Mike Fanelli | Tue, May 19th 2026, 7:20am EDT

Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-Team, Late Pick (2026)

While the 2026 NFL season is still a few months away, it’s never too early to prepare for the upcoming fantasy season. Everyone knows practice makes perfect, and there is no better way to practice than participating in a fantasy football mock draft using our fantasy mock draft simulator.

I am picking ninth in this 12-team, 1-QB, PPR mock draft. The roster settings for this mock: 1-QB, 2-RB, 2-WR, 1-TE, 1-FLEX and six bench spots.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft

My goal for this mock draft was to use a Hero RB draft strategy while punting on quarterbacks until the second-to-last round. Let’s see how it turned out.

Pick 1.09: James Cook (RB – BUF)

While the Bills changed head coaches this offseason, their offense should remain the same under former offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Therefore, James Cook is one of my favorite running backs to draft this year.

Cook has improved every season of his career, totaling at least 1,000 rushing yards in three consecutive years, including an NFL and career-high 1,621 in 2025.

More importantly, Cook is one of six running backs to average 16+ PPR fantasy points per game in each of the past two seasons.

Pick 2.04: Nico Collins (WR – HOU)

Unfortunately, Nico Collins’ PPR fantasy points per game average dropped last year. After averaging 17.4 fantasy points per game in 2023 and 17.6 in 2024, the former Michigan star averaged only 15.1 last season.

Yet, fantasy managers shouldn’t worry about the decline in production. Collins saw a career-high 120 targets in 2025. Furthermore, he had six receiving touchdowns after totaling 15 over the previous two years.

Even if C.J. Stroud and the passing attack don’t take a step forward in 2026, Collins remains a safe low-end WR1.

Pick 3.09: Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)

The Chargers’ offensive line was obliterated by injuries last season, which played a massive role in the passing attack and Ladd McConkey’s regression.

Thankfully, the team vastly improved their offensive line this offseason, using half their draft capital on the unit, and added two interior starters in free agency.

Therefore, don’t be shocked if McConkey is this year’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba — a third-round pick who has a high-volume breakout season. The Chargers don’t have any other high-end weapons in the passing game besides the former Georgia star.

Pick 4.04: Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)

Unfortunately, Zay Flowers hasn’t had much success finding the end zone, posting a career touchdown rate of 4.1% and scoring five or fewer touchdowns every season. Hopefully, he will have better touchdown luck under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.

Yet, the former Boston College star is still a PPR star without an increase in touchdown production. Flowers has averaged 1.93 fantasy points per target in his career. Flowers’ receiving yardage has improved every year of his career, totaling 1,211 in 2025. That trend should continue under Doyle.

Pick 5.09: Tyler Warren (TE – IND)

Tyler Warren was one of the biggest offseason winners. The Colts traded away Michael Pittman Jr. and waited until the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft to add a wide receiver.

More importantly, Indianapolis signed Daniel Jones to a new contract. Last season, Warren averaged 6.5 targets and 12.4 PPR fantasy points per game with Jones playing.

By comparison, Warren averaged seven targets and seven fantasy points per game with every other quarterback. Assuming Jones is healthy and ready for Week 1, Warren should have another top-five finish in 2026.

Pick 6.04: Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG)

Despite all the talk that the Giants would add a big-name running back in free agency or the NFL Draft, Cam Skattebo heads into the 2026 season with the same backfield competition as last year. Unfortunately, his play style increases his injury risk.

However, Skattebo was a fantasy star before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8, averaging 16 PPR fantasy points per game, a higher average than Travis Etienne Jr. (14.9) and Saquon Barkley (14.5). Skattebo should be even better playing behind an improved offensive line.

Pick 7.09: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)

Fantasy players have been disappointed with Marvin Harrison Jr. He averaged 10.7 PPR fantasy points per game last season, a lower average than Quentin Johnston (12.2).

By comparison, he averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game as a rookie. However, fantasy players shouldn’t be shocked if Harrison is this year’s Chris Olave, a mid-round WR3 who finishes as a top-12 wide receiver.

