For my second mock draft in my three-part series, I recently completed a 12-team standard mock draft at Fantasy Football Calculator. My first can be found here. Although my first team had more punch, this team had more depth and I drafted many of my sleepers for 2014. The draft was 15 rounds and I had the seventh overall pick again.
12-Team Fantasy Football Mock Draft
1st Round: 1.07: Matt Forte, RB CHI
I took Montee Ball in this spot in my last mock draft, but I feel very confident getting Matt Forte at 7 overall. There is a tier of backs in my mind: Peterson, McCoy, Charles and Forte. Forte saw plenty of TD’s last season (9 from within the 10 yard line), and should be a featured part of Chicago’s offense. Top guys left on the board: Marshawn Lynch, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Jimmy Graham.
2nd round: 2.09: Giovani Bernard, RB CIN
I went WR last time here, so I wanted to mix it up. RB is so thin this year, so the more teams in your league, the more important it is to draft RB’s early. Bernard is still available in the middle of the second round, and I grabbed him. Hue Jackson is now calling the plays for the Bengals, and when he last coached in Oakland his team emphasized the run heavily. Expect big growth from Bernard in year two, and now I have a great 1-2 RB punch with Forte and Bernard. Top guys left on the board: Doug Martin, Brandon Marshall, Alfred Morris.
3rd Round: 3.07: Keenan Allen WR SD
I took Keenan Allen in the fourth round of my last draft, but this time I am getting him in the third round (more teams in this draft so makes sense). I believe Allen should be taken anywhere between picks 25 and 30, and since I am picking at 31 overall, I feel he is a great addition to be the top WR on my team. Check my first mock draft on why I like Keenan Allen so much. Simply put, Allen will see targets. Lots of them. Top guys left on the board: Zac Stacy, Julius Thomas, Vincent Jackson.
4th Round: 4:09: Cordarrelle Patterson WR MIN
I have never drafted Patterson before, and am excited to finally get him on my squad. Patterson is an explosive player who Norv Turner should be able to use in many different ways. Turner helped create Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron in 2013, and he will work with another emerging star in Patterson. Patterson will help take the pressure off of whoever starts at QB for the Vikings with his ability to turn a short pass into a first down and more. Patterson finished the year very strong in 2013 with four straight games with double digits, and should average anywhere from 9-12 points per game next year, a solid WR2. Top guys left on the board: Frank Gore, Wes Welker, DeSean Jackson.
5th Round: 5:07: Andrew Luck, QB IND
Luck is on the board in the fifth round, and I am deciding to draft him (I love his ability, but this may be a tiny bit of a reach). Luck has the potential to be elite in 2014 with so many weapons surrounding him. I expect his TD total and yardage to rise significantly, and he will have more games around 20 points than around 15 this year. I am taking Luck (good timing, because Brady, Ryan, Griffin III and Foles were all taken right after). Therefore, although it was early, I would have been left with a tower-tier QB if I hadn’t made this pick. Top guys left on the board: Ray Rice, Chris Johnson, Michael Floyd, Tom Brady, RG3.
6th round: 6:09: Jeremy Maclin, WR PHI
Patterson is not a lock for a WR2, as with big play potential comes the chance for swings and misses. I need to draft insurance in the form of Jeremy Maclin. Yet, he is coming off an ACL injury and is risk as well. However, I expect him to end up being my WR2, with Patterson moving to flex. I think Maclin will cross 1,100 yards and 9 TD’s in 2014 thanks to Chip Kelly’s offense. Maclin isn’t DeSean Jackson, but he is way more talented than Riley Cooper. Top guys left on the board: Torrey Smith, Julian Edelman, Lamar Miller, Vernon Davis.
7th round: 7:07: Dennis Pitta, TE BAL
I got Pitta in the first draft in the 7th round, and I get him again in this draft in the 7th round (a bit later because of 10 team vs 12 team, so even more value here). I love Pitta this year, but check back on my first mock draft posted to see why I want him so badly that I took him twice in a row. Top guys left on the board: Terrance Williams, Maurice Jones-Drew, Mike Wallace.
8th round: 8:09: Carlos Hyde, RB SF
Hyde’s preseason showing in week 1 (5 carries for 39 yards) impressed me, as he demonstrated that burst that starting RB Frank Gore no longer has. Hyde may not see many carries to start the year, but his role in the offense should gradually increase. If Hyde continues his strong showing, the Niners may be rotating carries sooner rather than later. Hyde will be a solid fill in at RB during bye weeks, as I expect a 2-4 point weekly performance that should increase with TD’s. Top guys left on the board: Golden Tate, Darren Sproles, Kyle Rudolph.
9th round: 9:07: Kelvin Benjamin, WR CAR
Benjamin is another guy that I saw have a great preseason showing. Carolina has nothing at WR right now, and Greg Olsen will get double-teamed every play. Hence, someone will need to catch Cam’s passes. Benjamin is in line to be that guy, and I feel great about him being my WR4. Top guys left on the board: Andre Williams, Cam Newton, Riley Cooper.
10th round: 10:09: Mark Ingram, RB NO
Ingram is another man that had a great preseason showing. I already liked him, but he looked more like this RB than what we have seen of him in the NFL. He looked angry and determined, and to be short the Saint Louis defense could not tackle him. His showing leads me to believe he will see lots of playing time Saints backfield, and although they don’t run the ball much and often use multiple backs, I think he is worth goal line carries (at least, if not the starting job) in the 10th round. Top guys left on the board: DeAngelo Williams, DeAndre Hopkins, Carolina D/ST, Jeremy Hill.
11th round: 11:07: New England D/ST
Defenses are flying off the board early in this draft, and more than half have already been taken. New England is still left, and I am jumping on the opportunity. Revis should help improve this defense more than people think he will. Top guys left on the board: Russell Wilson, Arizona D/ST, Kansas City D/ST.
12th round: 12:09: Marvin Jones, WR CIN
Yes, he has a nail in his foot. Yes, he will be out multiple weeks. Is he still worth a late round pick to potentially be in my starting lineup in “several weeks”. I took him before the injury, and I will continue to do so. Top guys left on the board: Andy Dalton, Justin Hunter, LeGarrette Blount.
13th round 13:07: Matt Prater, K DEN
I know that I want Bradford and Starks for my last two picks, and feel confident they are not going to be picked before then. I am taking the top kicker in Matt Prater, who should be an anchor in my lineup because of the points produced by the Denver offense. Top guys left on the board: Markus Wheaton, Johnny Manziel, James Jones.
14th round 14:09: Sam Bradford, QB STL
In the 14th round, I just watched five kickers go before me. Turns out, 10 people picked kickers in this round and it wasn’t the last round! I am getting my backup QB in Sam Bradford. One of the better QB’s through 7 games in 2013, he was injured again and was out for the year. He has weapons to work with a great defense, so I expect a good QB2 year from him (assuming he doesn’t get hurt again). The perks of getting a great QB like Luck is I can be risky with my backup. Top guys left on the board: Josh McCown, Marqise Lee, Tre Mason.
15th round 15:07: James Starks, RB GB
Starks looked great in the preseason in the rain, and should see some touches behind Lacy. He filled in admirably for Lacy in 2013 when Lacy went down, and is a STEAL in the 15th round. Top guys left on the board: Andre Brown, Charles Clay, Ronnie Hillman.
This is my second mock draft in a three part series. The next one will be posted early next week! Thanks for reading and check back to see my results!
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