EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIn the weeks following the NFL draft, 10 ESPN analysts -- including all eight rankers -- participated in 10 fantasy football mock drafts held over three days.As with any group of managers who draft against one another time after time, there is a certain familiarity that comes with the territory. This group knows that they're likely to take quarterbacks later than public sentiment might dictate. Certain analysts are known to have planted their flag on a certain player, or a well-known approach to rookies or veterans. They base their rankings on analytics, scouting, the news, and sometimes just follow a gut feel. That's why every mock draft is sightly different, and that's why we did it 10 times. Each analyst was given a chance to draft from every slot, first overall through 10th. Everyone had a chance to build a team around Bijan Robinson orJahmyr Gibbs and multiple chances to be aggressive on pursuing a certain angle, a certain position, even a certain player.Trends emerged. Strategies were honed. Smack talk was exchanged. And in the end, we have a uniquely ESPN expert APD encompassing the 185 players who were taken at least once during the exercise. In the chart below you will find them sorted by their overall ADP, and where applicable, the name of the analyst that hit "draft" on that player most often, as well as the average pick at which they did, the "preferred ADP." Below that, you will find each analyst's roster of most-drafted players, and their insights in the form of answers to three questions tailored specifically to them and their teams.Click on their name to jump directly to their roster and insights.Stephania Bell | Matt Bowen | Mike Clay | Tristan H. CockcroftDaniel Dopp | Tyler Fulghum | Eric KarabellLiz Loza | Eric Moody | Field YatesThree Questions with Stephania BellYou were aggressive in your pursuit of George Kittle, taking him in 6 of 10 drafts. Why is he a target for you?The value for the draft spot was exceptional, especially if you believe, as I do, that he will be ready to play early in the season, and coach Kyle Shanahan has suggested Week 1 as a possibility. This is May but the early confidence speaks volumes, as does his work ethic and progress to date. He is a star in this offense and in many cases, he was also my second tight end. I was able to secure the likes of a mid-tier tight end and then later add Kittle, meaning I have tight end insurance at the start of the season (if Kittle needs more time) and also have a built-in backup if one tight end goes down due to injury.You have no shares of Saquon Barkley. Are you fading him intentionally?I was not intentionally fading him but I was not intentionally targeting him either. Of the running backs available in his range, my preference is to take the upside that accompanies rookies, which is how I ended up with more Jeremiyah Lovethan anyone else. Some are uncomfortable with his as-yet-unproven-in-the-NFL status but I'll take explosiveness, agility and pass-catching ability wrapped up in youth with a side of opportunity. I expect him to be the leader in a running back room which is likely to be less crowded come start of the season.How did your draft strategy evolve throughout the excersise?Despite my tendencies towards drafting certain players, I did try to play around with strategy a bit. Took two running backs out of the gate once, tried drafting one of the top two tight ends or drafting a tight end late, tried quarterback early versus quarterback late. I wanted to see how much I liked my overall team when I switched up the strategy. And the takeaways are these: running back scarcity -- especially dual-threat ability combined with volume potential -- is a very real thing and not drafting running backs early will not feel good by the fifth round.I very much liked my teams with the high tight end pick (Trey McBride) and the difference a top tier tight end makes -- emphasis on weekly versus total fantasy points -- can be a game-winner. I don't have a strong feeling on quarterback because our group as a whole tends to take them late, making it hard to get a feel for what will happen in other leagues.Last but not