2024 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Overall Draft Strategy and Printable Cheat Sheet

The NFL preseason is winding down, as Sunday marked the final day of the exhibition schedule. The regular season is drawing near, with the 2024 opener between the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens set for Sept. 5.

Now is the prime window to participate in fantasy football drafts for this season.

Maybe you're already in a league, or perhaps you're looking to join one. Either way, those planning on managing a team this year should be doing research ahead of drafts, which must take place before the NFL regular season kicks off in less than two weeks.

Printable cheat sheets for fantasy drafts are available at ESPN.com and are good resources for draft day.

As draft prep continues, here's a look at a three-round mock for a 12-team, half-PPR league, as conducted using FantasyPros' simulator.

Round 1

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)

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

2. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

3. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

4. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

5. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

6. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

7. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

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

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

10. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

11. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

12. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

While the first round will typically be loaded with wide receivers this year, three running backs should certainly be taken: McCaffrey (the probable No. 1 pick in most leagues, Hall and Robinson. Those three are every-down backs who should put up big numbers in 2024.

Taylor may have gone a bit early in this mock, as receivers such as Lamb, Chase, Brown, St. Brown and Jefferson could all have a bit more upside. However, it will also be hard for managers in the middle of the opening round to decide between the WRs in that group.

Some may be concerned about Minnesota's quarterback play, with Sam Darnold entering the season as the starter. But Jefferson should excel no matter who is under center, and in fact, he'll make his QB better with his tremendous skills.

Round 2

Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

OWINGS MILLS, MD - AUGUST 12: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens participates in a drill during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on August 12, 2024 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

13. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

14. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

15. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

16. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

17. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens

18. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

19. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams

20. Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

21. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

22. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

23. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers

24. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

As expected, only running backs and wide receivers went in the second round of this mock. And there are a lot of talented, high-upside players who went off the board in the process.

Henry could have a strong first season in Baltimore, and even though he's 30, he is entering a great situation by joining quarterback Lamar Jackson in the Ravens' offense. So don't be afraid to take Henry even as early as the first few picks of the second round.

It may be a risk to take Harrison too early, only because he's a rookie without an NFL track record. But there's also the potential for him to be an immediate star. So the pick could reap a big reward later on.

Round 3

Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 13: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) drops back during joint training camp between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles on August 13, 2024, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

25. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

26. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers

27. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

28. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

29. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

30. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

31. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints

32. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

33. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

34. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

35. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

36. Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions

Round 3 is when the first quarterbacks and tight ends should be coming off the board. Unsurprisingly, the first QBs are Hurts and Allen, while the first TEs are Kelce and LaPorta.

All of those players are stars who could anchor a fantasy lineup. However, don't reach for any of them by taking them during the first two rounds. There will be plenty of other quarterbacks and tight ends available later in the draft who will be strong performers, and you can still load up on the top running backs and wide receivers early.

One player who could be a steal in this round is Waddle. He may not be the Dolphins' No. 1 receiver (a role that belongs to Hill), but he should still impress this season.