Written by Cody Manning, Blitzalytics
This week we have pick #12, and this mock is for our standard scoring format. Blitz also releases full, 12-team mocks from each draft slot for standard, 0.5ppr, and 2 QB standard leagues. These mocks are done using FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Wizard, and the roster settings for today’s mock are as follows: 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, 1Flex (RB/WR/TE), D/ST (team defense), and K, with standard scoring. Make sure to check out all our other mocks and keep an eye out later this week for more!
Final Roster:
QB Andrew Luck (IND)
RB Leonard Fournette (JAC)
RB Melvin Gordon (LAC)
WR Amari Cooper (OAK)
WR Chris Hogan (NE)
WR Corey Davis (TEN)
TE Travis Kelce (KC)
FLX Carlos Hyde (CLE)
DST Carolina Panthers
K Greg Zuerlein (LAR)
Bench:
WR Kelvin Benjamin (BUF)
RB Peyton Barber (TB)
RB Samaje Perine (WAS)
WR Anthony Miller (CHI)
WR John Brown (BAL)
RB Bilal Powell (NYJ)
Overview: Having the last pick in every round can be a blessing in disguise because you are able to pick back-to-back. But, it also has its downfall because you must wait so long until you find yourself up again. Because of this you must make sure you careful with your selections and understand that some players just won’t be around the next time you’re ready to pick. I am happy with my roster because I have two solid backs that will see tons of touches, a top-tier fantasy tight end, and a collection of receivers that could be the number one option in their team’s passing attack. For a breakdown of each pick, check out what I have to say below!
Round 1
Todd Gurley RB – LAR
Ezekiel Elliott RB – DAL
Le'veon Bell RB – PIT
David Johnson RB – ARI
Odell Beckham WR – NYG
Antonio Brown WR – PIT
Saquon Barkley RB – NYG
Alvin Kamara RB – NO
Julio Jones WR – ATL
Kareem Hunt RB – KC
Deandre Hopkins WR – HOU
Leonard Fournette RB – JAC
Analysis: I am a big fan of Fournette and he should see plenty of opportunities to put up points all season. One of the things that Fournette has going for him is the lack of threat to his touches that he will receive. Any time that the Jaguars find themselves within the 10-yard line he will be their go-to back to punch in any touchdowns. I am happy to walk away with him as my first of back-to-back picks.
ROUND 2
Melvin Gordon RB – LAC
Dalvin Cook RB – MIN
Michael Thomas WR – NO
A.J. Green WR – CIN
Devonta Freeman RB – ATL
Jordan Howard RB – CHI
Keenan Allen WR – LAC
Davante Adams WR – GB
T.Y. Hilton WR – IND
Christian McCaffrey RB – CAR
Rob Gronkowski TE – NE
Joe Mixon RB – CIN
Analysis: I loved the value of getting Gordon here. To be honest, if there were picks between my 1st and 2nd round selections I would've taken Gordon over Fournette just because I believe Gordon has top 5 potential this year. But I guess you could call me a troll and be teasing that I might pass him up here. In a standard format, you can beat selecting backs that have could both end up as a top-10 fantasy player in 2018.
ROUND 3
Mike Evans WR – TB
Lamar Miller RB – HOU
LeSean McCoy RB – BUF
Larry Fitzgerald WR – ARI
Jay Ajayi RB – PHI
Adam Thielen WR – MIN
Derrick Henry RB – TEN
Aaron Rodgers QB – GB
Doug Baldwin WR – SEA
Jerick McKinnon RB – SF
Stefon Diggs WR – MIN
Travis Kelce TE – KC
Analysis: Normally I am not a fan of selecting a tight end this high in the draft but the receivers on the board are more WR2s that has WR1 potential. After selecting two backs I wanted to find my top fantasy receiving the option in this go around. Kelce should be the number one option in the Chiefs passing attack and compete with Gronk for the TE1 spot in 2018. Nothing wrong with going with the best player available on your board.
ROUND 4
Amari Cooper WR – OAK
Tyreek Hill WR – KC
Kenyan Drake RB – MIA
Alex Collins RB – BAL
Zach Ertz TE – PHI
Juju Smith-Schuster WR – PIT
Tom Brady QB – NE
Jimmy Graham TE – GB
Demaryius Thomas WR – DEN
Brandin Cooks WR – LAR
Allen Robinson WR – CHI
Deshaun Watson QB – HOU
Analysis: After forgoing the previous three selections and not selecting my WR1 I knew I had to grab a receiver on the backend of this go around. Even though Cooper had a down 2017 season, I believe he is set to have a bounce-back season and can return to WR1 status. This could be a high payoff as he should be the focal point of Gruden’s offense.
