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Congratulations! We have officially made it to June.
That, of course, means the temperature is rising, the days are getting longer, and football is (hopefully) right around the corner. It’s also mock draft season, and today we are taking the FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Simulator for a spin as part of a 2QB PPR mock. I randomized the draft order, and I am drafting out of the second spot. It’s important to remember that in a 2QB league, we must push quarterbacks way up the draft board, so keep that in mind as you read.
Let’s dive in:
Mock draft vs. experts with our free Draft Simulator 
1.02 – Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC)
This was the easiest pick of the process for me after Christian McCaffery went first overall. In a 2QB draft, I’m not leaving Patrick Mahomes on the board.
Other Players Considered: None
2.11 – Deshaun Watson (QB – HOU)
Watson’s rushing upside was too tantalizing to pass up here, and despite the loss of DeAndre Hopkins, he should continue to be uber-productive. I try to make sure and grab two quarterbacks in the first three rounds of all 2QB/SuperFlex leagues, and landing Watson ensures that I have two top-five options at the most valuable position.
Other Players Considered: Miles Sanders, Leonard Fournette, D,J. Moore
3.11 – Miles Sanders (RB – PHI)
Sanders isn’t a sexy pick, but all things considered, he made the most sense. There’s always a risk that he won’t be the feature back, but he should get at least 18-20 touches per game. He gets a nice uptick in value for the PPR scoring format, and after coming off a rookie season with over 1,300 combined yards, he looks like a shoo-in RB1.
Other Players Considered: D.J. Moore, Mike Evans, Leonard Fournette
4.02 – Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN)
Calvin Ridley was also available, but Sutton broke out in a big way last year, and I love his touchdown upside. Sutton should benefit from the arrival of Jerry Jeudy and the emergence of Noah Fant, as defenses will have to account for other weapons in the Denver offense. Coming off a year where he was targeted 124 times and averaged a robust 15.4 YPC, Sutton is poised to have a monster 2020. The emergence of Drew Lock only enhances his profile.
Other Players Considered: Calvin Ridley, Le’Veon Bell
5.02 – Le’Veon Bell (RB – NYJ)
Bell had a rough 2019, but he still managed to finish comfortably as an RB2. His best days are behind him, and he isn’t the dual-threat he once was, but he still offers a ton of value in PPR formats. I had a brief debate between Bell and Chris Carson, but I think that the former has a more stable role and is the better bet to catch 50 passes. Bell should be an easy RB2 and will finish in the top-20 at his position.
Other Players Considered: Chris Carson, DeVante Parker
6.11 – Jarvis Landry (WR – CLE)
Landry was here before the turn, and he’s one of the last receivers in this tier I feel comfortable with as a WR2. Landry has been consistently terrific in PPR leagues, and he outperformed his more expensive teammate Odell Beckham Jr. in 2019. He is a virtual lock for five catches and 60 yards every week, giving me a nice floor option to go with Sutton’s upside. I thought about going running back here, but there were at least four I liked who I think will slip.
Other Players Considered: Devin Singletary, Jonathan Taylor, Raheem Mostert
7.02 – Darren Waller (TE – LVR)
The draft wizard recommended Deebo Samuel, but with Waller sitting there, this was a pretty easy pick. The “Big Three” tight ends are long gone at this point, but Waller represents great value, and he has as much upside as anyone at the position. Like Landry, he is the last guy in his tier I feel comfortable with.
Other Players Considered: Deebo Samuel, Jonathan Taylor
8.11 – Raheem Mostert (RB – SF)
Mostert fell into my lap here, and he’s one of my favorite value picks this year. He’s getting drafted as an RB3, but he has legitimate RB1 upside. I believe that he will garner the lion’s share of carries for the 49ers, and he should be their goal-line running back. He was a monster down the stretch, and there are rumblings of him getting an extension before the season starts. I’m all in at his eighth-round price tag.
