Written By Phillip Salmo
We are so close to the start of the season! This week I’m drafting from pick #10 in our 0.5 PPR format. In addition to 0.5 PPR, Blitz also releases full, 12-team mocks from each draft position for standard and 2 QB standard leagues. These mocks were done using Fantasy Pros’ 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 0.5 PPR. Make sure to check out last week’s mocks, as well as the ones from the other draft formats that have been released this week!
Final Roster:
QB: Deshaun Watson (HOU)
RB: Melvin Gordon (LAC)
RB: Leonard Fournette (JAC)
WR: Stefon Diggs (MIN)
WR: Golden Tate (DET)
WR: Pierre Garçon (SF)
TE: Jordan Reed (WAS)
FLX: Sonny Anderson (NYJ)
DST: Los Angeles Chargers
K: Justin Tucker (BAL)
Bench:
RB: Sony Michel (NE)
WR: Rishard Matthews (TEN)
WR: Cameron Meredith (NO)
QB: Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
RB: D’onta Foreman (HOU)
TE: Cameron Brate (TB)
Overview: After my first time doing a Blitz mock in a 0.5 PPR league, I took some time to reflect upon the strategy that I had utilized. I wanted to see if I would still be able to attain the same level of talent at the wide receiver position while emphasizing the importance of running backs even more than last time. I ended up picking running backs with my first two picks in the draft. I think that this strategy paid off, as not only did I get two top-10 running backs, but I also was still able to get three starting wide receivers who could all easily go over 1,000 yards receiving this season. Aside from this, my strategy more or less stayed the same. I picked a QB later than I would have had it been a 2 QB standard league, and I picked a tight end very late in the draft because in the earliest rounds there were players that I found far more valuable than a top-3 TE. Ultimately, I am happy with the depth that I have at the wide receiver, running back, and quarterback positions, as well as with the defense that I was able to pick up in the third-to-last round.
Round 1:
Todd Gurley, RB — LAR
Ezekiel Elliott, RB — DAL
Le’veon Bell, RB — PIT
David Johnson, RB — ARI
Antonio Brown, WR — PIT
Alvin Kamara, RB — NO
Saquon Barkley, RB — NYG
Deandre Hopkins, WR — HOU
Kareem Hunt, RB — KC
Melvin Gordon, RB — LA
Odell Beckham, WR — NYG
Dalvin Cook, RB — MIN
Analysis: Gordon is a great pickup in the first round. He was top-7 in terms of rushing yards with a little over 1,100 yards on the ground. He also scored 8 rushing touchdowns. In addition to this productivity on the ground, he also was a significant part of the Charger’s passing game with almost 500 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns, making him a great dual-threat back. I think that he will act as a dependable and productive RB-1 on my team and will help to provide the needed talent at the running back position that I was looking for in the draft.
Round 2:
Michael Thomas, WR — NO
Keenan Allen WR — LAC
Leonard Fournette, RB — JAC
Julio Jones, WR — ATL
Davante Adams, WR — GB
Devonta Freeman, RB — ATL
A.J Green, WR — CIN
Mike Evans, WR- TB
Jerick McKinnon, RB — SF
Jordan Howard, RB — CHI
Doug Baldwin, WR — SEA
Lesean McCoy, RB — BUF
Analysis: I was pleasantly surprised that Fournette was still available in the early second round, as he is normally picked up by the end of the first round in the mocks I’ve done. He was 8th in the league with 1,040 yards rushing and added 9 touchdowns on the ground. He also added 302 yards receiving which, while less impressive than Gordon’s contributions, nonetheless makes his game multi-dimensional. I think that he is a great RB2, providing even more strength at the running back position for my team. While some may be concerned that he will have something of a sophomore slump this season, I’d bet that he is going to put up similar numbers this season.
