Fake Teams fantasy football mock draft: 12 team, 2QB

Two weeks ago we had a mock PPR draft and then talk all about how it played out. This week, in our final mock draft, we decided to draft a 2QB league (meaning you start two quarterbacks each week which naturally drastically bumps up the value of the quarterback position).

Today’s mock is 2QB league, standard scoring, 12-team, 15-round snake draft where teams don’t need to draft a full roster. Drafting today are myself, Matias , Heath, Clark and Ghoji (though Ghoji’s internet died early on so sadly he was mostly on auto draft). We each drafted at least two teams and for each one we chatted a little bit about some of our moves, strategy, and what we ended up liking/disliking about our teams.

Let’s start with the draft board:

1. Ghoji A

QB: Aaron Rodgers (1.1), Alex Smith (6.12)
RB: Leonard Fournette (2.12), Marshawn Lynch (5.1), Eddie Lacy (8.12), Thomas Rawls (10.12), Joe Williams (15.1)
WR: Amari Cooper (3.1), Allen Robinson (4.12), DeSean Jackson (9.1), Mike Wallace (11.1), Rishard Matthews (13.1)
TE: Jimmy Graham (7.1)
D/ST: Seattle (12.12)
K: Stephen Gostkowski (14.12)

2. Petey Pablo

QB: Marcus Mariota (3.2), Philip Rivers (5.2)
RB: Jordan Howard (2.11), Bilal Powell (7.2), Adrian Peterson (9.2), Kareem Hunt (11.2), Jonathan Williams (12.11), Giovani Bernard (13.2)
WR: Antonio Brown (1.2), Davante Adams (4.11), Jamison Crowder (8.11), Corey Davis (10.11)
TE: Greg Olsen (6.11)
D/ST: Baltimore (14.11)
K: Justin Tucker (15.2)

Soooo let’s start with my decision to pick Antonio over David Johnson. Crazy right? Well I wanted to off the bat spice up the draft and try taking some players who I haven’t had before and see where that leads me in terms of team construction. I’ve also found that I have a tendency to draft one great RB and then leave the position alone until way too late in the draft.

This time I tried instead drafting a high WR and then taking a bunch of different running backs all with potential upside. Howard and Powell have a chance to be the lone bright spots on awful teams, Peterson could be the Saints goal-line back, Hunt might be the Chiefs starting running back while Williams and Bernard have a chance to make some noise as the second RB on their respective teams. Also really like the receivers I ended up with.

All and all, I think the strat worked alright for me but I could also completely regret it as soon as DJ goes for 250 total yards and five touchdowns in Week 1.

3. Heath - ROLAND

QB: Matthew Stafford (4.10), SMOKIN’ JAY CUTLER (6.10), Mike Glennon (14.10)
RB: David Johnson (1.3), Jay Ajayi (2.10), Mike Gillislee (7.3), Samaje Perine (10.10), Rex Burkhead (12.10), Jalen Richard (15.3)
WR: Sammy Watkins (3.3), Demaryius Thomas (5.3), Kelvin Benjamin (8.10), Jeremy Maclin (11.3), Corey Coleman (13.3)
TE: Delanie Walker (9.3)
D/ST: —
K: —

I know the Dark Tower movie was trash, okay? But I still love the books, and Idris Elba was THE MAN. Elba was the embodiment of Roland Deschain. I am holding out hope that the next installment doesn't waste his badassery.

Snagging DJ at 1.03 was a no-brainer. Petey Pablo is going to have to explain that Antonio Brown pick at the 1.02.

Ajayi as my second choice is odd. I suppose I am coming around to him. I do like Cutler as a band-aid for that organization, but it should be more clear than ever that they are going to pound the rock.

My favorite value was Stafford in the fourth as my top QB and the 15th signal-caller off the board. I love his value this year.

Pairing Rex Burkhead with Mike Gillislee was a luxury. I still lean towards Gillislee being the guy in that backfield, but with this squad I don't have to worry about it.

