August is mock draft month. Whether you’ve been prepping for weeks or are just starting to scratch the surface, mock drafts serve as a perfect crash course and opportunity to refine your draft strategy.

Today, I’ll give you an idea of what your team could look like if you’re picking early in your draft. This year, having an earlier pick might not be as desirable as in previous seasons. Aside from Jonathan Taylor, there seem to be questions about the tailbacks at the top.

Can Christian McCaffrey stay healthy? Was Derrick Henry‘s foot injury a sign of things to come? Can Austin Ekeler hold up after a career-high in touches last year? What will Dalvin Cook‘s role be in Minnesota with a new coaching staff at the helm? Should I just take Cooper Kupp or Justin Jefferson?

These are the questions you’ll have to navigate early in your draft. Read on to see how I fared picking third in a 12-team, half-PPR mock draft.

Round 1, Pick 3: Austin Ekeler (RB – LAC)

Predictably, Jonathan Taylor and Christian McCaffrey went first and second. Assuming full health, Ekeler might have the highest ceiling of the tailbacks remaining. A big part of that is his production in the passing game, as Ekeler hauled in 70 balls last season. Cook caught just 34 passes last year, and Henry is rarely used in the passing game.

Ekeler’s true three-down ability gives him an edge in what could be the league’s best offense.

Round 2, Pick 10: Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)

This was a tough choice between Kamara, Aaron Jones, Deebo Samuel and Tyreek Hill. I’m generally avoiding Deebo this year, as I anticipate he won’t carry the ball as much in 2022, and I’m scared off by the uncertainty surrounding Trey Lance. Hill’s departure to Miami and downgrade at QB has me a little worried as well.

It came down to Jones vs. Kamara. And I’m drafting with the benefit of an update on Kamara’s legal situation. His court hearing for felony battery was delayed to September 29, which makes me think a possible suspension won’t come until 2023. If that’s the case (and again, I’m just speculating), then Kamara is a great value in the back-end of Round 2.

Round 3, Pick 3: Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA)

The Draft Wizard can make you a hypocrite real quick! Yes, going from Patrick Mahomes to Tua Tagovailoa is bad. But Hill is still the cheetah, and I suspect his speed will translate to Mike McDaniel’s system, which should follow the 49ers’ West Coast passing scheme. While Hill might not be burning defenders on deep balls, I think McDaniel’s offense will scheme him open, leading to monstrous gains after the catch.

Round 4, Pick 10: Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)

Johnson is currently conducting a “hold in” as he awaits a new contract. And with Deebo Samuel and DK Metcalf both getting extensions, I suspect we’ll see a resolution to Johnson’s contract dispute soon. Johnson will need to build rapport with either Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny Pickett, but both should be upgrades over Ben Roethlisberger. Even with Big Ben at the helm, Johnson finished as the WR9 in half-PPR leagues. He’s an exceptional WR2.

Round 5, Pick 3: Allen Robinson (WR – LAR)

The best running backs on the board were Antonio Gibson, Elijah Mitchell and JK Dobbins. Unfortunately, those three have more question marks than The Riddler’s jacket. So that led me to receiver, where I’m thrilled to add Robinson as my WR3. I don’t think Robinson is washed up by any stretch. Chicago’s awful situation just held him back. Cooper Kupp is still the guy in L.A., but Robinson should be a steady WR2 each week with massive upside.

Round 6, Pick 10: Kyler Murray (QB – ARI)

I rarely take quarterbacks this early in drafts, but Murray’s free fall into late Round 6 surprised me. Assuming Murray does his film study homework, this could be a heck of a value pick.

Round 7, Pick 3: JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – KC)

Yes, I know I need running backs. But Smith-Schuster is someone I’ve tethered myself to this season, as I’m really excited to see what he can do in Kansas City. Travis Kelce will still be the top target for Patrick Mahomes. But I suspect Kansas City is shifting its offense to work more horizontally after teams took away the deep ball with more two-high safety looks. This plays right into JuJu’s skill set out of the slot. Smith-Schuster has had massive seasons before, and I’m willing to bet that this change in scenery could yield another one.

Round 8, Pick 10: Rashaad Penny (RB – SEA)

Full disclosure, I was considering Penny when I took Murray in Round 6, so I’m excited to get him two rounds later. Penny finally flashed his potential at the end of the 2021 season, rushing for 671 yards and six touchdowns over his last five games. Of course, durability is a massive concern. But if Seattle transitions to a run-oriented approach, Penny could finish the year as an RB2.

Round 9, Pick 3: Michael Carter (RB – NYJ)

I’m starting to regret taking Murray in Round 6, as Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford were all still available at this pick.

However, we play with the cards we’re dealt. That leads me to Carter, a talented tailback who still has some upside even with Breece Hall now sharing the backfield. I expect Carter to mix in on early downs while primarily holding the third-down job. That could be a valuable role in a Jets offense that should improve this season.

Round 10, Pick 10: Chris Olave (WR – NO)

I’m really intrigued by Olave, perhaps more than his fellow OSU teammate Garrett Wilson. Olave has deep ball traits and should compete for starting work in New Orleans. A healthy Michael Thomas will be the focal point of the passing game, but Olave should have an exciting niche role with room to grow as a rookie.

Round 11, Pick 3: Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI)

If you’ve read enough of my drafts, you know I tend to wait on tight ends. So instead, I’m going to reach down the board a bit to snag Herbert, a tailback I’m really excited about. David Montgomery is the incumbent starter, but a new regime could envision this backfield differently. Herbert likely won’t deliver early returns, but I see a scenario where his talent, scheme fit and long-term control result in a changing of the guard nobody sees coming.

Round 12, Pick 10: Romeo Doubs (WR – GB)

Pat Freiermuth and Mike Gesicki are still on the board, but I can’t take them because I have Hill and Johnson. So sorry tight end, you’ll have to wait.

But I don’t see much value in taking a backup QB, and the board is getting ugly. So why not use my last bench spot on a gigantic, speculative flyer? Maybe it’s Doubs, not Christian Watson, who turns out to be the top rookie wideout in Green Bay. Or maybe I’m drinking too much Kool-Aid on training camp reports.

But Doubs is garnering a ton of positive attention as the Packers have started training camp. Meanwhile, Christian Watson is sidelined with a knee injury with no timetable for return.

Holy moly what a grab by Romeo Doubs in the back right corner of the end zone through contested coverage during a close red-zone period. Perfect touch pass from Jordan Love and Doubs touched both feet right in front of us. Ref threw a DPI flag on Rico Gafford, too.

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 2, 2022

"He's established a routine pretty early"

Coach LaFleur on rookie WR @RomeoDoubs#GoPackGo | #PackersCamp pic.twitter.com/YS7mJCMYeq

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) July 29, 2022

While I don’t usually buy fully into training camp headlines, the receiving situation is Green Bay is one I’m willing to buy into more. I think his draft stock will skyrocket by the end of the month, even if the Draft Wizard calls it a reach now.

Round 13, Pick 3: Irv Smith (TE – MIN)

Last and certainly least, I’ve taken a tight end. Smith’s 2021 season was ruined by injury, but he offers upside in what could be a new-look Vikings offense.

Final DraftWizard Grade: 93/100 (A)