Round 3:
T.Y Hilton, WR — IND
Rob Gronkowski, TE — NE
Tyreek Hill, WR — KC
Travis Kelce, TE — KC
Christian McCaffrey, RB — CAR
Aaron Rodgers, QB — GB
Adam Thielen, WR — MIN
Zach Ertz, TE — PHI
Joe Mixon, RB — CIN
Stefon Diggs, WR — MIN
Allen Robinson, WR — CHI
Larry Fitzgerald, WR — ARI
Analysis: I was slightly concerned that my wide receiving talent would suffer slightly after I picked running backs with my first two picks. However, I think that I have strong starters at the position. This starts with Stefon Diggs. While he did not break 1,000 yards receiving last season, he did have 8 receiving touchdowns. I could easily see him having something of a breakout year this season. On the heels of his “Minneapolis Miracle” and new contract extension, I expect him to have over 1,000 yards receiving, especially with Kirk Cousins throwing him the ball.
Round 4:
Josh Gordon, WR — CLE
Amari Cooper, WR- OAK
Golden Tate, WR — DET
Brandin Cooks, WR — LAR
Kenyan Drake, RB — MIA
Alshon Jeffery, WR — PHI
Demaryius Thomas, WR — DEN
Derrick Henry, RB — TEN
Greg Olsen, TE — CAR
Juju Smith-Schuster, WR — PIT
Alex Collins, RB — BAL
Marvin Jones, WR — DET
Analysis: Tate is another great pickup here. He is arguably Matthew Stafford’s favorite target, leading the Lions in receptions (92) and ranking second in receiving yards (1003) last season. I expect him to have another great year and record his third consecutive 1,000 yard season. Tate adds needed strength at the wide receiver position for my team, which is something that I knew I needed in order to be successful in the 0.5 PPR league.
Round 5:
Evan Engram, TE — NYG
Jarvis Landry, WR — CLE
Jimmy Graham, TE — GB
Devin Funchess, WR — CAR
Russell Wilson, QB — SEA
Derrius Guice, RB — WAS
Michael Crabtree, WR — BAL
Tom Brady, QB — NE
Jay Ajayi, RB — PHI
Pierre Garçon, WR — SF
Rashad Penny, RB — SEA
Carson Wentz, QB — PHI
Analysis: This pick is certainly something of a gamble. Garçon is getting up there in age for the NFL, going into his tenth season. He also had a neck injury, an injury which can derail a career, which only allowed him to play 8 games last season. That being said, all reports point to him being fully healthy. He has now had all of training camp to build chemistry with starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo. I expect him to have close to (if not over) 1,000 yards receiving this season, especially because he had 500 last season without playing a single game with Garoppolo. Overall, Garçon adds more strength to the wide receiver position for my team.
Round 6:
Marlon Mack, RB — IND
Mark Ingram, RB — NO
Deshaun Watson, QB — HOU
Julian Edelman, WR — NE
Robert Woods, WR — LAR
Corey Davis, WR — TEN
Chris Hogan, WR — NE
Delanie Walker, TE — TEN
Sammy Watkins, WR — KC
Will Fuller, WR — HOU
Jamison Crowder, WR — WAS
Emmanuel Sanders, WR — DEN
Analysis: Much like my previous pick, this is something of a gamble. Watsonwas undoubtedly phenomenal in the games that he played last year before his injury. Had he kept up that level of production, he would have certainly gone to the Pro Bowl, probably won Offensive Rookie of the Year, and maybe even MVP. While ACL injuries are always worrisome, he seems to have healed. I do believe, however, that we only have a small sample size of what Watson can do, and have to see more this season. That being said, if he can produce at or even close to the level that he did last season, he will be an excellent starting QB for my team.
Round 7:
Ronald Jones, RB — TB
Dion Lewis, RB — TEN
Jordy Nelson, WR — OAK
Drew Brees, QB — NO
Lamar Miller, RB — HOU
Marshawn Lynch, RB — OAK
Cam Newton, QB — CAR
Kyle Rudolph, TE- MIN
Kirk Cousins, QB — WAS
Robby Anderson, WR — NYJ
Matthew Stafford, QB — DET
Royce Freeman, RB — DEN
Analysis: I think that Anderson is a good pickup for the FLEX position. I would normally have a running back in the FLEX role because of the limited supply of top runners, but I wanted to go with a receiver because this is a 0.5 PPR league. Anderson improved significantly last season, gaining 941 yards receiving and scoring 7 touchdowns in the air, both of which ranked first for the Jets. He will most likely be the Jets top receiver again this season. I expect him to improve even more this season, all the while being a useful asset for my team in the FLEX role.
