It’s the start of a new week, which means it’s time for another Mock Draft Monday. Hopefully by now you have gotten through at least one mock draft of your own as the fantasy football season is only nine weeks away. If you missed out last week, I completed my 2021 Mock Draft 1.0 then analyzed the results, broke down my decision-making process for each round, and added advice along the way. Having started things off with the first overall pick, I move right along in Mock Draft 2.0 and draft from the second spot. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today! So, let’s mock draft!
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Picking Second Overall in the Second Mock Draft
The following mock draft was completed, simulating my strategy and results for a 10-team, one quarterback, Points Per Reception league. The hypothetical roster consists of three wide receivers, two running backs, one tight end, and one 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. Now, let’s get to it!
ROUND ONE
1.01- Christian McCaffrey (CAR RB)
1.02- Dalvin Cook (MIN RB)
1.03- Derrick Henry (TEN RB)
1.04- Alvin Kamara (NO RB)
1.05- Ezekiel Elliot (DAL RB)
1.06- Saquon Barkley (NYG RB)
1.07- Davante Adams (GB WR)
1.08- Jonathan Taylor (IND RB)
1.09- Travis Kelce (KC TE)
1.10- Tyreek Hill (KC WR)
MY PICK: Dalvin Cook
Cook has displayed a high floor, as well as a high ceiling, in seasons past, worth betting on in 2021. What that means is Cook has a great opportunity to produce safe, consistent, high statistical production each week (high floor). It also means he has a high, maximum statistical upside any given week to be the best PPR running back (high ceiling). He accounted for 66% of the Vikings’ carries last season and has recorded an average of 45 receptions each of the last three years. Fire him up again as a strong candidate for the 2021 RB1.
The first round of this draft has the same players from my Mock Draft 1.01. However, this time, the first six picks were running backs. I expect that moving forward, but could see Adams taken a bit higher the minute quarterback Aaron Rodgers shows up to Packers training camp, if at all.
ROUND TWO
2.01 – AJ Brown (TEN WR)
2.02- Stefon Diggs (BUF WR)
2.03- Nick Chubb (CLE RB)
2.04- Austin Ekeler (LAC RB)
2.05- Deandre Hopkins (ARI WR)
2.06- Antonio Gibson (WFT RB)
2.07- Cam Akers (LAR RB)
2.08- Najee Harris (PIT RB)
2.09- Aaron Jones (GB RB)
2.10- Calvin Ridley (ATL WR)
MY PICK: Aaron Jones
Jones was a no-brainer at 2.09 as I capitalized on a run of younger backs the three picks before mine. With the departure of Jamaal Williams, Jones now only shares the Green Bay backfield with second-year player, AJ Dillon. Jones also just signed a four-year $48 million contract that, financially speaking, is really a two-year deal before a likely release. The Packers are going to lean on him as much as possible.
This mock draft team has arguably the best starting running back combo, which is a major advantage, especially with plenty of wide receivers still available. I also took note here of a big rise from last week for Antonio Gibson. I would rather have Aaron Jones so this worked out great.
ROUND THREE
3.01- Joe Mixon (CIN RB)
3.02- DK Metcalf (SEA WR)
3.03- Justin Jefferson (MIN WR)
3.04- Darren Waller (LV TE)
3.05- George Kittle (SF TE)
3.06- Michael Thomas (NO WR)
3.07- Patrick Mahomes (KC QB)
3.08- Josh Allen (BUF QB)
3.09- Allen Robinson (CHI WR)
3.10- Keenan Allen (LAC WR)
MY PICK: DK Metcalf
Another mock draft and another decision of whether or not to take Michael Thomas in the third round. I caught some heat for fading him in my initial mock draft. As my first receiver here, he is an excellent option. I am still hesitant with the lack of clarity surrounding who the Saints starting quarterback is. I only took Metcalf over Jefferson here because I did not want to stack Vikings with two of my first three picks (Cook, Jefferson).
It is becoming clear that if I want a top-tier tight end, the third round is likely the last time to get one. The same goes if I want Patrick Mahomes, too. I am fine passing up on them with where I am selecting in this mock draft. There is plenty of talent left to choose from later on, especially at quarterback.
ROUND FOUR
4.01- Julio Jones (TEN WR)
4.02- Terry McLaurin (WFT WR)
4.03- Robert Woods (LAR WR)
4.04- Chris Carson (SEA RB)
4.05- Ceedee Lamb (DAL WR)
4.06- D.J. Moore (CAR WR)
4.07- Lamar Jackson (BAL QB)
4.08- Kyle Pitts (ATL TE)
4.09- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC RB)
4.10- Mike Evans (TB WR)
MY PICK: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
This time during my last mock draft, I was looking to select my second running back. Here, I selected my third back and plan to plug CEH into this lineup as a strong flex option. In the event of a Cook or Jones injury, which would not be out of the question, Edwards-Helaire is an obvious replacement.
