Written by: Cody Manning
This week I drafted from the #9 position in a 2QB, standard scoring format. Follow Blitzalytics across all your favorite social media platforms, as we’ll be releasing full, 12-team mocks from each draft position for standard, 0.5 PPR, and 2QB standard leagues. These mocks were done using FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Wizard, and the roster settings for today’s mock are as follows: 2QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, 1Flex (RB/WR/TE), D/ST (team defense), and K. Make sure to check out last week’s mocks, and stay tuned later in the week for more!
Final Roster:
QB: Philip Rivers (LAC)
QB: Marcus Mariota (TEN)
RB: Melvin Gordon (LAC)
RB: Joe Mixon (CIN)
WR: DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)
WR: T.Y. Hilton (IND)
WR: Marvin Jones (DET)
TE: Kyle Rudolph (MIN)
FLX: Marshawn Lynch (OAK)
DST: Carolina Panthers
K: Justin Tucker (BAL)
Bench:
QB: Eli Manning (NYG)
RB: Isaiah Crowell (NYJ)
WR: Josh Doctson (WAS)
WR: Tyler Lockett (SEA)
RB: Corey Clement (PHI)
RB: Peyton Barber (TB)
Overview:
The #9 slot in a 12-team league can be difficult to navigate through, especially in a 2QB format where quarterbacks are going off the board higher than they typically do in your standard fantasy football format. I really like my top two running backs, Melvin Gordon and Joe Mixon. Gordon has the talent to end up as a top 5 fantasy back this year, and Mixon is a candidate to break out in the fantasy scene. My trio of receivers, DeAndre Hopkins, T.Y. Hilton, and Marvin Jones could all finish as a top 15 fantasy receiver. Those five players make a strong core for my roster. If Philip Rivers and MarcusMariota can give me a solid season, then I like my chances of making the playoffs with this roster.
ROUND 1:
Todd Gurley RB — LAR
Le’veon Bell RB — PIT
Ezekiel Elliott RB — DAL
Aaron Rodgers QB — GB
David Johnson RB — ARI
Alvin Kamara RB — NO
Antonio Brown WR — PIT
Tom Brady QB — NE
DeAndre Hopkins WR — HOU
Russell Wilson QB — SEA
Saquon Barkley RB — NYG
Kareem Hunt RB — KC
Analysis: After seeing all the top backs and the top receiver go off the board, I was happy to land Hopkins at the 9th spot. I was considering pulling the trigger on Odell Beckham Jr., but I feel like there are just too many mouths to feed in the Giants offense. Hopkins should see a consistent amount of targets every week and will be the focal point of the Texans passing attack once again.
ROUND 2:
Cam Newton QB — CAR
Deshaun Watson QB — HOU
Odell Beckham Jr. WR — NYG
Melvin Gordon RB — LAC
Leonard Fournette RB — JAX
Dalvin Cook RB — MIN
Julio Jones WR — ATL
Michael Thomas WR — NO
Carson Wentz QB — PHI
Keenan Allen WR — LAC
Devonta Freeman RB — ATL
Davante Adams WR — GB
Analysis: After taking a receiver in the first round I knew I had to land my RB1 the next round. Gordon has been one of the better fantasy backs over the last couple seasons and should be able to continue to ascend his play as he heads into his fourth season. With the injury to tight end Hunter Henry, the Chargers will lean on Gordon as much as they can. With no threat to take away his touches, he should dominate all the opportunities given to their backfield.
ROUND 3:
Christian McCaffery RB — CAR
A.J. Green WR — CIN
Jordan Howard RB — CHI
Jerick McKinnon RB — SF
Rob Gronkowski TE — NE
Mike Evans WR — TB
LeSean McCoy RB — BUF
Kirk Cousins QB — MIN
Joe Mixon RB — CIN
Travis Kelce TE — KC
Drew Brees QB — NO
Ben Roethlisberger QB — PIT
Analysis: I was debating on taking a quarterback with this selection, but after looking over the backs I knew I needed to pull the trigger on one. I felt like Mixon was the best choice left because he will be dominating the touches in the Bengals backfield. With an improved offensive line I like his chances to have a breakout season.
ROUND 4:
Derrius Guice RB — WAS
Derrick Henry RB — TEN
Brandin Cooks WR — LAR
T.Y. Hilton WR — IND
Adam Thielen WR — MIN
Tyreek Hill WR — KC
Doug Baldwin WR — SEA
Stefon Diggs WR — MIN
Kenyan Drake RB — MIA
Zach Ertz TE — PHI
Amari Cooper WR — OAK
Andrew Luck QB — IND
Analysis: When it came back around to me I was shocked to see Hilton still on the board. With the return of Andrew Luck, we should see Hiltonreconnect with his favorite quarterback and put up some big numbers this season. He has the potential to finish as a top 10 fantasy receiver.
