Last week, I preached the importance of preparation in my single QB mock draft, so it shouldn’t surprise you to find me back here with another mock draft. If you haven’t yet, check out the last mock draft.
I’m coming at you with a Superflex mock rather than a single QB this time. The approach to a Superflex draft differs from a single QB, but the fundamentals of drafting don’t. As always, prepare yourself, build a strategy, and be adaptable and flexible to the flow of the draft.
Let’s see how I did this time around.
Round 1, Pick 8: Cooper Kupp
Other notable players available: Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson
I love Superflex drafts because QBs going early in the draft push other talent down the board. Getting Cooper Kupp, who is coming off a historic season, with the eighth pick is a win no matter how you spin it. Even if I took a QB, I wouldn’t have gotten the best player at his position as I did here. Quality QB play is essential in a Superflex league, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you need an elite player at QB1. Sure, it helps, but as long as you get a good player to fill the QB2 spot and ideally stack some depth, you’re in a good spot.
The consistency and the edge that Kupp will provide at WR is more significant than what I’d get from a QB here versus what will be available in nine picks. There are many quality WRs in the league today, but the rapport with Matthew Stafford and the consistency Kupp provides is unparalleled.
Round 2, Pick 17: Kyler Murray
Other notable players available: Javonte Williams, Joe Mixon, Joe Burrow, Stefon Diggs
It was tough to pass on one of my top RBs in Javonte Williams, but getting Kyler Murray at this spot validated my decision to snag Kupp in round one. Had I taken a QB at eight overall, I would have taken Justin Herbert who went a few picks later. But Lamar Jackson and Aaron Rodgers also went before this pick, and I’m not sure I would have taken either ahead of Kyler Murray. Although he finished the season as the QB10 overall, he stood as the QB4 in points per game.
His rushing abilities give him a safe floor, as he fell short of 19 points in just four of his 14 games last season. The only potential concern I have with Kyler is the weaponry he will battle with, but he played the second half of the season without DeAndre Hopkins, whom he will get back this season. In addition, he lost Chase Edmonds and Christian Kirk, but the team locked up Zach Ertz and can get more out Rondale Moore. They’re also likely to add pass catchers in the upcoming NFL draft, further boosting Murray’s stock.
Round 3, Pick 32: Leonard Fournette
Other notable players available: Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, Cam Akers, Keenan Allen
If you read my mock draft last week, you already know my thoughts on Leonard Fournette. If you didn’t read it, I suggest you do so, but I’ll repeat my thoughts on 2022 fantasy football Lenny. The former first-round pick is 27 years old with just 943 carries. The perception of his abilities took a tumble after being cut by the Jaguars and starting slow with the Bucs, but his RB6 finish in PPR scoring last season should help to turn the tide on his value.
Tampa Bay rewarded him with a $21 million contract and let Ronald Jones walk, which can only help endorse the recent bump in value. If you haven’t heard or got lost in the back and forth, Tom Brady is returning, and Fournette is primed for a three-down role. I’m happy to have Fournette as my RB1 and even happier getting him as the 12th RB off the board.
Round 4, Pick 41: Russell Wilson
Other notable players available: Cam Akers, Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, Saquon Barkley
More often than not, I’d continue to push QB down the board in favor of position players. After all, I did say that my favorite thing about Superflex drafts is early QBs pushing other positions down the board, but the value here is too good to pass up, and I didn’t feel the need to jump at any of the available position players. Many people have forgotten just how good Russell Wilson was before his finger injury last season, and he’s been punished for coming back early and fighting his way through the injury.
Before being sidelined with the finger injury through the first four weeks, Wilson was averaging 22.4 points per game. The three games he missed following his injury are the only games Russ has ever missed in his 10-year career. We must go back to 2016 to find the last time he finished outside of the top 10 QBs, and that was a QB11 finish. Since then, he’s finished as QB1, QB9, QB6, and QB4, up until last season. And let’s not forget, these finishes were under the hand of Pete Carroll’s run-first offense. Now, Russ finally gets to cook with an offensive mind in Nathaniel Hackett and many talented pass catchers at his disposal.
Round 5, Pick 56: Michael Pittman Jr.
Other notable players available: Terry McLaurin, George Kittle, James Conner
I was tempted to snag one of my favorites, Terry McLaurin, with this pick, but between him and Michael Pittman, one is freeing himself of Carson Wentz as his QB, and one is getting Wentz as his QB. I believe that Wentz will offer McLaurin more upside than he’s seen yet, but I still don’t trust him. Meanwhile, Matt Ryan is a sizeable upgrade for Pittman, who is coming off a nearly identical season to McLaurin, but slightly better. He tallied 1,082 receiving yards and six touchdowns compared to 1,053 and five for McLaurin, and I’m counting on a boost from Matty Ice.
Round 6, Pick 65: J.K. Dobbins
Other notable players available: Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Darren Waller
In addition to Fournette, I find myself with another RB I took in my last mock draft in J.K. Dobbins. Despite some of the question marks surrounding Dobbins, I have faith in him producing at least RB2 numbers this season. I’d feel more comfortable not relying on him until I can see how he bounces back from the ACL injury, but I don’t think a breakout season is out of reach. The Ravens offer a friendly offense for the rushing attack, and Dobbins has looked like a stud when healthy.
Round 7, Pick 80: Mike Williams
Other notable players available: Darnell Mooney, TJ Hockenson, Marquise Brown
I’ve already snagged two of the same players I took in my last mock, so let’s make it three. Although he’s considered the Chargers’ WR2, you wouldn’t know it based on the 129 targets he saw last season. The Chargers operate as one of the NFL’s highest-volume passing attacks as they threw the ball over 700 times last season. Williams, heading into year two in Joe Lombardi’s offense, finally seemed to find his groove with a staff that figured out how to utilize the 6’4″ target. He faded after starting as the WR2 through the first five weeks of the season, but I’m content dealing with the highs and lows with Williams as my WR3.
