Trenton Corn’s fantasy football mock draft breakdown
Trenton Corn walks us through a fantasy football mock draft and gives his thought process for each selection.
Welcome to my 2nd annual fantasy football mock draft breakdown! In this simulation, I’ll perform a mock draft, breaking down my thought processes and selections, as well as give you guys tips on how I approach each draft.
The roster and scoring settings are as followed:
12 team league
Half point PPR scoring*
1 QB
2 RB
3 WR
1 TE
1 FLX
6 BN
(Tips for commissioners out there, take out team defenses and kickers in your league and you’ll find it to be more fun, predictable and competitive!)
Last year my roster (drafted from the 1.07 position) was as followed:
QB: Kyler Murray (5.07)
RB: Aaron Jones (2.06)
RB: Josh Jacobs (4.06)
WR: Ja’Marr Chase (1.07)
WR: Mike Williams (3.07)
WR: Juju Smith-Schuster (7.07)
TE: Cole Kmet (10.06)
FLX: Kareem Hunt (6.06)
BN: Rashaad Penny (8.06)
BN: Robert Woods (9.07)
BN: Jalen Tolbert (11.07)
BN: Mecole Hardman (12.06)
BN: Sammy Watkins (13.07)
BN: Trey Sermon (14.06)
As you can tell, some things didn’t work out my way. However, as I said at the end of the article last year, fantasy leagues aren’t won in your drafts, you’re only laying a strong foundation for your team moving forward. Working the waiver wire and trade market with the team I drafted last season could’ve easily made the playoffs in your home leagues.
In this years draft, I will be picking from the 7 overall spot again to ensure I don’t get an early draft selection or turnaround pick. Wish me luck.
Round 1: Tyreek Hill
1.01: Justin Jefferson
1.02: Christian McCaffery
1.03: Cooper Kupp
1.04: Ja’Marr Chase
1.05: Austin Ekeler
1.06: Bijan Robinson
1.07: Tyreek Hill
1.08: Travis Kelce
1.09: Saquon Barkley
1.10: Jonathan Taylor
1.11: Ceedee Lamb
1.12: AJ Brown
Coming into this draft, I thought my RB1 overall, Bijan Robinson would’ve fell to me. However, it wouldn’t be a fantasy draft if things went exactly my way, as he went one spot before me.
I thought about Travis Kelce for a split second here, but like to start my drafts with two RB’s & WR’s within my first four picks to give me good balance to start my drafts. Taking Kelce or a QB like Josh Allen in rounds 1-2 hurts your RB & WR depth and forces you to force players on your team you don’t necessarily want later on.
Additionally, you’ll notice that I pivoted to a WR after wanting a RB heading into the selection. This is a good lesson as far as not forcing a position when a player you were targeting at a certain position doesn’t fall to you. Tyreek Hill is right up there with Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Cooper Kupp to me as far as what he brings to your fantasy lineups, so I’m satisfied with the selection.
Round 2: Davante Adams
2.01: Patrick Mahomes
2.02: Nick Chubb
2.03: Stefon Diggs
2.04: Derrick Henry
2.05: Garrett Wilson
2.06: Davante Adams
2.07: Amon-Ra St. Brown
2.08: Josh Jacobs
2.09: Josh Allen
2.10: Jaylen Waddle
2.11: Tony Pollard
2.12: Rhamondre Stevenson
I played a little ADP game here in the second round and took the gamble that Najee Harris (who was the 12th player down on the ADP list after my Adams selection) could make it back to me in the 3rd round 13 picks later.
I understand why Adams went after guys such as Ceedee Lamb, AJ Brown, Stefon Diggs and Garrett Wilson because of each players respective QB situation, but Adams is my WR5 and should still be amazing for fantasy.
Starting my draft with two top five WR’s in my personal rankings is worth the risk of not landing Najee Harris in round three. Not to mention, Adams and his consistent performances pairs well with Hill’s explosiveness.
Round 3: Joe Mixon
3.01: Tee Higgins
3.02: Jalen Hurts
3.03: Breece Hall
3.04: DeVonta Smith
3.05: Chris Olave
3.06: Najee Harris
3.07: Joe Mixon
3.08: DK Metcalf
3.09: Mark Andrews
3.10: Travis Etienne
3.11: Joe Burrow
3.12: Keenan Allen
The gamble BARLEY didn’t pan out, as I was one pick away from having two top five ranked wideouts and one of my top five ranked running backs, as Najee Harris went ONE pick before me.
