PPR Auction mock draft conducted on July 31, pre-Will Fuller (collarbone) injury. Each owner had a $200 budget. Starting lineup: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, RB/WR/TE, D/ST, K, 6 BN.
Participants:
Nick Mensio (Rotoworld)
Karl Safchick (Dynasty One)
Jesse Pantuosco (Rotoworld)
Josh Norris (Rotoworld)
Pete Davidson (Rotobahn)
Michael Gallagher (Rotoworld)
Matt Franciscovich (NFL.com)
Scott Pianowski (Yahoo!)
Dennis Esser (Coach Esser)
Raymond Summerlin (Rotoworld)
Adam Pfeifer (RotoCurve)
Jeff Brubach (Rotoworld)
First pick: Steelers WR Antonio Brown, $72 ($128 remaining)
I went into this auction telling myself, “You’re not leaving without David Johnson or Le’Veon Bell.” Well, Johnson was the first player nominated for bidding by Brubach. All hell broke loose. Coming in, I figured Johnson would go for somewhere around $65-68, but when the frenzy ended, Gallagher won Johnson for a whopping $76. Bell came down the chute four nominations later, so I was ready to go. However, the price again got wild, and Bell went for $72 to Davidson. I had to change my strategy. Internally, I felt as if I was “playing” scared. Brown was up for auction two players later. I told myself that he’s going to no team but mine. At all costs. It was another YOLO fest that I eventually was left standing at the end. Brown is the premier fantasy receiver, and even more so in PPR formats. He has finished as the overall WR1 in PPR leagues for three straight years, and the return of Martavis Bryant only helps Brown.
Second pick: Ravens RB Danny Woodhead, $24 ($104 remaining)
In hindsight, I’m not sure I’m all that comfortable with this price for Woodhead. And relying on him as my RB1 would have me extremely terrified if this were a team I was going to play the year out with, but overall I’m very bullish on Woodhead in 2017. Joe Flacco is a check-down machine, consistently peppering his running backs and tight ends with targets. Following the losses of Dennis Pitta (hip), Kenneth Dixon (knee), and Crockett Gillmore (knee), Woodhead has one of the most desirable roles in Baltimore’s offense. His last full season in 2015, Woodhead was a top-five PPR running back. He’s not just a pass catcher, either. Woodhead has shown in the past he can run the ball in the red zone.
Third pick: Falcons WR Julio Jones, $58 ($46 remaining)
As mentioned above, I had to change my strategy after missing out on the two RB studs in Johnson and Bell. After securing Brown as my WR1, I was hellbent on getting another stud WR to pair with him. Brown is the surefire overall WR1 in PPR, and Jones is arguably the WR2. Odell Beckham has a case, obviously, as do Mike Evans and A.J. Green. But Jones is healthy, plays in a dome, and is expected to get more red-zone and end-zone looks this year after a fluky 2016 in terms of scoring-area opportunities. Brown and Jones would have to do the heavy lifting for this 16-player fantasy squad to have a chance. But I landed arguably two of the top-four fantasy players in the land. The beauty of auctions.
Fourth pick: Lions RB Theo Riddick, $15 ($31 remaining)
After getting Woodhead as my RB1 and blowing $130 of my $200 budget on Brown and Jones at WR, I took the approach that I’m going to get a pair of pass-catching RBs for cheap-ish rates and hopefully rack up the points at that position with catches and yards and pray for TDs. Riddick received Pro Football Focus’ top receiving grade among RBs last season and caught all five of his touchdowns in the red zone last season. He’s a favorite of OC Jim Bob Cooter’s and is expected to see his red-zone role increase with Anquan Boldin out of the picture. Boldin was third in the NFL with 22 red-zone targets last year.
Fifth pick: Falcons QB Matt Ryan, $4 ($27 remaining)
Ryan is a popular regression candidate after his MVP season, but I wasn’t going to pay up for guys like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Andrew Luck after spending big on the two WRs. Ryan has a new OC in Steve Sarkisian, and we saw what happened in Ryan’s first season under Kyle Shanahan, but Sarkisian is expected to keep mostly the same offense. It should be a mostly smooth adjustment. He shouldn’t completely fall off a cliff, but a dip to the QB5-8 range seems more likely than not.
