The goal of this exercise was to achieve a grade of ‘A’ or above on the FantasyPros mock draft simulator. This is a 10-team PPR league with a super-flex roster construction (1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1TE, 1FLEX, 1SFlex, 1D/ST, 1K), selecting from the 10th overall spot.
The aim is to lay out a strategy for achieving a high grade when drafting with similar settings. Ideally, you will end up with a balanced roster (3-4QBs, 5RBs, 5WRs, 1-2TEs, 1D/ST, 1K) following this strategy.
However, every draft is different and contextual. For example, I usually go QB-RB early on in a super-flex draft, but sometimes all the RB1s you love are gone, and you have the opportunity to stack Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson. Results may vary.
1.10 Justin Herbert (QB – LAC)
If you’ve read any of my work, you know I’m a big advocate of taking the best available player with your first pick. In a league where you can play 2QBs every week, of course that’s going to be a QB. Herbert was the best remaining QB available. Need I say more? Anyone who watches football doesn’t need to be sold on Herbert as a stud with QB1 overall potential. This pick made itself.
Since we selected 10th in a 10-team league, it means we won’t pick again for another 18 picks. The option to stack two QB1s here is incredibly tempting, but we can assume if we pass on a workhorse RB1 now, we won’t get one at all. It was between Harris and Dalvin Cook here.
It’s hard to go wrong either way, but I leaned Harris mostly because of Cook’s injury history. It also helps that as a rookie, Harris racked up a league-high 381 touches (74 receptions) and an impressive 1,600+ total yards and 10 TDs. Even though the Steelers’ offense may be suspect at the moment, Harris should still be viewed as an RB1.
It might not always be pretty, but it’s hard to deny the man scores fantasy points. In his first full season as a starter, Hurts led all QBs in rushing yards, attempts and rushing TDs, as well as 20+ point fantasy games. His real-life passing woes caught up to him at the end of 2021 and he fizzled out from a fantasy perspective. If not for that, there would be no chance he’d be available in the third round.
Hurts has displayed QB1-overall potential, and with the addition of A.J. Brown, his stock continues to trend even further upward. He is a fine (fantasy) QB1, and an excellent Superflex.
4.01 Javonte Williams (RB – DEN)
It would be difficult to find a bigger Javonte Williams fan than me. In fact, I had him ranked inside my top-10 overall before the Melvin Gordon news broke. Of course, Gordon complicates things for Williams from a volume perspective, but the two are more than capable of producing RB2 numbers on a weekly basis, as evidenced by last season (finished as PPR RB17 and RB21 respectively). With more opportunity early on, Williams is very much in play as a 1,000-yard rusher. I will gladly take a chance on a talent like him as my RB2.
5.10 Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND)
At this point, the WR pool was beginning to look slim. I felt it was the appropriate time to strike, and while Pittman may not jump off the screen as a rock-solid WR1, I’m quite optimistic.
I have previously stated how I expect Matt Ryan to elevate Pittman to the next level. As I mentioned in ’10 players Trending Up & Down’ Ryan has produced at least one 1,000+ yard receiver in 13 of his 14 NFL seasons. From 2015-20, Ryan’s top WR’s average finish is WR4 overall. Granted he’s always had phenomenal receivers, but I don’t view Pittman as a massive downgrade by any means (ranked third in route win rate in 2021). I think it’s within reason he continues the trend and breaks into WR1 territory in 2022.
6.01 Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)
You know the drill. I have stated my pessimism toward Johnson in 2022 numerous times. However, sometimes we need to trick the simulator. We are WR-needy at this point, and he is the highest-ranked at the position. Strictly a business decision here. I’d like to be clear on the fact that I prefer Mike Williams, Courtland Sutton and Brandin Cooks (all of which were available) to Johnson here. However, the goal is to get an A. Sacrifices must be made, no matter how much it hurts.
There is a lot that would need to go right for Dobbins to pan out at his current ADP. But I won’t get into all that. I’ll just say he is projected to be the lead back on the most run-heavy team in the league since 2019. If I’ve learned anything, RB depth is essential to achieving a good grade on the DraftWizard. At this point in the draft, I’m grateful to land Dobbins as a seventh-round pick/RB3.
