Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Quarterbacks Dominate Early Picks

The first week of NFL preseason games has kicked off, marking the beginning of fantasy football mock draft season. Analysts and editors from ESPN participated in a **12-team superflex league** with points per reception (PPR) scoring. The format led to an early surge in quarterback selections, with five signal-callers chosen among the first eight picks.

Field Yates adopted a quarterback-heavy strategy, selecting two quarterbacks in his initial two picks. He was joined by Eric Moody, who opted for three quarterbacks within his first four selections. In contrast, Joe Kaiser took a different route, prioritizing non-quarterback positions for the first five rounds of his draft.

The draft featured a notable lineup of participants, including Joe Kaiser, Eric Moody, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Keith Lipscomb, Tom Carpenter, Daniel Dopp, Joe Klingele, Field Yates, Pierre Becquey, Matt Bowen, Jim McCormick, and Liz Loza.

First Round Highlights

The first round saw a mix of elite wide receivers and running backs, alongside the anticipated quarterback rush. Here’s a breakdown of the first-round selections:

1. **Ja’Marr Chase**, Cin (WR1) – Joe Kaiser
2. **Josh Allen**, Buf (QB1) – Eric Moody
3. **Lamar Jackson**, Bal (QB2) – Tristan H. Cockcroft
4. **Bijan Robinson**, Atl (RB1) – Keith Lipscomb
5. **Justin Jefferson**, Min (WR2) – Tom Carpenter
6. **Jayden Daniels**, Wsh (QB3) – Daniel Dopp
7. **Jalen Hurts**, Phi (QB4) – Joe Klingele
8. **Joe Burrow**, Cin (QB5) – Field Yates

The early selection of quarterbacks reflects the growing trend in fantasy football strategies, where superflex formats allow teams to start two quarterbacks, emphasizing their value.

Subsequent Rounds and Strategies

In the second round, **Patrick Mahomes** was the first quarterback off the board, chosen by Liz Loza at pick 13. His selection continued the trend of prioritizing quarterbacks:

13. **Patrick Mahomes**, KC (QB6) – Liz Loza
14. **CeeDee Lamb**, Dal (WR3) – Jim McCormick
15. **Puka Nacua**, LAR (WR4) – Matt Bowen
16. **De’Von Achane**, Mia (RB6) – Pierre Becquey
17. **Bo Nix**, Den (QB7) – Field Yates
18. **Amon-Ra St. Brown**, Det (WR5) – Joe Klingele
19. **Malik Nabers**, NYG (WR6) – Daniel Dopp
20. **Baker Mayfield**, TB (QB8) – Tom Carpenter

As the draft progressed, participants continued to balance their rosters with a mix of quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. Notably, players like **Justin Fields** and **Tua Tagovailoa** were selected in the third round, as teams sought to secure a strong roster foundation.

The mock draft serves as a valuable tool for fantasy players looking to refine their strategies ahead of the upcoming season. As the NFL preseason unfolds, analysts are likely to observe player performances closely, which will further impact draft decisions.

For those interested in participating in their own mock drafts, ESPN offers a **Mock Draft Lobby**, providing an opportunity to practice and prepare for the real drafts ahead.