We’re less than two weeks away from the start of the NFL season, which means fantasy leagues are ramping up. If you have a draft around the corner, I’ve got you covered. I’m going to walk through a 12-team PPR mock draft from the No. 9 spot, providing analysis for each pick while also listing out every single selection for context.
In case you missed my last 12-team PPR mock from the No. 6 spot, click here to read it!
Round 1, Pick 9: Malik Nabers
Other top available players:
- Puka Nacua
- Christian McCaffrey
- Ashton Jeanty
The downside of Malik Nabers’ 2025 fantasy outlook is that he’s likely dealing with shaky quarterback play. The upside? He is the Giants’ offense. Nabers came out of the gates hot as a rookie last year, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s premier playmakers. He then suffered a concussion and struggled to return to form for a few weeks before ultimately finishing strong. This season, he has legitimate potential to finish as THE WR1 with a monstrous target share looming. I would understand going RB at this spot with Jeanty or even CMC (although I’m staying away there), but I love the ceiling that Nabers provides.
Round 1 Results
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Saquon Barkley
- Bijan Robinson
- Justin Jefferson
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- CeeDee Lamb
- Derrick Henry
- Malik Nabers
- Brian Thomas
- Puka Nacua
- Ashton Jeanty
Round 2, Pick 4 (#16 overall): Josh Jacobs
Other top available players:
- Lamar Jackson
- Brock Bowers
- Bucky Irving
My favorite running back of the second round (in terms of ADP) by far, Jacobs was a lock as soon as he fell to 2.4. The veteran dominated throughout his first year in a new home with the Packers last year, taking his 301 carries for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns, also tallying 36 receptions. This is one of the NFL’s few remaining true bellcows, and he’s primed for another fantastic campaign for a contending team behind a strong offensive line.
Round 2 Results
- Christian McCaffrey
- De’Von Achane
- Nico Collins
- Josh Jacobs
- Drake London
- Lamar Jackson
- Brock Bowers
- Bucky Irving
- A.J. Brown
- Chase Brown
- Jonathan Taylor
- Josh Allen
Round 3, Pick 9 (#33 overall): Tee Higgins
Other top available players:
- Breece Hall
- Jalen Hurts
- Garrett Wilson
Soft-tissues injuries are always a concern with Higgins, but I couldn’t pass up on securing an invaluable piece of what I believe will be the best offense in the NFL this year. Despite being the No. 2 option, Higgins was a target hog when healthy last season. The 26-year-old routinely saw double-digit passes come his way, turning that volume into legitimate low-level WR1 production. Tee should remain a weekly boom threat this year with a relatively safe floor.
Round 3 Results
- James Cook
- Trey McBride
- Tyreek Hill
- Ladd McConkey
- Kyren Williams
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- Mike Evans
- Jayden Daniels
- Tee Higgins
- Breece Hall
- Jalen Hurts
Round 4, Pick 4 (#40 overall): Alvin Kamara
Other top available options:
- George Kittle
- Terry McLaurin
- Rashee Rice
Had Burrow fallen one more pick, I would have been extremely tempted to secure the Bengals stack. Alas, we’ll just have to settle for one of my favorite values in fantasy drafts instead. Age and injuries are a concern for Kamara, as would be the case for any 30-year-old running back, but we’re still talking about a guy who has a great chance to lead all RBs in receptions. Volume is king, and Kamara racked up 228 carries and 68 catches last season as New Orleans’ clear top offensive weapon. He’ll retain that role once again this year, serving as the frequently-utilized safety blanket for whoever wins the QB competition between Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler.
Round 4 Results
- Marvin Harrison
- Garrett Wilson
- Joe Burrow
- Alvin Kamara
- George Kittle
- Rashee Rice
- Terry McLaurin
- Sam LaPorta
- Kenneth Walker
- Omarian Hampton
- Chuba Hubbard
- James Conner
Round 5, Pick 9 (#57 overall): Tetairoa McMillan
Other top available players:
- Xavier Worthy
- George Pickens
- Patrick Mahomes
I mentioned target hogs earlier, and that’s exactly what T-Mac is primed to be heading into his rookie campaign. After a rocky first year-and-a-half in the NFL, Bryce Young somewhat quietly re-emerged as an incredibly steady signal caller for the Panthers down the stretch last season. So much so, that I think it’s worth revisiting the debate of which 2023 rookie QB will end up being the best of the class. Regardless, McMillan is an absolute stud and the clear top option in Carolina’s passing game. He and Young have already developed a solid rapport, so I love the value for a guy with low-end WR1 potential in the fifth round.
