RADIO
Andy Smith reviews a PPR mock draft from the RotoBaller team, assessing key early picks and the several roster construction strategies that were used.
Fantasy football draft season is officially underway. With several best ball leagues already drafted, the focus is now shifting to fantasy football redraft PPR leagues.
Myself and 11 other members of the RotoBaller staff conducted a 12-team, 1QB PPR mock draft over the past week. In this league, our starting lineup consists of one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight end, two flex spots, seven bench spots, and a kicker and defense.
In this piece, I will highlight a handful of picks from the first few rounds that either go above or below current ADP markings (ADP information will come from the NFFC 12-team non-superflex data as of writing) and analyze different roster construction strategies. Be sure to bookmark our free fantasy football mock draft simulator tool and practice as many mock drafts as you'd like with different draft strategies.
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Mock Draft Format Options
As mentioned above, each of the format variations impact your draft strategy in a different way.
Redraft (managed) - You have the ability to make transactions throughout the season such as trades or waiver-wire acquisitions to improve your roster, increasing the importance of your starters with slightly less depth required.
Full-PPR - This creates a higher ceiling for wide receivers and pass-catching running backs, which tends to promote playing wide receivers in your flex spot, making it beneficial to roster more of them.
*Stacking - As an additional point, stacking, which is when you have a quarterback and receiving option (TE or WR) from the same team, is a strategy used in all formats that will optimize your maximum output of fantasy points when two players have a big week. It can also include a running back on high-powered offenses to capitalize on the amount of points that team will score as a whole.
Here you'll find the draft board, showing every player selected.
Fantasy Football Mock Draft Board
Click image to zoom in and enlarge
Next up is the team-by-team recap, where you will find not only a list of the players each team drafted and at which pick, but also a chart showing the positional composition of each team. Below is the draft order for each RotoBaller writer who participated in this year's mock draft.
Team No. 1 - Ryan Kirksey
Team No. 2 - Andrew Ball
Team No. 3 - Andy Smith
Team No. 4 - Brad Camara
Team No. 5 - Quincy Milton
Team No. 6 - Adam Koffler
Team No. 7 - Kevin Tompkins
Team No. 8 - Joey Pollizze
Team No. 9 - David Ventresca
Team No. 10 - Phil Clark
Team No. 11 - Josh Constantinou
Team No. 12 - Dan Larocca
Round 1 - PPR Fantasy Football Mock Draft
Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
Pick: 4
ADP: 7.2
The top-8 picks on the board above will likely be the first eight players taken in most leagues this summer. Most of these players are interchangeable except for the top-3 options (Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, and Tyreek Hill), who will likely be the first three names called.
Looking at the current ADP, the ninth-highest player has an ADP of 10.6 while the eighth player has an ADP of 7.22, which further shows how solidified the first eight players are in current drafts.
However, the top eight did have a bit of shake-up when Brad Camara selected the "Sun God" with the fourth overall pick in the draft, almost three spots higher than his current ADP. When it comes to consistency, St. Brown was near the top with the fourth-best 13.2 points per game among wideouts last season. As someone who has selected the USC product every season in my home league since entering the league, I was shocked to see him go that high off the board. Frankly, I encourage it.
St. Brown plays on one of the best offenses in football and has continued to improve every single season. While target competition could become a concern, it is impossible not to pencil in double-digit points every single week for St. Brown, which makes him so valuable and safe.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
Pick: 10
ADP: 12.4
When it comes to the upside after the top-8 players, it is hard not to immediately look toward the Ohio State product, which Phil Clark did.
The 23-year-old has tallied at least 1,000 yards in his first two seasons with some of the worst quarterback play in football. Now (hopefully), he can have a three-time MVP feeding him the football on a weekly basis.
Excited to see a full season of Garrett Wilson with a true QB pic.twitter.com/6W6t1XjpcI
— OG Walts Shiesty (@WrldFamousBucks) July 1, 2024
During his later years in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers made sure that his alpha, Davante Adams, was fed every week. We could see a similar outcome in the Big Apple this fall, which makes Wilson an easy smash at the end of the first round. This is an excellent upside play at the end of the first round that can potentially provide you with a top-3 WR.
Round 2 - PPR Fantasy Football Mock Draft
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
Pick: 13
ADP: 17.9
With the first pick of the second round, Dan Larocca selected the fourth overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Marvin Harrison Jr. was nothing short of spectacular during his time at Ohio State, posting back-to-back 1,400-yard seasons with 14 scores in both of them.
Harrison should be expected to be the lead weapon not only in the wide receiver room but also in the entire passing offense, which has only Trey McBride as the other proven option. In addition, he should benefit quite nicely from having Kyler Murray as his quarterback.
