Footballguys Staff Mock Draft 6, 12 team PPR Dynasty Start Up

Photo: USA Today Sports

On July 26th, the Footballguys staff completed a 12-team PPR dynasty startup mock draft. Below is the league's scoring and bylaws. 

League Parameters

• 12 teams
• 20 roster spots
• Starting Lineup
• 1 quarterback
• 2 running backs
• 3 wide receivers
• 1 tight end
• 1 flex (either a running back, wide receiver, or tight end)
• 1 team defense

League Scoring

• Offensive Players
• 4 points - passing touchdown
• 6 points - rushing/receiving touchdown
• 0.05 points - passing yard
• 0.1 points - rushing/receiving yard
• Place Kickers
• 3 points - field goal from 0 to 39 yards
• 4 points - field goal from 40 to 49 yards
• 5 points - field goal from 50 to 99 yards
• Team Defense
• 6 points - touchdown
• 2 points - turnover forced
• 2 points - safety
• 1 point - sack

The Draft Order

The draft order was randomly generated. After the first round, the draft continues in a regular serpentine manner. Click here for the Grid Format view of the draft. 

1. John Norton
2. Bear Heiser
3. Scott Bischoff
4. Devin Knotts
5. Danny Tuccitto
6. Dan Hindery
7. James Brimacombe
8. Andy Hicks
9. Daniel Simpkins
10. Mark Wimer
11. Jeff Tefertiller
12. Jason Wood

Starting with John Norton from the 1.01 spot, we will go over each person's selections in the mock draft.

John norton - SLOT 1

Overall Strategy

Seek balance to win now and later

Best Pick(s)

Davante Adams, 4.12, WR26. Barely inside the top-50, Adams presents strong value. Green Bay historically grooms and retains their up-and-coming wide receivers and Adams is on the same track. Even as the No.2 receiver to Jordy Nelson in the short-term Adams offers a profit with room to grow from there.

Worst Pick(s)

Kareem Hunt, 7.01, RB26. Hunt represented the No.8 rookie off the board, which is a danger price for a Round 3 NFL draft pick entering the NFL. This price is similar to his dynasty ADP (RB27) but offers little profit potential. The silver lining is Norton already had two running backs, putting less pressure on Hunt to perform at or above retail pricing.

Evaluation

Norton curiously rostered four quarterbacks in this shallow roster format, plus two defenses. With Jameis Winston and Eli Manning sturdy options, spending two more late picks on the position plus a bonus defense was a non-optimal allocation of roster spots. Norton blends in-their-prime and developing players well across positions and projects as a 2017 contender as well as having upside for future year growth.

Bear Heiser - Slot 2

Overall Strategy

Buy production profiles

Best Pick(s)

Rishard Matthews, 14.11, WR72. Matthews led the Titans in targets and production from the wide receiver position in 2016. While Corey Davis is the future, Matthews is a sneaky bet to lead them in targets again this season. Eric Decker is a health concern, but a wild card of the equation. Matthews offers quality depth in Round 14 and can rotate with Marqise Lee and DeSean Jackson as Heiser’s flex or bye week options.

Worst Pick(s)

Delanie Walker, 9.02, TE11. Walker’s best years are likely behind him and Tennessee added a bevy of weapons (read: competition for targets) this offseason. Walker, at points of his career, was the unquestioned leading pass target, but with Corey Davis and Eric Decker headline additions for the Titans, Walker is a lower upside option than the past 2-3 seasons. Julius Thomas in Round 19 (TE27) was a quality addition as Heiser’s second option, but Walker inside the top-100 was a loss of value.

Evaluation

Heiser showed no fear of player characteristics like older age, suspension risk, or injury with a number of his selections. As a result, Heiser was able to accrue a number of strong profiles from previous years from a shot on Jamaal Charles, Julius Thomas, and betting on bridge players like Frank Gore to hold on for the short-term. Considering Heiser did not draft a receiver until Round 3, his starting trio of Jordy Nelson, Emmanuel Sanders, and Terrelle Pryor can rival most in the league. Tom Brady and Delanie Walker providing starting caliber production for the next couple of seasons are key bets for Heiser’s lineup and roster construction.

