If you have been following along, you know we have done a series of mock drafts this summer.
(See: No. 1 pick, No. 2 pick, No. 3 pick, No. 4 pick, No. 5 pick, No. 6 pick, No. 7 pick, No. 8 pick, No. 9 pick, No. 10 pick, No. 11 pick, No. 12 pick, 10-Team League, Superflex)
I tended to use my tried-and-true strategy, which in a nutshell is running back early and often. I want two bell-cow backs in the first three rounds. Wait on a quarterback and tight end. Draft the defense and kicker I want in Rounds 12-14. Draft lottery tickets in Rounds 15-16.
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So what did we learn? Here are my takeaways.
Quarterback
This position is deep! It all comes down to how comfortable you are waiting. Can you win with Jordan Love as your QB1? If yes, wait until Round 12. He’ll be available then in most one-QB leagues. Will a perennial top-10 quarterback in Jared Goff do the trick? Well, he seems to be on the board in Rounds 10-11. Tyler Shough was a top-15 quarterback in most weeks he started. He even finished as a top-10 quarterback a couple of times. He is basically free in drafts.
If you want Josh Allen, draft him late in Round 2, never earlier. If you want Lamar Jackson, draft him in Rounds 3 or 4, never earlier. Otherwise wait, then wait some more. Draft running backs and wide receivers all day.
Running Back
This position gets thin FAST! Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are gone by the third pick. James Cook, Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor are gone by the eighth pick. Chase Brown, Ashton Jeanty, Derrick Henry, De’Von Achane, Omarion Hampton, Kenneth Walker and Saquon Barkley could all be off the board by the end of the second round. That’s 12 backs in 24 picks.
I love getting Kyren Williams in Round 3. Blake Corum does not worry me. Cam Skattebo and Jadarian Price are fantastic value in Round 5. Here are the backs I’m targeting after Round 9: Jonah Coleman, Tyjae Spears, Tyler Allgeier, Kaytron Allen, MarShawn Lloyd and Nick Singleton.
Wide Receiver
This position is deeper than you think it is. If you choose to go RB-RB to start your draft, Rounds 3-5 should probably be wide receivers. If you take a quarterback or tight ends in these rounds, then add two more rounds of receivers for depth. So, you should draft four or five receivers in Rounds 3-7.
Receivers I love in these rounds are: Zay Flowers, DeVonta Smith, DJ Moore, Ladd McConkey, Jaylen Waddle, Garrett Wilson, Parker Washington, Rome Odunze, Terry McLaurin and Chris Godwin, in no particular order. I am staying away from Mike Evans and Luther Burden at their current draft positions.
Late-round guys (Round 10 or later) I want on my teams: Tre Harris, Ted Hurst, Khalil Shakir and Jalen Coker.
Tight End
This position is weird! Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren are the top four. Bowers is a Round 2 pick, McBride Round 3, Loveland Round 4 and Warren Round 5. After that, it’s pick your poison. I love Tucker Kraft, but the knee injury hasn’t had him on the field much this preseason. George Kittle, ditto. Every other tight end is basically a guessing game of usage, quarterback play or health. So, what’s my plan?
Draft one of the four top tight ends early or wait. I like Jake and Terrance Ferguson. Isaiah Likely seems like he will be utilized prominently in the Giants’ offense. Brenton Strange got paid, so you assume there is a role in Jacksonville. There are a lot of tight ends you can get after Round 10.
Defense and Kicker
Get the ones you want in Rounds 12-14, not the ones you get stuck with. If you love the Rams’ defense, draft them before the run on defenses begins, Seattle, Houston and Denver are solid picks as well.
Kickers are a tad more volatile year to year, but check your rules. Do you get bonuses for longer field goals? If so, Brandon Aubrey is your guy in Round 13 or 14. Love me some Cam Little as well.
So that’s what I learned! Happy drafting!
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