We will have a fantasy football mock draft on every other Friday over the next few months, and things get started with a 12-team, 0.5 PPR using the FantasyPros draft simulator.

 

Round 1

1.01: Christian McCaffrey, SF RB

1.02: Austin Ekeler, LAC RB

1.03: Justin Jefferson, MIN WR

1.04: Jonathan Taylor, IND RB

1.05: Ja’Marr Chase, CIN WR

1.06: Saquon Barkley, NYG RB

1.07: Cooper Kupp, LAR WR

1.08: Tyreek Hill, MIA WR

1.09: Travis Kelce, KC TE

1.10: Bijan Robinson, ATL RB

1.11: Chris Olave, NO WR

1.12: Josh Jacobs, LV RB

 

Thoughts: A few players seem to have a case for the top pick this year, but McCaffrey is back to being dominant in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Durability is really the only concern.

 

Round 2

2.01: Tony Pollard, DAL RB

2.02: Garrett Wilson, NYJ WR

2.03: Derrick Henry, TEN RB

2.04: A.J. Brown, PHI WR

2.05: Stefon Diggs, BUF WR

2.06: Rhamondre Stevenson, NE RB

2.07: Nick Chubb, CLE RB

2.08: CeeDee Lamb, DAL WR

2.09: Breece Hall, NYJ RB

2.10: Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET WR

2.11: Kenneth Walker III, SEA RB

2.12: Jalen Hurts, PHI QB

 

Thoughts: Hurts and McCaffrey are probably the two biggest difference-makers in the game, so I’ll gladly start off my roster with them anchoring it. The quarterback sneaks not being outlawed gives Hurts the edge over Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.

 

Round 3

3.01: Davante Adams, LV WR

3.02: Travis Etienne Jr., JAX RB

3.03: Cam Akers, LAR RB

3.04: T.J. Hockenson, MIN TE

3.05: Najee Harris, PIT RB

3.06: Jaylen Waddle, MIA WR

3.07: Dalvin Cook, MIN RB

3.08: Mark Andrews, BAL TE

3.09: Joe Mixon, CIN RB

3.10: DK Metcalf, SEA WR

3.11: Aaron Jones, GB RB

3.12: Tee Higgins, CIN WR

 

Thoughts: Adams saw a career-high 180 targets last season, and there is no reason to expect he won’t be in the ballpark of his numbers from the past three seasons with lines of 115/1,374/18, 123/1,553/11, and 100/1,516/14.

 

Round 4

4.01: DeVonta Smith, PHI WR

4.02: Christian Watson, GB WR

4.03: Miles Sanders, CAR RB

4.04: Dameon Pierce, HOU RB

4.05: Javonte Williams, DEN RB

4.06: Keenan Allen, LAC WR

4.07: Josh Allen, BUF QB

4.08: Patrick Mahomes, KC QB

4.09: J.K. Dobbins, BAL RB

4.10: Drake London, ATL WR

4.11: Deebo Samuel, SF WR

4.12: James Conner, ARI RB

 

Thoughts: Deebo Samuel lasting until the end of Round 4 is crazy, but he unfortunately didn’t fall one more spot—and there seems to be a significant drop off after him. Conner is at least positioned to be a workhorse after Arizona declined to add a running back in the draft.

 

Round 5

5.01: Jahmyr Gibbs, DET RB

5.02: D.J. Moore, CHI WR

5.03: Lamar Jackson, BAL QB

5.04: Tyler Lockett, SEA WR

5.05: Amari Cooper, CLE WR

5.06: DeAndre Hopkins, ARI WR

5.07: James Cook, BUF RB

5.08: Chris Godwin, TB WR

5.09: Rachaad White, TB RB

5.10: George Kittle, SF TE

5.11: Joe Burrow, CIN QB

5.12: Michael Pittman Jr., IND WR

 

Thoughts: I very nearly took Lamar Jackson or Justin Fields—despite already having Jalen Hurts—because that’s where the best value is, and they could be a valuable trade chip; but Gibbs’ upside is also worth investing in at this point.

