2017 fantasy football PPR mock draft: WRs rule

Published: Jun 27, 2017 at 10:51 AM

Things are quiet in the NFL right now. Too quiet.

Actually, that's a lie. This brief lull in the NFL calendar before training camp is a true blessing. It gives those who work in this business a chance for much-needed vacations. It also slows down the news cycle, allowing us more time to do more in-depth analysis ... or another mock draft. That's right, because it's never too early to mock draft (you can join one right now on NFL.com by clicking here), I gathered up 11 friends for our first PPR (point per reception) mock draft of 2017.

The PPR scoring, 12-team, 15-round mock draft consisted of our best analysts, writers and producers from NFL Fantasy LIVE/NFL.com, as well as special guests Raymond Summerlin (Rotoworld.com), Ari Ingel (Footballguys.com), Scott Barrett (Pro Football Focus) and Scott Fish (Dynasty League Football). Teams did not need to draft a full roster, so several teams went without a kicker or defense. I provide some brief thoughts about most rounds below. And to answer your questions: yes, we get paid for this, no, you can't have our jobs, and yes, we know about Player X but value him differently than you in fantasy. Also, it's the summer, calm down. Go outside and enjoy the sun.

Now, with that out of the way, let's get to it.

Draft order

Cynthia Frelund (@cfrelund) - NFL Fantasy LIVE analytics expert
1. Raymond Summerlin (@RMSummerlin) - Fantasy writer, Rotoworld
2. James Koh (@JamesDKoh) - NFL Fantasy LIVE host
3. Hytham Kilani (@HythamsBrain)- NFL Fantasy LIVE producer
4. Alex Wilk (@AlexCWilk) - Fantasy and Friends producer
5. Dylan Milner (@DMilner13) - NFL Network Senior Fantasy producer
6. Ari Ingel (@FFesq) - Footballguys writer
7. Alex Gelhar (@AlexGelhar)- NFL Fantasy Writer/Editor
8. Scott Fish (@ScottFish24 - Senior Writer/Developer, Dynasty League Football
9. Adam Rank (@adamrank)- NFL Fantasy LIVE analyst
10. Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) - Senior Fantasy analyst, Pro Football Focus
11. Michael Fabiano (@MichaelFabiano)- NFL Senior Fantasy Analyst

ROUND 1

David Johnson, Cardinals (RB1) - Frelund
1. Le'Veon Bell, Steelers (RB2) - Summerlin
2. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (RB3) - Koh
3. Antonio Brown, Steelers (WR1) - Kilani
4. Julio Jones, Falcons (WR2) - Wilk
5. Odell Beckham Jr., Giants (WR3) - Milner
6. LeSean McCoy, Bills (RB4) - Ingel
7. A.J. Green, Bengals (WR4) - Gelhar
8. Jay Ajayi, Dolphins (RB5) - Fish
9. Mike Evans, Buccaneers (WR5) - Rank
10. Melvin Gordon, Chargers (RB6) - Barrett
11. Devonta Freeman, Falcons (RB7) - Fabiano

Very little changed at the top of this draft, though it was nice to see Devonta Freeman get a little more love and slide into the first. Even with Tevin Coleman seeing more work last year, Freeman amassed 1,000-plus rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 50-plus receptions, and 400-plus receiving yards for the second consecutive year. Freeman's a touch undervalued at this juncture in my opinion.

Favorite pick: It's the first round, come on
Biggest surprise: See above.