least, a reminder that if there is a player you really want and you're drafting among "friends," they will try to snipe you. Translation: you may have to reach occasionally but if it's a guy you really want on your roster, there's no shame in that. It's your team.Bell's Most Selected PlayersQuarterbacksJayden Daniels, WSH, 40%, Average Pick: 54.0Joe Burrow, CIN, 30%, Average Pick: 67.0Brock Purdy, SF, 20%, Average Pick: 93.0Running BacksJonathon Brooks, CAR, 60%, Average Pick: 103.3Jeremiyah Love, ARI, 40%, Average Pick: 12.3Christian McCaffrey, SF, 30%, Average Pick: 4.0Bucky Irving, TB, 30%, Average Pick: 38.3Jadarian Price, SEA, 30%, Average Pick: 48.3Jahmyr Gibbs, DET, 20%, Average Pick: 1.5Javonte Williams, DAL, 20%, Average Pick: 32.5Bhayshul Tuten, JAX, 20%, Average Pick: 59.0Wide ReceiversNico Collins, HOU, 40%, Average Pick: 21.8George Pickens, DAL, 40%, Average Pick: 30.5KC Concepcion, CLE, 40%, Average Pick: 96.5Quentin Johnston, LAC, 40%, Average Pick: 119.5Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET, 30%, Average Pick: 7.3Rome Odunze, CHI, 30%, Average Pick: 56.0Jordyn Tyson, NO, 30%, Average Pick: 66.7Michael Wilson, ARI, 30%, Average Pick: 87.3Tight EndsDallas Goedert, PHI, 60%, Average Pick: 88.8George Kittle, SF, 60%, Average Pick: 104.2DefensesPatriots D/ST, NE, 40%, Average Pick: 146.8Ravens D/ST, BAL, 20%, Average Pick: 144.0KickersBrandon Aubrey, DAL, 70%, Average Pick: 134.7Jake Bates, DET, 20%, Average Pick: 155.5Three Questions with Matt BowenYou took Chris Olave 6 times . Why is he a target for you?I get the injury concerns/history with Olave. But I'm buying stock in the Saints offense this season. Remember, Olave is a three-level glider who can create his own separation with big-play juice and route running. Plus, with the upside of second year quarterback Tyler Shough in Kellen Moore's QB friendly system along with the addition of rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, Olave will see more one-on-one opportunities. He has top 8 upside at the position this season.You didn't get any Justin Jefferson. Why are you avoiding him in the second round?Jefferson is still the league's premier route runner. He's going to make himself available to the QB. We know that. However, I'm not sold on Kyler Murray as the upgrade needed to facilitate consistent production for Jefferson in Kevin O'Connell's offense. Even with Jefferson's ability to post some big-time weeks on his own talent, in the second round i was prioritizing a running back or a receiver with more stability at the QB spot.Is Running back a priority for you then?Yes. Get in on the RBs early. If you want a No.1 ball carrier, be prepared for an early run at the position. This was evident in all of our mocks. So, don't be afraid to pass on a wide receiver high on your board to land a running back who can give you top-end volume and scoring production . And, you have time to target a receiver, as there is more depth at the position this season and you'll have good ones to pick from in the middle rounds.Bowen's Most Selected PlayersQuarterbacksJoe Burrow, CIN, 30%, Average Pick: 68.3Drake Maye, NE, 20%, Average Pick: 64.0Dak Prescott, DAL, 20%, Average Pick: 97.0Running BacksJadarian Price, SEA, 60%, Average Pick: 53.2Kyren Williams, LAR, 30%, Average Pick: 34.0Tony Pollard, TEN, 30%, Average Pick: 75.0Rhamondre Stevenson, NE, 30%, Average Pick: 88.7Jordan Mason, MIN, 30%, Average Pick: 122.3Jeremiyah Love, ARI, 20%, Average Pick: 13.5Breece Hall, NYJ, 20%, Average Pick: 24.5David Montgomery, HOU, 20%, Average Pick: 61.5Wide ReceiversChris Olave, NO, 60%, Average Pick: 25.2Omar Cooper Jr., NYJ, 60%, Average Pick: 128.2Makai Lemon, PHI, 50%, Average Pick: 80.8Romeo Doubs, NE, 50%, Average Pick: 115.2Tee Higgins, CIN, 40%, Average Pick: 40.8Tetairoa McMillan, CAR, 30%, Average Pick: 32.7Luther Burden III, CHI, 30%, Average Pick: 58.3Alec Pierce, IND, 30%, Average Pick: 68.3Tight EndsJake Ferguson, DAL, 40%, Average Pick: 105.8T.J. Hockenson, MIN, 20%, Average Pick: 124.0DefensesRams D/ST, LAR, 30%, Average Pick: 144.0Patriots D/ST, NE, 30%, Average Pick: 146.3KickersCam Little, JAX, 30%, Average Pick: 158.0Jason Myers, SEA, 20%, Average Pick: 152.5Three