Mock Draft #1

pick #7 - 12 teams.

1. Nick Chubb (Cle - RB)
2. CeeDee Lamb (Dal - WR)
3. David Montgomery (Chi - RB)
4. Courtland Sutton (Den - WR)
5. Terry McLaurin (Was - WR)
6. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC - RB)
7. Dak Prescott (Dal - QB)
8. Kareem Hunt (Cle - RB)
9. Cordarrelle Patterson (Atl - RB)
10. Chase Claypool (Pit - WR)
11. James Robinson (Jax - RB)
12. Tyler Higbee (LAR - TE)
13. Michael Gallup (Dal - WR)
14. Pittsburgh (Pit - DEF)
15. Ryan Succop (TB - K)


just checked out the Yahoo Fantasy Rankings for the first time.

lots of sleepers this year... but I tend to handcuff my top players as opposed to drafting rookies (Chubb & Hunt, and Lamb & Gallup)

pick #3 - 12 teams.

1. Austin Ekeler (LAC - RB)
2. Alvin Kamara (NO - RB)
3. Saquon Barkley (NYG - RB)
4. Patrick Mahomes (KC - QB)
5. Terry McLaurin (Was - WR)
6. JuJu Smith-Schuster (KC - WR)
7. Tony Pollard (Dal - RB)
8. Adam Thielen (Min - WR)
9. Hunter Renfrow (LV - WR)
10. James Robinson (Jax - RB)
11. Russell Gage (TB - WR)
12. Noah Fant (Sea - TE)
13. Garrett Wilson (NYJ - WR)
14. Dallas (Dal - DEF)
15. Graham Gano (NYG - K)

Ekeler was great last year, but it was the only great year of his career and watching him play its not like his skill level jumps off the screen like most fantasy 1st rounders... no doubt he could be phenomenal again next season but personally I'd feel a little queasy taking him as a first rounder

The guy had 20 total TDs last year, which is amazing... but those 20 TDs are almost half of his 5 year career grand total (45), and almost twice as much as he managed in his second best year (11). Maybe Ekeler will score ~20 TDs again next season, but I think its a lot more likely that he regresses back to the mean. Either way its not a gamble I would take in the 1st.

[QUOTE=Nanners;14641513]Ekeler was great last year, but it was the only great year of his career and watching him play its not like his skill level jumps off the screen like most fantasy 1st rounders... no doubt he could be phenomenal again next season but personally I'd feel a little queasy taking him as a first rounder

The guy had 20 total TDs last year, which is amazing... but those 20 TDs are almost half of his 5 year career grand total (45), and almost twice as much as he managed in his second best year (11). Maybe Ekeler will score ~20 TDs again next season, but I think its a lot more likely that he regresses back to the mean. Either way its not a gamble I would take in the 1st.[/QUOTE]

Austin Ekeler is sneaky good; always makes the first guy miss and he is one of the strongest pound for pound players in the NFL. The only reason why I might stay away from him, the Chargers are looking to lighten his workload. They drafted another runningback for at least the third consecutive season, and their 7th round fullback might steal goal line carries. It's a little weird to say that two rookies will hurt Ekeler's fantasy value, but they are looking to spread the ball more with different backfield personnel. If that fails for several games, Ekeler for the second half of the season will be a good buy low candidate.

[QUOTE=AKA_AAP;14641896]Austin Ekeler is sneaky good; always makes the first guy miss and he is one of the strongest pound for pound players in the NFL. The only reason why I might stay away from him, the Chargers are looking to lighten his workload. They drafted another runningback for at least the third consecutive season, and their 7th round fullback might steal goal line carries. It's a little weird to say that two rookies will hurt Ekeler's fantasy value, but they are looking to spread the ball more with different backfield personnel. If that fails for several games, Ekeler for the second half of the season will be a good buy low candidate.[/QUOTE]

Ekeler is a good player for sure, maybe even "sneaky good" (assuming that term means a player who is good without looking like they're good when you watch the game), but I disagree about his ability to make the first guy miss or being one of the strongest pound for pound. When I think about RBs who always make players miss and have exceptional strength I think of players like Taylor, Chubb, Cook, Mixon, McCaffrey, Henry, etc... Taylor had 2x as many YAC as Ekeler last year, and he had 14 runs of 20+ yards vs just 3 for Ekeler... and most of the other players I mentioned here outperformed Ekeler in both of these areas as well. Ekeler ranked 14th in yards after contact among RBs last year (below guys like Devin Singletary, Javonte Williams, Elijah Mitchell, Damien Harris... etc). The main reason Ekeler had such an impressive fantasy point total last season was because he tied for the league lead in TDs - but I see no reason why he is likely to repeat that feat next season... last year Ekeler had 12 rushing TDs, during the other 4 years of his career he has never had more than 3 rushing TDs.


