Kurt Blakeway | Fri, Jul 17th 2026, 7:20am EDT

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

In our latest fantasy football mock draft, we earned a 92/100 (A-) grade — better than most of my college papers. This was a 12-team standard mock from the 12th pick.

Drafting from the turn is always unique because every decision comes in pairs. With back-to-back selections, you have to think several picks ahead and anticipate positional runs while drafting with a little more strategy. Let’s break this draft down.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft

1.12: James Cook (RB – BUF) & 2.01: Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)

Also Considered: Saquon Barkley, De’Von Achane, Ashton Jeanty

I wanted to leave the first two rounds with running backs; I just didn’t think I would have so many options. James Cook was a no-brainer pick, and it came down to Derrick Henry and Ashton Jeanty for the RB2 slot.

3.12: Travis Etienne (RB – NO) & 4.01: Emeka Egbuka (WR – TB)

Also Considered: Javonte Williams, Josh Jacobs

In a non-PPR league, I really wanted to leave with three running backs within the first four rounds and would even consider four depending on the options available.

We are still waiting on Josh Jacobs’ legal situation to play out, and I am not sold on Javonte Williams having another year like last year. If Jacobs were cleared to play, he’d probably be one of the picks here.

Instead, I went with Emeka Egbuka as my WR1. He started off extremely hot last season before fading down the stretch, but with Mike Evans gone, Egbuka is in line for huge volume and opportunity.

5.12: Davante Adams (WR – LAR) & 6.01: Terry McLaurin (WR – WSH)

Also Considered: Tony Pollard, Tucker Kraft

Blake Corum went at pick 5.11. If he had fallen one more spot, I would have selected him. There is a world where we see a 50/50 split with Corum and Kyren Williams. Corum is more explosive than Williams and has shown signs of being an every-down back. If anything happens to Williams, Corum will be a league-winner.

Instead, we beefed up our wide receiver room, adding Davante Adams and Terry McLaurin. Adams is a touchdown machine and provides excellent value in non-PPR leagues. McLaurin has absolute zero competition in Washington.

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7.12: Jordan Mason (RB – MIN) & 8.01: Carnell Tate (WR – TEN)

Also Considered: Kenneth Gainwell, Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson

I knew I wanted to add another running back here, but not just any running back. I was looking for someone with a realistic path to earning a high-volume workload if things broke their way.

Kenneth Gainwell is a player I target more in PPR formats. His receiving ability gives him a solid floor, but in standard leagues, his value takes a hit.

I went with Jordan Mason. He’ll likely split reps with Aaron Jones early in the season, but Jones is entering his age-31 season, and history hasn’t been kind to running backs at that stage of their careers. Mason may not offer much as a pass-catcher, but he’s proven to be an extremely efficient runner whenever he’s been given starting opportunities.

Jordyn Tyson is in more of a fantasy-friendly situation in New Orleans, but Carnell Tate is the better overall receiver. He should be the No. 1 WR in Tennessee immediately.

9.12: Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA) & 10.01: Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)

Also Considered: Tank Bigsby, Keaton Mitchell, Jakobi Meyers

Looking back, Zach Charbonnet was a bad pick. The thought process was to stash him, hoping he would return sooner rather than later and return to his pre-injury form. Tank Bingsby or Keaton Mitchell are the much better handcuffs at this point.

I needed a tight end after passing on the top tier. Sam LaPorta is poised to have a bounce-back year after having back surgery. When healthy, he is a top-five tight end. LaPorta had 81 catches, 900+ yards and eight touchdowns in the 17 games before getting hurt.

11.12: Jaxson Dart (QB – NYG) & 12.01: George Kittle (SF – TE)

Also Considered: Mark Andrews, Jonah Coleman, Jalen McMillan, Travis Kelce.

I always try to target a dual-threat quarterback, regardless of the scoring format. Jaxson Dart was one of the final quarterbacks remaining on the board with legitimate rushing upside. He has already shown he can produce QB1-level numbers without his best weapons.

Dart now gets Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo back, along with the additions of Darnell Mooney and Isaiah Likely. If I’m waiting on quarterback, Dart is a top target in just about every draft.

George Kittle could be ready for the season opener, but I think it’s more realistic to expect him back around Week 3 or Week 4. When healthy, he remains one of the few tight ends capable of putting up elite fantasy numbers. Drafting a second tight end who is also coming off an injury isn’t the ideal strategy, but the upside was simply too good to pass up this late.

13.12: Brock Purdy (QB – SF) & 14.01: Brandon Aubrey (K – DAL)

Also Considered: Nobody else

I wanted a second quarterback to mix and match with Jaxson Dart. Brock Purdy played only nine games last season but averaged 20.8 fantasy points per game, the fifth-best mark in the NFL.

All that was without the likes of George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Now he gets Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall and Kittle. Purdy is a perfect late-round quarterback target.

Brandon Aubrey is the secret weapon for my fantasy teams. Aubrey is one of three kickers who scored 15+ points in five or more games last season.

15.12: Green Bay Packers D/ST