8.01 Marquise Brown (WR – ARI)
With DeAndre Hopkins suspended for a significant portion of the 2022 season, Hollywood is likely to be Kyler Murray’s top receiver. Last season Brown flashed his WR1 potential and would have cemented it if not for a few costly drops. Weeks 1-9 Brown delivered six games with 19+ PPR points, and five with 90+ yards. As far as my WR3 goes, I’ll gladly take someone with explosive talent who could begin the season being targeted six or more times per game.
More RB depth. There have been rumors Hunt could get moved from Cleveland. If there’s truth to that, it could be massive for his fantasy stock. Depending on where he lands he might immediately become an RB1. If he stays, that’s fine too. He has been splitting the backfield for over two seasons. He’s still registered double-digit PPR points in 73% of his career games. Consider yourself lucky if you land Hunt as an RB4.
10.01 Matt Ryan (QB – IND)
Sure, he may be past his prime, but trust me, you can do a lot worse. Coming from someone who’s been forced to start Jacoby Brissett, Brett Rypien and Mike Glennon (to name a few), QB depth is essential in a super-flex league. He may not win you your league, but Ryan has definitely been known to get hot. Plus, now we have that Ryan-Pittman stack… Very sneaky Mr. Deeds.
The former MVP just joined an offense that is an upgrade in just about every aspect to the ’21 Falcons. He is a very important depth piece that could either come in handy in a pinch or become valuable trade bait.
11.10 Russell Gage (WR – TB)
With no AB or Gronk, and Godwin expected to miss time this season (and likely not be 100% for some time upon his return), Gage has a massive opportunity to step up as Brady’s WR2. The Bucs led the league in pass attempts, passing yards and passing TDs in 2021. Gage is talented enough to shine in this spot.
UPDATE: I drafted/wrote this before the Julio Jones news broke. Needless to say, suddenly I’m not so high on Gage… However, Jones has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, and if that trend continues Gage could still be just as relevant, and for a much cheaper price at that. I still like Gage as a WR4.
12.01 Dalton Schultz (TE – DAL)
Almost forgot… I guess I’m going to need a TE, eh? For someone who neglected the position as long as I did, I’m very fortunate to end up with Schultz. In 2021, Schultz burst onto the scene with double-digit PPR points in 11 out of 17 games (15+ in six of those 11). TEs like that don’t grow on trees. Now that Amari Cooper is gone, there are likely to be even more targets headed Schultz’s way. Sure, he’s the best TE left, but even if he wasn’t, I’d be happy to take him as TE1.
13.10 T.J. Hockenson (TE – DET)
One more for good measure. If you’ve mock drafted on this app as many times as I have, you know when to grab a TE2 before the simulator pulls the trigger.
In a 17-round draft, round 13 is exactly the time to strike. It just so happens Hockenson is still on the board. I’m not optimistic about the Lions’ offense by any means, but Hock has proved his fantasy worth. He scored double-digit PPR points in eight of 12 games in 2021, including 14.5+ points in five of those eight. God forbid something unforeseen happens to Schultz, you can do a lot worse for a backup TE. Heck, he might even become this team’s starter.
14.01 J.D. McKissic (RB – WAS)
This pick is nothing more than rounding out our RB depth. McKissic has a history of being a decent PPR weapon in a pinch. In a standard league, he loses most of his value. Luckily we get points when he makes a catch, which he seems to do a lot. In his last 27 games, Mckissic has 123 catches (4.5 rec. per game). It’s not like he’s going to win us the league, but he’s not bad for an RB5.
15.10 49ers D/ST
Nothing to see here. Just grabbing the highest ranked D/ST available one round before the simulator does. We want that A grade.
16.01 Justin Tucker (K – BAL)
See pick 15.10, replace D/ST with K.
17.10 Jakobi Meyers (WR – NE)
I chose Myers to serve as Mr. Irrelevant. We have 3QBs, 5RBs, 4WRs, 2 TEs, etc. Might as well grab a fifth WR to balance the depth. I suppose you can do worse than someone who is technically a WR1 on their team. He’s not the most exciting pick, but if Mac Jones makes the leap (which is very much plausible, despite the fact nobody is talking about it) we could have a steal on our hands with Meyers.
Final Draft Grade: 93/100
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