The NFL might be in a dark period, but over here at NFL Fantasy we're keeping the lights on and grinding away in preparation for the 2016 fantasy season. And what better way is there to prepare than with another full mock draft with our top analysts, writers, and producers of NFL Fantasy LIVE? (By the way, you can join a mock draft of your own by clicking here.)
The standard scoring, 10-team, 15-round league consisted of NFL Fantasy LIVE members, producers, and writers. Teams did not need to draft a full roster, so several teams went without a kicker, defense or both. I provide a little analysis on each round below, and you can see the full team-by-team breakdowns and Michael Fabiano's personal draft strategy above.
Draft order
- Alex Wilk - NFL Fantasy LIVE Producer
- Dylan Milner - NFL Fantasy LIVE Senior Producer
- Matt Harmon (@MattHarmonBYB)- NFL.com Fantasy Associat Writer/Editor
- Matt "Money" Smith (@MattMoneySmith)- NFL Fantasy LIVE host
- Adam Rank (@adamrank)- NFL Fantasy LIVE analyst
- Alex Gelhar (@AlexGelhar)- NFL.com Fantasy Writer/Editor
- Matt "Franchise" Franciscovich (@MattFranchise) - NFL Fantasy Associate Writer/Editor
- Marcas Grant (@MarcasG)- NFL Fantasy Editor
- James Koh (@JamesDKoh) - NFL Fantasy LIVE show and podcast host
- Michael Fabiano (@MichaelFabiano)- NFL.com Senior Fantasy Analyst
ROUND 1
- Antonio Brown, Steelers (WR1) - Wilk
- Todd Gurley, Rams (RB1) - Milner
- Odell Beckham Jr., Giants (WR2) - Harmon
- David Johnson, Cardinals (RB2) - Money
- Julio Jones, Falcons (WR3) - Rank
- Le'Veon Bell, Steelers (RB3) - Gelhar
- Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (RB4) - Franchise
- DeAndre Hopkins, Texans (WR4) - Grant
- Adrian Peterson, Vikings (RB5) - Koh
- Rob Gronkowski, Patriots (TE1) - Fabiano
As usual, there were no real surprises in Round 1. Maybe we're chalky, or maybe the truly elite tier of players in this fantasy season is just pretty clear. While I still believe Gronk is the clear-cut TE1, I'm not on board with him in the first round this year (which means I probably won't be drafting him in any leagues). Given Tom Brady's four-game suspension and the depth at the position, I think it'd be a much better value to draft someone like A.J. Green at the back-end of the first instead of Gronk, but Fabs did even out his two-pick turn in Round 2.
ROUND 2
- Lamar Miller, Texans (RB6) - Fabiano
- Allen Robinson, Jaguars (WR5) - Koh
- A.J. Green, Bengals (WR6) - Grant
- Dez Bryant, Cowboys (WR7) - Franchise
- Devonta Freeman, Falcons (RB7) - Gelhar
- Jordy Nelson, Packers (WR8) - Rank
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (WR9) - Money
- Jamaal Charles, Chiefs (RB8) - Harmon
- Doug Martin, Buccaneers (RB9) - Milner
- Eddie Lacy, Packers (RB10) - Wilk
I absolutely LOVE Lamar Miller this year now that he's in Houston, and was praying he'd fall a few spots to me. No dice, as Fabiano was all over him. I was surprised Marcas went Nuk over Green in the first, but when he got Green in the second I had to applaud (and pound my desk in anger). I debated Freeman or Charles long and hard, and instantly regretted pulling the trigger on Freeman. My feelings were worsened when I saw the report that the Falconswant to reduce his touches immediately after the draft. Sigh. Eddie Lacy's value continues to rise after he's reportedly gotten back in shape this offseason. A good bet for a top-10 scoring finish at his position if he is in shape and stays healthy, he presents an awesome value for Wilk at pick 20.
ROUND 3
- Mark Ingram, Saints (RB11) - Wilk
- Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (WR10) - Milner
- Alshon Jeffery, Bears (WR11) - Harmon
- Aaron Rodgers, Packers (QB1) - Money
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (WR12) - Rank
- LeSean McCoy, Bills (RB12) - Gelhar
- Cam Newton, Panthers (QB2) - Franchise
- C.J. Anderson, Broncos (RB13) - Grant
- Carlos Hyde, 49ers (RB14) - Koh
- Sammy Watkins, Bills (WR13) - Fabiano
Shocker of the draft was undoubtedly Jarvis Landry going as the WR10 overall at the top of the third round. Milner said in the draft chat that "Landry is a beast," which I don't disagree with, but this is a standard scoring league and taking him there feels like a tremendous reach when Alshon Jeffery, Mike Evans and Sammy Watkins were all still on the board. Money always takes a quarterback early, so I wasn't surprised to see him nab Rodgers here. Had he fallen to me, I might have taken him as well as I wasn't in love with the running back or wide receiver options available, and ended up settling on Shady McCoy. We've officially entered the part of the draft where almost every player comes with a question mark, which is why you see guys shooting their shot with the likes of C.J. Anderson, Carlos Hyde and Watkins at the end of the round.