Round 5 Results
- DK Metcalf
- Courtland Sutton
- DJ Moore
- Zay Flowers
- TreVeyon Henderson
- David Montgomery
- Jameson Williams
- DeVonta Smith
- Tetairoa McMillan
- Xavier Worthy
- Isiah Pacheco
- T.J. Hockenson
Round 6, Pick 4 (#64 overall): D’Andre Swift
Other top available options:
- Travis Kelce
- Travis Hunter
- RJ Harvey
From an ADP perspective, this may be a bit of a reach, as I’m taking Swift over multiple RBs who tend to go above him in drafts. That said, there’s a lot to love about his situation heading into Year 2 with the Bears. Still only 26 years old, Swift has the top spot in Chicago’s backfield locked down. He’ll be running behind an improved offensive line in an offense masterminded by Ben Johnson, a guy who lives to POUND. THE. ROCK. Even if Roschon Johnson steals the occasional goal-line work, Swift will be the featured back most of the way while possessing strong receiving upside.
Round 6 Results
- Joe Mixon
- Patrick Mahomes
- George Pickens
- D’Andre Swift
- Travis Hunter
- Travis Kelce
- RJ Harvey
- Aaron Jones
- Jaylen Waddle
- Baker Mayfield
- Jerry Jeudy
- Calvin Ridley
Round 7, Pick 9 (#81 overall): Bo Nix
Other top available options:
- Jakobi Meyers
- Stefon Diggs
- Matthew Golden
I got quite lucky here, as Nix doesn’t tend to slip to the 80s in drafts. However, that’s just part of the game, and I was more than happy to take advantage of this opportunity to scoop up a guy who could finish as a top-five fantasy quarterback. Fresh off a phenomenal rookie campaign, Nix has looked stellar throughout preseason and appears poised to pick up right where he left off last year. The 25-year-old has an impressive rapport with No. 1 receiver Courtland Sutton, and he now has a significant weapon to work with at tight end in Evan Engram, as well as an improved running back room. All signs are pointing up for Nix.
Round 7 Results
- Mark Andrews
- Quinshon Judkins
- Chris Olave
- Evan Engram
- Deebo Samuel
- Tony Pollard
- Kaleb Johnson
- Rome Odunze
- Bo Nix
- Tyler Warren
- Jakobi Meyers
- Stefon Diggs
Round 8, Pick 4 (#88 overall): David Njoku
Other top available options:
- Tyrone Tracy
- Travis Etienne
- Ricky Pearsall
Njoku missed time with injuries last year, but the veteran still finished as PPR TE4 in PPG while dealing with underwhelming quarterback play. This year, the guy under center isn’t going to light the world on fire, but Joe Flacco and Njoku do have a fantastic rapport from the 2023 season. Jerry Jeudy should remain the de facto top option in the passing game, but Njoku will be Flacco’s safety blanket and go-to red zone threat.
Round 8 Results
- Jordan Addison
- Matthew Golden
- Brian Robinson
- David Njoku
- Jaylen Warren
- Tyrone Tracy
- Jared Goff
- Kyler Murray
- Travis Etienne
- Ricky Pearsall
- Justin Herbert
- Cooper Kupp
Round 9, Pick 9 (#105 overall): Emeka Egbuka
Other top available players:
- J.K. Dobbins
- Jordan Mason
- Cam Skattebo
With Jalen McMillan set to miss a majority of the upcoming season and Chris Godwin out for extended time to open the year, Egbuka suddenly finds himself as the clear No. 2 receiver in one of the NFL’s best offenses. Mike Evans will remain the guy on the outside, but Egbuka should have plenty of room to carve out a role working alongside the future Hall-of-Famer. The rookie has already flashed serious potential throughout preseason and should only continue to improve as his rapport with Baker Mayfield progresses.