My least favorite part of this team is the receiving group: I love Watkins' upside, but I am reliant on poor-to-average QB play with the rest of my guys.

Lastly, even though Cutler is being anointed the starter, I felt it was wise to add some insurance with Glennon as my QB3.

4. Matias A

QB: Andy Dalton (5.4), Sam Bradford (6.9), Trevor Siemian (10.9)
RB: Le’Veon Bell (1.4), Lamar Miller (4.9), Doug Martin (9.4), Duke Johnson (12.9)
WR: T.Y. Hilton (2.9), Doug Baldwin (3.4), Larry Fitzgerald (7.4), Jarvis Landry (8.9)
TE: Zach Ertz (11.4), Jack Doyle (13.4)
D/ST: Minnesota (14.9)
K: Matt Bryant (15.4)

I thought about going with Tom Brady to start it off, but I wasn't going to pass up on DJ or Bell if they fell to 4. If it was between Aaron Rodgers and Odell Beckham Jr., I have no idea what I would've done.

I chose to go with a late-round QB strategy for this team, stacking my team with two workhorse RBs and two reliable WRs. Dalton is one of my favorite late-round QB picks in regular drafts, so I was glad I could make him my QB1 in the fifth round. Needing another QB, I double-dipped in the next round with Bradford, who had an underrated season in 2016.

With QBs going at a premium, great fantasy assets at other positions get pushed down the board. Fitzgerald and Landry were no-brainer picks for me that late. The Ertz/Doyle TE-pairing should give me stability at the position every week. Siemian is not a horrible backup option as a bye-week fill-in (more on this later).

5. Barnes - 1

QB: Tom Brady (1.5), Carson Palmer (5.5), Brian Hoyer (9.5)
RB: Todd Gurley (3.5), Isaiah Crowell (6.8), Terrance West (10.8)
WR: Martavis Bryant (6.8), Emmanuel Sanders (7.5), DeVante Parker (8.8), John Ross (12.8), Breshard Perriman (13.5), Tavon Austin (14.8)
TE: Rob Gronkowski (2.8)
D/ST: Houston (11.5)
K: Dan Bailey (15.5)

Tom Brady should be the 1.02 pick in any 2-QB league. I’m ecstatic to get him here at 1.05. With solid but capped upside players left on the board when I’m picking in round 2, I go LEEROOOYYY JENNKINNSS here and pick Rob Gronkowski. I’ll take a chance on replacing Gronk with someone from the waiver wire if he gets hurt, and take the huge advantage at tight end every week he plays.

Running back and wide receiver ended up a little weak after opening with a QB and TE, so I’m counting on a rebound from the hyper-talented Todd Gurley (no longer under the soggy blanket that is Jeff Fisher)...as well as a breakout (even if the hype over Cleveland’s upgraded O-line is overblown) for Crowell as a solid RB2.

Not taking a wide receiver until Round 6 hurts. I’m shooting for the stars with receivers like Martavis Bryant, DeVante Parker, John Ross, and Breshad Perriman. If one of that group hits, or if I can manage playing sit/start for one WR spot, I like having Emmanuel Sanders as a strong WR2.

With Palmer and Hoyer playing QB2 and QB3, I’m confident I’m going win a lot of matchups against my opponents’ QBs week to week.

Terrance West, a starting running back, available in the 10^th, is a great late-round flier. Why did I pick Houston’s DST so high? Aside from the being dominant despite losing the best defensive player in the league? Well I thought we were in the 13 of 15 rounds because I didn’t read the spreadsheet right…

6. Heath - WALTER

QB: Kirk Cousins (3.6), Eli Manning (5.6)
RB: DeMarco Murray (2.7), Mark Ingram (6.7), Spencer Ware (7.6), Jonathan Stewart (11.6), Alvin Kamara (13.6)
WR: Odell Beckham (1.6), Keenan Allen (4.7), Tyrell Williams (9.6), Eric Decker (10.7), Adam Thielen (12.7), Tyler Lockett (15.6)
TE: Martellus Bennett (8.7), Cameron Brate (14.7)
D/ST: —
K: —

This team doesn't really look evil. I do think it has an okay mix of floor and upside, though.

