Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Fantasy Football: 10-Team Standard Mock Draft
Waaaaay back on July 15th (happy birthday, Mom), we here at Fantasy CPR got together along with some other NFL and Fantasy Football writers, and did ourselves some good old fashioned mock drafting.
What I love about mock drafts is they force you to put your money where your mouth is. You can talk all you want about how you like Player A in this round and Player B in that round, but what is far more telling is what you do when the clock is ticking and you have to make a decision.
That being said, training camps haven’t started, so opinions can and will change by the time our next mock rolls around. For right now, here is how we at the site (as well as others in the industry) would go about constructing a fantasy roster.
But before we start, a bit of housekeeping: This is a 10-team, standard scoring (four points passing TD) draft, with nine starters (QB, 2RB, 2WR, TE, FLEX, D/ST, K) and seven bench spots. The cast of characters and the order they will be picking are as follows:
Let the mocking begin.
Next: Round 1
Oct 27, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) watches the game from the sidelines against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1
Analysis: Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, Le’Veon Bell, Eddie Lacy. Get used to seeing those four, in some order, going at the top of your drafts. After that, expect to see anything. I personally wouldn’t be surprised to see any of these RBs ending up as #1 by season’s end, so I can’t consider any of them a reach. C.J. Anderson at six probably looks like a reach to most people, but as I wrote about back in May, I see him having a monster season with Gary Kubiak at the helm.
Bear Goggles On
If anyone was going to break the RB trend, I agree with it being Antonio Brown. While Le’Veon Bell serves his three-game suspension, I expect his targets to be other-worldly, and even when Bell comes back Brown will still be the most consistent receiver in fantasy.
My pick: DeMarco Murray
I was surprised to see Marshawn Lynch, whose ADP is ranging from 3-5, available at eight, but I just couldn’t pass on Murray. I wrote at length about how erroneous the knocks on Murray are, so please give that a read before blasting this pick. (And if after reading you still want to blast it: @FSdash. Blast away.) Sure the risks are there, but they are there for any first round RB. I don’t see those risks as much as I see the reigning fantasy MVP going to a far better offense. That’s the kind of player I want to build my team around.
Next: Round 2
Oct 19, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Round 2
Beyond the Flag
Analysis: We go from the round of the RB to the round of the WR, and like the former, the latter didn’t provide many surprises. I view the second-round WRs (besides A.J. Green, whose QB is still Andy Dalton) the same way I view the first-round RBs: capable of finishing #1 at their position. Jordy Nelson could’ve gone 11th instead of 20th and I wouldn’t bat an eye. It really comes down to personal preference.
Moody went WR/WR with his first two picks, which I like at the slot he was picking from. If you go into the draft set on picking RBs early, and all of the elite ones are off the board by the time it gets to you, it’s better to just take the elite talent at WR, rather than play catch-up in the RB department. Moody is proof; you can do a lot worse than build a team around Antonio Brown and Dez Bryant. Let the draft come to you, folks.
My pick: Odell Beckham Jr.
I almost ran out of time trying to decide which receiver to take here, but ultimately settled on the supreme talent in Beckham. If you go solely on games played, no WR averaged more points per game in standard scoring than Beckham. Of course there is the fear of a sophomore slump, since the sample size is so small and defenses will have an offseason to prepare for him, but the thing is I don’t think defenses can prepare for him. No one can cover the guy, not even Richard Sherman. He is just too explosive and has too much potential to single-handedly win games that I couldn’t pass him up in the second. And this is coming from an Eagles fan.
Next: Round 3
Oct 13, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Round 3
Analysis: A pair of QBs finally come off the board. Odds are they won’t last this long in more casual drafts, but this is about where they should be going. With Aaron Rodgers, Schuster could end up with the #1 QB, RB, and WR (Rodgers, Charles, Jordy). Lange’s Andrew Luck pick is interesting, because he has now gone three rounds without a WR. Bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for him.
Justin Forsett falling to 30 made Moody look like a genius for taking a WR with his first two picks. People write off Forsett because he’s a 5-8 30 year old, but what they seem to forget is that he was a top-10 RB last season and led all RBs in yards per carry. Sure, he won’t be running in Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme, but his new OC Marc Trestman loves to throw to RBs, and Forsett can catch, so the touches will still be there.
