Theo Riddick can provide serious value in PPR formats

After the success of the live MLB Mock Draft before the 2016 baseball season, FantasyPros is back with a live NFL draft as we move closer to the 2016 NFL season. We here at FantasyPros have selected 12 correspondents, again including myself, to conduct this live draft of a PPR league with a QB, two RB, three WR, TE, K, DEF, three FLEX players, and six bench players. Keep track of live updates of the Mock Draft @thezman2010 on Twitter. You can check out other Rounds here (Round 1 – Rounds 2 & 3 – Rounds 4 & 5 – Rounds 6 & 7).

By the end of the ninth round, many fantasy owners are looking to check off all of the boxes and at least have all of their starters before working on the bench. This is not the case in this draft, as four owners have picked neither a QB nor a TE, looking for value at each position. There are more than enough options at both positions, especially at QB, but you do not want to wait too long to make a move to complete your roster.

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8.01 Dan Marcus: Markus Wheaton (PIT-WR)
The analysis for this pick and my Snead pick are nearly identical. Wheaton is a part of what should remain a high-powered offense, though his role seems to solidify by the day with Ladarius Green, Le’Veon Bell, and Martavis Bryant set to miss all or part of the season respectively. Wheaton has often looked to be on different pages than QB Ben Roethlisberger, but he did show signs last season. For a bit of narrative, you can buy it or roll your eyes at it and dismiss it, Wheaton is also in his final year of his contract so he will be concentrating on cashing on based on his performance this season.

QB- RB-Johnson RB-Bell WR-Edelman WR-Moncrief WR-Snead TE- K- DEF- FLEX-Hill FLEX-Johnson FLEX-Wheaton BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.02 Matt Barbato: Delanie Walker (TEN-TE)
We’ve come to the point in the draft where the running back value is sparse and the remaining receivers are depth guys. I’m going to take a value play and select who I deem as one of the five best tight ends in fantasy football. Walker led all NFL tight ends with 94 receptions last year and clearly had strong rapport with Marcus Mariota. Tennessee’s wide receiving corps is still a hot mess and there’s a really good chance Walker exceeds 100 targets yet again. Walker will get me points on sheer volume alone. He caught at least six passes in 11 games last season. At a position as wildly unpredictable as tight end, Walker is one of the safest options out there.

QB-Newton RB-Peterson RB-Woodhead WR-Robinson WR-Decker WR-Crabtree TE-Walker K- DEF- FLEX-Benjamin FLEX- FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.03 Adam Sutton: Charles Sims (TE-RB)
Sims finished inside the top 20 in terms of running backs in PPR scoring last season, and with the anticipation of things remaining relatively the same as I noted with my Doug Martin pick, this is a good spot to make this selection. Not only would Sims’ value skyrocket if Martin is injured, but he still is a very viable option given the amount of flex positions available in this particular league.

QB-Luck RB-Miller RB-Martin WR-Marshall WR-Brown WR-Smith TE-Reed K- DEF- FLEX-Sims FLEX- FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.04 Anthony Cervino: Zach Ertz (PHI-TE)
Ertz is being selected a round sooner than I would like, but I doubt he would be there when the draft comes back around. Ertz is a player I’ve targeted and tracked the entire offseason. Philadelphia’s offense is full of those proverbial question marks and that means you have to find the consistency on the unit. Ertz is that guy. The Eagles have arguable a No. 2 Receiver and two No. 3s to round off their top three spots at the position and Ertz instantly is the best option in the passing game. I view Ertz in a role that is very similar to Greg Olson’s in Carolina last season when Kelvin Benjamin was lost for the season. Not only will he lead Philadelphia in receiving, but Ertz will finish in the top three-to-seven at the tight end position in fantasy points scored if he plays a full 16-game slate.

QB-Rodgers RB-Jones RB-Charles WR-Bryant WR-K. Benjamin WR-Hurns TE-Ertz K- DEF- FLEX-White FLEX- FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.05 Stan Son: DeAngelo Williams (PIT-RB)
Le’Veon Bell is an amazing running back, but there are injury concerns and maturity issues. There is injury risk for all players so I won’t broach that subject. In regards to maturity issues, this is the second time Bell is being suspended for smoking the ganja. If he didn’t get the message the first time, I have some serious doubts that he ever will. Just look at his teammate Martavis Bryant. That risk of another suspension definitely looms large. With that said, the Steelers are going to boast one of the most potent offenses in the league. Last year when Bell was out, Williams had four 100-yard rushing games and scored 11 touchdowns. For my fourth running back, I get a potential RB1 for four games with the potential for more. I like the risk/reward profile here. *Pick was made before Bell’s suspension was reduced to three games.

