Whether it’s doing tons of real drafts or preparing for a Labor Day weekend draft with countless mocks, fantasy football season is now the focus for many. Our first mock draft of the “summer” is for a 12-team, 0.5 PPR league.

 

Round 1

1.01: Ja’Marr Chase, CIN WR

1.02: Saquon Barkley, PHI RB

1.03: Jahmyr Gibbs, DET RB

1.04: Bijan Robinson, ATL RB

1.05: Justin Jefferson, MIN WR

1.06: CeeDee Lamb, DAL WR

1.07: Nico Collins, HOU WR

1.08: Malik Nabers, NYG WR

1.09: Derrick Henry, BAL RB

1.10: Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET WR

1.11: Puka Nacua, LAR WR

1.12: Brian Thomas Jr., JAX WR

 

Thoughts: Ja’Marr Chase goes first in quite a few drafts, and that’s certainly understandable. However, it’s tough to go against a top-flight running back like Saquon Barkley or Jahmyr Gibbs, so I’m thrilled to get Gibbs at No. 3.

 

Round 2

2.01: Ashton Jeanty, LV RB

2.02: De’Von Achane, MIA RB

2.03: Josh Jacobs, GB RB

2.04: Drake London, ATL WR

2.05: Christian McCaffrey, SF RB

2.06: Jonathan Taylor, IND RB

2.07: A.J. Brown, PHI WR

2.08: Chase Brown, CIN RB

2.09: Brock Bowers, LV TE

2.10: Bucky Irving, TB RB

2.11: Ladd McConkey, LAC WR

2.12: Trey McBride, ARI TE

 

Thoughts: I considered taking a quarterback here, but there are three to view as a high-end option—so it makes sense to hope at least one is there in a few picks. Instead, Bucky Irving gives me another clear RB1 as the foundation of the roster.

 

Round 3

3.01: Josh Allen, BUF QB

3.02: George Kittle, SF TE

3.03: Lamar Jackson, BAL QB

3.04: Tyreek Hill, MIA WR

3.05: Kyren Williams, LAR RB

3.06: James Cook, BUF RB

3.07: Alvin Kamara, NO RB

3.08: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA WR

3.09: Tee Higgins, CIN WR

3.10: Jayden Daniels, WAS QB

3.11: Terry McLaurin, WAS WR

3.12: Breece Hall, NYJ RB

 

Thoughts: Josh Allen might have been given the slight advantage over Lamar Jackson if both were on the board, but it’s really a coin flip. Last season, Jackson had a whopping 25.3 fantasy points per game thanks to 45 total touchdowns and just four interceptions.

 

Round 4

4.01: Mike Evans, TB WR

4.02: Joe Mixon, HOU RB

4.03: Kenneth Walker III, SEA RB

4.04: Chuba Hubbard, CAR RB

4.05: Garrett Wilson, NYJ WR

4.06: Sam LaPorta, DET TE

4.07: David Montgomery, DET RB

4.08: Jalen Hurts, PHI QB

4.09: Davante Adams, LAR WR

4.10: DK Metcalf, PIT WR

4.11: Rashee Rice, KC WR

4.12: DJ Moore, CHI WR

 

Thoughts: Davante Adams falling one more spot would have been awesome, but I’m happy with DK Metcalf—who should see heavy targets whether or not Aaron Rodgers signs in Pittsburgh.

 

Round 5

5.01: James Conner, ARI RB

5.02: Courtland Sutton, DEN WR

5.03: Quinshon Judkins, CLE RB

5.04: D’Andre Swift, CHI RB

5.05: Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI WR

5.06: Chris Godwin, TB WR

5.07: Aaron Jones Sr., MIN RB

5.08: Omarion Hampton, LAC RB

5.09: Zay Flowers, BAL WR

5.10: Jameson Williams, DET WR

5.11: Joe Burrow, CIN QB

5.12: Xavier Worthy, KC WR

 

Thoughts: Going with a second wideout was a strong consideration, but there are a few promising WR2 options with WR1 potential who might be available in Round 6. I like the idea of bolstering the running backs with the addition of  well-rounded rookie Quinshon Judkins.

