Aug. 4, 2016.
This is a standard 2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft I took part in with 11 other members of the forum and followers on Twitter (@walterfootball. As usual, I’ll have analysis of my picks, as well as the best and worst selections every two rounds.
Just a heads up that we have 2016 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts every Wednesday afternoon or evening. Check out the forum or follow me on Twitter to find out when the next mock draft will be.
MY PICKS, ROUNDS 1-2: I decided to take the No. 1 pick in this particular fantasy football mock draft because I just wanted to see how it would feel like if I happened to be fortunate enough to land the top spot.
It comes down to Antonio Brown and Todd Gurley. I have them even, but I’d rather have a receiver than a running back in this day and age.
I went wideout again at 2.12 with Amari Cooper, whom I’ve chosen as early as 2.02 (I did so in our Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video.) Cooper is a stud who could easily finish in the top five of fantasy receiver scoring.
BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 1-2: It feels like DeAndre Hopkins should be chosen earlier in the first round. He definitely needs to be picked before Ezekiel Elliott and Lamar Miller. I also liked LeSean McCoy at 2.04. I’ve been slowly moving him up my Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings.
WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 1-2: I mentioned Elliott and Miller. The former is banged up now with a bum hamstring, while the latter is unproven. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with either in the opening round.
MY PICKS, ROUNDS 3-4: Mark Ingram easily could’ve been my second pick, so it’s not really like I waited until the third round to snag my running back. Ingram isn’t too exciting, but he’s solid. Ideally, he’s a high-end RB2, but I’m fine with him as my RB1 under these circumstances.
I was wondering if one of the top three quarterbacks would fall to me at 4.12. Andrew Luck did, and I’m happy about that. Luck dealt with shoulder and spleen injuries last season, so he should be able to rebound.
BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 3-4: How did Keenan Allen slip to the third round? Seriously. That’s insane. That’s incredible value. I also liked the two quarterbacks atop Round 4. Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton are safe picks, and there’s something to be said for that. I would take either early in the third frame.
WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 3-4: The Raiders don’t really like Latavius Murray, so I can’t get behind him in the third round. I wouldn’t even take him in the fourth or fifth, for that matter.
Matt Forte is almost as bad. The Jets reportedly plan on splitting touches evenly with Forte and Bilal Powell, so the fourth round is way too early for him.
MY PICKS, ROUNDS 5-6: I have Ameer Abdullah ranked higher than Jeremy Hill, but I wanted to see if I could get Abdullah at the end of the sixth round. Unfortunately, I could not. That’s fine though, as these mock drafts are learning experiences.
Justin Forsett is just meh. Ideally, that would’ve been Abdullah or Larry Fitzgerald. Forsett is risky, but you could say that about most running backs.
BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 5-6: Abdullah and Fitzgerald, since I mentioned them already. I also liked Doug Baldwin and Allen Hurns a lot. Both provide terrific values in the sixth round.
WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 5-6: The OC joked in the comment board, thanking In for taking a running back who would only play three games. Ryan Mathews is a poor fit for the Eagles’ offense, so he shouldn’t be taken in the fifth round. Not a million years.
I’ve voiced my opinion on Chris Ivory all summer. He’s the inferior running back on the Jaguars, so why is he being chosen earlier than T.J. Yeldon?
MY PICKS, ROUNDS 7-8: Speaking of Yeldon, I’m happy to get him in the eighth round. Josh Gordon also seems right in the seventh. I mentioned that I wanted Hurns or Fitzgerald, but Gordon should be fine. Hopefully he stays away from his self-destructive alcoholic friend.
BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 7-8: Kevin White and John Brown immediately stand out, given that they were the two remaining starting-caliber fantasy receivers. As for some running backs I liked, The OC picked up a couple of good ones in Giovani Bernard and Rashad Jennings. I was hoping for Jennings at 8.12, but it wasn’t meant to be. I would’ve felt the same way about Bernard, but I already had Hill.
WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 7-8: Jay Ajayi is a poor fit for Miami’s offense, and he’s also dealing with some knee issues. He was chosen way too early. That’s the pick I hated the most in these two rounds, and I also didn’t like Markus Wheaton very much. Sammie Coates should be chosen before Wheaton.
MY PICKS, ROUNDS 9-10: I can’t believe I have DeSean Jackson on this team. No one has s*** talked Jackson more than me over the years, but I’m willing to concede that I like his value in the ninth round.
Staying in the NFC East, Zach Ertz is a solid starting tight end. If you listened to our our Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video, Kenny talked about why he loves Ertz so much.
BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 9-10: Had Jackson been off the board, I would’ve taken Marvin Jones, whom I should probably move up my rankings. Willie Snead is another receiver who provides solid value in the second half of the draft. The Kamar Aiken pick could also pay off.
WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 9-10: Torrey Smith seems like such a “blegh” pick in the ninth round. How much upside could he possibly have with Blaine Gabbert throwing the ball to him?
I can’t get behind the two defense selections. I’d prefer to stock up on running back and receiving depth and then just playing matchups with defenses.
MY PICKS, ROUNDS 11-12: Tony Romo in the 11th round? Yes, please. I’d love to have Romo as my QB2.
As for my other choice, yes, this gives me two Steeler receivers, but Sammie Coates is a stud who should be chosen three or four rounds earlier. The value is too great for me to pass on him.
BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 11-12: There were six players I was considering at 12.12. One was Coates. The other five were taken off the board prior to my pick. They were Tavon Austin, Devin Funchess, Bilal Powell and Michael Thomas.
WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 11-12: You should be drafting for upside beginning in Round 11. One player who provides none in these two rounds is Vincent Jackson, who seems like he’s completely done.
MY PICKS, ROUNDS 13-15: The only noteworthy pick here is Kenyan Drake, who could be Miami’s starting running back by late October. Maybe Arian Foster will stay healthy, but when has that happened?
BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 13-15: High-upside picks include: Jimmy Graham (I don’t like him this year, but I’d take a shot on him in the 13th round), Devontae Booker, Jameis Winston, Karlos Williams and Phillip Dorsett. Also, I should note that taking Alfred Morris in the wake of Ezekiel Elliott’s bum hamstring is probably smart.
WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 13-15: Low-upside picks include: Mohamed Sanu and Theo Riddick.
I’ll be adjusting some of my Fantasy Football Rankings based on these draft results, so check them out. Also, we’ll be doing mock drafts every Wednesday evening, so come join us!
My Fantasy Team:
QB – Andrew Luck, QB, Colts
RB – Mark Ingram, RB, Saints
RB – Jeremy Hill, RB, Bengals
WR – Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers
WR – Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders
RB/WR – Justin Forsett, RB, Ravens
TE – Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles
K – Dan Bailey, K, Cowboys
DEF – Packers Defense
BN – Josh Gordon, WR, Browns
BN – T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars
BN – DeSean Jackson, WR, Redskins
BN – Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys
BN – Sammie Coates, WR, Steelers
BN – Kenyan Drake, RB, Dolphins
I like this a lot. My receivers are stacked. Antonio Brown and Amari Cooper could easily both finish in the top five of receiving, while Josh Gordon could also have that distinction if he didn’t happen to be facing a four-game suspension.
I wouldn’t say I’m weak anywhere. I have one of the top quarterbacks (as well as a great backup), and my tight end is fine. Running back could be an issue if one of Mark Ingram or Jeremy Hill busts, but once again, almost no one is going to be comfortable with their running backs this year, so don’t sweat it if that position feels weak to you after your draft.
More 2016 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
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Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/30 (Chet)
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2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/24 (Walt)
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2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Video - 8/13 (Walt)
2016 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 8/11 (Walt)
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