While there is no “one size fits all” draft strategy for dynasty fantasy football, having the ninth overall pick nearly places managers directly in the middle of the draft. As leagues continue to be filled with more and more managers making the leap to dynasty, we go over a potential fantasy football mock draft for your team if selecting from the ninth slot.
Dynasty mock draft strategy from the ninth position
For this draft, we will be using a 12-team league with PPR (point per reception) scoring and a 1QB format with two running backs, two receivers, a tight end, and two Flex spots as the starting roster. Also, rookies will be included in the startup. Depending on your league settings, you might need to tweak your draft strategy to match your scoring format and roster requirements.
1.09) Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Do you remember last year when people were saying Kyle Pitts‘ value would never be higher? Yeah, well, Pitts told everyone to hold his drink as he now goes inside the top 10 in dynasty PPR mock drafts for fantasy.
As a rookie, Pitts posted 1,062 yards and a touchdown on 68 of 110 receiving. Some want to paint the narrative Pitts was a disappointment as a rookie. I could not disagree more. To put his first season into perspective, Pitts was one of just two rookies to clear 800 yards receiving since the 2000 season. The other was Jeremy Shockey (894 yards) in 2002. Pitts was the TE5 last season, which could be his floor for the next decade as he is just 22 years old.
2.04) Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Breece Hall was viewed as the RB1 of the 2022 NFL Draft class for roughly the last two years. After a 1,149-total-yardage season as a true freshman with 10 touchdowns, Hall recorded back-to-back campaigns of 1,750+ yards with 23 scores in each of 2020 and 2021. Hall checks virtually every box from an analytics standpoint.
He set an FBS record with a touchdown in 24 straight games and was fourth in the nation in all-purpose yards at 147.2 per game. Hall then went on to run a 4.39 40-yard dash and posted a class-best 40″ vertical and 126″ broad jump. Still just 20 years old, Hall possesses prototypical size at 6’1″ and 215 pounds. Hall also ticks the receiving box, which has become almost a must for an elite fantasy option. Over the last two years, Hall had 59 catches (66 targets) for 491 yards and five touchdowns.
3.09) DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers
Only one wide receiver has 1,250 total yards over the last three seasons. It’s not Stefon Diggs. It’s not Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, or Mike Evans. That receiver is DJ Moore.
Having averaged 138.7 targets, 82 receptions, and 1,175 yards, we have yet to see the best from Moore partially because he has yet to post over four touchdowns in a season. While some lament the acquisition of Baker Mayfield, he is the best QB Moore has ever played with in his NFL career. Still 25 years old, Moore deserves to become a household name.
4.04) Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
As Travis Etienne said himself, he picked a good year to miss. His rookie season was lost before it was even started due to a Lisfrac injury in the preseason. All reports point to him being ready to go for the start of 2022. Jacksonville desperately needs Etienne and his big-play capabilities.
This is Etienne’s specialty. While at Clemson, he led the NCAA with 55 runs of 20+ yards during his four years (2017-2020). On those explosive plays, he scored 21 TDs and rushed for 2,053 yards, averaging 37.3 yards per carry. Etienne also had six receptions of 30 or more yards, giving him 61 explosive plays. Now in Year 2 and in an RB-friendly offense under Doug Pederson, Etienne should flourish.
5.09) Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
If I were to stand on a single hill to plant my flag in 2022, this is it. Courtland Sutton is set to dominate and make a push for WR1 status.
In 2019, Sutton had a breakout year with 72 catches, 1,112 yards, and six touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Now, over a full year removed from a 2020 torn ACL, Sutton is Russell Wilson’s new version of DK Metcalf. I think we are all aware of how fruitful of a role this is for fantasy points.
Last year, only 51% of Sutton’s air yards (1,509) were converted into actual yards (776). Paired with Wilson, one of the most accurate deep passers who led the NFL in intended air yards (9.9 per attempt), and a revamped offense under new head coach Nathaniel Hackett, Sutton has the chance to crack the top 12 in scoring. His ADP is still climbing, but this is not going to stop anytime soon. And for now, I am still more than willing to pay the premium for an elite talent like Sutton.
6.04) Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Usually, I wait on quarterbacks, but in dynasty, I make an exception. Given the length of time these rosters are around, the last thing you need is for a championship-caliber roster to be held back by subpar QB play.
It’s difficult to find a QB with more upside than Justin Herbert. The former NFL Rookie of the Year took his game to another level in 2021. Passing for 5,016 yards and 38 TDs, Herbert’s QB2 performance was not a fluke.
Just five PPR points from the elusive 400-club, only Josh Allen and Tom Brady had more QB1 performances than Herbert. He also tied Brady in 300-yard passing games with nine, raising his average to 53% of his games for his career. This team is even better in 2022, and at 24 years old, Herbert will be an MVP-caliber QB for the next 10 years or as long as your league sticks around.
Dynasty draft strategy from the ninth overall spot | Rounds 7-15
7.09) Gabriel Davis | WR, Buffalo Bills
8.04) Brandin Cooks | WR, Houston Texans
9.09) James Cook | RB, Buffalo Bills
10.04) Dallas Goedert | TE, Philadelphia Eagles
11.09) Alexander Mattison | RB, Minnesota Vikings
12.04) Khalil Herbert | RB, Chicago Bears
13.09) Russell Gage | WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14.04) Tua Tagovailoa | QB, Miami Dolphins
15.09) Jalen Tolbert | WR, Dallas Cowboys
Projected Week 1 roster
QB – Justin Herbert
RB – Breece Hall
RB – Travis Etienne
WR – DJ Moore
WR – Courtland Sutton
TE – Kyle Pitts
Flex – Gabriel Davis
Flex – Brandin Cooks