12-team fantasy football analyst mock draft results

After several 10-team mock drafts, it was finally time to turn a mock draft up to 11. Or, 12 rather. We assembled the usual crew and invited a few friends from the fantasy community to hold our first 12-team mock draft of the offseason. We drafted as a standard scoring league that would start the following positions: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, FLEX, D/ST, K. Teams were not required to draft a defense or kicker. This was a fun exercise for us, as adding two teams really begins to stretch rosters thin, and forces us to start revealing some of our favorite deeper sleepers and really reach for the players we like in the early rounds. If you want to test it out for yourself, you can join a mock draft of your own by clicking here.

Below are the round-by-round draft results, with some brief commentary on some of the picks between each round. Full team-by-team breakdowns will be linked above shortly.

Draft order

(randomized 30 minutes before start)

1. Justin Bonnema (@justinbonnema) - Writer for Footballguys.com
2. Matt "Franchise" Franciscovich (@MattFranchise) - NFL Fantasy Associate Writer/Editor
3. Marcas Grant (@MarcasG) - NFL Fantasy Editor
4. Michael Fabiano (@MichaelFabiano) - NFL Media Senior Fantasy Analyst
5. Alex Gelhar (@AlexGelhar) - NFL.com Fantasy Writer/Editor
6. Adam Rank (@adamrank) - NFL Media Writer
7. Hytham Kilani - NFL Fantasy LIVE Producer
8. Matt Harmon (@MattHarmonBYB) - NFL Fantasy Associate Writer/Editor
9. Jake Ciely (@allinkid) - Senior Writer RotoExperts
10. James Koh (@JamesDKoh) - NFL Fantasy LIVE show and podcast host
11. Alex Wilk (@AlexCWilk) - NFL Fantasy LIVE Producer
12. Dylan Milner (@DMilner13)- NFL Fantasy LIVE Senior Producer

ROUND 1

1. Julio Jones, Falcons (WR1) - Bonnema
2. Antonio Brown, Steelers (WR2) - Franchise
3. Odell Beckham Jr., Giants (WR3) - Grant
4. Todd Gurley, Rams (RB1) - Fabiano
5. David Johnson, Cardinals (RB2) - Gelhar
6. A.J. Green, Bengals (WR4) - Rank
7. Adrian Peterson, Vikings (RB3)- Kilani
8. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (RB4) - Harmon
9. Lamar Miller, Texans (RB5) - Ciely
10. DeAndre Hopkins, Texans (WR5) - Koh
11. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots (TE1) - Wilk
12. Jordy Nelson, Packers (WR6) - Milner

Bonnema taking Julio Jones No. 1 overall is why it's always fun to bring new blood into our staff mock drafts -- it mixes things up a bit. Wide receivers continue to dominate the top of our mocks as has been the norm all season. With Le'Veon Bell being handed a four-game suspension late last week, he fell out of the first round and pushed Gurley and David Johnson up as the top two backs off the board. I've swung around with David Johnson as my RB1 for this year. His ceiling is simply too high to ignore as the No. 1 running back, even with Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington lurking as potential vultures. With this draft expanding to 12 teams, Jordy Nelson and Lamar Miller both make an appearance in the first round. Both were sound picks for Ciely (Miller, ninth) and Milner (Nelson, 12th) at that point in the round.

ROUND 2

13. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs (RB6) - Milner
14. Devonta Freeman, Falcons (RB7) - Wilk
15. Dez Bryant, Cowboys (WR7) - Koh
16. Le'Veon Bell, Steelers (RB8) - Ciely
17. Allen Robinson, Jaguars (WR8) - Harmon
18. Doug Martin, Buccaneers (RB9) - Kilani
19. Keenan Allen, Chargers (WR9) - Rank
20. Eddie Lacy, Packers (RB10) - Gelhar
21. Alshon Jeffery, Bears (WR10) - Fabiano
22. Mike Evans, Buccaneers (WR11) - Grant
23. Mark Ingram, Saints (RB11) - Franchise
24. LeSean McCoy, Bills (RB12) - Bonnema

