Who says fantasy football mock drafts don't count? When the Fantasy Source Football experts and friends got together for their latest mock draft on August 4 at FOXSports.com, it was serious business. There were words. There were hurt feelings. There was non-stop drama. In the end, there were 204 picks that will help fantasy football owners prepare for their own drafts.
FANTASY RANKINGS: Top 50 for 2014 | Top rookies
Fantasy Source members can check out the full mock draft results with analysis, but here's a sneak peek at the first five rounds. First, a little background: This is a 12-team, non-PPR league with nine starters (1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 D/ST) and eight bench spots. Now, let's take a look at the first 60 picks, starting with a tough call at No. 1.
ROUND 1
1. LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles
Vinnie Iyer(@vinnieiyer): I wrote for The Decider I'm going McCoy over Charles. That won't change unless Shady gets hurt. Here begins my "one-RB strategy."
2. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs
Craig Williams (@craigmwilliams): Charles edges McCoy in my book because he is the Chiefs' offense. The Eagles, on the other hand, have secondary weapons that can sometimes distract them from using Shady.
3. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
Beth Hinson (@heels99): Even though the trend for Norv Turner has been to cut down on running back carries, Peterson is still an explosive player and the change of offensive coordinator could bring new looks to his game. I couldn’t pass him up with the No. 3 pick.
4. Matt Forte, RB, Bears
Chris Littmann (@chrislittmann): I knew it was unlikely that McCoy, Charles or Peterson would slip to me. The only other option I considered was Eddie Lacy, but I like Forte’s versatility in the Bears offense. Would anyone be shocked if he finished ahead of any of those top 3 backs in points?
5. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
Brad Pinkerton (@Brad_Pinkerton): All four owners ahead of me stuck with running backs, leaving me with either a coin-flip between RBs Lacy and Marshawn Lynch, or the best WR in the world. Megatron was the right call, as elite WRs flew off the board before my pick in Round 2.
6. Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers
Marcus DiNitto (@MarcusDiNitto): From a pure value perspective, this may have been a bit of a reach (the numbers said Peyton Manning was the right pick here), but I felt compelled to take an RB. There would not have been much left for me at the most important fantasy position had I waited.
7. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos
Ben Valentine (@bvalentine14): While a first-round back is preferable, never be afraid to go in a different direction if the choices don’t excite you. And they didn’t for me, so I went with Thomas, the sure-est of Manning’s sure things at receiver.
8. Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos
Troy Machir (@TroyMachir): Although it’s unlikely that Manning repeats his 2013 numbers (55 TDs, 5,477 yards), even a slightly inferior version is worth the No. 8 pick with all the bell-cow running backs off the board. Sure, I could have gone with Lynch, Doug Martin or Jimmy Graham and taken Tom Brady much later, but it’s tough to pass up the most prolific passer in the game.
9. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks
Eric Ferreira (@eferreira23): Lynch is the centerpiece of a quality, run-first offense and he's a touchdown machine. He was great value here as the last RB on the board with little or no question marks.
10. A.J. Green, WR, Bengals
Bill Bender (@BillBender92): I wasn't considering a running back at all. The choice is between Green and Brandon Marshall, the only two receivers with more than 300 targets and more than 20 TDs in the last two seasons combined. Give Green the slight edge.
11. Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints
Matt Lutovsky (@MLutovsky: Graham is essentially a WR1 masquerading as a TE, fantasy's thinnest position. That's a no-brainer pick near the end of the first round.
12. Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys
Ladd Biro (@ladd_biro): Since I'm targeting my QB in Round 4, I wanted the best WR/RB combo available with these back-to-back picks. Dez was an easy call.
MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT STRATEGY: QB | RB | WR | TE
ROUND 2
2-13. Arian Foster, RB, Texans
Ladd: I have serious reservations about Foster given his recent -- and recurring -- injuries. Was rooting for Beast Mode to continue his slide, but felt the other available RBs were reaches. I really don't want Foster this year, but I made certain to handcuff Andre Brown in the 11th round.
2-14. Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers
Matt: I took Martin second overall last year. That didn't work out. At No. 14, I think things will be just fine as long as he's healthy. If it doesn't work out again, well, then, shame on me.
2-15. Drew Brees, QB, Saints
Bill: Brees has ranked either No. 1 or 2 among fantasy quarterbacks for four straight years. It goes against this particular draft's trend with most owners waiting on QB, but he's worth the second-round price.
2-16. Brandon Marshall, WR, Bears
Eric: Another touchdown beast for my team that I was able to grab at a good value. I feel like I got a top-five option at both RB and WR and can now take any position in the next few rounds depending where the value lies.
2-17. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers
Troy: Most of the second-round running backs have question marks, whether injury concerns or workload issues. Bell seemed to have the least of the bunch. A healthy Bell should (emphasis on should) produce at least 1,000 yards and 10 TDs, which is what you demand of an RB1.
