Fantasy Football 2022: Early Mock Draft Heading into Training Camp

The 2022 NFL season is less than two months away. Even sooner on the calendar? Fantasy football drafts.

There are few days better in the year than draft day for a fantasy football league. It's always a blast to get everybody together, order some pizza, have a few drinks and celebrate the imminent arrival of another NFL season.

Of course, fantasy drafts aren't just fun and games. It's about assembling the best possible team to get in a position for success throughout the season. A championship can't be won on draft day, but it's important to get the right core players to set a fantasy team up to produce positive results.

As draft season nears, here's a look at a three-round mock for a 12-team, points-per-reception league. Every league varies, but this should give fantasy managers an idea of how things could unfold early in a draft.

First Round

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JUNE 01: Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs through a drill during the Indianapolis Colts OTA offseason workouts on June 1, 2022 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

1. Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor

2. Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey

3. Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook

4. Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler

5. Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris

6. Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry

7. Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp

8. Detroit Lions RB D'Andre Swift

9. Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette

11. Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson

12. Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase

There's a fairly general consensus that Taylor should be the pick at No. 1 in fantasy drafts this year. It'll be hard for managers with the top selection not to take the Colts running back, considering he led the NFL in carries (332), rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18) while playing all 17 games in 2021, his second NFL season.

Indianapolis' passing game may have some question marks, particularly with Matt Ryan set to take over at quarterback. But Taylor should again be a workhorse for that offense.

Swift could be in store for a breakout 2022 season, putting him in first-round fantasy consideration. He's been encouraging when healthy over his first two years in the NFL, but he just hasn't been on the field enough. As long as he is, the Lions will likely rely heavily on him this season.

After winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, Chase is now worthy of a first-round pick. He may keep getting better, which is exciting to think about after he recorded 81 catches for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns in 17 games last season.

Second Round

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HENDERSON, NEVADA - JUNE 07: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball during mandatory minicamp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on June 07, 2022 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

13. Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams

14. Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs

15. New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara

16. Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb

17. Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce

18. Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones

19. Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb

20. Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner

21. Denver Broncos RB Javonte Williams

22. New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley

23. Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans

Adams may not be catching passes from Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay anymore, but he should still have success in Las Vegas, where he's reunited with quarterback Derek Carr, his former Fresno State teammate. Fantasy managers shouldn't be scared to draft Adams in the late first round or early second round.

Like last year, Kelce is the clear No. 1 fantasy tight end for 2022. He's worthy of first-round consideration, but he's likely to stay on the board until the second. Without Tyreek Hill in Kansas City, Kelce may put up even larger receiving numbers as Patrick Mahomes' clear top receiving target.

Williams had an encouraging rookie season, rushing for 903 yards despite making only one start while splitting carries with Melvin Gordon III. Expect to see Williams become the No. 1 back over Gordon this year, raising his fantasy stock.

Third Round

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws during Bills mini camp on June 15, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)

25. Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill

26. Los Angeles Chargers WR Keenan Allen

27. Los Angeles Rams RB Cam Akers

28. San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel

29. Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins

30. Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown

31. Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.

32. Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts

33. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen

34. Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott

35. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

36. Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle

There's a bit of a risk drafting Hill this year, as he's no longer catching passes from Mahomes. How will the standout wide receiver jell with new offense in Miami and how long will it take his connection with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to develop? Hill always has high potential, but Tagovailoa may need to take a step forward for the duo to put up big numbers.

The third round should be when the first quarterbacks will get drafted. And it's hard to go wrong with either Allen or Mahomes as the first QB selected.

The Bills have a more proven receiving corps than the Chiefs, and Allen will use his legs a bit more than Mahomes, so he may be the best choice to be the first quarterback drafted. Allen should be in store for another big season as he'll likely lead Buffalo to more success.