ROUND 2

Jordy Nelson, Packers (WR6) - Fabiano
1. Jordan Howard, Bears (RB8) - Barrett
2. T.Y. Hilton, Colts (WR7) - Rank
3. Michael Thomas, Saints (WR8) - Fish
4. Doug Baldwin, Seahawks (WR9) - Gelhar
5. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots (TE1) - Ingel
6. Dez Bryant, Cowboys(WR10) - Milner
7. DeMarco Murray, Titans (RB9) - Wilk
8. Marshawn Lynch, Raiders (RB10) - Kilani
9. Todd Gurley, Rams (RB11) - Koh
10. Lamar Miller, Texans (RB12) - Summerlin
11. Terrelle Pryor, Redskins (WR11) - Frelund

In a bit of an upset, more running backs were drafted in the first two rounds than wide receivers, despite this being a PPR league. Perhaps it's a sign of how many analysts covet the few workhorse backs in the league like they're a treasured family heirloom. Or because several of the wideouts selected in the next round have big question marks clouding their 2017 outlook.

Favorite pick:Doug Baldwin, 17th overall (yes it's my pick, but Baldwin deserves more respect in fantasy this year)
Biggest surprise:Todd Gurley, 22nd overall (mostly just because I didn't expect James to be the one to pull the trigger)

ROUND 3

Brandin Cooks, Patriots (WR12) - Frelund
1. Joe Mixon, Bengals (RB13) - Summerlin
2. Isaiah Crowell, Browns (RB14) - Koh
3. Amari Cooper, Raiders (WR13) - Kilani
4. Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (RB15) - Wilk
5. Leonard Fournette, Jaguars (RB16) - Milner
6. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (WR14) - Ingel
7. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (TE2) - Gelhar
8. DeAndre Hopkins, Texans (WR15) - Fish
9. Allen Robinson, Jaguars (WR16) - Rank
10. Alshon Jeffery, Eagles (WR17) - Barrett
11. Bilal Powell, Jets (RB17) - Fabiano

Couple things to note in this round, starting with the Brandin Cooks pick by Cynthia. I love Cooks as a player, but man, WR12 is a steep price to pay for a guy trying to get his targets in a crowded offense. Graham Barfield of FantasyGuru.com noted recently that since Rob Gronkowski joined the Patriots, there have been only two top-12 WR finishes for the Patriots. There's certainly appeal with Cooks' situation, but also much to be worried about at this type of asking price.

Next, my pick of Travis Kelce at 32nd overall. I took some grief for this on Twitter, but the only reason I took Kelce this high is because it's PPR. He has increased his targets, receptions and receiving yards in each of the last three years, and the team just released Jeremy Maclin, basically cementing Kelce as the top option in this passing attack. Also, here's a list of tight ends with 65-plus catches in each of the last three years: Greg Olsen, Travis Kelce. That's it. He has a really safe floor and a tremendous ceiling if he pushes his touchdown total toward double digits.

Lastly, Fabs threw us all for a bit of a loop taking Bilal Powell at the end of the round. Powell wasn't going to last much longer, but this is a great example of how PPR changes drafts. Powell could easily be among the top backs in receptions, which makes him a top-20 positional pick in this format.

Favorite pick:Demaryius Thomas, 31st overall
Biggest surprise:Bilal Powell, 36th overall

ROUND 4

Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (WR18) - Fabiano
1. Sammy Watkins, Bills (WR19) - Barrett
2. Ty Montgomery, Packers (RB18) - Rank
3. Michael Crabtree, Raiders (WR20) - Fish
4. Golden Tate, Lions (WR21) - Gelhar
5. Keenan Allen, Chargers (WR22) - Ingel
6. Jamison Crowder, Redskins (WR23) - Milner
7. Jordan Reed, Redskins (TE3) - Wilk
8. Dalvin Cook, Vikings (RB19) - Kilani
9. Davante Adams, Packers (WR24) - Koh
10. Tyreek Hill, Chiefs (WR25) - Summerlin
11. Greg Olsen, Panthers (TE4) - Frelund

It's been hours since this draft ended and I'm still mad at Rank for sniping Ty Montgomery from me. All signs right now point to Montgomery being the leading back in the high-powered Packers offense, and he'll see plenty of passing game work as well (let's not forget he's a converted wide receiver). I was OK with Golden Tate, who is a rock-solid PPR wide receiver who could see more touchdowns come his way in 2017. I just didn't feel comfortable enough with any of the other backs available over the plethora of great PPR receivers. As a result, the depth in my backfield took a hit throughout the whole draft (as you'll see).

