Every NFL team now officially has a preseason game under the belt. With playing time, performances, and injury news from this past weekend, we now have that much more information to consider for our fantasy football drafts. Therefore, the results of this mock draft should reflect some managers’ processing of this information as far as where certain players are getting drafted.
These next few mock drafts are the most important. Most fantasy football drafts are within the next week or two. My best advice is to limit your investment in what you see in these preseason games. Don’t let the time and research from the last few weeks or months get completely overtaken by one preseason game, or even one big play, from a player. Let others overreact to the trendy players that all of the sudden might have a ton of potential. Go with your gut and get your guys.
Picking Seventh Overall in the Seventh 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 seventh overall pick in this mock draft and will make selections from different draft positions each week. For this mock draft, I will break down 12 of 16 rounds. With training camp underway, it’s more worthwhile to continue breaking down the later rounds now than it has been in some of the earlier mock drafts. 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- Jonathan Taylor (IND RB)
1.02- Christian McCaffrey (CAR RB)
1.03- Cooper Kupp (LAR WR)
1.04- Austin Ekeler (LAC RB)
1.05- Derrick Henry (TEN RB)
1.06- Justin Jefferson (MIN WR)
1.07- Najee Harris (PIT RB)
1.08- Dalvin Cook (MIN RB)
1.09- Ja’Marr Chase (CIN WR)
1.10- Joe Mixon (CIN RB)
MY PICK: Najee Harris
I continue to roll with Najee Harris in the first round. He is one of very few running backs that I think will log 300 touches this season. In fact, I think he has a chance to hit 350 after logging 381, the most of any player, last season as a rookie. I’ve taken him as high as third in this mock draft series so this is a steal as far as I’m concerned.
Dalvin Cook has yet to play more than 14 games in a season. Additionally, with Kevin O’Connell as the Vikings’ new head coach, I don’t see as much receiving work for Cook in an expected pass-heavy offense that notoriously favors wide receivers. I’m lower than most on Cook, but grabbing him in the first round is still a great pick. He’s averaged over 15.0 points per game each of the three seasons and 20.0 in two of them. He could score a ton of goal-to-go situational touchdowns this season in Minnesota.
ROUND TWO
2.01 – Davante Adams (LV WR)
2.02- D’Andre Swift (DET RB)
2.03- Leonard Fournette (TB RB)
2.04- Travis Kelce (KC TE)
2.05- Stefon Diggs (BUF WR)
2.06- Nick Chubb (CLE RB)
2.07- Javonte Williams (DEN RB)
2.08- Deebo Samuel (SF WR)
2.09- Aaron Jones (GB RB)
2.10- Ceedee Lamb (DAL WR)
MY PICK: Travis Kelce
This is the first mock draft of targeting a top tight end in the first few rounds. Even if it’s not my typical strategy, it’s important to experiment with different roster constructions. By selecting Travis Kelce here in the second round of the mock draft, I know I have a set and forget tight end. Now I can proceed without having to worry about when to draft a tight end. If you do draft one of the top tight ends, like Kelce, in a 10-team league especially, you do not need to draft a backup.
Kelce should continue to be a top target of Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. With the departure of Tyreek Hill and others, there is a massive target share from last season to be had. Following Hill’s departure, the Chiefs added Juju Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and rookie Skyy Moore ahead of the 2022 season. The question is, can the newcomers to this offense demand enough defensive attention for Kelce to continue to see mismatches on a week-to-week basis? I say yes.
Kelce is my top-ranked tight end. I do have some skepticism about whether him finishing as the TE1 means an 18.0 to 20.0 or more points per game average or if it’s closer to 15.0 or 16.0 points per game. If it’s the latter, then this pick, in hindsight, could be better spent on a wide receiver or running back with the potential for 20.0 points per game. You need to decide where you stand on Kelce’s 2022 outlook before your drafts.
ROUND THREE
3.01- Alvin Kamara (NO RB)
3.02- Tyreek Hill (MIA WR)
3.03- Josh Allen (BUF QB)
3.04- Mark Andrews (BAL TE)
3.05- Patrick Mahomes (KC QB)
3.06- Saquon Barkley (NYG RB)
3.07- Mike Evans (TB WR)
3.08- A.J. Brown (PHI WR)
3.09- Ezekiel Elliott (DAL RB)
3.10- Keenan Allen (LAC WR)
MY PICK: Mike Evans
With the selection of Mike Evans, I now have one running back, tight end, and wide receiver on this mock draft team. Mike Evans isn’t one of the younger, flashier players getting drafted this early in 2022. However, he has eight straight 1,000-yard seasons in his career. Also, since Tom Brady joined the Buccaneers, Evans has 27 receiving touchdowns total in the last two seasons. With a banged-up Chris Godwin and a retired Rob Gronkowski, I think Mike Evans, as Brady’s top target, could lead the league in receiving touchdowns.
