Fantasy Football Mock Draft Sees Five QBs in First Eight Picks

The fantasy football season has officially kicked off with the first full week of NFL preseason games, marking an exciting time for enthusiasts preparing for their drafts. Analysts and editors from ESPN participated in a mock draft for a 12-team superflex league featuring points per reception (PPR) scoring. This draft demonstrated a trend in the superflex format, where quarterbacks are highly sought after, with five signal-callers selected in the first eight picks.

Field Yates opened the draft by choosing quarterback Joe Burrow with the eighth pick, but he was preceded by Eric Moody, who secured Josh Allen as the second pick and Tristan H. Cockcroft, who took Lamar Jackson third. The trend continued with Daniel Dopp picking Jayden Daniels sixth, followed by Joe Klingele, who chose Jalen Hurts seventh.

While many participants prioritized quarterbacks early, Joe Kaiser opted for a different strategy. He focused on non-quarterback positions, filling his roster with five picks before selecting a quarterback. The diversity in drafting strategies showcases the varying approaches of participants in fantasy football.

The first round of the mock draft featured notable selections, including Ja’Marr Chase, who was selected first overall by Kaiser, and Bijan Robinson, who was chosen fourth by Keith Lipscomb. The complete list of first-round selections highlights the competitive nature of the draft:

1. Ja’Marr Chase, Cin (WR1) — Kaiser
2. Josh Allen, Buf (QB1) — Moody
3. Lamar Jackson, Bal (QB2) — Cockcroft
4. Bijan Robinson, Atl (RB1) — Lipscomb
5. Justin Jefferson, Min (WR2) — Carpenter
6. Jayden Daniels, Wsh (QB3) — Dopp
7. Jalen Hurts, Phi (QB4) — Klingele
8. Joe Burrow, Cin (QB5) — Yates
9. Jahmyr Gibbs, Det (RB2) — Becquey
10. Saquon Barkley, Phi (RB3) — Bowen
11. Ashton Jeanty, LV (RB4) — McCormick
12. Christian McCaffrey, SF (RB5) — Loza

As the draft progressed into the second round, Patrick Mahomes emerged as the first quarterback off the board, selected by Liz Loza at pick 13. The continued emphasis on quarterbacks underscores the importance of the position in fantasy leagues, particularly in superflex formats where teams can start multiple quarterbacks.

The second and third rounds saw a mix of quarterbacks and other skill positions, as participants made selections that reflect their individual strategies. The full breakdown of selections illustrates the competitive landscape of fantasy football drafting this season.

In the third round, Justin Fields was taken by Moody as the 26th pick, followed by Justin Herbert at 33rd by Becquey. This pattern of quarterback selections created a dynamic atmosphere as participants adapted to the choices made by their competitors.

The mock draft included a total of 17 rounds, allowing teams to build comprehensive rosters. Each participant’s approach varied, with some focusing heavily on quarterbacks while others prioritized running backs and wide receivers. The final rosters present a snapshot of the strategies that may shape the upcoming fantasy football season.

For those interested in participating in their own mock drafts, ESPN provides a platform for users to create and customize their leagues, allowing players to experiment with different drafting strategies.

As the NFL preseason continues, fantasy football enthusiasts are gearing up for the 2023 season, eager to see how their draft choices pan out once the games begin. The increasing popularity of fantasy football ensures that mock drafts will remain a vital part of preparation for both new and seasoned players.