Questions with Mike ClayYou took Garrett Wilson in half of these drafts. What makes him worthy of being a must-have WR2?Wilson has been selected in the 27-to-35 range in all 10 drafts, whereas I have him 26th in my overall rankings. That being the case, it's no surprise that he's happened to be atop my queue in the fourth round quite often. A product of an injury-plagued 2025, we seem to be getting a bit of a discount on one of the best talents at the wide receiver position. Wilson was seeing a massive 33% target share, when healthy, last season and he finished sixth or better in targets in each of his first three pro seasons. Geno Smith may not be elite, but he's good enough to turn Wilson's talent and heavy usage into more consistent fantasy output.You did not draft Omarion Hampton. Are you avoiding him on purpose?Absolutely not. This is simply a product of the way drafts have been flowing. I'm in on Hampton and have him ranked as a midrange RB1 in a tier with Jeremiyah Love, James Cook and Ashton Jeanty. His 18.1 ADP in these 10 drafts aligns with my overall ranking (18th), so I hope to generate some exposure moving forward.What was your biggest takeaway from these mocks?Reaching on a quarterback in the first few rounds is a waste of a pick. Though I think you can justify taking a shot on Josh Allen (I have him projected way ahead of the next tier of passers), I can't bring myself to do it simply because there are quality starters available in the mid-to-late rounds of these drafts. I've found myself "settling" for Lamar Jackson in the sixth or seventh round, but even the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Dak Prescott and Bo Nix several rounds later are palatable options.Clay's Most Selected PlayersQuarterbacksLamar Jackson, BAL, 40%, Average Pick: 56.8Bo Nix, DEN, 40%, Average Pick: 118.3Drake Maye, NE, 30%, Average Pick: 66.0Running BacksJacory Croskey-Merritt, WSH, 50%, Average Pick: 115.6Jeremiyah Love, ARI, 20%, Average Pick: 14.0Breece Hall, NYJ, 20%, Average Pick: 29.0Quinshon Judkins, CLE, 20%, Average Pick: 43.5Chuba Hubbard, CAR, 20%, Average Pick: 68.5Jaylen Warren, PIT, 20%, Average Pick: 79.0Bijan Robinson, ATL, 10%, Average Pick: 1.0Jahmyr Gibbs, DET, 10%, Average Pick: 2.0Wide ReceiversCalvin Ridley, TEN, 60%, Average Pick: 129.8Garrett Wilson, NYJ, 50%, Average Pick: 31.2Parker Washington, JAX, 50%, Average Pick: 84.4Drake London, ATL, 30%, Average Pick: 14.3Rashee Rice, KC, 30%, Average Pick: 17.0KC Concepcion, CLE, 30%, Average Pick: 94.7Puka Nacua, LAR, 20%, Average Pick: 4.0Zay Flowers, BAL, 20%, Average Pick: 38.5Tight EndsColston Loveland, CHI, 40%, Average Pick: 47.3Brock Bowers, LV, 20%, Average Pick: 25.0DefensesSteelers D/ST, PIT, 40%, Average Pick: 144.0Ravens D/ST, BAL, 30%, Average Pick: 147.7KickersHarrison Butker, KC, 40%, Average Pick: 157.5Jason Myers, SEA, 10%, Average Pick: 150.0Three Questions with Tristan H. CockcroftYou drafted Kyle Monangai six times but have zero shares of D'Andre Swift. Should we be reading something into that?Yes, partly a personal preference thing in what could be closer to a committee backfield in Monangai's second season, but more than that, I liked the value. Swift's ADP had him going late-sixth/early seventh and I often liked the quarterbacks available there, while Monangai was routinely there in round 9, when I was going for upside plays at the position.You did not draft Christian McCaffrey at all, is he someone you are avoiding this season?At his current price tag -- fifth overall in ADP, whether in public drafts or for our purposes -- yes. There are risk factors present with McCaffrey that I don't consider equal to the others in my top five: he's now 30 years old and coming off a 413 touch season; he has missed 37% of his games the past six seasons; his rushing efficiency dipped somewhat in 2025. Even when I had the opportunity to take him 7th, I chose Jonathan Taylor instead.Were there any players that stood out as consistent values?We're always a patient bunch when drafting quarterbacks, but our approach to the "second tier" -- Lamar Jackson/Jayden Daniels/Drake Maye, if we declare Josh Allen his own "Tier 1" -- was curious, and one I'll argue presented a