Fantasy football 12-team, PPR mock draft: Picking #5 overall

With fantasy drafts ever present in the not too distant future, I want to start running a few mock drafts here on Fake Teams and see how things are playing out currently. It’s one thing to write and read a bunch of fantasy football content and rankings, it’s a whole other thing to actually get in the thick of a draft.

I plan on doing a few of these over the coming weeks using FantasyPros’ mock draft platform. This is a PPR, 12-team snake draft for those keeping track at home.

Last week I took on the 7th overall pick and went wide receiver and tight end heavy to start, while still getting possible RB1s later in the draft. It’s a strategy I might start employing more often and seeing how it treats me.

This week I’m picking from the 5 hole as voted by you dear readers.

Here’s how the draft played out for me:

1.05 Derrick Henry — I might have reached for Henry here but I KNOW he’s going to be the focal point of the Titans offense and I just didn’t trust Alvin Kamara and Dalvin Cook as much.

2.08 Josh Jacobs — Love Jacobs as an RB2 given how much work he’s going to see in Las Vegas in all likelihood.

3.05 JuJu Smith-Schuster — A lot rides on the health of Ben Roethlisberger, but if he’s fully healthy, JuJu could easily re-enter top 10 fantasy receiver territory this year.

4.08 Chris Carson — Carson does have some injury concerns but you can’t deny the workload he has seen when healthy. I’m thrilled to have him as my RB3.

5.05 Terry McLaurin — The only pass catcher in Washington. Happily taking him in the 5th round.

6.08 Tyler Boyd — With Joe Burrow, I think we see Boyd take another step this year.

7.05 Will Fuller — I blame Nic Bodiford for this pick. I’ve been staying away from Fuller and then on last week’s RB1 Podcast, Nic spun a very convincing story so now I’m all in.

8.08 Evan Engram — No matter how hard I try I can’t quit Evan Engram and I have him ranked as my TE3 this year so taking him in the 8th is a no brainer for me.

9.05 Ke’Shawn Vaughn — Risky pick here but so much upside given how much Tom Brady likes to target running backs.

10.08 Golden Tate — He’s older, but he was wildly productive last year. I guess I’m invested in the Giants offense now.

11.05 Marlon Mack — I like Mack as a potential trade chip if he starts the season off well but eventually loses touches to Jonathan Taylor.

12.08 Curtis Samuel — I’ll take a flier on a part of the Panthers’ offense.

15.05 Baker Mayfield — I wanted to see what quarterbacks would be available to me if I just waited until the last pick and I’m pleased to have Baker.

Full team:

• QB Baker Mayfield CLE (RD15)
• RB Derrick Henry TEN (RD1)
• RB Josh Jacobs LV (RD2)
• WR JuJu Smith-Schuster PIT (RD3)
• WR Terry McLaurin WAS (RD5)
• WR Tyler Boyd CIN (RD6)
• TE Evan Engram NYG (RD8)
• DST Los Angeles Rams LAR (RD14)
• K Harrison Butker KC (RD13)
• BN Chris Carson SEA (RD4)
• BN Will Fuller HOU (RD7)
• BN Ke’Shawn Vaughn TB (RD9)
• BN Golden Tate NYG (RD10)
• BN Marlon Mack IND (RD11)
• BN Curtis Samuel CAR (RD12)

What are your thoughts on the mock? Drop them in the comments. Like I said at the top, I’m going to be doing more of these, so vote in the poll which pick I should do next.