QB- RB-Elliott RB-Murray WR-Evans WR-Tate WR-Fitzgerald TE- K- DEF- FLEX-Lockett FLEX-Gore FLEX-Williams BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.06 Nick Tapas: Stefon Diggs (MIN-WR)
Stefon Diggs led the Vikings in catches (52) and yards (720) in 2015. Although the Vikings are a run-first offense, Diggs remains at the top of the Vikings’ WR depth chart despite the presence of Laquon Treadwell. By all accounts, Diggs is having a very impressive camp so far, and he has been lining up both on the outside and in the slot meaning there should be ample opportunity for him this season. He is forecast to be more of a WR4 in fantasy for 2016, but my decision to go with Rob Gronkowski in Round 1 means I’m thin at WR at this point in the draft and need to go with Diggs at WR3 and hope he can perform as such. I’m in the camp that says he will meet those expectations despite the Vikings’ propensity to run the ball.

QB-Palmer RB-Freeman RB-Forte WR-Landry WR-Baldwin WR-Diggs TE-Gronkowski K- DEF- FLEX-Langford FLEX- FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.07 Dan Harris: Ameer Abdullah (DET-RB)
Absent a great value at the QB or TE position, I’m still looking to build RB and WR depth at this point. Abdullah obviously struggled some last year and is coming back from a torn labrum, but there’s a lot to like this season. Last season, after the team’s Week 9 bye and with Jim Bob Cooter running the offense, Abdullah averaged 11.5 touches and about 55 yards per game, with a 4.65 YPC. With Calvin Johnson gone, I expect the Lions to lean on the run game even more, and that should mean a heavy dose of Abdullah. So long as he avoids the fumble issues that plagued him last year, he should provide solid value for the middle of the eighth round.

QB- RB-Gurley RB-Lacy WR-Jeffery WR-Cobb WR-Sanders TE- K- DEF- FLEX-Bernard FLEX-Shepard FLEX-Abdullah BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.08 Chris Zolli: Sammie Coates (PIT-WR)
Coates gives me back-to-back picks that are purely upside, but there is nothing that prevents me from believing that Coates can take over Martavis Bryant’s role with the Steelers in 2016. Coates can fly and make a difference downfield like Bryant, although he does not have the same size as the 6’5 Clemson product at just 6’1, he had three catches for 61 yards when given a chance against the Broncos in the playoffs. Bryant had 90 targets in 2015 and Coates , Markus Wheaton, and Darius Heyward-Bey will fight for those. Look for Coates to get a piece of the offense and approach 700 receiving yards with six or more touchdowns at a minimum. Although he has a lower floor, his ceiling is that of a 10-touchdown, 1,000-yard secondary option to Antonio Brown.

QB- RB-McCoy RB-Hyde WR-Hopkins WR-Nelson WR-Parker TE- K- DEF- FLEX-Mathews FLEX-Gordon FLEX-Coats BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.09 Matt Terelle: Corey Coleman (CLE-WR)
Coleman has been earning rave reviews in camp from all those who cover the team and is in a position to make a big splash as a rookie. With fellow wideout Josh Gordon suspended for the first four games of the year, Coleman has a chance to establish himself as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver right out of the gate. While a hamstring injury has held him out of action over the past week, nothing suggests the injury is serious. As a high-upside reserve wideout, this is a perfect spot in the draft to snag Coleman.

QB- RB-Lewis RB-Stewart WR-Green WR-Allen WR-Watkins TE-Olsen K- DEF- FLEX-Jones FLEX- Coleman FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.10 Derek Norton: Melvin Gordon (SD-RB)
Derek is not the biggest fan of Melvin Gordon. In fact, he probably would have taken T.J. Yeldon here if he didn’t already draft two running backs with Week 5 byes. However, there is a bit of good news. First, he’s a first-round talent who could still improve. Second, he played in San Diego’s first preseason game, so his knee injury must not be nearly as serious as some thought. Finally, he’s good value here considering his ECR is 78. He is not a huge believer, but at the end of the eighth round he is fine with taking a chance on Gordon’s talent and hoping he is a surprise player.

QB-Wilson RB-Ingram RB-Rawls WR-Jones WR-Cooper WR- TE-Kelce K- DEF- FLEX-Jackson FLEX-Gordon FLEX-Powell BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.11 Neil Dutton: Bilal Powell (NYJ-RB)
Powell is not likely to be an every-down starter, but the contract he signed with the Jets this offseason is notable for its similarity to that of Matt Forte. It tells Neil that he is going to be used. As a pass catcher, he finished the 2015 season strong, and he fits just what Neil wants in my running backs in this league.

