Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team PPR

I’m back with another 12-team PPR mock draft! If you haven’t read my other mocks, check them out for full analysis out of the No. 3 and No. 9 spot. This time around, the public voted and we will be drafting with the sixth pick.

This mock draft took place on Sleeper. I’ll be providing analysis for every pick along with full round-by-round results. Without further ado, let’s get into it.

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Round 1, Pick 6: Najee Harris

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Other top available players:

• Cooper Kupp
• Justin Jefferson
• Ja’Marr Chase

Selecting Harris with the sixth overall pick isn’t as much of a consensus slam-dunk as it was about a week ago, but I’m comfortable enough with the reports that he has moved past his lisfranc injury to draft him.

Volume is king for fantasy running backs, and there’s a legitimate chance Harris leads the league in carries this season. Regardless of whether Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett is under center for the Steelers, their offense will run through the Alabama product.

Round 1 Results

1. Jonathan Taylor
2. Derrick Henry
3. Dalvin Cook
4. Austin Ekeler
5. Christian McCaffrey
6. Najee Harris
7. Ja’Marr Chase
8. Cooper Kupp
9. Justin Jefferson
10. Stefon Diggs
11. Davante Adams
12. Travis Kelce

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Round 2, Pick 7: Aaron Jones

Dan Powers / USA TODAY NETWORK

Other top available players:

• Tyreek Hill
• Deebo Samuel
• Mark Andrews

If you have read my previous mock drafts, you know I typically try to take running backs in the first two rounds. I stuck to that strategy with this pick, selecting Aaron Jones.

While Jones may line up in the backfield, there’s a decent shot he leads the Packers in receptions this year. From a PPR standpoint, he was very enticing in the middle of the second round.

I did pass on Javonte Williams in favor of the more established veteran, which may ruffle some feathers among the fantasy community. That being said, I’m a firm believer that Melvin Gordon will play a sizable role in Denver’s offense.

You’re getting guaranteed touches and production with Jones.

Round 2 Results

1. Joe Mixon
2. Nick Chubb
3. Alvin Kamara
4. D’Andre Swift
5. Saquon Barkley
6. CeeDee Lamb
7. Aaron Jones
8. Tyreek Hill
9. Mark Andrews
10. Deebo Samuel
11. Javonte Williams
12. Josh Allen

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Round 3, Pick 6: A.J. Brown

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Other top available players:

• Kyle Pitts
• James Conner
• Tee Higgins

I don’t typically target A.J. Brown at this stage in drafts, but mocks are all about mixing things up and seeing what you like. My main concern about Brown’s fantasy prospects lie with Jalen Hurts’ passing abilities, or lack thereof.

In reality, I’m probably being too hard on Hurts. He’s working with significant upgrades in Philly’s offense, and it sounds like the third-year quarterback has already developed a solid rapport with his new No. 1 receiver.

As long as Brown stays healthy, we could see top-7 finish from him this year.

Round 3 Results

1. Mike Evans
2. Ezekiel Elliott
3. Keenan Allen
4. Justin Herbert
5. Leonard Fournette
6. A.J. Brown
7. Patrick Mahomes
8. James Conner
9. George Kittle
10. Travis Etienne
11. Tee Higgins
12. Michael Pittman

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Round 4, Pick 7: DJ Moore

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Other top available players:

• Jaylen Waddle
• Breece Hall
• Lamar Jackson

I was very happy to see Moore fall to me in the back half of Round 4. This actually played out just like my last mock draft, check out my full analysis for the Panthers’ WR1 below:

Round 4 Results

1. Cam Akers
2. Kyle Pitts
3. Diontae Johnson
4. David Montgomery
5. Terry McLaurin
6. Darren Waller
7. DJ Moore
8. Jaylen Waddle
9. Breece Hall
10. DK Metcalf
11. Josh Jacobs
12. Antonio Gibson

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Round 5, Pick 6: Elijah Mitchell

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I love the value you can get with Elijah Mitchell in the fifth round of drafts right now. Unless I absolutely need a receiver, I’ll take him at his current ADP every single time. Similar to Moore, I picked Mitchell in my last mock draft around the same spot. Find that analysis below:

