The NFL preseason is coming to an end and final roster cutdowns are around the corner. So, for those who like to wait to draft so they have all the information (me), it's a perfect time to get a mock draft or two, or 10, completed before your real draft.

Remember that making the wrong picks in a mock draft leaves you laughing; making the wrong pick in your real draft will have everyone giving you the side eye and sending you all of the most ridiculous trade requests. 

12-Team Half-PPR Mock Draft Review

Before we dive into the round-by-round analysis, let's take a look at my team from the 1.10:

Starters

• QB: Hurts
• RB: Henry
• RB: Harvey
• WR: Nabers
• WR: Evans
• WR: McMillan
• Flex: Meyers
• TE: Strange
• K: Koo
• Def: Chiefs

Bench

• QB: Milroe
• RB: Warren
• RB: Mason
• RB: Croskey-Merritt
• WR: Aiyuk
• TE: Ertz

Round 1

I started with a random draft position and received the 10th pick, which can be difficult, but I firmly believe you can win your fantasy league regardless of where you pick. Luckily, I had Draft Champion—our free mock draft simulator, presented by Gopuff—and all of the tools that accompany it, to keep my severely ADHD brain in order.

I went old school. It was an ESPN ADP, a one-QB, two-RB, three-WR, one-TE, kicker, and DST build. I know a lot of people have gone away from kickers and defenses, but I still enjoy the strategy involved in it. After all, kickers are people, too! 

Because of the 1.10 position, I decided to use my first two picks for a WR or RB stack, depending on how the board fell. This would likely come at the expense of an elite fantasy QB, but it is one I would be willing to take. 

Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas were still on the board, as were Ashton Jeanty and Derrick Henry (I'll never understand why most fantasy experts continually underestimate him). I thought I had a decent chance at the Nabers/Thomas stack, so I rolled the dice and took Nabers in Round 1.

Rounds 2-3

In round two, Thomas was snatched up the pick before my pick as I let out an audible "damn" while sipping on a flavored beverage at the watering hole below my apartment. Jeanty was also gone. While I was happy to grab Henry, it was a bittersweet pick. I knew that all of the elite quarterbacks would be gone before I had another opportunity to pick.

I offered a salute as I was helpless watching on as the run on quarterbacks began just three picks after I provided the King accommodations only suitable for a man of his nobility. First went Jayden Daniels, then Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. My mind already turned to my QB1 backup plan, Justin Fields. As I kept waiting for the inevitable Jalen Hurts to come off the board, a funny thing happened: he never did. London, Kittle, McConkey, and Hill all went ahead of him. Even guys with uncertain futures like Davante Adams, Kyren Williams, and JSN. I hit the draft button in Round 3, looking like the cat that ate the canary.

Rounds 4-6

In Round 4, I decided to bypass Alvin Kamara, Chuba Hubbard, and Matthew Berry's ride or die, Omarion Hampton, and add old faithful Mike Evans. It's like you can stamp 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns to his forehead. 11 straight seasons of 1,000 yards, and in eight of those seasons, he has caught eight or more touchdowns. 

Round 5, and I decided to take a guy who could be the new Mike Evans, Carolina's Tetairoa McMillan. He feels like he is built in that Evans mold, big, athletic, and not afraid to be physical. He will get all of the targets he wants in Carolina regardless of whether they trade Adam Thielen or not. 

At the turn for Round 6, RJ Harvey was a no-brainer. I believe in Harvey and his ability to be a three-down back. I think he has the chance to be a good runner and pass catcher out of the backfield. When you are a running back, and Sean Payton likes you, you are going to be set up for success in fantasy.

Rounds 7-11
 

In the next two rounds, I grabbed players who have a chance to far exceed outside expectations. Jakobi Meyers is being undersold in Vegas, and he was an excellent value in round seven. People like to pay attention to the flashy things on the team, which include tight end Brock Bowers and rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. Last season, Meyers had 87 receptions for the first 1000-yard season of his career. With those weapons around him, he should be able to put up even better numbers in 2025, especially with the upgrade in quarterback play.