Round 8:
Randall Cobb, WR — GB
Cooper Kupp, WR — LAR
Sony Michael, RB — NE
Devante Parker, WR — MIA
Tevin Coleman, RB — ATL
Marquise Goodwin, WR — SF
Kelvin Benjamin, WR — BUF
Nelson Agholor, WR — PHI
Sterling Shepard, WR — NYG
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB — SF
Matt Ryan, QB — ATL
Philip Rivers, QB — LAR
Analysis: While I am very happy with my two starting running backs, I wanted to have as much depth as possible in case the unexpected injury bug strikes my team. I think that Michel could actually have some good production this year. Being a first round pick, he is most likely going to get the opportunity to prove himself with the starters, especially because no running backs on the Patriots particularly stand out. I expect him to act as a solid backup for me in the event that I need him.
Round 9:
Allen Hurns, WR — DAL
Los Angeles Rams — D/ST
Kerryon Johnson, RB — DET
Marquise Goodwin, WR — JAC
Chris Thompson, RB — WAS
Kenny Stills, WR — MIA
Carlos Hyde, RB- CLE
Jacksonville Jaguars, D/ST
Dez Bryant, WR — DAL
Rishard Matthews, WR — TEN
Rex Burkhead, RB- NE
Martavis Bryant, WR — OAK
Analysis: Matthews serves to provide depth at the wide receiver position for my team. He ranked second on the Titans in receiving yards and first in receiving touchdowns. I expect him to have a similarly productive season this year. While his recent absence due to an undisclosed injury is concerning, there is no indication that he will not be ready for the season opener as of yet. I believe that he will continue to be the reliable second option for Mariota and be a good asset for me in the event that I need him.
Round 10:
Isaiah Crowell, RB — NYJ
Trey Burton, TE — CHI
Jordan Reed, TE — WAS
Tarik Cohen, RB — CHI
Aaron Jones, RB — GB
George Kittle, TE — SF
Josh Doctson, WR — WAS
Calvin Ridley, WR — ATL
Duke Johnson, RB — CLE
Jamal Williams, RB — GB
Kenny Golladay, WR — DET
Tyler Lockett, WR — SEA
Analysis: This pick of my starting TE in the tenth round is a part of my strategy involving tight ends in 0.5 PPR leagues. While I value the contributions of the top-3 or 4 tight ends in the league, I will often not pick them in the first few rounds, as I value the contributions of top running backs and wide receivers more. As such, I knew that I could wait until the later rounds to pick up a dependable starting TE. Jordan Reed was injured last season, only playing 6 games for the Redskins and managing 27 receptions and 2 touchdowns. However, by all reports, he is healthy and ready to prove himself again this season. I expect to fill the role of the dependable tight end for my team.
Round 11:
C.J. Anderson, RB — CAR
Bilal Powell, RB — NYJ
Minnesota Vikings, D/ST
Desean Jackson, WR — TB
Nick Chubb, RB — CLE
D.J. Moore, WR — CAR
Ty Montgomery, RB — GB
Frank Gore, RB — MIA
Jack Doyle, TE — IND
Cameron Meredith, WR — NO
Devontae Booker, RB — DEN
Tyler Eifert, TE — CIN
Analysis: Meredith is another player that helps to bring depth to the wide receiver position for my team. While he is 11 months removed from a torn ACL and MCL, at this point he appears to be fully healthy and practicing with restricted reps in training camp. It’s looking like he will be ready for the season opener. Reports indicate that he has a shot to usurp Ted Ginn Jr. as the №2 wide receiver if he stays healthy, and will nonetheless play a significant role in the Saints offense. I expect him to act as a reliable backup for my fantasy team.
