FanSided Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Pick Eight breakdown
By Raju Byfield
Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Round 10
Targets
After loading up on wide receivers in four straight rounds, running back became my target position. I would not ignore a good value at tight end, but adding some depth is crucial as the talent was quickly starting to dry up. I was looking for the best perceived value at this point.
Available players
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, DeSean Jackson, DaeSean Hamilton, Parris Campbell, Donte Moncrief, D’onta Foreman, D.K. Metcalf
Selection
There were not many high upside running backs left on the board, which made me momentarily consider drafting another wide receiver. However, a high upside depth option at running back needed to be addressed.
Unfortunately, I went with then Houston Texan D’onta Foreman. I am fully aware that Lamar Miller no longer operates as a starter level talent and would be more well suited for the change of pace role he shined in early in his career. I have been very high on UDFA Karan Higdon all offseason for this very reason.
With Foreman still on the board in round ten he became my sole focus. Landing what I thought to be a potential starter this late in the draft was too great of a value to pass up.
Foreman is not someone I own in any other leagues, but felt like a shrewd pick to address my running back depth issues. As we all now know, he was a wasted pick, as he was released by the Texans and is now an Indianapolis Colt.
Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Round 11
Targets
At this point of the draft quarterback, tight end, and running back were my targeted positions. At running back I had my eye on LeSean McCoy and Carlos Hyde. At tight end my targets were Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson. At quarterback Philip Rivers, Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott were my targets.
Available players
LeSean McCoy, Carlos Hyde, Noah Fant, T.J. Hockenson, Philip Rivers, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott
Selection
Philip Rivers screamed value in the 11th round. I thought long and hard about the massive upside of Lamar Jackson, but rationalized that I needed a high floor option before making a splash with a potential lottery ticket.
As such my strategy here was to draft Rivers in the 11th and to target Jackson in the 12th. I have Lamar higher in my personal rankings but am cognizant of fantasy floors and ADP. Rivers is currently the 10.11 based on ADP while Jackson is the 11.03.
Rivers has been a QB1 five out of the last six years, and despite scoring more fantasy points than he had in two of those five seasons, finished as the QB14 last season.
Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Round 12
Targets
My target player if still on the board was Lamar Jackson. If he was not I would either select D.K. Metcalf or a rookie tight end in Noah Fant or T.J. Hockenson.
Available
Lamar Jackson, Noah Fant, Mark Andrews, D.K. Metcalf, T.J. Hockenson
Selection
As discussed in my round 11 analysis Lamar Jackson was my target player in round 12. His still being available meant there was no debate for this selection. Lamar is poised to explode with a full off-season to install an offensive scheme tailored to his strengths.
The Ravens landed two of the most explosive wide receivers in the 2019 NFL Draft in Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin finally surrounding Jackson with the talent needed to succeed. He may never throw for 5,000 yards and can generate enough extra fantasy value with his legs to become a QB1 mainstay this season. Jackson is my favorite target as a second QB.