I have CEH as a breakout candidate for the 2021 season at the running back position. For me, it is hard to ignore the starting running back of the high-scoring Kansas City Chiefs. Behind an improved offensive line, I expect Edwards-Helaire to record 200 carries and catch closer to 50 balls in 2021. That sort of increase in volume makes him a potential top-10 to 15 back that I just got in the fourth round! We call that a steal.
This round is too high for me to select tight end, Kyle Pitts. He is the fourth tight end off the board, and may finish as TE4, but could have been selected a round or two later, at least. This is probably the biggest reach early on in the mock draft.
ROUND FIVE
5.01- Amari Cooper (DAL WR)
5.02- Chris Godwin (TB WR)
5.03- Cooper Kupp (LAR WR)
5.04- Adam Thielen (MIN WR)
5.05- Dionte Johnson (PIT WR)
5.06- D’Andre Swift (DET RB)
5.07- Kenny Golladay (NYG WR)
5.08- Tyler Lockett (SEA WR)
5.09- J.K. Dobbins (BAL RB)
5.10- Miles Sanders (PHI RB)
MY PICK: Chris Godwin
I was shocked to see Godwin, yet again, available in the 5th round of this mock draft. I selected him in the same round, one pick higher, in the first mock draft. Having signed the one-year franchise tag in Tampa Bay, I expect Godwin to show out, yet again, as he’s playing for a long-term deal with the Bucs, or elsewhere, in 2022. A great WR2 for this fantasy football team.
ROUND SIX
6.01- David Montgomery (CHI RB)
6.02- Josh Jacobs (LV RB)
6.03- Mark Andrews (BAL TE)
6.04- Brandon Aiyuk (SF WR)
6.05- T.J. Hockenson (DET TE)
6.06- Travis Etienne (JAX RB)
6.07- Robby Anderson (CAR WR)
6.08- JuJu Smith-Schuster (PIT WR)
6.09- Tee Higgins (CIN WR)
6.10- Ja’Marr Chase (CIN WR)
MY PICK: Tee Higgins
Even after quarterback Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury in 2020, Higgins still saw seven targets per game in his absence, aside from the final game of the season, in which Higgins was injured. The team, and Higgins, are better with Burrow under center and he should be a reliable target upon the quarterback’s return. It really is a toss-up, though, given Burrow and Chase’s historic rapport from college. I would just rather select a player with the experience to start the season off strong.
I noticed a much earlier tight end run in this draft. However, I let it pass me by. As other teams fill the tight end position on their roster, take note, but you don’t have to follow suit. You just need to consider drafting a tight end before they begin selecting back-ups. I chose to wait until much later during this mock draft.
ROUND SEVEN
7.01- Kyler Murray (ARI QB)
7.02- D.J. Chark (JAX WR)
7.03- Devonta Smith (PHI WR)
7.04- Courtland Sutton (DEN WR)
7.05- Odell Beckham, Jr. (CLE WR)
7.06- Chase Claypool (PIT WR)
7.07- Mike Davis (ATL RB)
7.08- Myles Gaskin (MIA RB)
7.09- Will Fuller (MIA WR)
7.10- Dak Prescott (DAL QB)
MY PICK: D.J. Chark
Chark was the WR12 on a points-per-game basis in 2019 with a 73/1,008/8 season stat line. He’s caught passes from six different quarterbacks in just three seasons; four in the last two. The seventh, at the start of this season, will be Trevor Lawrence, the best he’s ever had at the professional level. I love Chark’s value here in the 7th round as a potential top-15 player at his position and as the fourth receiver on my roster. This is me betting on Trevor Lawrence, without spending a pick on Trevor Lawrence.
I truthfully would have loved to have taken Kyler Murray with this pick. In hindsight, it may have been best to have taken him in the 6th round. Had I done so, the 6.10/7.01 picks would likely have left one of Higgins or Chase on the board for me in this round. That was a good breakdown to see at the turn of these rounds during this mock draft.
It is always recommended to evaluate the teams, selecting nearby your own pick in the order, to predict how a round may play out for you when you’re on the clock. Monitor them, but keep the focus on making your roster the best it can be.