Sixth pick: Saints RB Adrian Peterson, $11 ($16 remaining)
This was my last big buy. Peterson isn’t going to get the 20-30 carries per game with the Saints that he’s seen his entire career in Minnesota, but he’s a good bet for 15 a week in this high-powered offense that plays its home games in the “Coors Field of the NFL” known as the Superdome. Peterson has double-digit touchdown potential should he return to his pre-injury form. By all accounts, Peterson has lit up Saints practices. This is a great price for an RB2 who has monster upside.
Seventh pick: Vikings D/ST, $1 ($15 remaining)
My defense. The Vikings have one of the best front-sevens in the land and play four games total against the Bears and Lions. They’ll be up there as one of the top fantasy defenses at the end of 2017.
Eighth pick: Texans WR Will Fuller, $3 ($12 remaining)
Fuller was one of my favorite “late-round” targets In July and heading into August. He then had to go out and break his collarbone on Wednesday, August 2. Fuller is almost certain to miss regular-season action and won’t get any practice reps the rest of the summer after a drop-filled rookie year. By all accounts, he had been working hard and feeling much more comfortable in Year 2 of coach Bill O’Brien’s complex scheme. Jaelen Strong is probably the next man up on the outside. For as much as I love Fuller, I felt terrified ending up with him as my WR3 in this draft. After spending big on Brown and Jones, I simply didn’t have the capital to go out and get another reliable receiver. I made an earlier effort for Pierre Garcon and Stefon Diggs, but fell short, and would have felt fine with either of those No. 1 wideouts on their respective teams.
Ninth pick: Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls, $2 ($10 remaining)
For as much as I don’t love the top end of my RB group, I think it has some promise as a whole. Rawls is as injury-prone as any back in the league, but the same can be said for new teammate Eddie Lacy. On top of injuries, Lacy has also had weight issues in the past and is entering a brand new offense, an offense Rawls has been in for three years now. The coaches love Rawls’ physicality and tough running style, and he just had a spectacular 2015 rookie year. Lacy is the one making the money in the Seattle backfield, but the Seahawks aren’t in the business of playing guys based on what they make. If Rawls outperforms Lacy in practice and games, he’ll be the one with the ball in his hands.
Tenth pick: Falcons TE Austin Hooper, $1 ($9 remaining)
A favorite flier of Rotoworld’s Evan Silva at the tight end spot, Hooper has spent a lot of time this offseason with Matt Ryan in an effort to build chemistry. Hooper is a big, athletic target in the red zone and caught a touchdown in the Super Bowl. With Jacob Tamme out of the picture and Levine Toilolo purely a blocker, there’s room for a second-year leap. I’d be streaming tight ends based on matchups in this league. I wanted Martellus Bennett on the cheap, but couldn’t secure him.
11th pick: Cowboys RB Darren McFadden, $2 ($7 remaining)
This pick was made purely on the chance Ezekiel Elliott is hit with a multi-game suspension. McFadden will be an RB2, borderline RB1, if Elliott misses any time. That’s valuable real estate early in the year.
12th pick: Panthers WR Devin Funchess, $1 ($6 remaining)
We’re well into the dart-throw stage of this thing. At this point, I’m just looking for players who have the easier path to production. Funchess is fully expected to open the season as the Panthers’ No. 2 receiver behind Kelvin Benjamin. With Ted Ginn now gone, Funchess can expect a significant increase in snaps. The problem is I’m just not sure he’s very good. He has the size, but Funchess tested really poorly at the Combine in 2015. He’s a mere flier who could have a big week here and there.
13th pick: Eagles RB Darren Sproles, $3 ($3 remaining)
Sproles for $3 in a PPR Auction? I’ll take that all day. Sproles continues to be underrated across the fantasy landscape. He’s been a top-30 running back in PPR leagues each of his three seasons in Philly. Donnel Pumphrey was drafted this year, but Sproles has a stranglehold on the pass-game work out of the backfield and coach Doug Pederson has shown he’s not afraid to let Sproles carry the ball.