My pick: Randall Cobb
This one came down to Cobb and Forsett for me, but I just couldn’t say no to Cobb as my WR2, and with RBs like Melvin Gordon, Frank Gore, and Alfred Morris still on the board, I knew I could wait another round for my RB2.
Cobb put the injury prone chatter to rest last season, not missing a single game and finishing as WR7 in standard scoring. He’s riding a wave of momentum too, leading the Packers in targets from week seven on last season. I think it’s reasonable to expect WR1 numbers from Cobb, which I love at the end of the third round.
Next: Round 4
May 26, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) prepares to make a cut as during organized team activities at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4
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Analysis: If your driver’s license is horizontal, go ahead and toss one back, because Lange passed on a WR yet again. That being said, I would have too if Jimmy Graham was sitting there. The 36th is a position to get Graham, who thrives in the red zone and will be the #1 target for a team that loves to throw when close to the end zone.
Like I anticipated, Gordon, Gore, and Morris all lasted to the fourth, and the latter two lasted longer than they should’ve. You know what you’re going to get from Morris, whose value is even better in standard scoring. As for Gore, just look at Ahmad Bradshaw in the Colts offense last season. In the nine games prior to breaking his leg, Bradshaw averaged 12 points a game, ninth-best among RBs. Gore, like Bradshaw, is a reliable pass-catcher and pass-protector, so he should be able to step right into Bradshaw’s role with ease.
My pick: Melvin Gordon
I may or may not have woken up my cats with excitement when I saw Gordon still available here. It’s no secret I’m high on him this year, namely because I don’t think he’ll be the two-down back everyone assumes he is. Not to mention he has DeMarco Murray Syndrome: all his rushing success gets chalked up to his offensive line. I expect the Chargers to rely on the run game more while Antonio Gates serves his four-game suspension, and I expect Gordon to be a stud.
Next: Round 5
Nov 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5
SideLion Report
Analysis: Put down your drinks, ladies and gentleman, Team Lange drafted a WR. While Sammy Watkins isn’t the most inspiring WR1, I’m digging the roster Lange constructed around him. Luck, Foster, McCoy, and Graham give him positional advantages at every QB, RB1, RB2, and TE.
I expect Keenen Allen to have a strong first four weeks while Phillip Rivers’ favorite red zone target, Antonio Gates, serves his suspension. In 2013, Allen had eight TDs while Gates had just four, and six of Allen’s scores came from his 14 red zone targets. Last year Allen only had four (1 of 6 in RZ), and Gates had 12. With Gates out of the picture, Allen should return to his ’13 red zone success, even if only for four weeks. Remember: fantasy is a weekly game.
My pick: Latavius Murray
I strongly considered Russell Wilson here, but I’d only take a QB in the middle rounds if I hated the flex options available to me, and I just didn’t hate Murray enough to do that. Plus, I wouldn’t have been able to corner the market on RBs named Murray.
Murray is what we in the industry call…athletic. He’s 6-3, 228, and runs a 4.38 40. A lot has been made about the Raiders bringing in Trent Richardson and Roy Helu, but they’re also Trent Richardson and Roy Helu, so I don’t think that will be a problem. When Murray was on the field he produced (5.2 YPC last season), and I expect his talent to win out in Oakland.
Next: Round 6
Jun 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson (81) catches a pass during minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Round 6
Around the Foghorn
Analysis: I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping for Travis Kelce to fall to me here, but I should’ve known better than to try and sneak a player I was targeting past Moody (you had to be there).
After being stuck all year behind Anthony Fasano, Kelce was only on the field for 66.6% of KC’s snaps, and still managed to get buckets. With Fasano gone, and the vertical threat of Jeremy Maclin taking safeties away from the middle of the field, I think Kelce will end up being Alex Smith’s favorite target, given Smith’s aversion to the deep ball.
My pick: Andre Johnson
In the midst of “sexy” rookies like White and Cooper coming off the board, I went and picked a 34 year old. It didn’t get any “Ooos” or “Ahhs” (the chat was busy salivating over Cooper), and I’m fine with that. I’ll take the proven veteran catching passes from Andrew Luck in the #1 passing offense in the league last season, over a rookie catching passes from Derek Carr with defenses keying in on him.
Next: Round 7
Sep 13, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) escapes the grasp of Boston College Eagles defensive back Justin Simmons (27) during the first quarter at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Round 7
Analysis: This round saw a trio of “old face, new place” receivers go off the board in Brandon Marshall, Jeremy Maclin, and Mike Wallace.
