On Thursday, July 28th Fighting Chance Fantasy hosted a fantasy football mock draft with some of the best minds in the industry. This was a 15 round draft, PPR point system, and a serpentine system. As I expected nothing less, these folks were great and the draft went like a breeze. Hopefully, when preparing for your drafts you can take some nuggets of wisdom from these picks.
If you have pre-draft questions you can always send them to ryan@fightingchancefantasy.com or steve@fightingchancefantasy.com. You can also follow me on Twitter @fightingchance or Steve @fantasygeek37 and please follow all of our participants who are all great minds and can help you win a fantasy championship.
2016 Fighting Chance Fantasy Football Mock Draft #1
Round 1
1.01 Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – Allie Fontana (@alliefontana)
1.02 David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Doug Anderson (@rotodaddy)
1.03 Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants – Steve Gardner (@SteveAGardner)
1.04 Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams – Michael Harmon (@swollendome)
1.05 Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons – Howard Bender (@rotobuzzguy)
1.06 DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans – Steve Rapin (@fantasygeek37)
1.07 A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals – John Halpin (@jhalpin37)
1.08 Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys – Tim Heaney (@tim_heaney) –
1.09 Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons – Michael Stein (@fantasyjudgment)
1.10 Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys – Jim Day (@fantasytaz)
1.11 Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars – Joe Gallina (@joegallina)
1.12 Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots – Ryan Hallam (@fightingchance)
The first round wasn’t full of surprises by any stretch, but there were a few. I like David Johnson as much as the next guy, but second overall was a huge surprise. He has home run capability on every touch, but I want a little safer guy for my pick this early. I am expecting a bit of a regression from Devonta Freeman as well, and as much as I like Ezekiel Elliott I think he is more of a second round pick. As for my pick, I think all of the elite receivers are gone and we are into the next group. Why not go with a guy who is going to give you wide receiver productivity at tight end?? Plus he’s my personal hero! I’ll take Gronk.
Round 2
Adrian Peterson in the second round of a mock draft? I’ll take it!
2.01 Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings – Ryan Hallam
2.02 Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego Chargers – Joe Gallina
2.03 Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Jets – Jim Day
2.04 Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers – Michael Stein
2.05 Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears – Tim Heaney
2.06 Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints – John Halpin
2.07 Lamar Miller, RB, Houston Texans – Steve Rapin
2.08 Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders – Howard Bender
2.09 Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs – Michael Harmon
2.10 Le’Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Steve Gardner
2.11 Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Doug Anderson
2.12 Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints – Allie Fontana
Since I was picking on the wheel it is really semantics as far as which guy was the last pick in the first round and the first pick in the second. I was thrilled to get Adrian Peterson there, PPR or not. The guy is an animal, and is consistently among the top few fantasy running backs. Steve Gardner was the one who takes Le’Veon Bell, and this late in the second round I think it is a great selection, even if he does miss four games. I’m not nearly this high on Jamaal Charles, but I thought Brandin Cooks was a great pick.
Round 3
3.01 Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins – Allie Fontana
3.02 Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers – Doug Anderson
3.03 T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts – Steve Gardner
3.04 Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos – Steve Gardner
3.05 Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco 49ers – Howard Bender
3.06 Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills – Steve Rapin
3.07 Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers – John Halpin
3.08 LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills – Tim Heaney
3.09 Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Michael Stein
3.10 C.J. Anderson, RB, Denver Broncos – Jim Day
3.11 Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers – Joe Gallina
3.12 Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots – Ryan Hallam
The round was highlighted by a few great ones with Allie Fontana landing PPR gold in Jarvis Landry, and I really like Michael Stein’s pick of Doug Martin. I’m starting to really like Eddie Lacy again, and as a third round pick I think Doug Anderson got a steal. How will Carlos Hyde fare in a new system? Howard Bender clearly thinks he will be a great fit, and I’m hopeful as a Niners fan that he is right. After not picking a receiver in the first two rounds, I went with a PPR beast in Julian Edelman. I can see Jimmy Garrapolo throwing to him like crazy in the first four games, and then we know Brady loves him. He’s not elite, but I’ll take him.
Round 4
4.01 Jeremy Maclin, WR, Kansas City Chiefs – Ryan Hallam
4.02 DeMarco Murray, RB, Tennessee Titans – Joe Gallina
4.03 Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals – Jim Day
4.04 Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Stein
4.05 Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets – Tim Heaney
4.06 Jordan Reed, TE, Washington Redskins – John Halpin
4.07 Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles – Steve Rapin
4.08 Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders – Howard Bender
4.09 Golden Tate, WR, Detroit Lions – Michael Harmon
4.10 Eric Decker, WR, New York Jets – Steve Gardner
4.11 Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans – Doug Anderson
4.12 Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns – Allie Fontana
Last year I was down on Jeremy Maclin as I didn’t think Alex Smith’s noodle arm could get the ball to him down the field. I was wrong though as Maclin had a great season. As the only wide receiver in Kansas City that anyone has ever heard of, I’ll take Maclin as my WR2. Now that Ryan Fitzpatrick has signed with the Jets, I like Matt Forte more. He is a great receiver out of the backfield, and with the Jets offensive line he should have a good year. Duke Johnson is turning into a popular pick since Isaiah Crowell can’t stop acting like an A-hole, and Allie Fontana could have a real winner here if the Browns improve this season.