14th pick: Rams WR Cooper Kupp, $1 ($2 remaining)
Every mock I do, I seem to take a late stab at Kupp. I’m not expecting Kupp to be this great football player, but the Rams literally have nothing in terms of playmakers at receiver. Kupp was handpicked by the new Sean McVay regime and has a rapport with Jared Goff after the two worked out together in the offseason. Kupp has already learned the roles and responsibilities for every receiver position in McVay’s offense. Kupp could easily see 100-plus targets as the big slot man for dink-and-dunker Goff.
15th pick: Redskins K Dustin Hopkins, $1 ($1 remaining)
Not much needs to be said here. I expect the Redskins to produce points, leading to kicks for Hopkins.
16th pick: Giants RB Shane Vereen, $1 ($0 remaining)
Vereen battled injuries all last season and has become a forgotten man on a Giants team that is looking for a running back after the release of Rashad Jennings. Paul Perkins figures to get the early-down work, but Vereen is fully expected to play his usual role as the passing-down specialist and two-minute drill back. Working in Vereen’s favor is that this offense remains one of the pass-happiest in football. Vereen is a dark horse candidate to flirt with 60-70 catches as long as he can stay off the trainer’s table.
| Pick | Player | Cost | Team |
| 1 | David Johnson | $76 | Michael Gallagher |
| 2 | Michael Thomas | $43 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 3 | Ezekiel Elliott | $48 | Pete Davidson |
| 4 | Christian McCaffrey | $19 | Karl Safchick |
| 5 | Le’Veon Bell | $72 | Pete Davidson |
| 6 | Mike Wallace | $2 | Karl Safchick |
| 7 | Antonio Brown | $72 | Nick Mensio |
| 8 | LeSean McCoy | $53 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 9 | Brandin Cooks | $31 | Scott Pianowski |
| 10 | Jay Ajayi | $45 | Dennis Esser |
| 11 | Melvin Gordon | $47 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 12 | Odell Beckham | $61 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 13 | Aaron Rodgers | $18 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 14 | Rob Gronkowski | $41 | Jeff Brubach |
| 15 | Devonta Freeman | $39 | Karl Safchick |
| 16 | Todd Gurley | $31 | Karl Safchick |
| 17 | DeMarco Murray | $32 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 18 | Danny Woodhead | $24 | Nick Mensio |
| 19 | Mike Evans | $50 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 20 | Julio Jones | $58 | Nick Mensio |
| 21 | Tyreek Hill | $27 | Michael Gallagher |
| 22 | Doug Baldwin | $36 | Scott Pianowski |
| 23 | A.J. Green | $62 | Jeff Brubach |
| 24 | Jordan Howard | $42 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 25 | Jordy Nelson | $47 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 26 | Isaiah Crowell | $30 | Josh Norris |
| 27 | Amari Cooper | $43 | Josh Norris |
| 28 | Marshawn Lynch | $20 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 29 | Leonard Fournette | $22 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 30 | Sammy Watkins | $37 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 31 | T.Y. Hilton | $31 | Dennis Esser |
| 32 | Terrelle Pryor | $16 | Karl Safchick |
| 33 | Alshon Jeffery | $23 | Karl Safchick |
| 34 | Tom Brady | $20 | Josh Norris |
| 35 | Joe Mixon | $32 | Michael Gallagher |
| 36 | Ty Montgomery | $32 | Josh Norris |
| 37 | Lamar Miller | $28 | Jeff Brubach |
| 38 | Drew Brees | $14 | Dennis Esser |
| 39 | Allen Robinson | $31 | Dennis Esser |
| 40 | Mike Gillislee | $21 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 41 | Mark Ingram | $19 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 42 | Demaryius Thomas | $33 | Scott Pianowski |
| 43 | Dez Bryant | $36 | Michael Gallagher |
| 44 | Jamison Crowder | $23 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 45 | DeAndre Hopkins | $36 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 46 | Carlos Hyde | $20 | Karl Safchick |
| 47 | Martavis Bryant | $17 | Josh Norris |