Marshall had his 2014 compromised by injuries, but when he was healthy, he was able to put up games with 22, 21, 17, 11 and 11 point totals. The talent is still there, and I like his situation in Chan Gailey’s spread offense. In his first season with Gailey, Stevie Johnson had 82 catches for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns. Oh, and Johnson’s QB was Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is competing with Geno Smith to be Marshall’s this season.
I don’t share the same affinity for Maclin’s situation. Remember what I said last round about Alex Smith’s aversion to the deep ball? Here’s what I mean: last season, Smith had the lowest average depth of target (aDOT) in the league at 6. Last season, with Nick Foles and his 10.3 aDOT (fourth highest in NFL), Maclin averaged six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown (15 PPG standard scoring). With Mark Sanchez and his significantly lower 8.8 aDOT, Maclin averaged five catches for 71 yards and 0 touchdowns (7 PPG). Maclin makes his money as a deep threat, and clearly drops off when his quarterbacks can’t make deep throws.
The Jet Press
Wallace was quietly a top-20 receiver last season, putting up at least eight points in 10 games. He was able to do that in Bill Lazor’s short-pass oriented offense, and now goes to Norv Turner’s vertical passing game, perfectly suited for a burner like Wallace. Not to mention he won’t exactly be competing with world-beaters for targets.
My pick: Nelson Agholor
The advantage of drafting with nine other writers is that they write their thoughts about players and share those thoughts with the world. Moody, a fellow member of the Nelson Agholor Believers Club, wrote a great piece for RotoViz about Agholor, so I knew better than to try and let Agholor and his ridiculous 10th round ADP sneak past Moody.
While I may be an Eagles fan outside of fantasy, when it comes to fantasy, everyone should be an Eagles fan. The things Agholor will be able to do in Chip Kelly’s offense that other rookie receivers won’t be able to in theirs is what makes Agholor so appealing, especially since I was able to get him two rounds after the big name rookies, Cooper and White.
His most popular pro comparison heading into the draft was Jeremy Maclin. Knowing what Maclin did in Kelly’s offense in ’14, it’s not hard to get excited about Agholor filling that void.
Next: Rounds 8-10
Jun 17, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) hands off to running back Ryan Mathews (24) during minicamp at The NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Analysis: I love Ivory in the 8th Round as a RB33. He was a top-20 RB last season, and I expect him to retain his lead role over the likes of Bilal Powell, Stevan Ridley, and Zac Stacy. Also, Jets’ improved passing game should keep the defense more honest.
Round nine featured a D/ST pick by none other than our very own Mike Marteny, who gave the following reasoning at the time of the pick: “Wasn’t real crazy about anyone else there. Seachickens have the best D, and I didn’t think any of the top-tier ones would be available when it got back to me.” Personally, I’m not touching a D/ST until round 15, but Mike’s technically my boss, so boy do I love the pick.
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By going Sankey/Cobb at the turn in nine and 10, Moody basically locked in “Titans RB” as his RB2, which could be interesting given the QB they’ll be sharing a backfield with in Marcus Mariota, whose wheels can attract some defensive attention.
My picks: Ryan Mathews, Tre Mason, and Charles Sims
Mathews assumes the role Ben Tate had all those years in Houston, as fantasy’s most valuable handcuff. If DeMarco ends up missing any amount of time, Mathews’ has RB1 upside in Kelly’s high-volume offense.
Mason showed promise in his rookie year, but the addition of Todd Gurley kills his stock. Mason should start the season getting most of, if not all, the carries, while Gurley recovers from a torn ACL, and given the uncertainty of Gurley’s long-term durability, Mason’s potential to be the lead back is still there.
Aside from this juke on Luke Kuechly, Sims didn’t exactly show much last year. In his defense, it’s hard for a rookie to find success after missing the first half of his season with an injury. I think he improves with a full camp under his belt, and I expect whoever wins the starting RB gig in Tampa to have some relevance with the Jameis Winston-led passing game opening up some running lanes.
Next: Rounds 11-13
Sep 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) makes a one-handed catch for a touchdown past Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Round 11
Round 12
Round 13
Analysis: Round 13 featured some of my favorite late-round QB targets who are perfect for streaming. Sam Bradford is going to be a top-1o, possibly top-5, QB if he can stay on the field, because that’s just what happens in a Chip Kelly offense. Matthew Stafford has already been a top-5 QB, and will benefit tremendously from a healthy Calvin Johnson. The Dolphins have surrounded Ryan Tannehill, who was a top-1o QB last season, with a plethora of weapons. And Carson Palmer, when healthy, puts up points thanks to Bruce Arian’s vertical offense and Palmer’s lack of a conscious for slinging the rock.
Around the Foghorn
Round 13 also featured Mr. Cody Latimer, who I think will be worth keeping an eye on during training camp. Coach Kubiak is “very excited” about Latimer this season, and with Emmanuel Sanders to play more from the slot this season, Latimer should see some good opportunities as an outside receiver.
My picks: Davante Adams, Antonio Gates, and Eli Manning
With a DeVante and Devonta picked right before me, I had no choice but to pick a guy named Davante. The reviews of Adams in OTAs have been encouraging, but I don’t put much stock in that. Adams is more of a high-upside Packers WR handcuff to me. If Jordy or Cobb go down, Adams’ stock sores, which I like since I drafted Cobb earlier.
POP QUIZ: Who was the #2 TE in fantasy last season? No, not Graham. Olsen? Wrong again. Bennett? Nope. It was none other than the 34-year old Antonio Gates. His chemistry with Phillip Rivers is undeniable, no matter how old and slow he gets. He is suspended for the first four games of the year, which is why I was able to get him in the 13th as TE1o, but I’m fine starting a fill-in for the first four games while he sits out. (Like maybe his backup…).
I really wanted Bradford in round 13, but once he got swiped, I queued up Stafford, who also got picked, and finally set my sights on Tannehill, and we all know what happened next. Sooooo, I settled with Manning, who I am oddly O.K. with. He’s in the second year of Bob McAdoo’s up-tempo offense, has Shane Vereen as a pass-catcher out the backfield, is getting Victor Cruz back, and oh by the way gets to throw to some guy named Odell. I mean, sure I want to vomit when I see the name Eli Manning, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a top-10 fantasy QB.
Next: Rounds 14-16
Nov 2, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Ladarius Green (89) looks on prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Round 14
Round 15
Round 16
Analysis: I’m surprised Duke Johnson lasted this far, considering how positive the reports on him were in OTAs. If he is able to usurp Crowell, who went seven rounds earlier, then you’ve got to love him behind Cleveland’s O-line in an offense that wants to pound the rock.
Inside the Iggles
I also love Kendall Wright in the last round. This draft happened before Justin Hunter was arrested, but things will happen after you draft, too. Wright will be the top WR in Tennessee, and goes from Jake Locker and Zach Mettenberger tossing him the pigskin to Marcus Mariota. I like him more in PPR, but he has some upside even in standard leagues.
My picks: Ladarius Green, Dolphins D/ST, and Mason Crosby
After nabbing Gates, Green was an obvious choice to fill in while Gates is out. Then whoever gets phased out when Gates returns I’ll cut. Easy peasy.
I prefer to go the streaming route when it comes to D/STs, so when drafting I value the week 1 matchup heavily. I love the Dolphins front-seven with Cameron Wake and the newly acquired prize of free agency Ndamukong Suh, but what made them really juicy was their week 1 matchup against the Washington professional football franchise.
I didn’t think it would, but the thought of extra points moving back was in my head when it came time to draft a kicker. I was iffy on my boy Cody Parkey, given the suspicion that the Eagles will be going for two more often, and I almost didn’t pick Crosby after imagining this nightmare scenarios revolving around Green Bay weather, but I ended up taking him anyway. Don’t let the rule change scare you.
Next: Final Draft Results
Jun 16, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) gestures while talking to running back DeAngelo Williams (34) in drills during minicamp at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Results
Here’s how the teams shook out:
Team Schuster (@ShootsMcGavin)
ESPN.com
Team Marteny (@MikeMarteny)
ESPN.com
Team Christianson (@mysleepers)
ESPN.com
Team Tuls (@JonahTulsNFL)
Team Lange (@FantasyFB_Rob)
ESPN.com
Team Moore (@DMooreNFL)
ESPN.com
Team Dash (@FSdash)
ESPN.com
Team Matson (@BMatz08)
ESPN.com
Team Townsend (@ThatLoudKid25)
ESPN.com
Team Moody (@EricNMoody)
ESPN.com
Now that the Mock Draft is complete, we want to hear from you. Vote in the below poll and post a comment at the bottom of the page.
Good luck with your season!
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