Throughout the offseason, you will see plenty of mock drafts analyzed on this site. The primary value of mock drafts isn’t realized until August, but there is still something to be gained from conducting them at various times leading up to draft season. Well, we’re now in August.
This is the fifth mock I have done. Given the time gap between each mock, I often will draft from the same position in order to create a timeline of how perception and my own opinions change. I’ve done two late-pick mock drafts in pretty close proximity, so for this one, I’m returning to the two-spot. I make my picks and write my thoughts in real-time when doing these mocks using our free draft simulator so that I can truly capture what I’m thinking in the moment. With the draft season upon us, I am now at the point where I fully grasp the ramifications that each pick carries for future picks, and I know what players I need to get later based on the ones I take earlier. It doesn’t always go according to plan, which is the beauty of this game.
This is for a 12-team, PPR league with one QB, three WRs, two RBs, one TE, and one flex. I removed kickers and defenses because there just isn’t any value in including them.
Complete early mock drafts using our free draft simulator 
1.02 Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG)
Nothing has changed for who I consider my second overall player. Saquon Barkley is my pick to finish 2020 as the overall RB1. The Giants’ offensive situation is better this year than it was last year. They’ve improved the offensive line, and we can’t forget that Barkley is a generational talent and just 23 years old.
2.11 George Kittle (TE – SF)
This is exactly what I was hoping to change here. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire now a consensus first-round pick and the fantasy community grasping the need to pound running back early, the top 15 backs are all gone by now. This presented a great opportunity to experiment with not going RB-RB. I typically wait on tight end and quarterback, but this is practice, and it’s important to understand what your team looks like with strategies that aren’t ideal. That led me to George Kittle, who is going to be a target hog on admittedly a run-first offense, but one that has already lost two receivers in Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd.
3.02 Adam Thielen (WR – MIN)
I’m so glad that I approached this mock the way I did, because it presents a real challenge. The biggest issue for me in this early third-round position is the top running backs and wide receivers available are all pretty similar. No matter who I selected, it was going to be someone similar to what the drafters on the back end would get. Ultimately, I decided to go with my top-ranked wide receiver, Adam Thielen, over my top-ranked running back, Leonard Fournette, understanding that would force me to go running back in either the fourth or fifth round.
4.11 Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)
To be perfectly frank, if this were a real draft and Lamar Jackson made it back to me, there is a 100% chance that I take him no matter what I’ve already done, and I’ll just figure it out later. I passed on Jackson because that’s not a scenario that will ever happen. I don’t anticipate getting much of Jonathan Taylor here, either, but it’s at least plausible. There are multiple receivers I like and I will take one with my next pick. For now, I secure my RB2 in the best rookie running back prospect since Saquon Barkley that I expect to almost immediately vanquish Marlon Mack.
5.02 D.K. Metcalf (WR – SEA)
I really wanted D.J. Chark here, but went the pick before me. The downgrade is minimal, though, as D.K. Metcalf is going to establish himself as the Seahawks’ WR1 this season. He out-targeted Tyler Lockett over the back half of the 2019 season. At worst, the two are on equal playing fields. With Chark gone, this pick would’ve been Metcalf even if Lockett was still on the board.
6.11 D’Andre Swift (RB – DET)
It seems as though rookies may be a bit undervalued in these mocks, as D’Andre Swift is an absolute steal at this point in the draft. My two targets here were Swift and Kareem Hunt. If both were gone, I likely would’ve pivoted to wide receiver and just tacked on three running backs later in the draft, hoping my top two would carry me. I see Swift commanding a 60% opportunity share and surpassing Kerryon Johnson right away. I don’t love Swift as a talent, but he’s certainly above replacement level and talented enough to produce if given the opportunity.
7.02 Kareem Hunt (RB – CLE)
I only have two wide receivers, but I’m willing to take a hit at my starting WR3 in order to put Kareem Hunt on my bench. Hunt was a mid to low-end RB2 after returning from suspension last season, and that’s pretty much his floor even if Nick Chubb stays healthy. Hunt’s ceiling is a high-end RB2 with Chubb and an elite RB1 if Chubb gets hurt or Hunt gets traded.
8.11 Anthony Miller (WR – CHI)
I don’t love reaching a bit for Anthony Miller here, but I needed a WR3. This is a very weak WR3, but, remember, George Kittle is technically my WR1, so if you view Miller as a TE had I gone wide receiver in the second round, he’s better than any tight end I would be drafting here. Miller is entering his third season, but his first as the clear starter opposite Allen Robinson. Miller could surpass 100 targets this season and is an idea late-round target.
9.02 Matthew Stafford (QB – DET)
I wanted to make sure that I grabbed Matthew Stafford here because I expect a QB1 season from him. Stafford was a top-five quarterback before he got hurt, and he returns his top three receivers and entire coaching staff. The continuity only helps an already talented quarterback that is being overlooked.
10.11 Darrell Henderson (RB – LAR)
This is such an ironic pick because I don’t really have much hope for Darrell Henderson this season. He just happens to be the top running back on my board in a spot where I didn’t see any value in taking wide receiver since the guys left are all dart throw WR5s. Henderson completely failed as a rookie and couldn’t even get on the field over a broken Todd Gurley and a plodding Malcolm Brown — even when one of them was out. Cam Akers is set to be the guy, but maybe Henderson flashes in camp. Honestly, this was probably a bad pick.
11.02 Carson Wentz (QB – PHI)
The value is too good to pass up here. Carson Wentz is a legit QB1, and I can play matchups between him and Matthew Stafford or potentially trade one. I always take a backup quarterback or tight end, but never both. With Kittle locked in as my TE1, I don’t need a second tight end so getting two QB1s seems like a good idea.
12.11 Curtis Samuel (WR – CAR)
I can’t give up on Curtis Samuel. He’s just too talented. We’d be singing a much different tune on Samuel if Kyle Allen was able to complete anything downfield last season. Even though Robby Anderson represents increased target competition, Teddy Bridgewater is an unquantifiable upgrade over Allen and I have confidence that Matt Rhule understands the talent he has in Samuel. This is the year!
13.02 Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF)
As my final wide receiver, I had the opportunity to consolidate pretty much all of the 49ers’ targets. Seems like a worthwhile gamble. Brandon Aiyuk has to start, and although I’m not a huge believer in his talent or rookie wide receivers in general, I chase targets. Aiyuk has a shot to get 100 of them.
Final Roster
QB: Matthew Stafford, Carson Wentz
RB: Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, D’Andre Swift, Kareem Hunt, Darrell Henderson
WR: Adam Thielen, D.K. Metcalf, Anthony Miller, Curtis Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk
TE: George Kittle
Full Draft Board
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Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive, follow him @jasonkatz13.