ROUND 4
- Matt Forte, Jets (RB15) - Fabiano
- Dion Lewis, Patriots (RB16) - Koh
- Amari Cooper, Raiders (WR14) - Grant
- Brandon Marshall, Jets (WR15) - Franchise
- Brandin Cooks, Saints (WR16) - Gelhar
- Jay Ajayi, Dolphins (RB17) - Rank
- Jordan Reed, Redskins (TE2) - Money
- Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (WR17) - Harmon
- Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers (WR18) - Milner
- Randall Cobb, Packers (WR19) - Wilk
Koh got a good pop out of those of us drafting in the newsroom when he took Dion Lewis at the start of the fourth round. I love Lewis this year, and think he's ticketed for another strong RB2-flex season, even in standard scoring. Yet, I don't know if I have the guts to take him that high. Someone I might have taken over Lewis is Jay Ajayi, who Rank nabbed a few picks later. Adam Gase could bring new life to the Miami offense, and with little competition for early-down work behind him, Ajayi looks like a solid RB2. Demaryius Thomas and Randall Cobb both fell for different reasons (quarterback questions and injury questions, respectively), but both are great values at the end of Round 4. As for my pick, there are a lot of mouths to feed in the New Orleans offense, but I don't mind grabbing Cooks to start my wideout corps as a high-end No. 2 option. Since I waited on the position, I'll just have to load up on those guys and try to play the best matchups/hot streaks in the season.
ROUND 5
- Matt Jones, Redskins (RB18) - Wilk
- Julian Edelman, Patriots (WR19) - Milner
- Russell Wilson, Seahawks (QB3) - Harmon
- T.Y. Hilton, Colts (WR20) - Money
- Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots (K1) - Rank
- Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs (WR21) - Gelhar
- Thomas Rawls, Seahawks (RB19) - Franchise
- Ryan Mathews, Eagles (RB20) - Grant
- Doug Baldwin, Seahawks (WR22) - Koh
- Jonathan Stewart, Panthers (RB21) - Fabiano
Rank, true to form, once again drafted Stephen Gostkowski in Round 5. If you want to know why he's doing this (but isn't advising you to), check out his article from earlier this offseason HERE. I've come around on T.Y. Hilton, and think he was a steal for Money in Round 5. Likewise, I'm surprised so many are off of Jeremy Maclin right now. He was a top 20 wide receiver in just 15 games last year, and is the No. 1 option in an Andy Reid offense that funnels targets through the top wide receiver. He has top-10 upside, and a safe floor. I'll take him all day in the fifth. Also, expect Thomas Rawls' ADP to start climbing back up as reports of his health improve and we (potentially) get a glimpse of him on the field. If healthy, he's still likely the favorite to lead the Seattle backfield.
ROUND 6
- Eric Decker, Jets (WR23) - Fabiano
- Donte Moncrief, Colts (WR24) - Koh
- Greg Olsen, Panthers (TE3) - Grant
- John Brown, Cardinals (WR25) - Franchise
- Michael Floyd, Cardinals (WR26) - Gelhar
- Giovani Bernard, Bengals (RB22) - Rank
- DeMarco Murray, Titans (RB23) - Money
- Latavius Murray, Raiders (RB24) - Harmon
- Melvin Gordon, Chargers (RB25) - Milner
- Golden Tate, Lions (WR27) - Wilk
The start of Round 6 was absolute fire: Mr. Consistent Eric Decker, everyone's favorite breakout Donte Moncrief, G-Reg, Smoke, Floyd and Bernard. Can't argue with any of those picks. The Murrays and Tate might carry more question marks, but it's hard to argue with their value at the back of the round. If we were playing out this league, Melvin Gordon could be a make-or-break pick for Milner. He'll be one of the most important players to watch in training camp and the preseason.
