Draft details: 12-team, full-PPR mock draft on Sleeper, drafting from the 2 spot. Starting Lineup: 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1TE, 2FLX
1.02 (2) - WR Justin Jefferson, MIN
When the fantasy gods bless you with Justin Jefferson at the 1.02, you best take him. I’m prioritizing landing either Jefferson or Chase if I’m choosing from anywhere inside the top 4 picks of the draft, but in this instance, we get the top player in fantasy football at second overall. Chase would be an equally strong pick here.
2.11 (23) - RB Tony Pollard, DAL
Tony Pollard is still being underdrafted in almost every league and format. Getting a running back with a clear path to top-3 overall upside at the back of the second round is highway robbery. Pollard has been one of the most efficient RBs in the NFL over the past four years, and he’ll finally have the opportunity to match that efficiency with opportunity. What does that equal? Production.
3.02 (26) - WR Chris Olave, NO
I was happy to let the player at the 2-3 turn scoop up the volatile Jaylen Waddle just one pick ahead of me. I would have been tempted to take Waddle for his upside as my WR2, but I would have chosen Olave anyway because of the high target share he’s likely to garner in New Orleans. The fact that Waddle was off the board for this pick made it even easier to smash the draft button on the second-year standout.
4.11 (47) - QB Lamar Jackson, BAL
Lamar Jackson has his strongest supporting cast of weapons he’s had in his career heading into 2023, and he’ll be able to use his legs as usual to compound his fantasy production. The Ravens offense is being slept on as one of the best-equipped to do serious damage, with Andrews, Flowers, Beckham Jr., and Bateman making up a dangerous arsenal for the former MVP to throw to. Calvin Ridley came off the board just three picks before Lamar – if Ridley were available, he would have been the pick here.
5.02 (50) - WR Jerry Jeudy, DEN
Jerry Jeudy as a WR3 is an excellent investment, especially as a player with the potential to return weekly high-end WR2 production in 2023. The Broncos offense will be much better under Sean Payton than it was under Nathaniel Hackett, and we got a taste of what Jeudy can do with competent coaching at the end of the last year: he put up two Top-3 weekly finishes in the final 5 weeks of the year.
6.11 (71) - RB Rachaad White, TB
I drafted Tony Pollard earlier to kick the sky with upside – now I ground that lightning with a rock-solid, volume-based RB2 with upside to see 2-25 touches a game. Granted, it will be on a bad offense, but White could quickly become the straw that stirs the Buccaneers’ drink if he can produce in the passing game like he did last year. Not much better value to be asked for in the late-6th round.
7.02 (74) - WR Tyler Lockett, SEA
I’ll take the receiver liable to finish as the No. 1 WR on his offense any given week as my WR4! Lockett has epitomized consistency on a year-by-year basis, scoring no fewer than eight touchdowns in each of the past five years. That streak could reasonably continue this year, with the Seahawks fielding an even better offense than last year.
8.11 (95) - RB Rashaad Penny, PHI
The hype is all about D’Andre Swift in the Eagles' backfield, but Penny could make some serious noise in an early down role behind that great offensive line. His yards per carry numbers have been inside the top-5 when he’s healthy – which is a big if – but if he can stay on the field, double-digit touchdowns shouldn’t be out of the question in 2023.
9.02 (98) - WR Zay Flowers, BAL
Reports have been swirling that Flowers has been one of the most, if not THE most, impressive rookies on ANY team in training camp. He’s already getting nicknames like “Joystick”, and the Ravens have been wowed by his route running. With his main competition in Rashod Bateman banged up, Flowers could establish himself as the Ravens’ top receiver in his rookie year – and that’s the type of upside I’m looking for in the 9th round.
10.11 (119) - WR Skyy Moore, KC
Another young pass catcher with the chance to dominate WR target share behind an elite tight end. Skyy Moore has apparently solidified himself as the Chiefs’ top slot option, and in a Patrick Mahomes-led offense, Moore has serious upside given his far-too deflated draft price.
The rest of the picks (Rounds 11-15):
11.02 (122) - WR Adam Thielen, CAR
12.11 (143) - TE Sam LaPorta, DET
13.02 (146) - RB Tank Bigsby, JAX
14.11 (167) - RB Jeff Wilson Jr., MIA
15.02 (170) - RB Jaylen Warren, PIT