X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

RotoBaller PPR Mock Draft Recap - First Round Recap

With fantasy draft season in full swing, it's time to dive into another one of RotoBaller's mock drafts. It's interesting to see the differences in these results compared to our Way Too Early Mock Draft in March.

The settings for our "Mock Draft 2.0" were pretty straight forward: 12 teams, PPR scoring, QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, K, and DST. You'll find the first round selections below with some analysis to follow. Yours truly had the pleasure of having the first pick. I know, I know, tough gig.

Note: This mock took place prior to Ezekiel Elliott's suspension. So for that reason, I'll exclude him from the write-up.

Editor's Note: Explore RotoBaller’s Dynasty Fantasy Football hub for year-round dynasty rankings, trade tips, rookie analysis, and long-term player outlooks. Dominate your league with our sleepers, stash targets, and dynasty draft advice. Click here for Dynasty rankings and strategy.

 

RotoBaller PPR Mock 2.0: First Round

1) Le'Veon Bell, RB - Frankie Soler
2) David Johnson, RB - Alex Freylikhman
3) Ezekiel Elliott, RB - Taylor Maxston
4) Antonio Brown, WR - Sam Dupuy
5) Odell Beckham Jr, WR - Steve Halupka
6) Julio Jones, WR - Jacob Valov
7) Melvin Gordon, RB - Chris Moore
8) Mike Evans, WR - Pierre Camus
9) A.J. Green, WR - Chris Mangano
10) LeSean McCoy, RB - Adam Hammer
11) DeMarco Murray, RB - Jason Katz
12) Devonta Freeman, RB - Brittany Smith

The first six picks are pretty much exactly what you'd expect in any draft format this year. Le'Veon Bell at one was a no-brainer for me; he's the most consistent running back there is. There's no reason to worry about his current holdout. Expect a stat line of around 1,400 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground, with 75-80 receptions to boot.

Taking David Johnson second overall isn't exactly rocket science either. Johnson was second in the league last year with 16 touchdowns on the ground, trailing only LeGarrette Blount. Similar to Bell, he's every bit as featured in the passing game with 879 yards via the pass last season. Week 17's injury scare shouldn't factor into DJ's 2017 outlook as a fully healthy 16 games would put him in contention to lead the league in rushing.

This being a PPR league, the top-three receivers could have potentially gone even higher than four, five, and six. Nevertheless, snagging them at their respective prices is a lock. Antonio Brown is basically the safest player in the entire NFL. Odell Beckham and Julio Jones aren't far behind him either. All three are focal points of the offense they play in. Here's a little draft strategy tip for you. The key to winning a PPR league is to target players who are heavily involved within their individual offenses. Someone like DeSean Jackson, for example, isn't as valuable since he's more of a big-play guy. It's a simple, common tip, but one you should keep in mind throughout your draft.

Another plan of attack to consider is to load up on high-floor RBs even if they aren't necessarily the best pass-catchers. You can always find receivers off the waiver wire, so it's easier to replace receptions for PPR purposes. Rushing totals are a whole different animal. Whenever you're looking for a tiebreaker in any sort of draft, lean running back, especially in PPR. You'll probably hear a lot of that from reputable writers. Just because it's repetitive doesn't make it any less true.

That's a nice little segue into the next player taken off the board, Melvin Gordon. Chris actually left a little note about his pick that's worth sharing. Chris said, "Nervous about LeSean McCoy at overall RB4, nervous about Mike Evans at WR4. Fast becoming aware that pick seven is the one I don't want this year." While I myself am a big Shady McCoy fan, I absolutely agree that seven is the worst draft slot this year. Whenever there is a steep drop-off in safety in round one, you run the risk of being the first person to whiff on your first pick. So I understand the aversion to McCoy and Evans, going with an RB that has more upside in Melvin Gordon. Gordon was reliable near the goal-line last year, scoring all 10 of his rushing touchdowns in the red-zone. That total was certainly helped by being fed 50 times near the line, tied for third in the league. Once considered a rookie disappointment, Gordon has turned it around and should get better in year three.

Mike Evans went with the very next pick followed by A.J. Green. Speaking of touchdowns, Evans was hindered significantly back in 2015 when the Buccaneers simply could not get him the ball in the end-zone. That was rectified in 2016 with Evans repeating his rookie total of 12 scores. The yardage was there, the TDs weren't. With quarterback Jameis Winston improving, Evans should have no problem returning his first round draft value.

A.J. Green was hampered by injury last year so his recent stat lines don't help us. What you get with a healthy Green, though, is something I alluded to earlier, consistency. Green will get a healthy dose of targets from Andy Dalton, even if Dalton himself isn't the most reliable guy in the world. The Bengals have an underrated offense that can produce more than just one fantasy relevant piece. The back end of the first round/early second is perfect for A.J.

A trio of running backs rounded out the round with LeSean McCoy, DeMarco Murray, and Devonta Freeman bringing us home. McCoy had his own share of health issues last year, but he's still one of the leagues most reliable rushers in real-life NFL football. The departure of Mike Gillislee should be met with a sigh of a relief since the threat of McCoy losing significant carries no longer looms. You'll want to snag the appropriate handcuff Jonathan Williams just in case. Unfortunately for Hammer, Williams went a few picks before him in round 13.

Between over usage in Dallas, under usage in Philadelphia, and the presence of Derrick Henry in Tennessee, DeMarco Murray has been fairly polarizing the last few seasons. If Murray is able to stay healthy and maintain lead back status he'll be as good as it gets at the RB position. Murray owners need to pony up to make sure they can lock up Derrick Henry.

That brings us to Devonta Freeman, arguably the safest back after the top-three. Freeman's only real drawback is fellow rusher Tevin Coleman, but the Falcons have managed to feature them both. Similar to Murray and Henry, the combo of Freeman and Coleman is one to target when trying to secure a handcuff. I'd even go a step further and say Coleman is the toughest handcuff to own in the NFL. He has solid stand alone value so owners have no issue taking him as a usable asset. I dig Freeman even higher than pick-12 so I'm willing to pencil him in as the best bargain of the draft.

Biggest Reach: Melvin GordonI don't hate the pick at all, and totally get the logic behind it. I just think McCoy, Evans, and Freeman are better players. Doesn't really get much more complicated than that for me.

Best Bargain: Devonta FreemanIt has to be Freeman for me. I think he's this year's RB5 in fantasy so finishing up the round at number 12 overall is basically the best steal, if such a thing is possible in the first round of an experts draft.

Check back for more analysis on the subsequent rounds in the coming days.

 

More Fantasy Football Mock Drafts and Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF