Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 10-Team PPR League

Michael Fabiano breaks down the best and worst picks to offer some direction for when it’s your time to draft.

Fantasy football draft season is upon us, and we all know practice makes perfect, right? So, a few of us at Sports Illustrated got together for a 10-team, 15-round mock to follow up our previous two-quarterback league mock. We utilized a basic scoring system with a full point for all receptions (PPR). The starting lineup requires each team to draft at least one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, two flexes (RB/WR/TE), one kicker and one defensive unit.

As you’ll see in the breakdowns, many managers put a much greater emphasis on wide receivers due to the PPR format. You’ll also see that you can still wait on quarterbacks and get a good one in the later rounds. No matter what your strategy might be this season, this mock can give you an idea of how your roster might look based on the different team building philosophies that were utilized.

Listed below is a breakdown of all 10 teams from yours truly, including everyone’s draft positions and notes on their individual builds. Who had the best mock, and who might have fallen short at certain positions? Read along and find out!

(Note: You can view the entire draft results in the screenshot below).

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1. Doug Vasquez

1.1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers
2.10. Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
3.1. Chris Olave, WR, Saints
4.10. Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders
5.1. Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
6.10. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Titans
7.1. Evan Engram, TE, Jaguars
8.10. D’Andre Swift, RB, Eagles
9.1. Christian Kirk, WR, Jaguars
10.10. Antonio Gibson, RB, Commanders
11.1. Brandin Cooks, WR, Cowboys
12.10. Jared Goff, QB, Lions
13.1. David Njoku, TE, Browns
14. 10. Daniel Carlson, K, Raiders
15.1. Patriots defense

Notes: Vasquez went with CMC over Justin Jefferson at the top, but he still landed a nice core of receivers in Olave, McLaurin and Hopkins (not to mention Kirk and Cooks). His running backs aren’t deep, but the top three of McCaffrey, Jones and Swift is still a more than respectable group. Getting Hurts in Round 2 didn’t “hurt” his roster balance, due in large part to it being a 10-team league.

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2. Gilberto Manzano

1.2. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
2.9. Davante Adams, WR, Raiders
3.2. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
4.9. Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
5.2. Kenneth Walker, RB, Seahawks
6.9. Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles
7.2. Christian Watson, WR, Packers
8.9. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts
9.2. David Montgomery, RB, Lions
10.9. Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens
11.2. Jamaal Williams, RB, Saints
12.9. Tyler Allgeier, RB, Falcons
13.2. Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans
14. 9. Steelers defense
15.2. Evan McPherson, K, Bengals

Notes: Manzano grabbed J.J. at No. 2 and paired him with Adams to form what could be the best 1-2 wideout punch in the league. He also landed Watson as a third wideout, not to mention Pittman Jr. fourth. That’s solid. His running back group has the potential to be strong, but Walker and Montgomery will have to meet or exceed expectations for it to become uber productive. Manzano’s quarterback situation looks good with Jackson, though he didn't draft a backup. At tight end, Goedert and Schultz should form a nice duo at what is a thin position overall.

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3. Craig Ellenport

1.3. Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers
2.8. Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets
3.3. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins
4.8. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions
5.3. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
6.8. George Kittle, TE, 49ers
7.3. Cam Akers, RB, Rams
8.8. Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs
9.3. Michael Thomas, WR, Saints
10.8. Jerick McKinnon, RB, Chiefs
11.3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Jets
12.8. Justin Tucker, K, Ravens
13.3. 49ers defense
14.8. Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions
15.3. Jameson Williams, WR, Lions

Notes: Ellenport created a solid, balanced team with a foundation of two backs, two wideouts, a quarterback and a tight end in the first six rounds. If Gibbs breaks out, this team will be a title contender. Grabbing Akers as an RB3 makes a lot of sense, but I do think he reached a bit for Moore. I know Ellenport loves the Chiefs wideout, so he went and “got his guy.” He also has the best kicker and arguably the best defense in fantasy football, so Ellenport did a really nice job here.

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4. John Pluym

1.4. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
2.7. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
3.4. DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles
4.7. Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers
5.4. Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
6.7. Dalvin Cook, RB, Jets
7.4. George Pickens, WR, Steelers
8.7. Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings
9.4. De’von Achane, RB, Dolphins
10.7. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
11.4. Kirk Cousins, QB, Vikings
12.7. Allen Lazard, WR, Jets
13.4. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Ravens
14.7. Jake Elliott, K, Eagles
15.4. Commanders defense

Notes: Pluym went with Kelce, who is well worth a first-round pick but went higher than I’ve seen in non-tight end premium leagues. He paired him with Mahomes to create a nice Chiefs stack and followed that up with Smith and Samuel. He didn’t take his first back until Round 5, and he’ll be forced to start Cook and Achane until Kamara returns from suspension. With just three running backs on the roster, this could be a troublesome position. His wideouts, which also include sleepers such as Pickens and Addison, will have to step up in the stat sheets.

