Our timing was impeccable.
NBC Sports Boston's top fantasy "experts" recently joined forces with our friends at Rotoworld for a 12-team fantasy football mock draft. As fate would have it, we held the draft right before Cam Newton reportedly signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots.
So, that's why you won't see one of our Boston homers draft Newton way too early. And in reality, Newton-to-New England doesn't upset the fantasy landscape too much: He's still a QB2 in our quarterback rankings, while his wide receiver weapons get a slight boost but still are outside our top 25.
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Long story short: We're standing by our mock draft. Here's the format we used: Snake draft, standard scoring (half-point PPR) and a standard roster (one QB, two RBs, two WRs, one TE, one FLEX, one K, one DEF, six bench spots).
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Below are the full draft results, with analysis following each round.
DRAFT ORDER
NFL
1. Christopher Crawford, Rotoworld
2. Patrick Daughtery, Rotoworld
3. Justin Leger, NBC Sports Boston
4. Darren Hartwell, NBC Sports Boston
6. Dave Green, NBC Sports Boston
7. Ryan Provencher, NBC Sports Boston
8. Michael Gallagher, Rotoworld
9. Nick Goss, NBC Sports Boston
12. Peter Madden, NBC Sports Boston
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ROUND 1
1. Christopher: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers
2. Patrick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants
3. Justin: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys
4. Darren: Michael Thomas, WR, Saints
5. Davis: Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
6. Dave: Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
7. Ryan: Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings
8. Michael: Davante Adams, WR, Packers
9. Nick: Nick Chubb, RB, Browns
10. John: Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
11. Hayden: Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles
12. Peter: Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
Anaylsis: It's the year of the running back, folks. Myself and Michael were the only two drafters who didn't go RB in Round 1. Sanders at No. 11 overall was an eye-opener, but the young Eagles running back has a ton of upside with Jordan Howard out of the picture.
ROUND 2
13. Peter: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Cardinals
14. Hayden: Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
15. John: Kenyan Drake, RB, Cardinals
16. Nick: Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
17. Michael: George Kittle, TE, 49ers
18. Ryan: Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
19. Dave: Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
20. Davis: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs
21. Darren: Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers
22. Justin: Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs
23. Patrick: Kenny Golladay, WR, Lions
24. Christopher: Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
Analysis: If you want an elite tight end, you'll need to spend elite draft capital. Kelce and Kittle both went off the board within the first 20 picks, and that will likely be the case in your draft, as well.
ROUND 3
25. Christopher: Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings
26. Patrick: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers
27. Justin: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
28. Darren: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Browns
29. Davis: DJ Moore, WR, Panthers
30. Dave: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
31. Ryan: Melvin Gordon III, RB, Broncos
32. Michael: Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks
33. Nick: Calvin Ridley, WR, Falcons
34. John: Todd Gurley II, RB, Falcons
35. Hayden: Allen Robinson, WR, Bears
36. Peter: Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
Analysis: Jackson and Mahomes are to QBs as Kelce and Kittle are to tight ends. The NFL's last two MVPs should pay huge dividends as Tier 1 quarterbacks, but neither are falling past the third round.
ROUND 4
37. Peter: Mark Ingram II, RB, Ravens
38. Hayden: Robert Woods, WR, Rams
39. John: Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys
40. Nick: Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
41. Michael: James Conner, RB, Steelers
42. Ryan: A.J. Brown, WR, Titans
43. Dave: Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos
44. Davis: Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens
45. Darren: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
46. Justin: Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars
47. Patrick: David Johnson, RB, Texans
48. Christopher: Devin Singletary, RB, Bills
Analysis: I may have reached for Taylor at No. 45, as the Colts rookie will split carries with Marlon Mack. There's a steep drop-off at RB after Ingram and Conner, though, as Fournette, Johnson and Singletary all have injury concerns.