Favorite pick:Ty Montgomery, 39th overall
Biggest surprise:Dalvin Cook, 45th overall

ROUND 5

Spencer Ware, Chiefs (RB20) - Frelund
1. Carlos Hyde, 49ers (RB21) - Summerlin
2. Martavis Bryant, Steelers (WR26) - Koh
3. Donte Moncrief, Colts (WR27) - Kilani
4. DeSean Jackson, Buccaneers (WR28) - Wilk
5. Pierre Garcon, 49ers (WR29) - Milner
6. C.J. Anderson, Broncos (RB22) - Ingel
7. Stefon Diggs, Vikings (WR30) - Gelhar
8. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (QB1) - Fish
9. Danny Woodhead, Ravens (RB23) - Rank
10. Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos (WR31) - Barrett
11. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (WR32) - Fabiano

The depth at the wide receiver position available in this round did make me question my WR-heavy approach to start the draft. I was struggling at running back while there were top-20 PPR wide receiver options like Stefon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders and Larry Fitzgerald still chilling in Round 5 (not to mention the huge upside plays like Martavis Bryant, Donte Moncrief, and DeSean Jackson). This is a good reminder to be flexible in your draft strategy as the picks unfold. I had wanted a running back for the last two rounds, but the value wasn't right relative to the other players still available. Don't be afraid to swerve from your original strategy if the board allows it, and also don't feel obligated to always fill your starting roster in lieu of loading up at one position. Football is an unpredictable game, and no fantasy roster taken from a draft is ever the same come season's end.

Favorite pick: DANNY WOODHEAD OBVIOUSLY, 58th overall
Biggest surprise:Larry Fitzgerald, 60th overall (he may be older than dirt at this point, but WR32 is too low for Fitz in PPR if you ask me)

ROUND 6

Frank Gore, Colts (RB24) - Fabiano
1. Julian Edelman, Patriots (WR33) - Barrett
2. Tevin Coleman, Falcons (RB25) - Rank
3. Paul Perkins, Giants (RB26) - Fish
4. Doug Martin, Buccaneers (RB27) - Gelhar
5. Brandon Marshall, Giants (WR34) - Ingel
6. Theo Riddick, Lions (RB28) - Milner
7. Matt Forte, Jets (RB29) - Wilk
8. Tom Brady, Patriots (QB2) - Kilani
9. Willie Snead, Saints (WR35) - Koh
10. Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers (WR36) - Summerlin
11. Andrew Luck, Colts (QB3) - Frelund

Willie Snead in the sixth round is just plain stealing from Koh. The first three picks surprised me a bit given the other players hanging around. Tevin Coleman is a role player, Julian Edelman looks like he's on his way out (slowly) in New England, and Frank Gore is ancient and doesn't see a ton of work in the passing game. In hindsight, I kind of wish I'd taken Theo Riddick or Matt Forte instead of Doug Martin. I really wanted Paul Perkins, but Fish had to go and ruin that, leaving me tilting as the pick clock was winding down. I invite him to join us for this draft and then he snipes me. How rude. Now I'm left hoping that Martin returns to 2015 form after serving his three-game suspension. Hooray?

