Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase Go 1-2 in Latest Fantasy Football Mock Draft
Fantasy football draft season is almost upon us, and we all know practice makes perfect, right? So, a few of us at Sports Illustrated got together for a 10-team, 14-round mock to follow up our previous 12-team mock draft. We utilized a basic scoring system with a full point for all receptions (PPR). The starting lineup includes a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight end and two flex positions (RB/WR/TE). There were no kickers or defenses in this particular mock.
As you’ll see in the breakdowns, many managers put a much greater emphasis on wide receivers due to the PPR format, not to mention having to start three players at the position and the trend of wideouts being more important in the earlier rounds. You’ll also see that you can still wait on quarterbacks and get a good one late. No matter what your strategy might be this season, this mock can give you an idea of how your roster might look based on the different build philosophies we used.
Listed below is a breakdown of all 10 teams from yours truly, including everyone’s draft positions and notes on their individual builds. Who had the best mock, and who might have fallen short at certain positions? Read along and find out!
(Note: You can view the entire draft results in the screenshot below).
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Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports
1. Jen Piacenti
1.1. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
2.10. Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys
3.1. Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
4.10. Joe Mixon RB, Bengals
5.1. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
6.10. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens
7.1. Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons
8.10. Brandin Cooks, WR, Cowboys
9.1. Quentin Johnston, WR, Chargers
10.10. Samaje Perine, RB, Broncos
11.1. Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
12.10. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Giants
13.1. Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks
14. 10. Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions
Notes: Jefferson was the top pick in the draft, which has been the norm for most mocks this offseason. Pollard is now a lock top-25 pick without Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas, and Higgins is a nice No. 2 wideout. Piacenti went on to draft two more Bengals, grabbing Mixon and Burrow. I don’t typically want three of my first five picks to come from the same team, but this is the Bengals. Dobbins could be a strong flex option if he avoids injuries, and drafting Pitts in Round 7 makes sense despite his disappointing 2022 campaign. Cooks is an underrated No. 3 wideout in fantasy, and Perine could be a flex in Denver until we find out the status of Javonte Williams. Piacenti’s build finished with two rookies, Charbonnet and LaPorta.
2. Doug Vazquez
1.2. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
2.9. Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
3.2. Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers
4.9. Calvin Ridley, WR, Jaguars
5.2. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
6.9. Miles Sanders, RB, Panthers
7.2. Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings
8.9. George Pickens, WR, Steelers
9.2. David Njoku, TE, Browns
10.9. Khalil Herbert, RB, Bears
11.2. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Patriots
12.9. Zay Jones, WR, Jaguars
13.2. Devin Singletary, RB, Texans
14. 9. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
Notes: Vazquez passed on Christian McCaffrey at No. 2 and began his build with Chase. It’s hard to argue with the pick. Henry is now coming off the board in the second round of drafts, and he could be a bargain if he duplicates his 2022 totals. Drafting Samuel in the third round is a risk-reward decision, but Vazquez’s wide receivers are solid at the top with Ridley as his third option. I also love grabbing Aaron Jones in the fifth round. That could be a steal. You could argue that taking Cousins in the seventh round is too high, especially when you consider the next quarterback didn’t get picked until the 13th round! I would have also taken Evan Engram ahead of David Njoku at tight end, but grabbing Smith-Schuster and Daniel Jones late is solid.
3. Craig Ellenport
1.3. Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers
2.8. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions
3.3. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots
4.8. Amari Cooper, WR, Browns
5.3. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
6.8. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
7.3. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos
8.8. Jamaal Williams, RB, Saints
9.3. Treylon Burks, WR, Titans
10.8. Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans
11.3. Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens
12.8. Elijah Mitchell, RB, 49ers
13.3. Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs
14.8. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
Notes: McCaffrey begins the build for Ellenport, who went with a balance of backs and wideouts in the first four rounds. He took breakout candidate Lawrence in the fifth round, ahead of Justin Herbert and Justin Fields. Grabbing Aiyuk and Jeudy creates a nice top four at wide receiver. Burks could also be a great bargain in the ninth round, and Schultz is a good later-round target if you’re waiting on a tight end. Notably, Ellenport took Bateman ahead of Odell Beckham Jr. among the Ravens receivers. He also took Mitchell to handcuff CMC and grabbed a nice No. 2 quarterback in Tagovailoa.