Other top available players:

• J.K. Dobbins
• Allen Robinson
• Michael Thomas

Round 5 Results

1. Mike Williams
2. Dalton Schultz
3. Lamar Jackson
4. Courtland Sutton
5. Jerry Jeudy
6. Elijah Mitchell
7. Michael Thomas
8. Joe Burrow
9. Marquise Brown
10. Chris Godwin
11. Adam Thielen
12. Amari Cooper

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Round 6, Pick 7: JuJu Smith-Schuster

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

JuJu is really growing on me lately, and it’s easy to understand why. After all, the 25-year-old has a legitimate chance to be Patrick Mahomes’ No. 1 receiver.

Travis Kelce is clearly the top option in Kansas City’s passing attack, but JuJu could produce a phenomenal return on investment considering his current sixth-round ADP. Other options like Brandin Cooks and Rashod Bateman were certainly enticing, but the upside Smith-Schuster presents was too obvious to ignore.

Other top available players:

• Brandin Cooks
• T.J. Hockenson
• Amon-Ra St. Brown

Round 6 Results

1. Kyler Murray
2. Russell Wilson
3. Allen Robinson
4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire
5. J.K. Dobbins
6. AJ Dillon
7. JuJu Smith-Schuster
8. Brandin Cooks
9. Amon-Ra St. Brown
10. Cordarrelle Patterson
11. Jalen Hurts
12. Rashod Bateman

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Round 7, Pick 6: Dallas Goedert

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Another mock, another Dallas Goedert pick. One of my draft rules is to never reach on a tight end, and I urge new fantasy players to do the same unless an elite option slips significantly.

Rounds 6-8 is the perfect range to draft a capable tight end, with Goedert among the best options consistently available. Yes, stacking Jalen Hurts’ targets isn’t the best idea, but Brown and Goedert should both play large roles in Philly’s offense this season.

Other top available players:

• Tom Brady
• Damien Harris
• Gabriel Davis

Round 7 Results

1. Darnell Mooney
2. DeAndre Hopkins
3. Kareem Hunt
4. Miles Sanders
5. T.J. Hockenson
6. Dallas Goedert
7. Damien Harris
8. Gabriel Davis
9. Tom Brady
10. Hunter Renfrow
11. Tony Pollard
12. DeVonta Smith

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Round 8, Pick 7: Dak Prescott

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Similar to tight ends, I never draft quarterbacks early. There’s simply too much value in later rounds to waste a valuable early pick on one.

Case in point: Dak Prescott.

Why would I draft Kyler Murray or Lamar Jackson in the fourth round when I could take someone with top-5 potential four rounds later? I understand Dallas’ offense isn’t quite a dangerous as it has been in the past, but Dak still has plenty of capable weapons to work with. This pick feels like a slam-dunk every time I make it.

Other top available players:

• Elijah Moore
• Rashaad Penny
• Aaron Rodgers

Round 8 Results

1. Chase Edmonds
2. Drake London
3. Kenneth Walker
4. Allen Lazard
5. Zach Ertz
6. Devin Singletary
7. Dak Prescott
8. Aaron Rodgers
9. Elijah Moore
10. Dawson Knox
11. Brandon Aiyuk
12. Chris Olave

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Round 9, Pick 6: Dameon Pierce

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

A fantasy community favorite found his way onto my team in the ninth round, and something tells me you won’t be able to draft Pierce this late in the coming weeks.

After all, the rookie has just been granted the starting job in Houston after weeks of strong play with Marlon Mack being cut on Tuesday.

The Texans are going to be bad this year. REALLY bad. However, at this stage in drafts, you’re either looking for upside or guaranteed touches. Pierce provides both.