Other Players Considered: None
9.02 – Philip Rivers (QB – IND)
This pick was made purely based on need. Having a serviceable QB3 in this format is a luxury, but it’s one that I am glad to have. Rivers still has something left in the tank and should serve as a capable bye-week fill-in.
Other Players Considered: Sam Darnold, Tua Tagovailoa
10.11 – Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)
My favorite pick so far, Johnson is poised to have a 1,000-yard season in 2020. An accomplished route runner, he was arguably the Steelers’ best receiver last year as a rookie. Johnson is one of those players who I don’t want to leave my draft without, and getting him in the 10th round feels like stealing.
Other Players Considered: None
11.02 – Tyler Higbee (TE – LAR)
Higbee finished the season as the TE1 over his last six games, and with the departure of Brandin Cooks and Todd Gurley, there are 130 open targets in Los Angeles. Higbee is dripping with talent; it simply took a couple of seasons for him to fully realize his potential. With the Rams being one of the most pass-heavy teams in the league, Higbee is a sneaky pick late in drafts.
Other Players Considered: Sterling Shepard
12.11 – Preston Williams (WR – MIA)
Prior to his ACL injury, Williams was having one of the best rookie campaigns in the NFL. The UDFA from Colorado State was on pace for a 1,000-yard season, as his six-foot-five frame and freakish athletic ability were a consistent issue for NFL defenses. Williams will be the number-two option in the passing game once again this season for a Miami team that figures to throw the ball plenty.
Other Players Considered: Jordan Howard
13.02 – Tony Pollard (RB – DAL)
This is a lottery ticket pick, but it’s a luxury I can afford with three top-25 running backs already on my roster. Pollard is the best handcuff in fantasy, and if Zeke Elliott goes down, he becomes an elite option.
Other Players Considered: Tevin Coleman, Darrell Henderson
14.11 – Curtis Samuel (WR – CAR)
Samuel is a post-hype sleeper who gets the opportunity for a fresh start with Matt Rhule, who has a solid track record of success with reclamation projects. A lot of people may not realize Samuel got 102 targets last year — they were just low-quality due to poor quarterback play. With Teddy Bridgewater taking over and a coach who knows how to scheme ways to get the ball in his hands, Samuel is a late-round flyer I will have plenty of this year.
Other Players Considered: None
15.02 – Kansas City Defense
16.11 – Greg Zuerlein
Always pick your defense and kicker with your last two picks. If you get a guy like Zuerlein, you’re probably set until the bye week. Your defense can (and should) be streamed weekly.
Final Roster:
QB: Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, Philip Rivers
RB: Miles Sanders, Le’Veon Bell, Raheem Mostert, Tony Pollard
WR: Courtland Sutton, Jarvis Landry, Diontae Johnson, Preston Williams, Curtis Samuel
TE: Darren Waller, Tyler Higbee
DEF: Kansas City
K: Greg Zuerlein
The simulator doesn’t love my team, as I am projected to finish in the bottom half of the standings:
That’s probably due to my running back situation, and this draft will depend on Mostert and Johnson meeting my high expectations this season.
Takeaways
Even in a 2QB league, running backs are going early and often. By the end of the fifth Round, the pickings at the running back position were getting slim, so don’t wait too long there. The quarterback position is still the deepest in fantasy, so in 1QB leagues, leave Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes for someone else to take in the third or fourth round.
Nailing the mid-round receivers could be the difference-maker this year. The studs are obvious, but if you can pick the breakout, you will have a major advantage over your league mates. Chase upside late, and don’t be afraid to go get your guy. Have a list of a dozen or so players that you can’t live without who are at an eighth-round ADP or later. Make it a point to get at least four of those players.
In general, our Draft Simulator is the best tool I have found to use when preparing for drafts. The amount of information at your fingertips in the draft room is incredibly useful, and you can get through a mock draft in under 10 minutes. I would highly recommend doing multiple mocks from different draft positions to prepare yourself for the various twists and turns that inevitably come in a draft room.
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Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.