Scott Bischoff - Slot 3

Overall Strategy

Pass catchers by committee

Best Pick(s)

Derek Carr, 8.10, QB11. Bischoff snagged a young cornerstone quarterback late in the eighth round as a fringe QB1. Carr is on a historic track to start his career plus already has Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper as stable receivers in tow. Carr’s efficiency as a mid-round pick was neutralized by selecting Ben Roethlisberger in Round 10, however, which was unnecessary as a Carr hedge at QB13.

Worst Pick(s)

Ben Roethlisberger, 10.10 and Patrick Mahomes, 13.03. The danger of drafting a quarterback on the early side of a draft, like Bischoff did with Carr for good value, is heading towards quarterback in subsequent rounds because the value is good. However, quarterbacks in a start-1 environment do not carry much trade value and in dynasty terms Bischoff paid full sticker price for Roethlisberger and Mahomes. One of the benefits of drafting a quarterback like Derek Carr is to save a roster spot by going with two quarterbacks instead of three on the roster.

Evaluation

Bischoff took a shotgun approach to wide receiver and tight end, lacking a front-line player at either position. Martavis Bryant is one of the ultimate wildcards in fantasy, John Brown is dealing with Sickle Cell after a 2015 breakout, and Julian Edelman could be on the clear downside at his age and New England adding Brandin Cooks this offseason. With just six receivers rostered, Bischoff needs stability and the position is a threat to offer little in-season.

Devin Knotts - Slot 4

Overall Strategy

Center on the studs

Best Pick(s)

Jordan Matthews, 11.04, WR56. What a fall for Matthews over the past 12 months in market value. However, Matthews is in a select group of receivers to hit at least 10 PPR PPG in each of his first three seasons. The average career VBD of these receivers (more than 30 dating back to 1999) is nearly 200 while Matthews sits at 19 with two fantasy starter seasons to-date. Matthews is a strong buy considering his much cheaper 2017 price.

Worst Pick(s)

Dalvin Cook, 2.09, RB10. Cook fell in the NFL Draft and this drafting represented the third rookie off the board – the earliest I have seen since April. Cook lacks prototypical size and buying in Round 2 offers minimal upside. Considering Knotts’ other picks in the top-100, it is surprising Cook was the pick well above his ADP instead of an established LeSean McCoy, Doug Baldwin, or Jordy Nelson at 2.09.

Evaluation

Knotts took centerpiece players at three positions in Odell Beckham, Travis Kelce, and Drew Brees. Knotts optimized his picks of Brees and Kelce by selecting only one other player at either position the rest of the draft. Knotts took big swings at question mark players in Dalvin Cook (Round 2), Ty Montgomery (Round 4) and Marshawn Lynch (Round 8) which will define his success.

Danny Tuccitto - Slot 5

Overall Strategy

Buy the rebound

Best Pick(s)

Allen Robinson, 3.05, WR13. Remember when Robinson was an unquestioned Round 1 startup pick? Tuccitto gets Robinson two rounds later on the rebound after a down 2016 season. Robinson had an outstanding 22-year-old breakout and historically those receivers are strong bets for the long haul.

Worst Pick(s)

Terrance West, 5.05, RB20. West in Round 5 is an extremely short-term view with West’s boost following Kenneth Dixon declared out for 2017. West is still limited by the PPR prowess of Danny Woodhead and Baltimore is a prime candidate to address the position next offseason.

Evaluation

Tuccitto based his roster around plenty of reclamation projects who have either dealt with injuries, sagging recent production, or underperforming to-date. Examples include Rob Gronkowski, Tavon Austin, Chris Conley, Allen Robinson, Breshad Perriman, Doug Martin, and C.J. Anderson. With a late-round approach to running back, piecing together a quality duo most weeks will be the key to Tuccitto’s team success.

