Fantasy football preparation is in high gear with the two heaviest-volume draft weekends upon us. Mock drafts are great, but they’re too often spoiled by the soulless who leave after three rounds and autopick their rosters. As they leave, any reasonable takeaways walk right out of the draft lobby with them. In order to get a more reliable read on what competent human beings will do in live drafts, savvy drafters take a look at how industry experts are approaching theirs.
I was honored to represent QBList last week in an expert mock draft alongside several notable and up-and-coming experts. I’d like to extend a Vita-Vea-sized “Thank You” to Howard Bender, Director of Content for FantasyAlarm and a terrific Sirius XM Fantasy host. Howard hosted the mock draft on the RT Sports platform. His full article, complete round-by-round results, and analysis of this draft can be found here on FantasyAlarm.com.
This particular 12-team, full-PPR draft featured a starting lineup consisting of 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 2 FLEX, 1 DST, and 1 Team K. Teams were allotted five bench spots with no minimum or maximum positional allotments. Passing touchdowns are worth four points each. Note: I highly endorse the Team K concept for leagues that still use kickers. It’s a nice olive branch for purists to offer to those who would rather not waste time and FAAB on kickers during the regular season.
My strategy going in: nab at least one stud RB and one elite WR in the first two rounds, then see how the board unfolded. As a side quest, I wanted one of the Top 4 tight ends. I hoped to also grab a Top 10 quarterback with Top 5 upside, as long as I was able to do so without sacrificing running back and wide receiver depth. With those particulars out of the way, let’s dive into how the draft unfolded.
List of Participants
| Draft Slot | Expert Drafter |
| 1 | Dustin Ludke, FFToday and Dynatyze |
| 2 | Seth Miller, FantasyPros 2025 Draft Rankings Champion |
| 3 | Colin McTamany, FTN Fantasy |
| 4 | Michael Reedy, Fantrax |
| 5 | Kevin Tompkins, FantasyAlarm and The Huddle |
| 6 | Drew DeLuca, QBList |
| 7 | Josh Montanye, Dynatyze |
| 8 | Scott Bodnar, Fantasy Guru |
| 9 | Kevin Grealey, Fantasy Draft Channel |
| 10 | Jeremy Ekern, @TheEkernEdge Substack |
| 11 | Howard Bender, Fantasy Alarm, SiriusXM |
| 12 | Jason Baumbach – The BMO Channel |
1.06: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
In full PPR drafts, I expect Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson to be long gone at the 1.06 spot. I had only faint hope that one of Ja’Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, or Jaxon Smith-Njigba would still be around. Wary of Christian McCaffrey‘s insane 430+ touch season in 2025, I was weighing a tough choice between Jonathan Taylor or Amon-Ra St. Brown when luck smiled upon me in the form of JSN.
According to PlayerProfiler, the 2025 receiving yards leader ranked 2nd in the NFL in the following categories: air yards, first read targets, yards per route run, first downs per route run, and fantasy points per game. That resume was good enough for my first-round pick.
Most are understandably expecting some regression from the Ohio State product in 2026, but it’s worth noting that Smith-Njigba was only 24 years old when he posted such eye-popping numbers last year. He’ll only get better in the coming years. Add in the fact that Kenneth Walker III is now a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, and it’s fair to expect the Seahawks to pass more often this season, a scenario in which the hyper-targeted JSN should once again thrive.
2.07: RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Nine running backs were off the board at this point, so I was pleased to see Saquon Barkley waiting for me in the middle of Round 2. One year removed from a season for the ages, Barkley had a “down year” in the form of 1,413 yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns, which equaled a RB14 finish. Nonetheless, his role as a workhorse remains secure in 2026.
Just as important, he and the rest of the Eagles offense will undoubtedly benefit from the removal of a yoke personified in the form of Kevin Patullo. The much-maligned offensive coordinator frequently implemented play designs that were reminiscent of something a 7-year-old might draw on the back of a children’s menu…in yellow crayon. Barkley, my RB5, is one of a small handful who offer “Overall RB1” upside. He completes the first part of the plan: one elite wide receiver and one stud RB in the first two rounds.
