One-Man Fantasy Football Mock Draft (Eight Rounds): 12 Teams, PPR Scoring

Jp's 12-team fantasy football mock draft for 2025. His one-man mock draft an breakdown for the top eight rounds for PPR scoring. Read the sleepers and busts analysis.

In fantasy football, the PPR (points-per-reception) draft is a strategic minefield. This article details a unique experience: a one-man draft where I personally selected players for each of the 12 teams in the league. This isn't a simple list of overall player rankings. Instead, I approached this as a genuine simulation, making decisions from each specific draft position. The process involved a mix of gut feelings and strategic thinking, as I reached for players, let others slide, and chose the best available talent to fit each team's unique needs.

This exercise proved to be much more challenging than it initially seemed. When you're sitting in the draft room, it becomes obvious just how personal your player preferences are. We all have players we avoid, and unfortunately, some of my "out guys" were still on the board when their talent dictated they should be chosen. In the end, every pick came down to the specific team I was drafting for and the strategy I wanted to implement from their position.

Ultimately, the goal of any fantasy draft, whether you're picking first or last, isn't just to select the "best available player" but to have a clear strategy and stick to it. Let's dive into the mock draft!

Fantasy Football One-Man 12-Team Mock Draft

Rosters: QB (1), RB (2). WR (2). Flex (1)

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Round 1

Team 1: Ja'Marr Chase (WR, CIN)

Ja'Marr Chase is the clear-cut consensus No. 1 pick in 2025 PPR drafts. He’s a superstar wide receiver who commands a massive share of targets in a high-powered offense led by one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Joe Burrow. Coming off a dominant 2024 season where he finished as the highest-scoring non-quarterback in all of fantasy football, his place at the top is undeniable.

Chase’s elite production, totaling 403 PPR points last season, shows he has the talent to replicate his performance. While it's true that no player has repeated as the fantasy points leader two years in a row, Ja'Marr Chase has all the tools and is in the perfect position to be the first. His talent, combined with his environment in Cincinnati, makes him a generational player.

This pick shouldn't be overthought. When you're on the clock with the first overall selection, don’t hesitate, take Chase.

Team 2: Bijan Robinson (RB, ATL)

At pick number two, I am betting on Bijan Robinson's immense talent and high-volume role in the Falcons' offense. As a true three-down back, he is a rare and valuable asset in fantasy football, capable of contributing as a runner, receiver, and goal-line threat. Bijan's ability to create big plays and his guaranteed role make him, like Chase, a no-brainer with the second overall pick.

After the top two picks, the draft becomes more complex. With elite wide receivers and running backs still on the board, you must decide which player you will anchor your team with. After conducting hundreds of mock drafts, I am confident that high-end running backs will be available in the second round, at pick 10. Studs like Chase Brown, Jonathan Taylor, and/or Josh Jacobs should be available. 

Team 3: CeeDee Lamb (WR, DAL)

CeeDee Lamb is the clear-cut number one option in a high-volume passing offense. I love him with the third overall pick. As the league's leader in fantasy points among all wide receivers in 2023-2024, Lamb has already proven he can be the top player at his position.

Let’s set aside his 2024 - 2025 season for a moment, as he was dealing with a nagging shoulder injury that eventually shut him down for the final two games of the year, all while playing with poor quarterback play following the injury to Dak Prescott.

Don't get it twisted; Lamb is an elite wide receiver. The Cowboys upgraded their offense this offseason by trading for Pittsburgh's George Pickens. This isn't a negative for Lamb. In fact, it’s a huge positive. With a healthy Prescott and a dangerous weapon like Pickens on the other side, defenses won't be able to solely focus on stopping Lamb.

The Cowboys won’t be able to rely on a dominant running game in 2025 and, as a result, will continue to be a pass-first team. Lamb could easily finish as the overall No. 1 non-quarterback player in 2025.

