By: Robert Robinson
This week I take on the challenge of drafting from the number 9 position in a .5 PPR format. Follow Blitzalytics across all your favorite social media platforms, as we’ll be releasing full mocks from each draft position for 12 team 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: 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, 1Flex (RB/WR/TE), D/ST (team defense), and K, 6 bench .5 PPR scoring format. Make sure to check out last week’s mocks, and stay tuned later in the week for more!
Final Roster:
QB: Matt Ryan
RB: Christian McCaffrey
RB: Derrius Guice
WR: Odell Beckham Jr.
WR: Stefon Diggs
WR: Chris Hogan
TE: Eric Ebron
FLX: Dion Lewis
DST: Denver Broncos
K: Matt Bryant
Bench:
RB: Tarik Cohen
RB: Mark Ingram
RB: Duke Johnson
RB: Ty Montgomery
WR: Rishard Matthews
WR: Christian Kirk
Overview: I am fairly happy with this lineup given my draft position. obviously my tight end is a flyer so I am more than just a little weak there. I also could use some added depth at wide receiver; I am in love with my starters but drafted thin at the position for my bench. For me this type of lineup is normal to leave a draft with as I feel that the running back position is more valuable of a trade commodity, so I am hoping that a few of my later backs outperform their draft position. Then I could flip my RB depth into upgrades later on in the season.
Round 1:
1.1 Todd Gurley — RB (LAR)
1.2 Le’Veon Bell — RB (PIT)
1.3 David Johnson — RB (ARI)
1.4 Ezekiel Elliott — RB (DAL)
1.5 Saquon Barkley — RB (NYG)
1.6 Antonio Brown — WR (PIT)
1.7 Alvin Kamara — RB (NO)
1.8 DeAndre Hopkins — WR (HOU)
1.9 Odell Beckham Jr. — WR (NYG)
1.10 Keenan Allen — WR (LAC)
1.11 Kareem Hunt — RB (KC)
1.12 Julio Jones — WR (ATL)
Analysis: It is ridiculous how deep the league is right now, as evidenced by the caliber of player I got in the number 9 slot. I had OBJ slightly above Kamara and Hopkins, though I may be alone in that opinion, so I was ecstatic that he fell to me here. As I have professed before I see OBJ having a record-setting season to show everyone he is worth the giant contract he wants. I couldn’t pull the trigger quick enough.
Round 2:
2.1 Melvin Gordon — RB (LAC)
2.2 Dalvin Cook — RB (MIN)
2.3 Michael Thomas — WR (NO)
2.4 Christian McCaffrey — RB (CAR)
2.5 Joe Mixon — RB (CIN)
2.6 Leonard Fournette — RB (JAX)
2.7 Devonta Freeman — RB (ATL)
2.8 Davante Adams — WR (GB)
2.9 A.J. Green — WR (CIN)
2.10 Lesean Mccoy — RB (BUF)
2.11 Jerick Mckinnon — RB (SF)
2.12 Mike Evans — WR (TB)
Analysis: I was really hoping that Thomas would make it to me, but he went one pick before me. I was torn between Fournette and McCaffrey, but I have some concern over Leonards foot. That and the fact that this is a PPR league led me to take McCaffrey.
Round 3:
3.1 Rob Gronkowski — TE (NE)
3.2 Tyreek Hill — WR (KC)
3.3 Adam Thielen — WR (MIN)
3.4 Aaron Rodgers — QB (GB)
3.5 Travis Kelce — TE (KC)
3.6 Jordan Howard — RB (CHI)
3.7 Doug Baldwin — WR (SEA)
3.8 T.Y. HIlton — WR (IND)
3.9 Derrius Guice — RB (WAS)
3.10 Golden Tate — WR (DET)
3.11 Alshon Jeffery — WR (PHI)
3.12 Zach Ertz — TE (PHI)
Analysis: It seems I always end up with Guice on my team, regardless of which spot I draft from. I also heavily considered taking Ertz here as he is the last of my top tier guys available but I don’t often like to pull the trigger this early on one. Guice has the potential to be a workhorse back and even though Chris Thompson looks to take the 3rd down role, I don’t see Samaje Perine or Rob Kelly being much of a threat to Guice pulling in the early down and goal line work.
