Another day, another mock draft using our industry-best FantasyPros DraftWizard. This tool is fully customizable, giving you a unique mock draft experience each time. For this particular iteration, I fired up a 12-team, point-per-reception league with rosters including 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1FLX, and 6BN spots.
Using the randomizer, I was assigned pick 11 and I wasn’t mad about it. Below, I will take you pick by pick through my process. Hint: it went VERY differently than I expected. Injury, schminjury…let’s get to the draft!
2021 Draft Kit: View printable cheat sheets, sleepers & mistakes to avoid
Pick 1.11: Saquon Barkley (RB-NYG)
Admittedly, this was a slightly risky first-round pick with safer options still on the board, but none of those safer options plays RB. Netting Saquon as your RB1 in 2021 means you’ll need patience in September. The Giants’ top back is coming off a torn ACL, might not be ready for Week 1, and we haven’t seen his elite production in a long time in fantasy years. However, let me remind you that Saquon Barkley averaged almost 5.0 yards per carry over the first 478 carries in his career, all while commanding 91 targets per season from the backfield. When he is back and fully healthy, likely by Week 3, he can be the difference-maker in your lineup.
Pick 2.02: Travis Kelce (TE-KC)
Travis Kelce has been a Top 12 fantasy wide receiver year over year. I considered selecting Kelce in Round 1, so when he was still there after the turn it was an auto-pick for me. He is a field stretcher for the Chiefs, averaging 2.54 yards per route run from the slot. It may say TE next to his name, but make no mistake, Kelce is the top WR option in an elite passing offense. I will have him on every team if he slips into Round 2.
Pick 3.11: Amari Cooper (WR-DAL)
This is where my draft went in a totally different direction than I had mock drafted before. The league scoring, PPR, allowed me to scoop value at wide receiver throughout this section of the draft. The Cowboy’s offense is high-powered and Cooper is a large part of that. In his two full seasons in Dallas, Amari tallied 244 targets, passed 1100 yards receiving in each, and found the goal 13 times. Certainly, he will have some highs and lows, but the talent and opportunity are there for a very big season.
Pick 4.02: Chris Godwin (WR – TB)
Another WR value, as Godwin will again fill the slot role in Tom Brady’s (QB – TB) offense in 2021. Brady loves to target the slot WR, and Godwin’s average depth of target (10.1 yards) is right Brady’s sweet spot. Tom’s average depth of target (ADOT) was 9.6 yards in 2020. Godwin is no slouch either, in 50% of his games played with TB12 at QB, he drew 7 or more targets. All signs point to renewed health for the Bucs WR1, and he was just too good to pass in Round 4.
Pick 5.11: Kenny Golladay (WR – NYG)
Let the WR1’s continue to fall! The Giants brought in Kenny Golladay to be their top outside weapon. Golladay is a ball hawk. He is fourth in contested catch rate since 2019 and has been among the best deep threat options in the NFL. Golladay was elite when he was on the field in 2020 averaging 16.4 fantasy points per game, and in 2019 he was one of the best fantasy options in the league. He was WR28 in this draft, a position he could blow away.
Pick 6.02: Chase Claypool (WR – PIT)
With all three of my WR slots filled already, I wasn’t scared to take a fourth and fill my FLEX. You shouldn’t be, either. Fantasy football is about outscoring your opponents any way you can. Many drafters would shy away from filling their FLEX in Round 6, but I believe that winning that spot is just as important as any other. Enter Chase Claypool. He escaped serious injury this week at practice and remains a prototypical breakout WR1 in Pittsburgh. As your WR2, Claypool likely isn’t stable enough, but when he can be your WR4/FLEX, he has league-winning upside. His per route efficiency is off the charts, and if everything clicks, he could be a Top-12 WR in 2021.
Pick 7.11: James Robinson (RB – JAC)
As this draft evolved, my need at RB was obvious. There were two ways to go: target pass-catching backs or grab goal line vultures. Clearly, I chose the latter. James Robinson had a nose for the chalk in 2020. On five carries inside the five, he scored all five times. There’s no reason to believe that role won’t be his in 2021. With Travis Etienne (RB – JAC) going 30 picks earlier, Robinson is starting to look like the value in this Jaguars RBBC.
Pick 8.02: Michael Carter (RB – NYJ)
Early in camp, Michael Carter caught the eye of onlookers as he ran with the Jets’ first-teamers and held his own. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur has produced high-quality fantasy backs in Atlanta and San Francisco before coming to New York. Tevin Coleman (RB – NYJ) may have the inside track to start Week 1, but Carter’s attributes blow his veteran counterparts out of the water. He is a top talent on the ground and in the passing attack, which could mean he unseats his elder quickly. In Round 8, he provides my best opportunity to hit the RB lottery in 2021.
Pick 9.11: Justin Herbert (QB – LAC)
Herbert was the final QB in the tier and was on my radar in Round 8. He broke the rookie touchdown record in 2020, despite poor offensive line play in front of him. The sky is the limit if the Chargers can keep Herbert’s jersey clean.
Pick 10.02: James Conner (RB – ARI)
James Conner missed time last year because of Covid-19. Many of us can relate to that, but when he played 50% or more of the snaps he was a fantasy star in PPR. In those games, Conner averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game on 18 touches per contest. Chase Edmonds (RB – ARI) is not a workhorse back. This is a true committee and Conner could easily get 15-18 touches, making him a prime ADP beater in 2021.
Pick 11.11: Robert Tonyan (TE – GB)
When drafting a TE early as I did with Kelce, I typically like to grab another solid option when the late TEs are flying off the board. As four tight ends went in fourteen picks heading into my 11th Round selection, I pulled the trigger. Tonyan and Rodgers had a nice connection in 2020, and with Aaron choosing the Packers over Jeopardy, perhaps that strengthens in 2021. Either way, I hope to just stare at Tonyan on my bench until I am in a FLEX bind in Week 7.
Pick 12.02: Latavius Murray (RB – NO)
In Round 12, I started the RB flyer run. After selecting Murray nine of the next twelve picks were rushers. Latavius is said to be fighting for a roster spot in New Orleans, but I don’t believe that for a second. He has been a productive backup behind Kamara and a trustworthy set of hands around the goal. He’s fumbled just once in 352 career carries for the Saints, scoring nine TDs in limited work. If something happens to Alvin Kamara (RB – NO), Murray goes for a 12th Round stab to a Top-12 RB.
Pick 13.11: Henry Ruggs III (WR – LVR)
Ruggs didn’t flash in rookie season, but rest assured John Gruden is going to give him every opportunity to prove his coach right in 2021. He possesses elite speed, but only had 15 targets greater than 20 yards downfield in 2020. If this pick is going to pay off, Gruden will have to draw up more deep balls for his former first-rounder this year.
Pick 14.02: Jalen Reagor (WR – PHI)
Reagor was another rookie WR disappointment last season, but there was one part of the field where he may have found his place in the Philly offense. Inside the 10 yard line, Reagor was the second-highest targeted WR in the NFL in target rate per route run (45%). If he can continue to demand the ball near the end zone, he could pay off easily this ADP. Additionally, in the games Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI) started, Reagor had the highest target% per route run on the team. There’s some hope, and the opportunity cost in drafts is nearly zero so I will take the chance on him possibly taking the big leap in 2021.
Final Draft Grade: 96/100 (A)
Start your early draft prep with our Mock Draft Simulator
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – that optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.
Aaron Pags is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Aaron, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyTriage.