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2017 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft: Position Two

Having already completed a Fantasy Football mock draft from position one, I now drafted a PPR team from the second slot starting with Antonio Brown of Pittsburgh.

Having already completed a Fantasy Football mock draft from position one, it was time to try my second mock from position two. It is a 12 team, Points Per Reception (PPR), three wide receiver format. However, this time I changed my initial strategy and selected a wide receiver in the first round.

The result was a completely different, but overall produced a much improved team from the first mock draft.

(This mock was completed at FantasyPros and was 12 team, Point Per Reception (PPR), three wide receiver format with five bench spots.  All data taken from PlayerProfiler.com)

2017 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft: Position Two

Round 1

1 D. Johnson RB Arizona

2

A. Brown

WR

Pittsburgh

3 L. Bell RB Pittsburgh
4 O. Beckham WR NY Giants
5 D. Freeman RB Atlanta
6 E. Elliott RB Dallas
7 T.Y. Hilton WR Indianapolis
8 J. Jones WR Atlanta
9 A.J. Green WR Cincinnati
10 M. Evans WR Tampa Bay
11 L. McCoy RB Buffalo
12 J. Howard RB Chicago

 

PICK:  Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh
Reaction:   Given the three wide receiver format, it is important to secure a top overall fantasy receiver. Antonio Brown’s consistently separates him from the rest of the league. While the full point PPR scoring often affects the typical draft order, it is still difficult to rationalize picking Devonta Freeman over Ezekiel Elliott. The presence of Tevin Coleman and Freeman’s lack of a contract extension muddy the waters. On the flip side, Chicago running back Jordan Howard gets drafted in the first round despite having only 29 receptions in 2016.

Round 2

13 J. Ajayi RB Miami
14 D. Murray RB Tennessee
15 M. Gordon RB Los Angeles Chargers
16 D. Hopkins WR Houston
17 L. Miller RB Houston
18 M. Thomas WR New Orleans
19 J. Nelson WR Green Bay
20 D. Bryant WR Dallas
21 R. Gronkowski TE New England
22 K. Allen WR Los Angeles Chargers

23

A. Cooper

WR

Oakland

24 T. Gurley RB Los Angeles Rams

 

PICK:  Amari Cooper, Oakland
Reaction:  Two drafts, two second round selections of Amari Cooper. No complaints here, as Cooper is one of the best receivers in the league tethered to a young star quarterback in a high pass volume offense. Back-to-back Texans in round two is a terrible decision with Tom Savage as their starting quarterback. It is a mistake to draft a tight end this early, especially one who is a professional wrestler on the side. It makes no sense to take Keenan Allen here when he has played a total of nine games over the last two seasons.

Round 3

25 D. Baldwin WR Seattle

26

M. Ingram

RB

New Orleans

27 S. Watkins WR Buffalo
28 T. Pryor WR Washington
29 T. Montgomery RB Green Bay
30 A. Jeffery WR Philadelphia
31 B. Cooks WR New England
32 D. Thomas WR Denver
33 D. Adams WR Green Bay
34 A. Robinson WR Jacksonville
35 J. Edelman WR New England
36 E. Sanders WR Denver

 

PICK:  Mark Ingram, New Orleans
Reaction: My least favorite pick of the mock draft, but I felt the need to draft a running back. Allen Robinson was tempting, and would have giving me three outstanding wide receivers. Ingram should be the goal line back in the Saints offense however, which is always a solid fantasy role. Has Ty Montgomery really shown enough to be a third round pick? Justin Forsett had a good year once as well. Many are wary of Patriots running backs because of the unpredictability and the same should go for their wide receivers as well. Imagine if Denver had a real quarterback?  Both Emmanuel Sanders (17th in fantasy points per game at 14.2) and Demaryius Thomas (19th) would be top 12 wide receivers.

Round 4

37 G. Tate WR Detroit
38 J. Landry WR Miami
39 T. Kelce TE Kansas City
40 C. Hyde RB San Francisco
41 T. Coleman RB Atlanta
42 B. Powell RB New York Jets
43 L. Fitzgerald WR Arizona
44 A. Rodgers QB Green Bay
45 A. Luck QB Indianapolis
46 C.J. Anderson RB Denver

47

J. Crowder

WR

Washington

48 T. Brady QB New England

 

PICK:  Jamison Crowder, Washington
Reaction:  By process of elimination, this needed to be a wide receiver pick. Taking a quarterback or tight end this early is simply a mistake, and the running back difference between rounds four and five is negligible. Crowder is a target magnet in the slot with an accurate high volume passing quarterback in Kirk Cousins. If Jordan Reed gets injured again, Crowder’s stats would approach WR2 territory. The temptation is always strong to take a top three quarterback in this round, but it is best to avoid. Rodgers, Luck, and Brady would all need to produce 4,500+ yard and 35+ touchdown years to justify this pick. With players like Derek Carr, Matthew Stafford, and Philip Rivers available five rounds later, it is a huge mistake.