Round 4:
4.1 Amari Cooper — WR (OAK)
4.2 Larry Fitzgerald -WR (ARI)
4.3 Demaryius Thomas — WR (DEN)
4.4 Stefon Diggs — WR (MIN)
4.5 Allen Robinson — WR (CHI)
4.6 Josh Gordon — WR (CLE)
4.7 Juju Smith-Schuster- WR (PIT)
4.8 Deshaun Watson — QB ( HOU)
4.9 Kenyan Drake — RB (MIA)
4.10 Brandin Cooks — WR (LAR)
4.11 Jimmy Graham — TE (GB)
4.12 Derrick Henry — RB (TEN)
Analysis: I know people love Thielen, and I had plenty of shares of him last season, but I see Stefon Diggs being the biggest beneficiary of Kirk Cousins coming to town. Sure, Case Keenum had a fine season last year, but he was more of a game manager. Cousins is much more apt to chucking the ball downfield as to checking down.
Round 5:
5.1 Jarvis Landry — WR (CLE)
5.2 Will Fuller — WR (HOU)
5.3 Evan Engram -TE (NYG)
5.4 Marvin Jones — WR (DET)
5.5 Corey Davis — WR (CLE)
5.6 Greg Olsen — TE (CAR)
5.7 Delanie Walker — TE (TEN)
5.8 Alex Collins — RB (BAL)
5.9 Dion Lewis — RB (TEN)
5.10 Rashaad Penny — RB (SEA)
5.11 Tom Brady — QB (NE)
5.12 Ronald Jones — RB (TB)
Analysis: I love Dion Lewis this season, especially in PPR formats. Lewis will slide right into the DeMarco Murray role. The both of them had very similar stats as far as carries and catches, but Lewis was much more efficient in the run game (Murray: 184 touches 3.6 YPC, Lewis: 180 touches 5.6 YPC), and found pay-dirt more often in the pass game (Murray: 39 catches 266 yards and 1 TD, Lewis: 32 grabs for 214 yards and 3 TDs).
Round 6:
6.1 Michael Crabtree — WR (BAL)
6.2 Pierre Garcon — WR (SF)
6.3 Russell Wilson — QB (SEA)
6.4 Chris Hogan — WR (NE)
6.5 Sammy Watkins — WR (KC)
6.6 Devin Funchess — WR (CAR)
6.7 Julian Edelman — WR (NE)
6.8 Sony Michel — RB (NE)
6.9 Robert Woods — WR (LAR)
6.10 Emmanuel Sanders — WR (DEN)
6.11 Jamison Crowder — WR (WAS)
6.12 Cooper Kupp — WR (LAR)
Analysis: I like Hogan as my number 3 receiver, especially for the first 4 games of the season that Edelman is suspended. I do have a feeling that once Julian come back Hogan is more touchdown dependant than I would like. I gave strong thought to making Sammy Watkins my pick, as Andy Reid already seems smitten with him, but I know that Brady already has a connection with Hogan. I may live to regret taking Hogan over Watkins, but as of today I am happy.
Round 7:
7.1 Kyle Rudolph — TE (MIN)
7.2 Marquise Goodwin — WR (SF)
7.3 Jordy Nelson — WR (OAK)
7.4 Randall Cobb — wR (GB)
7.5 Devante Parker — WR (MIA)
7.6 Jay Ajayi — RB (PHI)
7.7 Robby Anderson — WR (NYJ)
7.8 Jordan Reed — TE (WAS)
7.9 Tarik Cohen — RB (CHI)
7.10 Royce Freeman — RB (DEN)
7.11 Nelson Agholor — WR (PHI)
7.12 Trey Burton — TE (CHI)
Analysis: Tarik Cohen found a way to be a top 30 back last year with the less than creative John Fox calling plays for him. Now he has Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator, who has has made the most of his pass catching backs in his history in Kansas City. Again this is a gut feeling, but I think that Cohen is the back to own from Chicago this season, especially in PPR formats.