| 48 | Davante Adams | $16 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 49 | Travis Kelce | $28 | Pete Davidson |
| 50 | LeGarrette Blount | $6 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 51 | Greg Olsen | $23 | Karl Safchick |
| 52 | Julian Edelman | $18 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 53 | Jordan Reed | $20 | Dennis Esser |
| 54 | Keenan Allen | $25 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 55 | Andrew Luck | $7 | Karl Safchick |
| 56 | Willie Snead | $18 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 57 | Michael Crabtree | $14 | Dennis Esser |
| 58 | Jarvis Landry | $15 | Scott Pianowski |
| 59 | Emmanuel Sanders | $16 | Josh Norris |
| 60 | Spencer Ware | $11 | Dennis Esser |
| 61 | C.J. Anderson | $14 | Scott Pianowski |
| 62 | Larry Fitzgerald | $13 | Josh Norris |
| 63 | Matthew Stafford | $1 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 64 | Eddie Lacy | $7 | Jeff Brubach |
| 65 | Dalvin Cook | $22 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 66 | Jack Doyle | $7 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 67 | Bilal Powell | $9 | Jeff Brubach |
| 68 | Theo Riddick | $15 | Nick Mensio |
| 69 | Jameis Winston | $3 | Scott Pianowski |
| 70 | Kelvin Benjamin | $6 | Pete Davidson |
| 71 | Justin Tucker | $3 | Josh Norris |
| 72 | Matt Ryan | $4 | Nick Mensio |
| 73 | Tevin Coleman | $7 | Karl Safchick |
| 74 | Hunter Henry | $3 | Dennis Esser |
| 75 | Jimmy Graham | $10 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 76 | Adrian Peterson | $11 | Nick Mensio |
| 77 | Ameer Abdullah | $11 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 78 | Samaje Perine | $9 | Scott Pianowski |
| 79 | Donte Moncrief | $10 | Michael Gallagher |
| 80 | Marcus Mariota | $5 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 81 | Paul Perkins | $12 | Pete Davidson |
| 82 | Frank Gore | $9 | Josh Norris |
| 83 | DeSean Jackson | $6 | Karl Safchick |
| 84 | Tyrell Williams | $5 | Michael Gallagher |
| 85 | Russell Wilson | $8 | Pete Davidson |
| 86 | Derrick Henry | $13 | Scott Pianowski |
| 87 | Tyler Eifert | $7 | Dennis Esser |
| 88 | Stefon Diggs | $14 | Dennis Esser |
| 89 | Golden Tate | $16 | Jeff Brubach |
| 90 | Cameron Meredith | $10 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 91 | Stephen Gostkowski | $3 | Karl Safchick |
| 92 | Zach Ertz | $6 | Scott Pianowski |
| 93 | John Brown | $4 | Josh Norris |
| 94 | DeVante Parker | $4 | Pete Davidson |
| 95 | Cam Newton | $2 | Jeff Brubach |
| 96 | Ben Roethlisberger | $1 | Michael Gallagher |
| 97 | Jeremy Maclin | $4 | Jeff Brubach |
| 98 | Pierre Garcon | $10 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 99 | Kyle Rudolph | $6 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 100 | Brandon Marshall | $6 | Pete Davidson |
| 101 | Kenny Britt | $6 | Jeff Brubach |
| 102 | Eric Decker | $5 | Scott Pianowski |
| 103 | Randall Cobb | $4 | Jeff Brubach |
| 104 | Eric Ebron | $8 | Jeff Brubach |
| 105 | Martellus Bennett | $4 | Scott Pianowski |
| 106 | Jonathan Stewart | $3 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 107 | Texans D/ST | $2 | Scott Pianowski |
| 108 | Tim Hightower | $1 | Michael Gallagher |
| 109 | Delanie Walker | $3 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 110 | Patriots D/ST | $1 | Dennis Esser |
| 111 | Dan Bailey | $2 | Pete Davidson |
| 112 | Vikings D/ST | $1 | Nick Mensio |
| 113 | Broncos D/ST | $1 | Pete Davidson |
| 114 | Doug Martin | $4 | Josh Norris |
| 115 | Adam Thielen | $5 | Scott Pianowski |
| 116 | Jacquizz Rodgers | $5 | Scott Pianowski |
| 117 | Kirk Cousins | $2 | Pete Davidson |
| 118 | James White | $4 | Scott Pianowski |
| 119 | Duke Johnson | $6 | Scott Pianowski |
| 120 | DeAndre Washington | $1 | Michael Gallagher |
| 121 | Seahawks D/ST | $1 | Jeff Brubach |
| 122 | Matt Forte | $1 | Dennis Esser |
| 123 | Matt Bryant | $1 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 124 | Quincy Enunwa | $2 | Dennis Esser |