Dan Hindery - Slot 6

Overall Strategy

Collect pedigree

Best Pick(s)

Jeremy Maclin, 12.07, WR61. Maclin has rebound potential landing in a more fruitful pass game with Baltimore than his previous spot in Kansas City. The depth chart is wide open for a lead receiver and Maclin has little pressure on Hindery’s depth chart with Mike Evans and Keenan Allen drafted within the first three rounds.

Worst Pick(s)

Tyler Eifert, 6.07, TE6. Eifert is on unsteady dynasty value ground with a single notable season under his belt and entering his age 27 season. Cincinnati added pass-catching competition with John Ross and Joe Mixon in the first two rounds of this year’s draft. Eifert justifying a TE6 price is a tall order and it does not even account for his injury history and upcoming free agency status.

Evaluation

Hindery spend most of his picks on Round 1 or 2 NFL Draft picks, whether they have produced or not to-date. Mike Williams and LaQuon Treadwell did not deter Hindery from sticking with the theme. Hindery is razor-thin at running back, drafting just four backs and two are late-round flyers in James White and Branden Oliver. If Joe Mixon and Derrick Henry gain starting roles in the near-term, Hindery will be tough to beat.

James Brimacombe - Slot 7

Overall Strategy

High-risk running backs

Best Pick(s)

Jeremy Hill, 17.07 and Latavius Murray, 18.06. Both are ideal late-round picks. Murray has sneaky starter potential in 2017 as the dynasty community assumes Dalvin Cook takes three-down work. Murray could easily be the higher volume back and primary goal line option. Hill is likely changing teams in 2018 as a free agent and Joe Mixon joining the depth chart this season. Hill has been productive in the past and has 1A/B potential on another roster with prototypical size and decent movement skills.

Worst Pick(s)

Paul Perkins, 5.07, RB21. Perkins as Brimacombe’s first drafted running back is a scary proposition. Perkins lacks prototypical size and is a lagging athlete, even for his mid-Day 3 draft pedigree. The Giants are a prime team to project stiff running back competition next offseason outside of Perkins having an overtly strong 2017.

Evaluation

Brimacombe spent his early capital on a trio of receivers and Aaron Rodgers. His subsequent running back bets include potential 2017 Week 1 starters in Carlos Hyde and Paul Perkins, but their roles are two rather tenuous ones for this year or the long haul. The rest of his backs are a collection of uncertainty ranging from hot name Joe Williams to likely 2018 change-of-scenery option like Jeremy Hill and committee members Bilal Powell and Latavius Murray. Brimacombe’s bets on Sammy Watkins and Eric Ebron are the key pieces to a successful season or two if the running back play is adequate.

Andy Hicks - Slot 8

Overall Strategy

Find the workhorse backs

Best Pick(s)

Mark Ingram, 10.05, RB38. Ingram, even if he is losing his luster in New Orleans, is a quality bet to see more opportunities as a committee or better option on a different depth chart. Ingram has three straight strong PPG seasons and is a quality value outside the top-30 running backs off the board.

Worst Pick(s)

Rob Kelley, 13.08, RB50. Kelley may be the Week 1 starter for Washington, but the upside is extremely limited as a run-of-the-mill talent, Chris Thompson siphoning any PPR potential, and Samaje Perine a serious threat in the near and long-term.

Evaluation

Hicks made a number of bets on potential workhorse running back, including rebound candidates Eddie Lacy and Adrian Peterson. Jordan Reed is a high-impact player but injuries are a consistent concern, including his concussion history. Jarvis Landry and Brandon Marshall are critical receiver options for Hicks and Landry’s contract situation (plus DeVante Parker’s potential breakout) and Marshall maintaining through age and depth chart challenges.