good amount of value. Among our top-70 in ADP, those three quarterbacks plus Joe Burrow (QB5) had the greatest standard deviation across the 10 mocks, meaning they sort of went all over and in different orders, and if that's true in a public league, I'd be all over whichever is the one who lingers into the sixth round.Cockcroft's Most Selected PlayersQuarterbacksJosh Allen, BUF, 30%, Average Pick: 44.7Jayden Daniels, WSH, 30%, Average Pick: 61.3Kyler Murray, MIN, 20%, Average Pick: 135.5Running BacksKyle Monangai, CHI, 60%, Average Pick: 93.3Jonathan Taylor, IND, 30%, Average Pick: 8.0Saquon Barkley, PHI, 30%, Average Pick: 19.0Cam Skattebo, NYG, 30%, Average Pick: 37.7Jaylen Warren, PIT, 30%, Average Pick: 79.3Zach Charbonnet, SEA, 30%, Average Pick: 120.0Bucky Irving, TB, 20%, Average Pick: 46.5TreVeyon Henderson, NE, 20%, Average Pick: 50.0Wide ReceiversJayden Higgins, HOU, 50%, Average Pick: 127.4Courtland Sutton, DEN, 40%, Average Pick: 70.8Ricky Pearsall, SF, 40%, Average Pick: 98.5Tetairoa McMillan, CAR, 30%, Average Pick: 32.0Josh Downs, IND, 30%, Average Pick: 105.7Ja'Marr Chase, CIN, 20%, Average Pick: 4.5Justin Jefferson, MIN, 20%, Average Pick: 11.0Nico Collins, HOU, 20%, Average Pick: 20.0Tight EndsJake Ferguson, DAL, 40%, Average Pick: 114.3Trey McBride, ARI, 20%, Average Pick: 21.5DefensesVikings D/ST, MIN, 50%, Average Pick: 155.4Chargers D/ST, LAC, 40%, Average Pick: 154.8**All four of Cockcroft's Chargers selections came after the release of the NFL schedule, while all six of the Vikings picks were prior.KickersKa'imi Fairbairn, HOU, 80%, Average Pick: 146.5Brandon Aubrey, DAL, 10%, Average Pick: 141.0Three Questions with Daniel DoppYou're a noted Lions fan/apologist, but you didn't take Amon-Ra St. Brown in any of the 10 drafts. Was it intentional?Not intentional at all, but I do think there's a difference between ARSB and JSN is the amount of talent around them. Amon-Ra has to share with Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the clear No. 1 target with less competition for targets. This is nothing against the Sun God, we just missed our connection in this year mock draft exercise.You were one of two drafters not to take either Trey McBride or Brock Bowers at least once. Are you fading the top tight ends this year?I'm fading the top two and trying to focus on either Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland in the middle rounds. They're cheaper than Bowers and McBride and still have room to add to their ceiling. Both are primed for emerging roles in their offense and I didn't see the reason to "reach" on one of the top two guys. I also like Isaiah Likely as a sleeper in the final rounds and if I've invested a top pick in a tight end, it's difficult to also invest in one as a dart throw.What did you find out about the talent pool as a result of doing these mocks?If I don't draft two RBs within the first three rounds, I'm almost guaranteeing myself that I won't like my team. The dropoff is noticeable to me after you get out of the third round, which is why I took two RBs in the first three rounds in eight of these 10 mocks, and if we did it 10 more times, that rate would probably be closer to 100%.Dopp's Most Selected PlayersQuarterbacksJaxson Dart, NYG, 50%, Average Pick: 77.0Jalen Hurts, PHI, 30%, Average Pick: 71.0Josh Allen, BUF, 10%, Average Pick: 36.0Running BacksIsiah Pacheco, DET, 100%, Average Pick: 118.1RJ Harvey, DEN, 70%, Average Pick: 98.4Chase Brown, CIN, 40%, Average Pick: 22.3Rico Dowdle, PIT, 40%, Average Pick: 86.8James Cook III, BUF, 30%, Average Pick: 13.0Kenneth Walker III, KC, 30%, Average Pick: 27.3Jahmyr Gibbs, DET, 20%, Average Pick: 1.5Tony Pollard, TEN, 20%, Average Pick: 81.5Wide ReceiversXavier Worthy, KC, 70%, Average Pick: 110.0Malik Nabers, NYG, 50%, Average Pick: 22.0Jaylen Waddle, DEN, 50%, Average Pick: 50.0Jalen McMillan, TB, 50%, Average Pick: 128.4Emeka Egbuka, TB, 40%, Average Pick: 43.0Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA, 30%, Average Pick: 6.3Luther Burden III, CHI, 30%, Average Pick: 56.3Michael Pittman Jr., PIT, 30%, Average Pick: 64.3Tight EndsIsaiah Likely, NYG, 50%, Average Pick: 134.8Tyler Warren, IND, 40%, Average Pick: 47.0DefensesRams