I guess being in the middle meant I had to take a lot of the value that fell--I got some good deals on this squad.

Keenan in the 4th, Ingram and Ware in the 6th and 7th, Bennett as the 10th tight end off the board...the list goes on with underrated veterans like Decker, Stewart, and Brate.

My favorite pick was Decker in the 10th. I almost took him in the ninth.

My least favorite element of this team is Eli Manning. He has arguably the best group of weapons he has ever had, but he is also getting on in years. I would have been far happier with Carson Palmer, but he went a single pick ahead of me...sniped by Barnes!

7. Matias B

QB: Drew Brees (1.7), Jameis Winston (4.6), DeShone Kizer (14.6)
RB: Joe Mixon (6.6), Tevin Coleman (7.7), LeGarrette Blount (10.6), Darren McFadden (13.7)
WR: Michael Thomas (2.6), Dez Bryant (3.7), Michael Crabtree (5.7), Golden Tate (9.7), Kenny Britt (11.7)
TE: Kyle Rudolph (8.6)
D/ST: Kansas City (12.6)
K: Cairo Santos (15.7)

I went with Brees to give myself a week-in, week-out stud at one of my QB spots. I paired him with his real-life wideout, which would make watching Saints games doubly exciting. I was between Dez and Cam Newton in the third round, but just couldn't pass up Bryant's potential and the ability to pair him with Thomas. On the turnaround, I really wanted Dak Prescott so that I could have two QB-WR pairings, but Winston is a solid consolation prize.

Going with a modified zero-RB approach, I went WR again in the next round, making Crabtree one of the most reliable flex players you'll see in a league like this. My starting RB duo of Mixon and Coleman is about as high-risk, high-upside as you will ever see. With my QBs, WRs and probably TE (Rudolph) likely to dominate, I just need two out of my four RB draft picks to see consistent playing time and score a TD every other game.

Tate and Britt were massive value picks, at least according to my draft board. Kizer is a dart throw, but he's likely to start and a backup QB gives you a massive advantage in a league like this. With half the teams in this league left without a backup, they will suffer during their QBs' bye weeks, while I will at least get some points during them.

8. Barnes - 2

QB: Russell Wilson (2.5), Cam Newton (3.8), Ben Roethlisberger (4.5)
RB: Ty Montgomery (5.8), Danny Woodhead (7.8), Rob Kelley (10.5), Jamaal Charles (13.8)
WR: Julio Jones (1.8), Tyreek Hill (8.5), Brandon Marshall (9.8), Cameron Meredith (11.8), Ted Ginn (12.5)
TE: Jordan Reed (6.5), Coby Fleener (14.5)
D/ST: Giants (15.8)
K: —

I spent a lot of draft capital on QBs in this draft. With Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, and Ben Roethlisberger, I’m thinking my 1-2 punch at QB is going to be top of the league every week. In the first round, though, with Brees going right in front of me, I couldn’t pass on Julio Jones (who I think is going to end up as the overall WR1 this year).

After spending so much at quarterback so early, I ended up scrambling to fill out my roster. I am pinning my hopes on a back who only rushed the ball about 75 times last year (Ty Montgomery) and another running back who finishes in the top 10 in PPR, or misses most of the season with injury (Danny Woodhead). I shored up my RB corps with the starting back for the football team in Washington, and then picked up our lord and savior Jamaal Charles because…why not?

I’m going to struggle at receiver. I’m hoping a couple of these guys break out (like Tyreek Hill and Cameron Meredith). Or that the old salt, Brandon Marshall, has one last honeymoon year with his new team.

