We finally have NFL action to watch as the preseason kicks off this weekend. It will be fantastic to watch live NFL action. If you are looking for me, you can find me in front of the TV, checking out which players stand out.

Preseason games also kick off the drafts for redraft leagues. One of the best ways to prepare for your upcoming drafts is to conduct mock drafts. Find out which players could provide value and where the position runs happen during the draft so you create your own draft strategies. As a reminder, you can complete mock drafts like this within minutes for FREE using our mock draft simulator.

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12 -Team Half-Point PPR Mock Draft from the 1.12 (2023 Fantasy Football)

I conducted a mock draft from the 12th spot in a 12-team league. Being at the turn has its disadvantages. You miss out on the top 11 players in Fantasy Football. In addition, there will be a long wait between picks where you will see your favorite players sniped before you pick. The advantage is that you can somewhat dictate the draft by igniting position runs with your back-to-back picks.

The Mock Draft

Mock Draft Settings: 12-Team, 0.5 PPR, 12th Position, Snake Format
Roster Format: 1QB/2RB/3WR/1TE/2 FLX/10BN

This mock draft is for a league with weekly lineups consisting of one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight end, and two flex spots.

Pick 1.12: Tony Pollard (RB-DAL)

Pollard finally took over as the Cowboys’ featured back midpoint of last season and proved that he should have been there from the onset. Pollard was the RB5 from Week 7 through the end of the season. With little competition for touches in the Cowboys backfield, look for Pollard to battle for the top fantasy running back this season. He possesses dual-threat ability and game-breaking potential. When you combine with Mike McCarthy, now calling the offensive plays, we will witness an explosive fantasy season from the former Memphis Tiger.

Pick 2.01: Stefon Diggs (WR-BUF)

Diggs continues to prove that he is among the elite receivers in the NFL. He has produced three consecutive seasons of 100+ receptions, 1,000+ yards receiving while averaging ten touchdowns per season. Diggs finished sixth with 18.9 fantasy points per game and continues to shine with Josh Allen slinging him the ball. Diggs is an excellent and safe WR1 to start your fantasy draft.

Pick 3.12: DeVonta Smith (WR-PHI)

DeVonta Smith emerged as a fantasy stud in the Philadelphia Eagles offense. Smith finished as the WR10 and combined with AJ Brown to make a lethal receiving duo for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense. The former Heisman winner continues to improve in an ascending offense-a deadly combo to have as your WR2.

Pick 4.01: Calvin Ridley (WR-JAC)

Calvin Ridley is one of my guys this season. I love his potential in a Jaguars offense with the ascending Trevor Lawrence. Everyone knows what Ridley did off the field. More importantly, his on-the-field resume should impress. He exhibited his dynamic ability in his last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Ridley produced 90 receptions on 143 targets for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. He won’t see that volume, but his game-breaking potential, Lawrence, and Doug Pederson calling the plays should salivate fantasy managers.

Pick 5.12: James Cook (RB-BUF)

Even with three consecutive wide receiver selections, I was disappointed that Drake London was just picked ahead of my next pick. London was the last wideout in my tier of elite wideouts to target. Therefore, it was time to pivot and grab a player that is also one of “my guys.” The potential of James Cooks in his sophomore season in the Buffalo Bills offense is so enticing. The fact that the Bills brought Damien Harris into their backfield doesn’t make me hesitate to select Cook as my RB2. Cook established himself as a threat in the backfield and averaged the third-highest yards per touch (6.3) among all running backs. More impressively, Cook produced a 12.1% breakaway run rate, which topped all running backs. I am intrigued to see how his role increases with his penchant for game-breaking plays in this Bills offense.

Pick 6.01: Darren Waller (TE-NYG)

Every fantasy manager knows what Darren Waller can produce on the football field. The issue, of course, is that Waller has missed multiple games the past two seasons. However, a healthy Waller produces top-five TE numbers, including consecutive seasons exceeding 100 targets, 90 receptions, and 1,000+ yards. Selecting this type of fantasy production here in the sixth round is a steal. Waller walks into a Giants offense that desperately needs a reliable receiving weapon for Daniel Jones. Don’t be shocked if Waller finishes this season as a top-three tight end.

Pick 7.12: Jahan Dotson (WR-WAS)

With these next two picks, I was looking to fill the two FLEX spots and seeking upside regardless of position. I was hoping for George Pickens to get back to me but was sniped the pick right before the turn. However, I was able to select two wideouts who should make a significant impact this season. Jahan Dotson burst onto the fantasy scene last season with two scores in his first NFL game, followed by two more scores across his next three games. Dotson was impressive and looked like a steal for fantasy managers. Unfortunately, Dotson suffered a hamstring injury that made him miss five games. He returned in Week 10 and produced huge plays on his way to scoring three more touchdowns to finish the season. Dotson finished with 31 receptions for 523 yards and seven touchdowns, proving himself to be a legit significant play threat. Dotson combines with Terry McLaurin to form one of the league’s most promising wide receiver tandems. The concern with Dotson is the quarterback play of Sam Howell. If Howell can elevate his game and the Commanders’ offense, there is some breakout appeal for the former Penn State wideout and a considerable value pick in the seventh round.

Pick 8.01: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR-SEA)

Very surprised that Smith-Njigba was still available here. This could be classified as a homer pick with my love for the Buckeyes. Regardless, I am targeting JSN in all of my leagues. He is extremely talented but was limited to only three games last season at Ohio State due to a hamstring injury, and his 2021 season displayed the explosive nature of his game with 95 receptions, 1,606 yards, and nine touchdowns, with the likes of sharing the WR room with Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. JSN will be sharing the touches in Seattle with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett but make no mistake; he will make big plays and develop into an impactful fantasy contributor in his rookie season. I look forward to watching his development as my second flex in my weekly lineup.