Round 5
5.01 Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis Colts – Allie Fontana
5.02 Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks – Doug Anderson
5.03 Thomas Rawls, RB, Seattle Seahawks – Steve Gardner
5.04 Steve Smith Sr., WR, Baltimore Ravens – Michael Harmon
5.05 Emmaunel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos – Howard Bender
5.06 Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots – Steve Rapin
5.07 Danny Woodhead, RB, San Diego Chargers – John Halpin
5.08 Michael Crabtree, WR, Oakland Raiders – Tim Heaney
5.09 Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina Panthers – Michael Stein
5.10 Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers – Jim Day
5.11 Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions – Joe Gallina
5.12 Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers – Ryan Hallam
I am a big fan of Donte Montcrief, Thomas Rawls, and to a lesser extent, Greg Olsen here. The quarterback runs started here as Jim Day made the solid pick of Cam Newton, and I followed close behind with Aaron Rodgers. Fifth round is a fine place to start thinking about quarterbacks and Jim and I got the two best in my opinion. You could wait and still get a solid fantasy quarterback, but to me Rodgers is nearly a sure thing to bounce back and have another monster season after the disappointment of 2015.
Round 6
Andrew Luck looks to have a huge bounce back season!
6.01 Jeremy Langford, RB, Chicago Bears – Ryan Hallam
6.02 Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs – Joe Gallina
6.03 Arian Foster, RB, Miami Dolphins – Jim Day
6.04 Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts – Michael Stein
6.05 Matt Jones, RB, Washington Redskins – Tim Heaney
6.06 Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks – John Halpin
6.07 DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins – Steve Rapin
6.08 Ryan Mathews, RB, Philadelphia Eagles – Howard Bender
6.09 Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots – Michael Harmon
6.10 Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals – Steve Gardner
6.11 Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints – Doug Anderson
6.12 Coby Fleener, TE, New Orleans Saints – Allie Fontana
I know there is an overwhelming feeling that Jeremy Langford is going to have a terrible season and lose the job, but I still like the guy. I think he has the ability to be a solid RB2. He will lose some short yardage/goal line to Jordan Howard, but I still think Langford will be good. I am also excited at the prospects of Matt Jones, DeVante Parker, and Coby Fleener in a big way. Tom Brady may have a four game suspension, but when that is over he is going to put up monster stats. If you draft him, just be sure you have a capable backup for the first four weeks that maybe you can use for trade bait later. I was a big fan of Round 6.
Round 7
7.01 Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals – Allie Fontana
7.02 DeAngelo Williams, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Doug Anderson
7.03 Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals – Steve Gardner
7.04 Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings – Michael Harmon
7.05 Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants – Howard Bender
7.06 Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Steve Rapin
7.07 Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals – John Halpin
7.08 Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks – Tim Heaney
7.09 John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals – Michael Stein
7.10 Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – Jim Day
7.11 Blake Bortles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars – Joe Gallina
7.12 Kevin White, WR, Chicago Bears – Ryan Hallam
DeAngelo Williams could play a significant role in the beginning of the season, but could he still get touches after Bell’s looming suspension? Doug Anderson clearly thinks so with his seventh round pick. If Tyler Eifert comes back before the season starts, in the first couple of weeks, Gardner gets a steal. Tyler Lockett, John Brown, and my pick Kevin White all of the chance to have great seasons as third wide receivers. Brown is probably the most established, but Lockett and White are more exciting and have higher ceilings. It is also not often when a starting running back and his handcuff go in the same round, but that shows how uncertain the situation in Cincy is. Last year Bernard was the pass catcher and had many more touchdowns. While I think Bernard will still have a role in the passing game, I think the touchdown load will shift back to Hill and both can be decent picks here.