Team 4: Justin Jefferson (WR, MIN)

Returning to the wide receiver well at pick number four, Justin Jefferson is the undisputed selection. He is arguably the best wide receiver in the game and has a proven record of consistently receiving high-volume targets and producing elite results, regardless of his quarterback. You could even make a case for Jefferson at pick three, but I'm not ready to put him ahead of Lamb due to the unknown surrounding his chemistry with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

However, his talent is undeniable, and getting him at pick four is a fantastic value.

Team 5: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, DET)

With the Tier 1 wide receivers off the board, it's time to turn our attention to the running back position. With only one running back taken thus far, you have your pick between Jahmyr Gibbs and Saquon Barkley at the fifth slot. After David Montgomery's injury in 2024, Gibbs showed that he deserves to be in the conversation as the league's best running back.

His ability to both run and catch makes him the ideal running back to draft in PPR leagues.

While I would have no problem with you taking Barkley at five and Gibbs at six, I am betting that the Lions realize what they have in Gibbs and will find creative ways to get the ball in his hands as often as possible. Although Montgomery isn't going anywhere, reports from Detroit indicate the Lions are toying with playing Gibbs in the slot.

With his youth, explosiveness, and a role in a high-octane offense, Gibbs is the perfect selection at five.

Team 6: Saquon Barkley (RB, PHI)

In my opinion, Barkley is the best running back in football, coming off a historic 2024 season. However, touching the ball 482 times in a single season comes with significant wear and tear. The Philadelphia Eagles know what they have in Barkley, so I don't believe we will see him touch the ball this many times in 2025.

The Eagles should look to keep him fresh by "ground and pounding" defenses with the newly acquired A.J. Dillon. Many experts point to the fact that when a running back rushes for over 2,000 yards in a season, they often experience a significant drop in fantasy points the following year. If anyone can break this trend, it's Barkley.

However, this is always in the back of my mind during drafts, which is why he falls to the third overall running back selected at pick number six.

The players mentioned in my first six picks are almost certainly going to be the top six players selected in all PPR drafts. The order, however, can go any which way. I relied on my research into the available players in the second round and decided that one of the top wide receivers was the way to go with the third overall pick because, as you will see, I believe the remaining crop of running backs in the second round is all RB1 material.

Team 7: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Team 8: Malik Nabers
Team 9: Derrick Henry
Team 10: Nico Collins
Team 11: Ashton Jeanty
Team 12: De'Von Achane

Regarding Nabers, as a Giants fan, I may be biased, but I don’t think the team will be as bad as people say it will be in 2025. Although their record may be horrendous, they have one of the toughest schedules in the league, and the team will still be competitive. At pick number seven, Nabers is the clear choice.

Nabers is a freak athlete who flourished as a rookie in 2024, finishing as the WR7 in PPR leagues despite inferior quarterback play. It's not out of the question to think he could arguably finish as the top wide receiver in 2025. The New York Giants made some big additions this offseason, upgrading their defense and bringing in three new quarterbacks. We know that Russell Wilson will start Week 1 for the Giants.

While Wilson proved in 2024 for the Steelers that he is a shell of the quarterback we saw a few years ago in Seattle, he is undoubtedly an upgrade compared to the quarterbacks throwing to Nabers last season. If he begins to struggle, the Giants will see what they have in their first-round pick, Jaxson Dart. Both of these quarterbacks are significant upgrades from the situation Nabers faced in 2024.

With little target competition, Nabers will be peppered with targets early and often in 2025, making him a fantastic pick here at number seven.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Round 2

Team 12: Christian McCaffrey
Team 11: Brian Thomas Jr.
Team 10: Puka Nacua
Team 9: Drake London
Team 8: Brock Bowers
Team 7: Josh Jacobs
Team 6: A.J. Brown
Team 5: Jonathan Taylor
Team 4: Lamar Jackson
Team 3: Chase Brown
Team 2: Bucky Irving
Team 1: Josh Allen

For the first time in what feels like forever, McCaffrey is not ranked as a top pick in fantasy football. However, McCaffrey hasn't lost a step. The primary concern with drafting him is simple: his availability. While he is arguably the most talented running back in the league, his recent injury history raises concerns.

