Fantasy Football Picks 2022: 2-Round Mock Draft and Strategy Breakdown

The later rounds of a fantasy football draft are hugely important, even if some may not think so. At that point, managers are taking potential sleeper players who could end up being the reason why you or somebody else ends up winning a league championship.

But the first few rounds are crucial, too. Even though you're guaranteed to come away with talented players, some are riskier choices than others. And you also must decide which positions will be your biggest strengths at the start.

So, how should you attack the opening two rounds? Well, it largely depends on the draft order, because some strategies work better than others at certain spots.

Here's a breakdown of a two-round mock draft for a 12-team, half-PPR league that was conducted using the FantasyPros Mock Draft Simulator.

2-Round Mock Draft

Michael Hickey/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 20: Jonathan Taylor #28 of Indianapolis Colts seen following the game against the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

First Round

1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

3. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

4. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

5. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

6. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

7. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

8. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

9. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

10. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

11. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

12. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

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Second Round

13. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

14. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

15. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

16. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

17. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

18. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

19. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

20. Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

21. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

22. Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos

23. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

24. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

A Running Back Is Usually Way to Go in 1st

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) participates in drills during a combined NFL practice with the Dallas Cowboys at the Los Angeles Rams' practice facility in Costa Mesa, Calif. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

There are exceptions to every fantasy football draft rule. But for the most part, it's almost always wise to take a running back in the first round.

Sure, some wide receivers are worthy of consideration in the opening round. In this mock, Jefferson, Kupp, Chase and Diggs all went in the first. And the first three among that group are must-draft players if you have a mid-to-late pick.

The first-round RBs are players who can anchor your roster, though. They're highly likely to accumulate way more points than the running backs taken later in the draft, when there won't be any true bell-cow RBs still on the board.

It was no surprise to see Taylor, McCaffrey and Ekeler go with the first three picks of the mock. That's how the majority of drafts should unfold.

Can you take a wide receiver in the first round and still be successful? Of course. And players like Jefferson and Kupp are likely to be fantasy stars again this year. Getting one of them in the Nos. 4--7 range provides tremendous value.

But don't take a tight end in the first round, and definitely don't select a quarterback. It's either RB or WR, with the former likely to set you better up for success, especially if you have one of the first few selections.

In this mock, six of the first seven players selected were running backs. That won't always be the case, though, And if you can somehow end up with an RB such as Henry, Cook or Mixon in the back half of the round, you'll be in terrific shape.

What's the Best Approach for the 2nd?

AP Photo/David Dermer

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb catches a pass during an NFL football practice in Berea, Ohio, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Let's say you didn't take a running back in the first round, instead opting to go with a top-tier wide receiver. At that point, it's quite imperative that you come away with an RB in the second round the majority of the time.

It could be enticing to have two star WRs in the heart of your lineup, but it's going to get much more difficult to draft running backs in the mid-to-late rounds than it will be receivers. There will be breakout options at wide receiver at that point, while the backs will be sleepers with only a low likelihood of making an impact (unless they get thrust into a starting role because of injury).

Running backs such as Jones, Chubb, Barkley and Fournette are all great players to target in the second round. Barkley is in a position to have a bounce-back year in 2022, while the other three are being undervalued to start the year.

If you already took an RB in the first, it can be great to take another in the second. That duo could be difficult for opponents to outscore. But if you're reaching for a player, don't do that, and instead, grab your first wide receiver—whoever is the best on the board.

So, what about the tight ends? In this mock, both Kelce and Andrews were taken in the second. That can be a great investment if you have a later pick in the round, so selecting Andrews at No. 24 was a wise move.

But the manager at No. 15 reached for Kelce, even though he's a stud tight end. He shouldn't be getting taken when players such as Jones and Chubb are still on the board. It's best to try to wait until the third to potentially come away with Kelce or Andrews, and if you don't, wait for a tight end until a much later round.