Round 8
8.01 Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers – Ryan Hallam
8.02 Chris Ivory, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – Joe Gallina
8.03 Jay Ajayi, RB, Miami Dolphins – Jim Day
8.04 Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons – Michael Stein
8.05 Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions – Tim Heaney
8.06 Charles Sims, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – John Halpin
8.07 Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers – Steve Rapin
8.08 Ladarius Green, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers – Howard Bender
8.09 Charcandrick West, RB, Kansas City Chiefs – Michael Harmon
8.10 Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns – Steve Gardner
8.11 Torrey Smith, WR, San Francisco 49ers – Doug Anderson
8.12 Marvin Jones, WR, Detroit Lions – Allie Fontana
Josh Gordon. Josh Gordon. Josh Gordon. He is looking at a four game suspension, but that is considering he doesn’t mess up between now and Week 5. Personally, I am not a fan by any stretch, but by his ADP this was in fact a bargain for Steve Gardner. I’m a fan of Chris Ivory in Jacksonville, even though they spent an early pick on T.J. Yeldon last season. Ivory is a big bruising back who loves contact. He should score a decent number of touchdowns. My pick, Melvin Gordon, is going to be the starter again this year, and he’s really their only option as a regular running back. I don’t like Jonathan Stewart much, but he is one of the fewer starting backs left, not a bad pick by Steve.
Round 9
9.01 Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals – Allie Fontana
9.02 Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts – Doug Anderson
9.03 Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants – Steve Gardner
9.04 Willie Snead, WR, New Orleans Saints – Michael Harmon
9.05 Tavon Austin, WR, Los Angeles Rams – Howard Bender
9.06 Gary Barnidge, TE, Cleveland Browns – Steve Rapin
9.07 DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington Redskins – John Halpin
9.08 Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts – Tim Heaney
9.09 Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants – Michael Stein
9.10 Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Tennessee Titans – Jim Day
9.11 Chris Hogan, WR, New England Patriots – Joe Gallina
9.12 Corey Coleman, WR, Cleveland Browns – Ryan Hallam
This is a very uneventful round. That doesn’t mean that there are 12 dud picks here, but as I read the list there’s not a lot of difference makers or high upside guys here. Carson Palmer in the ninth seems solid to me. Steve Rapin believes that Gary Barnidge can have another good season like last year, hoping that RG3 isn’t a disaster. I tend to agree with him. Jim Day likes Dorial Beckham-Green to take the next step forward in his maturity. I drafted rookie Corey Coleman who looks to have a chance to be the top receiver in Cleveland thinking that Josh Gordon is a mess. The kid was amazing at Baylor with 20 touchdowns in his final year and hopefully it translates to the NFL.
Round 10
Can Derek Carr take the next step again towards being elite?
10.01 Jimmy Graham, TE, Seattle Seahawks – Ryan Hallam
10.02 Justin Forsett, RB, Baltimore Ravens – Joe Gallina
10.03 Laquon Treadwell, WR, Minnesota Vikings – Jim Day
10.04 Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions – Michael Stein
10.05 Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders – Tim Heaney
10.06 Phillip Dorsett, WR, Indianapolis Colts – John Halpin
10.07 Travis Benjamin, WR, San Diego Chargers – Steve Rapin
10.08 Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons – Howard Bender
10.09 Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers – Michael Harmon
10.10 T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – Steve Gardner
10.11 Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Doug Anderson
10.12 Mohamad Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons – Allie Fontana
I drafted Jimmy Graham. Why? I don’t know. He’s my second tight end so there’s not a lot of risk here, but clearly the Seahawks don’t know how to use him. He’s a TE2 for sure. Joe Gallina gets a starting running back with Justin Forsett, although he will have company in the backfield for sure. Jim Day takes rookie Laquon Treadwell. I love his talent but worry about his quarterback. I’m also very excited about Eric Ebron to see if he can break out. Steve Rapin takes Travis Benjamin who I like even as the number two guy in San Diego.
Round 11
11.01 Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants – Allie Fontana
11.02 C.J. Prosise, RB, Seattle Seahawks – Doug Anderson
11.03 Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans – Steve Gardner
11.04 Julius Thomas, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Harmon
11.05 Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets – Howard Bender
11.06 Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles – Steve Rapin
11.07 Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore Ravens – John Halpin
11.08 Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints – Tim Heaney
11.09 Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins – Michael Stein
11.10 Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers – Jim Day
11.11 Kamar Aiken, WR, Baltimore Ravens – Joe Gallina
11.12 Denver Broncos D/ST – Ryan Hallam
Tim Heaney takes the big wild card in Michael Thomas. He is the exciting, big play threat for the Saints and could be a huge payoff. Allie Fontana takes the veteran, but still starting running back, Rashad Jennings. Doug Anderson gets C.J. Prosise who could have a big payoff if Thomas Rawls isn’t ready to return on time. Steve Rapin takes the boom or bust tight end Zach Ertz. If he’s healthy he could be a top end TE1, if he gets hurt or can’t block and Brent Celek stays on the field, Ertz production could suffer. I started the selections of defense with the Broncos. They were the best last season, and I’m hopeful they can repeat that in 2016.