While Ekeler is undoubtedly talented, he has never been a top tier athlete by NFL standards (thats why he was undrafted), IMHO his success as a NFL player is mostly due to the fact that he rarely makes mistakes, his ability to run routes and catch the ball, and the fact that hes been playing in explosive and pass heavy offenses.

Anyway I am not saying Ekeler is not a good player, im not saying he wont have another phenomenal year, or that its impossible for him to score 20 tds for a second year in a row... I am just saying that given his history and his situation, I would be uncomfortable taking him in the first round in leagues that dont heavily emphasize receiving RBs.

[QUOTE=Nanners;14642784]Ekeler is a good player for sure, maybe even "sneaky good" (assuming that term means a player who is good without looking like they're good when you watch the game), but I disagree about his ability to make the first guy miss or being one of the strongest pound for pound. When I think about RBs who always make players miss and have exceptional strength I think of players like Taylor, Chubb, Cook, Mixon, McCaffrey, Henry, etc... Taylor had 2x as many YAC as Ekeler last year, and he had 14 runs of 20+ yards vs just 3 for Ekeler... and most of the other players I mentioned here outperformed Ekeler in both of these areas as well. Ekeler ranked 14th in yards after contact among RBs last year (below guys like Devin Singletary, Javonte Williams, Elijah Mitchell, Damien Harris... etc). The main reason Ekeler had such an impressive fantasy point total last season was because he tied for the league lead in TDs - but I see no reason why he is likely to repeat that feat next season... last year Ekeler had 12 rushing TDs, during the other 4 years of his career he has never had more than 3 rushing TDs.


While Ekeler is undoubtedly talented, he has never been a top tier athlete by NFL standards (thats why he was undrafted), IMHO his success as a NFL player is mostly due to the fact that he rarely makes mistakes, his ability to run routes and catch the ball, and the fact that hes been playing in explosive and pass heavy offenses.

Anyway I am not saying Ekeler is not a good player, im not saying he wont have another phenomenal year, or that its impossible for him to score 20 tds for a second year in a row... I am just saying that given his history and his situation, I would be uncomfortable taking him in the first round in leagues that dont heavily emphasize receiving RBs.[/QUOTE]

Austin Ekeler was in a runningback by committee in the 2020 season, and was never the number 1 back until last season. And Anthony Lynn (2017-2020) had a horrible run scheme as well.

When I say he has the ability to make people miss, I meant out in open space. He won't really punish linebackers often, but that doesn't mean he isn't strong. He's probably really only 5'8 190 lbs and he's averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and his first 4 years he had the worst run blocking and pass blocking offensive line...that alone should tell you something about both his strength and ability to make people miss when he does not have elite speed either.

He's improved every single year, but I'd also be uncomfortable taking him in the first round. But not for the reasons you stated.

And another plus, the Chargers won't need to pass as often as last year because they won't be playing catch up much this upcoming season.

Hey Dooms, where is Tua going in the early mocks? He seems like a polarizing you either love him or hate him fantasy guy this year.

[QUOTE=Charlie Sheen;14643348]Hey Dooms, where is Tua going in the early mocks? He seems like a polarizing you either love him or hate him fantasy guy this year.[/QUOTE]


I have a league where passing TDs are 6 points... so QB will be more of a priority.

But as far as Tua goes (not my rankings):

