While June is arguably the slowest month of the NFL calendar, it marks the beginning of fantasy football mock draft season for the most dedicated players.
There will be plenty of positional battles to sort out during July and August, but for the most part, we have a pretty solid sense of what these rosters and situations could look like during the 2024-25 campaign.
They say practice makes perfect, so here’s a walkthrough of a 10-team standard league fantasy football mock draft using the Draft Wizard.
- 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Fantasy Football Mock Draft
Note: I was randomly assigned the 3rd overall pick in this fantasy football mock draft.
Pick 1.3: Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA)
One of the most fascinating situations I’ll be watching during draft season is the number of running backs versus wide receivers who go in the first round of drafts. And for the first time in perhaps forever, we could see more pass catchers taken in the first round than running backs, a shift I’m not completely sure I agree with.
But June is the perfect time to test out these thought experiments. Sure, standard league formats elevate running backs over pass catchers from a positional perspective. But I also believe there’s more scarcity at the very top of the board at receiver than there has been in years past. Sure, I love Brandon Aiyuk and Garrett Wilson. But taking those two as my WR1 in the second round is just as scary as taking Derrick Henry as my RB1.
Again, it’s June, so my opinion is subject to change, but I’ll take arguably the safest bet on the board in Hill with the third overall pick.
Pick 2.8: Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)
Does Henry have one last great season in him, at age 30 no less? That’s what I’m banking on by taking him this high. You couldn’t ask for a much better situation in Baltimore, where Gus Edwards plowed for 13 touchdowns on the ground a season ago. Opportunity will be there for Henry, who will play with an elite rushing QB in Lamar Jackson for the first time in his career. Baltimore typically has strong run-blocking offensive lines, which means Henry shouldn’t have as much trouble reaching the second level like he did in Tennessee the past two years.
But man, the mileage is scary. However, the tread on Henry’s metaphorical tires has been a concern for at least the last few seasons and all I need is one more great run.
Pick 3.3: Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF)
Coming off the quick turn, I’m thrilled to land Aiyuk as my WR2. Aiyuk is as steady as they come from a usage perspective, even if his ceiling isn’t quite as high as some of the other elites at the position. He is a safe bet to catch 75 balls for about 1,110-1,300 yards and score six to eight touchdowns. While that’s not what I’m looking for with my WR1, he’s the perfect safe complement to the more explosive Hill.
Pick 4.8: Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC)
Another theory I’m looking to test in mock drafts this summer is whether it’s worth sacrificing the positional scarcity at running back and wide receiver to draft one of the elite QBs early on. The traditional strategy of waiting on QB has backfired the last couple years, as the middle class of quarterbacks hasn’t yielded as much fantasy value.
Great fantasy quarterbacks are becoming a bit more scarce and I’m willing to bet that Mahomes’ 2023 season with just 4,183 yards and 27 touchdowns is a low point in his career.
Pick 5.3: D.K. Metcalf (WR – SEA)
The decision to draft Mahomes is already creating tough decisions, as I’m deciding between D.K. Metcalf, the best player on the board per our Expert Consensus Rankings, and Aaron Jones, the best tailback left. The standard format factors into this decision, as does the fact that Jones’ skillset in Kevin O’Connell’s system makes him a potential steal as my RB2. Not to mention, when Jones played, he was pretty darn good, but the problem of his availability and usage was one of the most frustrating storylines for fantasy football players a year ago. Plus, Jones could see a ton of loaded boxes whether it’s rookie J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold under center.
But it’s June, and Jones is a guy I’d want to hear more encouraging news about in training camp, as he’ll be one of the few exceptions I make to ignoring the training camp buzz. For now, I’ll secure a strong core at wide receiver with Metcalf, a player who I simply love.
Pick 6.8: Tony Pollard (RB – TEN)
With my receiving room set for now and Mahomes leading my team at QB, it’s time to attack my running back depth chart behind Henry. The decision for this pick came down to Pollard and D’Andre Swift, who are both in oddly similar situations in 2024. First off, they’re both joining new teams with young QBs and offenses that are undergoing massive identity shifts.
Again, it’s only June, but something about Pollard intrigues me in 2024. Let’s not forget at Pollard (and Swift) was a top-10 pick in most drafts last year. He grossly disappointed in Dallas, but still wound up in RB2 range, which is what I’m drafting him to be this year. I still think Pollard has plenty of talent, and you could argue that he’s entering a better situation in Tennessee. Sure, I’d rather have Dak Prescott over Will Levis, who is the lynchpin to Tennessee’s offensive success this year. But I don’t hate the upside of Pollard getting away from the Mike McCarthy clown show and joining a potentially more contemporary staff led by Brian Callahan. Plus, Dallas’ offensive line crumbled last season, especially in the running game.
It’s certainly possible Pollard burns people again, but this year it’s at a sixth-round cost and if the Titans’ offense takes off, Pollard will certainly benefit.
