Periodically throughout the summer, I will be dropping a fantasy football mock using the FantasyPros Draft Simulator, starting today with a 10-team, 0.5 PPR format.

 

The Picks

 

Round 1

1.1: Ezekiel Elliott, DAL RB
1.2: Alvin Kamara, NO RB
1.3: Saquon Barkley, NYG RB
1.4: Christian McCaffrey, CAR RB
1.5: Melvin Gordon, LAC RB
1.6: Todd Gurley, LAR RB
1.7: Davante Adams, GB WR
1.8: DeAndre Hopkins, HOU WR
1.9: David Johnson, ARI RB
1.10: Odell Beckham Jr., CLE WR

 

Thoughts: The shock of Round 1 is that Saquon Barkley wasn’t the first-overall pick, but people drafting second or third in real drafts probably shouldn’t get their hopes up come August/September. I made Davante Adams the top receiver off the board after Aaron Rodgers said he’d “like to throw to [him] more” in 2019, and the 26-year-old’s floor might be 100/1,200/10.

 

Round 2

2.1: JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT WR
2.2: James Conner, PIT RB
2.3: Michael Thomas, NO WR
2.4: Julio Jones, ATL WR
2.5: Le’Veon Bell, NYJ RB
2.6: Travis Kelce, KC TE
2.7: Joe Mixon, CIN RB
2.8: Mike Evans, TB WR
2.9: Aaron Jones, GB RB
2.10: Antonio Brown, OAK WR

 

Thoughts: Fantasy owners probably shouldn’t go into the draft with a preconceived positional strategy (RB-RB, WR-WR, RB-WR, etc.), but I happened to get a couple high-end WR1s to build the roster around here. Julio Jones (170) and Davante Adams (169) led the league in targets last season.

 

Round 3

3.1: Dalvin Cook, MIN RB
3.2: Nick Chubb, CLE RB
3.3: George Kittle, SF TE
3.4: Josh Jacobs, OAK RB
3.5: Andrew Luck, IND QB
3.6: Keenan Allen, LAC WR
3.7: Zach Ertz, PHI TE
3.8: T.Y. Hilton, IND WR
3.9: Derrick Henry, TEN RB
3.10: Damien Williams, KC RB

 

Thoughts: The only drawback of getting two stud receivers is that the clear RB1 options are probably gone by the middle of the third round, so I figured it would be a good idea to get a third elite pass-catcher in Zach Ertz, especially after Travis Kelce and George Kittle were selected. Adams-Jones-Ertz is a very strong foundation, particularly in a 0.5 PPR league.

 

Round 4

4.1: A.J. Green, CIN WR
4.2: Adam Thielen, MIN WR
4.3: Marlon Mack, IND RB
4.4: Devonta Freeman, ATL RB
4.5: Amari Cooper, DAL WR
4.6: Leonard Fournette, JAX RB
4.7: Cooper Kupp, LAR WR
4.8: Patrick Mahomes, KC QB
4.9: Kenny Golladay, DET WR
4.10: Julian Edelman, NE WR

 

Thoughts: I would have been thrilled to see Marlon Mack still available, but Devonta Freeman gets the edge over Leonard Fournette because the roster now has a big chunk of the high-powered Atlanta offense. Plus, the Falcons really bolstered the offensive line in the offseason, and they clearly feel Freeman will bounce back after letting Tevin Coleman walk.

 

Round 5

5.1: Brandin Cooks, LAR WR
5.2: Stefon Diggs, MIN WR
5.3: Robert Woods, LAR WR
5.4: Chris Godwin, TB WR
5.5: Alshon Jeffery, PHI WR
5.6: Sony Michel, NE RB
5.7: Kerryon Johnson, DET RB
5.8: Kenyan Drake, MIA RB
5.9: Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB
5.10: David Montgomery, CHI RB

 

Thoughts: The Lions are going to run the ball a ton this season, so even if he splits carries with C.J. Anderson, Kerryon Johnson is talented enough to be worth selecting at his top-50 ADP. The former Auburn star rushed 118 times for 641 yards (5.4 YPC) and three touchdowns as a rookie, also chipping in a 32/213/1 line in ten games.