ROUND FOUR
4.01- James Conner (ARI RB)
4.02- Kyle Pitts (ATL TE)
4.03- Tee Higgins (CIN WR)
4.04- Travis Etienne (JAC RB)
4.05- Cam Akers (LAR RB)
4.06- George Kittle (SF TE)
4.07- D.J. Moore (CAR WR)
4.08- Jaylen Waddle (MIA WR)
4.09- Dionte Johnson (PIT WR)
4.10- Michael Pittman, Jr. (IND WR)
MY PICK: Travis Etienne
After selecting Mike Evans, I counted six picks in this mock draft before I would be back on the clock here in the fourth round. Remember to be an active drafter. Know when you’ll be drafting next and theoretically what players should be available at that time. In this case, when selecting Evans, I felt good about my chances to draft a solid RB2 to pair with Najee Harris in the next seven picks.
That brings me to Travis Etienne. No, he didn’t play football in 2021, and no, I don’t care. He looks fantastic so far in training camp. Etienne is taking handoffs and catching passes in Jacksonville from his college teammate, quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars also paid Cam Robinson and acquired Brandon Scherff to sure up their offensive line this offseason.
Lastly, Etienne doesn’t have any worthwhile threats to his workload in this backfield. James Robinson, the most notable threat, is still working back from an Achilles tear in December. This may actually be a round earlier than Etienne’s average draft position, but it’s worth it. There is a serious drop-off at running back and it’s evident in the next few rounds of this mock draft when running backs generally go undrafted by just about everyone.
ROUND FIVE
5.01- Terry McLaurin (WSH WR)
5.02- Breece Hall (NYJ RB)
5.03- David Montgomery (CHI RB)
5.04- D.K. Metcalf (SEA WR)
5.05- Amari Cooper (CLE WR)
5.06- Justin Herbert (LAC QB)
5.07- Courtland Sutton (DEN WR)
5.08- Darnell Mooney (CHI WR)
5.09- Mike Williams (LAC WR)
5.10- Brandin Cooks (HOU WR)
MY PICK: Courtland Sutton
Courtland Sutton is the closest Russell Wilson has to D.K. Metcalf in Denver. He has about three inches and 20 pounds on Jerry Jeudy. Additionally, he is the closest receiver that new head coach, Nathaniel Hackett, has to Davante Adams, from his time as Green Bay’s offensive coordinator the last few seasons.
Even with less than ideal quarterback play, Jeudy hasn’t averaged more than 9.9 points per game in two fantasy football seasons. Sutton, now two years removed from a season-ending ACL tear, should lead this team in targets. I think we are finally going to see “Russ cook” which is not only good news for him, but everyone on this offense. Sutton, as his WR1, is a steal in the fifth round and is going to score a lot of touchdowns.
ROUND SIX
6.01- Chris Godwin (TB WR)
6.02- Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET WR)
6.03- Jerry Jeudy (DEN WR)
6.04- Marquise Brown (ARI WR)
6.05- Darren Waller (LV TE)
6.06- DeAndre Hopkins (ARI WR)
6.07- Gabriel Davis (BUF WR)
6.08- Josh Jacobs (LV RB)
6.09- Allen Robinson (LAR WR)
6.10- Michael Thomas (NO WR)
MY PICK: Marquise Brown
This is a pick based on sheer value. Marquise Brown is going a round later in this mock draft than last week. He is just another example of a player reuniting or playing with his former college quarterback. The trade to Arizona will do Brown a favor. It’s a much pass-heavier style of play and Kyler Murray is one of the best deep ball passers in the league.
Brown’s biggest competition for targets is DeAndre Hopkins. He comes off of the board two picks later in this round of the mock draft. Hopkins is set to serve a six-game suspension for PEDs. Even if Brown’s target share dips a bit with Hopkins’ return, he is going to dominate the first six weeks. As the projected flex on this mock draft roster, he is going to earn crucial wins for this and many fantasy football teams early on this season.