ROUND 5:
Allen Robinson WR — CHI
Matthew Stafford QB — DET
Jimmy Garoppolo QB — SF
Alshon Jeffery WR — PHI
Patrick Mahomes QB — KC
Matt Ryan QB — ATL
Jared Goff QB — LAR
Larry Fitzgerald WR — ARI
Philip Rivers QB — LAC
Ronald Jones RB — TB
Josh Gordon WR — CLE
Juju Smith-Schuster WR — PIT
Analysis: After waiting five rounds to take my first starting quarterback I decided to go with Rivers because of his potential. Even though Hunter Henry is already done for the season, the Chargers still have Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Tyrell Williams to go three-wide and spread defenses out this season. I think he is going to have a solid season, and that’s all I am asking for since I waited so long for my QB1.
ROUND 6:
Golden Tate WR — DET
Demaryius Thomas WR — DEN
Jarvis Landry WR — CLE
Marvin Jones WR — DET
Rashaad Penny RB — SEA
Jay Ajayi RB — PHI
Alex Collins RB — BAL
Lamar Miller RB — HOU
Chris Hogan WR — NE
Michael Crabtree WR — BAL
Jimmy Graham TE — GB
Sony Michel RB — NE
Analysis: After selecting my first quarterback I felt comfortable waiting around, so I wanted to address some of the other spots left on my starting lineup. I did consider Jimmy Graham here, but I couldn’t pass up on the talent that Marvin Jones offers. He was a surprise last year in fantasy, and I think he is going to continue his growth. This pick solidifies my receivers as I believe I have three guys I can count on every week.
ROUND 7:
Corey Davis WR — TEN
Delanie Walker TE — TEN
Greg Olsen TE — CAR
Emmanuel Sanders WR — DEN
Evan Engram TE — NYG
Will Fuller WR — HOU
Devin Funchess WR — CAR
Mark Ingram RB — NO
Kyle Rudolph TE — MIN
C.J. Anderson RB — CAR
Sammy Watkins WR — KC
Robert Woods WR — LAR
Analysis: After seeing the second-tier of tight ends picked before my turn, I knew I couldn’t risk waiting for the next round to grab mine. Rudolph has been one of the most efficient tight ends in the red zone over the past couple of seasons and should be able to continue to produce like he always has. I feel like he is more of a sure thing over the remaining tight ends on the board.
ROUND 8:
Trey Burton TE — CHI
Jordy Nelson WR — OAK
Pierre Garcon WR — SF
Marcus Mariota QB — TEN
Jordan Reed TE — WAS
Derek Carr QB — OAK
Dak Prescott QB — DAL
Julian Edelman WR — NE
Royce Freeman RB — DEN
Cooper Kupp WR — LAR
Jameis Winston QB — TB
David Njoku TE — CLE
Analysis: With so many picks until I was going to be up again, I knew I had to walk away with my second starting quarterback in this round. Mariota could have a bounce-back season under his new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, and he still has the legs to get me some points on the ground. If Mariotabecomes the quarterback that the Titans drafted him to be then this is a steal at this point in the draft.
ROUND 9:
Alex Smith QB — WAS
Jamison Crowder WR — WAS
Mitch Trubisky QB — CHI
Randall Cobb WR — GB
Ryan Tannehill QB — MIA
Dion Lewis RB — TEN
Carlos Hyde RB — CLE
Devante Parker WR — MIA
Marshawn Lynch RB — OAK
Blake Bortles QB — JAC
Marquise Goodwin WR — SF
D.J. Moore WR — CAR
Analysis: I really liked this pick as my flex starter because Lynch should be able to dominate most of the carries out of the Raiders backfield. He should see plenty of opportunities to put up some points, and I believe he could have an RB2-type season. If he does, then that helps solidify my roster depth even more.
ROUND 10:
Rex Burkhead RB — NE
Robby Anderson QB — NYJ
Marlon Mack RB — IND
Eli Manning QB — NYG
Jacksonville Jaguars DST — JAX
Tevin Coleman RB — ATL
Tarik Cohen RB — CHI
Kerryon Johnson RB — DET
Kelvin Benjamin WR — BUF
Chris Thompson RB — WAS
Duke Johnson RB — CLE
Calvin Ridley WR — ATL
Analysis: With the quarterback position thinning out at this point I decided to go ahead and use my first bench spot on Manning. This isn’t the sexiest of picks due to his performance last year, but with the weapons he has at his disposal, this selection could prove to pay huge dividends if everything comes together for the Giants offense.
