This week’s fantasy football mock draft will be a bit different, as rather than a traditional snake draft, I’m going through an action draft—a format that has continued to increase in popularity. If you missed any of the previous mocks, they can be viewed at the links below:
Mock Draft 1.0: 10-team, 0.5 PPR
Mock Draft 2.0: 8-team, Full PPR (3 WR)
Mock Draft 3.0: 14-team, 0.5 PPR (Superflex)
Mock Draft 4.0: 12-team, Full PPR
Round 1
1.01: Tyreek Hill, MIA WR ($56)
1.02: Jahmyr Gibbs, DET RB ($34)
1.03: Breece Hall, NYJ RB ($49)
1.04: A.J. Brown, PHI WR ($41)
1.05: Christian McCaffrey, SF RB ($60)
1.06: CeeDee Lamb, DAL WR ($60)
1.07: Ja’Marr Chase, CIN WR ($43)
1.08: Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET WR ($45)
1.09: Bijan Robinson, ATL RB ($46)
1.10: Justin Jefferson, MIN WR ($44)
1.11: Drake London, ATL WR ($19)
1.12: DK Metcalf, SEA WR ($20)
Thoughts: I really didn’t have a set strategy going into the draft, but Gibbs was an outstanding value—especially when you look at his price compared to other overall RB2 candidates Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson. McCaffrey also went slightly below his expected price, so there is a real chance the roster has two high-end RB1 options. Plus, DK Metcalf was another strong value right at my final price point.
Round 2
2.01: Puka Nacua, LAR WR ($38)
2.02: Garrett Wilson, NYJ WR ($34)
2.03: Mike Evans, TB WR ($27)
2.04: Jonathan Taylor, IND RB ($43)
2.05: Travis Kelce, KC TE ($35)
2.06: Brandon Aiyuk, SF WR ($24)
2.07: Chris Olave, NO WR ($31)
2.08: Derrick Henry, BAL RB ($36)
2.09: Travis Etienne Jr., JAX RB ($36)
2.10: Saquon Barkley, PHI RB ($45)
2.11: Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI WR ($29)
2.12: Nico Collins, HOU WR ($27)
Thoughts: I nominated Barkley based on the competitive bidding for RB1 options, and Jahmyr Gibbs looks like even more of a steal as the cheapest running back so far—though Derrick Henry was someone I went hard for and probably should have put at least one more bid on. At wide receiver, I’m thrilled with getting DK Metcalf last round based on some of the prices, and there is an advantage to being aggressive.
Round 3
3.01: Josh Allen, BUF QB ($30)
3.02: Kyren Williams, LAR RB ($33)
3.03: Davante Adams, LV WR ($29)
3.04: Lamar Jackson, BAL QB ($28)
3.05: Rachaad White, TB RB ($31)
3.06: Josh Jacobs, GB RB ($33)
3.07: DeVonta Smith, PHI WR ($25)
3.08: De’Von Achane, MIA RB ($34)
3.09: Jalen Hurts, PHI QB ($30)
3.10: Patrick Mahomes, KC QB ($19)
3.11: Jaylen Waddle, MIA WR ($21)
3.12: Deebo Samuel, SF WR ($26)
Thoughts: Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts were both targets for me, but I was hoping to get them around $25 and bowed out when the prices hit $30. Beyond that, I maybe should have gone harder for DeVonta Smith, as I can spend big at least one more time with confidence to hit on bargains later.
Round 4
4.01: Sam LaPorta, DET TE ($26)
4.02: Isiah Pacheco, KC RB ($32)
4.03: D’Andre Swift, CHI RB ($24)
4.04: DJ Moore, CHI WR ($28)
4.05: Alvin Kamara, NO RB ($28)
4.06: Trey McBride, ARI WR ($21)
4.07: Marquise Brown, KC WR ($6)
4.08: Cooper Kupp, LAR WR ($24)
4.09: Mark Andrews, BAL TE ($26)
4.10: Dalton Kincaid, BUF TE ($18)
4.11: Michael Pittman Jr., IND WR ($18)
4.12: Malik Nabers, NYG WR ($11)
Thoughts: Again, getting Jahmyr Gibbs at $34 continues to be a huge advantage when you look at other teams paying up for guys like D’Andre Swift, but mid-priced values like Kincaid and Nabers—if they become hits—is the best way to build a stacked roster in auction leagues.
Round 5
5.01: Dak Prescott, DAL QB ($14)
5.02: Anthony Richardson, IND QB ($13)
5.03: Joe Mixon, HOU RB ($31)
5.04: Jayden Reed, GB WR ($11)
5.05: Zamir White, LV RB ($25)
5.06: George Pickens, PIT WR ($14)
5.07: Zack Moss, CIN RB ($21)
5.08: Rhamondre Stevenson, NE RB ($19)
5.09: Christian Kirk, JAX WR ($9)
5.10: Kenneth Walker III, SEA RB ($26)
5.11: Stefon Diggs, HOU WR ($16)
5.12: Zay Flowers, BAL WR ($16)
Thoughts: I loved the values for both Richardson and Pickens, as running backs continue to go for a premium. However, I tried sneaking in Kenneth Walker III under $20 after Rhamondre Stevenson went below Zack Moss, but the price jumped up.