Round 12:
David Njoku, TE — CLE
Giovani Bernard, RB — CIN
Ben Roethlisberger, QB — PIT
O.J. Howard, TE — TB
Cole Beasley, WR — DAL
Philadelphia Eagles, D/ST
Theo Riddick, RB — DET
Dede Westbrook, WR — JAC
Legarrette Blount, RB — DET
Mike Williams, WR — LAC
Mohamed Sanu, WR — ATL
Andrew Luck, QB — IND
Analysis: Given Deshaun Watson’s injury and small sample size of his games played, I knew that I wanted to have a reliable backup QB if it was necessary for me to switch players in the middle of the season. While Big Ben certainly has had his own injury concerns over the years, he is still an incredibly reliable starter. Even in his 14th season, he still passed for 4,251 yards and 28 touchdowns. I expect him to have similar levels of production this season. If Watson doesn’t recreate the “wow factor” that he had last season, I know that I will at least have a reliable replacement.
Round 13:
Ted Ginn Jr., WR — NO
Marcus Mariota, QB — TEN
Patrick Mahomes, QB — KC
Keelan Cole, WR — JAC
Charles Clay, TE — BUF
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE — JAC
Hayden Hurst, TE — BAL
Samaje Perine, RB — WAS
Jared Goff, QB — LAR
D’onta Foreman, RB — HOU
Eric Ebron, TE — IND
Doug Martin, RB — OAK
Analysis: Foreman definitely showed flashes of promise in his rookie season, despite his average numbers (only 327 yards and 2 touchdowns). However, what is most concerning with him is the Achilles injury that prematurely ended his season in week 11. At this point, there are concerns that he will not be able to make it off of the PUP list before the start of the season. If he is unable to, then he will have to sit out the first six weeks of the season, putting a significant dent in his potential fantasy production. While there are question marks over when he will return, Foreman could act as a solid backup for my team if he is healthy and continues to make positive strides this season.
Round 14:
Denver Broncos, D/ST
Alex Smith, QB — WAS
Los Angeles Chargers, D/ST
Latavius Murray, RB — MIN
Danny Amendola, WR — MIA
Corey Clement, RB — PHI
Nyheim Hines, RB — IND
Jameis Winston, QB — TB
Kenneth Dixon, RB — BAL
Chris Carson, RB — SEA
Peyton Barber, RB — TB
James White, RB — NE
Analysis: This pick continues my strategy of picking a defense in the last three rounds (even though some chose to not pick one at all) as I value the strength of an excellent D/ST. I expect the Chargers to be a respectable defense this season. They ranked third in points allowed and third in yards allowed through the air last season. While there are a number of concerns about the running defense that still stem for last season, I think the defense can still be a good pickup. Given the pass-happy nature of the NFL today, I feel that the strengths of their defense will overcome their weaknesses.
Round 15:
Houston Texans, D/ST
Anthony Miller, WR — CHI
Geronimo Allison, WR — GB
Baltimore Ravens, D/ST
New Orleans Saints, D/ST
Seattle Seahawks, D/ST
Dak Prescott, QB — DAL
Matt Breida, RB — SF
New England Patriots, D/ST
Cameron Brate, TE — TB
Carolina Panthers, D/ST
Terrelle Pryor, WR, NYJ
Analysis: Brate is really an insurance policy for me in the event that Jordan Reed’s injury woes continue. Brate put up respectable numbers last season, racking up 591 yards receiving and 6 touchdowns. I have no reason to believe that he will not put him similar numbers this season. I know that, in the event that I need him, that he can be a consistent starter for a fantasy team.
Round 16:
Stephen Gostkowski, K — NE
Greg Zuerlein, K — LAR
Justin Tucker, K — BAL
Jake Elliot, K — PHI
Matt Bryant, K — ATL
Will Lutz, K — NO
Matt Prater, K — DET
Chris Boswell, K — PIT
Dan Bailey, K — DAL
Mason Crosby, K — GB
Harrison Butker, K — KC
Robbie Gould, K — SF
Analysis: Tucker is a strong choice at kicker, though frankly any of the top-10 or so kickers in the league would be too. Tucker has been considered a top-5 kicker for some years now. He is incredibly accurate, making 91.7% of his kicks last season and 90.2% of his kicks throughout his career. He also has great leg strength, with a long of 57 yards last season and a career-long of 61 yards. I expect him to have similar production this upcoming season.