Fantasy: 12-team mock draft with analysis after every round
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Mock drafts
- 10-team
- 12-team
theScore staff took part in a 12-team, 12-round mock to provide a glimpse into what your drafts could look like and offer some insight on what to watch for in each round.
This is a PPR (point per reception) scoring league with the following roster spots: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, FLEX, BN, BN, BN, BN. We omitted defenders and kickers, as they normally get selected in the final two rounds.
Draft participants: Dustin Saracini, Gino Bottero, Ian Dalley, Taylor Rohaly, Justin Boone, Thomas Casale, C Jackson Cowart, Alex Moretto, Mike Alessandrini, David P. Woods, Caitlyn Holroyd, Lanny Foster
Round 1| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian McCaffrey (RB1) | Saracini |
| 2 | Saquon Barkley (RB2) | Bottero |
| 3 | Ezekiel Elliott (RB3) | Dalley |
| 4 | Derrick Henry (RB4) | Rohaly |
| 5 | Dalvin Cook (RB5) | Boone |
| 6 | Michael Thomas (WR1) | Casale |
| 7 | Alvin Kamara (RB6) | Cowart |
| 8 | Nick Chubb (RB7) | Moretto |
| 9 | Joe Mixon (RB8) | Alessandrini |
| 10 | Davante Adams (WR2) | Woods |
| 11 | DeAndre Hopkins (WR3) | Holroyd |
| 12 | Aaron Jones (RB9) | Foster |
Round 1: Derrick Henry going off the board fourth overall seems far too early, especially in a PPR format. Henry is destined to be selected in the first round of many drafts this year, but it's important to remember his downside as a fantasy asset. He topped 90 rushing yards just once in his first nine games last season, and his limited receiving usage is unlikely to change given the arrival of third-rounder Darrynton Evans. Though it seems inevitable Henry will get hot down the stretch, his floor is low for someone with a top-10 ADP. ... Aaron Jones also carries quite a bit of risk in the opening round despite finishing last year as the second-highest scoring fantasy back. Regression is coming for his 19 total touchdowns, and the Packers' decision to draft A.J. Dillon in Round 2 complicates a backfield that already has Jamaal Williams.
Round 2| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Julio Jones (WR4) | Foster |
| 14 | Austin Ekeler (RB10) | Holroyd |
| 15 | Kenyan Drake (RB11) | Woods |
| 16 | Tyreek Hill (WR5) | Alessandrini |
| 17 | Josh Jacobs (RB12) | Moretto |
| 18 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB13) | Cowart |
| 19 | Miles Sanders (RB14) | Casale |
| 20 | Chris Godwin (WR6) | Boone |
| 21 | Kenny Golladay (WR7) | Rohaly |
| 22 | Melvin Gordon (RB15) | Dalley |
| 23 | Mike Evans (WR8) | Bottero |
| 24 | Odell Beckham Jr. (WR9) | Saracini |
Round 2: Expect running backs to be a hot commodity in the first two rounds as fantasy managers try to secure ball carriers with guaranteed volume. The depth at receiver makes this strategy even more enticing, and here we see 14 rushers drafted among the first 20 players. ... After securing a proven producer on the ground in Dalvin Cook, I'm ecstatic to see Chris Godwin fall to me in the second round. Godwin scored the second-most fantasy points among receivers last year and his skill set should fit well with Tom Brady's efficient style. ... While it's hard to argue with any of the players taken in this round, it's rare to see both elite tight ends fall to Round 3.
Round 3| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Travis Kelce (TE1) | Saracini |
| 26 | Leonard Fournette (RB16) | Bottero |
| 27 | George Kittle (TE2) | Dalley |
| 28 | Amari Cooper (WR10) | Rohaly |
| 29 | Allen Robinson (WR11) | Boone |
| 30 | Cooper Kupp (WR12) | Casale |
| 31 | Lamar Jackson (QB1) | Cowart |
| 32 | JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR13) | Moretto |
| 33 | D.J. Moore (WR14) | Alessandrini |
| 34 | David Johnson (RB17) | Woods |
| 35 | Chris Carson (RB18) | Holroyd |
| 36 | Adam Thielen (WR15) | Foster |
Round 3: Travis Kelce and George Kittle offer nice value in the third round. Some owners have trouble qualifying their production, but when you put them up against the best fantasy receivers, it becomes a little more obvious. Kelce would have finished as the WR9 in 2019, and Kittle as the WR18. If you make the same comparison with their 2018 stats, they each would have ranked among the top-12 wideouts that year. ... I had a tough decision to make between Allen Robinson and D.J. Moore, two receivers I'm very high on this season. Each should benefit from a slight upgrade at quarterback, but Robinson gets the nod thanks to his touchdown production. However, if Moore can increase his trips to the end zone, we might be talking about him as a top-five receiver next year.