ROUND SEVEN
7.01- Lamar Jackson (BAL QB)
7.02- Daulton Schultz (DAL TE)
7.03- Juju Smith-Schuster (KC WR)
7.04- Elijah Moore (NYJ WR)
7.05- Tyler Lockett (SEA WR)
7.06- Adam Theilen (MIN WR)
7.07- Rashod Bateman (BAL WR)
7.08- Kyler Murray (ARI QB)
7.09- J.K. Dobbins (BAL RB)
7.10- T.J. Hockenson (DET TE)
MY PICK: Rashod Bateman
One round after drafting Marquise Brown, I get Rashod Bateman again, which is a weekly tradition of this mock draft series. Bateman is going to feast on the majority of Brown’s vacant 25.4% target share in Baltimore from last season. With no other Ravens wide receiver having more than two years of NFL experience or 32 career receptions, this will be The Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews Show in Baltimore.
I still think Elijah Moore has value in light of Zach Wilson’s injury from this past weekend. He managed 12.6 fantasy points per game as a rookie last season. That’s while catching passes from four different quarterbacks in New York. I’m chasing the player and not the situation when drafting Moore. As we get more clarity on Wilson’s expected absence, Moore’s ADP should solidify in the next coming days or so.
ROUND EIGHT
8.01- Antonio Gibson (WSH RB)
8.02- Joe Burrow (CIN QB)
8.03- Drake London (ATL WR)
8.04- Elijah Mitchell (SF RB)
8.05- DeVonta Smith (PHI WR)
8.06- Hunter Renfrow (LV WR)
8.07- Jalen Hurts (PHI QB)
8.08- Allen Lazard (GB WR)
8.09- Tom Brady (TB QB)
8.10- Brandon Aiyuk (SF WR)
MY PICK: Elijah Mitchell
Wow! Antonio Gibson is this week’s big-time faller in the mock draft dropping three rounds from last week. This is a direct result of the Washington Commanders’ first preseason game this past weekend. Gibson totaled just two rushing yards on four carries with a fumble loss. He also had one catch for two yards on one target.
This is additionally troubling given J.D. McKissic’s role as a pass-catching back and his return to the team as a free agent. Furthermore, Brian Robinson Jr. is the team’s third-round addition in the 2022 Draft who pounded in his first touchdown following Gibson’s exit from the game.
Regardless, Gibson is the RB19 on a points-per-game basis in each of the last two seasons. Even with injury concerns, Gibson logged 300 touches last season. The fumble couldn’t have come at a worse time, but there’s no reason Gibson should fall to the eighth round of any draft because of it. I didn’t even realize he was still available until the pick was made.
ROUND NINE
9.01- Robert Woods (TEN WR)
9.02- Christian Kirk (JAC WR)
9.03- Miles Sanders (PHI RB)
9.04- A.J. Dillon (GB RB)
9.05- Damien Harris (NE RB)
9.06- Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC RB)
9.07- Kareem Hunt (CLE RB)
9.08- Treylon Burks (TEN WR)
9.09- Kadarius Toney (NYG WR)
9.10- Cordarelle Patterson (ATL RB)
MY PICK: Kareem Hunt
It’s crazy to me that year after year Kareem Hunt’s ADP never changes. He is in a win/win situation for fantasy football as discussed on episode nine of The Fly Fantasy Football Podcast presented by Fantrax. In situations the Browns need to hurry or are trying to make a comeback, Hunt is on the field as a dual threat ball carrier and pass catcher. In the event of a Nick Chubb injury, we’ve seen Hunt step up as an RB1 in fantasy with a full workload.
I’m not incorporating this into his draft value, but if Hunt does end up getting traded, amidst rumors, it will likely be to a team where he sees a larger workload. He’s averaging 13.7 and 13.8 points per game in the last two seasons respectively. Considering he is the fifth running back in a five running back run, I’m perfectly fine to have him fall into my lap here. He is the fourth running back on my mock draft roster so I’m not depending on starting him any time soon.
ROUND 10
10.01- Romeo Doubs (GB WR)
10.02- Devin Singletary (BUF RB)
10.03- Chase Claypool (PIT WR)
10.04- Chase Edmonds (ARI RB)
10.05- Ken Walker III (SEA RB)
10.06- Russell Gage (TB WR)
10.07- Garrett Wilson (NYJ WR)
10.08- Jarvis Landry (NO WR)
10.09- Skyy Moore (KC WR)
10.10- Rashaad Penny (SEA RB)
MY PICK: Chase Edmonds
All of the sudden, through 10 rounds of the mock draft, I have five running backs. This is my third running back in a row and easily the best value of them all. I am on record making the bold prediction that Edmonds will log a career-high 250 touches. He has the largest contract of any Miami running back. His new head coach, Mike McDaniel, is also the former 49ers offensive and run-game coordinator. In an obviously improved offense, I’ll take the starting running back in the 10th round any chance I can get.