Other top available players:

• Treylon Burks
• James Cook
• Melvin Gordon

Round 9 Results

1. Tyler Lockett
2. Rashaad Penny
3. Rhamondre Stevenson
4. Matt Stafford
5. Bills D/ST
6. Dameon Pierce
7. Trey Lance
8. James Cook
9. Robert Woods
10. Garrett Wilson
11. Treylon Burks
12. Pat Freiermuth

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Round 10, Pick 7: Michael Carter

Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Look away, Breece Hall truthers. It appears Michael Carter will be a thorn in the rookie’s side for at least one year.

Hall has really only hurt himself with poor preseason play, and the Jets seem content rolling the two backs out in a committee right now. 200-plus total touches isn’t out of the question for Carter this season.

Yes, he plays on the Jets, but you’ll take that type of volume in double-digit rounds all day long.

Other top available players:

• Mike Gesicki
• Chase Claypool
• Kadarius Toney

Round 10 Results

1. Derek Carr
2. Rams D/ST
3. Melvin Gordon
4. Bucs D/ST
5. Christian Kirk
6. George Pickens
7. Michael Carter
8. Mike Gesicki
9. Chase Claypool
10. Cole Kmet
11. James Robinson
12. Kirk Cousins

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Round 11, Pick 6: Julio Jones

George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Julio Jones’ attempted redemption tour continues, and his current stop in Tampa Bay might actually work out. After all, if there’s anyone who can get something out of a 33-year-old receiver with chronic hamstring issues, it’s Tom Brady.

With Chris Godwin still not 100% as the season approaches and Rob Gronkowski (currently) retired, there’s a role for Jones to play this season, especially in the red zone.

We’ve seen reports from training camp that Jones looks fresh, and if that is truly the case, you’re getting a steal at his current ADP.

Other top available players:

• Tyler Boyd
• Nyheim Hines
• Darrell Henderson

Round 11 Results

1. Harrison Butker
2. Kadarius Toney
3. Alexander Mattison
4. Skyy Moore
5. Justin Tucker
6. Julio Jones
7. Chargers D/ST
8. Evan McPherson
9. Daniel Carlson
10. 49ers D/ST
11. Matt Gay
12. Ravens D/ST

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Round 12, Pick 7: Hunter Henry

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

If you do wait on a tight end, it’s typically a smart move to take a capable second option near the end of the draft. That’s exactly what Henry brings to the table as one of Mac Jones’ most consistent targets.

Other top available players:

• Darrell Henderson
• Russell Gage
• Tyler Higbee

Round 12 Results

1. Tyler Boyd
2. Jarvis Landry
3. Tyler Bass
4. Albert Okwuegbunam
5. Nyheim Hines
6. Marques Valdez-Scantling
7. Hunter Henry
8. Darrell Henderson
9. Matt Prater
10. Isaiah Spiller
11. Cowboys D/ST
12. Packers D/ST

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Round 13, Pick 6: Broncos D/ST

Per usual, I selected the best D/ST unit available with this pick.

Round 13 Results

1. Rachaad White
2. Younghoe Koo
3. Colts D/ST
4. Saints D/ST
5. Russell Gage
6. Broncos D/ST
7. Michael Gallup
8. Tua Tagovailoa
9. Kenneth Gainwell
10. Tyler Higbee
11. Justin Fields
12. Christian Watson

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Round 14, Pick 7: Rodrigo Blankenship

Similar to my last pick, I went with the best kicker available to round out my squad.

Round 14 Results

1. Brandon McManus
2. Tyler Allgeier
3. Trevor Lawrence
4. Brian Robinson
5. Steelers D/ST
6. Nick Folk
7. Rodrigo Blankenship
8. Jameis Winston
9. Rondale Moore
10. Robbie Gould
11. DeVante Parker
12. Irv Smith

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Final Roster

1.6 - Najee Harris

2.7 - Aaron Jones

3.6 - A.J. Brown

4.7 - DJ Moore

5.6 - Elijah Mitchell

6.7 - JuJu Smith-Schuster

7.6 - Dallas Goedert

8.7 - Dak Prescott

9.6 - Dameon Pierce

10.7 - Michael Carter

11.6 - Julio Jones

12.7 - Hunter Henry

13.6 - Broncos D/ST

14.7 - Rodrigo Blankenship

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