We’ve reached the 2026 NFL preseason, meaning it’s the official start of redraft fantasy football season. Everyone knows practice makes perfect, and there is no better way to practice than running a fantasy football mock draft with the FantasyPros Mock Draft Simulator.
For this mock draft, I am using FFPC contest scoring and settings. Therefore, the lineup for this mock draft is one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, two flex, one kicker, one defense, and 10 bench spots. FFPC’s scoring system is four points per passing touchdown and tiered PPR. Running backs receive a half-point per reception, wide receivers get a full point, while tight ends get a bonus, earning 1.5 fantasy points per catch.
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Fantasy Football Mock Draft
Now that we’ve covered the lineup and scoring for FFPC contests, let’s see how this mock draft turned out with me picking 10th in a 12-team league.
Pick 1.10 – James Cook (RB – BUF)
Buffalo’s offense should remain the same after promoting Joe Brady from offensive coordinator to head coach this offseason. Therefore, Cook is one of my favorite running backs to draft this year. He 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 five running backs to average 15.5 or more half-point PPR fantasy points per game in each of the past two seasons.
Pick 2.03 – Brock Bowers (TE – LV)
Unfortunately, Bowers missed five games because of injury in 2025. However, he was still a fantasy star when on the field, ranking as the TE2 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 14.7 PPR fantasy points per game. Despite the awful offense and playing in five fewer games, Bowers had more receiving touchdowns last year than as a rookie (seven vs. five). Expect him to have a bounce-back year with Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza under center, making him a value with this pick given the tight end premium scoring.
Pick 3.10 – Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)
The Ravens added multiple wide receivers this offseason. Yet, Flowers’ role as the clear-cut No. 1 option in the passing game remains unchallenged. Last year, the former Boston College star averaged a career-high 14.3 PPR fantasy points per game. However, he was even better when Lamar Jackson played, averaging 15 fantasy points per game on only 6.9 targets per contest. Despite coming off his first career WR1 finish, don’t be surprised if Flowers sets career highs in every category this season under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.
Pick 4.03 – Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG)
Hopefully, Skattebo can stay healthy after suffering a gruesome ankle injury last year. The former Arizona State star was outstanding for fantasy players when healthy, ranking as the RB6 from Week 2 through Week 7, averaging 18.8 touches for 96.3 scrimmage yards, a touchdown, and 17.4 PPR fantasy points per game, despite only playing an average of 64.2% of the snaps during the stretch. Skattebo could have a breakout season, especially if Malik Nabers isn’t 100% healthy to start the year.
Pick 5.10 – Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)
While everyone had high hopes for McLaurin in 2025, injuries to him and Jayden Daniels ruined his season. However, he had a couple of impressive performances, including 22.6 PPR fantasy points in Week 13 against Pat Surtain II and the Denver Broncos. More importantly, the veteran was a fantasy superstar when Daniels was healthy in 2024, ranking as the WR7, averaging 15.8 fantasy points per game, scoring a career-high 13 receiving touchdowns. Even after Washington added Stefon Diggs, expect McLaurin to have a bounce-back year if Daniels stays healthy.
Pick 6.03 – Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)
Odunze got off to one of the hottest starts last year, ranking as the WR3 over the first month, averaging 19.9 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he scored 15 or more fantasy points in half of his games. Meanwhile, DJ Moore is gone, and the Bears did nothing to replace him. While Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland are popular breakout candidates, Odunze could easily have a Jameson Williams-like top-12 finish if he sees the same 7.5 targets per game he got last season.
Pick 7.10 – Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)
Normally, I wouldn’t take a second tight end after spending a second-round pick on Brock Bowers. However, the tight end premium scoring makes playing a tight end in my flex spot appealing. LaPorta missed eight games last season with a back injury. Yet, he finished as the TE7 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 11.9 PPR fantasy points per contest despite totaling a career-low three receiving touchdowns. Reportedly, LaPorta is healthy and in line for a significant role in Drew Petzing’s offense, making him one of my favorite players to draft.
Pick 8.03 – Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)
Despite having a career year in 2025 and replacing Chuba Hubbard as the lead running back, the Panthers let Rico Dowdle walk in free agency this offseason. That move showed their faith in Brooks despite him playing in only three contests during his two-year NFL career because of multiple ACL injuries. Reportedly, the former Texas star has had a positive offseason and has been a standout guy at the start of Carolina’s training camp. Don’t be surprised if Brooks takes the starting running back job from Hubbard sooner than later.
Pick 9.10 – George Kittle (TE – SF)
Should I draft a third tight end this early in the mock draft with the scoring system? Absolutely! Reportedly, Kittle is on track to play in Week 1 or Week 2 if the 49ers hold him out of the Australia game after tearing an Achilles in the playoffs. Last year, he was the TE2 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 14.7 PPR fantasy points per game. San Francisco is already dealing with injuries at the wide receiver position, which could lead to Kittle being the team’s top targeted player in 2026.