3.06: WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
This pick is a swing for the fences, pure and simple. Colin McTamany is a terrific analyst and very knowledgeable. He ended up with the highest-rated team of any expert in this draft, as a matter of fact. The three-time Scott Fish Bowl Philly Live host throws one heck of a party, as well! But as much as I understand the draw of Malik Nabers, I’m going with Rashee Rice instead if I’m taking a risk in Round 3.
Nabers, who was selected three picks earlier, still hasn’t been fully cleared for contact. The NFL season starts in two weeks. Meanwhile, Rice has been a full participant in practice for quite some time. He also won’t face any discipline from the league after serving a month in jail for a probation violation. Patrick Mahomes likewise looks great as he completes rehab on his own injured knee and readies himself for Week 1, so I don’t see as much risk here with Rice as some.
As for his ceiling, Rice ranked 5th in FPPG last season and put up a Top 12 finish in five of the eight games in which he played. I’ll argue that Rice has both a higher ceiling and a safer floor than Nabers in 2026. As long as he doesn’t do anything else stupid. A Top 5 WR finish this season is certainly within the reasonable range of outcomes for Rice.
4.07: TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Warren had 112 passes thrown his way as a rookie in 2025. The Penn State standout should safely leap past that number this season as he absorbs many of Michael Pittman‘s vacated targets. However, the recent addition of Keenan Allen slightly tempers the enthusiasm I showed for Warren as the overall TE1 in my Bold Predictions article from earlier this month. Warren picked up a minor groin injury within the last couple of weeks, as well.
Warren ranked 2nd among all TEs in yards after the catch in his first NFL season. I was over the moon to take him here on draft day to complete the side quest. However, given recent developments, I might have taken Jaylen Waddle here if I was given a chance to replay the down.
5.06: WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
This price tag might be rich for some, but Parker Washington is a bona fide WR3 in fantasy. He’s a terrific scheme fit in Liam Coen‘s offense and will continue to serve as a PPR monster in a highly productive offense. The continued presence of Brian Thomas, Jr. and Jakobi Meyers will allow Washington to work his magic out of the slot, so I expect big things from a player who was the WR14 in YPRR (Yards Per Route Run), despite comparatively light usage from Weeks 1-8. I’m all in on Parker Washington, my WR25 for 2026.
6.07: RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving had a season to forget in 2025, and many are understandably fading him somewhat due to the acquisition of Kenny Gainwell, who caught a staggering 73 passes with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. Regardless, Irving is still in line for significant volume and represents tremendous value in the middle of Round 6. The downtick in his 2025 production was due at least in part to a handful of injuries. Expect a bounce-back season from a now-healthy Bucky Irving in 2026. I expect the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, led by a motivated Baker Mayfield, to exceed expectations. I’m happy to score a piece of it here.
7.06: QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Typically, I prefer to wait until at least Round 9 to take a quarterback in 1QB leagues. However, I inexplicably felt the need to plant a flag on a quarterback with overall QB1 upside who is being drafted at his floor. This pick understandably raised a few eyebrows with Joe Burrow on the board, but I have Jalen Hurts ranked one spot higher.
Hurts has two Top 3 finishes in the last four seasons and hasn’t finished lower than QB9 since becoming a full-time NFL starter in 2021. Burrow is higher in most expert rankings, but has only one Top 3 finish in his last four seasons. He also finished outside of the Top 10 twice due to injury during that same span. When we combine Burrow’s lack of rushing production with his horrendously porous offensive line, his floor becomes demonstrably lower than that of Hurts. Yet, their ceiling outcomes are comparable.
Last season, Hurts scored only 8 rushing touchdowns, a 20 percent drop from his previous career low as a full-time starter. Positive regression is in the cards for Hurts in an offense that figures to be much improved now that the aforementioned Patullo has been shown the door. Sean Mannion‘s system should elevate the passing profile of the Super Bowl LIX MVP, as well.
A glutton of similarly valued wide receivers sitting in queue enticed me to click on Hurts. I was confident I could snag at least one of those WRs in the next two rounds, an inkling that proved true. That said, a better move here at 7.06 would’ve been to go WR/WR in Rounds 7 and 8. Take advantage of a value bubble in that situation, then select the best remaining quarterback in Round 9 or 10, as I usually do.
