I love doing mock drafts. I would do one a day until the start of the season if possible. They're fun, and who doesn't love drafting? It's even better when you have a good group of people drafting with you.
I recently got the chance to teach at a high school in South Florida about Fantasy sports. The kids were great, and they wanted to know about projections and rankings, among other things. We basically just spent three days talking about football and it was awesome.
For the last day, we did a mock draft. It ended up being 10 teams (some of the kids shared a team), and we did this with minimal prep work and no rankings. All we used were last year's stats, and some of the players who are coming off injuries went later than expected, as you will see with guys like Dez Bryant, Julian Edelman and Kelvin Benjamin, among others.
For this draft, we only went 12 rounds because it was time for second period. We used a lineup of QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, TE, K, DST and FLEX (RB, WR, TE), but it wasn't required to fill out a full roster. And we used a standard scoring format. I picked at No. 9 overall.
The kids did a great job with their teams, and they were so impressive with their knowledge of players and thoughts on Fantasy Football. It truly was an amazing experience, and I was honored to be there. But now it's time for me to grade them on their drafts. Hey, this was a class, and I was there as a teacher.
Here are the results:
Round 1
- 1) Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers
- 2) Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
- 3) Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers
- 4) Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
- 5) Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
- 6) Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
- 7) Odell Beckham, WR, Giants
- 8) Todd Gurley, RB, Rams
- 9) David Johnson, RB, Cardinals
- 10) DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans
The good: I was thrilled to see Brown get drafted at No. 1 overall. The days of drafting a running back with the first few picks are over, and Brown, Beckham and Jones should be among the Top 5 picks in every format in 2016.
The bad: I wasn't going to criticize someone for drafting a quarterback in Round 1, but Newton at No. 5 overall is too high. He is the No. 1 quarterback heading into 2016, but he should be drafted in Round 2 at the earliest unless it's a two-quarterback league.
My pick: There was some confusion at the start of the draft with the number of teams, and if I was going to take part in the draft. I would have drafted Hopkins in most leagues at No. 9 overall, but I went with Johnson here. He should be exceptional in his second year as the full-time starter for the Cardinals.
Round 2
- 1) Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers
- 2) Thomas Rawls, RB, Seahawks
- 3) Allen Robinson, WR, Jaguars
- 4) Devonta Freeman, RB, Falcons
- 5) A.J. Green, WR, Bengals
- 6) Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks
- 7) Brandon Marshall, WR, Jets
- 8) Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers
- 9) Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
- 10) LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills
The good: Martin, Freeman and McCoy could easily be considered first-round picks if you want to draft a running back in the first round, so all of those guys were great value picks here. Martin's outlook will depend on where he plays in 2016 since he's a free agent this offseason.
The bad: I love the potential of Nelson coming back from his knee injury, but I thought Baldwin and Fitzgerald went too high here. Both are solid receivers, but they should not be drafted in the second round of standard leagues.
My pick: Since this is a 10-team league, I wanted to see what my team would look like with two running backs at the top. I took Rawls with the idea that he's the starting running back for Seattle next year and Marshawn Lynch will either be released or retired. If Rawls is starting for the Seahawks in 2016 then he's a potential first-round pick.
Round 3
- 1) Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
- 2) Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers
- 3) Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints
- 4) Drew Brees, QB, Saints
- 5) Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos
- 6) Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders
- 7) Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills
- 8) Jarvis Landry, WR, Dolphins
- 9) Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys
- 10) Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins
The good: Cooper has the chance to be a second-round pick in 2016. He's the type of receiver who could take a dramatic leap in his sophomore season, much like Robinson did with the Jaguars. There's a lot to like about the Raiders offense next season.
The bad: It's good that Brees and Sean Payton will return to New Orleans together, but there's no way he will be the second quarterback off the board, especially in Round 3. Brees should definitely be drafted after Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers.
My pick: If everyone had rankings in front of them then there's no way Bryant would make it to the third round, barring a setback with his injuries from this season. He will be a first-round pick if he comes into training camp at 100 percent and with a healthy Tony Romo.
Round 4
- 1) Eric Decker, WR, Jets
- 2) Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs
- 3) Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers
- 4) Darren McFadden, RB, Cowboys
- 5) Matt Forte, RB, Bears
- 6) Arian Foster, RB, Texans
- 7) Chris Ivory, RB, Jets
- 8) Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins
- 9) Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
- 10) Mark Ingram, RB, Saints
The good: Ingram is a steal in the fourth round. He should be considered a Top 12 running back in standard leagues, especially with Payton and Brees back for the Saints. Tim Hightower did well filling in for Ingram last year, but he will reclaim the starting job when healthy in 2016.