The fall of Le'Veon Bell only lasted four picks into the second round, as Ciely was happy to scoop him up as his RB2. Bell is one of the most dominant fantasy players in the NFL when healthy, so it'll be a shock if he makes it out of the second round in most drafts this fall. I feel the fantasy community overreacted a bit to the news out of Atlanta recently that Devonta Freeman's workload is going to be decreased. Freeman is still a far better pass-catcher and pass-blocker than Tevin Coleman, meaning the third-down and hurry-up work will stay with him. Even if he loses a few carries each game, the passing game work gives him a safe weekly floor and RB1 upside. With all of his backups getting suspended or getting into trouble, LeSean McCoy is looking like a bargain at the end of Round 2 in a 12-team league. He's going to be the workhorse for Rex Ryan and co. and now has fewer options behind him threatening to steal red zone and goal-line opportunities.

ROUND 3

25. C.J. Anderson, Broncos (RB13) - Bonnema
26. Sammy Watkins, Bills (WR12) - Franchise
27. Brandon Marshall, Jets (WR13) - Grant
28. Brandin Cooks, Saints (WR14) - Fabiano
29. Amari Cooper, Raiders (WR15) - Gelhar
30. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (WR16) - Rank
31. Randall Cobb, Packers (WR17) - Kilani
32. T.Y. Hilton, Colts (WR18) - Harmon
33. Michael Floyd, Cardinals (WR19) - Ciely
34. Carlos Hyde, 49ers (RB14) - Koh
35. Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (WR20) - Wilk
36. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (QB1) - Milner

Round 3 was all about wide receivers, as eight were drafted in a row and nine were taken total. I wasn't thrilled with Amari Cooper as my WR1, but he's a tremendous player in a young, ascending offense. Even if he posts just a moderate improvement on last season's totals, he'll be an okay weekly starter for me. Don't knock Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker down draft boards too far even if Geno Smith is the Week 1 starter. Geno has never played with a wideout group like this, and the presence of Chan Gailey as offensive coordinator is the great equalizer. They won't match last season, but they'll be fine. I love the Randall Cobb and T.Y. Hilton picks by Kilani and Harmon. Both are steals in this late in the draft and could finish as WR1s when this season is all said and done. Carlos Hyde carries a lot of question marks and a lot of upside heading into this season. If I were Koh I'd be a bit squeamish with him as my RB1, but he helps himself out later in the draft (as you'll see).

ROUND 4

37. Jordan Reed, Redskins (TE2) - Milner
38. Doug Baldwin, Seahawks (WR21) - Wilk
39. Dion Lewis, Patriots (RB15) - Koh
40. Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs (WR22) - Ciely
41. Donte Moncrief, Colts (WR23) - Harmon
42. Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers (WR24) - Kilani
43. Matt Forte, Jets (RB16) - Rank
44. John Brown, Cardinals (WR25) - Gelhar
45. Thomas Rawls, Seahawks (RB17) - Fabiano
46. Cam Newton, Panthers (QB2) - Grant
47. Melvin Gordon, Chargers (RB18) - Franchise
48. Eric Decker, Jets (WR26) - Bonnema

I'm always curious to see where Jordan Reed goes in mocks, and the first pick of Round 4 (37th overall) feels pretty good for Milner. And if he wanted him he had to take him here, too, as there's no way a player with Reed's upside survives another 22 picks to land with Milner in the fifth. I like all four of the running backs taken in this round, but all four come with a black cloud hanging over their heads. Will Dion Lewis continue to slay #Belitricks while returning from major knee surgery? Are Bilal Powell and Khiry Robinson legitimate threats to steal away Forte's passing game and goal-line touches? Is Thomas Rawls going to be ready for Week 1 after breaking his ankle late last year, and can he hold off C.J. Prosise and the rest of the rookies? Will Melvin Gordon actually do something this year? Other than that, the quality of receivers in this round once again speaks to why it's okay to invest an early-round pick (or two) in the running back position.

