The 2023 regular season is only a few weeks away. That means fantasy football drafts are happening around the clock. And the best way to prepare for your fantasy draft is to use the FantasyPros mock draft simulator.

I recently conducted a 12-team 1QB half-point PPR mock draft. The roster construction for this mock draft is one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, two flex spots, and six bench spots. There isn’t a team defense or kicker spot in this mock draft.

I used a streaming quarterback strategy for this mock draft, so I didn’t draft a quarterback until the final two rounds. Let’s see how it turned out while picking from the No. 3 spot.

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2023 Fantasy Football Late-Round QB Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 3 – Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)

While drafting wide receivers with a top pick is the latest trend, I’m still using a top-four selection on McCaffrey. Last year, the superstar running back stayed healthy after missing 70% of his games during the previous two seasons. More importantly, he was the focal point of San Francisco’s offense. McCaffrey was the RB1, averaging 20.5 fantasy points per game in the 10 contests he played at least 40% of the snaps with the 49ers.

Round 2, Pick 22 – Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)

Typically, I’ll start mock drafts by drafting one running back and one wide receiver in the first two rounds. However, I couldn’t pass up the chance to pick Stevenson. Despite the recent signing of Ezekiel Elliott, Stevenson still could be in line for another top-12 season. New England lacks an elite go-to wide receiver, meaning the star running back should have another high-target season. Hopefully, Stevenson can find the end zone more than six times this year.

Round 3, Pick 27 – Chris Olave (WR – NO)

After starting with back-to-back running backs, I’m ecstatic to land Olave in the third round. The second-year star is a breakout candidate after the Saints upgraded the quarterback position this offseason. Last year, Olave joined Garrett Wilson as the only rookie wide receivers with more than 1,000 receiving yards. Michael Thomas has missed 80% of games over the past three years. Unless he can miraculously stay healthy this season, Olave has top-10 upside.

Round 4, Pick 46 – Jerry Jeudy (WR – DEN)

While tempted to select another running back in the fourth round, I decided to maintain roster balance and pick Jeudy. The Broncos’ offense struggled last season in Russell Wilson‘s first year with the team. However, the former Alabama star had the best year of his career, averaging 11.4 fantasy points per game and scoring six touchdowns. Jeudy should be even better with Sean Payton on the sidelines.

Round 5, Pick 51 – Miles Sanders (RB – CAR)

Thankfully, Sanders made it around the turn and back to me in the fifth round. The veteran running back bounced back last year after struggling in 2021. Sanders was the RB13 last season, averaging 12.2 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he had 11 rushing touchdowns after failing to find the end zone the year before. Meanwhile, Sanders arguably has more fantasy upside in Carolina as Frank Reich’s featured running back.

Round 6, Pick 70 – Marquise Brown (WR – ARI)

Unfortunately, I missed out on DeAndre Hopkins by two picks. Landing the veteran wide receiver in the late sixth round would have been a massive steal. However, I happily pivoted to his former teammate. Brown was the WR6 over the first six weeks last season with Hopkins suspended, averaging 14.7 fantasy points per game. Brown will finish top 10 in targets this season if he stays healthy.

Round 7, Pick 75 – Darren Waller (TE – NYG)

I believe in using the great or late tight end method this season. If I can’t land Travis Kelce, I turn my attention to the late-round guys. However, Waller is too good of a value to pass up in the seventh round. While he has struggled with injuries the past few years, the veteran will be the clear-cut No. 1 pass catcher in New York. Last year Waller led all tight ends in deep targets (13) despite missing nearly half the season.

Round 8, Pick 94 – Skyy Moore (WR – KC)

My first three drafted wide receivers all are safe options. Therefore, it’s time to shoot for some upside. Moore is taking over for JuJu Smith-Schuster as the starting slot receiver. More importantly, the second-year player has earned consistent snaps in two wide receiver sets in training camp. While Kadarius Toney could return and throw somewhat of a wet blanket on Moore’s upside, there is too much potential to pass on him in the eighth round.

Round 9, Pick 99 – De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)

Unless the Dolphins sign Dalvin Cook or another big-name free agent, Achane is my favorite Miami running back this year. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. might make the backfield a committee to start the year, but the rookie will be the lead guy at the latest by midseason. Meanwhile, had one player put up just 60% of the Dolphins’ backfield production last season, he would have finished the year as the RB12.

Round 10, Pick 118 – Nico Collins (WR – HOU)

I have always been a massive fan of Collins, and now it appears he will have a third-year breakout season. He was the WR48 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 7.9 fantasy points per contest, only 0.4 fewer than George Pickens. Yet, he was drafted 37 picks later than the Pittsburgh receiver in this mock draft. More importantly, Collins finished second in contested catch rate (66.7%) among wide receivers despite Davis Mills ranking 43rd in catchable pass rate last year.

Round 11, Pick 123 – Tank Bigsby (RB – JAC)

While I’ve warmed up to the idea that Travis Etienne will maintain the lead role in the backfield, Bigsby is well worth an 11th-round selection. The rookie running back will have a consistent role on offense, especially around the goal line. Bigsby could be a league winner if Etienne misses significant time with an injury.

Round 12, Pick 142 – Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)

Typically, fantasy players shouldn’t draft a second tight end after using a top-seven or eight-round pick at the position. However, I couldn’t pass up drafting LaPorta for two reasons. First, he is one of my two favorite late-round tight end targets (Juwan Johnson is the other). Second, Darren Waller has missed 41.2% of his games the last two years, including eight last season. If the rookie hits, I can explore trading away Waller. If he flops, there will be plenty of streaming options on the waiver wire.

Round 13, Pick 147 – Anthony Richardson (QB – IND)

When using a streaming quarterback draft strategy in a 1QB league, I tend to grab two quarterbacks with my final two picks. Thankfully, I lucked out in this mock draft and landed the quarterback with the most upside outside the top eight guys. Richardson’s head coach, Shane Steichen, spent the past two years with Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles. Hurts was the QB9 in 2021 (his first year as the starter), thanks to 784 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. And Hurts was a MVP candidate a year ago. If Richardson can put up similar numbers this season, the rookie will significantly outperform his ADP.

Round 14, Pick 166 – Aaron Rodgers (QB – NYJ)

After drafting Richardson in the previous round, I grab Rodgers as my “safe” quarterback. If Richardson doesn’t start Week 1 or struggles early this season, Rodgers gives me a reliable quarterback with upside. Last year the future Hall of Famer finished seventh in passing touchdowns despite throwing to two rookie wide receivers and playing with a thumb injury on his throwing hand. More importantly, Rodgers has built a strong connection with Garrett Wilson this offseason and appears capable of having a low-end QB1 season.

More Fantasy Football Mock Drafts

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• PPR: 12-Team, Middle Pick (v2, v3, v4, v5)
• PPR: 12-Team, Late Pick (v2, v3, v4)
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• Half-PPR: 12-Team, Superflex
• Half-PPR: 12-Team, Early Pick (v2)
• Half-PPR: 12-Team, Middle Pick (v2, v3)
• Half-PPR: 12-Team, Late Pick (v2)
• Standard: 12-Team, Early Pick
• Standard: 12-Team, Middle Pick (v2)
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• Standard: 10-Team, Middle Pick
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.