ROUND 7
- Tyler Eifert, Bengals (TE4) - Wilk
- Andrew Luck, Colts (QB4) - Milner
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (WR28) - Harmon
- Michael Crabtree, Raiders (WR29) - Money
- Duke Johnson, Browns (RB26) - Rank
- Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos (WR30) - Gelhar
- Jeremy Hill, Bengals (RB27) - Franchise
- Danny Woodhead, Chargers (RB28) - Grant
- Jeremy Langford, Bears (RB29) - Koh
- DeVante Parker, Dolphins (WR31) - Fabiano
If Tyler Eifert can stay healthy, he's a great pick in Round 7 for Wilk. Ditto for Andrew Luck and Milner. I was kind of surprised he didn't go a round or two earlier, but his health and poor play last year likely forced everyone to wait a bit. I wasn't in love with my Sanders pick (was distracted by other work things), but if there's any sort of stability under center in Denver he should post solid totals. Woodhead as the RB28 is probably the steal of the round, as he'll have a role in the San Diego offense even if Gordon turns his career around and looks like a first-round pick. Cute that Harmon gets his boy in Tyler Lockett, and also has a dangerous Wilson-Lockett stack. A nice pick. Was not in love with DeVante Parker at this point, but I know why people are high on him. If he performs as many expect he can this year, Fabs will be laughing all the way to the bank.
ROUND 8
- Frank Gore, Colts (RB30) - Fabiano
- Ladarius Green, Steelers (TE5) - Koh
- Sterling Shepard, Giants (WR32) - Grant
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (TE6) - Franchise
- Ameer Abdullah, Lions (RB31) - Gelhar
- Corey Coleman, Browns (WR33) - Rank
- Drew Brees, Saints (QB5) - Money
- DeSean Jackson, Redskins (WR34) - Harmon
- Allen Hurns, Jaguars (WR35) - Milner
- Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (WR36) - Wilk
Frank Gore in Round 8 is criminal. Yes, he's as old as the Earth itself, but Gore is one of a handful of players who has successfully been able to shin-kick Father Time into submission (for now). There's no one to truly threaten him for touches, and if the Indy offense rebounds to 2014-levels with a healthy Luck, Moncrief and Hilton, then Gore should be locked into at least solid flex numbers, if not more. Love some of the upside picks in this round too, with Shepard, Coleman, Abdullah and DJax.
ROUND 9
- T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars (RB32) - Wilk
- Jordan Matthews, Eagles (WR37) - Milner
- Charles Sims, Buccaneers (RB33) - Harmon
- Tevin Coleman, Falcons (RB34) - Money
- Torrey Smith, 49ers (WR38) - Rank
- Kamar Aiken, Ravens (WR39) - Gelhar
- Chris Ivory, Jets (RB35) - Franchise
- Kevin White, Bears (WR40) - Grant
- Marvin Jones, Lions (WR41) - Koh
- Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (QB6) - Fabiano
T.J. Yeldon over Chris Ivory was a bit puzzling, as Ivory is the presumptive goal-line back to whom they paid a boat load of money this offseason. Franchise could have a steal on his hands toward the end of the round. The value at wide receiver in this round is great, as Torrey Smith, Kamar Aiken and Marvin Jones could all see a ton of volume. Kevin White is a great upside pick at this point, but I'm worried about his target share in a run-first offense with Alshon Jeffery and Zach Miller getting plenty of looks. Ben Roethlisberger going in Round 9 is further proof that you can wait on the quarterback position and still get a stud later in drafts.
ROUND 10
- Laquon Treadwell, Vikings (WR42) - Fabiano
- Kenneth Dixon, Ravens (RB36) - Koh
- Justin Forsett, Ravens (RB37) - Grant
- Willie Snead, Saints (WR43) - Franchise
- Derrick Henry, Titans (RB38) - Gelhar
- Tom Brady, Patriots (QB7) - Rank
- Devontae Booker, Broncos (RB39) - Money
- Gary Barnidge, Browns (TE7) - Harmon
- Julius Thomas, Jaguars (TE8) - Milner
- Blake Bortles, Jaguars (QB8) - Wilk
Hey look, it's the rookies! As we enter the later portion of the draft, we start seeing young players with unknown workloads, but loads of potential fly off the board. Five of the first seven players drafted in this round fit that bill, and this is the perfect time to take fliers on players like these. Or draft a proven veteran like Tom Brady, Justin Forsett or Gary Barnidge who has fallen this late for whatever reason (suspension, broken arm, Browns).
ROUND 11
- Isaiah Crowell, Browns (RB40) - Wilk
- Paul Perkins, Giants (RB41) - Milner
- Travis Benjamin, Chargers (WR44) - Harmon
- Dorial Green-Beckham, Titans (WR45) - Money
- C.J. Prosise, Seahawks (RB42) - Rank
- Coby Fleener, Saints (TE9) - Gelhar
- Markus Wheaton, Steelers (WR46) - Franchise
- Carson Palmer, Cardinals (QB9) - Grant
- Eli Manning, Giants (QB10) - Koh
- Rashad Jennings, Giants (RB43) - Fabiano
There's a lot to love in this round, too, as Crowell is being pretty undervalued right now, while Carson Palmer and Eli Manning are crazy good values at quarterback. Rashad Jennings is old and in a crowded committee, but he tore it up down the stretch in 2015 and is the likely starter in 2016 (even if it's just as an early-down workhorse). I'm not a huge fan of Coby Fleener's game tape, but he could fall backwards into over 100 targets this year in New Orleans, and that volume was too hard to ignore in the 11th round. A follower on Twitter said Fleener went in Round 5 in a draft he recently participated in, and I am not about that life.
