In just a few short days, our calendars will turn to August, which means only one thing: Redraft season has arrived! But before you draft, you should check out our PPR mock draft.
We gathered eight Footballguys staffers and a few familiar faces in the fantasy industry to do a season-long fantasy football PPR mock draft. We wanted this draft to be as applicable as possible to our readers, so we used these settings:
The PPR Mock Draft League Settings
- 12 team
- 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 3 flex, 6 bench spots
- Full-point PPR
- No Tight End Premium or Superflex
- No third-round reversal
- 6-point passing touchdowns
If your settings are a bit different, don’t worry! Our Draft Dominator allows you to enter your league’s settings before generating a customizable set of rankings specific to your league. League size, scoring settings, and roster details all impact where players should be ranked, and our new platform gives you full customization abilities. We realize every league is unique and believe your rankings should reflect that same level of detail.
The Mock Drafters
- Phil Alexander – Footballguys
- Jeff Bell – Footballguys
- Dan Hindery - Footballguys
- Dave Kluge – Footballguys
- Julia Papworth – Footballguys
- Corey Spala – Footballguys
- Jason Wood – Footballguys
- Joey Wright – Footballguys
- LaDarius Brown – Sports and the World
- Jorge Martin – Familia FFB
- Jake Parry – JWB Fantasy
- Kevin Tompkins – Rotoballer
The PPR Mock Draft Results
Click here to see the above image in full size.
The Setup
We wanted to make sure our PPR mock draft brought the most benefit to the reader as possible. Just posting a draft board and breaking down every pick doesn’t do much in the way of explaining a drafter’s process. So, after completing the PPR mock draft, we asked three questions of each drafter:
- Do you have a general draft strategy, and how did you apply it to this draft?
- Which of your picks has the most potential to make or break your team?
- What are your overall thoughts on how your team turned out?
Okay, we asked four questions. We wanted to have a little fun with our drafters:
- If your team was a movie, what movie would it be?
Seeing a team's lineup is one thing; knowing the psychology of how it was assembled is another. Finding out how a draft strategy was applied, whether due to format or draft selection spot, can be extremely helpful.
The volatility or safety of a particular player can sometimes set the tone for your team. Whether it is a late-round selection or a player who fell drastically below average draft position (ADP), these players can make or break us.
We wanted an overall feeling of the team. What went right? What went wrong? Gathering a litmus test on the results is a paramount practice for any drafter, whether they are mock drafting or doing the real thing. How we alter our practices from draft to draft is key to sharpening our skills.
The last question is for fun, and it is here as a reminder: Fantasy football is supposed to be fun. Sure, winning the league is the ultimate goal, but the relationships we forge playing this game within a game has been a binding glue for groups for decades now.
Let’s break down the draft!
General PPR Mock Draft Strategy
Do you have a general PPR mock draft strategy, and how did you apply it to this draft?
Jorge Martin (1.01)
I wanted to go Hero RB with Christian McCaffrey as the lead dog, but De'Von Achane falling to the 2/3 turn was too tempting to pass up. I had to chase WR, but I feel like my top three of DJ Moore, Cooper Kupp, and George Pickens are at least the top two in targets on their respective teams.
Dave Kluge (1.02)
Late-round RB/TE. In 12-team leagues, I'm confident that I can get solid production from my quarterback and TE room later in drafts while stockpiling elite WR and RB options.
Kevin Tompkins (1.03)
Typically, I'm as Zero RB as it gets, but I wanted to use this opportunity to draft an elite tight end and elite quarterback and see if I could piece together a structured roster with those pieces from the 1.03. Having Dave Kluge at 1.02 and Jeff Bell at 1.04 didn't help matters, but I still like the team overall.
Jeff Bell (1.04)
Load up a strong base of wide receivers and target high-end offenses.