Joe Mixon is my 12th ranked RB and is a nice consolation prize. He averaged the 9th most fantasy points per game at the position last year and honestly could do even better with Samaje Perine now in Denver. He’s in one of the most explosive offenses in football and should provide very good weekly consistency for me.
Round 4: Jahmyr Gibbs
4.01: Kenneth Walker
4.02: Aaron Jones
4.03: TJ Hockenson
4.04: Deandre Hopkins
4.05: Lamar Jackson
4.06: Jahmyr Gibbs
4.07: Deebo Samuel
4.08: JK Dobbins
4.09: Amari Cooper
4.10: Terry Mclaurin
4.11: DJ Moore
4.12: Justin Fields
Gibbs was a player I debated taking over Mixon in round three and got lucky to see himself fall to me here in round four. The draft taketh away Bijan Robinson & Najee Harris, but giveth Gibbs.
The selection of Gibbs achieved my goal of walking into every draft with having two RB’s & two WR’s within the first four rounds to create good depth and a good foundation for the construction of my team.
Gibbs clocked in as my RB15 in my rankings, with what should be a very lucrative pass catching role in this Lions offense. His explosiveness pairs well with Joe Mixon and his consistent volume, similar to Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams.
A tip for fantasy managers, you don’t want your wideout room consisting of players such as Christian Watson, Mike Williams and Mike Evans. Those three are very good players and will provide good end of season numbers, but should be very volatile consistency wise. Having reliable players such as Keenan Allen and Tyler Lockett to pair alongside them makes your team bulletproof on a weekly basis.
The same case should be made for your RB room as well. You don’t want safe players who won’t ever win you weeks, but you also don’t want explosive players who’s not reliable either. You need a good balance.
Round 5: Trevor Lawrence
5.01: George Kittle
5.02: Calvin Ridley
5.03: Justin Herbert
5.04: Drake London
5.05: Dameon Pierce
5.06: Christian Watson
5.07: Trevor Lawrence
5.08: Miles Sanders
5.09: Jerry Jeudy
5.10: Cam Akers
5.11: D’Andre Swift
5.12: Chris Godwin
If you guys have read any of my previous articles, you’ll know about my “round five rule”.
If you have no idea what the heck I’m talking about, I essentially target the QB position in round five after starting drafts with two RB’s & WR’s.
This draft strategy gives me upside similar to early round QB’s without giving up on early draft capital at the other positions, but also gives you more consistency at the position than if you were to punt the position all together.
For a more in-depth viewpoint on this philosophy, check out my QB rankings, where I break it all down.
Trevor Lawrence and this Jaguars offense is expected to take an even bigger step forward this season, as I can easily see Lawrence becoming a top five quarterback by seasons end.
Round 6: Alexander Mattison
6.01: Dallas Goedert
6.02: Michael Pittman
6.03: Tyler Lockett
6.04: Mike Williams
6.05: Marquise Brown
6.06: Alexander Mattison
6.07: Kyle Pitts
6.08: Dalvin Cook
6.09: Brandon Aiyuk
6.10: James Conner
6.11: Christian Kirk
6.12: Alvin Kamara
Relying on a rookie breakout of Gibbs and the RB landscape at the time of the selection looking like Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, James Conner and Rachaad White, I decided to add to my RB depth. You need a TON of RB depth in fantasy with how fragile the position is, so when you think you’ve drafted enough RB’s, go ahead and select another one.
Mattison has shown flashes when Dalvin Cook has missed time in the past and now seemingly has the backfield to himself in an offense that allowed Cook finish as the RB10 last season.
Round 7: George Pickens
7.01: Rachaad White
7.02: Darren Waller
7.03: Jaxson Smith-Njigba
7.04: David Montgomery
7.05: Mike Evans
7.06: Treylon Burks
7.07: George Pickens
7.08: Dionte Johnson
7.09: Isiah Pacheco
7.10: Jordan Addison
7.11: Javonte Williams
7.12: James Cook
With Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams as my current wideouts, I decided to get aggressive with my WR3 and select my 32nd ranked WR, George Pickens.
He was a big play waiting to happen in his rookie season, who could flirt with being a top 24 wideout and post numbers statistically similar to the likes of Tee Higgins, Christian Watson or Mike Evans if he fully entrenches himself as the Steelers WR1 and finds ways to garner more separation in year two.
Through weeks 4-18 (weeks Kenny Pickett played) last season, he was the WR25 in that span.