Round 5

49 M. Crabtree WR Oakland

50

S. Ware

RB

Kansas City

51 J. Reed TE Washington
52 E. Lacy RB Seattle
53 E. Decker WR New York Jets
54 D. Brees QB New Orleans
55 G. Olsen TE Carolina
56 S. Diggs WR Minnesota
57 R. Kelley RB Washington
58 I. Crowell RB Cleveland
59 P. Garcon WR San Francisco
60 G. Tate WR Detroit

 

PICK:   Spencer Ware, Kansas City
Reaction:  Round Five is the polarizing round. After Crabtree, there are legitimate concerns about each of these players. The safest choice is Greg Olsen, who is a lock for a top five tight end season. However, I still think it’s too early to select a tight end. Golden Tate started slow but over his last 11 games he totaled 74 receptions, 943 yards, and four touchdowns. Eric Decker could be great value here, if he changes teams. The lead running back in Kansas City will produce an RB1 season, so Spencer Ware was too tempting to pass up when I already have three solid wide receivers.

Round 6

61 M. Ryan QB Atlanta
62 D. Walker TE Tennessee
63 R. Wilson QB Seattle
64 E. Ebron TE Detroit
65 K. Cousins QB Washington
66 L. Blount RB New England
67 D. Lewis RB New England
68 C. Meredith WR Chicago
69 R. Burkhead RB New England
70 D. Moncrief WR Indianapolis

71

D. Woodhead

RB

Baltimore

72 T. Eifert TE Cincinnati

 

PICK:  Danny Woodhead, Baltimore
Reaction:  Love getting Woodhead in the sixth round in a murky Baltimore backfield. An 80+ reception season is definitely in his range of outcomes. With Kenneth Dixon suspended for the first four games of the season, Woodhead could be a PPR RB1. New England running backs fly off the board here, as it’s anyone’s guess who will be the main fantasy point scorer. Hate the Delanie Walker pick, this could be the year the 33 year old Walker breaks down. Love Cameron Meredith, just not in Round Six. Need to see more game to game consistency first.

Round 7

73 B. Marshall WR New York Giants

74

T. Riddick

RB

Detroit

75 D. Prescott QB Dallas
76 C. Coleman WR Cleveland
77 Z. Ertz TE Philadelphia
78 G. Bernard RB Cincinnati
79 C. Newton QB Carolina
80 J. Graham TE Seattle
81 P. Rivers QB Los Angeles Chargers
82 R. Cobb WR Green Bay
83 B. Roethlisberger QB Pittsburgh
84 K. Rudolph TE Minnesota

 

PICK:  Theo Riddick, Detroit
Reaction: No player’s value is more enhanced by a PPR format draft than Theo Riddick. In just ten games last season, he had 53 receptions which ranked sixth among all running backs. Riddick was 12th in receiving yards (371 yds), which followed the 2015 season where he finished second in running back receiving yards (697 yds).The difference between him and Giovani Bernard is staggering, yet they are usually drafted in the same round.  Cobb could exceed value here, and this is the perfect spot to kick the tires on 33-year-old Brandon Marshall.

Round 8

85 C.J. Prosise RB Seattle
86 L. Murray RB Minnesota
87 A. Abdullah RB Detroit
88 A. Peterson RB Free Agent
89 K. Dixon RB Baltimore
90 F. Gore RB Indianapolis
91 C. Brate TE Tampa Bay
92 C. Sims RB Tampa Bay
93 J. Stewart RB Carolina
94 J. Charles RB Free Agent

95

W. Snead

WR

New Orleans

96 J. Maclin WR Kansas City

 

PICK:  Willie Snead, New Orleans
Reaction: No Brandin Cooks in New Orleans, and Willie Snead is available in Round Eight? Fantasy Football Larceny! A lot of great picks here and it’s one of the main reasons I like these rounds better than rounds four, five, and six. Prosise should break out this season in PPR formats. With Doug Martin suspended and a prime cut candidate, Charles Sims becomes even more valuable. Jeremy Maclin is one year removed from 16.3 fantasy points per game and 12 red zone receptions (eighth among all wide receivers).  Most people don’t realize he’s only 29 years old and the top receiving option in Kansas City (no, it’s not Tyreek Hill).

Round 9

97 T. Rawls RB Seattle

98

K. Benjamin

WR

Carolina

99 J. Matthews WR Philadelphia
100 P. Perkins RB New York Giants
101 K. Britt WR Cleveland
102 T. Hill WR Kansas City
103 D. Johnson RB Cleveland
104 J. Hill RB Cincinnati
105 D. Martin RB Tampa Bay
106 M. Forte RB New York Jets
107 T. Williams WR Los Angeles Chargers
108 D. Jackson WR Tampa Bay

 

PICK:  Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina

Reaction: We all make a bad pick in our drafts and this was mine. Carolina is primed for a bounce back season, and that could mean Benjamin does as well. He started the season with 13 receptions, 199 yards, and three touchdowns through two games. However, he never totaled over 86 receiving yards again until Week 17, and had a three game stretch during the fantasy playoffs with 49 total receiving yards. The player I should have taken was Jordan Matthews who is the answer to this quiz:

As for Round Nine running backs? They are all players to be avoided in PPR formats except Duke Johnson. Be especially careful with Matt Forte, who turns 32 this season. Are old running backs in bad offenses really worth a draft pick?

