The NFL preseason is in full swing, meaning it’s the start of redraft fantasy football season. Everyone knows practice makes perfect, and there is no better way to practice than with the FantasyPros Mock Draft Simulator.
I am picking 10th in this 12-team, 1QB, and tight end premium PPR-scoring redraft mock draft. The lineup for this mock draft is one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, three flex, and six bench spots.
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Fantasy Football Mock Draft
My goal for this mock draft was to attack the tight end position early while punting on the quarterback position until the final two rounds. Let’s see how it turned out.
Pick 1.10: Brock Bowers (TE – LV)
Hopefully, Bowers stays healthy after missing 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 the superstar to have a bounce-back year with Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza under center. This mock draft’s scoring makes Bowers worthy of a first-round pick.
Pick 2.03: Trey McBride (TE – ARI)
McBride has been the best fantasy tight end over the past two years. He was the TE1 in 2025, averaging 18.6 PPR fantasy points per game, 3.9 more than the next closest tight end. The superstar was the TE2 in 2024, averaging 15.6 fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, McBride is a clear-cut regression candidate after averaging 9.9 targets per game last season. However, I’m happy to start my team with the top two tight ends in my rankings in a tight end premium scoring mock draft with three flex spots.
Pick 3.10: DeVonta Smith (WR – PHI)
Following the offseason A.J. Brown trade to the New England Patriots, Smith will take over as the Eagles’ clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver in 2026. Last year, the former Alabama star finished as the WR20, averaging 11.9 PPR fantasy points per game. However, Smith was outstanding when seeing enough volume, averaging 19.3 fantasy points per game in the seven contests where he had seven or more targets, scoring 20 or more in nearly a third of those outings. Smith will have a career season and a top-12 finish this year.
Pick 4.03: Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
While Higgins has a history of injuries, he has finished in the WR15 through WR19 range in PPR scoring in three of the past four seasons, including 2025, despite Joe Burrow missing over half the year. Despite averaging slightly fewer targets per game with Burrow (6.7 vs. 7.8), Higgins averaged more fantasy points per contest (15.2 vs. 13.4) and fantasy points per target (2.3 vs. 1.7) with the superstar quarterback. The 15.2 fantasy points per game average would have made him the WR10 on a points-per-contest basis last season.
Pick 5.10: Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE)
An off-the-field issue hovered over Judkins this time last year, leaving fantasy players unsure what to do with him. However, he quickly became an RB2 for fantasy players after missing Week 1. Judkins had at least 18 rushing attempts for 110 yards or a touchdown in three consecutive games after making his career debut. Furthermore, he averaged 17.4 PPR fantasy points per game in the six contests with 18 or more rushing attempts. Judkins could be a top-12 running back this year, especially after the Browns improved their offensive line.
Pick 6.03: Jadarian Price (RB – SEA)
Seattle lost Kenneth Walker III in free agency, while Zach Charbonnet is coming off a torn ACL and likely won’t be ready to play until the midway point of the season. Therefore, Price has a chance to be a massive steal with this draft pick, especially given his play at the start of training camp. Last year, the Seahawks had a run-first offense, ranking third in rushing attempts, averaging 25.8 per game from their running backs. Price could have a massive second-half breakout and push for a top-12 finish.
Pick 7.10 – Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)
Despite having a career year in 2025, 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 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 Chuba Hubbard sooner than later, especially with the veteran dealing with a hamstring injury.
Pick 8.03: Wan’Dale Robinson (WR – TEN)
Robinson changed teams this offseason, signing a massive contract in free agency. Yet Robinson will still play for the same coach he has had throughout his entire career. Brian Daboll taking over as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator should please fantasy players. Robinson has had 140 targets in back-to-back years playing under Daboll. More importantly, he became more than a yards-after-the-catch guy in 2025, averaging career highs in yards per reception (11) and aDOT (8.5). While Carnell Tate will see a significant workload, Robinson should lead the Titans in targets and receptions.
Pick 9.10: Kenny Gainwell (RB – TB)
No one expected Gainwell to finish last year as the RB16, averaging 13 PPR fantasy points per game, especially with Warren finishing as the RB17. The veteran was a force in the passing game, ranking fourth among running backs in receptions (73) and fifth in receiving yards (486). While he won’t have Aaron Rodgers throwing to him in 2026, the Buccaneers signed Gainwell to a significant contract in free agency. If Bucky Irving struggles to stay healthy for the second consecutive season, Gainwell could have a career year.
Pick 10.03: KC Concepcion (WR – CLE)
The Browns made massive changes to their receiver corps this offseason, using two of their first three draft picks on Concepcion and Denzel Boston. While the latter got the headlines earlier this offseason, Concepcion remains my favorite Cleveland wide receiver for 2026. Head coach Todd Monken spent the past three years coaching Zay Flowers in Baltimore and should see similarities with Concepcion. Last season, the former Texas A&M star had the fifth-highest yards after the catch average (7.2) among wide receivers in the 2026 draft class with at least 75 targets.
Pick 11.10: De’Zhaun Stribling (WR – SF)
Many criticized San Francisco after spent the top pick in the NFL Draft on Stribling. Yet, the former Ole Miss star has been the buzz of training camp and had an impressive preseason debut, totaling seven receptions for 63 receiving yards. Furthermore, the two veterans ahead of him on the depth chart – Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel – have struggled to stay healthy over the past few years. While it was once considered a long shot, Stribling could end up being the 49ers’ best wide receiver as a rookie.
Pick 12.03: Jonah Coleman (RB – DEN)
Denver’s backfield is a fantasy football nightmare. J.K. Dobbins was the team’s top running back last season when healthy. Unfortunately, the veteran has failed to stay healthy throughout his career. Meanwhile, RJ Harvey struggled as the featured guy as a rookie. Coleman might not have much impact early in the year. However, the former Washington star could quickly become a league winner off the waiver wire when Dobbins inevitably gets hurt. Therefore, I’m happy to use a late-round pick in this mock draft to stash Coleman on my bench.
Pick 13.10: Juwan Johnson (TE – NO)
Unfortunately, Jordyn Tyson reportedly will miss two months after suffering a hamstring injury on August 13. It is the fourth hamstring injury he has dealt with in the last 10 months. While Chris Olave will remain the Saints’ clear-cut top option in the passing game, Johnson is now the obvious candidate to fill Tyson’s role. Last year, the veteran finished as the TE11, averaging 10.6 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Johnson had spike weeks, finishing as a top-four tight end in 25% of the games during the fantasy season.
Pick 14.03: Jared Goff (QB – DET)
No one will call Goff a fantasy football or NFL star quarterback. Yet, the former No. 1 draft pick has always been a solid top-12-ish quarterback since getting traded to Detroit. Last year, the veteran finished as the QB9, averaging 17.5 fantasy points per game despite the Lions having multiple play callers and issues along the offensive line. Furthermore, Goff is the only quarterback to have at least 30 passing touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, including 34 last year, the second-highest total of his career.
Pick 15.10: 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. While the Dolphins lack proven pass catchers, expect Willis to be a starting option for fantasy players 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.