Round 4| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Tyler Lockett (WR16) | Foster |
| 38 | A.J. Brown (WR17) | Holroyd |
| 39 | Calvin Ridley (WR18) | Woods |
| 40 | Patrick Mahomes (QB2) | Alessandrini |
| 41 | Keenan Allen (WR19) | Moretto |
| 42 | Courtland Sutton (WR20) | Cowart |
| 43 | Le'Veon Bell (RB19) | Casale |
| 44 | Todd Gurley (RB20) | Boone |
| 45 | Mark Ingram (RB21) | Rohaly |
| 46 | DK Metcalf (WR21) | Dalley |
| 47 | Robert Woods (WR22) | Bottero |
| 48 | Devin Singletary (RB22) | Saracini |
Round 4: Todd Gurley being available in the fourth round of a 12-team draft is outstanding value for a running back that's about to get all of the volume he can handle in Atlanta. There's very little competition for touches in the Falcons' backfield, and their offensive line is much better than the blocking Gurley dealt with on the Rams last season. Even though his durability remains an issue, Gurley's opportunity with Atlanta's high-scoring offense is as good as it gets in 2020. ... If I had to pick between the two early quarterbacks, selecting Patrick Mahomes one round later than Lamar Jackson is the path I'd choose. Had Mahomes stayed healthy in 2019, he may have challenged Jackson's astronomical fantasy point total.
Round 5| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Stefon Diggs (WR23) | Saracini |
| 50 | James Conner (RB23) | Bottero |
| 51 | A.J. Green (WR24) | Dalley |
| 52 | D'Andre Swift (RB24) | Rohaly |
| 53 | Jonathan Taylor (RB25) | Boone |
| 54 | Deebo Samuel (WR25) | Casale |
| 55 | Mark Andrews (TE3) | Cowart |
| 56 | Cam Akers (RB26) | Moretto |
| 57 | David Montgomery (RB27) | Alessandrini |
| 58 | Zach Ertz (TE4) | Woods |
| 59 | T.Y. Hilton (WR26) | Holroyd |
| 60 | Raheem Mostert (RB28) | Foster |
Round 5: Starter-caliber fantasy backs can dry up fast in this range, which compelled me to draft Gurley in the fourth round. Had I known Jonathan Taylor would still be in the queue one round later, it may have steered me toward a receiver with my fourth-round pick. Either way, Taylor offers RB2 upside in my flex spot and provides insurance in case Gurley can't stay on the field. ... This round was loaded with high-ceiling running backs in uncertain situations. James Conner hasn't been able to stay healthy, Raheem Mostert and David Montgomery have minor receiving roles and face competition for touches, and rookies Taylor, D'Andre Swift, and Cam Akers still have to earn a starting spot over players that excited the fantasy community a year ago. Depending on your roster construction, there's no issue in taking a chance on any of these guys at this point.
Round 6| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Derrius Guice (RB29) | Foster |
| 62 | Ke'Shawn Vaughn (RB30) | Holroyd |
| 63 | DeVante Parker (WR27) | Woods |
| 64 | D.J. Chark (WR28) | Alessandrini |
| 65 | J.K. Dobbins (RB31) | Moretto |
| 66 | Terry McLaurin (WR29) | Cowart |
| 67 | Darren Waller (TE5) | Casale |
| 68 | Will Fuller (WR30) | Boone |
| 69 | Michael Gallup (WR31) | Rohaly |
| 70 | Kerryon Johnson (RB32) | Dalley |
| 71 | Jarvis Landry (WR32) | Bottero |
| 72 | Marlon Mack (RB33) | Saracini |
Round 6: Several notable receivers were pushed to this point after running backs dominated the previous round. DeVante Parker, D.J. Chark, Terry McLaurin, and Will Fuller all have top-20 upside. The same could also be said for Jarvis Landry if he's healthy and Michael Gallup if he can overcome the target competition in Dallas. That's great news since nine of the 12 teams in this draft rostered two receivers or fewer through the first five rounds. ... Kerryon Johnson and Marlon Mack may have been the two players whose fantasy stock was most negatively impacted by the NFL draft. It's still possible they can hold off their rookie teammates, but the more likely scenario would see them usurped on the depth chart this season. That makes it dangerous to spend a sixth-round fantasy pick on either veteran, since they could quickly turn into glorified handcuffs. I'd rather wait and draft cheaper lottery-ticket backs like Alexander Mattison or Tony Pollard.