 

Round 6

6.01: Patrick Mahomes, KC QB

6.02: DeVonta Smith, PHI WR

6.03: Brian Robinson Jr., WAS RB

6.04: Baker Mayfield, TB QB

6.05: T.J. Hockenson, MIN TE

6.06: Chris Olave, NO WR

6.07: Bo Nix, DEN QB

6.08: TreVeyon Henderson, NE RB

6.09: Jerry Jeudy, CLE WR

6.10: George Pickens, DAL WR

6.11: Tony Pollard, TEN RB

6.12: Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG RB

 

Thoughts: Looking at how the board fell, it was probably unrealistic to expect one of my preferred targets at wide receiver to last until my pick. Still, George Pickens is another big-play option to pair with DK Metcalf—even if the two won’t end up sharing the field in real life.

 

Round 7

7.01: Jaylen Warren, PIT RB

7.02: Kyler Murray, ARI QB

7.03: Jaylen Waddle, MIA WR

7.04: Justin Herbert, LAC QB

7.05: Isiah Pacheco, KC RB

7.06: RJ Harvey, DEN RB

7.07: Jared Goff, DET QB

7.08: Kaleb Johnson, PIT RB

7.09: Deebo Samuel, WAS WR

7.10: Najee Harris, LAC RB

7.11: Jordan Addison, MIN WR

7.12: Rome Odunze, CHI WR

 

Thoughts: I nearly pulled the trigger on Waddle in Round 6, and an argument for made for him getting a boost simply due to the volatility of Tyreek Hill. If he’s in more of the “Robin” role, Waddle still has shown a high floor with the usual high ceiling when he hits on a chunk play.

 

Round 8

8.01: Travis Hunter, JAX WR

8.02: Tetairoa McMillan, CAR WR

8.03: Rhamondre Stevenson, NE RB

8.04: Jauan Jennings, SF WR

8.05: Javonte Williams, DAL RB

8.06: Brandon Aiyuk, SF WR

8.07: Jayden Reed, GB WR

8.08: Cam Skattebo, NYG RB

8.09: Rico Dowdle, CAR RB

8.10: Travis Etienne Jr., JAX RB

8.11: Tank Bigsby, JAX RB

8.12: Zach Charbonnet, SEA RB

 

Thoughts: Perhaps rookie Bhayshul Tuten will throw a wrench into the backfield, but Travis Etienne Jr. as the RB4 on the roster was too good of a value to pass up. When new head coach Liam Coen was hired, he talked up Etienne and emphasized getting the run game going.

 

Round 9

9.01: Calvin Ridley, TEN WR

9.02: Jordan Mason, MIN RB

9.03: Travis Kelce, KC TE

9.04: Rachaad White, TB RB

9.05: Jakobi Meyers, LV WR

9.06: Stefon Diggs, NE WR

9.07: Tyjae Spears, TEN RB

9.08: Ray Davis, BUF RB

9.09: Khalil Shakir, BUF WR

9.10: Jalen McMillan, TB WR

9.11: Ricky Pearsall, SF WR

9.12: Mark Andrews, BAL TE

 

Thoughts: Travis Kelce lasting until nearly pick No. 100 is an oddity based on his history as a fantasy difference-maker, but the concern is that he’s lost a step. That said, 2025 feels like the final season for Kelce, and I’d bet on him being focused to go out while playing at a high level.

 

Round 10

10.01: Austin Ekeler, WAS RB

10.02: Josh Downs, IND WR

10.03: Christian Kirk, HOU WR

10.04: Jonnu Smith, MIA TE

10.05: Brock Purdy, SF QB

10.06: Cooper Kupp, SEA WR

10.07: Matthew Golden, GB WR

10.08: Keon Coleman, BUF WR

10.09: Michael Pittman Jr., IND WR

10.10: Marvin Mims Jr., DEN WR

10.11: Darnell Mooney, ATL WR

10.12: Jerome Ford, CLE RB

 

Thoughts: Marvin Mims Jr. was a stud down the stretch for Denver—catching 28 passes for 434 yards (15.5 average) and six touchdowns over the final seven games. If the growing chemistry with Bo Nix picks up where it left off, watch out.

 

Round 11

11.01: Luther Burden III, CHI WR

11.02: Isaac Guerendo, SF RB

11.03: Hollywood Brown, KC WR

11.04: Blake Corum, LAR RB

11.05: Jayden Higgins, HOU WR

11.06: Jack Bech, LV WR

11.07: Trey Benson, ARI RB

11.08: Rashid Shaheed, NO WR

11.09: Tyler Allgeier, ATL RB

11.10: David Njoku, CLE TE

11.11: Rashod Bateman, BAL WR

11.12: Jaylen Wright, MIA RB

 

Thoughts: I know it was also the case last year, but Patrick Mahomes wants downfield passing to be reunlocked in Kansas City—and having Hollywood Brown healthy could allow them to be successful in that effort.

