The 10th mock draft in my summer-long series is always bittersweet. It marks the official end of my preseason content. However, we can now turn our attention toward the reason for the preseason: the 2023 fantasy football season. It kicks off this Thursday when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions.
Some of you may not have drafted until now to have as much information as possible before making your picks. If that’s how your league operates, I commend you. I’m not so patient. This final mock draft is my last attempt at putting together a winning squad, this time, at the turn, ending one round and beginning the next.
Picking 10th Overall in the 10th 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 10th overall pick in this mock draft and have made selections from different draft positions each week. For this mock draft, I will break down 14 of the total 16 rounds. 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- Justin Jefferson (MIN WR)
1.02- Ja’Marr Chase (CIN WR)
1.03- Christian McCaffrey (CAR RB)
1.04- Tyreek Hill (MIA WR)
1.05- Austin Ekeler (LAC RB)
1.06- Travis Kelce (KC TE)
1.07- Saquon Barkley (NYG RB)
1.08- CeeDee Lamb (DAL WR)
1.09- Stefon Diggs (BUF WR)
1.10- Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET WR)
MY PICK: Amon-Ra St. Brown
I believe this is my first mock draft selecting “The Sun God.” A very special season is in store for the third-year receiver and he gets started in prime time this Thursday. He is the ninth-most targeted player from last season. Ahead of this season, the Lions didn’t add much competition for targets in the Detroit passing game. With St. Brown’s combination of volume, skill, and even a few rush attempts mixed in, he has the potential to finish at the top of the position.
ROUND TWO
2.01 – Bijan Robinson (ATL RB)
2.02- Davante Adams (LV WR)
2.03- Tony Pollard (DAL RB)
2.04- Nick Chubb (CLE RB)
2.05- Jaylen Waddle (MIA WR)
2.06- Cooper Kupp (LAR WR)
2.07- A.J. Brown (PHI WR)
2.08- DeVonta Smith (PHI WR)
2.09- Garrett Wilson (NYJ WR)
2.10- Josh Jacobs (LV RB)
MY PICK: Bijan Robinson
Realistically, I should’ve selected Bijan Robinson at the end of the first round, but now I can say “I got Bijan in the second.” It’s the little things. Bijan Robinson has no business being available 11th overall in any draft. Yes, he’s a rookie, but the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is going to play a three-down role in the Atlanta Falcons’ offense this season. He has the receiving skills to lead all running backs in receptions. When it comes to targeting a running back here, Chubb and Pollard are great picks, too. Sometimes selecting a player you’re the most excited to watch, like Bijan, is all the pick comes down to.
Cooper Kupp has too much risk for me to select in the second round. As he tries to work back from his second hamstring strain of the preseason, I can’t justify this high of draft capital on a player who has a higher chance than most of missing double-digit games in his range of outcomes.
ROUND THREE
3.01- Derrick Henry (TEN RB)
3.02- Chris Olave (NO WR)
3.03- Joe Mixon (CIN RB)
3.04- Patrick Mahomes (KC QB)
3.05- Josh Allen (BUF QB)
3.06- Keenan Allen (LAC WR)
3.07- Najee Harris (PIT RB)
3.08- Tee Higgins (CIN WR)
3.09- Jalen Hurts (PHI QB)
3.10- Calvin Ridley (JAX WR)
MY PICK: Calvin Ridley
Speaking of players that will be fun to root for this season, I’m all in for the Calvin Ridley comeback. He hasn’t played in a game since October of 2021. Still, Ridley is just 28 years old and an absolute game. He has 28 receiving touchdowns in 49 regular season games, most of which were played opposite of future Hall of Famer, Julio Jones, in Atlanta. Ridley is easily the most talented receiver on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense. I expect him to average eight or more targets per game as Trevor Lawrence’s top target.