 

Round 6

6.1: O.J. Howard, TB TE
6.2: Tyler Lockett, SEA WR
6.3: Deshaun Watson, HOU QB
6.4: Sammy Watkins, KC WR
6.5: Evan Engram, NYG TE
6.6: Allen Robinson, CHI WR
6.7: Hunter Henry, LAC TE
6.8: Jarvis Landry, CLE WR
6.9: Baker Mayfield, CLE QB
6.10: Russell Wilson, SEA QB

 

Thoughts: FantasyPros currently has Tyreek Hill getting drafted in the middle rounds (as you’ll see a little bit later), but even if the troubled receiver somehow plays in 2019, his teammate Sammy Watkins could be a steal. The Kansas City offense was significantly better with Watkins on the field last season, and he should have more chemistry with Patrick Mahomes in Year 2.

 

Round 7

7.1: James White, NE RB
7.2: Chris Carson, SEA RB
7.3: Phillip Lindsay, DEN RB
7.4: Kyler Murray, ARI QB
7.5: D.J. Moore, CAR WR
7.6: Matt Ryan, ATL QB
7.7: Calvin Ridley, ATL WR
7.8: Mark Ingram, BAL RB
7.9: Corey Davis, TEN WR
7.10: Drew Brees, NO QB

 

Thoughts: I just missed on Matt Ryan to pair with Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman, but Calvin Ridley gets an ever-so-slight edge over Mark Ingram because a) he’s insurance for Watkins, and b) it’s unclear how many carries Baltimore will give to Justice Hill and Gus Edwards. Plus, if Ridley gets on a hot touchdown streak like he did as a rookie, he could be a prime trade piece.

 

Round 8

8.1: Miles Sanders, PHI RB
8.2: Robby Anderson, NYJ WR
8.3: Mike Williams, LAC WR
8.4: Tarik Cohen, CHI RB
8.5: Tyreek Hill, KC WR
8.6: Derrius Guice, WAS RB
8.7: Tyler Boyd, CIN WR
8.8: Lamar Miller, HOU RB
8.9: Larry Fitzgerald, ARI WR
8.10: Marvin Jones, DET WR

 

Thoughts: Miles Sanders would have been great as a potential three-down back for the Eagles, but with the rookie gone, I went with Tarik Cohen because he will have a defined pass-catching role in Matt Nagy’s offense, making him a better fit than Derrius Guice (injury concerns), Lamar Miller (blocking concerns), or Tevin Coleman (committee concerns).

 

Round 9

9.1: Sterling Shepard, NYG WR
9.2: Will Fuller, HOU WR
9.3: Tevin Coleman, SF RB
9.4: N’Keal Harry, NE WR
9.5: Dante Pettis, SF WR
9.6: Dede Westbrook, JAX WR
9.7: Carson Wentz, PHI QB
9.8: James Washington, PIT WR
9.9: Jordan Howard, PHI RB
9.10: Latavius Murray, NO RB

 

Thoughts: I would have liked to wait at quarterback (you’ll notice some big-time names don’t even get drafted), but Carson Wentz is too good a value to pass up, as Philadelphia is sure to let him throw early and often to prove they made the right choice in keeping and extending him over former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. Having Wentz and Ertz would be very frustrating for fantasy opponents.

 

Round 10

10.1: Royce Freeman, DEN RB
10.2: Jared Cook, NO TE
10.3: Courtland Sutton, DEN WR
10.4: Adrian Peterson, WAS RB
10.5: LeSean McCoy, BUF RB
10.6: Jerick McKinnon, MIN RB
10.7: Darrell Henderson, LAR RB
10.8: Golden Tate, NYG WR
10.9: Robert Foster, BUF WR
10.10: Christian Kirk, ARI WR

 

Thoughts: As alluded to, Derrius Guice has had some complications from his torn ACL, so we might see Adrian Peterson atop the Washington backfield once again in 2019. Guice is fully expected to be ready for Week 1, but the Redskins need to win games, and AD is fresher (despite entering his age-34 campaign) and more reliable at this point.

 

Round 11

11.1: Rashaad Penny, SEA RB
11.2: Anthony Miller, CHI WR
11.3: Dion Lewis, TEN RB
11.4: Donte Moncrief, PIT WR
11.5: Keke Coutee, HOU WR
11.6: Geronimo Allison, GB WR
11.7: Ronald Jones II, TB RB
11.8: Emmanuel Sanders, DEN WR
11.9: Eric Ebron, IND TE
11.10: Curtis Samuel, CAR WR

 

Thoughts: I’ve played it safe at running back thus far, but Ronald Jones II—who was compared to Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy last year—is a great lottery ticket if he can earn playing time in 2019. Bruce Arians’ offense should stretch the field with Mike Evans on the perimeter and O.J. Howard working the seams, leading to soft boxes.