Round 9 Results
- Khalil Shakir
- Eagles D/ST
- Brandon Aubrey
- Brock Purdy
- Chris Godwin
- Zach Charbonnet
- Jauan Jennings
- Raven D/ST
- Emeka Egbuka
- Cam Skattebo
- J.K. Dobbins
- Broncos D/ST
Round 10, Pick 4 (#112 overall): Javonte Williams
Other top available players:
- Josh Downs
- Dalton Kincaid
- Tucker Kraft
I’m not going to sit here and act like Williams is a bonafide stud. There’s a reason he’s available in the 10th round of drafts. However, he is a projected starting running back on a team that should find consistent success offensively this season. That’s enough for me to take a flyer on Williams, who will provide a great return on investment if he sees 10-14 touches a game and regular goal-line work.
Round 10 Results
- Colston Loveland
- Jordan Mason
- Jayden Reed
- Javonte Williams
- Dak Prescott
- Kyle Pitts
- Josh Downs
- Steelers D/ST
- Dalton Kincaid
- Jonnu Smith
- Tucker Kraft
- C.J. Stroud
Round 11, Pick 9 (#129 overall): Austin Ekeler
Other top available options:
- Darnell Mooney
- Brandon Aiyuk
- Drake Maye
This late in drafts, it’s rare to find players who will play a consistent key role for this team, but that’s exactly the case with Ekeler. With Brian Robinson now in San Francisco, the veteran should be a pivotal part of Washington’s rushing attack this season, specifically boasting receiving upside.
Round 11 Results
- Jake Bates
- Michael Pittman
- Jayden Higgins
- Bills D/ST
- Rhamondre Stevenson
- Keon Coleman
- Nick Chubb
- Jake Ferguson
- Austin Ekeler
- Cameron Dicker
- Darnell Mooney
- Brandon Aiyuk
Round 12, Pick 7 (#136 overall): Drake Maye
Other top available options:
- Caleb Williams
- Najee Harris
- Tank Bigsby
Maye is at the top of my list of breakout fantasy (and real-life) quarterback candidates. He has high-end rushing upside, a fantastic arm, and is working with both an improved offensive line and group of weapons to utilize. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Maye sneak into the back half of the top 10 this season.
Round 12 Results
- Chris Boswell
- Lions D/ST
- Vikings D/ST
- Drake Maye
- Rashid Shaheed
- Texans D/ST
- Caleb Williams
- Najee Harris
- Tank Bigsby
- Dallas Goedert
- Jaydon Blue
- Marvin Mims
Round 13, Pick 9 (#153 overall): Chase McLaughlin
Other top available options:
- Cam Little
- Younghoe Koo
- Tyler Loop
The best kicker available comes off the board.
Round 13 Results
- Zach Ertz
- Harrison Butker
- Jordan Love
- Justin Fields
- Tre’ Harris
- Jake Elliott
- J.J. McCarthy
- Tyjae Spears
- Chase McLaughlin
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
- Cam Little
- Luther Burden
Round 14, Pick 4 (#160 overall): Chiefs D/ST
Other top available options:
- Commanders D/ST
- 49ers D/ST
- Seahawks D/ST
I prefer to stream D/STs weekly, so I just grabbed the best one available in the last round of the draft.
Round 14 Results
- Braelon Allen
- Isaiah Likely
- Isaac Guerendo
- Chiefs D/ST
- Younghoe Koo
- Tyler Loop
- Commanders D/ST
- Tyler Bass
- Ka’imi Fairbairn
- 49ers D/ST
- Keenan Allen
- Seahawks D/ST
Full Team Results
- 1.9: Malik Nabers
- 2.4: Josh Jacobs
- 3.9: Tee Higgins
- 4.4: Alvin Kamara
- 5.9: Tetairoa McMillan
- 6.4: D’Andre Swift
- 7.9: Bo Nix
- 8.4: David Njoku
- 9.9: Emeka Egbuka
- 10.4: Javonte Williams
- 11.9: Austin Ekeler
- 12.4: Drake Maye
- 13.9: Chase McLaughlin
- 14.4: Chiefs D/ST
That’s my full 12-team, PPR mock draft out of the No. 9 spot! Stay tuned for another mock draft later this week as we get closer to the start of the NFL season.