ROUND 5
49. Christopher: Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles
50. Patrick: David Montgomery, RB, Bears
51. Justin: DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins
52. Darren: Darren Waller, TE, Raiders
53. Davis: Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
54. Dave: Raheem Mostert, RB, 49ers
55. Ryan: Le'Veon Bell, RB, Jets
56. Michael: T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts
57. Nick: DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks
58. John: DJ Chark, WR, Jaguars
59. Hayden: Cam Akers, RB, Rams
60. Peter: D'Andre Swift, RB, Lions
Analysis: Hayden and Peter hopped on the rookie running back bandwagon by taking Akers and Swift, respectively. That's four rookie RBs off the board in the first five rounds. Rookie rushers have had tremendous success in recent years (see: Elliott, Ezekiel and Barkley, Saquon), so this trend isn't surprising.
ROUND 6
61. Peter: Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
62. Hayden: Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns
63. John: Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington
64. Nick: Derrius Guice, RB, Washington
65. Michael: Matt Breida, RB, Dolphins
66. Ryan: DeShaun Watson, QB, Texans
67. Dave: Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers
68. Davis: Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
69. Darren: Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys
70. Justin: Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills
71. Patrick: Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
72. Christopher: Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals
Analysis: Prescott at No. 68 is a nice get for Davis: The Cowboys star is the No. 3 QB ahead of Wilson on many draft boards (sorry, Peter) and has an average draft position in the 50s. Either way, Wilson and Prescott should be the next two QBs taken after Jackson and Mahomes.
ROUND 7
73. Christopher: Sony Michel, RB, Patriots
74. Patrick: Marquise Brown, WR, Ravens
75. Justin: Hunter Henry, TE, Chargers
76. Darren: Josh Allen, QB, Bills
77. Davis: Will Fuller V, WR, Texans
78. Dave: Jarvis Landry, WR, Browns
79. Ryan: Jared Cook, TE, Saints
80. Michael: Ke'Shawn Vaughn, RB, Buccaneers
81. Nick: Austin Hooper, TE, Browns
82. John: Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings
83. Hayden: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens
84. Peter: A.J. Green, WR, Bengals
Our takeaway: For those keeping track, we're up to six rookie running backs with Vaughn and Dobbins going in Round 7. Dobbins will lose carries to Ingram but is a solid get for Hayden at No. 83 considering how much Baltimore relies on the running game.
ROUND 8
85. Peter: Rob Gronkowski, TE, Buccaneers
86. Hayden: Marvin Jones Jr., WR, Lions
87. John: Evan Engram, TE, Giants
88. Nick: Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots
89. Michael: Darius Slayton, WR, Giants
90. Ryan: Jordan Howard, RB, Dolphins
91. Dave: Ronald Jones II, RB, Buccaneers
92. Davis: Damien Williams, RB, Chiefs
93. Darren: Kerryon Johnson, RB, Lions
94. Justin: James White, RB, Patriots
95. Patrick: Brandin Cooks, WR, Texans
96. Christopher: Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
Analysis: Peter clearly didn't refer to our tight end rankings before making Gronkowski the ninth TE selected. If Gronk and Tom Brady recapture their pre-2018 magic, I owe Peter an apology, but in my humble opinion, this is too soon to take a 31-year-old tight end who hasn't played in a year and a half.
ROUND 9
97. Christopher: John Brown, WR, Bills
98. Patrick: Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams
99. Justin: Christian Kirk, WR, Cardinals
100. Darren: Marlon Mack, RB, Colts
101. Davis: Anthony Miller, WR, Bears
102. Dave: Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants
103. Ryan: Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers
104. Michael: Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers
105. Nick: Phillip Lindsay, RB, Broncos
106. John: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
107. Hayden: Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles
108. Peter: 49ers D/ST
Analysis: In a reversal of real life, Brady follows in Gronkowski's footsteps one round later. A QB like Drew Brees or Matthew Stafford probably would have been a safer bet, but this is NBC Sports Boston, after all. Brady wasn't making it past Round 9 or 10.
ROUND 10
109. Peter: Tarik Cohen, RB, Bears
110. Hayden: Hayden Hurst, TE, Falcons
111. John: Mecole Hardman, WR, Chiefs
112. Nick: Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Saints
113. Michael: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos
114. Ryan: Jonnu Smith, TE, Titans
115. Dave: Jalen Reagor, WR, Eagles
116. Davis: Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys
117. Darren: Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
118. Justin: Latavius Murray, RB, Saints
119. Patrick: Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
120. Christopher: Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Rams
Analysis: If you're looking for a mid-tier tight end, now is the time to strike. Hurst, Smith and Gesicki all are low-end TE1s with decent upside. I'm preferable to Gesicki, who could thrive with Tua Tagovailoa if the rookie QB takes over in Miami.