Pick 9.12: Samaje Perine (RB-DEN)

Shockingly, new Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton decided not to bring in one of the multiple available veteran running backs to shore up his backfield with the uncertainty of Javonte Williams in the balance. Instead, Payton focused on Samaje Perine, Joe Mixon‘s longtime backup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Perine filled in admirably in relief of Mixon, scoring five touchdowns across a four-game stretch. Payton has a long history of utilizing two backs, and with Williams’ availability a concern at the onset of the season, Perine could see himself as the Week 1 starter. Perine is a sneaky value pick to stash.

Pick 10.01: De’Von Achane (RB-MIA)

De’Von Achane was a surprise third-round selection by the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins backfield already consisted of the productive duo of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. However, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel loves speed, and there are very few players quicker than Achane, who ran a 4.32 40 at the combine. Selecting Achane at this juncture is a late-round flier pick in anticipation of big plays from the undersized rookie running back. His considerable play ability screams potential, and while he may not have a consistent role in the Dolphins, he will carve out the touches necessary to be fantasy relevant as a bye-week fill-in.

Pick 11.12: Tank Bigsby (RB-JAC)

There is no need to consider ADP at this point in the draft. I was looking for upside and breakout potential. One running back that flies under the radar is the Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Tank Bigsby. The Jaguars have an ascending offense that finished tenth in scoring last season. Trevor Lawrence continues to emerge as a franchise quarterback, and head coach Doug Pederson is a master at calling plays. However, the offense lacks a bruising running back-a runner who can get the tough yards for a first down or at the goal line. Travis Etienne is a big-play back who is excellent at catching the ball out of the backfield but fails to assert himself on inside runs. Enter Tank Bigsby. Bigsby will bring another element to the Jaguars offense. He is also a terrific handcuff option who can be a league winner if something unfortunate happens to Etienne.

Pick 12.01: Roschon Johnson (RB-CHI)

Followed up with another rookie running back with the second of two consecutive selections. Surprisingly, Johnson provides more upside than any of my last three selections. His availability in the 12th round makes me smile. Johnson enters a crowded backfield with Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman, but he is also an established pass-catching weapon that those backs lack in their arsenal. Plus, those backs will be fighting off Justin Fields for running touches, leaving Johnson as the receiving option out of the backfield. Combine that with Johnson’s immense ability to block and the Bears offense is looking at facing negative game scripts continuously. We should see Johnson have a significant role in the Bears’ offense and possibly in my fantasy lineup.

Pick 13.12: Daniel Jones (QB-NYG)

I am entering the 13th round and have no quarterbacks, which is fine! In one-quarterback leagues, it pays to wait on quarterbacks every time. Stacking your lineup and bench spots is the ideal draft strategy. The following quarterbacks are still available to select: Daniel Jones, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, Aaron Rodgers, and Jared Goff. Four of these quarterbacks ranked in the top ten last season in fantasy scoring, including my following selection, Daniel Jones. Jones can be a wildcard option, but you can’t deny his rushing upside. Jones rushed for over 700 yards and scored seven touchdowns last season on his way to a QB9 finish. Jones continues to climb the ladder with fantasy upside and will enter the 2023 season with a better-surrounding cast, including TE Darren Waller, creating an impressive stack option in my weekly lineup. His passing numbers will continue to elevate as Brian Daboll places Jones in ideal situations. Another top-ten finish this season for Jones seems inevitable.

Pick 14.01: Anthony Richardson (QB-IND)

This was a difficult decision with this selection. Should I go with one of the steady veteran quarterback options? Nope. I went for the extreme upside in rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson as my backup quarterback to throw on my bench. There is no other quarterback that screams high risk/high reward than Richardson. He may not even start the season behind center. The Colts may decide to go the Gardner Minshew path, but we will see Richardson at some point this season. Richardson possesses plenty of talent and extreme upside. His running ability stands out as a path for fantasy success. If Richardson can learn to be average in passing the ball, he can be a league-winning option. Richardson is a difference-maker on the field and should blossom as a fantasy stud even as early as the 2023 season.

Pick 15.12: Kareem Hunt (RB-FA)

Hunt is not signed with an NFL team, but taking him in the fifteen-round is a dart-throw option I can live with. If Hunt arrives in a situation where he obtains touches, he can provide incredible value.

More Fantasy Football Mock Drafts

• PPR: 12-Team, Early Pick (v2, v3)
• PPR: 12-Team, Middle Pick (v2, v3, v4, v5)
• PPR: 12-Team, Late Pick (v2, v3, v4)
• PPR: 12-Team Superflex Early Pick
• PPR: 12-Team Superflex Late Pick
• PPR: 10-Team Superflex
• PPR: 12-Team 2QB
• Half-PPR: 12-Team, Superflex
• Half-PPR: 12-Team, Early Pick (v2)
• Half-PPR: 12-Team, Middle Pick (v2, v3)
• Half-PPR: 12-Team, Late Pick
• Standard: 12-Team, Early Pick
• Standard: 12-Team, Middle Pick (v2)
• Standard: 12-Team, Late Pick
• Standard: 10-Team, Middle Pick
• FFPC: Middle Pick
• FFPC: Late Pick
• FFPC Expert Mock Draft
• 2QB Mock Draft

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Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.