Favorite pick:Willie Snead, 70th overall
Biggest surprise:Tevin Coleman, 63rd overall

ROUND 7

Jeremy Maclin, Ravens (WR37) - Frelund
1. Cameron Meredith, Bears (WR38) - Summerlin
2. Samaje Perine, Redskins (RB30) - Koh
3. Ameer Abdullah, Lions (RB31) - Kilani
4. Marvin Jones, Lions (WR39) - Wilk
5. Kenny Britt, Browns (WR40) - Milner
6. Drew Brees, Saints (QB4) - Ingel
7. Mark Ingram, Saints (RB32) - Gelhar
8. C.J. Prosise, Seahawks (RB33) - Fish
9. Delanie Walker, Titans (TE5) - Rank
10. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs (RB34) - Barrett
11. Jimmy Graham, Seahawks (TE6) - Fabiano

Round 7 offers a bit of a mixed bag. More QBs and TEs come off the board, while some more great values at wide receiver are taken advantage of. A healthy Jeremy Maclin in Baltimore could have some sneaky value, especially in PPR. Ditto for Cameron Meredith, who appears to be Chicago's new No. 1 wide receiver. If he lives up to that billing after spending much of 2016 in the slot (47 percent of his snaps per Next Gen Stats), he could pay HUGE dividends in fantasy (just remember the Fantasy Hipsters told you about him first).

Favorite pick:Cameron Meredith, 74th overall
Biggest surprise:Samaje Perine,75th overall

ROUND 8

Corey Davis, Titans (WR41) - Fabiano
1. Tyler Eifert, Bengals (TE7) - Barrett
2. Mike Gillislee, Patriots (RB35) - Rank
3. DeVante Parker, Dolphins (WR42) - Fish
4. John Brown, Cardinals (WR43) - Gelhar
5. Adam Thielen, Vikings (WR44) - Ingel
6. Martellus Bennett, Packers (TE8) - Milner
7. Matt Ryan, Falcons (QB5) - Wilk
8. Corey Coleman, Browns (WR45) - Kilani
9. Randall Cobb, Packers (WR46) - Koh
10. Quincy Enunwa, Jets (WR47) - Summerlin
11. Robert Woods, Rams (WR48) - Frelund

I'm pretty much on board with every pick in this round, save two. Corey Davis, and DeVante Parker. Both have the type of talent that would make Jim Schwartz feel giddy, but I worry about their opportunities enough to question them being taken in the eighth round. Davis has to compete with Eric Decker, Delanie Walker and Rishard Matthews for targets, while Parker still needs to put it all together on the field whilst battling Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills for valuable looks. It wouldn't surprise me if either (or both) of these guys finished as top-30 wide receivers. But it also wouldn't surprise me if they were entirely frustrating on a week-to-week basis and scored more points on your bench than while in your starting lineup.

Favorite pick:Martellus Bennett, 91st overall
Biggest surprise:Matt Ryan, 92nd overall

ROUND 9

Tyrell Williams, Chargers (WR49) - Frelund
1. Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (TE9) - Summerlin
2. James White, Patriots (RB36) - Koh
3. Adrian Peterson, Saints (RB37) - Kilani
4. Derrick Henry, Titans (RB38) - Wilk
5. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers (RB39) - Milner
6. Eric Decker, Titans (WR50) - Ingel
7. LeGarrette Blount, Eagles (RB40) - Gelhar
8. Mike Wallace, Ravens (WR51) - Fish
9. Rishard Matthews, Titans (WR52) - Rank
10. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (QB6) - Barrett
11. Eddie Lacy, Seahawks (RB41) - Fabiano

Running backs really dried up quickly in this draft from a PPR standpoint. There are some good players here, but none who command a respectable amount of weekly targets.

It's important to consider your roster construction as you go through the draft. Knowing I was deep at wide receiver and had an elite PPR tight end, I figured I could cover the loss of receptions at running back. That's why LeGarrette Blount felt right here because of his touchdown upside. It doesn't matter that he has skillets for hands as long as he finds his way into the end zone on a semi-regular basis for my squad. I don't need him to score 18 times, but 8-10 would be grand (and before you scoff at that notion, Ryan Mathews tied for the fourth-most rush attempts and rushing TDs inside the 5-yard line last season at 16 and six, respectively).

