The NFL draft always gets me pumped for football because, at this point, the rosters are mostly set. Some changes will occur over the summer – more free-agent signings, trades, and injuries – but the framework is now in place. So let’s celebrate by conducting our first mock draft for 2022! Using the FantasyPros Mock Draft Simulator, I set up a relatively generic draft using the following parameters:
- Ten teams, Half-point PPR
- 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX (RB/WR/TE), 1 D/ST, 1 K, 6 Bench slots
The computer randomly gave me the ninth overall pick (thanks a lot) in a snake re-draft league, and as usual, I used FantasyPros’ latest ECR as my cheat sheet. Below are the results by round, along with some thoughts/observations:
1.09 – Najee Harris (RB – PIT)
Seven out of the first eight picks were running backs, so I felt I needed to grab one too with my first pick, and Harris was the best available. I also considered Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN) here but hoped he’d fall to me in Round 2.
2.02 – Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)
Jefferson didn’t make it past the turn, so I decided to double-up on RBs. There’s some risk with Kamara as he’s coming off an injury-plagued year and is facing some legal issues. However, given the lack of playmakers on the Saints’ depth chart, he’ll get his touches.
3.09 – Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA)
Hill worries me. I’m not sure how it will go for him in Miami. I needed to go WR with this pick, but the top players were off the board. So I decided to draft the player with the most upside in Hill, even though he may also have the most downside.
4.02 – Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
I considered Higgins in Round 3, so I was happy to scoop him up here. He gets over-shadowed by Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN) but was only 2.5 points-per-game behind him last season.
5.09 – Josh Jacobs (RB – LV)
The Raiders’ offense could be pretty good this year, and thus there’s a good chance Jacobs will exceed his nine TDs from last year. I don’t see rookie Zamir White (RB – LV) as much of a threat to Jacobs’ usage just yet.
6.02 – Justin Herbert (QB – LAC)
Josh Allen (QB – BUF), Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL), and Patrick Mahomes II (QB – KC) were all off the board, and I was worried there would be a run on QBs before my next pick. I was correct, as five went before it was my turn to draft again. Plus, Herbert is a stud, and I have him ranked as the #2 QB at this point of the off-season.
7.09 – T.J. Hockenson (TE – DET)
In hindsight, I should have waited on drafting a tight end and built my RB and WR depth with this pick instead. It’s not that I don’t like Hockenson – I do – but there were still plenty of good TEs on the board. The lesson here is not to panic in filling your starting lineup first.
8.08 – Marquise Brown (WR – ARI)
I wouldn’t have made this pick if DeAndre Hopkins (WR – ARI) had not been suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season. Given Brown’s familiarity with Kyler Murray (QB – ARI), he has the potential to come out of the gate fast with his new team. If so, I would be in a position to either enjoy the upside or trade him at peak value before Hopkins’ return.
9.09 – Cordarrelle Patterson (RB, WR – ATL)
I’m not sure why Patterson is ranked so low in the ECR – especially since the Falcons released Mike Davis (RB – FA). I get that he’s now 31 years old and unlikely to repeat his incredible 2021. However, given that he has very little competition in the Falcons’ backfield, this pick felt like a genuine bargain.
10.02 – Allen Lazard (WR – GB)
Lazard is not Davante Adams (WR – LV). But if you are expecting Christian Watson (WR – GB) to soak up all those departed targets, think again. Aaron Rodgers (QB – GB) loves familiarity, and Lazard will be in for a massive target share increase unless the Packers bring in another WR.
11.09 – Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI)
I don’t always draft two tight ends, but Goedert felt like a substantial value here. He could be as good as Hockenson and the remaining WRs and RBs still available seemed redundant.
12.02 – Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA)
Selecting Mostert may turn into a wasted draft pick, but I wanted one more running back for my bench. When I chose him, I thought he was the best option, but after studying the draft board later, I wish I’d taken Dameon Pierce (RB – HOU) instead. Pierce has an excellent opportunity to emerge in the Texans’ backfield.
13.09 – Skyy Moore (WR – KC)
I had to take one rookie, so why not the one who plays with the best QB in the world? Moore will be boom-or-bust, but it felt like as good a flier as any near the end of the draft.
14.02 – Justin Tucker (K – BAL)
Tucker’s the GOAT of kickers. I was surprised he was available here, frankly.
15.09 – Los Angeles Chargers (DST – LAC)
I had to take a DST with the second to last pick in the draft. The Chargers added a ton of defensive talent this offseason, so why not? Hopefully, Joey Bosa (DE – LAC) and Khalil Mack (DE, LB – LAC) will combine for 35 sacks.
Draft Wizard Grade: 82 (B-)
Ouch. I thought I deserved better. The mighty wizard didn’t like my Lazard pick, but I’ll stand by it until the Packers make another move. The wiz also wasn’t thrilled with Hill as my WR1. I understand, but that’s what happens when you go with two RBs out of the gate. Overall I liked the results better than the computer, and in any case, it was good to get the fantasy football juices flowing again.
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Scott Youngson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Scott, check out his archive and follow him at @jscottyoungson.