| 125 | Marvin Jones | $3 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 126 | Rishard Matthews | $1 | Josh Norris |
| 127 | Corey Coleman | $3 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 128 | Chiefs D/ST | $1 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 129 | Cardinals D/ST | $1 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 130 | C.J. Prosise | $10 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 131 | Kareem Hunt | $3 | Michael Gallagher |
| 132 | Rob Kelley | $2 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 133 | Corey Davis | $2 | Pete Davidson |
| 134 | Terrance West | $6 | Jeff Brubach |
| 135 | Will Fuller | $3 | Nick Mensio |
| 136 | Thomas Rawls | $2 | Nick Mensio |
| 137 | Cameron Brate | $3 | Josh Norris |
| 138 | Jordan Matthews | $2 | Jeff Brubach |
| 139 | Julius Thomas | $1 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 140 | Josh Doctson | $1 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 141 | Cole Beasley | $3 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 142 | Breshad Perriman | $1 | Michael Gallagher |
| 143 | Mason Crosby | $1 | Jeff Brubach |
| 144 | Alvin Kamara | $3 | Dennis Esser |
| 145 | Jaguars D/ST | $1 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 146 | Austin Hooper | $1 | Nick Mensio |
| 147 | Tyler Lockett | $1 | Pete Davidson |
| 148 | Ted Ginn | $3 | Josh Norris |
| 149 | Giovani Bernard | $4 | Pete Davidson |
| 150 | Adam Vinatieri | $1 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 151 | Jamaal Williams | $1 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 152 | Sterling Shepard | $1 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 153 | Coby Fleener | $1 | Michael Gallagher |
| 154 | Rex Burkhead | $3 | Jeff Brubach |
| 155 | Zay Jones | $1 | Dennis Esser |
| 156 | Jalen Richard | $1 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 157 | Robert Woods | $3 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 158 | John Ross | $3 | Pete Davidson |
| 159 | Panthers D/ST | $1 | Josh Norris |
| 160 | Kenny Stills | $2 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 161 | Derek Carr | $1 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 162 | Kevin White | $1 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 163 | Joe Williams | $3 | Jesse Pantuosco |
| 164 | Jamaal Charles | $3 | Michael Gallagher |
| 165 | Jeremy Hill | $2 | Dennis Esser |
| 166 | Darren McFadden | $2 | Nick Mensio |
| 167 | Devin Funchess | $1 | Nick Mensio |
| 168 | Marqise Lee | $1 | Pete Davidson |
| 169 | Darren Sproles | $3 | Nick Mensio |
| 170 | J.J. Nelson | $1 | Karl Safchick |
| 171 | Jason Witten | $1 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 172 | Branden Oliver | $1 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 173 | Latavius Murray | $2 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 174 | Robert Turbin | $1 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 175 | Cooper Kupp | $1 | Nick Mensio |
| 176 | Philip Rivers | $1 | Josh Norris |
| 177 | Taylor Gabriel | $1 | Karl Safchick |
| 178 | Chris Hogan | $1 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 179 | Marlon Mack | $1 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 180 | Raiders D/ST | $1 | Michael Gallagher |
| 181 | Curtis Samuel | $1 | Raymond Summerlin |
| 182 | Dustin Hopkins | $1 | Nick Mensio |
| 183 | Allen Hurns | $1 | Karl Safchick |
| 184 | Tyrod Taylor | $3 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 185 | Chris Thompson | $1 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 186 | Mike Williams | $1 | Michael Gallagher |
| 187 | Shane Vereen | $1 | Nick Mensio |
| 188 | Giants D/ST | $1 | Karl Safchick |
| 189 | Cairo Santos | $1 | Adam Pfeifer |
| 190 | Steelers D/ST | $1 | Matt Franciscovich |
| 191 | Stephen Hauschka | $1 | Michael Gallagher |
| 192 | Caleb Sturgis | $1 | Matt Franciscovich |