4. Dave Seperson
1.4. Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers
2.7. A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles
3.4. Najee Harris, RB, Steelers
4.7. Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
5.4. George Kittle, TE, 49ers
6.7. D’Andre Swift, RB, Eagles
7.4. DJ Moore, WR, Bears
8.7. Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
9.4. Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers
10.7. Rashaad Penny, RB, Eagles
11.4. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Ravens
12.7. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills
13.4. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
14.7. Zach Evans, RB, Chargers
Notes: Seperson also started with a balanced build, taking two runners and two wideouts in the first four rounds leading with Ekeler. He also took Kittle in the fifth round and continued to eat up more runners and receivers in the next six rounds. His picks include Swift as his No. 3 back and a streak of three straight receivers including Moore, Evans and Johnson. Notably, Evans is his No. 4 wideout. That’s how far he could fall in drafts. Seperson also proved you can wait on a quarterback and still get a good one, picking Prescott in the next to last round of the mock.
Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports
5. Bill Enright
1.5. Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
2.6. Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills
3.5. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins
4.6. Breece Hall, RB, Jets
5.5. Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings
6.6. Justin Fields, QB, Bears
7.5. Cam Akers, RB, Rams
8.6. Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers
9.5. Kadarius Toney, WR, Chiefs
10.6. Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars
11.5. D’Onta Foreman, RB, Bears
12.6. Elijah Moore, WR, Browns
13.5. Jerick McKinnon, RB, Chiefs
14.6. Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals
Notes: Enright has one of the most interesting builds in the draft, as he started with three straight wideouts in Kupp, Diggs and Waddle. That’s a solid trio. What makes this interesting to me is that Enright was still able to land Hall, Mattison, Akers and White as his top four backs. Unlike past years, you can actually wait two to three rounds and still get a solid backfield. He also got a great bargain in Engram, who fell to the 10th round. I also like getting Moore, who is getting a lot of very positive buzz around Browns camp. McKinnon could also be quite a nice bargain in Round 13.
6. Kyle Wood
1.6. Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
2.5. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
3.6. Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens
4.5. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens|
5.6. Ken Walker, RB, Seahawks
6.5. Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
7.6. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
8.5. James Conner, RB, Cardinals
9.6. Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders
10.5. Antonio Gibson, RB, Commanders
11.6. Jameson Williams, RB, Lions
12.5. Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers
13.6. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Titans
14.5. Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks
Notes: Wood’s build is a balanced one, as he started with a wideout, a running back and a top-tier tight end. He also grabbed Jackson in the fourth round to pair with his top target, Andrews. Walker is a risk-reward option with Charbonnet in the Seahawks backfield, but he’s still a nice fifth-rounder. Wood will need one of Godwin or Lockett to meet expectations as his No. 2 wideout, and I like Dotson as a potential sleeper in Round 9. Conner could be a nice value as his No. 3 runner in the eighth round, and I like grabbing Doubs and Okonkwo in the later rounds. Wood also landed Smith in the last round, which proves that last year’s QB5 still gets little draft respect.
7. Matt Verderame
1.7. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
2.4. Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
3.7. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
4.4. Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars
5.7. Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders
6.4. Drake London, WR, Falcons
7.7. Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
8.4. Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos
9.7. Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs
10.4. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Patriots
11.7. Gabe Davis, WR, Bills
12.4. Cole Kmet, TE, Bears
13.7. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Jets
14.4. Jakobi Meyers, WR, Raiders
Notes: Roster builds that begin with Kelce always interest me, because I’ve never been one to take a tight end early in drafts. Grabbing the superstar gives Verderame an advantage over the competition at the position, and Chubb is a solid pick in the second round. Taking Mahomes to pair with Kelce makes a lot of sense, and I like getting Etienne in Round 4. Since he waited until the fifth round to take his first wide receiver, Verderame took three straight in McLaurin, London and Mike Williams. That’s the risk you take when waiting on wideouts, but it’s still a decent trio. The selection of Javonte Williams could pay dividends as an eighth-rounder, but that pick also comes with obvious risk. I also like Pacheco as his No. 4 runner. Verderame also took the second rookie wideout, grabbing Smith-Njigba in the 10th round.