D/ST, LAR, 50%, Average Pick: 147.0Texans D/ST, HOU, 20%, Average Pick: 138.5KickersCameron Dicker, LAC, 30%, Average Pick: 147.7Harrison Mevis, LAR, 20%, Average Pick: 152.0Three Questions with Tyler FulghumYou were clearly targeting Brock Bowers, getting him half the time, sometimes when Trey McBride was still on the table. Why are you so set on drafting him?I expect new Raiders head coack Klint Kubiak to make Bowers the Jaxon Smith-Njigba of this Las Vegas offense. The Raiders did very little at wide receiver this offseason, setting up Bowers to command a massive target share. I prefer him to McBride, despite McBride coming off a league-winning season, because I think McBride will regress from last year's numbers due to with a new coach in place and more target competition from a healthier Marvin Harrison Jr.No De'Von Achane on your team, are you worried about the Dolphins offense?Extremely worried. Two years ago I was this company's most ardent and bullish supporter of Achane. Oh, how things have changed. Achane is still a special talent, but the situation is about as bleak as can be in Miami: Mike McDaniel's RB-friendly scheme is gone, checkdown artist Tua Tagovailoa is gone in favor of uber-mobile Malik Willis and with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle gone, defenses will be focusing on stopping Achane. The Dolphins win total is 4.5, which doesn't portend to many opportunities to close out games by getting the rock on every play. I'm all the way out on Achane at his current ADP.So what is your running back strategy then?Jump on the RB position early. We're experiencing a bit of a running back renaissance in fantasy football and it feels like fantasy players are investing as such. Based on these mocks, I would try to have my two starting RBs taken care of by Round 4, at the latest. An RB-RB start is definitely a strategy to consider. Quarterbacks are going later than ever and the glut of wide receiver and tight end options make me comfortable attacking those positions later, but I do not want to feel weak at the RB position this year given some of the offensive trends we're seeing around the league.Fulghum's Most Selected PlayersQuarterbacksTrevor Lawrence, JAX, 60%, Average Pick: 97.5Caleb Williams, CHI, 30%, Average Pick: 106.3Drake Maye, NE, 20%, Average Pick: 78.5Running BacksBlake Corum, LAR, 60%, Average Pick: 101.8Ashton Jeanty, LV, 40%, Average Pick: 9.0Omarion Hampton, LAC, 30%, Average Pick: 15.7Cam Skattebo, NYG, 30%, Average Pick: 38.3D'Andre Swift, CHI, 30%, Average Pick: 63.0RJ Harvey, DEN, 30%, Average Pick: 93.3Jordan Mason, MIN, 30%, Average Pick: 121.3Chris Rodriguez Jr., JAX, 30%, Average Pick: 126.7Wide ReceiversMike Evans, SF, 50%, Average Pick: 70.8Rashid Shaheed, SEA, 50%, Average Pick: 134.8A.J. Brown, PHI, 30%, Average Pick: 27.3Luther Burden III, CHI, 30%, Average Pick: 50.3Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI, 30%, Average Pick: 60.3Josh Downs, IND, 30%, Average Pick: 107.3Jalen McMillan, TB, 30%, Average Pick: 120.3Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET, 20%, Average Pick: 7.0Tight EndsBrock Bowers, LV, 50%, Average Pick: 23.2Tucker Kraft, GB, 40%, Average Pick: 105.3DefensesEagles D/ST, PHI, 30%, Average Pick: 147.0Browns D/ST, CLE, 20%, Average Pick: 155.0KickersHarrison Mevis, LAR, 30%, Average Pick: 153.0Cam Little, JAX, 20%, Average Pick: 149.5Three Questions with Eric KarabellYou took J.K. Dobbins in 8 of 10 drafts. What are you seeing that makes him a queue favorite for you?I see value, not a star. I have strong feelings about which running backs I trust and do not trust each season, and I may not learn who are my annual favorites if not for these (very) myriad mock drafts. I kept securing the same fellows in the mid-to-late rounds, such as Aaron Jones Sr., Dobbins and even Alvin Kamara. I see value for each potential flex option that I may not see in players going two rounds earlier. Jones will rekindle his solid 2024 season, especially with Minnesota's cake schedule. A healthy-enough Dobbins will finally achieve 1,000 rushing yards this year. Kamara will catch 50 passes. It's about value.You were one of two drafters who did not get any Jonathan