Jaylen Warren was still available in Round 8. His abilities as a pass catcher separate him from his new teammate in the backfield, Kaleb Johnson, who went two picks after I selected Warren. Two seasons ago, Warren averaged 5.3 yards per carry en route to 784 yards and four touchdowns; he also hauled in 61 catches on 74 targets. Last station season he received fewer carries and targets but was still effective. As the lead back on this team with those three tools in his box, he should see a significant uptick in his usage. 

Round 9, and there was a run on tight ends. Tucker Kraft, Colston Loveland, and Tyler Warren went 101, 102, and 103, then Dallas Goedert went 105. At this point, all I could hear was Fantasy Life's very own Kendall Valenzuela screaming, "Don't draft Kyle Pitts," so I listened. Instead, I took Jordan Mason, a guy who I believe will end up as the Vikings starting running back. I felt great about taking the chance on Mason ... Kyle Pitts was taken with the very next pick. You better be right, Kendall!

Dalton Kincaid was selected on the turn, one pick before my pick in the 10th round, so I grabbed Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Washington just traded away Brian Robinson, which leaves potentially 200 rushing attempts and 30 receptions up for grabs. Bill, as he wants to be called, has a chance to slide into that role. I may have to be patient at the beginning of the year, but if he claims the spot, I have a low-cost hit. 

Jake Ferguson being selected three picks after me was a sobering reminder that I did not have a tight end. So when round 10 began, I was looking at the list of available tight ends, and unfortunately, the shelves had been picked through. Hunter Henry and a couple of backups, in Noah Gray and Harold Fannin, went 126, 128, and 129, and at 130, I felt compelled to address my tight end needs. Unfortunately, now I was shopping hungry. So I convinced myself that the Jaguars would use Brenton Strange the same way they did in 2024 when Evan Engram and many of the other offensive weapons were injured.

Strange started 11 games in 2024 and was targeted 43 times and hauled in 32 receptions. In 2025, if he takes over the 25% target share vacated by Engram, then he will be consistently effective in fantasy, but it will probably not be sexy.

On the turn, I planned to add another tight end, but Jonnu Smith was the first guy taken in the 11th round. That is when I noticed that Brandon Aiyuk was still on the board. Why? I know he is coming off an injury, but they do expect him back, and when he does return, there will be targets for him to consume.

Remember 2022 and 2023, he had over 100 targets, 75 or more receptions, over 1000 yards, and seven or more touchdowns. He was the catalyst for the 49ers to say goodbye to Deebo Samuel. This felt like a great time to grab and stash. If he does return to form, I will have more assets to use in trades to improve my tight end situation if needed.

Rounding Out The Fantasy Football Mock Draft
 

Round 12 started with a run on defenses and kickers. The Texans, Steelers, and Broncos went 145, 146, and 147, followed by Jake Bates, Brandon Aubrey, and Chase McLaughlin. The Ravens and Vikings went with two of the three picks in front of me, so I decided to go defense. I had a choice between the Chiefs or the Eagles, and I chose the Eagles. The NFC East (with the exception of Philly) seems to be leaning towards the passing attack. That means more opportunities to sack or intercept the quarterback. The Chiefs went with the next selection, followed by Jake Elliott, the Eagles kicker, whom I had my eyes on from across the room (or the computer screen).

On the turn in Round 13 with nobody that I was in love with at kicker, I decided to double back to tight end, and for some reason Zach Ertz kept looking at me, and I started to get those old feelings from when he was fantasy gold in Philly. I also remember how he turned back the clock in 2024 with 66 receptions for 654 yards and seven touchdowns. He may not be able to duplicate that production, but what if he does? Huh, huh! For the record, the draft champion gave me an A- on this selection.

In Round 14, I needed a kicker, and Younghoe Koo needed a home. 2024 was the worst year of his six seasons with Atlanta, so I am banking on positive regression in 2025, or I'll be banking on the waiver wire. 

In the final round, as is customary for me, I took a big swing and reached for Jalen Milroe. I did not simply select him so that I could call my team “My Two Jalens.” That's just a divine power that made that happen. But if things go off the rails this season, Milroe could be inserted into the lineup, and he will run wild all over the NFL. It is just fun to watch, and why not have a little fun, right?!

Remember that the team you have after the draft is rarely the team you finish with at the end of the season. Do not be afraid to make changes. I have a lot of backs on my bench and only one receiver, so I may need to hit the waiver wire or look into trades if that becomes necessary.

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