Pick 7.3: Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS)
It’s getting to the point in the draft where the usable wide receivers far exceed the usable running backs. However, the long layoff between picks along with my stacked starting receiver lineup influenced my decision to take Robinson over receivers like Amari Cooper, DeVonta Smith, Tee Higgins, and Cooper Kupp.
Robinson is an intriguing bench RB. The Commanders’ offense has upside under the direction of Kliff Kingsbury and a total wild card in Jayden Daniels. Sure, Austin Ekeler is there, but I suspect he’ll play a more complementary role in the receiving game, something Robinson doesn’t do much anyways. Plus, I suspect Ekeler’s best days are behind him, not to mention his durability concerns.
At the end of the day, Robinson should be the between-the-tackles and goal line back, with upside for more if the situation works out. He’s not a guy I mind plugging into my lineup in a pinch either.
Pick 8.8: Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
I’m taking one more tailback here to fortify my depth at my weakest position, as I view a lot of the receivers on the board similarly from a risk-reward profile. Warren is one of the few guys still available who has legitimate starting potential, we just need the Steelers to see it.
Warren showed flashes and actually exceeded 1,000 total yards in 2023. The problem was the plodding Najee Harris, who will be a thorn in the paw of Warren’s upside again in 2024. However, there’s a new sheriff in town in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Plus, the Steelers didn’t pick up Harris’ fifth-year option. Could there be a changing of the guard? Warren’s explosiveness could result in him earning more work.
Pick 9.3: Hollywood Brown (WR – KC)
My plan went perfectly, as I get a chance at an outrageously high-upside stack in Mahomes and Brown, who could wind up being the second option in the passing game after Travis Kelce. Brown’s last two seasons have been grossly disappointing. However, he hasn’t played a full year since 2021, and he didn’t exactly play with great quarterbacks in Arizona when Kyler Murray was sidelined.
I get it, I’m chasing the Chiefs’ shiny new toy in hopes that he’s Mahomes’ guy. There’s also Rashee Rice, who is entering year two (barring a suspension), and the Chiefs took speedster Xavier Worthy in the draft. But in this offense, I don’t see why 70 catches, 1,000 yards, and six touchdowns would be out of the question for Brown.
Pick 10.8: Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)
This felt like the perfect time to take a shot on Kincaid, who offers plenty of upside. In case you’ve been under a rock, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are no longer Bills. It’s too simplistic to say this will automatically lead to a boatload of targets and production for Kincaid. However, it’s not a terribly hard set of dots to connect. Buffalo’s receiving depth chart is headlined by rookie Keon Coleman, slot man Khalil Shakir, and a bevy of journeymen. There will be opportunities for Kincaid if he takes the year two leap.
Pick 11.3: Ty Chandler (RB – MIN)
Aaron Jones showed durability issues a year ago and will turn 30 this season. If it’s another injury-plagued year for Jones, then Chandler could step up for a big opportunity. Chandler thrived when given the chance last year, putting up 327 total yards and four scores in four starts to end the 2023 campaign. He’s the type of upside back I’ll throw a dart on and stash.
Pick 12.8: Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)
Sadly, my plan was to take Rome Odunze with this pick, and the Draft Wizard indicated that it was more likely than not that he’d be on the board here. However, Odunze was snagged before I came back on the clock. It’s okay, Draft Wizard, I forgive you.
I’ll instead turn my attention to another rookie in Ladd McConkey, someone who I believe could be a sleeper in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race. McConkey could be a reception machine out of the slot in Los Angeles. Justin Herbert is still an awesome quarterback, and the Chargers aren’t going to run the ball two million times under Jim Harbaugh.
Los Angeles’ receiving depth chart is simply laughable, but it gives McConkey a serious opportunity to thrive in year one.
Pick 13.3: Keon Coleman (WR – BUF)
I’ll take another bite out of a wide-open Buffalo passing game. I loved Coleman’s game at Florida State, and I think he’ll thrive as the big-bodied deep threat Josh Allen needs. Think Mike Evans with slightly more athleticism. Simply put, Coleman is a player I’ll take off the eye test alone. The situational potential is gravy on top.
Pick 14.8: Keaton Mitchell (RB – BAL)
The Ravens have had some rough luck with injuries to their running back room and I’ve already outlined my concerns with Henry’s durability. Thus, it would be irresponsible not to come out of this draft with a potential Henry handcuff. I’m not sold that Justice Hill would be next in line should an injury occur, as Mitchell showed flashes during his rookie year before going down with an injury.
Draft Wizard Grade: A- (92/100)
I felt great about this draft after finishing, and the Draft Wizard was kind enough to verify my confidence. Overall, I really love the look of this team. While my starting running backs are questionable, I am happy with the upside I took on my bench and my three established starting receivers will make it easier for me to patiently evaluate my rookies. If the Mahomes-Hollywood stack hits, this team is a league winner.
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