Round 6
6.01: James Cook, BUF RB ($28)
6.02: Tank Dell, HOU WR ($17)
6.03: Courtland Sutton, DEN ($4)
6.04: Justin Herbert, LAC QB ($4)
6.05: Joe Burrow, CIN QB ($11)
6.06: Tee Higgins, CIN WR ($17)
6.07: Aaron Jones, MIN RB ($22)
6.08: Calvin Ridley, TEN WR ($14)
6.09: Amari Cooper, CLE WR ($16)
6.10: Najee Harris, PIT RB ($20)
6.11: Diontae Johnson, CAR WR ($8)
6.12: Terry McLaurin, WAS WR ($6)
Thoughts: Justin Herbert was tempting at that price just based on his talent, but it would have been too pricy of a backup without yet having any bench players. I then tried getting Najee Harris at $12, but the price shot up at the last moment.
Round 7
7.01: C.J. Stroud, HOU QB ($9)
7.02: Evan Engram, JAX TE ($15)
7.03: Raheem Mostert, MIA RB ($19)
7.04: Keenan Allen, CHI WR ($7)
7.05: Rashee Rice, KC WR ($7)
7.06: Jordan Love, GB QB ($7)
7.07: T.J. Hockenson, MIN TE ($6)
7.08: DeAndre Hopkins, TEN WR ($10)
7.09: Chris Godwin, TB WR ($10)
7.10: David Montgomery, DET RB ($17)
7.11: Jaylen Warren, PIT RB ($12)
7.12: Rashid Shaheed, NO WR ($1)
Thoughts: I had the same plan as the previous round by trying to get David Montgomery at $12, but running back continues to be the position everyone is willing to bid for—and $17 is still a great value for him, but it could turn into a headache with Jahmyr Gibbs already rostered.
Round 8
8.01: Brock Purdy, SF QB ($5)
8.02: Kyler Murray, ARI QB ($5)
8.03: David Njoku, CLE TE ($12)
8.04: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA WR ($2)
8.05: Christian Watson, GB WR ($6)
8.06: Jordan Addison, MIN WR ($6)
8.07: Xavier Worthy, KC WR ($3)
8.08: Kyle Pitts, ATL TE ($8)
8.09: Jonathon Brooks, CAR RB ($12)
8.10: James Conner, ARI RB ($11)
8.11: Gus Edwards, LAC RB ($7)
8.12: Tony Pollard, TEN RB ($7)
Thoughts: I regret not going for Brock Purdy or Kyler Murray because they could always be flipped in a trade, but Smith-Njigba is a complete steal at $2. For my nomination, Nick Chubb was the plan by trying to sneak him in, but Jonathon Brooks going for $12 had me reconsider.
Round 9
9.01: George Kittle, SF TE ($7)
9.02: Rico Dowdle, DAL RB ($5)
9.03: Tyjae Spears, TEN RB ($6)
9.04: Keon Coleman, BUF WR ($2)
9.05: Brian Robinson Jr., WAS RB ($7)
9.06: Matthew Stafford, LAR QB ($1)
9.07: Dalton Schultz, HOU TE ($4)
9.08: Tua Tagovailoa, MIA QB ($1)
9.09: Jayden Daniels, WAS QB ($2)
9.10: Nick Chubb, CLE RB ($7)
9.11: Javonte Williams, DEN RB ($5)
9.12: Jerome Ford, CLE RB ($5)
Thoughts: The combination of Robinson (the safest option left) and Chubb (the option with the highest upside left, but some risk) was very appealing, and I think the patience at running back paid off.
Round 10
10.01: Brandin Cooks, DAL WR ($1)
10.02: Trevor Lawrence, JAX QB ($3)
10.03: Rome Odunze, CHI WR ($1)
10.04: Ravens D/ST ($1)
10.05: Dontayvion Wicks, GB WR ($1)
10.06: Trey Benson, ARI RB ($5)
10.07: Caleb Williams, CHI QB ($3)
10.08: Khalil Shakir, BUF WR ($1)
10.09: Zach Charbonnet, SEA RB ($3)
10.10: Austin Ekeler, WAS RB ($5)
10.11: Josh Downs, IND WR ($1)
10.12: Devin Singletary, NYG RB ($5)
Thoughts: I had no intentions of taking Ekeler unless he went for $1, but I figured having Brian Robinson Jr. might get others to bid to prevent me from the handcuff. Robinson and Nick Chubb are outstanding values with Ekeler, Trey Benson, and Devin Singletary being nearly the same price.
