Guess what day it is? That’s right; it’s Mock Draft Monday! Last week we started with a simpler format, non-PPR, and a shallow roster, but this week we’re taking a step up. This time we’re doing a 1QB, PPR fantasy football mock draft with a deeper starting roster to show how that can and should change your draft strategy. Let’s get into it!
PPR Fantasy Football Mock Draft – Introduction
Last week, I went with the third spot, so to change things up, I’ll be drafting from the seventh spot this week. Drafting from the middle means you get to watch runs happen and not have to reach as often. On top of that, I’ll be deploying what’s generally called a “One RB” approach, where you take one running back in the first two rounds and then avoid them until at least the sixth.
This mock is for a league that requires 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, and 3 Flex, so a total of 10 starters, which is deeper than most leagues. Adding the extra WR and Flex spot gives a small boost to wide receivers since you can start more of them, so it can sometimes help break ties between players differently than in shallower leagues. With that out of the way, let’s jump into it!
Miles Sanders is drastically moving up draft boards
Right out of the gate, this draft took a turn, with Miles Sanders going at 1.03. While that’s not expected, that’s exactly how real drafts go all the time, which is why mock drafting is so beneficial. Once it was my turn at 1.07, I couldn’t believe that RB Dalvin Cook had fallen that far. He’s had some injuries, but I still feel like he was a great solo RB to base my team around at that spot.
Related | 2020 Fantasy Football Bold Prediction Series: Miles Sanders could be a top 3 RB
For my 2.06 pick, I was targeting WR Julio Jones or WR Tyreek Hill as my WR1 and was clearly happy to land Hill here. He’s a speed demon on a high powered offense and someone who can singlehandedly win you your matchup, making him a no brainer for a WR1 in fantasy this year.
There was a small RB run ahead of my pick at 3.07. But, keeping to my strategy of only grabbing one RB early, I was very happy to land WR Allen Robinson at 3.07. He’s being ranked as a top ten option for more league formats, and especially in PPR, I think he’s going to have a terrific year. The Chicago Bears don’t have a lot of options to pass to, so Robinson should easily clear 120 targets this year.
Coming back around at 4.06, I went with another stud PPR WR in Cooper Kupp. As my WR3, he can have down weeks and not always be expected to score touchdowns and just rack up his points with short and intermediate passes, all of which count in a PPR league. So far, through this PPR fantasy football mock draft, I love the team I’m building!
James White is being undervalued in fantasy…again
With my starting WR slots all filled up, I now turn my attention to the Flex spots on my team. At 5.07, I was seriously considering grabbing TE Mark Andrews if he fell to me there, but he was picked right before my turn. Instead, I went with the young stud from Denver, WR Courtland Sutton. To me, he’s a perfect flex option and someone who can fill in on byes as a WR2 or WR3 option most weeks.
Next, at 6.06, I look at the TE group again and see a guy I think can carry his weight even after his team added a lot of firepower in the offseason and select Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller. Since this is redraft, age is nothing but a number, and I think Waller will have a terrific 2020.
Now that we’re through six rounds, I start looking at the options available for my RB2 slot. Most of the good options are taken, but someone flying under the radar is pass-catching machine RB James White, who I take at 7.07. Cam Newton sure loved passing to his RB in Carolina. I’m betting he does the same in New England this year, which will make White a stud in the later rounds.
Related | 2020 Dynasty Superflex Mock Draft from the 6th pick
I go back to the RB position for my 8.06 pick and select rookie sensation RB Antonio Gibson of Washington. With Derrius Guice being released, it’s anyone’s guess who will carry the team on the ground this year, but I’d rather lean on the new rookie than the aging veteran in Adrian Peterson or unknown second-year player Bryce Love myself.
Finally, at 9.07, I decided that I can’t wait to get Cook’s backup any longer and select RB Alexander Mattison, just like I did in my previous mock draft. Since he’s my ninth pick, he’ll be listed as a starter, but in reality, he’s more of an insurance policy in case my stud RB in Dalvin Cook goes down. Also, since this is a PPR fantasy football mock draft, Mattison could also have standalone value even if Cook stays healthy as well.
Aaron Rodgers’ fantasy value is so low that it’s worth the shot
After most of my starters were selected, it’s time to find some bench values. At 10.06, I select the best WR on the board, Sammy Watkins. At 11.07, I finally grab my QB in perennial stud Aaron Rodgers, who is getting no respect this year. I round out my team with two more upside players in RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn at 12.06 and TE Austin Hooper at 13.07. Both of these guys are great bye week options but could also see time in my flex spots depending on the matchups.
PPR Fantasy Football Mock Draft – Conclusion
My team feels loaded from top to bottom. I have a potential top-five QB in Rodgers, two potential top-12 RBs in Cook and White, at least three potential top-12 WRs in Hill, Robinson, and Kupp, along with terrific depth behind them. Even my TEs are stacked with Waller and Hooper. If nothing else, my team has a lot of talent from the draft that allows me to trade if need be down the road. You can’t win the league at your draft, but this “One RB” strategy sure set me up for success.
So what do you think of this PPR fantasy football mock draft? What picks would you have done differently? Did you like the “One RB” strategy, or do you prefer a different one in your redraft leagues? Let me know or hit me up on Twitter to discuss, and keep your eyes open for more mock drafts from the team at PFN as the season approaches.
Continue to visit the Pro Football Network for NFL news and in-depth analysis like the PFN OSM data and be sure to keep coming back to our Dynasty Fantasy Football section for more fantasy football coverage.
Andrew Hall is a writer for PFN covering the NFL and Fantasy Football. You can follow him on Twitter: @AndrewHallFF.