ROUND FOUR
4.01- Rhamondre Stevenson (NE RB)
4.02- D.K. Metcalf (SEA WR)
4.03- Aaron Jones (GB RB)
4.04- Mark Andrews (BAL TE)
4.05- Amari Cooper (CLE WR)
4.06- Travis Etienne (JAX RB)
4.07- Diontae Johnson (PIT WR)
4.08- Joe Burrow (CIN QB)
4.09- Jahmyr Gibbs (DET RB)
4.10- Lamar Jackson (BAL QB)
MY PICK: Rhamondre Stevenson
With two wide receivers and one running back so far in this mock draft, I’m an open book when making this pick. I have Rhamondre Stevenson rounding out my top-10 running backs. He’s also my 26th-overall ranked player in PPR formats. Adding a running back who just recorded the fourth-most receptions in 2022 is extremely valuable with the 31st-overall pick. This mock draft team is well-rounded four rounds in with 19 more picks until I’m back on the clock.
ROUND FIVE
5.01- Deebo Samuel (SF WR)
5.02- Breece Hall (NYJ RB)
5.03- Brandon Aiyuk (SF WR)
5.04- Dameon Pierce (HOU RB)
5.05- DeAndre Hopkins (TEN WR)
5.06- Kenneth Walker III (SEA RB)
5.07- D.J. Moore (CHI WR)
5.08- Tyler Lockett (SEA WR)
5.09- Miles Sanders (CAR RB)
5.10- Chris Godwin (TB WR)
MY PICK: Chris Godwin
Chris Godwin is and has been the WR3 on many of my recent mock draft teams. He’s logged 1,000 yards and led the Buccaneers in targets in three of the last four seasons. Between he, Drake London, and Terry McLaurin, I actually trust Baker Mayfield the most, in regards to their respective quarterbacks, to get Godwin the ball.
ROUND SIX
6.01- T.J. Hockenson (MIN TE)
6.02- Drake London (ATL WR)
6.03- David Montgomery (DET RB)
6.04- Terry McLaurin (WSH WR)
6.06- Christian Watson (GB WR)
6.06- Jonathan Taylor (IND RB)
6.07- Alexander Mattison (MIN RB)
6.08- Mike Williams (LAC WR)
6.09- Justin Fields (CHI QB)
6.10- George Kittle (SF TE)
MY PICK: T.J. Hockenson
T.J. Hockenson is entering the 2023 season with a new four-year contract extension worth up to $68.5 million. He’s been my TE2 just behind Travis Kelce so adding him to this mock draft team is seemingly a steal from my perspective.
The Minnesota Vikings passed at the third-highest rate last season. In just 10 games, after landing with the Vikings via trade, Hockenson caught 60 passes for 519 yards and three scores. That’s an 11.19-point floor from the receptions and yardage alone. Hockenson also ranked 13th in red zone targets across the league. He should find the end zone more in 2023 considering Adam Thielen, former Minnesota receiver, drew the ninth-most red zone targets and is now on the Carolina Panthers.
ROUND SEVEN
7.01- Jerry Jeudy (DEN WR)
7.02- Jordan Addison (MIN WR)
7.03- Michael Pittman (IND WR)
7.04- George Pickens (PIT WR)
7.05- Darren Waller (NYG TE)
7.06- Justin Herbert (LAC QB)
7.07- Trevor Lawrence (JAX QB)
7.08- Dallas Goedert (PHI TE)
7.09- J.K. Dobbins (BAL RB)
7.10- Marquise Brown (ARI WR)
MY PICK: Marquise Brown
I’m willing to bet on Marquise “Hollywood” Brown as my flex for this mock draft team, especially earlier on. He drew over 10 targets per game as the clear-cut WR1 on the Arizona Cardinals early last season. Granted, that was with Kyler Murray as quarterback. It looks like rookie Clayton Tune could get the start in Week 1. Assuming the Cardinals fall behind early and often, Brown should see enough volume to provide a high enough floor to start on most fantasy football rosters.