Round 7| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | Russell Wilson (QB3) | Saracini |
| 74 | Julian Edelman (WR33) | Bottero |
| 75 | Brandin Cooks (WR34) | Dalley |
| 76 | Marquise Brown (WR35) | Rohaly |
| 77 | Dak Prescott (QB4) | Boone |
| 78 | Damien Williams (RB34) | Casale |
| 79 | Tyler Boyd (WR36) | Cowart |
| 80 | Kyler Murray (QB5) | Moretto |
| 81 | Evan Engram (TE6) | Alessandrini |
| 82 | Sony Michel (RB35) | Woods |
| 83 | Hunter Henry (TE7) | Holroyd |
| 84 | Rob Gronkowski (TE8) | Foster |
Round 7: There wasn't a player who stood out for me in Round 7. For as much as we preach waiting on a quarterback, that doesn't mean you have to hold off until the late rounds. Dak Prescott is the third quarterback in my rankings and comes in at 70th overall in my Top 200. He's finished as a fantasy QB1 every year since reaching the NFL and was the second-best fantasy passer last season. On top of that, he has another exciting weapon in first-round wideout CeeDee Lamb. That makes Prescott a high-ceiling, high-floor pick. ... The same applies to Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson. They aren't players I'm targeting, but if you're not satisfied with the options at other positions, you can pivot to them as safe selections.
Round 8| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | Jordan Howard (RB36) | Foster |
| 86 | James White (RB37) | Holroyd |
| 87 | Diontae Johnson (WR37) | Woods |
| 88 | Kareem Hunt (RB38) | Alessandrini |
| 89 | Christian Kirk (WR38) | Moretto |
| 90 | Jerry Jeudy (WR39) | Cowart |
| 91 | Josh Allen (QB6) | Casale |
| 92 | Marvin Jones (WR40) | Boone |
| 93 | Austin Hooper (TE9) | Rohaly |
| 94 | John Brown (WR41) | Dalley |
| 95 | Ronald Jones (RB39) | Bottero |
| 96 | CeeDee Lamb (WR42) | Saracini |
Round 8: Most teams are set at running back and receiver by the eighth round, so the emphasis starts to shift toward players with the potential to emerge as difference-makers. Diontae Johnson and Christian Kirk are nice examples of promising young receivers in what we project to be high-volume passing attacks. ... For the second straight mock draft, Marvin Jones finds his way onto my roster, and for good reason. During his last full season in 2017, Jones was the WR12 in fantasy. The following year, he was the WR27 prior to going down in Week 10. He suffered a similar fate last season when he was the WR16 through 14 weeks before being placed on injured reserve. Jones lasting until this stage of the draft is an ADP glitch you have to take advantage of.
Round 9| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 97 | Emmanuel Sanders (WR43) | Saracini |
| 98 | Matt Breida (RB40) | Bottero |
| 99 | Deshaun Watson (QB7) | Dalley |
| 100 | Phillip Lindsay (RB41) | Rohaly |
| 101 | Tyler Higbee (TE10) | Boone |
| 102 | Darius Slayton (WR44) | Casale |
| 103 | Henry Ruggs (WR45) | Cowart |
| 104 | Jamison Crowder (WR46) | Moretto |
| 105 | Mecole Hardman (WR47) | Alessandrini |
| 106 | Tevin Coleman (RB42) | Woods |
| 107 | Sterling Shepard (WR48) | Holroyd |
| 108 | DeSean Jackson (WR49) | Foster |
Round 9: DeAndre Hopkins' departure hurts, but it's not like Deshaun Watson is without weapons in Houston. Drafting him in the ninth round is a win for Team Dalley. ... After avoiding a receiver through the first three rounds, Team Cowart has put together a respectable group of pass-catchers with Courtland Sutton, Terry McLaurin, Tyler Boyd, Jerry Jeudy, and Henry Ruggs. It's more evidence of the depth at receiver this year. ... Speaking of which, DeSean Jackson is one of our top bounce-back candidates for 2020.