5. Kyle Wood

1.5. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
2.6. Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
3.5. Josh Allen, QB, Bills
4.6. Amari Cooper, WR, Browns
5.5. Miles Sanders, RB, Panthers
6.6. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
7.5. Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons
8.6. Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs
9.5. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
10.6. Rashaad Penny, RB, Eagles
11.5. Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seahawks
12.6. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills
13.5. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
14.6. Ravens defense
15.5. Jason Myers, K, Seahawks

Notes: This is the latest I’ve seen Chase come off the board in recent mocks and best-ball leagues I’ve done. He’ll likely be a top-three pick in most drafts. Wood also landed Cooper, Aiyuk and Lockett to create a nice group of receivers. The running backs are led by Henry, who should remain on the high side of the position. I’m not a huge fan of Sanders, but he’s not the worst RB2 considering Wood took Allen in the third round. Grabbing Pacheco, Penny and Charbonnet and hoping to find gold in that trio makes good sense, and taking Pitts is a risk-reward move.

6. Jen Piacenti

1.6. Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
2.5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions
3.6. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
4.5. Najee Harris, RB, Steelers
5.6. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers
6.5. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Vikings
7.6. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens
8.5. Javonte Williams, RB, Broncos
9.6. Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
10.5. Quentin Johnston, WR, Chargers
11.6. Samaje Perine, RB, Broncos
12.5. Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks
13.6. Treylon Burks, WR, Titans
14.5. Bills defense
15.6. Brandon McManus, K, Jaguars

Notes: Kupp fell a few spots to No. 6 overall, and Piacenti was able to follow him up with another stud wideout in St. Brown. The rest of her wideouts come with a little bit of risk, though, including Evans without Tom Brady. Burks, who was injured in camp, should miss only a few weeks. Piacenti took a risk in Round 3 with Taylor, but at that point he was well worth the gamble. The rest of her backfield, which includes Harris, Dobbins and Williams, has the potential to be pretty strong. Piacenti also landed a nice quarterback in Herbert and a top-three tight end in Hockenson.

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7. Michael Fabiano

1.7. Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
2.4. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
3.7. Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens
4.4. Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
5.7. Breece Hall, RB, Jets
6.4. Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings
7.7. James Conner, RB, Cardinals
8.4. Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers
9.7. Marquise Brown, WR, Cardinals
10.4. Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns
11.7. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers
12.4. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
13.7. Kadarius Toney, WR, Chiefs
14.4. Tyler Bass, K, Bills
15.7. Dolphins defense

Notes: I’m going heavy on wide receivers in my drafts, and this mock is no different. I love the Hill and Lamb duo, and Allen at No. 3 is solid. I also like Brown and Toney as reserves. I did something I rarely do too, and that’s draft a tight end in the first three rounds. Chances are I won’t do that in a 12-team league, however. My runners have potential but come with some questions, too, a list that includes Hall, Mattison, Conner and White. I like my quarterbacks, Watson and Tagovailoa, who will be rotated in and out of my starting lineup based on the weekly matchups.

8. Bill Enright

1.8. Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons
2.3. Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys
3.8. Calvin Ridley, WR, Jaguars
4.3. Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
5.8. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos
6.3. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
7.8. Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
8.3. James Cook, RB, Bills
9.8. Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders
10.3. Khalil Herbert, RB, Bears
11.8. Elijah Moore, WR, Browns
12.3. Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
13.8. Eagles defense
14.3. Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys
15.8. Younghoe Koo, K, Falcons

Notes: Enright started his build with Robinson, who he followed up with Pollard and Mixon to create a strong backfield. His wide receivers have potential but do come with some risk, a list that includes Ridley, Jeudy, Godwin and a popular sleeper in Dotson. Enright also grabbed Lawrence, who he’ll pair with Ridley to create a nice stack. I also like the selection of Herbert, who could pop as the Bears top runner. With Moore also in the mix, I like this team to be competitive.

9. Dave Seperson

1.9. Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants
2.2. Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
3.9. DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks
4.2. Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars
5.9. DJ Moore, WR, Bears
6.2. Darren Waller, TE, Giants
7.9. Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts
8.2. Jets defense
9.9. Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers
10.2. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Patriots
11.9. Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
12.2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Patriots
13.9. Cole Kmet, TE, Bears
14.2. Harrison Butker, K, Chiefs
15.9. Jalin Hyatt, WR, Giants

Notes: Seperson started his build with two stud runners, Barkley and Chubb, and added Etienne two rounds later. That’s one heck of a backfield. His wide receiver room is good with Metcalf, Moore, Johnson and JuJu, but it also comes with some risk. Waller is a nice grab in the sixth round, and Seperson went and got his guy with Richardson in the seventh. He also landed Prescott just in case the rookie falters. The one pick I question is the Jets defense in the eighth round, but sometimes you draft with your football heart and not your head.

10. Dan Falkenheim

1.10. Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills
2.1. A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles
3.10. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots
4.1. Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
5.10. Justin Fields, QB, Bears
6.1. Dameon Pierce, RB, Texans
7.10. Drake London, WR, Falcons
8.1. Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
9.10. AJ Dillon, RB, Packers
10.1. Brian Robinson, RB, Commanders
11.10. Damien Harris, RB, Bills
12.1. Gabe Davis, WR, Bills
13.10. Gerald Everett, TE, Chargers
14.1. Cowboys defense
15.10. Graham Gano, K, Giants

Notes: Another team, another heavy wide receiver build with Diggs, Brown and Higgins in the first four rounds. Falkenheim also landed London and Williams to create a strong receivers room. Getting Fields in the fifth round gives him a potential top-end field general. The running backs have potential with Stevenson and Pierce at the top, but it lacks depth and will need one of Dillon or Robinson to exceed expectations. He also punted tight end down the line and landed Everett in the 13th round as his starter, which isn’t an ideal scenario at the position.

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