flowers (BAL WR)
6.02- Rashee Rice (KC WR)
6.03- Amari Cooper (CLE WR)
6.04- C.J. Stroud (HOU QB)
6.05- David Montgomery (DET RB)
6.06- Trey McBride (ARI TE)
6.07- Anthony Richardson (IND QB)
6.08- Tee Higgins (CIN WR)
6.09- Aaron Jones (MIN RB)
6.10- Terry McLaurin (WAS WR)
MY PICK: Aaron Jones
At this point in the mock draft, the board feels pretty open as to which position I decide to target. With just six quarterbacks and three tight ends taken, I still feel comfortable waiting another round or two before my options truly start to thin out. Mark Andrews is a great value here, but, as you’ll see, I miss out on him by one pick next round.
So, with this pick in the sixth round, Aaron Jones is also a screaming value at a position that severely drops off sooner than later. In Jones’ final five games with the Green Bay Packers in 2023, including the playoffs, Jones averaged 20.4 rush attempts, 116.8 rushing yards, and 0.6 touchdowns per game. That includes a 5.7 yards per carry average on 102 total carries. The only worry with Jones is his health, but as the RB3 for this mock draft team, it’s a low-risk, high-reward pick.
ROUND SEVEN
7.01- Mark Andrews (BAL TE)
7.02- George Pickens (PIT WR)
7.03- James Conner (ARI RB)
7.04- D’Andre Swift (CHI RB)
7.05- Kyler Murray (ARI QB)
7.06- Dalton Kincaid (BUF TE)
7.07- Chris Godwin (TB WR)
7.08- Diontae Johnson (CAR WR)
7.09- Tank Dell (HOU WR)
7.10- Kyle Pitts (ATL TE)
MY PICK: George Pickens
After loading up on obvious, high-volume players at the wide receiver position (Lamb, Olave, Pittman), I’m adding George Pickens for the upside play. After trading away Diontae Johnson, Pickens is far and away the best wide receiver on the Pittsburgh Steelers. I expect Russell Wilson to be under center, at least at first, and Pickens should be his first read more often than not. Pickens is still just 23 years old and has a legitimate quarterback for the first time of his young career. He has serious breakout potential.
ROUND EIGHT
8.01- Dak Prescott (DAL QB)
8.02- Tony Pollard (TEN RB)
8.03- Javonte Williams (DEN RB)
8.04- Zamir White (LV RB)
8.05- Joe Burrow (CIN QB)
8.06- Najee Harris (PIT RB)
8.07- Jaylen Warren (PIT RB)
8.08- Zack Moss (CIN RB)
8.09- Evan Engram (JAX TE)
8.10- Tyjae Spears (TEN RB)
MY PICK: Evan Engram
Evan Engram was the 12th-most targeted player in 2023. I said player! Not just tight end. His 8.1 targets per game from Weeks 1 through 17 are tied for second with Travis Kelce and just 0.4 per game behind T.J. Hockenson who had his torn ACL repaired in January.
Engram remains a top target for Trevor Lawrence in the Jaguars’ offense. This is even more true with the departure of Calvin Ridley this off-season. You can probably get Evan Engram a bit later in drafts, but I’m taking a sure-thing now for my starting lineup before I start adding running back and wide receiver depth.
ROUND NINE
9.01- Raheem Mostert (MIA RB)
9.02- Calvin Ridley (TEN WR)
9.03- Brian Robinson Jr. (WAS RB)
9.04- Jonathan Brooks (CAR RB)
9.05- Devin Singletary (NYG RB)
9.06- Gus Edwards (LAC RB)
9.07- Jayden Reed (GB WR)
9.08- DeAndre Hopkins (TEN WR)
9.09- Jordan Addison (MIN WR)
9.10- Jerome Ford (CLE RB)
My Pick: Calvin Ridley
I want one of Calvin Ridley or DeAndre Hopkins for the 2024 fantasy football season. In a new regime with head coach Brian Callahan, the former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator, I fully expect a pass-heavy approach in Tennessee. The Bengals have been top-seven in pass attempts in three of five seasons with Callahan as the offensive coordinator. Additionally, Joe Burrow has 37.3 pass attempts per game in his last 26 starts.
If Will Levis is given the same volume opportunity, one of DeAndre Hopkins or Calvin Ridley will be a steal as a ninth-round pick. Levis ranked fourth in air yards per attempt last season, of quarterbacks with eight or more starts, while Hopkins (7th) and Ridley (8th) both ranked in the top 10 in air yards on their respective offenses last season. I’ll take Ridley who is three years younger than Hopkins and just secured a $92 million bag over the next four seasons with the Titans.
ROUND 10
10.01- Chase Brown (CIN RB)
10.02- Austin Ekeler (WAS RB)
10.03- Hollywood Brown (KC WR)
10.04- Rome Odunze (CHI WR)
10.05- Xavier Worthy (KC WR)
10.06- Trey Benson (ARI RB)
10.07- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA WR)
10.08- Christian Watson (GB WR)
10.09- Ladd McConkey (LAC WR)
10.10- Courtland Sutton (DEN WR)
MY PICK: Ladd McConkey
In a Points Per Reception league, I’m comfortable selecting Ladd McConkey as one of the first 100 players. Justin Herbert is already making statements that he feels McConkey plays like a four or five-year veteran. McConkey has just 119 total receptions in 39 games over three seasons at Georgia but could be extremely busy as a rookie following the departure of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams from the Chargers’ roster. Consider, too, Los Angeles’ new combination of general manager and coaching staff invested the 34th overall pick on McConkey in April, too.
STARTING LINEUP
QB – Justin Herbert (14.09)
RB – Rachaad White, James Cook
WR – CeeDee Lamb, Chris Olave, Michael Pittman Jr.
TE – Evan Engram
FLEX – George Pickens
Bench: Aaron Jones (6.09), Calvin Ridley (9.02), Ladd McConkey (10.09), Zach Charbonnet (11.02), Rico Dowdle (12.09), Keon Coleman (13.02)
Mock Draft 2.0 CONCLUSION
If I can wait in a 1QB league and get Justin Herbert in the 14th round, I’m going to do so almost every chance I get. This isn’t a pick discussed in the 10 rounds shown in this mock draft, but it’s important to see it!
For the second mock draft in a row, making a decision of who to draft in round two, and even round three, proved to be a bit difficult. Selecting Chris Olave and Michael Pittman doesn’t feel like the best possible combination of players, but by no means are they the worst. Creating tiers and solidifying rankings as the summer goes on will make this easier.
It’s always easier to feel like you have enough depth at wide receiver over running back. In this specific mock draft, I have five running backs I feel good about. While I didn’t come away with Bucky Irving, or even Ty Chandler, as the handcuff to either Rachaad White or Aaron Jones, drafting a player like Rico Dowdle, who has a clearer path to leading his backfield, and on the Cowboys nonetheless, is a better pick than a handcuff that may never play enough to yield fantasy football production.
Who’s your favorite dark horse QB1? Drop some names in the comments below and then make sure to check out our 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit for more great rankings and analysis.