 

Round 12

12.01: Broncos D/ST

12.02: Emeka Egbuka, TB WR

12.03: Evan Engram, DEN TE

12.04: Braelon Allen, NYJ RB

12.05: Caleb Williams, CHI QB

12.06: Jordan Love, GB QB

12.07: Bhayshul Tuten, JAX RB

12.08: Cedric Tillman, CLE WR

12.09: Keenan Allen, FA WR

12.10: Jaydon Blue, DAL RB

12.11: Dak Prescott, DAL QB

12.12: Dylan Sampson, CLE RB

 

Thoughts: The Dallas backfield is wide open, and the team reportedly isn’t expected to make any additions before the season. Jaydon Blue will at least contribute as an excellent receiving option, and he’s being overlooked after lasting until the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

 

Round 13

13.01: Quentin Johnston, LAC WR

13.02: Adam Thielen, CAR WR

13.03: Joshua Palmer, BUF WR

13.04: C.J. Stroud, HOU QB

13.05: Dalton Kincaid, BUF TE

13.06: Tucker Kraft, GB TE

13.07: Romeo Doubs, GB WR

13.08: MarShawn Lloyd, GB RB

13.09: Eagles D/ST

13.10: Steelers D/ST

13.11: Zach Ertz, WAS TE

13.12: J.K. Dobbins, FA RB

 

Thoughts: Buffalo targeted Joshua Palmer this offseason and signed him to a three-year, $29 million deal, so Round 13 is a nice value for a guy who should be close to a full-time player catching passes from Josh Allen. The former Charger has averaged 15.0+ yards per reception in reach of the past two seasons.

 

Round 14

14.01: Dallas Goedert, PHI TE

14.02: Roschon Johnson, CHI RB

14.03: Tre Harris, LAC WR

14.04: Audric Estimé, DEN RB

14.05: Jake Ferguson, DAL TE

14.06: Devin Neal, NO RB

14.07: Kendre Miller, NO RB

14.08: Kyle Pitts, ATL TE

14.09: Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN RB

14.10: Isaiah Likely, BAL TE

14.11: Kareem Hunt, KC RB

14.12: Nick Chubb, FA RB

 

Thoughts: Trevor Lawrence could have been added as a second quarterback and somehow ended up going undrafted, but I like the stack with Lamar Jackson and Isaiah Likely. In addition to providing some insurance if Travis Kelce doesn’t pan out, Likely could be a FLEX option when bye weeks begin.

 

Round 15

15.01: Ravens D/ST

15.02: Jets D/ST

15.03: Vikings D/ST

15.04: Chiefs D/ST

15.05: Chargers D/ST

15.06: Lions D/ST

15.07: Texas D/ST

15.08: Brandon Aubrey, DAL K

15.09: Colston Loveland, CHI TE

15.10: Ollie Gordon II, MIA RB

15.11: Bills D/ST

15.12: Justin Fields, NYJ QB

 

Round 16

16.01: Jake Bates, DET K

16.02: Chris Boswell, PIT K

16.03: Cameron Dicker, LAC K

16.04: Wil Lutz, DEN K

16.05: Rams D/ST

16.06: Ka’imi Fairbairn, HOU K

16.07: Evan McPherson, CIN K

16.08: Justin Tucker, FA K

16.09: Matt Gay, WAS K

16.10: Tyler Loop, BAL K

16.11: Jason Sanders, MIA K

16.12: Chase McLaughlin, TB K

 

Final Roster

QB: Lamar Jackson, BAL

RB: Jahmyr Gibbs, DET

RB: Bucky Irving, TB

WR: DK Metcalf, PIT

WR: George Pickens, DAL

TE: Travis Kelce, KC

FLEX: Quinshon Judkins, CLE RB

D/ST: Minnesota Vikings

K: Tyler Loop, BAL

BE: Jaylen Waddle, MIA WR

BE: Travis Etienne Jr., JAX RB

BE: Marvin Mims Jr., DEN WR

BE: Hollywood Brown, KC WR

BE: Jaydon Blue, DAL RB

BE: Joshua Palmer, BUF WR

BE: Isaiah Likely, BAL TE