I thought about another high upside year two breakout WR in Jahan Dotson, but decided to take Pickens here because I think he has a better chance to become his teams WR1.
Again, knowing how to layer your roster goes a long ways in drafts. In round six I decided to shore up my RB room with the unknown of Gibbs and decided that I could swing for the fences in round seven for my WR3 position with how strong the other two wideouts on my roster were.
Round 8: Gabe Davis
8.01: Jahan Dotson
8.02: Kadarius Toney
8.03: Dak Prescott
8.04: Deshaun Watson
8.05: AJ Dillon
8.06: Gabe Davis
8.07: Tua Tagovailoa
8.08: Brandin Cooks
8.09: Antonio Gibson
8.10: Quentin Johnston
8.11: Rashaad Penny
8.12: Zay Flowers
Gabe Davis sounds like your prototypical “post hype sleeper”. What is that, you ask?
Well, coming into the season last year, Davis was highly sought after in fantasy drafts after a historic playoff run the season prior. However, he finished as the WR27, which isn’t what many had in mind.
Because of that, he’s being left behind by a lot of fantasy managers, as last years WR27 was the 41st WR taken in this draft. A TREMENDOUS value. You essentially are guaranteed to not lose any draft return value with this selection and in my opinion, Davis still has the opportunity to have a breakthrough season as well with Isiah McKenzie out of the picture, vacating 65 targets.
Round 9: De’Von Achane
9.01: Brian Robinson
9.02: Juju Smith-Schuster
9.03: Michael Thomas
9.04: Pat Freiermuth
9.05: Evan Engram
9.06: David Njoku
9.07: De’Von Achane
9.08: Zach Charbonnet
9.09: Rashod Bateman
9.10: Anthony Richardson
9.11: Courtland Sutton
9.12: Jamaal Williams
At this point in the draft, you need to be swinging for the fences. In all likelihood, you’re probably not going to keep these players on your roster moving forward.
I don’t want a RB that might have more guaranteed production week one, but projects to be in a committee backfield this season. For example, guys like Brian Robinson, Damien Harris, Khalil Herbert or Samaje Perine doesn’t excite me like De’Von Achane does.
Achane is a perfect selection at this point, as there’s a direct path to be the Dolphins starting RB if he passes the other veterans currently on his team in Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson.
Even if he doesn’t receive the majority of the opportunities in the backfield to start, he was highly drafted so he should get an opportunity to make plays early on and has a perfect skillset for the Mike McDaniel offense. I see him working towards getting the most valuable touches in the offense and could be a reliable flex play or spot start a few weeks into the season.
Round 10: Jerick McKinnon
10.01: Samaje Perine
10.02: Khalil Herbert
10.03: Chigoziem Okonkwo
10.04: Jameson Williams
10.05: Damien Harris
10.06: Jerick McKinnon
10.07: Kirk Cousins
10.08: Daniel Jones
10.09: Elijah Moore
10.10: Aaron Rodgers
10.11: Dalton Schultz
10.12: Odell Beckham Jr
I could’ve played the ADP game again and hoped McKinnon would fall back around to me in round 11, but decided to go ahead and get my guy.
A lesson to be learned here, the ADP game is a useful tool to utilize in drafts, but don’t be too dependent on it. Draft your guys you want.
Many people have argued who Mahomes number two receiving option outside of Travis Kelce will be, but I believe McKinnon is currently his second most proven & reliable option.
From week 9 on last season after the Chiefs bye week, McKinnon was the RB6 in that span, as he produced 43 receptions for 396 yards and 8 touchdowns through the air. I think the touchdown rate will come down to earth a bit, but I can see him still getting eight total receiving touchdowns on the season with some rushing scores thrown in as well and becoming a draft day steal for fantasy managers. He’s a perfect player to take at this point in your draft. You’re swinging for the fences.
Round 11: Rondale Moore
11.01: Allen Lazard
11.02: Geno Smith
11.03: Dalton Kincaid
11.04: Elijah Mitchell
11.05: Cole Kmet
11.06: Jakobi Meyers
11.07: Rondale Moore
11.08: Jared Goff
11.09: Kendre Miller
11.10: Adam Thielen
11.11: Russell Wilson
11.12: Skyy Moore
Here’s what we know. Moore was a productive wideout in college and was a high draft selection in the draft, going 49th overall in the 2nd round.
So it’s not entirely shocking to see that when on the field (weeks 4-10), Moore saw five or more targets in all but one game and was the WR23 in that span.
