Before you know it, it will be fantasy football draft time. During the next month or so, I will be conducting several mock drafts. During the drafts, I will pick in all 12 positions, with all sorts of scenarios.
As a rule, I prefer to draft three starting running backs within the first four rounds. It is a tried-and-true strategy, which has done me well for 20-plus years. The mock drafts I do will all assume 12 teams are in the league (unless otherwise noted) with the following positions: quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, tight end, a flex (running back, wide receiver or tight end), kicker, team defense and six bench spots. It is a 16-round snake draft.
Here is scenario No. 8. (See also: Scenario No. 1, Scenario No. 2, Scenario 3, Scenario 4, Scenario 5, Scenario 6, Scenario 7, 16-team scenario, superflex scenario, 10-team scenario and a unique format scenario.)
I have the eighth overall pick; let’s see how it all works out. In this format, I am playing in a half-point-per-reception league (half-PPR), which means that every reception is worth a half-point.
You can see the entire draft by clicking here.
Here is my roster:
Round 1, Pick 8: Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
Round 2, Pick 5: Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Round 3, Pick 8: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Round 4, Pick 5: Robert Woods, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Round 5, Pick 8: Mike Davis, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Round 6, Pick 5: Chase Edmonds, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Round 7, Pick 8: Robby Anderson, WR, Carolina Panthers
Round 8, Pick 5: Raheem Mostert, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Round 9, Pick 8: Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Round 10, Pick 5: DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins
Round 11, Pick 8: Phillip Lindsay, RB, Houston Texans
Round 12, Pick 5: Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Round 13, Pick 8: Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Round 14, Pick 5: Washington Football Team DST
Round 15, Pick 8: Harrison Butker, K, Kansas City Chiefs
Round 16, Pick 5: Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots
Some Observations:
My overall strategy in a half-PPR league is to treat it like a PPR league. You get a slight bonus for players who are double-digit touchdown players, but not enough to overhaul the rankings a bunch. Derrick Henry-type players may get an uptick in this format, for example.
Someone once said everyone has a plan until you get hit in the mouth. I believe a fantasy draft is very similar. Once you know your draft spot, you start to formulate a plan of attack … until something goes wrong or really right and you have to adjust. This draft is a terrific example of that, as I had no clue Travis Kelce would be available in Round 2.
By the way, Kelce anywhere after pick 12 is a smash auto pick … period. I don’t care what format it is or what rules there are. If he is there, you pick him. I have seen Kelce as early as the fourth overall pick.
Josh Allen in Round 3 was something I normally wouldn’t do, but I didn’t love the backs or receivers there, so why not take QB1 or QB2 as a safe, low-risk option?
It paid off. One of Mike Davis, Chase Edmonds or Raheem Mostert should be able to be a solid RB2 or flex.
At wide receiver, I am a big Robert Woods fan. Look for Mike Williams to have a solid year. Mix in Robby Anderson, DeVante Parker and Russell Gage and this should be a solid group.
I like this team … didn’t plan to draft this team, but hey, that’s how the draft goes sometimes.
So what do you think of this team? Let me know at @FansFantasy.
Please try a mock yourself as practice makes perfect. You can mock in minutes by clicking here.
Ken Zalis ranked No. 3 in FantasyPros’ 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Accuracy Rankings.