The bad: We'll see if Foster can come back at 100 percent from his Achilles injury, but it's going to be hard for him to return as an elite Fantasy option. He'll be 30 next year and is clearly on the downside of his career.
My pick: Again, if we're looking at a rank list, Charles could be in consideration for a first-round pick as long as his knee is OK for training camp. I couldn't pass on his value here, but if he was gone I would have taken a receiver, with Mike Evans the likely target since he was still on the board.
Round 5
- 1) Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals
- 2) DeMarco Murray, RB, Eagles
- 3) Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars
- 4) Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
- 5) Jeremy Maclin, WR, Chiefs
- 6) Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals
- 7) Julius Thomas, TE, Jaguars
- 8) Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders
- 9) T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts
- 10) Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
The good: Evans could easily be a second-round pick in 2016 with Jameis Winston poised to improve in his second year, as well as Vincent Jackson potentially gone. That would mean increased targets for Evans, who is entering his third season in the NFL.
The bad: I love the upside for Carr, and he should be considered a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback entering 2016. But he was drafted here before Rodgers and Luck, and that's just too soon in the majority of leagues.
My pick: I'm expecting a huge bounce-back season from Hilton with Luck back at 100 percent. Despite missing Luck for nine games, Hilton still finished as the No. 21 receiver in standard leagues. He should approach Top 10 status in 2016.
Round 6
- 1) Delanie Walker, TE, Titans
- 2) Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Panthers
- 3) Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
- 4) Jeremy Langford, RB, Bears
- 5) Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars
- 6) Jeremy Hill, RB, Bengals
- 7) Frank Gore, RB, Colts
- 8) Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
- 9) Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
- 10) Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots
The good: Edelman could end up being a steal at this spot since he should be at 100 percent for the start of next season. We'll find out where he's at with his foot injury during the upcoming playoffs, but this was an unreal value pick in this spot.
The bad: Gore was likely a reach at this spot, but maybe he will improve in 2016 with Luck playing a full season. Still, I would not have drafted Gore ahead of Yeldon, Hyde or Lacy, among several others, since he'll be 33 when next season starts.
My pick: Like the other guys coming off injury, Benjamin would likely not last until this spot. But he's going to come back from his torn ACL with Newton coming off an MVP campaign, and that Panthers offense should be scary. There's a lot of upside for Benjamin in 2016.
Round 7
- 1) T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jaguars
- 2) Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears
- 3) Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
- 4) Carlos Hyde, RB, 49ers
- 5) Steve Smith, WR, Ravens
- 6) Randall Cobb, WR, Packers
- 7) Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
- 8) Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos
- 9) Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers
- 10) Devante Parker, WR, Dolphins
The good: Jeffery and Cobb could be the two best picks of the draft. We'll see where Jeffery plays in 2016 since he's a free agent this offseason, but he should remain a potential Top 10 Fantasy receiver heading into the year. And Cobb will definitely bounce back from his dismal 2015 campaign with Nelson back on the field to open up the passing game in Green Bay.
The bad: Taking Smith here is probably too soon, but if he's back at 100 percent from last year's Achilles injury then he could deliver good value at this spot. He was playing well before getting hurt in 2015 and still should be the focal point of Baltimore's passing game in 2016.
My pick: I stuck with my gameplan of drafting players coming off injury or down seasons with the chance to see them bounce back in 2016. That should be the case with Bryant, Charles, Benjamin and Lacy. He should remain the starter in Green Bay next season and still has the chance to be a Top 15 running back in all formats.
Round 8
- 1) Jay Ajayi, RB, Dolphins
- 2) Andrew Luck, QB, Colts
- 3) Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals
- 4) Travis Benjamin, WR, Browns
- 5) DeAngelo Williams, RB, Steelers
- 6) Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers
- 7) Kenny Stills, WR, Dolphins
- 8) Dion Lewis, RB, Patriots
- 9) Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
- 10) Michael Floyd, WR, Cardinals
The good: Ajayi, Gordon and Floyd were my favorite picks in this round. Ajayi could be the starter for the Dolphins, Gordon is a great rebound candidate from his dreadful rookie season and Floyd is a potential Top 20 receiver in all formats.