9. Ghoji B

QB: Derek Carr (3.9), Deshaun Watson (9.9)
RB: Ezekiel Elliott (1.9), Devonta Freeman (2.4), CJ Anderson (6.4), CJ Prosise (11.9)
WR: DeAndre Hopkins (4.4), Alshon Jeffery (5.9), Randall Cobb (8.4), Pierre Garcon (10.4), Kevin White (12.4), Kamar Aiken (14.4)
TE: Tyler Eifert (7.9)
D/ST: Arizona (13.9)
K: Nick Novak (15.9)

10. Peter, Paul & Mary

QB: Dak Prescott (4.3), Carson Wentz (6.3)
RB: Melvin Gordon (1.10), Christian McCaffrey (5.10), Derrick Henry (9.10), Theo Riddick (10.3)
WR: Mike Evans (2.3), Brandin Cooks (3.10), Donte Moncrief (7.10), Zay Jones (11.10), Marqise Lee (14.3)
TE: Hunter Henry (8.3), OJ Howard (13.10)
D/ST: Denver (12.3)
K: Adam Vinatieri (15.10)

So clearly the “wait on a QB” strategy doesn’t work in a 2QB draft. Shocker, I know. I like getting Dak but I am not thrilled about Wentz. I think Wentz has a chance to surprise me but I’m not sold that he is going to take a big leap in his second year, despite the addition of Alshon Jeffery.

I was building this team to be pretty balanced and I like how it played out. Finally, I was able to get my hands on Donte Moncrief and I really like Riddick in the 10th round. I’ve become attached to Hunter Henry in almost every draft and getting him in Round 8 was good value in my book.

I pushed myself a little taking Gordon at 10 overall but I again wanted to spice up my drafting and get comfy taking players I’m not in love with. A back who I do like late who I think could quickly find himself in a major role is Derrick Henry. There’s a reason the Titans drafted him in the second round last year and I expect his role on the Titans to increase in year two.

11. Barnes - With a Vengeance

QB: Andrew Luck (1.11), Tyrod Taylor (3.11)
RB: Dalvin Cook (6.2), Ameer Abdullah (7.11), Frank Gore (9.11), James White (12.2), DeAndre Washington (14.2)
WR: Jordy Nelson (2.2), Julian Edelman (5.11), Stefon Diggs (8.2), Marvin Jones (11.11)
TE: Travis Kelce (4.2)
D/ST: New England (13.11)
K: Mason Crosby (15.11)

This is my least favorite team.

I hate my running backs, but I have two guys I can tell myself, maybe, possibly, perhaps can break out for me. My receiving corps is solid, but other than potential-to-repeat-as-the-WR1-overall Jordy Nelson, it is nothing spectacular.

For this team, I’m going to have to dominate with Andrew Luck, TyGod, and Kelce. It may happen, but this team is going to have to hit somewhere with a trade or waiver pickup to have a chance to win a championship. Maybe I can flip Flacco one of the three weeks where there are six teams on bye.

12. Heath - JAKE

QB: Matt Ryan (3.12), Blake Bortles (5.12)
RB: LeSean McCoy (1.12), Carlos Hyde (6.1), Paul Perkins (10.1), Matt Forte (11.12), Jazquizz Rodgers (12.1), Rod Smith (15.12)
WR: AJ Green (2.1), Terrelle Pryor (4.1), Willie Snead (7.12), John Brown (9.12), Jordan Matthews (13.12) Sterling Shepard (14.1)
TE: Eric Ebron (8.1)
D/ST: —
K: —

This is my favorite team of the bunch, even with Bortles as my QB2. I am pegging Matt Ryan for some regression this season, but I will happily land him as the 11th QB off the board (I rank him QB9).

My favorite pick was John Brown in the 9th round. He did miss a week with a quad injury but is expected to return on Thursday of this week. As the 39th wideout off the board he offers some massive ROI as Carson Palmer's premier deep threat.

I took a lot of shots at running back, hoping at least one or two of them pan out. I love getting 'Quizz so late in drafts...how often do you find a starting running back in a good situation in the 12th round? I probably won't be drafting Ezekiel Elliott this season, but if I do I will make sure to add Rodgers to my squad late.

Finally, Matt Forte deserves a little love. We are overlooking him right now, especially with the loss of Quincy Enunwa. He is going to get a lot of touches, and volume plays at a certain point--the 11th round is a pretty good point, in my opinion.