From a draft perspective, Dan went with the upside play earlier than his current ADP over more established receivers such as Chris Olave, Davante Adams, Brandon Aiyuk, or Drake London, who are typically going in the second round.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
Pick: 22
ADP: 29.1
Knowing that this is a PPR league where you start three wide receivers and have two flex spots (which will more likely than not be occupied by at least one receiver), I saw the importance of pushing my favorite receivers up my board.
I recently wrote an article about what receivers are more valuable in PPR leagues, and Michael Pittman Jr. was the featured player in that piece.
How did the Michael Pittman Jr TD vs the Browns not make the top 10?? https://t.co/RaIsJIFtWP pic.twitter.com/uB9VOE2XLv
— CLew 🏈🏀⚾️🥊 (@droppedballspod) June 11, 2024
Last season, he finished with 109 catches, which was fourth best in the league, but had only four touchdowns, which suggests he could be due for some positive regression. And what better way to have a little luck go your way than with a healthy Anthony Richardson feeding him each week?
Round 3 - PPR Fantasy Football Mock Draft
Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Pick: 33
ADP: 22.6
Joey Pollizze was the first to pull the trigger on the quarterback position and selected Josh Allen toward the back end of the third round. As everyone faded quarterback, Joey could have potentially drafted a steal in the top QB of 2023.
However, this season may be a bit different for the Wyoming product as he will be without his No. 1 receiver, Stefon Diggs. The Bills selected Keon Coleman in the second round of the draft and hope that their second-year tight end, Dalton Kincaid, takes an even larger step forward to help fill the void.
In your home league, you may take Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes before Allen simply out of fear of the lack of weapons in Allen’s offense. This could be a big mistake, and it may be smarter to trust the best fantasy quarterback of the past half-decade, no matter the current state of his offense.
Round 4 - PPR Fantasy Football Mock Draft
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: 41
ADP: 31.1
David Ventresca had one of my favorite picks of the entire draft. After grabbing two elite wide receivers in the first two rounds and Sam LaPorta in the third, he selected Isiah Pacheco to lead his running back room.
Pacheco is a sneaky RB1 candidate this season who faces zero competition on the depth chart and plays on one of the best offenses in football, which will provide him several opportunities in the red zone on a weekly basis.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Pick: 45
ADP: 55.5
Quincy Milton continued a popular fourth-round tight-end trend by selecting Mark Andrews with the 45th overall pick. Earlier in this round, Trey McBride and Travis Kelce went off the board.
It will be an interesting debate this offseason to see where these “second-tier” tight ends land on someone’s ranking. While Kelce does have a significantly higher ADP than McBride and Andrews, he could fall to this range in drafts that require three starting receivers.
All three of these tight ends are on a path to being the most-targeted player on their respective offenses. When healthy, Mark Andrews produces and is a red-zone threat in the Baltimore offense. However, injuries have been problematic for him. He was sidelined from Week 13 of the 2023 regular season due to a leg injury before returning in the conference championship. In addition, he missed two games the year prior.
The ceiling is there, but drafters may side with Ryan Kirksey, who selected Dalton Kincaid just five picks later.
Round 5 - PPR Fantasy Football Mock Draft
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: 51
ADP: 60.1
The final pick of the early rounds I want to highlight was George Pickens, who was taken almost 10 spots higher than his current ADP by Andrew Ball.
Pickens will now serve as the primary pass-catcher in Pittsburgh, with rookie Roman Wilson serving as the No. 2.
Kenny Pickett to George Pickens: pic.twitter.com/nilLmwVp4n
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2023
The former first-round pick excelled at getting the “big-play” looks with a 13.4 average depth of target, which was one of the best marks in football last season.
If Russell Wilson can continue to get himself back on track and find some rhythm in this Steelers offense, Pickens could be a steal at his current ADP. Even though the Steelers offense is run-heavy, Pickens is an upside play in this range, especially when safer veteran wideouts were drafted in this round, such as Terry McLaurin or Keenan Allen.
Fantasy Football Roster Construction
Let’s take a look at some roster construction strategies that my fellow RotoBallers used this draft.
Heavy RB: Quincy Milton/ Joey Pollizze
While they both selected two running backs with high receiving upside, they took different approaches to targeting their receivers.
Quincy took his first two receivers in Rounds 3-5 in Cooper Kupp and Tee Higgins.
Whereas Joey waited until the sixth round to select his first receiver in Calvin Ridley.
The positive to this method is that it provides your team depth at the most volatile position in fantasy. Running backs are always put in high-risk situations and to start your draft with two top options at the position does provide a good sense of security.
Last season, Puka Nacua and even Rashee Rice emerged as top options at the position after not being drafted in almost every standard league, and that could happen again. Quincy took Mike Williams and Ricky Pearsall later in his draft, and they have great quarterbacks and could emerge as strong contributors in some of the best offenses in football. Joey selected rookie Ja'Lynn Polk, who has a strong chance of emerging as the top wideout in a subpar New England receiver room.