Daniel Simpkins - Slot 9

Overall Strategy

Embrace historical probabilities

Best Pick(s)

Adam Shaheen, 15.09, TE21. Shaheen has a metric profile rivaled by select few tight ends, including Rob Gronkowski. Shaheen has a supersized frame, surprising athleticism, and one of the strongest production profiles for any collegiate tight end dating back to the 1990s. Shaheen’s small school origin did not deter Chicago from taking him inside the top-50, a fertile zone for fantasy starters. Shaheen has an open depth chart and offers a quality upside pairing with Jack Doyle and later Gerald Everett.

Worst Pick(s)

DeVante Parker, 4.04, WR21. Selecting a worst pick for Simpkins was difficult, but Parker stands out as the best candidate for the moniker. While there is uncertainty surrounding Jarvis Landry’s future with Miami, the depth chart is crowded in Miami considering they brought back Kenny Stills and added Julius Thomas to a vacant 2016 tight end depth chart. Without a strong jump in the aggregate passing game production for the Dolphins, Parker will have a tough time rising in ADP over the short term.

Evaluation

Simpkins spent plenty of capital betting on long-term odds through draft position and prospect metrics. From drafting Todd Gurley in the top-20 following a lost 2016 to Corey Coleman, T.J. Yeldon, Josh Doctson, DeVante Parker, Kevin White, and Adam Shaheen. Simpkins may miss on some of his bets, but all are anchored on high-pedigree players with reduced stock turning things around more times than not.

Mark Wimer - Slot 10

Overall Strategy

Buy security for the short-term

Best Pick(s)

Ted Ginn Jr., 16.03, WR77. Ginn steps into a juggernaut passing game with the Saints and can replicate a decent chunk of what Brandin Cooks produced in the deep threat role. Ginn is a lock to beat his ADP considering the Saints’ track record of receiver production and thin depth chart beyond Michael Thomas, Willie Snead, and Ginn.

Worst Pick(s)

Tyreek Hill, 4.03, WR20. Hill fits the manufactured touches profile which has struggled to maintain production over the long haul of running back-wide receiver hybrids. At WR20, there is little room to profit as Kansas City is a strong candidate to address the receiver position aggressively next offseason. With DeVante Parker, Jarvis Landry, Stefon Diggs, and Davante Adams drafted later in Round 4 there were plenty of alternatives with better long-term profiles and projections.

Evaluation

Wimer took few chances in his navigation of the draft, securing a trio of backs with production track records to open his haul in Devonta Freeman, Melvin Gordon, and DeMarco Murray. While waiting on running back, Wimer stockpiled quality options for strong target shares in 2017 with Larry Fitzgerald, Marvin Jones, Mike Wallace, and Ted Ginn. Wimer projects as a strong contender in 2017 but will need an influx of upside on his roster in the next year or two in order to stay near the top.

Jeff Tefertiller - Slot 11

Overall Strategy

Running back by committee

Best Pick(s)

Brandin Cooks, 3.11, WR17. Cooks was routinely in the top-15 last offseason, logged another quality year of production, and landing with Tom Brady in a trade, yet dropped nearly out of the top-40 of this draft. Cooks as Tefertiller’s WR3 is enviable top-shelf depth.

Worst Pick(s)

Greg Olsen, 5.11, TE3. Olsen is well into his 30s and faces his strongest competition for targets since going on his recent three-year run of his best statistical seasons. Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel offer moveable chess piece allure and were top-50 picks by a Carolina offense looking to retool following a disappointing 2016 where arguably Greg Olsen was the only thing to go right on offense. At TE3, there is little room for error.

Evaluation

Tefertiller loaded up on wide receivers in the opening four rounds and added Greg Olsen in Round 5. As a result, the running back position requires hitting on the right side of committee projections or finding current backups turned future starters. The combination of Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick offer Tefertiller the best chance of top-15 production this season and D’Onta Foreman the most future lead back potential. Also, Michael Thomas will need to prove his worth as the clear No.1 in New Orleans to justify his 1.11 selection in this draft and Cam Newton needs to improve on his shaky 2016 as Tefertiller’s lone current starting quarterback.

Jason Wood - Slot 12