QB-Brees RB-Foster RB- WR-Beckham Jr. WR- Thomas WR-Maclin TE-Fleener K- DEF- FLEX-Floyd FLEX- FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

8.12 Mike Vincent: Julius Thomas (JAC-TE)
This is a flier pick because if he can stay healthy, he will be a touchdown machine in the red zone and at the goal line. Mike knows they brought in Ivory to do what Yeldon couldn’t in goal to go situations, but if Thomas is healthy his touchdown to target ratio is high enough that fantasy teams will be fine with his production and that Jaguars’ offense.

QB- RB-Anderson RB-Murray WR-Brown WR-Cooks WR- Hilton TE-Thomas K- DEF- FLEX-Matthews FLEX-Jennings FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.01 Mike Vincent: Ben Roethlisberger (PIT-QB)
His splits are miserable home and away and injuries and inconsistencies tormented the Steelers last season with Bryant suspension and Bell suspension and eventual injury. Oh right, Bryant and Bell are suspended again, and Heath Miller retired. However, with another year under the belts of Sammie Coates, Markus Wheaton, and DeAngelo Williams reemerging as a credible threat in the backfield – Ben just needs to stay healthy and feed Antonio Brown. All. Day.

QB-Roethlisberger RB-Anderson RB-Murray WR-Brown WR-Cooks WR-Hilton TE-Thomas K- DEF- FLEX-Matthews FLEX-Jennings FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.02 Neil Dutton: Devin Funchess (CAR-WR)
Neil is not the biggest fan of Kelvin Benjamin. An awful lot of his “stellar” work in 2014 came in garbage time, and the Panthers are not going to be bad this year. Funchess has, by all accounts, enjoyed a stellar camp and Neil wouldn’t be at all surprised if Funchess outsnapped, outscored and outperformed Benjamin in every conceivable metric this season. With that in mind, he is happy to get him here.

QB-Brees RB-Foster RB- WR-Beckham Jr. WR-Thomas WR-Maclin TE-Fleener K- DEF- FLEX-Floyd FLEX-Powell FLEX-Funchess BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.03 Derek Norton: Tavon Austin (STL-WR)
The pickings are getting slim at wide receiver, so Derek feels like he needs to grab one here since it’ll be a while before he picks again. Austin is one of the quickest guys in the league and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Derek also hopeful he can pad his PPR stats with short passes from his rookie quarterback. He is a decent WR4 with WR2 upside.

QB- Wilson RB-Ingram RB-Rawls WR-Jones WR-Cooper WR-Kelce TE- K- DEF- FLEX-Jackson FLEX-Gordon FLEX-Austin BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.04 Matt Terelle: Tyler Eifert (CIN-TE)
Tyler Eifert, ankle injury aside, seems like a good value in the ninth round of the draft. He has significant upside, dominated the red zone last season, and is one of Andy Dalton’s favorite targets. It felt like a worthwhile investment for a player who would likely be coming off the board around the fourth round if he were healthy. Let’s just hope he only misses a couple games following offseason ankle surgery.

QB- RB-Lewis RB-Stewart WR-Green WR-Allen WR-Watkins TE-Olsen K- DEF- FLEX-Jones FLEX-Coleman FLEX-Eifert BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.05 Chris Zolli: Kamar Aiken (BAL-WR)
There needs to be a top WR in Baltimore and Aiken may be the guy after being targeted 127 times in 2015. He was targeted 10 times or more in five of his last eight games, hauling in five or more receptions in each of the last nine games of the season. Joe Flacco is due for a boost and the Ravens’ running attack will look better with Javorius Allen and Justin Forsett in the backfield, opening up opportunities for Aiken. He is the first guy off of the bench for me, and the sixth WR that I have picked, but could give WR3 production.

QB- RB-McCoy RB-Hyde WR-Hopkins WR-Nelson WR-Parker TE- K- DEF- FLEX-Mathews FLEX-Gordon FLEX-Coats BE-Aiken BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.06 Dan Harris: Vincent Jackson (TB-WR)
It’s hard to get too excited about a 33-year-old receiver coming off a season in which he surpassed 10 fantasy points in only three weeks. However, Dan is willing to bet that Jackson still has one decent season left in him. Jameis Winston should continue to develop at quarterback, and defenses will undoubtedly focus on stopping Mike Evans and Doug Martin, leaving Jackson with a lot of opportunities to produce if he can stay healthy. Jackson can still be a big-time red zone target with his huge frame, and I can see him being a flex starter depending on the matchup. With the pickings getting slim at wide receiver, Jackson is a great add in Round 9.