Round 10| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | Golden Tate (WR50) | Foster |
| 110 | Drew Brees (QB8) | Holroyd |
| 111 | Tom Brady (QB9) | Woods |
| 112 | Mike Williams (WR51) | Alessandrini |
| 113 | Mike Gesicki (TE11) | Moretto |
| 114 | Darrell Henderson (RB43) | Cowart |
| 115 | Hunter Renfrow (WR52) | Casale |
| 116 | Anthony Miller (WR53) | Boone |
| 117 | Aaron Rodgers (QB10) | Rohaly |
| 118 | Zack Moss (RB44) | Dalley |
| 119 | Jared Cook (TE12) | Bottero |
| 120 | Preston Williams (WR54) | Saracini |
Round 10: As always, the double-digit rounds are a prime spot for finding quarterbacks and taking big swings on players with upside. Anthony Miller, who's one of my favorite breakout options, fits that mold for my team; he excelled when given full-time snaps late last season. ... Golden Tate is flying under the radar, which is surprising since he was on pace for 72 grabs, 983 yards, and nine touchdowns in his first season with the Giants. Those marks would have made him the WR18 in fantasy had he maintained his production over 16 games.
Round 11| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 121 | Boston Scott (RB45) | Saracini |
| 122 | Curtis Samuel (WR55) | Bottero |
| 123 | Robby Anderson (WR56) | Dalley |
| 124 | Alexander Mattison (RB46) | Rohaly |
| 125 | Tony Pollard (RB47) | Boone |
| 126 | Latavius Murray (RB48) | Casale |
| 127 | Tarik Cohen (RB49) | Cowart |
| 128 | Justin Jefferson (WR57) | Moretto |
| 129 | Noah Fant (TE13) | Alessandrini |
| 130 | Breshad Perriman (WR58) | Woods |
| 131 | N'Keal Harry (WR59) | Holroyd |
| 132 | Michael Pittman Jr. (WR60) | Foster |
Round 11: Another player fantasy managers are tending to write off is sophomore N'Keal Harry. The 22-year-old failed to make an impact as a rookie, but his first-round pedigree guarantees the Patriots will give him every opportunity to make good on the draft capital spent to acquire him. There's no risk in taking a player still capable of becoming New England's No 1 pass-catcher in the 11th round. ... My approach in this range continues to focus on talented backup runners that are an injury away from being fantasy starters. As I mentioned earlier, whether it's Mattison, Pollard, or Latavius Murray, the final rounds are full of these types of backs.
Round 12| Pick | Player | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 133 | Carson Wentz (QB11) | Foster |
| 134 | Jalen Reagor (WR61) | Holroyd |
| 135 | Ryquell Armstead (RB50) | Woods |
| 136 | Duke Johnson (RB51) | Alessandrini |
| 137 | Brandon Aiyuk (WR62) | Moretto |
| 138 | T.J. Hockenson (TE14) | Cowart |
| 139 | Hayden Hurst (TE15) | Casale |
| 140 | Chase Edmonds (RB52) | Boone |
| 141 | Sammy Watkins (WR63) | Rohaly |
| 142 | Antonio Gibson (RB53) | Dalley |
| 143 | Matt Ryan (QB12) | Bottero |
| 144 | Alshon Jeffery (WR64) | Saracini |
Round 12: Carson Wentz has gone off the board as the QB11 in the final round in both of our mocks. That's odd since he managed to deliver a low-end QB1 fantasy campaign last season with over 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns despite playing with a receiving corps decimated by injuries. If his wideouts can stay healthy, Wentz will be a top-eight quarterback in fantasy this year. He deserves to be valued closer to Watson and Josh Allen. ... Add names like Chase Edmonds, Ryquell Armstead, Antonio Gibson to your list of late-round running backs to stash. Edmonds is backing up Kenyan Drake, Armstead is next in line behind Leonard Fournette, and Gibson is a dynamic talent in a wide-open Washington backfield.
Mock drafts
- 10-team
- 12-team
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