However, in a PPR league with three wide receiver spots, it creates a tougher challenge to form a weekly lineup without at least one star at the position.
Zero RB: Kevin Tompkins/Josh Constantinou
Once considered a hot trend is now a legit league-winning strategy after years of proof.
Two of our drafters decided to use a Zero RB build when constructing their roster. This means that they ensured they had depth at the receiver position, taking a TE and even a QB before selecting their first RB.
This strategy can pay dividends in a PPR setting. Building the foundation of your roster with elite pass-catchers can provide an elite upside on a weekly basis. The more important question when looking at this strategy is not which pass-catchers they selected, but which running backs they selected.
Kevin selected Kenneth Walker in the sixth round and several younger running backs in the double-digit rounds, such as Jonathon Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, and Bucky Irving.
Walker should see at least the slight majority of carries in Seattle, even though second-year back Zach Charbonnet should be expected to see an uptick in work. Jonathon Brooks has a strong chance of opening the season as the alpha in Carolina as the current running back room there leaves a lot to be desired with Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard.
JONATHON BROOKS IS A CHEAT CODE, PART I pic.twitter.com/sAfdDZKTbh
— =͟͟͞Blande (@JustBlande) April 28, 2024
Meanwhile, Josh waited an additional round to grab his first RB and then proceeded to select four more consecutive options at that position. The first two names he took were Zamir White and Tony Pollard.
White is currently on track to lead the Vegas backfield, and Pollard should see plenty of work in a 1A/1B situation in Tennessee. In addition, he selected rookie Trey Benson from Arizona and Brian Robinson Jr. from Washington. Robinson should see plenty of goal-line opportunities in a revamped offense, and Benson could be a late-season league-winner if James Conner were to struggle early or suffer an injury.
It may be scary for a new fantasy player to completely fade a position where you need to start two players on a weekly basis, but in a PPR setting like this, it may be the most efficient move. Both of these teams have at least one running back who could start the season as the starter and other players on their roster who are just one injury away from being a workhorse.
Hero RB: Adam Koffler
Lastly, Adam Koffler went with a Hero RB build, which means he selected one early-round running back and then completely faded the position until he ensured he had quality depth at other positions.
Other teams like Ryan and Phil selected a lone RB early in the draft, but Adam waited the longest to grab his RB2.
After taking De'Von Achane in the second round, he waited until the ninth round to grab his second running back in Zack Moss. Shortly after, he selected Zach Charbonnet and Jaleel McLaughlin, who are two popular sophomore breakouts.
DEVON ACHANE TOUCHDOWN
pic.twitter.com/TySGUz97i8— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 8, 2024
Achane is a great player to use in a Hero RB build. He plays in one of the best offenses in football and has an elite upside every week due to his incredible breakaway speed. Last season, he averaged 9.6 yards after the catch and 3.5 yards after contact.
While Raheem Mostert will take opportunities away from Achane, the second-year back is a budding star and could easily assume a majority of the running back duties in Miami.
Around Achane, he was able to draft elite pass-catchers in Justin Jefferson, Jaylen Waddle, and Tank Dell. In addition, he grabbed an upside tight end in George Kittle and QB Jayden Daniels, who potentially has the highest rushing potential at the position.
Zack Moss was an excellent pick to pair with Achane. Even though he has not proven to be a lead runner over a long period of time, he should see the majority of touches in a productive Bengals offense.
If the Zero RB build is a little too daring for you, the Hero RB may be your new favorite strategy. Secure at least one top-10 running back, focus on grabbing elite pass-catchers, and wait until the double-digit rounds to grab a safe RB2 on a good offense.
Other Factors To Consider When Drafting
Let's take a look at other trends and factors brought out by this mock draft that you might want to consider as you begin your own draft prep.
Should We Prioritize Stacks?
While stacks are much more common in best ball formats, they can be an interesting approach to consider on draft day in redraft leagues. If you feel very comfortable about a specific offense, taking multiple players on that team can single-handedly win you weeks. However, one poor showing and a portion of your lineup could all post single-digit performances.
As mentioned earlier, I selected one of my favorite wide receivers, Michael Pittman Jr., in the second round. Later in the fourth, I paired him with his quarterback, another player I am willing to reach for this summer.
You can make a strong case for Richardson to be the QB1 this season. With his incredible rushing upside, willingness to serve as a runner in the red zone, and potential to grow as a passer, Richardson could be a steal at his current ADP. If everything goes right for the Colts offense, these two will enjoy a big season.
Brad Camara chose to stack his No. 3 receiver, Deebo Samuel Sr., with Brock Purdy. This is an excellent stack, as with the potential of Brandon Aiyuk being dealt, Samuel has a strong chance to lead the San Francisco pass-catchers. In addition, Purdy is a great option at quarterback if you decide to wait on the position, as he leads one of the best teams in football and is uber-efficient in doing so.