Phil Alexander (1.05)
I'm not big on going into a draft with any rigid strategy, but if there is one rule I try to draft by, it's to fade players on lousy offenses in the early rounds. Davante Adams and Malik Nabers were two of my top three picks, so it's safe to say I failed to execute the closest thing I had to a strategy. I decided to make exceptions on Adams and Nabers due to the full-PPR scoring and the stranglehold each appears to have on their respective team's targets.
LaDarius Brown (1.06)
I usually prefer a stack of WR or RB. It applied as I felt there was value in WR and chose to stack in the later rounds of the draft.
Corey Spala (1.07)
I do not go into a draft with a set plan; I would rather adapt to the draft. This is mostly concerning the earlier selections, while I swing for upside with the later-round selections. I wanted to identify which players had a role (or could claim one) in which the role had the volume needed for fantasy points.
Julia Papworth (1.08)
My general draft strategy is to go in with a loose order depending on the league's scoring (am I trying to go WR heavy, for example), and if I get stuck, go with the best player available and try to get value. I definitely applied that strategy here as I had to pivot and take a QB earlier than I wanted to, but I saw value there.
Dan Hindery (1.10)
I hoped to invest most of my early picks in the quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end positions, along with drafting a strong RB1. Then, t plan was to take a lot of swings on running backs with upside to fill out my RB2 spot with later picks in the draft. I would have felt better about the strategy if I had landed Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, or Jonathan Taylor as my RB1. Unfortunately, they went off the board in the three picks before me.
Joey Wright (1.11)
My strategy heading into most drafts is to take the best player available in the first round and then let the draft unfold to you. I was very happy to have Puka Nacua fall to me as the eighth wide receiver off the board, as I have him ranked No. 6 at the position. I noticed the well had dried up a little at running back, so I took Jamhyr Gibbs in the second round, so I didn’t miss out on having an elite running back. I am adamant about landing a top-five tight end in my first three rounds. Because no tight ends went in round one, I felt confident one would fall to me in the third round. My third-ranked tight end, Trey McBride, was the reward of my patience. Through three rounds, I loved my squad, and then I ran into a buzzsaw called Jason Wood.
Jason Wood (1.12)
I do detailed, full league projections for the site, so I’m fairly comfortable with my draft board and stick to it. I do try to come up with an optimal positional composition. That was 2 QBs, 5 RBs, 7 WRs, and 2 TEs in this case. Since I knew I was picking at the turn, I decided pre-draft I would double-tap running back in some combination if J. Gibbs, S. Barkley, and J. Taylor were still on the board. I ended up getting my pick of the litter.
Make-or-Break Potential
Which of your picks has the most potential to make or break your team?
Jorge Martin (1.01)
Anthony Richardson, point blank. If healthy, he could have 3,500 passing yards, 800 rushing yards, and 35 total TDs. That could put him squarely in the top-5 QBs. And that could be his floor with a full season. AR5 szn, let's go!
Dave Kluge (1.02)
Dallas Goedert. I would have liked a more secure TE, but none fell at a good enough value. Typically, I want a top-8 guy this year.
Kevin Tompkins (1.03)
If Stefon Diggs can straighten himself out after being jettisoned by the Vikings earlier in his career and now the Bills this offseason, Diggs can break fantasy football in 2024. Heading to a Texans team that should be potent and efficient, the Texans voiding the final three years of Diggs' deal should net them the best possible version of Diggs this season.
Jeff Bell (1.04)
Chris Olave in the second round. There were other receivers I liked more on the board, but I fell victim to hoping a suppressed ADP inside the draft module would allow them to fall to me. Get your guys. Olave screams risk in a questionable offensive scheme, but if he hits and pairs with Justin Jefferson as two high-end receivers, the rest of the roster will fall into place.
Phil Alexander (1.05)
I can go in many directions with this one. Bijan Robinson, Malik Nabers, and Dalton Kincaid each have sky-high ceilings, limited (or no) track records, and steep opportunity costs. Betting on returns to top-5 fantasy quarterback status for either Kyler Murray or Deshaun Watson is another high-variance bet. And which is thinner -- my wide receiver depth or Christian Watson's hamstrings?