1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts, RB1
2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers, RB2
3. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers, RB3
4. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans, RB4
5. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams, WR1
6. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings, WR2
7. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings, RB5
8. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals, WR3
9. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers, RB6
10. Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, RB7
11. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs, TE1
12. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals, RB8
13. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders, WR4
14. Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos, RB9
15. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills, WR5
16. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions, RB10
17. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys, WR6
18. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints, RB11
19. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers, WR7
20. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins, WR8
21. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers, RB12
22. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns, RB13
23. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens, TE2
24. David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears, RB14
25. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers, WR9
26. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Football Team, RB15
27. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons, TE3
28. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, WR10
29. Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams, RB16
30. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals, WR11
31. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants, RB17
32. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, WR12
33. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills, QB1
34. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins, WR13
35. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals, RB18
36. DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers, WR14
37. Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, WR15
38. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens, RB19
39. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs, QB2
40. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts, WR16
41. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers, TE4
42. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks, WR17
43. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys, RB20
44. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Football Team, WR18
45. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, WR19
46. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders, RB21
47. Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans, WR20
48. Elijah Mitchell, RB, San Francisco 49ers, RB22
49. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers, QB3
50. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions, WR21
51. Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns, WR22
52. Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiders, TE5
53. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets, RB23
54. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions, TE6
55. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars, RB24
56. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens, QB4
57. Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears, WR23
58. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints, WR24
59. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos, WR25
60. Elijah Moore, WR, New York Jets, WR26
61. AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers, RB25
62. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals, QB5
63. Damien Harris, RB, New England Patriots, RB26
64. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos, WR27
65. Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys, TE7
66. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers, WR28
67. Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals, QB6
68. Allen Robinson II, WR, Los Angeles Rams, WR29
69. Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles, RB27
70. Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens, WR30
71. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs, WR31
72. Chase Edmonds, RB, Miami Dolphins, RB28
73. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles, TE8
74. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys, QB7
75. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs, RB29
76. Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals, WR32
77. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks, WR33
78. Devin Singletary, RB, Buffalo Bills, RB30
79. Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks, RB31
80. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles, QB8
81. Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns, RB32
82. Hunter Renfrow, WR, Las Vegas Raiders, WR34
83. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Atlanta Falcons, RB33
84. Gabriel Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills, WR35
85. Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys, RB34
86. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons, WR36
87. Michael Carter, RB, New York Jets, RB35
88. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, WR37
89. Melvin Gordon III, RB, Denver Broncos, RB36
90. Ken Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks, RB37
91. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams, QB9
92. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals, WR38
93. Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos, QB10
94. Zach Ertz, TE, Arizona Cardinals, TE9
95. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers, TE10
96. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers, WR39
97. Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills, TE11
98. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings, WR40
99. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots, RB38
[b]100. Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, QB11[/b]
101. Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, WR41
[b]102. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers, QB12[/b]
103. Ronald Jones II, RB, Kansas City Chiefs, RB39
104. Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings, RB40
105. Rondale Moore, WR, Arizona Cardinals, WR42
106. Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins, TE12
[b]107. Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers, QB13[/b]
108. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills, RB41
109. Robert Woods, WR, Tennessee Titans, WR43
[b]110. Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders, QB14[/b]
111. Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots, TE13
112. Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears, TE14
113. Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans, WR44
114. Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys, WR45
115. Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Denver Broncos, TE15
116. J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington Football Team, RB42
117. Russell Gage, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, WR46
118. Kadarius Toney, WR, New York Giants, WR47
[b]119. Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns, QB15[/b]
120. Allen Lazard, WR, Green Bay Packers, WR48
121. Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins, RB43
122. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars, RB44
[b]123. Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings, QB16[/b]
124. Noah Fant, TE, Seattle Seahawks, TE16
125. Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars, WR49
126. Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Los Angeles Rams, RB45
127. Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots, WR50
128. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets, WR51
[b]129. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears, QB17[/b]
130. Irv Smith Jr., TE, Minnesota Vikings, TE17
131. Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts, RB46
132. Jamaal Williams, RB, Detroit Lions, RB47
133. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles, RB48
[b]134. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins, QB18[/b]

If Tua is your last option at QB... and I did have a mock draft where he was my last option (I have him higher than Fields and Watson) .... you waited too long to draft a QB.


The goal is to take Stafford or Carr in the late rounds (round 9 maybe 10) . Both are capable of putting up better numbers than Mahomes or Herbert (rounds 4 or 5).

Josh Allen is the only tier 1 QB this year in FF.


Tua should be there in round 14. Tua is QB16 on my draft board, although I agree that he has a very high ceiling, could easily be better than Trey Lance so maybe tied with Lance at #15.

Doomsday Sleeper Special:

WR:

88. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, WR37
101. Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, WR41
109. Robert Woods, WR, Tennessee Titans, WR43
114. Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys, WR45
120. Allen Lazard, WR, Green Bay Packers, WR48

I want to load up on RB early this year... I'm pretty sure I'll be taking 3 RBs in the first 5 rounds, may have to go 4 RB in my first 5 picks.

Targeting Devonta Smith in round 8 or 9.



I will not hesitate to take Pitts, Waller, or Kittle in Round 4. Kelce & Andrews in round 3.

After that... I only got three sleepers to chose from in rounds 9 & 10.

94. Zach Ertz, TE, Arizona Cardinals, TE9
95. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers, TE10
97. Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills, TE11

need to avoid spending a high draft pick on Shultz, Goddert, or Hockinson (rounds 6-7), might want to grab one of these guys in round 8.



the only legit sleeper I have at Running Back currently:

83. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Atlanta Falcons, RB33

pick #2 - 12 Teams

A+ Grade from Yahoo.