Pick 10.03 – Brock Purdy (QB – SF)
I love waiting on the quarterback position in a 1QB league because of Purdy. He doesn’t get enough love as a high-upside fantasy quarterback. Yet, the former Iowa State star finished last season as the QB6 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 19.7 fantasy points per contest. More importantly, the former Mr. Irrelevant pick was outstanding when it mattered the most. Purdy averaged 297.7 passing yards, 3.7 touchdowns, and 31.3 fantasy points per game during last year’s fantasy playoffs, scoring 26.2 or more in every outing.
Pick 11.10 – Matthew Golden (WR – GB)
Unfortunately, Golden had a disappointing rookie year as a first-round NFL Draft pick, finishing the year averaging only five PPR fantasy points per game. However, he saw four or fewer targets in all but two games while failing to find the end zone. Meanwhile, Green Bay moved on from Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks this offseason, opening more snaps and targets for the former Texas star. While he didn’t see a consistent target share, Golden scored over 11 fantasy points in both games with over four targets as a rookie.
Pick 12.03 – Sean Tucker (RB – TB)
Some are big believers in Bucky Irving. However, I would rather draft either of the other two Buccaneers running backs at their ADP than him. Tucker doesn’t have significant fantasy upside without an injury to Irving. He led Tampa Bay with 11 rushing attempts inside the five-yard line last season, scoring four touchdowns. By comparison, Irving had zero rushing attempts inside the five-yard line last year after totaling 13 attempts in 2024. Meanwhile, Tucker set career highs in rushing attempts (86), yards (320), and touchdowns (seven) last season.
Pick 13.10 – Ray Davis (RB – BUF)
The fantasy football world has split opinions when it comes to handcuffing. Some believe you should handcuff your own star running backs, while others believe you should handcuff your league mate’s top guys, and some don’t believe in it at all. I am part of that first group. Therefore, there was no way I was leaving this mock draft without securing James Cook’s handcuff. Davis hasn’t had to play much in meaningful games because Cook has stayed healthy. However, anyone who drafts Cook should make sure they also grab Davis.
Pick 14.03 – Jalen McMillan (WR – TB)
While fantasy players should be excited about Emeka Egbuka, don’t forget about McMillan. Unfortunately, the former Washington star 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.
Pick 15.10 – De’Zhaun Stribling (WR – SF)
Many criticized San Francisco when they used the top pick in the second round of the NFL Draft on Stribling. Yet, the former Ole Miss star has had an impressive offseason. Furthermore, the three veterans ahead of him on the depth chart – Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Christian Kirk – have all struggled to stay healthy over the past few years or are currently dealing with one during training camp. While it’s a long shot, the rookie could be the 49ers’ No. 1 wide receiver at some point this season.
Pick 16.03 – George Holani (RB – SEA)
Jadarian Price should be the featured guy in Seattle’s backfield sooner than later unless Zach Charbonnet returns from a torn ACL earlier than expected. However, Holani has been the most talked-about Seahawks running back over the past several weeks and should have a role early in the season while Price is adjusting to the NFL game. Last year, Holani barely saw the field on offense but did average 1.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per touch in the Week 10 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals when given seven rushing attempts.
Pick 17.10 – Pittsburgh Steelers Defense (D/ST – PIT)
Pittsburgh always had a talented defense. Last year, they were the D/ST7, averaging 7.7 fantasy points per game despite dealing with injuries. The Steelers had 48 sacks, the sixth-most in the NFL. Furthermore, their defense did an excellent job of forcing turnovers. They ranked eighth in interceptions (15) and second in fumble recoveries (12). Don’t be surprised if the Steelers’ defense is even better in 2026 after adding Jaquan Brisker and Jamel Dean in free agency and drafting Daylen Everette.
Pick 18.03 – Brandon Aubrey (K – DAL)
Kickers are a dime a dozen, except when they happen to be named Aubrey. The former spring league football star has been arguably the best kicker since joining the NFL. Last year, he was the K3, averaging 10.4 fantasy points per game, making 85.7% of his field goal attempts. Furthermore, Aubrey has averaged at least 10.4 fantasy points per game every season of his NFL career. More importantly, he is nearly automatic from beyond 50 yards, making field goals with ease that most kickers would struggle to convert.
Pick 19.10 – Zachariah Branch (WR – ATL)
The Falcons signed Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson to long-term extensions this offseason. While those three superstars are the focal point of Atlanta’s offense, they lack any other meaningful threats on offense except Branch. The former Georgia star has impressed the coaching staff, making a strong push to be the No. 2 wide receiver as a rookie. Unfortunately, it might take an injury to London or Pitts for Branch to have reliable fantasy value. However, both star pass catchers have missed time in their careers because of injury.
Pick 20.03 – Malik Willis (QB – MIA)
While he has limited NFL experience, starting only six games in four years, Willis could become a fantasy star because of his legs. The veteran struggled in Tennessee. However, he was outstanding in his three starts with the Green Bay Packers, averaging 204 passing yards, a touchdown, seven rushing attempts for 58 yards, one score, and 23.3 fantasy points per game, totaling 25 or more twice. Unfortunately, the Dolphins lack proven pass catchers. Yet, Willis could finish as a mid-range QB1 because of his rushing abilities.
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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.