ROUND 12
- Tavon Austin, Rams (WR47) - Fabiano
- Derek Carr, Raiders (QB11) - Koh
- Karlos Williams, Bills (RB44) - Grant
- Arian Foster, free agent (RB45) - Franchise
- Philip Rivers, Chargers (QB12) - Gelhar
- Jimmy Graham, Seahawks (TE10) - Rank
- Seahawks D/ST (DEF1) - Money
- DeAngelo Williams, Steelers (RB46) - Harmon
- Mohamed Sanu, Falcons (WR48) - Milner
- Josh Doctson, Redskins (WR49) - Wilk
Tavon Austin might be one of the most undervalued players in all of fantasy right now. Keep an eye on his role in the offense in the preseason, and be ready to jump on him even a few rounds earlier than he went here. I was overjoyed to get Rivers in Round 12, as he's one of my favorite late-round quarterbacks to target this year. Jimmy Graham worries me a bit because of the severity of his knee injury and how late it came last season, and I'm not sure Mohamed Sanu will get the targets to have weekly upside in Atlanta. Arian Foster is a fun flier for Franchise at this point in the offseason. His ADP will swing wildly depending on if/when he signs with a team.
ROUND 13
- Tyrod Taylor, Bills (QB13) - Wilk
- Cardinals D/ST (DEF2) - Milner
- Jordan Howard, Bears (RB47) - Harmon
- Delanie Walker, Titans (TE11) - Money
- Zach Miller, Bears (TE12) - Rank
- Mike Wallace, Ravens (WR50) - Gelhar
- Stefon Diggs, Vikings (WR51) - Franchise
- Texans D/ST (DEF3) - Grant
- Broncos D/ST (DEF4) - Koh
- Tony Romo, Cowboys (QB14) - Fabiano
TYROD TAYLOR YAY! Very proud of Wilk for grabbing him at the top of Round 13. Zach Miller is a great late-round tight end option, and it was a smart move by Rank to back up Graham with Miller one round later. Jordan Howard is a nice flier for Harmon, too, as he will push Jeremy Langford for work in Chicago. Delanie Walker had been drafted a bit early in my opinion recently, but he's a great value for Money in the 13th round.
ROUND 14
- Chiefs D/ST (DEF5) - Fabiano
- Steven Hauschka, Seahawks (K2) - Koh
- Marcus Mariota, Titans (QB15) - Grant
- Bilal Powell, Jets (RB48) - Franchise
- Antonio Gates, Chargers (TE13) - Gelhar
- Kenyan Drake, Dolphins (RB49) - Rank
- Chandler Catanzaro, Cardinals (K3) - Money
- Devin Funchess, Panthers (WR52) - Harmon
- Ka'Deem Carey, Bears (RB50) - Milner
- Martellus Bennett, Patriots (TE14) - Wilk
Carson Palmer hasn't exactly been the picture of perfect health recently, so I understand why Marcas opted for a second quarterback in breakout candidate Marcus Mariota. Hell must have frozen over, because Harmon drafted Devin Funchess (even if it was in Round 14). I'm a bit puzzled by Ka'Deem Carey's selection when handcuffs with clearer paths to touches like James Starks, DeAndre Washington and Jerick McKinnon were still on the board.
ROUND 15
- Jeff Janis, Packers (WR53) - Wilk
- Graham Gano, Panthers (K4) - Milner
- DeAndre Washington, Raiders (RB51) - Harmon
- Andre Ellington, Cardinals (RB51) - Money
- Eric Ebron, Lions (TE15) - Rank
- Theo Riddick, Lions (RB52) - Gelhar
- Panthers D/ST (DEF6) - Franchise
- Jerick McKinnon, Vikings (RB53) - Grant
- Nelson Agholor, Eagles (WR54) - Koh
- Cairo Santos, Chiefs (K5) - Fabiano
All hail Jeff Janis, king of the Hail Mary reception. He's embroiled in a fierce competition for the Packers No. 3 wide receiver spot, but has HUGE upside if he wins it. Love the Washington pick by Harmon to both backup and complement his earlier pick of Latavius Murray. Nelson Agholor could surprise people in Philadelphia this year and is a sneaky good pick by Koh so late. I nabbed Riddick to backup Abdullah, and because he was a solid flex option last year, even in standard leagues. Rank had to go on auto-draft for the last round, otherwise he wouldn't have taken a third tight end (at least that's my guess).
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-- Follow Alex on Twitter @AlexGelhar