Round 11
11.01: Tyler Allgeier, ATL RB ($5)
11.02: Ty Chandler, MIN RB ($4)
11.03: Blake Corum, LAR RB ($3)
11.04: Chase Brown, CIN RB ($4)
11.05: Ezekiel Elliott, DAL RB ($4)
11.06: Jared Goff, DET QB ($3)
11.07: 49ers D/ST ($1)
11.08: Jets D/ST ($1)
11.09: Ray Davis, BUF RB ($3)
11.10: Aaron Rodgers, NYJ QB ($1)
11.11: Chuba Hubbard, CAR RB ($4)
11.12: Kendre Miller, NO RB ($1)
Thoughts: I decided ahead of the round that I would try to double up at quarterback, and the Goff/Rodgers duo was my preferred combination. Not only are they trade pieces, but they are also excellent insurance policies for Anthony Richardson.
Round 12
12.01: Pat Freiermuth, PIT TE ($3)
12.02: Brian Thomas Jr., JAX WR ($3)
12.03: MarShawn Lloyd, GB RB ($3)
12.04: Jaylen Wright, MIA RB ($3)
12.05: Roschon Johnson, CHI RB ($1)
12.06: J.K. Dobbins, LAC RB ($9)
12.07: Antonio Gibson, NE RB ($5)
12.08: Justin Tucker, BAL K ($1)
12.09: Deshaun Watson, CLE QB ($1)
12.10: Cowboys D/ST ($1)
12.11: Curtis Samuel, BUF WR ($2)
12.12: Browns D/ST ($1)
Thoughts: The Cowboys are probably the best D/ST unit to roster with Micah Parsons, Trevon, Diggs, and DaRon Bland—so I’ll gladly nominate and take them. For the final couple of skill-position players, there are still a handful of wideouts I have my eye on, but I don’t want to get squeezed out and made sure I got one of them with Samuel going cheap.
Round 13
13.01: Jake Ferguson, DAL TE ($4)
13.02: Tyler Lockett, SEA WR ($3)
13.03: Kimani Vidal, LAC RB ($1)
13.04: Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN RB ($3)
13.05: Brandon Aubrey, DAL K ($1)
13.06: Dallas Goedert, PHI TE ($3)
13.07: Khalil Herbert, CHI RB ($3)
13.08: Brock Bowers, LV TE ($3)
13.09: Dameon Pierce, HOU RB ($1)
13.10: Mike Williams, NYJ WR ($6)
13.11: Ladd McConkey, LAC WR ($3)
13.12: Harrison Butker, KC K ($1)
Thoughts: There was no sense in messing around here, so I max bid on Williams after others tried for him—giving me my top target and leaving the final $1 left for a kicker.
Round 14
14.01: Noah Fant, SEA TE ($1)
14.02: Bills D/ST ($2)
14.03: Steelers D/ST ($1)
14.04: Braelon Allen, NYJ RB ($1)
14.05: Chiefs D/ST ($1)
14.06: Cole Kmet, CHI TE ($1)
14.07: Elijah Mitchell, SF RB ($3)
14.08: Eagles D/ST ($1)
14.09: Jake Moody, SF K ($1)
14.10: Jake Elliott, PHI K ($1)
14.11: Jameson Williams, DET WR ($1)
14.12: Michael Wilson, ARI WR ($1)
Thoughts: It would have been great if I didn’t need to get a kicker and could have simply nominated and gotten Jameson Williams for $1, but Elliott is probably the top guy left at the position.
Round 15
15.01: Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG RB ($4)
15.02: Kirk Cousins, ATL QB ($1)
15.03: Jason Sanders, MIA K ($1)
15.04: Bucky Irving, TB RB ($4)
15.05: Dolphins D/ST ($1)
15.06: Austic Estimé, DEN RB ($1)
15.07: Keaton Mitchell, BAL RB ($1)
15.08: Luke Musgrave, GB TE ($1)
15.09: Saints D/ST ($1)
15.10: Ka’imi Fairbairn, HOU K ($1)
15.11: Samaje Perine, DEN RB ($2)
15.12: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC RB ($4)
Round 16
16.01: Jakobi Meyers, LV WR ($3)
16.02: Bears D/ST ($1)
16.03: D’Onta Foreman, CLE RB ($1)
16.04: Tyler Bass, BUF K ($1)
16.05: Younghoe Koo, ATL K ($1)
16.06: Evan McPherson, CIN K ($1)
16.07: Texans D/ST ($1)
16.08: Cameron Dicker, LAC K ($1)
16.09: Alexander Mattison, LV RB ($1)
16.10: Joshua Palmer, LAC WR ($1)
16.11: Kenneth Gainwell, PHI RB ($1)
16.12: Matt Gay, IND K ($1)
Final Roster
QB: Anthony Richardson, IND
RB: Christian McCaffrey, SF
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs, DET
WR: DK Metcalf, SEA
WR: George Pickens, PIT
TE: Dalton Kincaid, BUF
FLEX: Malik Nabers, NYG WR
D/ST: Cowboys
K: Jake Elliott, PHI K
BE: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA WR
BE: Brian Robinson Jr., WAS RB
BE: Nick Chubb, CLE RB
BE: Jared Goff, DET QB
BE: Aaron Rodgers, NYJ QB
BE: Curtis Samuel, BUF WR
BE: Mike Williams, NYJ WR