ROUND 5
Jarvis Landry WR – CLE
Golden Tate WR – DET
Josh Gordon WR – CLE
Mark Ingram RB – NO
Dion Lewis RB – TEN
Rashaad Penny RB – SEA
Alshon Jeffery WR – PHI
Marvin Jones WR – DET
Royce Freeman RB – DEN
Will Fuller WR – HOU
Russell Wilson QB – SEA
Chris Hogan WR – NE
Analysis: This pick was just being logical for my readers. As a Colts fan, I never pick Patriots beyond Gronk, but with Edelman being suspended 4 games, Hogan has the potential to be Brady’s favorite target in New England’s receiving corps. Their chemistry has been on display so far in preseason so if I was you, I bet on Hogan between all the receivers on the board.
ROUND 6
Corey Davis WR – TEN
Ronald Jones RB – TB
Greg Olsen TE – CAR
Cam Newton QB – CAR
Michael Crabtree WR – BAL
Drew Brees QB – NO
Evan Engram TE – NYG
Marshawn Lynch RB – OAK
Tevin Coleman RB – ATL
Devin Funchess WR – CAR
Kirk Cousins QB – MIN
Sony Michel RB – NE
Analysis: I continue with my trend of picking receivers that should be the number one option in their team's passing attack. Davis is should have a bounce-back season after having a letdown rookie year. I am betting on his potential here and that he should see a good share of targets in the Titans offense.
ROUND 7
Sammy Watkins WR – KC
Randall Cobb WR – GB
Carson Wentz QB – PHI
Kyle Rudolph TE – MIN
Robby Anderson WR – NYJ
Marlon Mack RB – IND
Marquise Goodwin WR – SF
Rex Burkhead RB – NE
Kerryon Johnson RB – DET
Julian Edelman WR – NE
Jamaal Williams RB – GB
Andrew Luck QB – IND
Analysis: I am a big fan of drafting a quarterback that you believe you only need on the bench when it is his bye week. Luck has potential to be a top 5 fantasy quarterback and barring an injury he should cement himself as a top fantasy quarterback in 2018. This could provide tremendous value if he can hit his ceiling.
ROUND 8:
Carlos Hyde RB – CLE
Tarik Cohen RB – CHI
Matthew Stafford QB – DET
Emmanuel Sanders WR – DEN
Pierre Garcon WR – SF
Jordy Nelson WR – OAK
Chris Thompson RB – WAS
Patrick Mahomes QB – KC
Matt Ryan QB – ATL
Robert Woods WR – LAR
C.J. Anderson RB – CAR
Cooper Kupp WR – LAR
Analysis: In a standard format I typically like to target a running back for my flex position. Fantasy football is a what have you done for me lately business. Well after the Browns last preseason game (vs. Bills), you must be impressed with how Hyde looked in that game. I am betting on Hyde’s RB2 potential if he ends up being the Browns top back.
ROUND 9
Isaiah Crowell RB – NYJ
Jamison Crowder WR – WAS
Nick Chubb RB – CLE
Kenny Stills WR – MIA
Devontae Booker RB – DEN
Jacksonville Jaguars DST – JAC
Chris Carson RB – SEA
Los Angeles Rams DST – LAR
Allen Hurns WR – DAL
Cameron Meredith WR – NO
Devante Parker WR – MIA
Kelvin Benjamin WR – BUF
Analysis: I was happy to be able to land Benjamin for my first bench spot. Benjamin is the top guy in the Bills receiving corps and should dominate the share of targets. If he can produce with whoever is at quarterback, then he should be able to produce WR2 numbers. After waiting on taking a receiver then I am just continuing to pluck guys that see a lot of balls thrown their way.
