This is prime time for fantasy football drafts. We’re in to the preseason, and there’s only a few weeks left now for leagues to hold their drafts and get lineups set for the start of the regular season.
In order to help owners prepare for their drafts, we’re doing our next edition of the mock draft at eDraft. Using our mock draft tool powered by FantasyPros, this mock draft is set up so that I picked at the final spot (our previous two drafts were at the very beginning and in the middle of the draft order). Here’s how the mock draft player out, along with a selection of the first 10 selections.
Round 1 (No. 12) – Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys
Calvin Johnson was already off the board early on in the first round, so Bryant was the obvious selection. No pure No. 1 running backs were left on the board, and I knew what I was getting on a weekly basis with Bryant.
Although wide receiver is a very deep position this season for fantasy, it makes sense to get one of the top-tier guys when drafting late in the first round, whether it’s Bryant, Johnson or Demaryius Thomas.
Round 2 (No. 13) - A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Taking a high-end No. 2 running back was an option here, but I went with Green, guaranteeing my wide receivers were going to be better than my opponents’ in every matchup. Green and Bryant are both high-end No. 1 fantasy receivers, and if Bryant were to go down with an injury Green is more than capable of scoring 14 points or so a game.
It’s tough to not have a No. 1 running back after two rounds, but pairing Green and Bryant was too good to pass up.
Round 3 (No. 36) - Reggie Bush, Running Back, Detroit Lions
Bush certainly isn’t a No. 1 fantasy back, but he was best of what was available. Needing a back in the third round, Bush at least provides the dual threat of running and catching the ball out of the backfield. Plus, I knew I could turn around and get another back at the very next pick. Of what was left out of the running back crop.
I have some concerns about Joique Bell cutting in to his touches, but I ended up getting some backup backs that make me feel better about taking Bush.
Round 4 (No. 37) - Ryan Mathews, Running Back, San Diego Chargers
I’m not a huge fan of Mathews — at all. He’s injury prone, and the chances of him repeating the fantasy numbers he put up last season are slim to none. But as you’ll see, I went on a huge run of backs here that allow me to play the matchups each week.
Mathews may not be an every-week guy, especially with his injuries, but I certainly feel good about him putting up solid numbers in games against the Raiders and other easier matchups.
Round 5 (No. 60) - Rashad Jennings, Running Back, New York Giants
Again, with taking my first back in the third round, I had to settle for playing with matchups. With David Wilson’s career unfortunately coming to an end, Jennings seems like the clear-cut No. 1 guy for the Giants now, which is more than I can say for the rest of the backs left in the fifth round.
At least I know taking Jennings means getting a guy who will get 18 carries a game, and assuming Eli Manning gets back to normal this season, New York’s offense as a whole should take a step forward.
Round 6 (No. 61) - Shane Vereen, Running Back, New England Patriots
I’m not ready to thrown dirt on top of Stevan Ridley’s fantasy coffin, but we finally have a pretty good idea of the running game in New England after continuous seasons of serious committees. Vereen will be the primary rusher, and can also catch passes out of the backfield. And with Jennings, Mathews and Bush all ahead of him on my depth chart, I certainly felt comfortable taking him in the sixth round.
Round 7 (No. 84) - Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts
After stacking my receiving corps early on, Wayne was an easy choice as my No. 3 guy. After tearing his ACL halfway through last season, Wayne is still somewhat of an unknown commodity, especially at his age.
But having four potential No. 2 running backs solve any problems I might have with my flex spot, so Wayne was a low-risk pick, because any production close to what he was doing at the start of last season would make a seventh round pick worth it.
Round 8 (No. 85) - Fred Jackson, Running Back, Buffalo Bills
This was by far my favorite pick of the whole mock. In the eighth round, Jackson is a great value. There’s C.J. Spiller trade rumors, and as we saw last season, the Bills are perfectly comfortable with feeding Jackson the rock.
Even if he doesn’t pick up a ton of yardage, he’s a very safe flex back as a guy who could finish the season with eight touchdowns, and even more yardage if Spiller gets injured or actually gets traded.
Round 9 (No. 108) - Zach Ertz, Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles
I was hoping to get Jordan Reed here, but I had to wait too long after the Jackson selection. Ertz is still a fine No. 1 tight end, but I like Reed better. I at least know Ertz will be involved in Philadelphia’s offense, and without DeSean Jackson, Ertz could end up being the Eagles’ No. 3 or even No. 2 pass-catching option.
Round 10 (No. 109) - Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
I managed to wait until the 10th round to get a quarterback, and I’m more than happy with Wilson. He won’t be putting up 25-fantasy point games any time soon, but he’ll be consistent if nothing else. He doesn’t turn the ball over often, and will pick up yardage in the air and on the ground.
As I’ve written before, if I don’t get one of the top three quarterbacks, I want to be one of the last owners to take a quarterback, and in this case I was, and I feel more than comfortable rolling with Wilson as my starter.
Other Selections
Round 11 (No. 132) - Andy Dalton, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
Round 12 (No. 133) - Brian Hartline, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
Round 13 (No. 156) – Cincinnati Bengals defense
Round 14 (No. 157) - Charles Clay, Tight End, Miami Dolphins
Round 15 (No. 180) - Nick Novak, Kicker, San Diego Chargers