Round 8:
8.1 Carson Wentz- QB (PHI)
8.2 Lamar Miller — RB (HOU)
8.3 Sterling Shepard — WR (NYG)
8.4 Mark Ingram — RB (NO)
8.5 Cam Newton — QB (CAR)
8.6 Kirk Cousins — QB (MIN)
8.7 Drew Brees — QB (NO)
8.8 Calvin Ridley — WR (ATL)
8.9 Kelvin Benjamin — WR (BUF)
8.10 Jimmy Garoppolo — QB (SF)
8.11 Matthew Stafford — QB (DET)
8.12 Andrew Luck — QB (IND)
Analysis: Mark Ingram is going to miss the first 4 games of the season, so I know that I’ll have a dead roster spot for a quarter of the year. But I think when he comes back he will be an every-week back. The Saints have to know that Kamara, as electric as he is, isn’t built to be an every down back. I think the Saints go right back to what was successful for them last season and Ingram assumes his full role upon returning from suspension.
Round 9:
9.1 Tevin Coleman — RB (ATL)
9.2 Chris Thompson — RB (WAS)
9.3 Carlos Hyde — RB (CLE)
9.4 Marshawn Lynch — RB (OAK)
9.5 Kerryon Johnson — RB (DET)
9.6 Jacksonville Jaguars — DST
9.7 Aaron Jones — RB (GB)
9.8 Rex Burkhead — RB (NE)
9.9 Duke Johnson — RB (CLE)
9.10 Kenny Still — WR (MIA)
9.11 Marlon Mack — RB (IND)
9.12 Jamaal Williams — RB (GB)
Analysis: I am stacking up on PPR specialist backs. I know the Browns signed Carols Hyde and drafted Nick Chubb this offseason, and I think those two will go head to head for the “lead back” position, but Johnson had earned his role in this offense and to me is, at worst, a good bye week replacement and flex play.
Round 10:
10.1 C.J. Anderson — RB (CAR)
10.2 O.J. Howard — TE (TB)
10.3 Mike Williams — WR (LAC)
10.4 Ty Montgomery — RB (GB)
10.5 Giovani Bernard — RB (CIN)
10.6 Devontae Booker — RB (DEN)
10.7 Allen Hurns — WR (DAL)
10.8 Nick Chubb — RB (CLE)
10.9 Dez Bryant — WR (FA)
10.10 Isaiah Crowell — RB (NYJ)
10.11 Cameron Meredith — WR (NO)
10.12 Los Angeles Rams — DST
Analysis: I maintain that I want the Packers running back that is picked last, and with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams both going last round, I took the opportunity to select Ty in the 10th round. He also fits in well with the overall aesthetic of my position, as he is the most talented pass catcher out of the Packer backfield.
Round 11:
11.1 Marqise Lee — WR (JAX)
11.2 D’Onta Foreman — RB (HOU)
11.3 Martavis Bryant — WR (OAK)
11.4 Desean Jackson- WR (TB)
11.5 D.J. Moore — WR (CAR)
11.6 Corey Clement — RB (PHI)
11.7 Josh Doctson — WR (WAS)
11.8 George Kittle — TE (SF)
11.9 Rishard Matthews — WR (TEN)
11.10 Dede Westbrook — WR (JAX)
11.11 Tyler Eifert — TE (CIN)
11.12 Kenny Golladay — WR (DEN)
Analysis: I watched Rishard Matthews for the previous 2 rounds and came up with reasons to not take him, but in the 11th round and my position being thin, I had to pull the trigger. He isn’t a sexy pick, but he is consistent and at this point. Beggars can’t be choosers.