QB- RB-Gurley RB-Lacy WR-Jeffrey WR-Cobb WR-Sanders TE- K- DEF- FLEX-Bernard FLEX-Shepard FLEX-Abdullah BE-Jackson BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.07 Nick Tapas: Michael Thomas (NO-WR)
As this stage of the draft, Nick is looking for a WR with upside to round out his top four WRs. Michael Thomas fits that bill. Although the rookie sits below Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead on the Saints’ depth chart, he is projected to take over Marques Colston’s slot role and has been a training camp standout thus far, not to mention a 4/67/0 line in his first pre-season game against the Patriots. Nick is certainly tempering expectations with Thomas, as should most owners, but, his floor is higher than most WRs left on the board at this point in the draft and he could be in store for a couple of great breakout games in this high octane offense. He makes for a solid WR4 in deeper leagues such as this one.

QB-Palmer RB-Freeman RB-Forte WR-Landry WR-Baldwin WR-Diggs TE-Gronkowski K- DEF- FLEX-Langford FLEX-Thomas FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.08 Stan Son: Theo Riddick (DET-RB)
The Lions attempted the fourth-most passes in the league last season with 632. They should remain among the leaders in attempts this year as well. Riddick was targeted 99 times and hauled in 80 receptions. Calvin Johnson and his 149 targets are now gone. Those targets have to go somewhere and newly-acquired Marvin Jones is not going to get them all.

QB- RB-Elliott RB-Murray WR-Evans WR-Tate WR-Fitzgerald TE- K- DEF- FLEX-Lockett FLEX-Gore FLEX-Williams BE-Riddick BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.09 Anthony Cervino: Jay Ajayi (MIA-RB)
Ajayi is a solid pick in the tail end of the ninth round. He is expected to be the primary handcuff of the injury-prone Arian Foster and could even see an increased amount of playing time in the event that the Dolphins attempt to keep the veteran rusher fresh. With Foster’s history of ailments, it’s not a long shot to think that Ajayi will eventually become the starter in Miami for at least a handful of contests throughout the course of the year.

QB-Rodgers RB-Charles RB-Jones WR-Bryant WR-Benjamin WR-Hurns TE-Ertz K- DEF- FLEX-White FLEX-Ajayi FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.10 Adam Sutton: T.J. Yeldon (JAC-RB)
Yeldon’s value took a hit with the signing on Chris Ivory, but I still think there’s value to be had here, especially in PPR. If he can stay on the field (injuries limited him to 12 games in 2015), I think he’s good for 250 touches, which is more than I can ask for from my fourth running back.

QB-Luck RB-Miller RB-Martin WR-Marshall WR-Brown WR-Smith TE-Reed K- DEF- FLEX-Sims FLEX-Yeldon FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.11 Matt Barbato: Rishard Matthews (MIA-WR)
Someone in Tennessee has to catch footballs other than Delaine Walker. While Matt is intrigued by the emergence of fifth-round pick Tajae Sharpe, there’s something about a rookie wide receiver transitioning to life as a starter that makes me uneasy. Matt will take Matthews, who the Titans signed this offseason, and hope he becomes Tennessee’s leading receiver. Matt has already put more than enough stock into Tennessee’s passing game, but it might not be a bad idea to have the best two options on an offense that will likely be playing from behind often.

QB-Newton RB-Peterson RB-Woodhead WR-Robinson WR-Decker WR-Crabtree TE-Walker K- DEF- FLEX-Benjamin FLEX-Matthews FLEX- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

9.12 Dan Marcus: Dorial Green-Beckham (PHI-WR)
Dan is not nearly as excited about this pick as he would have been a few days ago, as Green-Beckham will have to work his way into a new offense. However, he gives the Eagles a big target in the red zone and could still haul in bunches of TDs. The way his draft has gone with wideouts, it’s time for a high-upside player and Green-Beckham certainly fits that.

QB- RB-Da. Johnson RB-Bell WR-Edelman WR-Moncrief WR- Wheaton  TE- K- DEF- FLEX- Hill FLEX-Du. Johnson FLEX- Snead BE-Green-Beckham  BE- BE- BE- BE- BE-

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Chris Zolli is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Chris, check out his archive and follow him@thezman2010.