If you are willing to take the chance and he does, in fact, stay healthy in 2025, McCaffrey could be the steal of the draft. I would have ranked him within the top eight, but the newly acquired Brian Robinson Jr. gives me pause. The goal for the 49ers couldn't be less about your fantasy championship; their priority is winning a Super Bowl.

A healthy McCaffrey, come playoff time, will give them the best chance to compete. I can see Robinson taking a few carries away from McCaffrey, and maybe even some goal-line work. Why pound him up the middle on short-yardage plays when you have a big back like Robinson? I believe I am in the minority when I say the addition of Robinson hurts McCaffrey in 2025, but due to the unknown, I have him ranked at the beginning of the second round.

If I'm wrong, he'll be one of the biggest steals in the draft. If I'm right, then the second round is about right for him.

Despite being ranked 12th on RotoBaller's rankings, Nacua fell to pick number 15 in my one-man draft. The sole reason for his drop has nothing to do with Nacua's talent and everything to do with the health of his quarterback, Matthew Stafford. Reports are coming out that Stafford should be good to go for Week 1, but a back injury to a 37-year-old player is nothing to turn away from.

One blindside hit or an awkward fall could not only derail the hopes of all Rams fans but could also severely hurt Nacua's fantasy outlook in 2025.

At pick 20, the eighth pick of the second round, I faced a true coin flip between Brown and Taylor. While both are excellent options. My decision ultimately came down to team philosophy. I opted for a running back on a team that wants to run the ball and not put the game in the hands of their quarterback, Daniel Jones. I would, however, be absolutely thrilled to have either player on my team.

As for Irving, I am not as high on him as many others are. While I do think he will have a good season, I would much rather have Brown or Taylor.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Round 3

Team 1: Ladd McConkey
Team 2: Tyreek Hill
Team 3: Kyren Williams
Team 4: Trey McBride
Team 5: James Cook
Team 6: Tee Higgins
Team 7: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Team 8: Breece Hall
Team 9: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Team 10: Joe Burrow
Team 11: Jayden Daniels
Team 12: Garrett Wilson

As you can tell, I am extremely high on Burrow. The Cincinnati Bengals have arguably the most explosive offense in the league, but they also have one of the worst defenses. Because of this, the Bengals will need to score often to stay in games.

While taking Burrow here in the third round is a big reach, he is ranked as RotoBaller's 63rd overall player, and I am willing to make that call. After throwing for 4,918 yards, 43 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions in 2024, I don't see his numbers dipping. Burrow is as good as it gets and could easily finish as the QB1 in 2025.

After the first three rounds, the draft from the third spot is the start I like the most. I love this team’s foundation, starting with Lamb in Round 1 and then selecting back-to-back running backs, Brown and Williams, in Rounds 2 and 3. This team has a bunch of workhorses, which means they will have opportunities each week to score a ton of points from their first three picks.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Round 4

Team 12: Mike Evans
Team 11: Alvin Kamara
Team 10: Omarion Hampton
Team 9: Jalen Hurts
Team 8: Kenneth Walker
Team 7: Chuba Hubbard
Team 6: Davante Adams
Team 5: DK Metcalf
Team 4: Terry McLaurin
Team 3: Courtland Sutton
Team 2: DJ Moore
Team 1: James Conner

Update: On Monday, August 25, Terry McLaurin signed his contract extension, ending his holdout. This would bump him into the late third or early fourth round.

James Conner fell to the last pick in the fourth round. After Hampton was selected with the third pick of the round, I decided to go with Walker and Chuba Hubbard over Conner. He dipped to the end of the round instead of the middle for a few reasons: running back was not a necessity for teams 2 through 6, and three of those six teams had already solidified their running back rooms with two players at the position.

