What Do Rounds 1 and 2 Of a Redraft Mock Draft Look Like?
1.01) Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
The first two rounds will be as wide receiver-heavy as ever, but that doesn’t change the fact that running back remains king. The single most valuable asset in fantasy football remains the elite running back. In modern football, there are fewer and fewer every year. That makes the unstoppable force that is Christian McCaffrey my preference for the No. 1 overall pick.
1.02) Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
It’s only April. My feelings on the top of the first round may change over the coming months. But right now, I’m going with my WR1, which is Tyreek Hill.
Although he came up 0.2 fantasy points per game short of an overall WR1 finish, that was almost entirely due to a late-season ankle sprain that limited his production. Hill was the clear WR1 and on pace for 2,000 yards. You can’t really go wrong with anyone here, but Hill is my choice.
1.03) CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Are the Dallas Cowboys going to be able to run the ball? They may claim to want to be a running team, but the evidence shows otherwise. CeeDee Lamb finished as the overall WR1 last season, averaging 23.7 fantasy points per game. While he probably won’t do that again, perhaps no receiver in fantasy has a better combination of situation, talent, and opportunity than the Cowboys WR1 playing in a prolific offense with no threat to his targets.
1.04) Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Fantasy managers mustn’t forget how incredible Breece Hall’s close to last season was. Now another year removed from his ACL tear, the only thing standing between Hall and contending for overall RB1 status is his health. Even an Aaron Rodgers injury wouldn’t derail his season. Hall averaged 17.1 fantasy points per game last season while playing less than a full-time role for a quarter of the season with Zach Wilson and his cavalcade of misfits as his quarterback. Health permitting, Hall is a sure thing.
1.05) Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
It speaks to Bijan Robinson’s upside that 14.5 fantasy points per game as a rookie is viewed as a disappointment. We know the talent is there. With Arthur Smith gone and Kirk Cousins at QB, the situation and opportunity now join the talent. It’s fair to take Robinson as high as No. 2 overall. It really comes down to positional preference. Despite the perceived safety that comes with wide receivers, there are more of them you feel comfortable drafting. There are not many running backs. If I can secure an elite one, I will.
1.06) Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
If you want to take Ja’Marr Chase No. 1 overall, don’t let me get in your way. This is a strange year in that there are six players you can reasonably justify with the top spot. In a down year where just about everything went wrong, Chase still averaged 16.4 fantasy points per game. With a healthy Joe Burrow, Chase is going to remind everyone why he was a consensus top-three pick last season.
1.07) Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Are we punishing Justin Jefferson too much for the downgrade from Kirk Cousins to J.J. McCarthy? After all, Jefferson would be the overall WR1 if Cousins were still around.
In the history of fantasy football, a rookie quarterback has never supported the overall fantasy WR1. Now, to be fair, Jefferson doesn’t have to be that elite to justify a top-three selection. But will McCarthy be good enough to propel him to 20 fantasy points per game? Maybe.
1.08) Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
I wouldn’t fault anyone for taking Amon-Ra St. Brown over Jefferson. St. Brown is one of the safest picks you can make. He’s a lock for 100 receptions if he plays a full season. His only competition for targets is TE Sam LaPorta, and there’s plenty to go around in the Lions’ explosive offense.
1.09) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Back-to-back Lions? Back-to-back Lions. Jahmyr Gibbs averaged 16.1 fantasy points per game last season despite playing a quarter of the year as David Montgomery’s backup. Montgomery may still be around, which caps Gibbs’ touchdown upside, but there’s plenty of meat on the bone for both guys.
1.10) Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
There will be Puka Nacua detractors out there. I am not one of them. Obviously, Nacua wasn’t supposed to be this good. If he were, he wouldn’t have fallen to the fifth round. After last season, I’ve seen enough. Nacua broke the all-time rookie receptions and receiving yards record.
1.11) Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
Here we go again with taking a technically unproven Garrett Wilson at the 1/2 turn despite him never even coming close to posting numbers that justify this lofty selection. As always, context is key.
1.12) Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
If the Rams drafting Blake Corum in the third round pushes you off of Kyren Williams, then you were never really in to begin with. Drafting Williams comes with the belief that he’s earned this job. Last season, Williams, previously viewed as a sub-replacement level back, missed a chunk of time.
2.01) A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
I have to put A.J. Brown somewhere. But let me be clear — I have no interest in drafting him. The Eagles just do not treat Brown like an alpha.