The bad: Benjamin and Stills should not be drafted this high, especially Stills since he'll be the No. 3 receiver for the Dolphins at best in 2016. I also didn't like the Williams pick since he's just a handcuff to Bell, who should return at 100 percent next season. Now, if Bell suffers a setback prior to Week 1, Williams could again be a superstar.
My pick: Again, it's doubtful Luck is available at this spot, but he should be in for a huge season in 2016. He's one of the best quarterbacks you can target if other owners pass on him based on what happened in 2015 with his shoulder and kidney injuries.
Round 9
- 1) Karlos Williams, RB, Bills
- 2) C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos
- 3) Martavis Bryant, WR, Steelers
- 4) Justin Forsett, RB, Ravens
- 5) Gary Barnidge, TE, Browns
- 6) Tavon Austin, WR, Rams
- 7) Javorius Allen, RB, Ravens
- 8) Stefon Diggs, WR, Vikings
- 9) John Brown, WR, Cardinals
- 10) Tevin Coleman, RB, Falcons
The good: Anderson and Forsett have the chance to remain starters for their respective teams, and both have the chance to be Top 20 running backs in 2016. Anderson could definitely have a rebound season in Gary Kubiak's offense if he can stay healthy for 16 games.
The bad: Diggs could be great in his sophomore season, but we've been burned by Minnesota receivers before with Cordarrelle Patterson and Charles Johnson. We hope Diggs breaks the streak and plays at a high level in 2016.
My pick: Brown should continue to be a focal point of the Arizona offense, especially as Fitzgerald continues to fade as he gets older. This is my No. 4 receiver behind Bryant, Hilton and Benjamin, which would be amazing for any roster in any league.
Round 10
- 1) Bilal Powell, RB, Jets
- 2) Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions
- 3) Tre Mason, RB, Rams
- 4) Owen Daniels, TE, Broncos
- 5) Michael Crabtree, WR, Raiders
- 6) Danny Woodhead, RB, Chargers
- 7) Cardinals DST
- 8) Seahawks DST
- 9) Panthers DST
- 10) Martellus Bennett, TE, Bears
The good: Woodhead will likely again be drafted late in the majority of leagues, but all he does is produce when healthy. If Gordon struggles again in 2016 then Woodhead will continue to pick up the slack and should definitely outproduce his value here.
The bad: Daniels and Bennett are two tight ends with name value, but they might not get drafted in the majority of leagues in 2016. Daniels is near the end of his career and is more of a bye-week replacement, and the Bears could move on from Bennett and go with Zach Miller as their No. 1 tight end.
My pick: I was all in on Abdullah in 2015, and he was a huge letdown in his rookie year. But he should get the chance for a sophomore rebound since the Lions will give him a bigger workload, and hopefully Detroit moves on from Joique Bell in the offseason.
Round 11
- 1) Chiefs DST
- 2) Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
- 3) James White, RB, Patriots
- 4) Dwayne Harris, WR, Giants
- 5) Broncos DST
- 6) Jaguars DST
- 7) Texans DST
- 8) Rams DST
- 9) Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles
- 10) Dolphins DST
The good: White was a good handcuff for Lewis. He's done a nice job stepping up after Lewis went down with a knee injury in 2015.
The bad: I'm not sure what the thought process was with Harris. I wouldn't draft him in any leagues in 2016.
My pick: We don't know what's going to happen with the Eagles offense next season, but Ertz showed his upside with his performance down the stretch in 2015. If that carries over into 2016 then Ertz could emerge as a Top 5 tight end in the majority of leagues.
Round 12
- 1) Stephen Gostkowski, K, Patriots
- 2) Charcandrick West, RB, Chiefs
- 3) Golden Tate, WR, Lions
- 4) Justin Tucker, K, Ravens
- 5) Cairo Santos, K, Chiefs
- 6) Stephen Hauschka, K, Seahawks
- 7) Sebastian Janikowski, K, Raiders
- 8) Graham Gano, K, Panthers
- 9) Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks
- 10) Josh Brown, K, Giants
The good: Lynch is worth the pick now since we don't know his status heading into 2016. I think he could retire, but I would be shocked if he's back with the Seahawks given what Rawls did last year and his price tag of $9 million.
The bad: Never draft kickers until it's needed. That is all.
My pick: I was looking to handcuff one of my running backs with Andre Ellington or West as the options. Since Charles is coming off the ACL injury it made sense to go with West.
Time for grades ...