ROUND EIGHT
8.01- James Cook (BUF RB)
8.02- James Conner (ARI RB)
8.03- Dak Prescott (DAL QB)
8.04- Christian Kirk (JAX WR)
8.05- Rachaad White (TB RB)
8.06- Mike Evans (TB WR)
8.07- Cam Akers (LAR RB)
8.08- Alvin Kamara (NO RB)
8.09- Jahan Dotson (WSH WR)
8.10- Dalvin Cook (NYJ RB)
MY PICK: James Cook
James Cook is the perfect bench running back to have on standby, especially in PPR leagues. He’s my RB3 on this mock draft team. I’m taking the “wait and see” approach with Cook for now. He played just over 13 snaps per game as a rookie. He’s also never logged more than 140 touches in a season in both college and the pros. As the expected lead back on the Buffalo Bills, Cook could see a major increase in workload. After a few games, we should all know whether or not Cook can be trusted as a weekly starter amongst running backs.
ROUND NINE
9.01- Brandin Cooks (DAL WR)
9.02- Javonte Williams (DEN RB)
9.03- Zay Flowers (BAL WR)
9.04- Courtland Sutton (DEN WR)
9.05- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA WR)
9.06- D’Andre Swift (PHI RB)
9.07- Skyy Moore (KC WR)
9.08- Khalil Herbert (CHI RB)
9.09- Jakobi Meyers (LV WR)
9.10- Isiah Pacheco (KC RB)
MY PICK: Isiah Pacheco
Adding the lead back on the Kansas City Chiefs this late in the mock draft feels like a steal. Pacheco logged 15 or more touches in nine of his 20 games as a rookie, including playoffs. In fact, the Chiefs handed Pacheco the ball 15 times in the Super Bowl which he turned into 76 yards and a score. He’s probably going this late because the Chiefs throw a ton and the possibility of the team adding a veteran to the backfield at some point this season. The reward is worth any risk associated with Pacheco.
ROUND 10
10.01- Treylon Burks (TEN WR)
10.02- Gabe Davis (BUF WR)
10.03- Nico Collins (HOU WR)
10.04- Juju Smith-Schuster (NE WR)
10.05- Antonio Gibson (WAS RB)
10.06- A.J. Dillon (GB RB)
10.07- Pat Freiermuth (PIT TE)
10.08- Brian Robinson Jr. (WAS RB)
10.09- Elijah Moore (CLE WR)
10.10- Jamaal Williams (NO RB)
MY PICK: Treylon Burks
I’m admittedly low on Treylon Burks. The Tennessee Titans have ranked 10th, 2nd, 1st, and 11th in rush attempts per season since 2019. Perhaps they’re looking to throw more in 2023, but even then, they added DeAndre Hopkins into the mix this offseason. My starting wide receivers on this mock draft team, including Marquise Brown, are good enough to let Burks’ second-year development play out. He is a first-round talent from last year’s draft. I’m all about adding players with upside from Round 10 onward.
ROUND 11
11.01- Michael Thomas (NO WR)
11.02- Kyle Pitts (ATL TE)
11.03- Evan Engram (JAX TE)
11.04- Samaje Perine (DEN RB)
11.05- Odell Beckham Jr. (BAL WR)
11.06- Raheem Mostert (MIA RB)
11.07- Jaylen Warren (PIT RB)
11.08- Zach Charbonnet (SEA RB)
11.09- David Njoku (CLE TE)
11.10- Anthony Richardson (IND QB)
MY PICK: Anthony Richardson
In a 1QB league, there are always going to be quarterbacks you can start available on the waiver wire. Even in this mock draft league, Geno Smith and Kirk Cousins went undrafted. So, I’ll roll the dice on Anthony Richardson’s upside knowing my backup plan can be had for free a few weeks into the season, if necessary.
Anthony Richardson’s fantasy upside rests with his rushing ability. At 6’5″ and 250 pounds with 4.4 speed, he’s going to be hard to bring down when he calls his own number in the running game. Richardson is the Week 1 starter for the Indianapolis Colts which gives me that much more confidence to roll him out there, at home, in Week 1 against an average Jacksonville Jaguars defense.