1. Dalvin Cook (Min - RB)
2. Mark Andrews (Bal - TE)
3. Keenan Allen (LAC - WR)
4. Courtland Sutton (Den - WR)
5. Travis Etienne (Jax - RB)
6. Tony Pollard (Dal - RB)
7. Devin Singletary (Buf - RB)
8. Dak Prescott (Dal - QB)
9. DeVonta Smith (Phi - WR)
10. Alexander Mattison (Min - RB)
11. Allen Lazard (GB - WR)
12. Tyler Allgeier (Atl - RB)
13. Michael Gallup (Dal - WR)
14. New England (NE - DEF)
15. Matt Prater (Ari - K)


It may be an A+ from Yahoo... but it still needs a little work.

If you get Cook, you have to keep Mattison on the bench.

James Robinson is now off my draft board, Travis Etienne is the man now in JAX, we will see what he has but not excited about having a Jaguar on the roster.

Taking Andrews early hurts my flex spot... but Pollard/Singletary are still solid. If M.Andrews can do anything similar to what he did last year it will be worth having some weakness at flex or WR3.

Nothing is worse than getting jack-$hit from the TE spot week to week... it's a complete waste of a roster spot.

Tyler Allgeier could end up becoming ATL's starting RB... so it's a late round gamble.

[QUOTE=Doomsday Dallas;14643540][B]If Tua is your last option at QB... and I did have a mock draft where he was my last option (I have him higher than Fields and Watson) .... you waited too long to draft a QB. [/B]


The goal is to take Stafford or Carr in the late rounds (round 9 maybe 10) . Both are capable of putting up better numbers than Mahomes or Herbert (rounds 4 or 5).

Josh Allen is the only tier 1 QB this year in FF.


Tua should be there in round 14. Tua is QB16 on my draft board, although I agree that he has a very high ceiling, could easily be better than Trey Lance so maybe tied with Lance at #15.[/QUOTE]

The bold is my critical flaw every season I have played fantasy football.

I liked Tua a lot coming into the league. I remember there was a disagreement between Carbine and alternative account about him. Back then I couldn't get behind any notion of Tua being anything less than a top 10 QB in the league. He hasn't showed anything close to that. I don't necessarilly believe in Tua anymore, but I do believe in Tyreek still being able to do his thing.

Thanks for these write ups, Dooms. Love reading the fantasy stuff you guys post here :cheers:

[QUOTE=AKA_AAP;14643311]Austin Ekeler was in a runningback by committee in the 2020 season, and was never the number 1 back until last season. And Anthony Lynn (2017-2020) had a horrible run scheme as well.

When I say he has the ability to make people miss, I meant out in open space. He won't really punish linebackers often, but that doesn't mean he isn't strong. He's probably really only 5'8 190 lbs and he's averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and his first 4 years he had the worst run blocking and pass blocking offensive line...that alone should tell you something about both his strength and ability to make people miss when he does not have elite speed either.

He's improved every single year, but I'd also be uncomfortable taking him in the first round. But not for the reasons you stated.

And another plus, the Chargers won't need to pass as often as last year because they won't be playing catch up much this upcoming season.[/QUOTE]

fair enough :cheers:

Got a low draft grade because I took Cook at #5 (10 teams) ... I don't see how Cook is not a top 5 RB.

took Ekler at #7 in my other league. (12 teams) .5 ppr in this one too.



I'm trying a 4 horseman of the apocalypse approach this year.

first 4 picks: D.Cook, Javonte Williams, D.Swift, and James Conner

I got insurance policies on D.Cook (Mattison) and D.Swift (Jamaal Williams)



mid & late round picks:

DK Metcalf
R. Bateman
D. Mooney
and Hunter Renfro... don't sleep on Hunter Renfro.

got Shultz at TE. Dak and Russel Wilson at QB.




I feel ok... feel like my squad can be a playoff threat.... only 10 teams though.

[QUOTE=Doomsday Dallas;14643540]If Tua is your last option at QB... and I did have a mock draft where he was my last option (I have him higher than Fields and Watson) .... you waited too long to draft a QB.


The goal is to take Stafford or Carr in the late rounds (round 9 maybe 10) . Both are capable of putting up better numbers than Mahomes or Herbert (rounds 4 or 5).

Josh Allen is the only tier 1 QB this year in FF.


Tua should be there in round 14. Tua is QB16 on my draft board, although I agree that he has a very high ceiling, could easily be better than Trey Lance so maybe tied with Lance at #15.[/QUOTE]

I hope Tua has a good year. I almost snagged Burrow in the 8th but someone grabbed him 2 slots before my pick.... ended up with Tua in the 13th

At least my RB/WR situation is extremely strong (on paper)