8. John Pluym
1.8. Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants
2.3. Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets
3.8. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
4.3. DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks
5.8. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Vikings
6.3. Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings
7.8. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
8.3. Christian Kirk, WR, Jaguars
9.8. Allen Lazard, WR, Jets
10.3. James Cook, RB, Bills
11.8. Devone Achane, RB, Dolphins
12.3. Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers
13.8. Dawson Knox, TE, Bills
14.3. Damien Harris, RB, Bills
Notes: Pluym was in a New York state of mind at the top of the draft, grabbing Barkley, Wilson and Allen with his first three picks. He also showed his loyalty to his favorite team, the Vikings, grabbing Hockenson and Addison in the fifth and sixth rounds, respectively. Grabbing Kamara in Round 7 could be a bargain, but it also has some risk when you consider he’s facing a potential suspension. That’s a big reason he's falling in drafts. Kirk was a solid choice in the eighth round, and I like grabbing Cook and Achane late. Both backs have some potential upside this season. Pluym also grabbed Harris, locking up the Buffalo backfield (at least, as it stands now).
9. Gilberto Manzano
1.9. Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons
2.2. Davante Adams, WR, Raiders
3.9. Chris Olave, WR, Saints
4.2. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions
5.9. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
6.2. Christian Watson, WR, Packers
7.9. Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles
8.2. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts
9.9. Brian Robinson, RB, Commanders
10.2. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers
11.9. Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens
12.2. Tyler Allgeier, RB, Falcons
13.9. Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts
14.2. Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears
Notes: Robinson continues to be locked in as a first-round pick, going ninth overall. As I recently wrote, fantasy managers should have no concerns taking him that high. There is some risk with Adams considering the Raiders questions at quarterback, but he’s still a solid second-rounder. I also love Olave as a breakout candidate for the Saints, and Gibbs should be a decent No. 2 in a PPR format … if he can avoid the Curse of Barry Sanders. Manzano hopes Herbert will bounce back from a disappointing 2022 campaign, and I like landing Goedert in the seventh. Pittman Jr., who has been slipping in drafts, could also be a bargain. I probably would have taken a fourth runner like Cook or Gibson ahead of Freiermuth in the 10th round, as he’ll be more of a backup on this roster behind Goedert. Taking Allgeier as a Robinson handcuff is a smart move, and getting Richardson late is a savvy move.
10. Michael Fabiano
1.10. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
2.1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
3.10. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
4.1. Devonta Smith, WR, Eagles
5.10. Dameon Pierce, RB, Texans
6.1. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, free agent
7.10. Dalvin Cook, RB, free agent
8.1. Darren Waller, TE, Giants
9.10. Marquise Brown, WR, Cardinals
10.1. David Montgomery, RB, Lions
11.10. Michael Thomas, WR, Saints
12.1. AJ Dillon, RB, Packers
13.10. Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams
14.1. Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns
Notes: I started my build with Lamb and Taylor, the latter of which could be a decent bargain after a disappointing 2022 season. I did something I typically don’t in the third round, grabbing a quarterback in Hurts. But as you’ll see, it didn’t “hurt” me. I still landed Smith as my second wideout and Pierce in Round 5 as my No. 2 back. I’m admittedly a little worried about Singletary’s presence in the Houston backfield, though. I also took chances on two free agents, Hopkins and Cook, in the sixth and seventh rounds. Waller comes with some risk due to injuries, but he’s a nice option in the eighth stanza. I stole Brown and Montgomery in the next two rounds, and I took a flier on Thomas as my fifth receiver. Dillon is a nice RB5, and taking Higbee and Watson as backups at their respective positions was a good finish.