 

Round 12

12.1: Austin Hooper, ATL TE
12.2: Parris Campbell, IND WR
12.3: Michael Gallup, DAL WR
12.4: Ito Smith, ATL RB
12.5: Delanie Walker, TEN TE
12.6: Matt Breida, SF RB
12.7: David Njoku, CLE TE
12.8: DeSean Jackson, PHI WR
12.9: DaeSean Hamilton, DEN WR
12.10: Devin Funchess, IND WR

 

Thoughts: Matt Breida was almost the pick here, but the investment in Atlanta’s offense so far gave the edge to Ito Smith. The second-year back will obviously be a valuable handcuff to Devonta Freeman, and he also has standalone value of his own behind what should be a bullying offensive line.

 

Round 13

13.1: Vance McDonald, PIT TE
13.2: Trey Burton, CHI TE
13.3: Jared Goff, LAR QB
13.4: Cam Newton, CAR QB
13.5: John Brown, BUF WR
13.6: Ben Roethlisbeger, PIT QB
13.7: Mecole Hardman, KC WR
13.8: Chris Herndon, NYJ TE
13.9: Philip Rivers, LAC QB
13.10: Jameis Winston, TB QB

 

Thoughts: As stated, Tyreek Hill is a mid-round pick for the draft simulator right now, but if he ends up facing a lengthy suspension or is released outright, there is almost no way Mecole Hardman will be available as a late-round flier. The Georgia speedster only had 961 career yards in college, but all it will take is one throw from Patrick Mahomes to have a day for fantasy owners.

 

Round 14

14.1: Justice Hill, BAL RB
14.2: Carlos Hyde, KC RB
14.3: Austin Ekeler, LAC RB
14.4: Dak Prescott, DAL QB
14.5: Nyheim Hines, IND RB
14.6: D’Onta Foreman, HOU RB
14.7: Devin Singletary, BUF RB
14.8: Chicago Bears, D/ST
14.9: Peyton Barber, TB RB
14.10: Jaylen Samuels, PIT RB

 

Thoughts: It isn’t a necessity to draft two quarterbacks, but Carson Wentz’s injury history could make it a wise investment. Dak Prescott will likely be undervalued all summer, which would be a huge mistake for a guy that has finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in each of the past three seasons and will be playing in the most creative offense of his career this year.

 

Round 15

15.1: Los Angeles Chargers, D/ST
15.2: Los Angeles Rams, D/ST
15.3: Duke Johnson, CLE RB
15.4: Jacksonville Jaguars, D/ST
15.5: Pittsburgh Steelers, D/ST
15.6: Minnesota Vikings, D/ST
15.7: Baltimore Ravens, D/ST
15.8: Houston Texans, D/ST
15.9: New Orleans Saints, D/ST
15.10: Cleveland Browns, D/ST

 

Round 16

16.1: Greg Zuerlein, LAR K
16.2: Justin Tucker, BAL K
16.3: Harrison Butker, KC K
16.4: Stephen Gostkowski, NE K
16.5 Wil Lutz, NO K
16.6: Mason Crosby, GB K
16.7: Ka’imi Fairbairn, HOU K
16.8: Jake Elliott, PHI K
16.9: Greg Joseph, CLE K
16.10: Matt Prater, DET K

 

Final Roster

QB: Carson Wentz, PHI
RB: Devonta Freeman, ATL
RB: Kerryon Johnson, DET
WR: Davante Adams, GB
WR: Julio Jones, ATL
TE: Zach Ertz, PHI
FLEX: Sammy Watkins, KC
D/ST: Baltimore Ravens
K: Stephen Gostkowski, NE
BE: Calvin Ridley, ATL WR
BE: Tarik Cohen, CHI RB
BE: Adrian Peterson, WAS RB
BE: Ronald Jones II, TB RB
BE: Ito Smith, ATL RB
BE: Mecole Hardman, KC WR
BE: Dak Prescott, DAL QB