Fantasy Football 2024: Early Mock Draft Heading into Training Camp

It's training time in the football world.

And not only for the 32 NFL teams set to open training camp soon.

Fantasy football managers also need to lean into this preparation time to craft their league-winning draft strategies. Coming here was a smart move, as we're laying out a three-round, 10-team, half-point-per-reception mock before tackling two questions you need to answer ahead of your draft.

Three-Round, Half-PPR Mock

Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 11: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers heads to the end zone on a 21-yard touchdown catch during Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25-22. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

Round 1

1. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

3. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

4. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

5. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

7. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

8. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

9. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

10. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Round 2

11. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

12. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

13. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

14. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

15. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

16. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

17. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

18. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

19. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

20. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Round 3

21. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers

22. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

23. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints

24. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

25. Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

26. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

27. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

28. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

29. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills

30. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

Which Positions Should You Prioritize Early?

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 14: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up before kickoff against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Wild Card playoff game at AT&T Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

There are two things you should take into every fantasy football draft: a plan of attack and a willingness to divert from that strategy based on how the draft board breaks.

A lot of what you do during the draft will be determined by the actions of your rival managers. If there's an earlier than expected run on quarterbacks or an especially running back- or receiver-heavy start to the draft, that's something you'll need to react to.

It's up to you, of course, how you react. You can pay above-market draft costs to make sure you don't get left behind at a certain position group, or you can grab discounts at other spots and hope to snag sleepers later. As long as you're implementing and real-time-adjusting a strategy, you'll be in a good spot.

Still, it's beneficial to have at least a general idea of what you want to get done. The early rounds will go a long way toward determining your success, so make sure you walk away with a combination you're comfortable with, whether that's running backs and receivers with each of your first five picks or say a star quarterback or tight end added into the mix.

How Early Is Too Early To Take a Rookie in Redraft Leagues?

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 25: (L-R) Marvin Harrison Jr. poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza on April 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

For the most part, fantasy football is about weighing a player's track record and using that to project their production in a new season.

That's what makes the idea of adding rookie players so intriguing—and risky. It's the mystery-box element; they could be anything.

To be clear, risk isn't something you should (or even can) totally avoid at the draft. Play it to safe, and you'll lack the upside needed to climb atop your league standings. The idea, then, is mitigating risk and not overexposing yourself to it.

Now, it's up to you to determine that threshold. Is using a second-round pick on Marvin Harrison Jr. more risky than you can stomach? That's fine if it is, so long as you recognize you just won't be drafting him this year. Maybe you're OK with that, though. Or perhaps you just prefer to wait a little longer for New York Giants pass-catcher Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze of the Chicago Bears.

Speaking of the Windy City, don't discount the idea of throwing a dart at Chicago's new signal-caller Caleb Williams. Or Washington Commanders' dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels. You'll want to have a proven, reliable option ahead of them, but you also shouldn't invest so much in your QB1 that it would block Williams or Daniels from ascending to that spot if they hit the ground running.