Taylor on your roster. Was that intentional?No, I don't intentionally fade Taylor. With Christian McCaffrey, yes, I fade him. Same with the rookie runners. Taylor, along with Ashton Jeanty, Saquon Barkley and others just ended up on other teams as I probably went with a wide receiver. Then I kept getting Josh Jacobs for some reason. It happens. I stick to a plan of loading up on running backs and wide receivers early, especially the runners because chasing them in the middle rounds is unfulfilling. If that means I go wide receiver in Round 1 and end up with Kyren Williams or Travis Etienne Jr. two rounds later, that's a reasonable outcome.Was there another value proposition that defined your drafts?The mocks felt relatively typical for our group, and that usually means I'm watching to see who else could wait the longest -- along with me -- to draft a quarterback. I am waiting until Round 12 or so, then doubling up. Sometimes Brock Purdy fell, sometimes not. Few seem to believe in Matthew Stafford and Bo Nix. OK, I'll invest! My strategy can blow up if another team (or two) tried something unexpected because then they end up with a QB (or three) I expected to fall.Karabell's Most Selected PlayersQuarterbacksBrock Purdy, SF, 40%, Average Pick: 121.8Matthew Stafford, LAR, 30%, Average Pick: 117.3Bo Nix, DEN, 30%, Average Pick: 123.7Running BacksJ.K. Dobbins, DEN, 80%, Average Pick: 91.4Aaron Jones Sr., MIN, 60%, Average Pick: 77.8Alvin Kamara, NO, 60%, Average Pick: 123.8Josh Jacobs, GB, 40%, Average Pick: 24.3Travis Etienne Jr., NO, 40%, Average Pick: 37.3De'Von Achane, MIA, 30%, Average Pick: 11.0Derrick Henry, BAL, 30%, Average Pick: 17.0Quinshon Judkins, CLE, 30%, Average Pick: 47.0Wide ReceiversJaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA, 30%, Average Pick: 6.0DeVonta Smith, PHI, 30%, Average Pick: 35.7Davante Adams, LAR, 30%, Average Pick: 41.7Jameson Williams, DET, 30%, Average Pick: 53.3Rome Odunze, CHI, 30%, Average Pick: 57.7Michael Pittman Jr., PIT, 30%, Average Pick: 66.7DK Metcalf, PIT, 30%, Average Pick: 71.7Michael Wilson, ARI, 30%, Average Pick: 97.7Tight EndsTravis Kelce, KC, 70%, Average Pick: 96.9Sam LaPorta, DET, 20%, Average Pick: 81.0DefensesEagles D/ST, PHI, 50%, Average Pick: 145.0Steelers D/ST, PIT, 20%, Average Pick: 141.5KickersJake Bates, DET, 40%, Average Pick: 155.5Jason Myers, SEA, 30%, Average Pick: 151.3Three Questions with Liz LozaYou had Kenneth Gainwell consistently queued up and took him in half your drafts. What are you liking about him?Gainwell was brought to Tampa on a two-year deal (with an estimated $10 million in guarantees) to replace Rachaad White. The former Steeler is coming off a career effort in which he demonstrated high-end pass-catching skills, and while it was only one game, Gainwell did an admirable job of stepping into the breach when Jaylen Warren was a surprise Week 4 inactive, racking up 134 total yards and over 30 fantasy points in Week 4. Given Bucky Irving's ultra-physical playing style and noting the news of a lingering shoulder issue, Gainwell could see more touches than initially projected. At the minimum, he's on track to clear 50 catches, which makes him an intriguing value in the 12th round of PPR-friendly formats.No Puka Nacua or Jaxon Smith-Njigba for you, though you did take Ja'Marr Chase three times. Was this by design?Chase is my No. 1 ranked WR and I do feel compelled to stay true to my rankings when drafting. If I find myself drafting against them, then it's a signal to do some tweaking. JSN's 2025 breakout was a thing of beauty and I'd happily roster the ascending star. However, Chase has been doing it longer. The 26-year-old has registered triple-digit catches, gone over 1,000 receiving yards, and at least 7 TDs for three straight seasons. He's also finished inside the top 12 fantasy players at the position since debuting back in 2021. As for Puka, I'm admittedly dubious. Between the off-field issues and the rumors swirling around Makai Lemon going to the Rams in the first round (before the Ty Simpson bombshell dropped), Nacua's floor seems less stable than the other two top options.Were there any surprises in these mocks that affected how you drafted?As my