ROUND EIGHT
8.01- Jerry Jeudy (DEN WR)
8.02- Michael Pittman (IND WR)
8.03- Tyler Boyd (CIN WR)
8.04- Russell Wilson (SEA QB)
8.05- Justin Herbert (LAC QB)
8.06- Aaron Rodgers (GB QB)
8.07- Tom Brady (TB QB)
8.08- Kareem Hunt (CLE RB)
8.09- Chase Edmonds (ARI RB)
8.10- Deebo Samuel (SF WR)
MY PICK: Chase Edmonds
Kareem Hunt would have been an excellent choice here as he is better-rounded, but I was pleased to land Chase Edmonds. In 2020, Edmonds had the 7th most receptions and 6th most reception yards among all running backs. It is yet to be seen how the Cardinals backfield shapes up, but Edmonds is the betting favorite to land a three-down role. I like his ADP and he is a good back to stash on the bench with high upside in PPR formatting.
Remember when I said to take note of positional runs, but don’t automatically follow suit? Notice how there have not been any tight ends taken in the last two rounds. In addition, the quarterback spree at this point in the mock draft did not go unnoticed!
ROUND NINE
9.01- Jarvis Landry (CLE WR)
9.02- Jalen Hurts (PHI QB)
9.03- Curtis Samuel (WFT WR)
9.04- James Robinson (JAX RB)
9.05- Brandin Cooks (HOU WR)
9.06- Melvin Gordon (DEN RB)
9.07- Antonio Brown (TB WR)
9.08- Laviska Shenault (JAX WR)
9.09- Leonard Fournette (TB RB)
9.10- Darnell Mooney (CHI WR)
My Pick: Jalen Hurts
Hurts is the 10th quarterback off the board in this 10-team mock draft. I felt that Hurts added the most potential, of the quarterbacks left, to finish in the top-10 on a weekly basis with his ability as a runner. The Eagles added Heisman winner rookie DeVonta Smith as much-needed help at the wide receiver position, as well. While they may not win a ton of games, Hurts will have fantasy-friendly game scripts as an Eagle and better player makers in 2021 to succeed in fantasy football.
ROUND 10
10.01- Marquis Brown (BAL WR)
10.02- Raheem Mostert (SF RB)
10.03- Javontae Williams (DEN RB)
10.04- Michael Carter (NYJ RB)
10.05- Zack Moss (BUF RB)
10.06- Jaylen Waddle (MIA WR)
10.07- Devante Parker (MIA WR)
10.08- Michael Gallup (DAL WR)
10.09- Corey Davis (NYJ WR)
10.10– Damien Harris (NE RB)
MY PICK: Corey Davis
Corey Davis signed a three-year $37.5 million deal this offseason with the New York Jets. The Jets then selected quarterback Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Davis will have a massive role in the offense as the top pass catcher for the team.
He was the WR24 on a points-per-game basis in 2020. I have no problem rolling the dice on him in the 10th round, even as a Jet. Some of the receivers selected after Davis: T.Y. Hilton, Cole Beasley, Jalen Reagor, Henry Ruggs III.
STARTING LINEUP
QB- Jalen Hurts
RB- Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones
WR- DK Metcalf, Chris Godwin, Tee Higgins
TE- Mike Gesicki (14.09)
FLEX- Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Bench: D.J. Chark, Chase Edmonds, Mike Williams (11.02), Jamaal Williams (12.09), Tony Pollard (13.02)
Mock Draft 2.0 CONCLUSION
I would be hard-pressed to find a team in this mock draft with a better trio of running backs. At such a scarce position, I have three in my ranked top-12. All three backs should expect a lot of volume in their respective offenses which is a recipe for fantasy football success.
I feel really good about the starting wide receivers I walked away with as a result of going heavy on running back early on. Higgins, who was 25th in points per game with Burrow on the field last season, is a capable starter that I was able to select in the 6th. Since I decided to wait at quarterback and tight end, I also landed a player like Chark, who is a strong receiver off of this bench with the potential to start any given week.
Keeping an eye on the quarterback situation paid off as I snagged Jalen Hurts as the 10th quarterback off the board. In doing so, I was able to emphasize RB/WR depth early and still get a starting quarterback who can score big with his legs.
This Mock Draft 2.0 may have turned out better than the first, as it should! Drafting from a different position provided the opportunity to make different decisions to build this roster. I felt more comfortable knowing where certain players may fall this time around.
The big takeaway is that I was better prepared than the last mock draft and that is the goal when the real drafts come around. Let this be the ultimate reminder to mock draft this week, today, or right now!
For more Rankings and Analysis please check out our full 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
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