8.07: WR Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
After missing out on new teammate Jaylen Waddle, I was intrigued by the sight of Courtland Sutton in my queue. Sutton led the Broncos in targets in 2025 (124) and finished in the Top 12, per PlayerProfiler, in targets, routes run, air yards, deep targets, and red zone targets. The last metric is important to consider: the 6’3″ Sutton will continue to offer significant mismatch opportunities in Sean Payton‘s offense. The presence of Waddle on the other side will bring more single coverage opportunities against inferior opposing cornerbacks. Sutton, who’ll draw fewer CB1s in 2026, is a great value here as my team’s WR4.
9.06: RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
I love drafting either Blake Corum or Jonathon Brooks at this point in the draft. Both have stable floors as timeshare backs in their respective offenses, so they have standalone value. Both are unquestionably the more explosive halves of their timeshare situations. While their paths to ceilings aren’t as clear as those of running backs taken several rounds above them, both are potential league-winners given the altitude of those peak outcomes and their comparatively low costs.
Brooks went off the board a round and change before this spot in the draft, so I was pleased to snag the former playmaker for the University of Michigan. If an unfortunate fate befalls Kyren Williams, the sky’s the limit for Corum in a Sean McVay offense.
Late Rounds: Overview
| Round | Position | Player | Team | Notes |
| 10 | RB | Dylan Sampson | CLE | Sampson isn’t sexy, but he offers sneaky PPR value. Cleveland will be playing from behind more often than not and will see a ton of targets. |
| 11 | WR | Rashid Shaheed | SEA | With Kenneth Walker III gone, the electric Shaheed should benefit from a new offensive scheme that will be less run-heavy. |
| 12 | RB | Kaelon Black | SF | Christian McCaffrey’s backup has an incredibly high ceiling at an insanely low price. Buy while you can if you have room on the bench. |
| 13 | RB | George Holani | SEA | Holani will be an early-season contributor while Zach Charbonnet continues his rehab; he’s an easy cut for your newest waiver wire darling. |
| 14 | DST | Eagles | PHI | The Philadelphia Eagles are a Top 5 Defense/Special Teams unit and have a relatively late bye week this year (Week 10). |
| 15 | Team K | Chargers | LAC | Does it get more fun than “Dicker the Kicker?” No. It doesn’t. |
| 16 | WR | Tre’ Harris | LAC | Harris is a sneaky Year 3 breakout candidate for a Mike McDaniel offense that could conceivably set the league on fire. Sure, let’s do it. |
Draft Summary
Overall, I was pleased with my team; the squad is well-balanced. The FantasyPros Draft Analyzer rated it as the 4th best team of the 12 finished products. Exiting Round 2 with JSN and Saquon is the stuff dreams are made of, and the wide receiver room turned out just fine. This ended up as a Hero RB build with Bucky Irving playing the role as the overlooked, serviceable RB2 who hung around a round longer than expected. I may regret taking him over Jadarian Price, but time will tell.
The Hurts pick could certainly pan out for reasons outlined above, but it’s a regrettable choice in hindsight. Herbert lasted until 10.11, where he was taken by the 2025 FantasyPros ECR Draft Rankings Champion, Seth Miller. Trevor Lawrence didn’t come off the board until 11.04. Quarterbacks of their caliber may not last as long in home leagues. However, “Late QB” remains the right strategy in 1QB formats when Jared Goff can be plucked in Round 16, as he was by Josh. Incredibly, Goff has the most passing yards over the last four seasons of any NFL quarterback.
As an additional tip of the cap to my fellow drafters, here are some selections made by others that I absolutely love: Zay Flowers (3.10/Jeremy), DeVonta Smith (4.02/Howard), D’Andre Swift (5.12/Jason), Jordan Mason (7.12/Jason), De’Zhaun Stribling (12.01/Jason), and a pair of late picks by Dustin: Caleb Douglas (13.01) and Dallas Goedert (14.12).
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurt_player02 on Instagram & Threads; @kuwasemiller.bksy.social on BlueSky)