Favorite pick:Russell Wilson, 107th overall
Biggest surprise:Derrick Henry, 101st overall

ROUND 10

Jordan Matthews, Eagles (WR53) - Fabiano
1. Kenneth Dixon, Ravens (RB42) - Barrett
2. Duke Johnson, Browns (RB43) - Rank
3. Hunter Henry, Chargers (TE10) - Fish
4. Terrance West, Ravens (RB44) - Gelhar
5. Eric Ebron, Lions (TE11) - Ingel
6. Sterling Shepard, Giants (WR54) - Milner
7. Mike Williams, Chargers (WR55) - Wilk
8. Taylor Gabriel, Falcons (WR56) - Kilani
9. Shane Vereen, Giants (RB45) - Koh
10. Kevin White, Bears (WR57) - Summerlin
11. Alvin Kamara, Saints (RB46) - Frelund

While I was very happy with my Travis Kelce pick, seeing Eric Ebron go in the 10th stings a bit. Ebron has increased his targets, receptions and receiving yards in each of his three professional seasons, and is a candidate for positive touchdown regression with Anquan Boldin out of the picture. Boldin saw 22 targets in the red zone last year, which are now up for grabs.

Favorite pick:Eric Ebron, 114th overall
Biggest surprise:Taylor Gabriel, 117th overall

ROUND 11

Will Fuller, Texans (WR58) - Frelund
1. Darren Sproles, Eagles (RB47) - Summerlin
2. Jack Doyle, Colts (TE12) - Koh
3. John Ross, Bengals (WR59) - Kilani
4. Jamaal Charles, Broncos (RB48) - Wilk
5. Dion Lewis, Patriots (RB49) - Milner
6. Jonathan Williams, Bills (RB50) - Ingel
7. Joe Williams, 49ers (RB51) - Gelhar
8. Thomas Rawls, Seahawks (RB52) - Fish
9. Breshad Perriman, Ravens (WR60) - Rank
10. Ted Ginn, Saints (WR61) - Barrett
11. Marcus Mariota, Titans (QB7) - Fabiano

I really liked the back-to-back Williams picks by Ari and me in this round. Jonathan Williams is the better option of the two, as he looks to have a clearer path to early-season touches filling in for Mike Gillislee (who saw 101 attempts last year). Joe Williams is a favorite of new head coach Kyle Shanahan who some believe could take the starting job from Carlos Hyde at some point this season. That's solid upside to chase in Round 11.

Favorite pick:O'(Jack)Doyle rules, 123rd overall
Biggest surprise:Dion Lewis, 126th overall

ROUND 12

Josh Doctson, Redskins (WR62) - Fabiano
1. Zach Ertz, Eagles (TE13) - Barrett
2. Rob Kelley, Redskins (RB53) - Rank
3. Coby Fleener, Saints (TE14) - Fish
4. Chris Thompson, Redskins (RB54) - Gelhar
5. Zay Jones, Bills (WR63) - Ingel
6. Cam Newton, Panthers (QB8) - Milner
7. Jamaal Williams, Packers (RB55) - Wilk
8. Cole Beasley, Cowboys (WR64) - Kilani
9. Chris Conley, Chiefs (WR65) - Koh
10. Curtis Samuel, Panthers (WR66) - Summerlin
11. Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (WR67) - Frelund

Favorite pick:Zay Jones, 138th overall
Biggest surprise:Tyler Lockett, 144th overall

ROUND 13

Julius Thomas, Dolphins (TE15) - Frelund
1. Matthew Stafford, Lions (QB9) - Summerlin
2. Latavius Murray, Vikings (RB56) - Koh
3. O.J. Howard, Buccaneers (TE16) - Kilani
4. Tavon Austin, Rams (WR68) - Wilk
5. Jeremy McNichols, Buccaneers (RB57) - Milner
6. Jacquizz Rodgers, Buccaneers (RB58) - Ingel
7. Kenny Stills, Dolphins (WR69) - Gelhar
8. DeAndre Washington, Raiders (RB59) - Fish
9. ArDarius Stewart, Jets (WR70) - Rank
10. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (QB10) - Barrett
11. Kirk Cousins, Redskins (QB11) - Fabiano