Round 12
12.01 Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans – Ryan Hallam
12.02 Isaiah Crowell, RB, Cleveland Browns – Joe Gallina
12.03 Shane Vereen, RB, New York Giants – Jim Day
12.04 Carolina Panthers D/ST – Jim Day
12.05 DeAndre Washington, RB, Oakland Raiders – Tim Heaney
12.06 Jerick McKinnon, RB, Minnesota Vikings – John Halpin
12.07 Seattle Seahawks D/ST – Steve Rapin
12.08 Wendell Smallwood, RB, Philadelphia Eagles – Howard Bender
12.09 Devontae Booker, RB, Denver Broncos – Michael Harmon
12.10 Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles – Steve Gardner
12.11 Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys – Doug Anderson
12.12 Jordan Howard, RB, Chicago Bears – Doug Anderson
I drafted Kendall Wright. I know that is a meh pick, but he is the most reliable receiver on the Titans. I know that isn’t saying much, but it is the 12th round. Michael Stein takes the impressive Panthers defense. Running back handcuffs were popular in this round as Isaiah Crowell, DeAndre Washington, Jerick McKinnon, Wendell Smallwood, Devontae Booker, and Jordan Howard all went. I like Washington and Booker myself, but all have the chance to have fantasy value with an injury or a little luck.
Round 13
13.01 Devin Funchess, WR, Carolina Panthers – Allie Fontana
13.02 Arizona Cardinals D/ST – Doug Anderson
13.03 Houston Texans D/ST – Steve Gardner
13.04 Los Angeles Rams D/ST – Michael Harmon
13.05 Josh Ferguson, RB, Indianapolis Colts – Howard Bender
13.06 Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals – Steve Rapin
13.07 Josh Doctson, WR, Washington Redskins – John Halpin
13.08 Sammie Coates, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – Tim Heaney
13.09 Stephen Gostkowski, K, New England Patriots – Michael Stein
13.10 Martellus Bennett, TE, New England Patriots – Jim Day
13.11 Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins – Joe Gallina
13.12 LeGarrette Blount, RB, New England Patriots – Ryan Hallam
Round 13 brought a lot of good picks. Devin Funchess has the opportunity to have a big breakout in 2016 for Carolina after finishing the season strong. Josh Ferguson could easily take Frank Gore’s job by midseason. Sammie Coates is the popular pick as the second receiver in Pittsburgh for his big play ability. Josh Doctson is one of the more exciting young receivers in the league but will he get enough targets. Will Martellus Bennett get the Aaron Hernandez role in New England, you know without the murdering? I like him this season. I took LeGarrette Blount as what could be the short yardage/goal line back in New England, and perhaps more. It wasn’t a great pick, but it has the chance of being good.
Round 14
14.01 Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans – Ryan Hallam
14.02 Kansas City Chiefs D/ST – Joe Gallina
14.03 Minnesota Vikings D/ST – Jim Day
14.04 Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys – Michael Stein
14.05 Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST – Tim Heaney
14.06 Philadelphia Eagles D/ST – John Halpin
14.07 Paul Perkins, RB, New York Giants – Steve Rapin
14.08 Blair Walsh, K, Baltimore Ravens – Howard Bender
14.09 Chris Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals – Michael Harmon
14.10 Justin Tucker, K, Baltimore Ravens – Steve Gardner
14.11 Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, New York Jets – Doug Anderson
14.12 Cincinnati Bengals D/ST – Allie Fontana
Five defenses this round, as we are in the last two rounds of the draft. I took rookie receiver Will Fuller. I’m hoping that Brock Osweiler can bring more vertical to the Texans passing game, and he has a world of potential. Stein took Tony Romo who is a huge boom/bust candidate. Can Romo stay healthy and return to 30 touchdown form? Or will this tender collarbone stop Romo from being able to stay on the field.
Round 15
15.01 Steven Hauschka, K, Seattle Seahawks – Allie Fontana
15.02 Graham Gano, K, Carolina Panthers – Doug Anderson
15.03 Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions – Steve Gardner
15.04 Chandler Catanzaro, K, Arizona Cardinals – Michael Harmon
15.05 New York Jets D/ST – Howard Bender
15.06 Brandon McManus, K, Denver Broncos – Steve Rapin
15.07 Dan Bailey, K, Dallas Cowboys – John Halpin
15.08 Chris Boswell, K, Pittsburgh Steelers – Tim Heaney
15.09 C.J. Spiller, RB, New Orleans Saints – Michael Stein
15.10 Adam Vinatieri, K, Indianapolis Colts – Jim Day
15.11 Josh Brown, K, New York Giants – Joe Gallina
15.12 Mason Crosby, K, Green Bay Packers – Ryan Hallam
It’s the kicker round, not much to talk about here. Steve Gardner takes Matthew Stafford who has the chance to be a great quarterback even without Calvin Johnson. Bender took the Jets who could be a good defense, and Michael Stein grabs C.J. Spiller……meh.
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