Conner is also coming off a 2024 season where he had the largest workload of his career. At age 30, I believe Arizona will try to mix in their second-year running back, Trey Benson, to keep Conner fresh in 2025. This, along with his age, gives me a reason to pause on him in the early fourth round.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Round 5

Team 1: TreVeyon Henderson
Team 2: George Kittle
Team 3: DeVonta Smith
Team 4: Xavier Worthy
Team 5: George Pickens
Team 6: Isiah Pacheco
Team 7: Rashee Rice
Team 8: Zay Flowers
Team 9: David Montgomery
Team 10: Tetairoa McMillan
Team 11: Jameson Williams
Team 12: Sam LaPorta

Taking Rashee Rice in the fifth round is a calculated gamble. While he will be suspended for six games, he will be Patrick Mahomes' top wide receiver during the entire second half of the season. Is this a risk you are willing to take? 

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Round 6

Team 12: Jaylen Waddle
Team 11: Calvin Ridley
Team 10: RJ Harvey
Team 9: Jerry Jeudy
Team 8: Travis Hunter
Team 7: T.J. Hockenson
Team 6: Travis Kelce
Team 5: Patrick Mahomes
Team 4: Rome Odunze
Team 3: Tyler Warren
Team 2: Baker Mayfield
Team 1: Evan Engram

The news is spreading quickly. Tyler Warren is that guy and will be a fantasy stud for years to come. I am super excited to grab him in the sixth round.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Round 7

Team 1: Matthew Golden
Team 2: Jordan Addison
Team 3: Ricky Pearsall
Team 4: Tony Pollard
Team 5: Kaleb Johnson
Team 6: Bo Nix
Team 7: Aaron Jones Sr.
Team 8: Chris Olave
Team 9: Mark Andrews
Team 10: David Njoku
Team 11: Quinshon Judkins
Team 12: Jared Goff

Tony Pollard moves up this draft after the news that Tyjae Spears will be placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. Given this news, I would have selected Pollard even earlier, closer to the fifth round.

I don't think you will find someone higher on Pearsall than I am. With the ongoing contract dispute and injury to Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk, who is still recovering from a torn ACL, I believe Pearsall is perfectly positioned to take advantage of this opportunity and become Brock Purdy's favorite receiver. I'm willing to bet on Pearsall's undeniable talent to make him a fantasy star for years to come.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Round 8

Team 12:Khalil Shakir
Team 11: Deebo Samuel Sr.
Team 10: Jakobi Meyers
Team 9: D'Andre Swift
Team 8: Brock Purdy
Team 7: Kyler Murray
Team 6: Emeka Egbuka
Team 5: Colston Loveland
Team 4: Joe Mixon
Team 3: Stefon Diggs
Team 2: Jaylen Warren
Team 1: Travis Etienne

With the news that Jakobi Meyers has requested a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders, I would move him down my draft board. Depending on where he lands, if he is traded at all, I don't think he will find a more ideal situation for fantasy production than the one he currently has as a Raider.

While a trade is not imminent, this uncertainty is enough to lower his draft stock for me. In addition, with Mixon recently being placed on the PUP list, his ADP will likely continue to drop towards the double-digit rounds.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - The Winner

The winner of this 8-round 12-team draft is Team 3. With a foundation of Lamb, Brown, Williams, Sutton, Smith, Warren, and Pearsall, this is a fantastic start. I am a big believer in stacking a star wide receiver with his quarterback. By selecting Lamb third overall, Team 3 knows they can wait on a quarterback and grab Prescott later in the draft to complete their stack.

Say what you will about him, but the last time a healthy Prescott played a full season, he was an MVP candidate. The thought process is simple: If Prescott struggles, Lamb will struggle, and if Lamb struggles, Team 3's first-round pick is a bust. I am willing to go all-in at this point and wait to draft Prescott.

The Cowboys are going to sling it all year, and adding Pickens to the mix will only help Prescott and the rest of this offense. I am willing to take the chance as it could pay off significantly at the current cost.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Draft Board

Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Value Picks

Round 1: Ashton Jeanty

Round 2: Christian McCaffrey

Round 3: Marvin Harrison Jr.

Round 4: Terry McLaurin

Round 5: Tetairoa McMillan

Round 6: Tyler Warren

Round 7: Matthew Golden, David Njoku

Round 8: Emeka Egbuka, Stefon Diggs, Jaylen Warren.

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