Free agency madness is here. It’s never too early to do a best-ball draft, even if Big Fantasy puts its foot down and says no.

With that, we commence our draft with the following parameters:

• 12 teams
• 20 rounds
• 30-second pick clock
• Underdog Fantasy

I drew the 1.12 draft slot, which is a spot where it’s much more palatable to reach on players you value just because you likely won’t get a crack at them when your next two picks come back up. Let’s get going!

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1.12: Tyreek Hill (WR – KC)

Hill is still tied to #good quarterback Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC), and while last season’s WR6 in fantasy points-per-game (FPPG) is still racking up fantasy points, Hill’s yards per reception dipped into the 11-yard mark from 14 the previous two seasons. To be fair, we’re really just nitpicking, as Hill’s touchdown numbers have been tremendous, and it’s not like the Chiefs aren’t going to score. But, ultimately, you’re getting a formerly  inconsistent player who gained consistency in the last two seasons. That makes Hill a slam-dunk first-rounder.

2.01: Dalvin Cook (RB – MIN)

The haters will tab Cook as an oft-injured running back on a middling franchise, but he is still one of the best running backs in fantasy football and a steal here at 2.01. Touchdown regression hit Cook, as he only rushed for six touchdowns, but everything else you want from him is there. Cook finished as RB11 in FPPG last season, and there’s no reason he can’t return elite running back value, even if he does miss a handful of games. A season with 1,500 scrimmage yards, 40 receptions, and regression up to double-digit touchdowns would make Cook a considerable value here.

3.12: Darren Waller (TE – LV)

A bit of a lost season from an uber-talented tight end drops Waller into value territory at the end of the third round. Waller started off the 2021 campaign like gangbusters, with a 19-target, 10-reception performance in Week 1 that had people salivating at the season to come. It was not to be, as Waller only turned in two top-five weekly performances at tight end the rest of the season before missing a five-week segment after Week 12. Unless the Raiders add a significant pass-catching piece to the equation in 2022, Waller faces minimal target opposition and should be in line for triple-digit targets and flirt with triple-digit receptions if healthy.

4.01: Aaron Jones (RB – GB)

I’m sorry, but Jones shouldn’t be going as RB15 in drafts now that quarterback Aaron Rodgers (QB – GB) has returned to the Packers. It’s a case of pouncing on a draft value that is clearly mispriced. With Rodgers comes an efficient, high-powered offense. Despite the presence of AJ Dillon (RB – GB), Jones finished as RB13 in FPPG. It’s easy to say Dillon will put a wrench into Jones’ value, and to a degree that’s factual. Still, Jones will receive the majority of passing-down work and will score touchdowns. There are more than enough to go around in this offense. The fantasy death of Aaron Jones is greatly exaggerated.

Leaders in yards per attempt against 6 man boxes ⤵️

?James Robinson (6.3)
?Jonathan Taylor (6.2)
?Devin Singletary (6.0)
?Clyde Edwards-Helaire (5.4)
?Aaron Jones (5.4)

Minimum of 50 carries

Powered by @FTNData

?https://t.co/c1u8FbHzD6 pic.twitter.com/OAWaeACFIj

— FTNFantasy (@FTNFantasy) March 5, 2022

5.12: Marquise Brown (WR – BAL)
6.01: Darnell Mooney (WR – CHI)

Apparently, the theme in this draft is taking players who are undervalued by consensus. Mooney should see some target competition, whether in the form of an incoming rookie, a free agent, or Cole Kmet (TE – CHI). Still, any improvement by Justin Fields (QB – CHI) in year two raises all boats, namely Mooney.

Brown saw almost 150 targets and has taken baby steps toward being a quality fantasy WR2/WR3-type receiver. The Ravens passed quite a bit more in 2021 than in 2020 – an increase of 11%. That kind of bump could be explained by the revolving door of running backs and injury woes at the position last season. Even if the Ravens taper off their 2021 pass play percentage of 56.3%, players like Brown should still be able to thrive and prosper even with in-house target competition.

7.12: Aaron Rodgers (QB – GB)

Rodgers is not a bad pick here heading into the eighth round. With his return to Green Bay, and with Davante Adams (WR – GB) still in tow, Rodgers should be a lock for 4,000 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a handful of rushing touchdowns in 2022. We know he’s going to hold on to the ball and limit turnovers, keeping the bust potential very low on a week-to-week basis. Rodgers is one of the very few quarterbacks without rushing upside who is worth targeting in fantasy drafts.

8.01: Garrett Wilson (WR)
9.12: Christian Kirk (WR – JAC)
10.01: Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)
11.12: Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR – JAC)
12.01: Matt Ryan (QB – ATL)
13.12: Robby Anderson (WR – CAR)
14.01: Evan Engram (TE – JAC)

I started this draft on Monday morning before the legal tampering period, and I swear the aim wasn’t to get a quarterback-less Jacksonville stack, but here we are. Kirk, Shenault, and Engram should at least compete for a couple of the top spots in the Jaguars’ target tree. Shenault might be nuked by the Kirk and Engram signings, though, which is #bad for the truthers out there. I’ve already set up a prayer circle, so thank you for your concerns.

Ryan should start each game for the Falcons barring injury, and with a second-year Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL) and potentially more youth added to the WR corps, Ryan’s pass catchers may get much more athletic in short order. There’s still top-12 upside here and some spike-week potential. Last season was as bad as it gets, with only four top-12 fantasy finishes.

15.12: Jerick McKinnon (RB – KC)
16.01: Christian Watson (WR)
17.12: Ke’Shawn Vaughn (RB – TB)
18.01: Marquez Callaway (WR – NO)
19.12: D’Ernest Johnson (RB – CLE)
20.01: Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF)

Let’s be honest: We’re throwing darts here, but there are profiles and situations to monitor. McKinnon could be a PPR-centric value, and he showed in last season’s playoffs that he’s not devoid of value quite yet.

Watson is a fast-rising prospect from North Dakota State with off-the-charts measurables. He will likely sneak into Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft. With Watson, think Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – GB) – a toolsy receiver who can actually catch the ball and is used in the run game as well.

With the #SeniorBowl upon us, I dove into the film of #NDSU WR Christian Watson

Won best WR at practice voted on by the oppposing DB group

Speed is evident. Rumored to be in the 4.4's at 6'4, 211 lbs. Thread ⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0Y7dzewBvB

— Cory P. (@FF_Guitarist) February 5, 2022

What if an actual, real-life quarterback (*ahem* Deshaun Watson (QB – HOU)) enters the chat in New Orleans? Callaway could be a late-round steal with Michael Thomas (WR – NO) to play off of. That would be pretty awesome. We like when #fun things happen, and that would be #fun.

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Kevin Tompkins is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Kevin, check out his archive and follow him @ktompkinsii.