ROUND 10
Peyton Barber RB – TB
Nelson Agholor WR – PHI
Duke Johnson RB – CLE
Ty Montgomery RB – GB
Calvin Ridley RB – ATL
Aaron Jones RB – GB
James White RB – NE
Sterling Shepard WR – NYG
Giovani Bernard RB – CIN
Dez Bryant WR – FA
Rishard Matthews WR – TEN
D.J. Moore WR – CAR
Analysis: Barber continues to rise fantasy football draft boards and respectively so. Barber has dominated the preseason snaps with the starters and Ronald Jones has been less than impressive so far. For a bench slot, this could be a steal if he starts and ends the season as their top back. He has flex potential for my roster.
ROUND 11
Delanie Walker TE – TEN
Corey Clement RB – PHI
Martavis Bryant WR – OAK
Marqise Lee WR – JAC
LeGarrette Blount RB – DET
Mohamed Sanu WR – ATL
Mike Williams WR – LAC
Kenny Golladay WR – DET
Robert Kelley RB – WAS
Michael Gallup WR – DAL
Josh Doctson WR – WAS
Samaje Perine RB – WAS
Analysis: After Derrius Guice’s injury it has opened an opportunity for someone to get some of the touches that were planned for him. Perine was able to put together a few good games last year in a similar situation so I am betting that he could end up as the top back for the Redskins.
ROUND 12
Anthony Miller WR – CHI
Chris Godwin WR – TB
Ben Roethlisberger QB – PIT
Tyrell Williams WR – LAC
Matt Breida RB – SF
Tyler Lockett WR – SEA
Theo Riddick RB – DET
Minnesota Vikings DST – MIN
Trey Burton TE – CHI
D’onta Freeman RB – HOU
Los Angeles Chargers DST – LAC
Jordan Reed TE – WAS
Analysis: I was a big fan of Miller prior to the NFL Draft and thought he was a great fit for Matt Nagy’s offense in Chicago. He has looked great thus far in the preseason and could be a great spot start for me throughout the season.
ROUND 13
Philadelphia Eagles DST – PHI
Geronimo Allison WR – GB
George Kittle TE – SF
Jimmy Garoppolo QB – SF
Desean Jackson WR – TB
Jack Doyle TE – IND
David Njoku TE – CLE
Ted Ginn WR – NO
Jared Cook TE – OAK
Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE – JAC
O.J. Howard TE – TB
John Brown WR – BAL
Analysis: Sometimes when there is smoke, there is fire. Well based on reports, ‘Smoke’ Brown has been very impressive in camp. With there being an open competition on the targets in the Ravens receiving corps, I am betting on Brown winning the majority share and potentially being a WR3 on my starting roster.
ROUND 14
Bilal Powell RB – NYJ
Nyheim Hines RB – IND
Doug Martin RB – OAK
Ricky Seals-Jones TE – ARI
Austin Ekeler RB – LAC
Houston Texans DST – HOU
Danny Amendola WR – MIA
Philip Rivers QB – LAC
Latavius Murray RB – MIN
Tyler Eifert TE – CIN
Jordan Wilkins RB – IND
Jeremy Hill RB – NE
Analysis: By forgoing not selecting a backup quarterback or tight end I understand that this pick will more than likely see the waiver wire at some point. Powell could win most of the touches as the season goes for the Jets but if he doesn't then I could drop him when byes startup.
ROUND 15
Dede Westbrook WR – JAC
Dak Prescott QB – DAL
Denver Broncos DST – DEN
Baltimore Ravens DST – BAL
Kenneth Dixon RB – BAL
Frank Gore RB – MIA
Hayden Hurst TE – BAL
Eric Ebron TE – IND
Seattle Seahawks DST – SEA
New Orleans Saints DST – NO
Green Bay Packers DST – GB
Greg Zuerlein K - LAR
Analysis: Zuerlein finds himself on a team that features one of the top offenses in the NFL. He should see plenty of opportunities to put the ball up between the uprights.
ROUND 16
Carolina Panthers DST – CAR
Justin Tucker K – BAL
Stephen Gostkowski K – NE
Matt Bryant K – ATL
Robbie Gould K – SF
Wil Lutz K – NO
Chris Boswell K – PIT
Dan Bailey K – DAL
Jake Elliott K – PHI
Harrison Butker K – KC
Matt Prater K – DET
Cairo Santos K – NYJ
Analysis: I like to stream defenses, but the Panthers typically have a strong defense when Luke Kuechly is healthy, so I am betting on that. They face the Cowboys Week 1 which features an offense with questions about their passing game and could enter the season with a banged up offensive line. If I feel differently come opening week, then to the waivers I go.