Round 12:
12.1 Matt Breida — RB (SF)
12.2 Jordan Mathews — WR (NE)
12.3 Jack Doyle — TE (IND)
12.4 Matt Ryan — QB (ATL)
12.5 Nyheim Hines — RB (IND)
12.6 David Njoku — TE (CLE)
12.7 Michael Gallup — WR (DAL)
12.8 Minnesota Vikings — DST
12.9 Mohamed Sanu — WR (ATL)
12.10 Cameron Brate — TE (TB)
12.11 Ben Roethlisberger — QB (PIT)
12.12 Chris Carson — RB (SEA)
Analysis: So I waited on QB and was starting to get a little nervous that if I didn’t jump now I would miss out on my guys. There are 16 picks between this pick and my next, and there’s a good chance I could be very unhappy with the guys that are left — so Ryan it is. I love his weapons, and while last year under offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian was less than stellar, the second year should be better. They also added talented receiver Calvin Ridley in the draft.
Round 13:
13.1 Paul Richardson — WR (WAS)
13.2 Austin Seferian-Jenkins — TE (JAX)
13.3 Jared Goff — QB — (LAR)
13.4 Charles Clay — TE (BUF)
13.5 Kalen Ballage — RB (MIA)
13.6 Ricky Seals-Jones — TE (ARI)
13.7 Phillip Rivers — QB (LAC)
13.8 Marcus Mariota — QB (TEN)
13.9 Eric Ebron — TE (IND)
13.10 Theo Riddick — RB (DET)
13.11 Brice Butler — WR (ARI)
13.12 Keelan Cole — WR (JAX)
Analysis: I slept too long on tight end. I do like Ebron this season, but he has burned me in the past. I will drink the Kool-Aid one more time. The return of Andrew Luck has me excited about the Colts offense as a whole, and Ebron is one of only five TEs that have more than 185 catches, 2000 yards, and 10 TDs through their age 24 seasons. The others are Kellen Winslow, Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez, and Jason Witten. That’s some good company.
Round 14:
14.1 Patrick Mahomes — QB (KC)
14.2 Bilal Powell — QB (NYJ)
14.3 James White — RB (NE)
14.4 Christian Kirk — WR (ARI)
14.5 Anthony Miller — WR (CHI)
14.6 Chris Ivory — RB (BUF)
14.7 Doug Martin — RB (OAK)
14.8 Courtland Sutton — WR (DEN)
14.9 Legarrette Blount — RB (DET)
14.10 Latavius Murray — RB (MIN)
14.11 T.J. Yeldon — RB (JAX)
14.12 Kenneth Dixon — RB (BAL)
Analysis: I was scrambling to fill my bench with some talent at the receiver position, but it was getting really thin. I decide to go with Christian Kirk here, as he should slot into the number 2 receiver position behind Larry Fitzgerald.
Round 15:
15.1 Dak Prescott — QB (DAL)
15.2 Philadelphia Eagles — DST
15.3 Los Angeles Chargers — DST
15.4 Houston Texans — DST
15.5 Mike Gesicki — TE (MIA)
15.6 Derek Carr- QB (OAK)
15.7 Seattle Seahawks — DST
15.8 New England Patriots — DST
15.9 Denver Broncos — DST
15.10 Baltimore Ravens — DST
15.11 New Orleans Saints — DST
15.12 Carolina Panthers — DST
Analysis: I was going to take the best defense left on the board this round regardless as that is usually how my drafts end up unfolding, but I was very surprised to see the Broncos still sitting there. I know they lost some pieces this year, but adding Bradley Chubb should help cause enough disruption at the line to force some bad throws that translate into INTs and TDs. I see them being a top 3 scoring defense.
Round 16:
16.1 Stephen Gostkowski — K (NE)
16.2 Justin Tucker — K (BAL)
16.3 Greg Zuerlein — K (LAR)
16.4 Matt Bryant — (ATL)
16.5 Wil Lutz — K (NO)
16.6 Harrison Butker — K (KC)
16.7 Jake Elliott — K (PHI)
16.8 Robbie Gould — K (SF)
16.9 Chris Boswell — K (PIT)
16.10 Josh Lambo — K (JAX)
16.11 Dan Bailey — K (DAL)
16.12 Mason Crosby — K (GB)
Analysis: Kicker.