2-18. DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys
Ben: Having skipped on an RB in the first round, I didn’t feel comfortable doing it in Round 2. Besides, Murray, while always an injury risk, produces top value when he plays.
2-19. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
Marcus: Again, I was tempted to take a QB here, but that position is plenty deep while WRs start to drop off pretty quickly. Jones appears fully recovered from the foot injury he suffered last year, and all signs point to an elite season.
2-20. Montee Ball, RB, Broncos
Brad: Ball has first-round upside while leading the Broncos backfield this year, so this is a great value. Take note: There could be several talented RBs available in Rounds 2-3 if owners are chasing WRs early
2-21. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears
Chris: Starting three WRs in this league meant I almost had to take one here -- barring the availability of an elite RB/TE. Zac Stacy was tempting, but I like that Chicago offense and Jeffrey gives me a surefire No. 1 receiver. Had I selected Stacy, I could’ve targeted Randall Cobb down the line and perhaps been a little bit more comfortable about my No. 2 back.
2-22. Zac Stacy, RB, Rams
Beth: I chose to pick up my second running back early and felt Stacy was the best available. Tre Mason hasn’t been a threat to take over his starting role in training camp and I don’t think Stacy’s goal-line carries will be threatened. However, after seeing the WRs go so quickly in this draft, I regret not taking one with this pick.
2-23. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
Craig: Perhaps a little early for a quarterback considering the depth, but still great value for a guy who could end up as the No. 1 guy at the position.
2-24. Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers
Vinnie: Knew once the Big Three QBs were gone, I was going wide here. I love what Brown can do for me.
ROUND 3
3-25. Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers
Vinnie: Took him over teammate Randall Cobb, because he just has more scoring pop to go with those big plays.
3-26. Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins
Craig: The new coaching staff concerns me a little bit, but Morris has been strong in his first two years in the league. I expect him to be productive once again in Year 3 with an improved offense.
3-27. Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers
Beth: With so many WRs going in the first two rounds, I felt lucky to get Jackson in the third. V-Jax should have a new QB in Josh McCown this year and they’ve already shown great chemistry in training camp.
3-28. Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals
Chris: Because there were so many selections between this pick and my next one, I felt compelled to grab a running back with upside rather than waiting for Rounds 4-5. Like Forte, Bernard will also catch the ball, and even with Jeremy Hill around, he’ll get more chances because of Hue Jackson’s balanced offense.
3-29. Randall Cobb, WR, Packers
Brad: I think Cobb is being severely underrated after last year's injury-shortened season. He's an elite playmaker who could easily become Rodgers' most frequent target. Having him as a WR2 behind Calvin is a scary duo.
3-30. Percy Harvin, WR, Seahawks
Marcus: Tremendous upside with this pick, evidenced by an 87-yard kickoff return in the Super Bowl. Especially with Golden Tate out of the mix, I expect Harvin to be among the most productive offensive players in the league.
3-31. C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills
Ben: Remember when Spiller was a first-round lock last year? I do, and trust that he’s over the high-ankle sprain that zapped his explosiveness in 2013.
3-32. Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers
Troy: A healthy Mathews is a productive Mathews. Although he did play all 16 games last season and racked up a career-high 1,255 rushing yards, he only scored six rushing touchdowns. One would think Mathews would still be the primary goal-line option. Let's hope that's true even with Donald Brown in town.
3-33. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
Eric: He’s not the old Fitz, but he’s still pretty good. The Cardinals offense should be pretty good with Andre Ellington and Michael Floyd taking some coverage away from Fitzgerald, which should help his numbers.
3-34. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers
Bill: Waiting this long to draft your first RB lands you someone like Gore, but I'm comfortable with a guy who averages 1,184 rushing yards under Jim Harbaugh -- even at 31 years old.
3-35. Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals
Matt: Touchdowns are a concern, but Ellington is going to be the middle-class man's LeSean McCoy with all his receiving yards. That's well worth a late-third-round pick.
3-36. Reggie Bush, RB, Lions
Ladd: Obviously a better choice in PPR leagues, but Bush is still a decent RB2 here. It was him or Toby Gerhart, and as much as I like Gerhart's upside, I just don't like buying into Jacksonville's offense. The biggest problem with Bush is that Joique Bell commands a mid-round pick for insurance purposes.
ROUND 4
4-37. Nick Foles, QB, Eagles
Ladd: He's my new BFF, and I'll be targeting him in all of my drafts. So much cheaper than Manning and Brees, but with just as much upside, thanks to Chip Kelly's offense and the explosive weapons at his disposal.
4-38. Victor Cruz, WR, Giants
Matt: Cruz's TDs were down last year, but that happens all the time with receivers. Dude still has a ton of talent on an offense that can't possibly be as bad as it was last season.