With Moore having what’s hopefully a fully healthy season and now the Cardinals WR2 after the Deandre Hopkins release, he has a chance to not only give you a solid PPR baseline with his volume, but could give you some explosive weeks as well with his speed and big play ability. Like McKinnon, Moore could be a league winning draft day steal at the end of drafts.
Round 12: Romeo Doubs
12.01: Greg Dulcich
12.02: Tyler Allgeier
12.03: Tyler Boyd
12.04: Tyler Higbee
12.05: Darnell Mooney
12.06: Romeo Doubs
12.07: Jonathan Mingo
12.08: Devin Singletary
12.09: D’Onta Foreman
12.10: Raheem Mostert
12.11: Ezekiel Elliot
12.12: Bryce Young
With two backup Tight Ends going before me and a backup Quarterback being selected in this round, I decided to take the time to remind you guys to never draft a backup QB or TE.
For example, with Trevor Lawrence on my team, I’m not going to start any QB I’d select now over him except for when he has a bye week. Why would you waste a roster spot on a player you’re planning on using for just one week?
Here’s a handy tip for you guys. Look at your QB’s bye week and then matchup that bye week with a matchup against one of the worst defensive backfields in the league.
A quick google search tells me that the Tennessee Titans gave up a league leading 274.8 yards per game. The Titans opponent during Trevor Lawrence’s bye in week 9? The Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kenny Pickett should be a readily available streaming option and should have success that week. Not to mention I would then create a fun little Pickett & Pickens stack as well.
Romeo Doubs had more receptions than Christian Watson last year and has reportedly looked to be Jordan Love’s go-to guy this offseason. I can see a world where Doubs leads the Packers in receptions this season and could be a reliable PPR flex play.
Round 13: Tyquan Thornton
13.01: Roschon Johnson
13.02: Tank Bigsby
13.03: Jaylen Warren
13.04: Kyler Murray
13.05: Rashee Rice
13.06: Jeff Wilson
13.07: Tyquan Thornton
13.08: Sam Laporta
13.09: Jordan Love
13.10: Michael Gallup
13.11: Zay Jones
13.12: Nico Collins
This is a complete shot in the dark, but that’s what we’re looking for at this point.
Thornton has apparently been standing out in OTA’s & the 4.28 second year speedster could breakout and become the Patriots number one wideout with DeAndre Hopkins choosing to sign with the Tennessee Titans.
This is the type of selection you should make at this point in the draft. Although a player like Isiah Hodgins could give you five receptions for fifty yards in week one, you won’t ever play him and he’ll just always float on the bottom of your roster.
We’ll find out the first couple weeks if Thornton will be involved in this Patriots offense. If not, you could easily cut bait with him. If he hits, it could be HUGE.
Round 14: Taysom Hill
Last years TE5 in half point PPR scoring available in the last round?
You know me, I’m fully punting the TE position. Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and some of the other top TE’s are definitely quality options, but I just can’t get behind passing on quality RB’s and WR’s in early rounds for one.
Additionally, if it’s not a stud TE early, NOBODY is worth any other pick than your last selection just based on how the rest of the position is scoring wise.
Taysom Hill in at your TE spot seems gross, but you’re simply playing according to your leagues rules. Although much of his fantasy production is based on his rushing ability and he will likely give you some bust weeks, almost every TE outside of the top 3 will.
However, he will win you weeks by himself plenty of times as well. He had seven weeks as a top 10 TE, which was more than Mark Andrews last year (6). Additionally, his three finishes as a top three TE was more than last years TE2, TJ Hockenson (2).
Final roster:
QB: Trevor Lawrence (5.7)
RB: Joe Mixon (3.7)
RB: Jahmyr Gibbs (4.6)
WR: Tyreek Hill (1.7)
WR: Davante Adams (2.6)
WR: George Pickens (7.7)
TE: Taysom Hill (14.6)
FLX: Alexander Mattison (6.6)
Bench:
WR: Gabe Davis (8.6)
RB: De’Von Achane (9.7)
RB: Jerick McKinnon (10.6)
WR: Rondale Moore (11.7)
WR: Romeo Doubs (12.6)
WR: Tyquan Thornton (13.7)
Wrapping things up:
To put the finishing touches on this bad boy, I would just urge you guys to perform multiple mocks before your official draft to make sure you have a good understanding on where certain players are in terms of ADP.
Additionally, don’t forget that leagues aren’t won at the draft! Be sure to work the waiver wire and trade markets if you want to have success this season.