ROUND 5

49. Danny Woodhead, Chargers (RB19) - Bonnema
50. Jay Ajayi, Dolphins (RB20) - Franchise
51. Ryan Mathews, Eagles (RB21) - Grant
52. Julian Edelman, Patriots (WR27) - Fabiano
53. Latavius Murray, Raiders (RB22) - Gelhar
54. Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots (K1) - Rank
55. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (QB3) - Kilani
56. Greg Olsen, Panthers (TE3) - Harmon
57. DeMarco Murray, Titans (RB23)- Ciely
58. Giovani Bernard, Bengals (RB24) - Koh
59. Jeremy Hill, Bengals (RB25) - Wilk
60. Jordan Matthews, Eagles (WR28) - Milner

What a wide variety of running backs Round 5 offers. From high-upside/risky options like Danny Woodhead, Jay Ajayi, and Ryan Mathews to heavy volume backs like Latavius Murray and DeMarco Murray to the entire Bengals backfield, this round has it all. I've swung back around on Latavius Murray now. The addition of DeAndre Washington and presence of a now stout defense should help Murray stay fresh and have plenty of positive game scripts in which he can rack up fantasy points. As for the Bengals backfield, I'm all about Gio this year. Hill scares me with his dependence on goal-line touches from last season, and how inefficient he was with the vast majority of his carries. He could bounce back to 2014 form, but I'd rather bet on Bernard earning more touches and targets and posting the better fantasy season.

ROUND 6

61. Matt Jones, Redskins (RB26) - Milner
62. Chris Ivory, Jets (RB27) - Wilk
63. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (WR29) - Koh
64. Golden Tate, Lions (WR30) - Ciely
65. Drew Brees, Saints (QB4) - Harmon
66. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (TE4) - Kilani
67. Duke Johnson, Browns (RB28) - Rank
68. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers (RB29) - Gelhar
69. Jeremy Langford, Bears (RB30) - Fabiano
70. Frank Gore, Colts (RB31) - Grant
71. Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos (WR31) - Franchise
72. Michael Crabtree, Raiders (WR32) - Bonnema

For those who do opt to employ a Zero RB strategy or at least wait on the position, there certainly are great players available in these middle rounds. Jonathan Stewart, Frank Gore, Duke Johnson and Jeremy Langford all feel like steals this late in a 12-team league. Matt Jones and Chris Ivory also possess high ceilings, but ghastly low floors if things don't go according to plan. Emmanuel Sanders continues to fall in drafts because of the uncertainty under center for the Broncos, but he's a talented player. Even with semi-competent quarterback play in 2016 he should be able to return on his sixth-round value here for Franchise.

ROUND 7

73. Gary Barnidge, Browns (TE5) - Bonnema
74. DeAngelo Williams, Steelers (RB32) - Franchise
75. DeSean Jackson, Redskins (WR33) - Grant
76. Ameer Abdullah, Lions (RB33) - Fabiano
77. Marvin Jones, Lions (WR34) - Gelhar
78. Andrew Luck, Colts (QB5) - Rank
79. Justin Forsett, Ravens (RB34) - Kilani
80. Charles Sims, Buccaneers (RB35) - Harmon
81. DeVante Parker, Dolphins (WR35) - Ciely
82. Kevin White, Bears (WR36) - Koh
83. Sterling Shepard, Giants (WR37) - Wilk
84. Kamar Aiken, Ravens (WR38) - Milner

DeAngelo Williams is easily the highest riser from past mocks to now, as he's set for a feature back workload for the first month of the season while Le'Veon Bell serves a four-game suspension. I may have reached a round early on Marvin Jones, but felt the need to grab him here rather than risking losing him. He's at worst the 1b option in the Lions' offense and has a chance to assume much of the deep workload vacated by the departure of Calvin Johnson. Andrew Luck in the seventh is solid value for Rank, and I love Milner scooping up Kamar Aiken at the end of the round as well (I would have jumped all over Aiken had he fallen to me in the eighth).

ROUND 8

85. Rashad Jennings, Giants (RB36) - Milner
86. C.J. Prosise, Seahawks (RB37) - Wilk
87. Kenneth Dixon, Ravens (RB38) - Koh
88. Ladarius Green, Steelers (TE6) - Ciely
89. Torrey Smith, 49ers (WR39) - Harmon
90. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (WR40) - Kilani
91. Corey Coleman, Browns (WR41) - Rank
92. Tavon Austin, Rams (WR42) - Gelhar
93. Allen Hurns, Jaguars (WR43) - Fabiano
94. Theo Riddick, Lions (RB39) - Grant
95. Travis Benjamin, Chargers (WR44) - Franchise
96. Willie Snead, Saints (WR45) - Bonnema

Harmon is among those leading the bandwagon on Torrey Smith's bounce-back campaign in 2016, so it makes sense for Matt to draft him here. Prosise and Dixon both aren't guaranteed early touches in their respective offenses, but both possess the skills and talent to be the featured back. The eighth round in a 12-team league feels like great value for that type of upside. If you're surprised why Larry Fitzgerald fell so far, it's no slight against him. Rather, it's reflective of how the Cardinals passing attack is changing as Fitzgerald ages.