Ultimately, I'm passing on each of those viable choices in favor of either Tajae Spears or Javonte Williams. Spears probably needs an injury to Tony Pollard to sniff low-end RB1 territory, but Williams has a clearer path. He only needs to run like an armored tank again now that he is another year removed from a debilitating knee injury.
LaDarius Brown (1.06)
Tony Pollard because he shares the backfield with Tyjae Spears, who could take away snaps in a Titans offense that might go toward passing it more.
Corey Spala (1.07)
I felt like I was going back to an ex-girlfriend when drafting Kyle Pitts in the fifth round. I am optimistic the new offense will utilize his talents and find the untapped potential Arthur Smith left behind. Reports are surfacing Pitts will be utilized as a wide receiver and tight end.
Julia Papworth (1.08)
If Drake London truly has the breakthrough year that people are anticipating with Kirk Cousins, he could finish as a top-six WR and be the lynchpin of my team.
Dan Hindery (1.10)
Nick Chubb. I knew drafting Josh Allen and a Top TE would leave me weak at the RB2 spot. I need one of my late-round running backs to hit. Pairing the two top backs in Cleveland, Chubb and Jerome Ford, was a gamble. A true committee could result if Chubb comes back early in the season but is not near his previous form. If either Chubb or Ford dominates touches, I will have a low-cost RB2 that should perform very well.
Joey Wright (1.11)
Jayden Reed. There is a big question about which Packers wide receiver will be Jordan Love's favorite. Every one of the Packers wideouts has had their moments with the quarterback. Reed is the safest of the options for me, so with Nacua and DK Metcalf being more risk-averse selections, I took some safety. It could easily end up being a bum pick, and it factored into my wide receiver selections as the draft continued.
Jason Wood (1.12)
I knew receiver would be where I sought value, as receivers are flying off the board this year. Much in the way many think they can wait on running back, this year I think the real value arbitrage is not chasing the receiver run early and focus on balance. But that means I have to be right that Diontae Johnson or Chris Godwin thrives with uncertain offensive supporting casts. If one thrives, I’ll be fine. But if both struggle, I’ll scramble at the position all year.
PPR Mock Draft Overall Thoughts
What are your overall thoughts on how your team turned out?
Jorge Martin (1.01)
Pretty happy, though the injury histories for Richardson and Achane could be worrisome. But we're shooting for upside, right? I like the depth at WR and getting Austin Ekeler as my RB3. He's not done playing air guitar. A little concerned about TE, as Dalton Schultz and Cole Kmet have a lot of target competition from their WRs. I think Trevor Lawrence could have a very good season and is a great insurance policy if Richardson misses time or isn't a unicorn.
Dave Kluge (1.02)
I love it! Prescott, falling to the end of Round 8 to stack with CeeDee Lamb, ended up being my favorite pick of the draft.
Kevin Tompkins (1.03)
I really like the overall composition. I drafted running backs slightly earlier than I typically do, but Aaron Jones still has some gas left in the tank in Minnesota and Jaylen Warren is the efficiency star of the Steelers run game. Besides the backs, I have a strong group at receiver, plus Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes II. Hard to not like each of those groups.
Jeff Bell (1.04)
I loved the value that fell at receiver, largely because I am galaxy-brained on Underdog ADP. On the flip side, falling value at one position is driven by a lack of falling value at another. In this draft, it was running back. I would have liked this team much more if I had secured an anchor running back earlier.
Phil Alexander (1.05)
I'm happy enough with how my team turned out. Any team that starts with Bijan Robinson should have a leg up on the competition this year. And I think I did OK blending my home run swings (Malik Nabers, Dalton Kincaid, Christian Watson, Tyjae Spears, Deshaun Watson) with reliable veterans (Davante Adams, Joe Mixon, Calvin Ridley, Kyler Murray).
LaDarius Brown (1.06)
I'm actually pretty happy with it. It's a healthy balance of youth and experience that could make some noise in a league.
