Fantasy football mock drafting in April gives us a chance to get a leg up on our competition. While they are either taking time away from football or focusing on baseball, we can test different strategies and pay closer attention to the ebbs and flows of average draft positions (ADPs).
I did a 12-team PPR mock draft where I drafted out of the second spot. This was a tough room for it being a mock as I was put into what I would describe as an uncomfortable position with my 2.11 selection. A few things stood out:
- Running backs flew off the board. By the time I was up in the second round, there wasn’t a running back I was comfortable taking.
- Quarterbacks went early and often, representing the shift in scoring to the passing game right now.
- Rooke ADPs are still fluid and will likely change by the beginning of May.
Let’s get to the picks, analysis and a consideration of who I also may have taken at that specific selection. If you want to see the entire draft results and draft board, here it is in all its glory. Here is my full pick-by-pick analysis. And below we dive into a few notable picks.
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
12-Team PPR Mock Draft
Pick 1.02 – CeeDee Lamb (WR – DAL)
Christian McCaffery will be the 1.01 in a majority of PPR redraft leagues, so the draft begins at the 1.02 pick this year. There are several options you can go with but CeeDee Lamb is the most appealing to me. Dallas was the most pass-heavy team in the league last year. That trend isn’t going to change in 2024. Lamb’s 135 receptions led the league and it isn’t out of the question he challenges for Marvin Harrison’s NFL record in that realm. Lamb is my WR1 this season and was an easy click here.
Also Considered: Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN), Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN)
Pick 4.11 – James Cook (RB – BUF)
Things by this point were getting thin at running back, but James Cook is still being underrated. Among running backs who played in at least 15 games last season, Cook was the RB10, making him a relative bargain at his RB15 ADP. While Buffalo’s offense will have a new look in 2024, Cook should be good for 270 touches. His work in the passing game (44 receptions on 54 targets) adds another enticing data point to a player who will be a focal point of the Bills’ offense. The only downside is that Josh Allen will vulture most of the goal-line carries, dampening his touchdown equity.
Also Considered: Aaron Jones (RB – MIN)
Pick 7.02 – Zamir White (RB – LV)
Zamir White comes off the board at RB27, which seems awfully low for a guy currently looking like the Raiders’ feature back. Antonio Pierce has had high praise for White and the Raiders were willing to let Josh Jacobs walk as a free agent, meaning some stars are aligning here. It doesn’t hurt that White rushed for 397 yards for Las Vegas in their final four games, averaging over 23 touches per game. I am betting that White outperforms his ADP and finishes as an RB2.
Also Considered: Javonte Williams (RB – DEN), Marquise Brown (WR – KC)
More Fantasy Football Draft Advice
- Erickson’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
- Fitz’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
- DBro’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
- Hoppen’s Must-Have Best Ball Draft Targets (Premium)
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Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.