ROUND 9

97. Philip Rivers, Chargers (QB6) - Bonnema
98. Markus Wheaton, Steelers (WR46) - Franchise
99. Delanie Walker, Titans (TE7) - Grant
100. Tom Brady, Patriots (QB7) - Fabiano
101. Carson Palmer, Cardinals (QB8) - Gelhar
102. T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars (RB40) - Rank
103. Dorial Green-Beckham, Titans (WR47)- Kilani
104. Arian Foster, Dolphins (RB41) - Harmon
105. Jordan Howard, Bears (RB42) - Ciely
106. Tevin Coleman, Falcons (RB43) - Koh
107. Eli Manning, Giants (QB9) - Wilk
108. Isaiah Crowell, Browns (RB44) - Milner

Curse Bonnema for stealing Philip Rivers from me, although Carson Palmer was a pleasant consolation prize. If Markus Wheaton plays in 2016 like he did at times in 2015, he'll be an absolute steal for Franchise in Round 9. Same goes for DGB. Each player has immense upside, but a terrifyingly low floor. Still, that's kind of par for the course this late in a 12-team draft.

ROUND 10

109. Josh Doctson, Redskins (WR48) - Milner
110. LeGarrette Blount, Patriots (RB45) - Wilk
111. Tyrod Taylor, Bills (QB10) - Koh
112. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (QB11) - Ciely
113. Laquon Treadwell, Vikings (WR49) - Harmon
114. Derrick Henry, Titans (RB46) - Kilani
115. Tyler Eifert, Bengals (TE8) - Rank
116. Coby Fleener, Saints (TE9) - Gelhar
117. Antonio Gates, Chargers (TE10) - Fabiano
118. Paul Perkins, Giants (RB47) - Grant
119. Bilal Powell, Jets (RB48) - Franchise
120. Jerick McKinnon, Vikings (RB49) - Bonnema

With so many questions surrounding Tyler Eifert's return from offseason ankle surgery, it's not too surprising he fell so far in this draft. But man, he could be a game-changing pick for Rank this late. If Coby Fleener keeps falling to me in the double-digit rounds, I will continue to draft him. I like what Franchise and Bonnema did at the end of the round, too. Both grabbed a backup running back, but each player has a role on the team as is and could fall into a HUGE role if the aging back ahead of them (Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson) suffers any sort of injury.

ROUND 11

121. Eric Ebron, Lions (TE11) - Bonnema
122. Javorius Allen, Ravens (RB50) - Franchise
123. Stefon Diggs, Browns (WR50) - Grant
124. Blake Bortles, Jaguars (QB12) - Fabiano
125. Mohamed Sanu, Falcons (WR51) - Gelhar
126. Devontae Booker, Broncos (RB51) - Rank
127. Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers (WR52) - Kilani
128. Nelson Agholor, Eagles (WR53) - Harmon
129. Steve Smith, Ravens (WR54) - Ciely
130. Zach Miller, Bears (TE12) - Koh
131. Pierre Garcon, Redskins (WR55) - Wilk
132. Seahawks D/ST (DEF1) - Milner

Round 11 was a rather uninspiring round. Few players taken shook the draft room, but there were no questionable selections either. I'm warming up to Mohamed Sanu after Chris Wesseling profiled him as a "Making the Leap" candidate, while Zach Miller is one of our favorite late-round tight ends.