Round 8, Pick 89: Damien Harris
Other notable players available: Miles Sanders, Rashod Bateman, A.J. Dillon
Damien Harris scored 15 rushing touchdowns last season, tied for second-most in the NFL. His value is driven down by his lack of receiving work, which is a valid concern and one that I share, but he finished as RB8 in PPR scoring last season. He is unlikely to repeat his 15 touchdowns from last season, especially with the potential involvement of Rhamondre Stevenson, but he doesn’t need to in order to pay off the RB24 price I drafted him at. This team will continue to be built around defense, the running game and Mac Jones working off of that.
Round 9, Pick 104: Rashaad Penny
Other notable players available: Kareem Hunt, Cordarrelle Patterson, Robert Woods
Upon returning from a hamstring injury, Rashaad Penny proceeded to rush for 706 yards and six touchdowns through the last six weeks. During that stretch, he stood as the RB1, scoring a whopping 117.4 PPR points for an average of 19.6 per game. In addition, he tallied 111.4 fantasy points in standard scoring, 23.3 more than the RB2 during those six weeks. However, I was able to get him in the ninth round for a reason. The injury concerns are obvious, and he’s not guaranteed the starting nod, but he should be plenty motivated to lock up a long-term deal next offseason after resigning in Seattle on a one-year contract. If he stays healthy, Penny screams league winner.
Round 10, Pick 113: Chase Claypool
Other notable players available: Ronald Jones, Allen Lazard, DeVante Parker
After tallying nine scores in his rookie campaign, Claypool crossed the goal line just twice last season while posting nearly identical yardage. He has yet to surpass 873 receiving yards, but round 10 is far too late for the dynamic playmaker who needs someone to just get him the ball. I’m not claiming that Mitch Trubisky is a major upgrade over Ben Roethlisberger, but we could see a resurgence from Trubisky after he escaped Matt Nagy. Besides, we all saw how much Big Ben struggled to push the ball downfield last season. An elite athletic prospect who has flashed big-time abilities in the NFL is worth a 10th-round pick here. A new QB might be just what he needs for a third-year breakout.
Round 11, Pick 128: Mitchell Trubisky
Other notable players available: Rondale Moore, Jimmy Garoppolo, Dawson Knox
Speaking of, I love the idea of grabbing Trubisky in the later rounds of a Superflex league as the QB3. A stack between him and a potential Chase Claypool breakout is just an added benefit. However, the reality is that Trubisky wasn’t as bad as you might think, at least in fantasy football terms. In addition to a pro bowl nod in 2018, he finished as the QB11 in points per game. His 421 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns helped aid in that finish, but his mobility and athleticism cannot be discounted.
Round 12, Pick 137: Zach Ertz
Other notable players available: Mike Gesicki, Pat Freiermuth, Tyler Boyd
Zach Ertz traded in his Eagles green for Cardinals red mid-season and proved that his wings could soar no matter which bird was on his helmet. Suiting up for Arizona for the first time in week 7, Ertz tallied 66 yards with a touchdown and would go on to finish as PPR’s TE4 from that game forward. I thought about going with Freiermuth here, but I couldn’t pass on Ertz and what he could do in this offense after a full offseason and 18 weeks with the club. Based on his production from last season, it feels like he should be going a few rounds earlier, so I like the value here.
Round 13, Pick 152: Robby Anderson
Other notable players available: Curtis Samuel, Mike Gesicki, Darrell Williams
After a down season, Robby Anderson’s value has dipped far lower this offseason than last. Rightfully so, but nearly every member of the Panthers experienced a down season. Anderson notched his first 1,000-yard season in 2020 with 1,096 receiving yards before the Sam Darnold debacle. Carolina still has no answer to its QB problem, but it can’t get much worse. So I’ll take a shot at him as my WR5.
Round 14, Pick 165: Pat Freiermuth
Other notable players available: Van Jefferson, Tim Patrick, Marlon Mack
After considering Pat Freiermuth in round 12, I feel fortunate to get him here two rounds later. The TE position is not a priority in a single TE league, but I’m a fan of doubling up on the position late in drafts. The ability to play matchups with a couple of guys you feel good about is a nice alternative to drafting an elite TE early in the draft. After posting 497 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie campaign, Freiermuth finished as PPR’s TE9 overall and TE17 in points per game. I feel good about the position with a duo of Ertz and Freiermuth with a possibility of a second-year leap for the latter.
Round 15, Pick 176: Miami Dolphins
I never take a defense before the second to last round, so it’s surprising to come away with the previous season’s third-best fantasy unit. Although there’s been turnover with the coaching staff, I’m happy to get them here.
Round 16, Pick 185: Ryan Succop
Kicker scoring is somewhat unpredictable year over year, so I generally try to grab one attached to a high-scoring offense. With that approach, I’ll consider Ryan Succop a successful pick.
Lineup
QB: Kyler Murray
RB: Leonard Fournette
RB: J.K. Dobbins
WR: Cooper Kupp
WR: Michael Pittman Jr.
WR: Mike Williams
TE: Zach Ertz
QRWT: Russell Wilson
DST: Miami Dolphins
K: Ryan Succop
Bench
Damien Harris, RB
Rashaad Penny, RB
Chase Claypool, WR
Mitchell Trubisky, QB
Robby Anderson, WR
Pat Freiermuth, TE
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