It’s never too early to start the thinking process of how you are going to build your fantasy teams or which players you want to target. Below, I will walk you through my latest fantasy football mock draft using PPR scoring with the standard Yahoo roster format (1-QB/2-RB/2-WR/1-Flex/1-K/1-D/ST), picking from the 1.04 draft slot.
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Fantasy Football Mock Draft
1.04: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)
The first three picks were Ja’Marr Chase, Bijan Robinson and Justin Jefferson. That left me with my choice of Jahmyr Gibbs, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Puka Nacua or Saquon Barkley.
My decision came down to Gibbs and Lamb, and ultimately, I went with Gibbs as his usage is too high to pass. He is the main focal point in the Lions’ offense. Even with Ben Johnson gone, I still think Gibbs is the RB1 in PPR formats.
2.09: Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)
In years past, I probably would have passed on Derrick Henry and forced myself to take a wide receiver in this spot, especially in PPR formats. But Henry is a league winner and outscored every wideout not named Ja’Marr Chase last year.
Plus, I wasn’t thrilled with the wide receiver options at the 2.09 pick, with Tyreek Hill, Rashee Rice and Mike Evans as the only plausible options.
3.04: Terry McLaurin (WR – WSH)
I put Terry McLaurin in the same tier as Rice, Hill and Evans. Being able to grab Henry and Terry McLaurin in back-to-back picks was nice value in my eyes.
4.09: Marvin Harrison (WR – ARI)
After going with back-to-back running backs to start my draft, I wanted to focus on pass-catchers over the next handful of picks. Marvin Harrison dropping to 4.09 is crazy value. Using FantasyPros’ average draft position (ADP) data, Harrison’s ADP is around the 39th/40th pick. I just nabbed him nearly 17 spots lower.
5.04: DK Metcalf (WR – PIT)
Again, I wanted to load up on pass-catchers, and landing the Steelers’ No. 1 option is huge. While Aaron Rodgers is a shell of his former self, he is a better option than they have had over the last few years.
6.09: Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)
Jaylen Waddle is coming off the worst season of his short NFL career. After averaging nearly 85 receptions over his first three years, Waddle only hauled in 58 catches and two touchdowns last season.
Miami’s offense was a mess last year, and a lot of that could be due to their terrible offensive line and Tua Tagovailoa only being able to play in 11 games. I’m expecting a bounce-back season for Waddle.
Other options at his point in the draft were Jordan Addison, Evan Engram, Jameson Williams and Tony Pollard.
7.04: Kaleb Johnson (RB – PIT)
After catching up on receivers, I needed to add depth to my running back room. I was hoping Tony Pollard would fall here, but he went two picks before me, which landed me Kaleb Johnson.
Johnson is an explosive back who will split carries with Jaylen Warren in what is expected to be a run-first offense under Arthur Smith. If Johnson is as good as advertised, he could end up being the lead back.
8.09: Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
This pick was a mistake. I wanted to draft Najee Harris.
9.04: Deebo Samuel (WR – WSH)
Leaving a Kyle Shanahan-led offense could have killed Deebo Samuel’s production, but landing in Washington with Kliff Kingsbury’s creativity is the next best thing.
10.09: Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL)
I had my choice of Jake Ferguson or Mark Andrews at 10.09, and ultimately went with Ferguson because I think Isaiah Likely becomes the No. 1 TE in Baltimore.
11.04: Dak Prescott (QB – DAL)
This is the latest I have taken a quarterback in recent mock drafts, and it worked out well. I am buying low on Dak Prescott after he only played eight games last year due to injury. But don’t forget the only quarterbacks to score more fantasy points than Prescott in 2023 were Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts.
12.09: Emeka Egbuka (WR – TB)
Emeka Egbuka was the best receiver in this year’s draft class and has landed in a perfect spot with the Buccaneers.
Mike Evans isn’t getting any younger and Chris Godwin is coming off a horrific ankle injury. If either misses time, Egbuka is inserted into a primetime spot.
Blake Corum, Tucker Kraft, Tyler Warren and Jaylin Noel were other considerations that were still left on the board. I believe the former Ohio State receiver had the highest upside.
13.04: Philadelphia Eagles D/ST
I wanted to get the first crack at some of the better defenses in the league. Denver went about eight picks prior, so I settled for the Eagles.
14.09: Colston Loveland (TE – CHI)
This could be the steal of the draft. Chicago used a first-round pick on the former Wolverine and he could be inserted in the starting tight end spot right away. Ben Johnson loves utilizing his tight ends, as we saw how great Sam LaPorta became in Detroit.
Loveland could be used in the same way LaPorta was in that prolific Lions offense.
15.04: Ka’imi Fairbairn (K – HOU)
Ka’imi Fairbarin kicked the fifth-most fields in 2024 and was 34-for-36 on extra-point attempts. He tied for the third-most fantasy points at the kicker position.
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