ROUND 12

133. Chandler Catanzaro, Cardinals (K2) - Milner
134. Devin Funchess, Panthers (WR56) - Wilk
135. Kirk Cousins, Redskins (QB13) - Koh
136. DeAndre Washington, Raiders (RB52) - Ciely
137. Spencer Ware, Chiefs (RB53)- Harmon
138. Josh Ferguson, Colts (RB54) - Kilani
139. Shaun Draughn, 49ers (RB55) - Rank
140. Mike Wallace, Ravens (WR57) - Gelhar
141. Julius Thomas, Jaguars (TE13) - Fabiano
142. Cardinals D/ST (DEF2) - Grant
143. Dwayne Allen, Colts (TE14) - Franchise
144. James Starks, Packers (RB56) - Bonnema

A lot of backups were taken in this round, but that's a perfectly fine strategy as we begin the final stretch. Kilani grabbed a potential difference maker with Ferguson, especially if Frank Gore finally starts to lose his battle with Father Time. Speaking of Colts, Franchise finds some insane value for a TE1 by grabbing Allen in Round 12. With Coby Fleener out of the picture, Allen will be one of the top options in the red zone for Andrew Luck.

ROUND 13

145. Kendall Wright, Titans (WR58) - Bonnema
146. Derek Carr, Raiders (QB14) - Franchise
147. Alfred Morris, Cowboys (RB57) - Grant
148. Josh Gordon, Browns (WR59) - Fabiano
149. Wendell Smallwood, Eagles (RB58) - Gelhar
150. Rishard Matthews, Titans (WR60) - Rank
151. Phillip Dorsett, Colts (WR61) - Kilani
152. Zach Zenner, Lions (RB59 - Harmon
153. Zach Ertz, Eagles (TE15) - Ciely
154. Jaelen Strong, Texans (WR62) - Koh
155. Jimmy Graham, Seahawks (TE16) - Wilk
156. Knile Davis, Chiefs (RB60) - Milner

Editor's note: This draft was conducted prior to the news of Josh Gordon's conditional reinstatement. Read our full analysis of Gordon's return HERE.

It looks like Fabiano pulled off the steal of the draft here, but we finished this mock draft before we knew Gordon was reinstated. He'll likely be a middle-round pick as we march closer and closer to the start of the season. Rishard Matthews and Jaelen Strong are excellent picks here, as both enter 2016 with something to prove and plenty of upside in young, improving offenses. Ertz coming off the board as the TE15 this late for Ciely is pretty, pretty nice.

ROUND 14

157. Tony Romo, Cowboys (QB15) - Milner
158. Tyler Boyd, Bengals (WR63) - Wilk
159. Cameron Artis-Payne, Panthers (WR64) - Koh
160. Michael Thomas, Saints (WR65) - Ciely
161. Steve Johnson, Chargers (WR66) - Harmon
162. Terrance Williams, Cowboys (WR67) - Kilani
163. Kenyan Drake, Dolphins (RB61) - Rank
164. Jeff Janis, Packers (WR68) - Gelhar
165. Darren Sproles, Eagles (RB62) - Fabiano
166. Shane Vereen, Giants (RB63) - Grant
167. Tim Hightower, Saints (RB64) - Franchise
168. Breshad Perriman, Ravens (WR69) - Bonnema

I would expect Brandon LaFell to go ahead of Tyler Boyd in most drafts, but I can't fault Wilk for chasing upside with the more unknown commodity at the NFL level. Speaking of upside, I know he's raw, and I know he's only performed in one real game in the NFL, but I'll throw a 14th round dart at Jeff Janis in a 12-team league every single time.

ROUND 15

169. Chris Hogan, Patriots (WR70) - Bonnema
170. Broncos D/ST (DEF3) - Franchise
171. Albert Wilson, Chiefs (WR71) - Grant
172. Chiefs D/ST (DEF4) - Fabiano
173. Texans D/ST (DEF5) - Gelhar
174. Martellus Bennett, Patriots (TE17) - Rank
175. Panthers D/ST (DEF6) - Kilani
176. Mike Gillislee, Bills (RB65) - Harmon
177. Sammie Coates, Steelers (WR72) - Ciely
178. Ty Montgomery, Packers (WR73) - Koh
179. Rams D/ST (DEF7) - Wilk
180. Quinton Patton, 49ers (WR74) - Milner

Some nice high-upside bench fliers in this round: Gillislee could be the new touchdown vulture behind Shady McCoy, Coates could push Markus Wheaton for the No. 2 wideout role in Pittsburgh, and Montgomery is in the mix for the Packers No. 3 wide receiver spot.

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-- Follow Alex on Twitter @AlexGelhar