DEEBO SAMUEL. #FTTB pic.twitter.com/AjXRb62ElQ
— Hammer DAHN (@HammerDAHN) January 15, 2023
Josh Constantinou stacked DeVonta Smith and Jalen Hurts in the third and fourth rounds, which could also pay off very well. The Eagles will welcome one of the best running backs in football, Saquon Barkley, this season, which should help Hurts push the ball downfield even more often, raising Smith’s ceiling statistically.
The Year Of The Mid-Round QB:
While many drafters may side with the five teams that selected their starting quarterback within the first four rounds, it could be smarter to wait to grab a “middle-of-the-pack” quarterback instead.
The fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds became QB central in this draft, where six teams selected their starter.
At the 59th pick, Phil took rookie sensation C.J. Stroud, who fell almost 20 spots lower than his current ADP of 40.4. A reason for this is simply because this league requires three wide receivers and two flex spots, which pushed QBs slightly down the board. Stroud, who does not have a high rushing upside, could lead the league in passing yards due to the bountiful weapons at his disposal. If Tank Dell, Nico Collins, and Dalton Schultz looked good last season, now add Stefon Diggs to this mix.
Welcome to primetime: CJ Stroud hits Nico Collins for a 75-yard TD on his very first offensive play.
SPECIAL.pic.twitter.com/MVbavVguac
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 7, 2024
Ryan selected Joe Burrow with the 62nd overall pick, almost eight spots after his current ADP of 55.3. Burrow is a great option if you want to look for a pure passer who may not provide much rushing upside but will get you consistent points every week and will have several spike weeks due to the elite weapons around him. In 2022, he was the QB4 in total points. Should we really be fading a proven superstar this much?
My favorite of the bunch was at the 64th selection by Ajabll, who selected Dak Prescott. Prescott has slightly more rushing upside than Burrow and could be in store for a career year in passing as the Cowboys backfield looks absolutely decimated. Prescott could once again finish as a top-3 QB, and at this current ADP, he looks like an absolute steal.
The other mid-round QB that could be a value on draft day is Jordan Love, who was taken by Quincy just two spots after Prescott. Love may be the risky option in this group, but he could easily finish at the top if things go right.
JORDAN LOVE 🎯 pic.twitter.com/EuA2ZPzTf1
— Hammer DAHN (@HammerDAHN) January 1, 2024
He has an excellent group of budding pass-catchers in Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Christian Watson, and will welcome Josh Jacobs to the backfield. Love got better as the 2023 season progressed, so do not be surprised if he solidifies himself as a top-10 QB this fall.
Favorite Late-Round Fantasy Football Targets
Let’s close things out by looking at some late-round targets at each position.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
Pick: 172
ADP: 124.8
Not to pat myself on the back here, but I love taking Aaron Rodgers at his current ADP. Knowing that I already selected Richardson early, in the worst-case scenario possible where the second-year quarterback struggles, I feel pretty confident in knowing I can slot in the former three-time MVP into my lineup.
Rodgers is a great option in 14-team leagues as well. His two superstar skill players, Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, should elevate this offense immensely.
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Pick: 193
ADP: 226.4
The Ravens did bring in Derrick Henry to handle the workload in Baltimore, but Keaton Mitchell performed very well as a rookie. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in Week 14, but when healthy, he should immediately slot in as the backup.
POV: Derrick Henry has absolutely worn down your defense for 3 quarters and now Keaton Mitchell just got to the edge. pic.twitter.com/Mr3Xv5ebxp
— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) March 12, 2024
In his small sample size as a starter, Mitchell had four finishes in the top 20 among running backs, including an impressive fifth-place finish in Week 9 when he ran for 138 yards.
Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Pick: 157
ADP: 166.1
The Cowboys running back room leaves a lot to be desired. Ezekiel Elliott should see most of the opportunities, especially at the goal line, but if he struggles, Rico Dowdle could carve out a starting role.
Dowdle began taking away goal-line opportunities from Tony Pollard last season, and that same story could play out once again if Elliott shows his age and is unable to perform. Take a late-round gamble on a potential RB1 on a top offense.
Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Pick: 134
ADP: 151.1
Similar story with Dowdle; the wide receiver room outside of CeeDee Lamb is quite empty. Brandin Cooks going off the board in the 12th round in a PPR three-WR league seems too good to be true.
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: 175
ADP: 137.3
Lastly, if you are looking for a safe TE2 or even a starting option in deeper leagues, look no further than Freiermuth. Adam Koffler took the 25-year-old in the 15th round, and with Diontae Johnson's departure, he could become a reliable No. 2 passing option in this offense.
While it may seem early in the offseason, it is crucial to begin to identify draft trends and to start forming your strategy on how to build your league-winning team.
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