Arizona improved its coaching staff by hiring an offense-minded head coach this offseason, like the New Orleans Saints did last year. Hopefully, that leads to a breakout season for Harrison.

Pick 8.04: Rico Dowdle (RB – PIT)

After having no fantasy value early in his career, Rico Dowdle has finished as an RB2 or better in back-to-back seasons. While he will be on his third team in three years, the veteran is back with Mike McCarthy.

Dowdle broke out in 2024 under McCarthy in Dallas, averaging 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and 12.4 PPR fantasy points per game despite scoring only two rushing touchdowns. While he will split the work with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh, Dowdle should be the lead back on the ground.

Pick 9.09: Matthew Golden (WR – GB)

Unfortunately, Matthew Golden was a massive bust for fantasy players as a rookie, playing only 53% of the offensive snaps, averaging 3.1 targets and five PPR fantasy points per game.

However, the Packers let Romeo Doubs walk in free agency and traded away Dontayvion Wicks. And didn’t add a wide receiver during the NFL Draft or a notable one in free agency.

Therefore, Golden will see more playing time this year and has a chance to become Jordan Love‘s No. 1 wide receiver, especially given Christian Watson‘s injury history.

Pick 10.04: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB – WSH)

Jacory Croskey-Merritt never lived up to the hype last year, averaging 10.8 touches and 8.3 PPR fantasy points per game as a rookie, losing snaps to Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols.

However, Croskey-Merritt ended his rookie campaign playing well, averaging 75.3 rushing yards, 1.3 touchdowns and 15.3 fantasy points per game from Week 15 through Week 17.

While the Commanders added Rachaad White and Jerome Ford in free agency and Kaytron Allen during the NFL Draft, Croskey-Merritt should be the top-ranked Washington running back in fantasy football rankings.

Pick 11.09: Jordan Mason (RB – MIN)

Minnesota had one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL last season. Yet, they kept the same 1-2 punch of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in the backfield, only adding sixth-round rookie Demond Claiborne.

While Jones had far more impact in the passing game, Mason was the better option on the ground, totaling six rushing touchdowns.

Mason averaged 4.8 yards per rushing attempt and 8.1 PPR fantasy points per game despite Minnesota’s injury-plagued offensive line. Hopefully, the Vikings’ offense will improve, giving Mason more chances to rack up fantasy production.

Pick 12.04: Denzel Boston (WR – CLE)

The Browns revamped their wide receiver room during the NFL Draft, using two of their top three picks on KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.

While the former is getting most of the hype, don’t discount the former Washington star. Boston should easily beat out Cedric Tillman for a starting role on the outside.

Furthermore, it’s only a matter of time until the Browns give him snaps and targets over Jerry Jeudy. Fantasy players might have to stash him on their bench, but Boston is a second-half breakout candidate.

Pick 13.09: Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)

Every year, fantasy players hear about how they can wait to draft a quarterback in a 1-QB league. However, the depth at quarterback is at an all-time high.

Matthew Stafford finished the 2025 season as the QB3 in four-point/passing touchdown leagues (20.6 points per game) and the QB1 in six-point/passing touchdown leagues (26 points per game).

While fantasy players shouldn’t expect a repeat top-three finish from the future Hall of Famer, Stafford has the same set of weapons as he did last season, when he led the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46).

Pick 14.04: Jalen McMillan (WR – TB)

While fantasy players should be excited about Emeka Egbuka taking over as the No. 1 wide receiver in Tampa Bay, don’t forget about Jalen McMillan.

Unfortunately, McMillan only played in the final four contests last season because of injury, averaging 7.5 PPR fantasy points per game. However, he was a star to end his rookie year, averaging 6.2 targets, 1.4 touchdowns and 19.8 fantasy points per game over the final five regular-season contests.

Don’t be surprised if McMillan pushes the aging Chris Godwin for the No. 2 wide receiver role.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

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