Favorite pick:Kirk Cousins, 156th overall*
Biggest surprise:Jeremy McNichols, 150th overall

* A note on QBs: There's a disconnect between expert** drafts and more casual leagues in terms of how quarterbacks are valued. Reading a mock like this, quarterbacks will almost always hang around significantly longer than in your local office, family, or dorm room league. Casual players perhaps assume that since QB is the most important position in real football, it should be the same (or close to it) in fantasy football. This isn't the case though. Guys who aren't anywhere near the top of the heap in terms of quarterback talent can produce as a top fantasy quarterback, and do on a regular basis. This has paved the way for strategies like streaming quarterbacks, where you add/drop signal-callers based on the matchups. But back to the main point, fantasy scoring devalues the quarterback position, creating value situations for those who wait on the position. JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB on Twitter and author of "The Late Round Quarterback") wrote the definitive piece on this strategy which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you read here. But for those who want to have the value of quarterbacks more accurately represented in their fantasy leagues, there are a few options. For starters, force the teams in your league to start two quarterbacks, or add a "super flex" position, where you can start any one of QB/RB/WR/TE. In addition, James Koh offers some great ideas on scoring changes to revive QB value in this piece.

If you don't make any of those changes and play in a standard league, we as fantasy analysts will continue to bang the drum and tell you to wait on the position. You can draft whomever and however you want (that's the beauty of fantasy football), but if your primary goal is to win, this is often the more advantageous approach. Trust us.

(** There is no such thing as a fantasy expert and it's a silly term, but it helps limit the word salad necessary to describe what we do/are ... though I've ruined the utility of that phrase by writing out this incredibly verbose explanation. Oh well. Words are fun.)

ROUND 14

Giovani Bernard, Bengals (RB60) - Fabiano
1. James Conner, Steelers (RB61) - Barrett
2. Justin Tucker, Ravens (K1) - Rank
3. Marqise Lee, Jaguars (WR71) - Fish
4. Tyrod Taylor, Bills (QB12) - Gelhar
5. Denver Broncos D/ST (DEF1) - Ingel
6. Houston Texans D/ST (DEF2) - Milner
7. Jerick McKinnon, Vikings (RB62) - Wilk
8. Ryan Mathews, Eagles (RB63) - Kilani
9. Jameis Winston, Buccaneers (QB13) - Koh
10. D'Onta Foreman, Texans (RB64) - Summerlin
11. Kansas City Chiefs D/ST (DEF3) - Frelund

Favorite pick:James Conner, 158th overall
Biggest surprise:Ryan Mathews, 165th overall

ROUND 15

Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots (K2) - Frelund
1. Allen Hurns, Jaguars (WR72) - Summerlin
2. Marlon Mack, Colts (RB65) - Koh
3. Travis Benjamin, Chargers (WR73) - Kilani
4. Derek Carr, Raiders (QB14) - Wilk
5. Matt Bryant, Falcons (K3) - Milner
6. Devontae Booker, Broncos (RB66) - Ingel
7. Buffalo Bills D/ST (DEF4) - Gelhar
8. Kenyan Drake, Dolphins (RB67) - Fish
9. Justin Hardy, Falcons (WR74) - Rank
10. Darren McFadden, Cowboys (RB68) - Barrett
11. Jason Witten, Cowboys (TE17) - Fabiano

Favorite pick:Jason Witten, 180th overall (a consistent PPR force, even at his advanced age)
Biggest surprise:Justin Hardy, 178th overall

Hope you all enjoyed reading about our first PPR mock draft. Tell us how wrong we all are in the comments below or on Twitter. Until next time.

*-- Alex Gelhar is a fantasy writer/editor for NFL.com who is currently reding "Evicted" by Matthew Desmond. Ask him fantasy questions or discuss books with him on Twitter @AlexGelhar or on Facebook. *

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