(Image credit: Zach Kruse/USA Today)
By: Jett Rosenstein
Twitter: @rosey_jett
Welcome back to “Mock Draft Monday.” This week we are picking from the #6 slot in the draft order. As always, this is a 10-team PPR league. I need to fill out a roster of 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 W/R/T, 1 K, 1 D/ST, and 6 BN. This draft was completed via FantasyPros’ Draft Wizard. So, without further ado, let's get this draft started!
Pick 1.6: Davante Adams (WR-GB)
As expected, 5 straight RBs went to kick off this draft. That left me with a big decision at #6. I was deciding between Barkley & Taylor at RB or Adams at WR. For me, the best option in this spot is Davante Adams. Saquon has too many question marks surrounding his health and Taylor hasn’t proven he belongs in the 1st round just yet. Adams receives a big boost with QB Aaron Rodgers officially returning to the team. Adams came off a monster season in 2020 where he finished as the WR1. In 2021, his outlook is much of the same. He is the #1 option in this GB offense and will continue to get fed the ball. As great as it is starting off with a RB due to the positional scarcity, drafting a ball hog like Adams puts me in a great position, especially in a PPR league.
Picks 2.5 & 3.6: DeAndre Hopkins (WR-ARI) and Joe Mixon (RB-CIN)
As much as I wanted to draft a RB in this spot, I would have had to take my shot on Najee Harris or Antonio Gibson, a little too early for my liking. However, I will gladly settle for DeAndre Hopkins. Once again, being this is a PPR format, I was able to secure another ball hog. Hopkins is one of the most talented and consistent WRs in the game. Being able to start with this lethal duo at WR is pretty satisfying. Now, my focus shifts over to the RB position where I will need to play catchup and find some value.
Finding value at RB in the 3rd is exactly what happened. Joe Mixon, who currently has an ADP in the 2nd round fell into my lap and was an easy pick in round 3. Mixon is more than capable of finishing as an RB1 in 2021. He is going to receive a ton of volume and has a strong grasp on the Bengals’ backfield. Don’t be discouraged by his production in years past. Mixon is primed for a career year.
Picks 4.5 & 5.6: D’Andre Swift (RB-DET) and Kyler Murray (QB-ARI)
Going right back to the RB position, I chose a very popular breakout pick in D’Andre Swift who is also primed for a big season. Swift is going to be one of the few dependable names that the Lions are going to be able to count on which should be a positive development for his fantasy production. Even with the Lions' offense potentially hindering his scoring opportunities, Swift is going to be heavily used in both the passing game and rushing attack. I’ll gladly pencil Swift in as my RB2 considering he has been going in a lot of drafts a round earlier.
At this point in the draft, I had the option of choosing between several WRs I’m not interested in (Thielen, Lockett, and Golladay), reach on a RB, or lock in my QB. Kyler Murray was the answer for me with this selection. After Mahomes and Allen go off the board, Murray is a part of a group of QBs that I love for 2021. Murray presents a significant advantage at the QB position due to his rushing ability. In 2020, his rushing production trended downward as the season progressed but that was due to him not being 100% healthy. Look for Murray to be at full strength in 2021 while continuing to improve as a passer. He has the capability to finish as the QB1 in 2021.
Picks 6.5 & 7.6: Myles Gaskin (RB-MIA) and Josh Jacobs (RB-LV)
Once again I have the opportunity of taking Myles Gaskin in a mock draft and I am going to take full advantage of it. It is pretty simple. He is going to be the workhorse RB in Miami and potentially has the opportunity to enter the RB1 conversation in 2021. On top of that, I was able to draft him 2 rounds after his current ADP.
Josh Jacobs has been as disrespected as anybody so far in fantasy drafts. After being drafted in the 1st round in many leagues in 2020, he has seen his value plummet. The biggest reason for that is due to the addition of Kenyan Drake to the Raiders backfield. We know Jacobs isn’t going to be involved as a passer, but despite that, he was still able to finish as the RB8 in 2020. In 2021, he will still receive the majority of touches and have plenty of scoring opportunities at the goal line. Sign me up!
Picks 8.5 & 9.6: Tyler Boyd (WR-CIN) and Javonte Williams (RB-DEN)
Tyler Boyd isn’t a flashy player by any means, but time and time again he has proven to be one of the more steady WRs in fantasy football. In 2021, it seems he is being overlooked. The biggest reason is the addition of Ja’Marr Chase. However, this Bengals team is expected to air the ball out a lot in 2021. In 2020, the top 3 Bengals receivers each finished with 100+ targets. Boyd has a prominent role in this offense and while his upside may be capped, he provides a stable floor and will be a nice flex play throughout the season.
With training camp underway, early indications are that Broncos RB Melvin Gordon has looked great and isn’t going to give up his spot so easily. This definitely doesn’t bode well for Javonte Williams, who has been a hot commodity up to this point in drafts. However, the Broncos spent a high draft pick on Williams and are sure to find a role for him in year 1. Gordon has shown the inability to stay healthy at times which could potentially open the door for Williams. I’ll gladly take my chance on Williams at this point in the draft due to his potential to be a league winner.
Picks 10.5 & 11.6: Damien Harris (RB-NE) and Mike Williams (WR-LAC)
Normally with the New England Patriots, the backfield tends to be a mess for fantasy purposes. Is 2021 the year where this trend dissipates? Coach Bill Belichick has been vocal about Damien Harris so far in training camp. He has noted that Harris is in a much better place to start the year and has a great chance at a big role. Harris’ value will take a hit as long as Newton is the QB, but being we are in the late stages of the draft, I am happy with bolstering up my RB depth with a guy who is expected to be receiving a ton of volume in 2021.
Will this be the year Mike Williams puts it all together? He has shown the ability to put up 10+ touchdowns or rack up 1,000+ yards, but up to this point not in the same season. He has the talent to break out to go along with a rising star at the QB position. There are not many WRs who have similar profiles going in this range so I’m shooting my shot with Mike Williams.
Picks 12.5 & 13.6: Noah Fant (TE-DEN) and Rashod Bateman (WR-BAL)
Being I was still 1 of 3 teams that hadn’t filled my TE slot, here was a good time to pull the trigger. I lucked out in having the opportunity of picking Noah Fant at this spot. He is currently going several rounds earlier in many leagues. Despite the fact, there are a lot of mouths to feed in this Broncos offense, Fant is very talented and is seemingly going to be a big part of the Broncos' offensive plans. Since the TE position is so shallow, I’ll take my chances with Fant. If it doesn’t work out, off to the waiver wire.
This was going to be my last pick before I needed to fulfill my K and D/ST requirements so I wanted to end it on a high note. Rashod Bateman was the pick for me. He has shown what he is capable of in training camp thus far with his explosive playmaking abilities. This may be the guy Lamar Jackson has been looking for all along and if they develop a solid rapport early, Bateman could end up being this year’s, Justin Jefferson. (See recent article)
Picks 14.5 & 15.6: Colts D/ST and Jason Sanders (K-MIA)
FINAL GRADE: A- (91 out of 100)