ROUND 12
12.01- Quentin Johnston (LAC WR)
12.02- Jerick McKinnon (KC RB)
12.03- Rashod Bateman (BAL WR)
12.04- De’Von Achane (MIA RB)
12.05- Kadarius Toney (KC WR)
12.06- Rashaad Penny (PHI RB)
12.07- Damien Harris (BUF RB)
12.08- Tyler Allgeier (ATL RB)
12.09- Kenneth Gainwell (PHI RB)
12.10- Ezekiel Elliott (NE RB)
MY PICK: Quentin Johnston
Quentin Johnston looks like the Los Angeles Chargers’ WR4 to start the season. However, both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams have missed a combined 16 regular season games over the last three years. It’s possible the Chargers’ first-round pick sees the field sooner than later in 2023. He’s a big-body deep ball threat catching passes from Justin Herbert. I’ll be more interested next fantasy football season, but willing to use a 12th-round pick just in case he breaks out this year.
ROUND 13
13.01- Dalton Schultz (HOU TE)
13.02- Elijah Mitchell (SF RB)
13.03- Tyler Higbee (LAR TE)
13.04- Chigoziem Okonkwo (TEN TE)
13.05- Cole Kmet (CHI TE)
13.06- Tank Bigsby (JAX RB)
13.07- Adam Thielen (CAR WR)
13.08- Gerald Everett (LAC TE)
13.09- Devin Singletary (HOU RB)
13.10- Tyjae Spears (TEN RB)
MY PICK: Tyjae Spears
Tyjae Spears is Derrick Henry’s backup in Tennessee. At this point in the mock draft, I’m throwing darts at the board. Henry has 2,046 career touches and is turning 30 years old soon. Even if Henry plays all 17 games, Spears could mix into the Titans’ run game more than any Henry backup has before this season. If Spears, for whatever reason, is the lead back by the fantasy football playoffs, he gets an incredible schedule to work with. The Titans play two games against the Houston Texans, who allowed the most fantasy points to running backs last season.
ROUND 14
14.01- Jeff Wilson Jr. (MIA RB)
14.02- Dalton Kincaid (BUF TE)
14.03- Daniel Jones (NYG QB)
14.04- Deshaun Watson (CLE QB)
14.05- Tua Tagovailoa (MIA QB)
14.06- Rondale Moore (ARI WR)
14.07- D’Onta Foreman (CHI RB)
14.08- Romeo Doubs (GB WR)
14.09- Greg Dulcich (DEN TE)
14.10- Tyler Boyd (CIN WR)
MY PICK: Jeff Wilson Jr.
Here’s my last bit of advice to wrap up your 2023 fantasy football drafts. If your league has an Injured Reserve spot, grab Jeff Wilson with your last pick, if available. When the draft is over, stash Wilson on your team’s IR and pick up another upside player in his place! By doing so, you’re essentially drafting 15 players as opposed to 14. More lottery ticket players just give you more chances to hit big on players.
STARTING LINEUP
QB – Anthony Richardson
RB – Bijan Robinson, Rhamondre Stevenson
WR – Amon-Ra St. Brown, Calvin Ridley, Chris Godwin
TE – T.J. Hockenson
FLEX – Marquise Brown
Bench: James Cook, Isiah Pacheco, Treylon Burks, Quentin Johnston, Tyjae Spears, Jeff. Wilson Jr.
Mock Draft 10.0 CONCLUSION
All of my mock drafts can be found in the Fantrax 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit. There are nine others full of advice and write-ups on specific players for this upcoming season. For this final mock draft, I grabbed players I look forward to watching and believe in this season. The upside of the starting lineup is a lot fun to look at, especially if Anthony Richardson quite literally hits the ground running as a rookie. Above all else, my best advice is to have fun this season. Fantasy football can have a way of dictating our daily moods, good or bad. Make sure you’re joining leagues with people you want to play with, enjoy every moment, and you can’t lose.
For more great rankings and analysis, make sure to check out our 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
Abysmal QB. Did you watch the preseason?
I did! Not the most accurate by any means, but Richardson’s value is in his rushing ability. The beauty of a 1QB league is I can pick up someone like Geno Smith on the waiver wire if Richardson really bombs early on.