Corey Spala (1.07)
I left the draft disappointed I did not come away with at least one more proven wide receiver. I am relying on two rookie wide receivers to hit. What I may lack in wide receiver depth, I may gain in running back depth. There exists the flexibility to trade Gus Edwards or Zack Moss for a wide receiver if need be.
Julia Papworth (1.08)
I got sniped several times which was rough, but I like my team. A nice mix of veterans and rookies who could capitalize on big opportunities.
Dan Hindery (1.10)
I was mildly disappointed with how my draft played out. I wanted a running back in the second round and barely missed out. Being the first person to take a quarterback is also a risky decision. There was plenty of value in the position available late, but investing my fourth-rounder in Josh Allen left me unable to take advantage.
Joey Wright (1.11)
I mentioned earlier running into a buzzsaw called Jason Wood. Without him in this draft, I feel like my team would have been much stronger. On four separate occasions, Wood took the next player in my queue. It left my team with players I have not drafted much this draft season, making me uneasy. I could chalk this all up to great minds thinking alike, but I am still searching my computer for spyware and the studio for hidden cameras. I will invite Wood back the next time I do a mock, but I’ll be sure to be on the other side of the draft board.
Jason Wood (1.12)
Having done this for over 20 years, I’m fairly numb to reacting to my team immediately after a draft. Some of my favorite teams have ended up disasters while times I’ve felt things went off the rails led to trophies. I judge my team by whether I came away with a structure I planned for and stayed true to my rankings and projections. By those criteria, this was a terrific draft.
Closing with a Fun Question
Finally, if your team was a movie, what movie would it be?
Jorge Martin (1.01)
The Matrix, because Richardson, Pickens, Achane, Courtland Sutton, and Adonai Mitchell can all contort themselves into unreal positions on a football field. Richardson is NEO. Just don't dodge bullets; dodge the injury bug.
Kevin Tompkins (1.03)
Grumpy Old Men. Between Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Stefon Diggs, Tyler Lockett, and Aaron Jones, the core of my roster could just meet at Sizzler in the afternoon and be tucked in bed by 5:30 PM. The team is older than I'd prefer, but the veterans I drafted haven't shown too much age in their peripheral stats yet to signal any kind of drop-off.
Jeff Bell (1.04)
Armageddon. Star-studded but leaves you a bit empty and ultimately becomes a guilty pleasure.
Phil Alexander (1.05)
Se7en. Because that's the spot I wish I had started from instead of five. Bijan Robinson probably would have been there still, and I could have landed a wide receiver I liked better than Davante Adams on the way back in Round 2.
LaDarius Brown (1.06)
Any Given Sunday because Lamar Jackson is my Willie Beamon, and I wouldn't mind Al Pacino pacing the sidelines.
Corey Spala (1.07)
I am thinking my team is similar to The Bad News Bears. I have two top players needed to succeed. We may get humiliated after our first loss, but I just need everyone to come together, play as a team, and bring us to the championship game.
I know the team does not win, so maybe this was a bad movie selection. Regardless, we went out on the field and celebrated because we were the underdogs. Who knows, in this universe (fantasy league), this team can be the champion.
Julia Papworth (1.08)
My rag-tag bunch of hooligans who make up my team covers all the bases: old, young, proven, and hungry to have a chance to save the world, just like Armageddon. Keon Coleman is my Steve Buscemi.
Dan Hindery (1.10)
The Fan. I try to draft the best player available without any biases creeping in. However, as an Ohio State graduate, it is probably not a coincidence that my top four wide receivers (Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., Terry McLaurin, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba) are all former Buckeyes.
Joey Wright (1.11)
My team is the opening scene of every movie in the Scream franchise. One thing the Scream movies have done is nail their opening scenes. Much like each of my first three rounds were fantastic selections. From the fourth round on, things got scary and uncertain. Hopefully, I can make a killing in the sequel, if there is one.
Jason Wood (1.12)
The Raid: Redemption. Like Gareth Edwards, I’ve crafted a team that is dangerous from the ground floor to the penthouse.