 

Round 6

6.01: Dallas Goedert, PHI TE

6.02: Alvin Kamara, NO RB

6.03: Terry McLaurin, WAS WR

6.04: Justin Fields, CHI QB

6.05: Isiah Pacheco, KC RB

6.06: Kyle Pitts, ATL TE

6.07: Jerry Jeudy, DEN WR

6.08: D’Andre Swift, PHI RB

6.09: Brandon Aiyuk, SF WR

6.10: Darren Waller, NYG TE

6.11: Justin Herbert, LAC QB

6.12: Mike Williams, LAC WR

 

Thoughts: Williams is another upside option, and he pairs nicely with the floor of Davante Adams. Also, I blocked a potential stack for the team that just took Justin Herbert (not that it was a consideration for me picking Williams).

 

Round 7

7.01: David Montgomery, DET RB

7.02: Calvin Ridley, JAX WR

7.03: Jamaal Williams, NO RB

7.04: Deshaun Watson, CLE QB

7.05: Christian Kirk, JAX WR

7.06: Mike Evans, TB WR

7.07: Diontae Johnson, PIT WR

7.08: Brian Robinson Jr., WAS RB

7.09: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA WR

7.10: Trevor Lawrence, JAX QB

7.11: George Pickens, PIT WR

7.12: Dak Prescott, DAL QB

 

Thoughts: Montgomery’s stock took a hit with the selection of Jahmyr Gibbs, but he still profiles as a low-end RB2 option with high touchdown potential after Jamaal Williams rushed for 17 touchdowns last year in Detroit. I would just hope having both Montgomery and Gibbs doesn’t create too much frustration.

 

Round 8

8.01: Khalil Herbert, CHI RB

8.02: Alexander Mattison, MIN RB

8.03: Treylon Burks, TEN WR

8.04: Jordan Addison, MIN WR

8.05: AJ Dillon, GB RB

8.06: Damien Harris, BUF RB

8.07: Marquise Brown, ARI WR

8.08: Courtland Sutton, DEN WR

8.09: Rashod Bateman, BAL WR

8.10: Samaje Perine, DEN RB

8.11: Rashaad Penny, PHI RB

8.12: Gabe Davis, BUF WR

 

Thoughts: Buffalo still has high expectations for Davis, and him dealing with a high-ankle sprain last year shouldn’t go overlooked. The addition of tight end Dalton Kincaid in the first round should help open some space for Buffalo on the outside.

 

Round 9

9.01: Michael Thomas, NO WR

9.02: Jahan Dotson, WAS WR

9.03: Tyler Allgeier, ATL RB

9.04: Jameson Williams, DET WR

9.05: Kadarius Toney, KC WR

9.06: Brandin Cooks, DAL WR

9.07: Jakobi Meyers, LV WR

9.08: Antonio Gibson, WAS RB

9.09: Jeff Wilson Jr., MIA RB

9.10: JuJu Smith-Schuster, NE WR

9.11: Skyy Moore, KC WR

9.12: DJ Chark, CAR WR

 

Thoughts: Thomas is another risk at wide receiver, but all it takes is one of them hitting to make WR2 a strength behind Davante Adams. That said, Thomas has notably been limited to 56 receptions across the past three years after a record-breaking campaign in 2019.

 

Round 10

10.01: Devin Singletary, HOU RB

10.02: Cole Kmet, CHI TE

10.03: Elijah Mitchell, SF RB

10.04: Elijah Moore, CLE WR

10.05: Quentin Johnston, LAC WR

10.06: Kenneth Gainwell, PHI RB

10.07: Darnell Mooney, CHI WR

10.08: Nico Collins, HOU WR

10.09: Jaylen Warren, PIT RB

10.10: D’Onta Foreman, CHI RB

10.11: Odell Beckham Jr., BAL WR

10.12: Evan Engram, JAX TE

 

Thoughts: Engram still being available changed my plans to wait on tight end even longer, as he was phenomenal last December with lines of 5/30/1, 11/162/2, 8/62, and 7/113. The selection of rookie Brenton Strange in Round 2 shouldn’t impact the starter’s outlook in 2023.

 

Round 11

11.01: Ezekiel Elliott, FA RB

11.02: Zay Flowers, BAL WR

11.03: Rondale Moore, ARI WR

11.04: Michael Gallup, DAL WR

11.05: Adam Thielen, CAR WR

11.06: Allen Lazard, NYJ WR

11.07: Romeo Doubs, GB WR

11.08: Zach Charbonnet, SEA RB

11.09: Kareem Hunt, FA RB

11.10: Tyler Boyd, CIN WR

11.11: Jerick McKinnon, KC RB

11.12: Zay Jones, JAX WR

 

Thoughts: Elliott is a quality lottery ticket at this point of the offseason for those drafting early—especially with Dallas suggesting he could return. Despite again playing injured last year, Zeke totaled 12 touchdowns and saw close to 250 touches.

 

Round 12

12.01: Kirk Cousins, MIN QB

12.02: Leonard Fournette, FA RB

12.03: Tua Tagovailoa, MIA QB

12.04: Hunter Renfrow, LV WR

12.05: Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE WR

12.06: Pat Freiermuth, PIT TE

12.07: Rashid Shaheed, NO WR

12.08: David Njoku, CLE TE

12.09: Daniel Jones, NYG QB

12.10: Raheem Mostert, MIA RB

12.11: Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG WR

12.12: Allen Robinson II, PIT WR

 

Thoughts: The Steelers are gearing up to throw the ball more in 2023, and it’s easy to imagine Robinson becoming a favorite target for Kenny Pickett. Not only does the veteran have an ability to uncover underneath, but he can also be a factor in scoring territory.

 

Round 13

13.01: Devon Achane, MIA RB

13.02: Dalton Schultz, HOU TE

13.03: Greg Dulcich, DEN TE

13.04: Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL RB

13.05: Tyjae Spears, TEN RB

13.06: Juwan Johnson, NO TE

13.07: Russell Wilson, DEN QB

13.08: Joshua Kelley, LAC RB

13.09: Geno Smith, SEA QB

13.10: 49ers D/ST

13.11: Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN TE

13.12: Zamir White, LV RB

 

Thoughts: Achane is one of a few rookies that are sure to climb in the coming weeks/months, but he’s a tremendous target late in drafts if the ADP doesn’t rise too much. The size isn’t a concern if you watched him play at Texas A&M.

 

Round 14

14.01: Dalton Kincaid, BUF TE

14.02: Sean Tucker, TB RB

14.03: Michael Carter, NYJ RB

14.04: Roschon Johnson, CHI RB

14.05: Aaron Rodgers, NYJ QB

14.06: Jared Goff, DET QB

14.07: Chuba Hubbard, CAR RB

14.08: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC RB

14.09: Tim Patrick, DEN WR

14.10: Anthony Richardson, IND QB

14.11: James Robinson, NE RB

14.12: Kyler Murray, ARI QB

 

Thoughts: Murray is another excellent late-round option, and those with at least one IR spot should be able to stash him for down the stretch. As always, you should draft a defense and kicker in the final two rounds (I’m not sure what the FantasyPros algorithm is doing with all the free agents selected at kicker).

 

Round 15

15.01: Eagles D/ST

15.02: Bills D/ST

15.03: Dolphins D/ST

15.04: Cowboys D/ST

15.05: Jets D/ST

15.06: Broncos D/ST

15.07: Ravens D/ST

15.08: Patriots D/ST

15.09: Tyler Davis, FA K

15.10: Dawson Knox, BUF TE

15.11: Steelers D/ST

15.12: Buccaneers D/ST

 

Round 16

16.01: Justin Tucker, BAL K

16.02: Harrison Butker, KC K

16.03: Daniel Carlson, LV K

16.04: Bengals D/ST

16.05: Tyler Bass, BUF K

16.06: Evan McPherson, CIN K

16.07: Younghoe Koo, ATL K

16.08: Robbie Gould, FA K

16.09: Nick Folk, NE K

16.10: Ryan Succop, FA K

16.11: Jason Sanders, MIA K

16.12: Matt Gay, IND K

 

Final Roster

QB: Jalen Hurts, PHI

RB: Christian McCaffrey, SF

RB: James Conner, ARI

WR: Davante Adams, LV

WR: Mike Williams, LAC

TE: Evan Engram, JAX

FLEX: Jahmyr Gibbs, DET RB

D/ST: Eagles

K: Matt Gay, IND

BE: David Montgomery, DET RB

BE: Gabe Davis, BUF WR

BE: Michael Thomas, NO WR

BE: Ezekiel Elliott, FA RB

BE: Allen Robinson II, PIT WR

BE: Devon Achane, MIA RB

BE: Kyler Murray, ARI QB