The NFL Draft resulted in some potential fantasy football players landing with teams where they may find themselves in a featured role come Week 1. Here is a mock draft crafted around a few new rookies who will soon be on their way to earning fantasy points.
This mock draft consisted of 12 teams where I had the fifth picking slot.
1.5 Antonio Brown, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
Reliable and the top fantasy wide receiver from 2014, Brown was the best option for this position after having four elite running backs be chosen prior to my turn.
2.8 Jeremy Hill, Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals
Last season Hill was named the starting running back for the Bengals. Once landing in the role, he put up RB1 numbers on a consistent basis. Hill’s starting status looks to be safe heading into the 2015 season.
3.5 Melvin Gordon, Running Back, San Diego Chargers
This might be considered a bit edgy, but the Chargers did not trade up to secure Gordon to have him sitting on a bench. Gordon should be the team’s featured workhorse rusher while the other running backs play complimentary roles.
He’s coming from a fabulous two seasons in Wisconsin where he piled up a ridiculous 4,196 rushing yards and 61 total touchdowns.
4.8 Julian Edelman, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots
Edelman had the seventh most receptions (92) off all wide receivers last season. He and quarterback Tom Brady should continue their groove in 2015. That is when Brady returns from his four-game suspension and pending the outcome of his appeal.
5.5 Martellus Bennett, Tight End, Chicago Bears
Bennett led all tight ends in receptions in 2014 averaging 5.62 catches per game. Now without Brandon Marshall, Bennett could draw even more looks in 2015.
6.8 Tevin Coleman, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
Choosing Coleman at this point provides extra roster depth at the position. The team will likely lean on a combination of Coleman who’s larger bodied than second-season Devonta Freeman. Coleman is also coming off of a 2014 collegiate season where rushed for 2,036 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He’ll have his chances to show his stuff this year.
7.5 Eli Manning, Quarterback, New York Giants
When no one was looking a much-undrafted Manning ranked 10th overall in quarterback fantasy points last season. He completely thrived with now second-season Odell Beckham Jr. on the team. And the team will have Victor Cruz hopefully returning early in the season. In 2014 Manning managed 4,410 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and decreased his interceptions to 14 which was one less than his big brother tossed last year.
8.8 Kevin White, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears
Someone needs to fill the void left by Marshall in the Bears’ offense. Look for White to resume the role opposite Alshon Jeffery.
He’s a big boy measuring in at 6-foot-3 and coming off a 2014 college season where he tallied 1,447 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. White should be a sufficient WR3 with upside heading down the road.
9.5 New York Jets Defense
I spent an earlier round pick on one of the beefiest defenses in the league. The Jets signed a dangerous dual threat in cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie during the offseason. Additionally, the team chose with their first draft pick, Leonard Williams out of USC who was responsible for 80 combined tackles along with seven sacks in 2014. These additions to an already stout defense should make for major fantasy points this season.
10.8 Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers
Surprisingly, Smith was still available in the 10th round. He makes a great WR3 or possibly WR2 heading into the season with his ability to catch long passes down the field. Over his four years in Baltimore, Smith averaged 16.9 yards per catch. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick also worked with Kurt Warner over the offseason to improve in some areas where he lacked last year. This duo could actually be one of the sleepers that surprises us this year.
11.5 Andre Williams, Running Back, New York Giants
Williams adds further roster depth at this point and he showed splashes of potential when he covered for Rashad Jennings in his rookie year. It’s a bit crowded with the newly signed Shane Vereen in the mix while both will compete with Jennings for the starring role.
12.8 Cody Latimer, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
Latimer will be filling the slot receiver position vacated by Wes Welker. He will get some looks and could tally fantasy points based on the volume of catches he makes from one of the best quarterbacks out there, Peyton Manning.
13.5 Derek Carr, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders
Draft-worthy as a backup at this time, Carr looks to have a promising season with newly drafted wideout Amari Cooper and the addition of Michael Crabtree to the team. He may just surprise fantasy owners who pick him in late draft rounds.
14.8 David Johnson, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals
Johnson is advisable as a handcuff draft to starter Andre Ellington who dealt with chronic injuries last season. Johnson is bigger and heartier than Ellington and could see some late down goal line work in 2015.
15.5 Justin Tucker, Kicker, Baltimore Ravens
Tucker has never missed in his NFL or college career, a field goal from the 33-yard line, which is where the PAT’s will be kicked moving forth. He also made 29 total field goals in 2014.
Here are the results of the complete mock draft.