Team Mike
- QB - Carson Palmer
- RB - LeSean McCoy, Mark Ingram, T.J. Yeldon, Karlos Williams
- WR - Antonio Brown, Calvin Johnson, Julian Edelman, Michael Floyd
- TE - Martellus Bennett
Grade: A - Excellent mix of running backs and receivers with a stud quarterback. Tight end needs an upgrade.
Team Justin
- QB - Tom Brady, Matt Ryan
- RB - Jonathan Stewart, DeMarco Murray, C.J. Anderson, Marshawn Lynch
- WR - Julio Jones, Larry Fitzgerald, Alshon Jeffery
- TE - Travis Kelce
Grade: A - Receivers are awesome. If Anderson and Lynch hit then this running back corps is great, and Brady and Kelce should be studs at their respective positions.
Team Amit
- QB - Russell Wilson
- RB - Le'Veon Bell, Doug Martin, Dion Lewis, James White
- WR - Brandin Cooks, Allen Hurns, Keenan Allen, Martavis Bryant
- TE - Jordan Reed
Grade: A - This team is fantastic. Cooks and Hurns need to play like they did in 2015, which is probable since both are entering their third season in the NFL. And if Allen is back at 100 percent this team is great.
Team Zak
- QB - Drew Brees
- RB - Chris Ivory, Frank Gore, Carlos Hyde, Justin Forsett
- WR - Brandon Marshall, Mike Evans, Kenny Stills, Dwayne Harris
- TE - Rob Gronkowski
Grade: B-minus - This team is a mix of studs in Gronkowski, Marshall, Evans and Brees and some duds in Gore, Stills and Harris. If Hyde and Forsett rebound from injuries in 2015 then this team will be fine.
Team Andrew
- QB - Cam Newton
- RB - Arian Foster, Jeremy Hill, Melvin Gordon, Danny Woodhead
- WR - Doug Baldwin, Demaryius Thomas, Jeremy Maclin, Steve Smith
- TE - Gary Barnidge
Grade: B-minus - Running back will be an issue for this team if Foster doesn't come back at 100 percent and Gordon doesn't have a bounce-back season. But quarterback, receiver and tight end are solid at each spot.
Team Jake
- QB - Blake Bortles
- RB - Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, DeAngelo Williams
- WR - A.J. Green, Amari Cooper, Randall Cobb, Tavon Austin, Michael Crabtree
- TE - Tyler Eifert
Grade: A-minus - I love quarterback, wide receiver and tight end for this team, but running back could be an issue. We don't know where Forte will play in 2016, Williams is a backup and Peterson is the only guarantee.
Team Aaron/Omri
- QB - Andy Dalton
- RB - Devonta Freeman, Darren McFadden, Jeremy Langford, Javorius Allen
- WR - Odell Beckham, Sammy Watkins, Travis Benjamin
- TE - Julius Thomas, Owen Daniels
Grade: B - One more receiver and one less tight end would have given this team an A depending on the players. If Freeman maintains control of the No. 1 running back job in Atlanta then this team is solid.
Team George/Andrew
- QB - Aaron Rodgers
- RB - Todd Gurley, Latavius Murray, Giovani Bernard, Tre Mason
- WR - Allen Robinson, Jarvis Landry, Emmanuel Sanders, Stefon Diggs, Golden Tate
- TE - Greg Olsen
Grade: A-plus - Backup running back could be an issue here behind Gurley/Mason and Murray, but that's a minor flaw for this team. Rodgers will rebound in a big way, and the receivers are studs, as well as Olsen.
Team Jamey
- QB - Andrew Luck
- RB - David Johnson, Thomas Rawls, Jamaal Charles, Eddie Lacy, Ameer Abdullah, Charcandrick West
- WR - Dez Bryant, T.Y. Hilton, Kelvin Benjamin, John Brown
- TE - Zach Ertz
Grade: Incomplete - I can't grade myself. You guys can decide.
Team Jamie
- QB - Derek Carr
- RB - Lamar Miller, Jay Ajayi, Tevin Coleman, Bilal Powell
- WR - Deandre Hopkins, Jordy Nelson, Eric Decker, Devante Parker
- TE - Delanie Walker
Grade: B - Receiver is awesome, and tight end and quarterback are solid. This team hinges on where Miller ends up in 2016, and this owner suggested Dallas as an option, which would be awesome. If Ajayi takes over for Miller in Miami that would help this team as well.