Round 10

109 A. Thielen WR Minnesota
110 M. Mitchell WR New England
111 B. Perriman WR Baltimore
112 K. White WR Chicago
113 S. Shepard WR New York Giants
114 K. Stills WR Miami
115 J. McKinnon RB Minnesota
116 J. White RB New England
117 T. Sharpe WR Tennessee
118 D. Henry RB Tennessee

119

M. Bennett

TE

Green Bay

120 T. Lockett WR Seattle

 

PICK:  Martellus Bennett, Green Bay
Reaction:  Round 10 seems about right for a tight end selection. Martellus Bennett gives Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers his best big target since Jermichael Finley in 2011. In a bunched up fantasy position, Bennett should outperform earlier tight ends such as Zach Ertz, Eric Ebron, and Cameron Brate. Derrick Henry seems like an incredible value in Round Ten. Kenny Stills is too feast or famine to trust in anything but Best Ball leagues. If Breshad Perriman is Baltimore’s WR1, he is the steal of the draft in this spot.

Round 11 & 12

121 J. Rodgers RB Tampa Bay

122

D. Carr

QB

Oakland

123 D. Parker WR Miami
124 M. Gillislee RB New England
125 E. Rogers WR Pittsburgh
126 J. Brown WR Arizona
127 W. Smallwood RB Philadelphia
128 W. Fuller WR Houston
129 D. Sproles RB Philadelphia
130 M. Jones WR Detroit
131 R. Mathews RB Philadelphia
132 S. Vereen RB New York Giants

 

133 H. Henry TE Los Angeles Chargers
134 M. Stafford QB Detroit
135 D. Washington RB Oakland
136 J. Winston QB Tampa Bay
137 J. Doyle TE Indianapolis
138 M. Mariota QB Tennessee
139 A. Gates TE Los Angeles Chargers
140 R. Woods WR Los Angeles Rams
141 M. Lee WR Jacksonville
142 T. Taylor QB Buffalo

143

C. Beasley

WR

Dallas

144 C. J. Fiedorowicz TE Houston

 

PICKS:  Derek Carr, Oakland & Cole Beasley, Dallas
Reaction: Always good quarterback options late in PPR drafts, and Derek Carr has top five potential this season.  Cole Beasley is a huge WR3 sleeper. His targets have increased 31.6 percent over the past two seasons and PPR production has risen 42.1 percent. With Jason Witten turning 35 years old this week, the short underneath routes will be available for Beasley. One of the best late round pickups in fantasy this season. Jacquizz Rodgers could have huge value here, depending on what Tampa Bay does in the draft this Thursday. John Brown should be better with total health and no Michael Floyd in Arizona. Stafford, Winston, and Mariota in Round 12?  Why on earth would anyone take a quarterback early?

Round 13 & 14

145 Seattle Defense

146

Denver

Defense

147 Houston Defense
148 Kansas City Defense
149 Arizona Defense
150 Minnesota Defense
151 Los Angeles Chargers Defense
152 Los Angeles Rams Defense
153 New England Defense
154 Carolina Defense
155 Baltimore Defense
156 New York Jets Defense

 

157 S. Gostkowski K New England
158 J. Tucker K Baltimore
159 B. Walsh K Seattle
160 M. Crosby K Buffalo
161 S. Hauschka K Buffalo
162 M. Bryant K Atlanta
163 D. Bailey K Dallas
164 C. Catanzaro K New York Jets
165 A. Vinatieri K Indianapolis
166 B. McManus K Denver

167

C. Santos

K

Kansas City

168 G. Gano K Carolina

 

PICKS:  Denver Defense & Cairo Santos, Kansas City

Summary

Given the receiving ability and overall production of the top three running backs, it was interesting to see how a mock team looked after bypassing David Johnson, Le’Veon Bell, and Ezekiel Elliott. The result was a surprisingly strong team. My top four wide receivers are Antonio Brown, Amari Cooper, Jamison Crowder and Willie Snead. All should be 80 plus receptions PPR players.

The running backs are a solid mix of goal line RB1s and PPR magnets. Mark Ingram and Spencer Ware should both reach double digit touchdowns, while Danny Woodhead and Theo Riddick should both be in the top five for running back receptions. Martellus Bennett in round ten was a steal, and the bench has a red zone target (Benjamin) and a PPR slot receiver (Beasley). Finally, my team rounds out with a solid top ten quarterback in Derek Carr.

Overall, the team I drafted from position two is significantly better than the team from position one.

What a difference one draft spot makes in fantasy football.

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