ROUND 11:
Joe Flacco QB — BAL
Sterling Shepard WR — NYG
Case Keenum QB — DEN
Jamaal Williams RB — GB
Los Angeles Rams DST — LAR
Cameron Meredith WR — NO
Dez Bryant WR — FA
Marqise Lee WR — JAC
Isaiah Crowell RB — NYJ
Nick Chubb RB — CLE
Allen Hurns WR — DAL
Kenny Stills WR — MIA
Analysis: This isn’t a flashy pick either, but Crowell should be entering the season as the Jets top back on their depth chart. He offers me a solid spot start during bye weeks provided he dominates most of the touches throughout the season.
ROUND 12:
Aaron Jones RB — GB
Nelson Agholor WR — PHI
Bilal Powell RB — NYJ
Josh Doctson WR — WAS
James White RB — NE
Martavis Bryant WR — PIT
Mike Williams WR — LAC
Andy Dalton QB — CIN
Rishard Matthews WR — TEN
Minnesota Vikings DST — MIN
Tyrod Taylor QB — CLE
Philadelphia Eagles DST — PHI
Analysis: Doctson is one of my favorite sleeper fantasy receivers for the upcoming season. He is entering his third year, and with his size, he should see plenty of red zone opportunities. I am betting on his potential with this bench selection.
ROUND 13:
D’onta Foreman RB — HOU
Desean Jackson WR — TB
Kenny Golladay WR — DET
Devontae Booker RB — DEN
Anthony Miller WR — CHI
Michael Gallup WR — DALB
Latavius Murray RB — MIN
Mohamed Sanu WR — ATL
Tyler Lockett WR — SEA
Josh Allen QB — BUF
Ty Montgomery RB — GB
Baker Mayfield QB — CLE
Analysis: The Seahawks need someone to step up to help Russell Wilson besides Doug Baldwin. Lockett will be looking to do so after the departures of Jimmy Graham and Paul Richardson. I am betting on him taking his play to the next level with this pick.
ROUND 14:
George Kittle TE — SF
Tyler Eifert TE — CIN
Seattle Seahawks DST — SEA
Corey Clement RB — PHI
Giovani Bernard RB — CIN
Jack Doyle TE — IND
Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE — JAX
Matt Breida RB — SF
Jared Cook TE — OAK
Chris Carson RB — SEA
Theo Riddick RB — DET
Christian Kirk WR — ARI
Analysis: Clement is one of my sleeper fantasy backs for the upcoming season. After showing flashes of his potential last year, and he is in store for a more prominent role in their backfield. Jay Ajayi will open the season as the lead back, but I think Clement will cut into his touches as the season goes along.
ROUND 15:
Nyheim Hines RB — IND
LeGarrette Blount RB — DET
Doug Martin RB — OAK
O.J. Howard TE — TB
Austin Ekeler RB — LAC
Chris Ivory RB — BUF
Lamar Jackson QB — BAL
Nick Foles QB — PHI
Peyton Barber RB — TB
Corey Coleman WR — CLE
Frank Gore RB — MIA
Kenneth Dixon RB — BAL
Analysis: For my last bench spot I had no problem with the selection of Barber. He finished the season strong last year and could be the Bucs Week 1 starter. If he loses the job to Ronald Jones, then he is easily expendable.
ROUND 16:
Denver Broncos DST — DEN
Los Angeles Chargers DST — LAC
Wayne Gallman RB — NYG
Justin Tucker K — BAL
Charles Clay TE — BUF
Houston Texans DST — HOU
Baltimore Ravens DST — BAL
Jordan Matthews WR — NE
New England Patriots DST — NE
Paul Richardson WR — WAS
New Orleans Saints DST — NO
Mike Gesicki TE — MIA
Analysis: Why not select the best leg in the NFL? If Tucker can’t get me points because the Ravens offense is terrible (which hasn’t been an issue yet in his career) then I will search the waivers for his replacement instead.
ROUND 17:
Cairo Santos K — NYJ
Stephen Gostkowski K — NE
Greg Zuerlein K — LAR
Matt Bryant K — ATL
Harrison Butker K — KC
Wil Lutz K — NO
Jake Elliott K — PHI
Chris Boswell K — PIT
Carolina Panthers DST — CAR
Dan Bailey K — DAL
Mason Crosby K — GB
Matt Prater K — DET
Analysis: I like to stream defenses, so who knows if I would stick with the Panthers, but they typically always have a stout unit. They were worth a shot with my last pick.