colleagues noted above, RB dries up fast and the depth at QB seems practically bottomless. That said, Jadarian Price going 5-6 rounds after Jeremiyah Love (yes, I'm aware of Love's upside as a receiver) with over 250 touches vacated in Seattle and a banged-up backfield mate was a surprise. As was watching a proven talent like David Montgomery, who's projected to garner upwards of 15 touches per contest, fall to the eighth round of most mocks. Additionally tilting was the recency bias affecting Justin Herbert's stock. With the Bolts' o-line back to health and bolstered, Herbert should stay upright and help the Chargers trade some of last year's rushing stats for passing yards in a creative offense designed by Mike McDaniel. You didn't ask for a hot take, but Herbert could be this year's Trevor Lawrence.Loza's Most Selected PlayersQuarterbacksJustin Herbert, LAC, 60%, Average Pick: 130.7Lamar Jackson, BAL, 20%, Average Pick: 40.0Jalen Hurts, PHI, 20%, Average Pick: 69.0Running BacksWoody Marks, HOU, 60%, Average Pick: 117.0Kenneth Gainwell, TB, 50%, Average Pick: 86.2Saquon Barkley, PHI, 30%, Average Pick: 17.0David Montgomery, HOU, 30%, Average Pick: 65.0Ashton Jeanty, LV, 20%, Average Pick: 12.0Omarion Hampton, LAC, 20%, Average Pick: 18.5Chase Brown, CIN, 20%, Average Pick: 24.0Breece Hall, NYJ, 20%, Average Pick: 25.5Wide ReceiversTerry McLaurin, WSH, 40%, Average Pick: 43.0DJ Moore, BUF, 40%, Average Pick: 53.0Quentin Johnston, LAC, 40%, Average Pick: 120.3Ja'Marr Chase, CIN, 30%, Average Pick: 4.0Carnell Tate, TEN, 30%, Average Pick: 45.3Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI, 30%, Average Pick: 56.0Jordyn Tyson, NO, 30%, Average Pick: 66.0CeeDee Lamb, DAL, 20%, Average Pick: 9.5Tight EndsMark Andrews, BAL, 30%, Average Pick: 112.7Kyle Pitts Sr., ATL, 20%, Average Pick: 74.5DefensesSeahawks D/ST, SEA, 30%, Average Pick: 142.3Steelers D/ST, PIT, 20%, Average Pick: 147.0KickersEddy Pineiro, SF, 30%, Average Pick: 154.0Jake Bates, DET, 30%, Average Pick: 157.3Three Questions with Eric MoodyYou were one of two drafters, along with Stephania Bell, to take Christian McCaffrey more than once. Were these cases where he fell to you, or were you planning to take him?These were drafts where McCaffrey fell to me. I have real concerns about his age, injury history, and recent workload, but it's difficult to fade a running back who led the position in snaps, routes, touches, targets, receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and fantasy points in 2025. Still, one stat lives in my head rent free: since 2010, 115 running backs have averaged at least 17 fantasy points per game while playing at least seven games. Only two did it during their age 30 season. McCaffrey turns 30 in a few weeks.Jeremiyah Love is the shiny new toy in this draft but you didn't take him even once. Did you pass on him on purpose?I missed out. I'm bullish on Love this season. The Cardinals have made moves this offseason to improve their offensive line, which is encouraging. Love profiles as a three-down back after posting 39 runs of 10+ yards in 2025 and 65 receptions during his collegiate career at Notre Dame and the stage is set for him to produce RB1-type numbers as a rookie. We also have him projected for 320 touches.Where did you find there was value to be had in these drafts?It's not the end of the world at tight end if you miss out on Trey McBride or Brock Bowers. There's still significant value in the middle and late rounds. Routes, targets, receptions, and yards per game by tight ends all hit 10-year highs last season, while the fantasy point per-game gap between TE7 and TE16 was minimal. Several late round options at TE have receiving upside, a path to targets, or ties to strong passing offenses.Moody's Most Selected PlayersQuarterbacksJalen Hurts, PHI, 40%, Average Pick: 66.0Josh Allen, BUF, 30%, Average Pick: 45.0Lamar Jackson, BAL, 20%, Average Pick: 56.5Running BacksTyjae Spears, TEN, 60%, Average Pick: 118.2Tank Bigsby, PHI, 50%, Average Pick: 134.4TreVeyon Henderson, NE, 40%, Average Pick: 51.8Rachaad White, WSH, 40%, Average Pick: 88.3Zach Charbonnet, SEA, 40%, Average Pick: 114.0Christian McCaffrey, SF, 30%, Average Pick: 6.3Javonte