4-39. Toby Gerhart, RB, Jaguars
Bill: We obviously haven't seen Gerhart for a full season, but he averages 4.7 yards per carry for his career. Considering I didn't draft an RB in the first two rounds, the Gore-Gerhart combo is optimal.
4-40. Ben Tate, RB, Browns
Eric: There weren’t a lot of great options for RBs at this point, so this was a gamble. Tate finally has a chance to shine and has the talent to be an RB2 in this non-PPR league.
4-41. DeSean Jackson, WR, Redskins
Troy: I probably should have taken Pierre Garcon here, as he has a much more developed rapport with Robert Griffin III. Alas, it is difficult to pass up Jackson’s big-play potential. If he and RG3 can stay healthy -- and the offensive line can keep the QB upright -- Jackson should be the fantasy machine he was last year in Philadelphia.
4-42. Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
Ben: Don’t fall into the assumption that rookies must improve in Year 2. As good as Allen was last year, there’s no guarantee he’ll have a better 2014. Still, he should be about as good, and works as a WR2.
4-43. Rashad Jennings, RB, Giants
Marcus: He should be the man in the Giants’ backfield, and the defenses he’ll face in the NFC East aren’t exactly daunting. I eventually waited too long to handcuff Jennings with rookie Andre Williams, but I’m very happy with my starting RB situation.
4-44. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
Brad: You know the best part about a mock draft? No consequences.
4-45. Pierre Garcon, WR, Redskins
Chris: I was heartbroken that Brad snatched Gronkowski. He would’ve been my pick, and Michael Floyd was also heavily under consideration. But I think RG3 rebounds this season, and he and Garcon work well together, even with DeSean Jackson there.
4-46. Bishop Sankey, RB, Titans
Beth: The rookie is slated to share the backfield in Tennessee with Shonn Greene, but Bishop should eventually have this job to himself. Combined with the strong offensive line in Tennessee, I am very happy with this pick.
4-47. Julius Thomas, TE, Broncos
Craig: What's not to like about grabbing a tough-to-cover weapon in a Peyton Manning offense? Thomas could legitimately push Graham for the top TE spot.
4-48. Michael Floyd, WR, Cardinals
Vinnie: Everyone's rumbling how Floyd will trump Fitz as their No. 1, and I'm buying into it after his 2013 breakout. I feel like I have three WR1s to flank Shady.
ROUND 5
5-49. Jordan Cameron, TE, Browns
Vinnie: And I just got a TE who's more like a WR2, with great value. He's gonna be the busiest, most productive target in Cleveland.
5-50. Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers
Craig: Crabtree was a monster with Colin Kaepernick at the helm in 2012. Healthy now, look for "King Crab" to recapture that magic in 2014.
5-51. Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions
Beth: Being able to grab Stafford, a strong quarterback who I didn’t think would go past the fourth round, was surprising. I’m projecting him to have an elite fantasy season.
5-52. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
Chris: I was extremely comfortable nabbing a No. 3 receiver here. There was still plenty of depth at QB, and the truly elite TEs were already gone. Johnson isn’t a huge upside pick, but I’d put him up against just about any WR3 in our league.
5-53. Trent Richardson, RB, Colts
Brad: A warning to all you "zero RB" theorists: This is what happens when you wait on running backs.
5-54. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers
Marcus: A no-brainer from a value perspective. While the QBs and WRs on the board were virtually indistinguishable, Davis was easily the best remaining in a position that’s growing in fantasy importance.
5-55. Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots
Ben: I’d feel a whole lot better about this pick in PPR. Still, even in standard leagues, Edelman put up double-digit fantasy points in four straight games in the second half, and never had less than 7.7 points in any of his last six. He’s everything we expected Danny Amendola to be.
5-56. Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens
Troy: All of Smith’s receiving stats have increased year to year since he entered the league in 2011 -- except touchdowns, which went way down last year. The Ravens were not a consistent team last season, but I chalk most of that up to the post-Super Bowl hangover. Here’s to hoping 2014 will different.
5-57. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts
Eric: No matter where Hilton lines up this season, he’ll be the Colts' No. 1 receiving threat. His 82 catches for 1,083 yards and five TDs last year would be just fine as my WR3, and he could easily top those stats.
5-58. Chris Johnson, RB, Jets
Bill: Johnson has been left for dead even though he quietly put up RB1 numbers last season. He's also entering a better offensive situation in N.Y. Another 1,000-yards season is certainly possible.
5-59. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles
Matt: We know the Eagles have a wide-open offense, and this year Maclin will be playing the role of DeSean Jackson, who had 1,332 yards and nine TDs last year. He's just gotta stay healthy.
5-60. Wes Welker, WR, Broncos
Ladd: Any starting WR in the Broncos offense is welcome on my team, and I'll take Welker this late any day. As a bonus, he makes funny commercials.
Fantasy Source Football members can see the full mock draft results; set up your fantasy football league at FOXSports.com!