Romeo Doubs starts the rookie run of this round. As fun as he’s been to follow, I’m not entirely sure he is the Green Bay wide receiver to target, especially this high. I think Doubs can also be had a few rounds later in most drafts. Aaron Rodgers is on record asking for production over potential from his receivers. Doubs is clearly producing the most in camp, but second round rookie, Christian Watson is due back at practice after a minor knee injury.
ROUND 11
11.01- Michael Gallup (DAL WR)
11.02- Tony Pollard (DAL RB)
11.03- Chris Olave (NO WR)
11.04- Rhamondre Stevenson (NE RB)
11.05- D.J Chark (DET WR)
11.06- James Cook (BUF RB)
11.07- Jakobi Meyers (NE WR)
11.08- Zach Ertz (ARI TE)
11.09- George Pickens (PIT WR)
11.10- Tyler Boyd (CIN WR)
MY PICK: Jakobi Meyers
This is a bit of a panic pick for me in this mock draft. With time ticking on the clock, I saw Meyers’ name and made the selection. He had a career-high 83 receptions for 866 yards last season with rookie Mac Jones throwing him the ball. His 24% target share led the entire Patriots offense last year, as well. The hope is that he sees an uptick in touchdown production, but at a minimum, he can provide a safe PPR floor this last in drafts.
The George Pickens hype train is starting to pick up speed. This is his first appearance in the top-12 rounds of any mock draft thus far. His toe-drag touchdown in his first preseason action is a big reason why. I like taking a flier on Pickens because the talent is obviously there. The Pittsburgh wide receiver room is crowded, though, and their quarterback situation still isn’t ideal.
ROUND 12
12.01- Dallas Goedert (PHI TE)
12.02- Melvin Gordon (DEN RB)
12.03- Michael Carter (NYJ RB)
12.04- Nyheim Hines (IND RB)
12.05- James Robinson (JAX RB)
12.06- Darrell Henderson (LAR RB)
12.07- Dak Prescott (DAL QB)
12.08- Alexander Mattison (MIN RB)
12.09- Cole Kmet (CHI TE)
12.10- Devante Parker (NE WR)
MY PICK: Nyheim Hines
I’m still latching on to Indianapolis head coach, Frank Reich’s, coach speak from May with this pick. He told us all to draft Nyheim Hines in fantasy football this season! Reich claims the Colts were more run-heavy than they wanted to be last season. With Hines’ pass-catching ability, he adds value, especially to an older quarterback like Matt Ryan who can dump it off his way. This is a lottery ticket that I hope to cash in on at some point during the season. Until then, Hines will be on the bench of this mock draft roster. Build that bench up!
STARTING LINEUP
QB – Trey Lance (13.07)
RB – Najee Harris, Travis Etienne
WR – Mike Evans, Courtland Sutton, Marquise Brown
TE – Travis Kelce
FLEX – Rashod Bateman
Bench: Elijah Mitchell, Kareem Hunt, Chase Edmonds, Jakobi Meyers, Nyheim Hines, Kirk Cousins (14.04)
Mock Draft 7.0 CONCLUSION
My plan at quarterback here is simple: Safe and upside. The upside pick is Trey Lance. He is finally the starter in San Francisco. With explosive playmakers around him and a high rushing upside, I may have a top-five quarterback on my roster with my 13th-round pick. The safe pick is Kirk Cousins. He consistently finishes just outside the top-10 at the position. However, with a pass-heavy mindset from his new head coach, and top-notch pass catchers, he has his best chance yet to finish inside the top 10. In case Lance is a bust, I have Cousins to fall back on immediately. The bottom line is you can wait at quarterback.
I like this roster having spent a high pick on tight end Travis Kelce. As far as rankings go, I may not have top-rated wide receivers and running backs. However, I believe the upside in the players I did pick, after drafting Kelce, is high enough to put up a large number of points each week. It’s a toss-up if my roster would be better having selected Stefon Diggs over Kelce and waited for a tight end a few rounds later.
I really like the run of running backs I grabbed in the later rounds. The three-round run of Elijah Mitchell, Kareem Hunt, and Chase Edmonds could be top-15 guys any given week. I don’t need to know right away with Najee Harris and Travis Etienne expected to start for me in Week 1.
I didn’t really have a plan with this mock draft. After drafting Kelce, I just targeted the best players available round by round. It’s not a bad way to play, but I do worry about the dependability of this roster week-to-week. If Kelce doesn’t provide a clear-cut positional advantage against my opponents, I could be in trouble.