Williams, DAL, 30%, Average Pick: 32.7Cam Skattebo, NYG, 30%, Average Pick: 38.7Wide ReceiversChris Godwin Jr., TB, 60%, Average Pick: 86.8Jalen Coker, CAR, 60%, Average Pick: 122.3Khalil Shakir, BUF, 40%, Average Pick: 110.8Malik Nabers, NYG, 30%, Average Pick: 20.3Zay Flowers, BAL, 30%, Average Pick: 37.3Christian Watson, GB, 30%, Average Pick: 78.3Puka Nacua, LAR, 20%, Average Pick: 3.5CeeDee Lamb, DAL, 20%, Average Pick: 11.5Tight EndsHarold Fannin Jr., CLE, 40%, Average Pick: 60.3Kyle Pitts Sr., ATL, 20%, Average Pick: 71.5DefensesBroncos D/ST, DEN, 50%, Average Pick: 135.6Texans D/ST, HOU, 10%, Average Pick: 137.0KickersHarrison Mevis, LAR, 20%, Average Pick: 152.5Eddy Pineiro, SF, 20%, Average Pick: 154.0Three Questions with Field YatesJosh Jacobs was the highest-ranked player you took at least three times in the first nine rounds. Was he someone you were targeting or was he falling to you?Jacobs was, but he is also represents part of a category of players that I find particularly appealing: the veterans who have become "boring" to fantasy managers to roster, especially compared to the young, ascending players who have not yet proved their elite fantasy status (i.e. Jeremiyah Love and Ashton Jeanty, who was very solid but not spectacular as a rookie). Jacobs is coming off of yet another stellar season, finishing as a top 10 running back in seven of the 15 weeks that he played, while Green Bay's running back depth remains a real question mark. I'm in on Jacobs.Other than not chasing the rookies, was there anyone that you were avoiding? As a reminder to those who may see this at a later date; these mocks were conducted in May, in some cases just hours or days after more information was reported regarding Malik Nabers and a second surgery that took place following an ACL tear this past season. Nabers has inarguable talent, an ascending quarterback in Jaxson Dart and minimal competition for targets on the offense, but the uncertainty surrounding when he will be back to 100% already had me fading him at his cost, and that became even more of a thing as these mocks went on.Since your last name starts with a Y, you get the last word. What final thought do you want our readers to take with them?Let be start by noting that this group is notorious for being patient at quarterback, as even a player like Josh Allen will "slide" some in this exercise. At the same time, it's really hard to ignore just how good the value is late in drafts at quarterback. Amongst my favorite late round targets that are going in some cases in the double digits rounds at Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence and Patrick Mahomes. Purdy reminded at the end of last season that has gigantic weekly upside, Lawrence was a star for the second half of 2025 and Mahomes was a top six quarterback on eight occasions in just 14 games played. My forecast is that quarterbacks won't last nearly as long in most drafts as they did on average in ours, but I'm a fan of being patient at QB.Yates' Most Selected PlayersQuarterbacksMatthew Stafford, LAR, 40%, Average Pick: 142.0Drake Maye, NE, 20%, Average Pick: 63.5Brock Purdy, SF, 20%, Average Pick: 102.5Running BacksD'Andre Swift, CHI, 40%, Average Pick: 58.3Josh Jacobs, GB, 30%, Average Pick: 22.7Quinshon Judkins, CLE, 30%, Average Pick: 44.7Kenneth Gainwell, TB, 30%, Average Pick: 86.0Chris Rodriguez Jr., JAX, 30%, Average Pick: 128.3Bijan Robinson, ATL, 20%, Average Pick: 1.5De'Von Achane, MIA, 20%, Average Pick: 8.5James Cook III, BUF, 20%, Average Pick: 11.5Wide ReceiversWan'Dale Robinson, TEN, 40%, Average Pick: 91.0Matthew Golden, GB, 30%, Average Pick: 90.3Jalen Coker, CAR, 30%, Average Pick: 128.0Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA, 20%, Average Pick: 5.5Drake London, ATL, 20%, Average Pick: 21.0Chris Olave, NO, 20%, Average Pick: 28.0A.J. Brown, PHI, 20%, Average Pick: 32.5Davante Adams, LAR, 20%, Average Pick: 40.0Tight EndsTyler Warren, IND, 30%, Average Pick: 58.3Colston Loveland, CHI, 20%, Average Pick: 46.5DefensesTexans D/ST, HOU, 40%, Average Pick: 125.3Seahawks D/ST, SEA, 20%, Average Pick: 121.0KickersCameron Dicker, LAC, 40%, Average Pick: 144.3Brandon Aubrey, DAL, 20%, Average Pick: 117.0