ROUND 11
121. Christopher: Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
122. Patrick: Jamison Crowder, WR, Jets
123. Justin: Tevin Coleman, RB, 49ers
124. Darren: Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
125. Davis: Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals
126. Dave: Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles
127. Ryan: Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions
128. Michael: Preston Williams, WR, Dolphins
129. Nick: Noah Fant, TE, Broncos
130. John: Damien Harris, RB, Patriots
131. Hayden: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Raiders
132. Peter: Drew Brews, QB, Saints
Analysis: Peter redeems himself here by snagging Brees at No. 132 overall. Recent comments notwithstanding, the Saints QB is a top-10 talent and a steal at the end of Round 11.
ROUND 12
133. Peter: Devonta Freeman, RB, FA
134. Hayden: Sammy Watkins, WR, Chiefs
135. John: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
136. Nick: Duke Johnson, RB, Texans
137. Michael: Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns
138. Ryan: Steelers D/ST
139. Dave: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
140. Davis: N'Keal Harry, WR, Patriots
141. Darren: Robby Anderson, WR, Panthers
142. Justin: Golden Tate, WR, Giants
143. Patrick: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
144. Christopher: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions
Analysis: Bring on the defense/special teams units! Ryan broke the ice by making Pittsburgh the first D/ST off the board, which in Round 12 is hardly a reach. There's also a lesson here about QB depth: Mayfield and Roethlisberger both have top-10 QB upside yet were still around in the 130s and 140s.
ROUND 13
145. Christopher: Zack Moss, RB, Bills
146. Patrick: Justin Jackson, RB, Chargers
147. Justin: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans
148. Darren: Boston Scott, RB, Eagles
149. Davis: Harrison Butker, K, Chiefs
150. Dave: Hunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders
151. Ryan: Justin Tucker, K, Ravens
152. Michael: Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington
153. Nick: Ravens D/ST
154. John: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, 49ers
155. Hayden: Greg Zuerlein, K, Cowboys
156. Peter: DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles
Analysis: Once the defense dam breaks, the kicker flood usually starts one round later. This draft was no exception, with Davis "kicking" things off by nabbing Butker at No. 149.
ROUND 14
157. Peter: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts
158. Hayden: Bills D/ST
159. John: Colts D/ST
160. Nick: Wil Lutz, K, Saints
161. Michael: Patriots D/ST
162. Ryan: Curtis Samuel, WR, Panthers
163. Dave: Saints D/ST
164. Davis: Cowboys D/ST
165. Darren: Rams D/ST
166. Justin: Bears D/ST
167. Patrick: Chiefs D/ST
168. Christopher: Matt Prater, K, Lions
Analysis: Having already taken care of his defense and kicker, Ryan used the last round to nab a potential sleeper in Samuel. If you go this route, you'll generally have the pick of the skill position litter while the rest of the league fills out their rosters.
ROUND 15
169. Christopher: Buccaneers D/ST
170. Patrick: Zane Gonzalez, K, Cardinals
171. Justin: Robbie Gould, K, 49ers
172. Darren: Michael Badgley, K, Chargers
173. Davis: Kenny Stills, WR, Texans
174. Dave: Matt Gay, K, Buccaneers
175. Ryan: Jack Doyle, TE, Colts
176. Michael: Younghoe Koo, K, Falcons
177. Nick: Brian Lewerke, QB, Patriots
178. John: Ka'imi Fairbairn, K, Texans
179. Hayden: Breshad Perriman, WR, Jets
180. Peter: Mason Crosby, K, Packers
Analysis: It wouldn't be a fantasy draft without a pick from left field, and Nick went into the parking lot to find Lewerke, who clearly will beat out Newton, Stidham, Hoyer and J'Mar Smith for New England's starting QB job.