Joe Pepe | Sat, Aug 10th 2024, 7:56am EDT

Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard, Early Pick (2024)

Draft season is upon us, and rejoicing is only one half of the puzzle. The other half is practicing our craft until we have mastered our skills. What we do in the dark of the fantasy football off-season will shine in the light of championship weekend.

The fantasy football mock draft below will help you research your standard-league drafts. We will draft from the second position in a 12-team league to allow you to see what it will become if you land at the beginning of the snake draft. And remember to prepare for your draft using our FREE fantasy football mock draft simulator.

With a standard league, we must remember one important rule that stands true in this format over all the others: “Touchdowns Rule All.” Please don’t mistake what we say here; touchdowns are always important. However, the touchdown holds even more value in a standard league where you receive zero points per reception. Here is our latest fantasy football mock draft, this one for a standard league where you have an early draft pick.

Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard, Early Pick

As you’ll see throughout the draft, we targeted teams with high-scoring, potent offenses. Let’s begin by breaking it down below, starting with our first pick.

Pick 1.02: Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)

It’s rare to play on such an inept offense and still finish as RB6 for fantasy points per game (FPPG) on the season. This stat speaks to the skill set that Breece Hall brings to the table. He was given 299 touches and produced optimal results with 1,585 yards. Hall now shares the field with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The sky is the limit for Hall with this improved offense in 2024.

Pick 2.11: Isiah Pacheco (RB – KC)

Can you say bell-cow running back? We sure can when it comes to Isiah Pacheco. This Kansas City offense should spend plenty of time in the red zone, and the competition in the running-back room is less than stellar. Pacheco took the ball and ran with it (violently, we may add) last year. Expect more of the same this season.

Pick 3.02: Joe Mixon (RB – HOU)

We have reached the third round and hit yet another potent offense. Yes, the Texans have a great young quarterback surrounded by a trio of excellent pass-catchers. We love Joe Mixon because he was brought in to control this backfield. Dameon Pierce was given a chance last season. The issue for Pierce was that he couldn’t handle the situation.

Even in a standard league where we start three wide receivers, having a third RB1 is too good to be true for our lineup.

Pick 4.11: George Pickens (WR – PIT)

In a standard league, we need to chase touchdown upside. No player defines that term like George Pickens. His wide receiver compadres are either injured or just not talented enough to challenge him for the alpha role in Pittsburgh. Pickens produced last year, ranking 20th in yards per route run. We expect Pickens to pick up the mantle of former great Pittsburgh wide receivers and elevate his game to another level in 2024.

Pick 5.02: Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)

Staying in the AFC North, we went with Tee Higgins. Higgins is risky, as he has regressed the last few seasons in Cincinnati. This selection is within a potent offense tied to an elite quarterback. Higgins has the talent to return to form, and with the state of his contract, he has a reason to ball out in 2024.

Pick 6.11: Tank Dell (WR – HOU)

We returned to Houston again because Tank Dell fell to us at the end of the sixth round. Stefon Diggs has joined him and Nico Collins in Houston, but Dell has been exceptional in this league.

Dell has elite separation ability and can leave his defenders in the dust. Last year, he beat Collins in every significant category. Dell led in target share, air-yard share, weighted opportunities, and FPPG. The Texans will not randomly fade a man one year after featuring him. Draft Dell and enjoy the results.

Pick 7.02: Christian Kirk (WR – JAC)

Selecting a PPR machine in a standard league seems like we lied to you earlier about our approach, but follow us down the yellow brick road as we explain the logic. We believe the Jacksonville offense is taking a step forward. Christian Kirk will become the WR1 in Jacksonville, which makes sense because his connection with Trevor Lawrence is beautiful. From Week 2 to 12, Kirk drew a 22% target share. When healthy, this offense should run through the passing game, specifically Kirk.

Pick 8.11: George Kittle (TE – SF)

Chasing touchdowns is the game, and San Francisco is a place where touchdowns go to prosper. George Kittle is a tough player to nail down because he can hit you with a 3/30 stat line or a 3/150/3 stat line. To win in fantasy football, you don’t chase .500; you chase upside, and Kittle is the ultimate upside player in the eighth round of a standard league.

Pick 9.02: Brock Purdy (QB – SF)

The snake draft was kind and allowed us to stack our tight end with his quarterback, Brock Purdy. Now, in the games where George Kittle doesn’t explode, we still have a piece of the high-flying San Francisco offense. Purdy led all quarterbacks in yards per attempt, passer rating, and QBR last season. Long gone are the days when Purdy was “just lucky.” Instead, we know he has the skill to operate and dissect an offense even if he doesn’t provide a mobile upside to our fantasy team.

Pick 10.11: Brian Thomas Jr. (WR – JAC)

Does drafting Brian Thomas Jr. mean I’m hedging my bet on who will take over in the Jaguars passing offense? Maybe. However, if you believe in a team taking a step, hedging your bet is a clever play. Thomas has been brought in to replace the Calvin Ridley production, and he can take the top off the defense down the field. In the tenth round, it’s hard to replicate what Thomas can bring to the game.

Pick 11.02: Jameson Williams (WR – DET)

This late in the draft, we are looking for league-winning potential. Jameson Williams has first-round capital, speed beyond most humans’ understanding, and plays on a team in Detroit that can score in bunches. In the 11th round, Williams gives you an upside many players can not produce.

Pick 12.11: Bucky Irving (RB – TB)

With our substantial running-back room, Bucky Irving is a dart throw that allows us to search for upside on our fantasy team. Rachaad White was effective for fantasy purposes but inefficient on the field. If the Tampa Bay coaching staff gets frustrated with the lack of production, Irving could receive a chance to shine and work with the check-down machine that is Baker Mayfield

Pick 13.02: Braelon Allen (RB – NYJ)

In our final round, we draft our first-round pick’s handcuff. If Breece Hall were to miss time with injury, we would still have a chance to shine with the Jets offense. Allen is trending toward winning the RB2 job in New York, which means his rare size of 6’1 and 235lbs could be a valuable tool in the Jets’ arsenal.

Remember to read all the fantastic work here at FantasyPros, and if you need more help within your leagues, reach out to X at @jpep20. Good luck during the draft season!

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