Fantasy Football 2012: Mock-Draft Simulation When Holding the No. 11 Slot

Jay ClemonsJun 7, 2018

For the year-round thrill ride that is fantasy football, here's a dry run of draft expectations when holding the No. 11 slot in 12-team leagues (standard scoring), working exclusively off MockDraftCentral.com's current Average Draft Position (ADP) rankings.

Round 1, Pick 11 overall: Motive—Best overall player

1st option: RB Chris Johnson, Titans
2nd option: RB Darren McFadden, Raiders
3rd option: QB Matthew Stafford, Lions

Round 2, Pick 14 overall: Motive—Best player available, preferably tailback

1st option: RB Darren McFadden, Raiders
2nd option: QB Matthew Stafford, Lions
3rd option: RB Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks

Round 3, Pick 35 overall: Motive—Best wide receiver or running back

1st option: WR Mike Wallace, Steelers
2nd option: RB Fred Jackson, Bills
3rd option: RB Michael Turner, Falcons

Round 4, Pick 38 overall: Motive—Best running back or receiver

1st option: RB Fred Jackson, Bills
2nd option: RB Adrian Peterson, Vikings
3rd option: RB Roy Helu, Redskins

Round 5, Pick 59: Motive—Best wide receiver available

1st option: WR Steve Johnson, Bills
2nd option: WR DeSean Jackson, Eagles
3rd option: WR Pierre Garcon, Redskins

Round 6, Pick 62 overall: Motive—Best player available

1st option: RB Shonn Greene, Jets
2nd option: RB C.J. Spiller, Bills
3rd option: WR DeSean Jackson, Eagles

Round 7, Pick 83 overall: Motive—Best high-end talent available, preferably QB

1st option: QB Matt Schaub, Texans
2nd option: WR Sidney Rice, Seahawks
3rd option: WR Mike Williams, Buccaneers

Round 8, Pick 86 overall: Motive—Best running back or tight end available

1st option: RB Jahvid Best, Lions
2nd option: RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bengals
3rd option: TE Vernon Davis, 49ers

Round 9, Pick 107 overall: Motive—Best wide receiver available

1st option: WR Eric Decker, Broncos
2nd option: WR Nate Washington, Titans
3rd option: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders

Round 10, Pick 110 overall: Motive—Best player available

1st option: WR Nate Washington, Titans
2nd option: WR Robert Meachem, Chargers
3rd option: RB Evan Royster, Redskins

Round 11, Pick 131: Motive—Best tight end available

1st option: TE Brandon Pettigrew, Lions
2nd option: WR Michael Floyd, Cardinals
3rd option: RB Evan Royster, Redskins

Round 12, Pick 134: Motive—Best defense available

1st option: D/ST Pittsburgh Steelers
2nd option: D/ST Green Bay Packers
3rd option: D/ST Chicago Bears

Round 13, Pick 155: Motive—Best quarterback available

1st option: QB Josh Freeman, Buccaneers
2nd option: QB Andy Dalton, Bengals
3rd option: QB Joe Flacco, Ravens

Round 14, Pick 158: Motive—Best kicker available

1st option: PK Mason Crosby, Packers
2nd option: PK Rob Bironas, Titans
3rd option: PK Matt Prater, Broncos

Round 15, Pick 179: Motive—Best playmaking tight end available

1st option: TE Dustin Keller, Jets
2nd option: TE Coby Fleener, Colts
3rd option: TE Jared Cook, Titans

Round 16, Pick 182: Motive—Best upside receiver available

1st option: WR Danario Alexander, Rams
2nd option: WR Jonathan Baldwin, Chiefs
3rd option: WR Leonard Hankerson, Redskins

Breakdown

Chris Johnson (1,465 total yards, 4 TDs last year) and Darren McFadden (768 total yards, 5 TDs in seven games last year) are currently ranked as my No. 8 and 10 overall players, respectively. So, obviously, I'm pleased with the value at the 11th and 14th spots in Rounds 1/2. In a "down" year, Johnson still posted seven games of 100 total yards or more and recorded season highs in targets (79) and receptions (57).
Assuming full health, Darren McFadden (768 total yards, five TDs in seven games last year) should have a monster season with the Raiders. Michael Bush is gone (no more vulture TDs) and Taiwan Jones is the main backup. Throw in the fact that opposing defenses will have to respect a Raiders quarterback for once (Carson Palmer)...and McFadden should be a fantasy force.
I'm very comfortable with Mike Wallace's current ADP of 35, a slot that would likely have gone to Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks before he broke a bone in his foot. As I wrote last week, Nicks likely won't drop too far in my receiver rankings during the summer, but if there's a setback in the recuperation process all bets are off on a top-12 ranking.
Adhering to the preferred model for standard-scoring drafts, I grabbed four running backs (Chris Johnson, McFadden, Fred Jackson, Shonn Greene) in the first six picks, with Javhid Best—surprise!—opening the season as my RB5 on the depth chart. But I expect all five backs to clear 1,150 total yards by season's end, health permitting.
I fully expect Peyton Manning to be drafted ahead of Matt Schaub in 85 percent of standard-scoring leagues...even though Schaub is the decisive favorite when both QBs square off, from Weeks 1-17.
I currently have Fred Jackson ranked ahead of Jamaal Charles on the most recent Top 30 Running Backs list. However, I probably would have gone with Charles in Round 4 (38th pick) if his ADP value hadn't expired a few slots before.
It's a common refrain in mock simulations, but landing Brandon Pettigrew (83 catches, 777 yards, five TDs) at 131 is an absolute coup. When healthy, he's a lock for 75 catches and 110 targets. In a Points Per Reception setting, Pettigrew would never slide past the 70th pick.
I couldn't have asked for a better backup QB from Round 13 than Josh Freeman. The kid has immense talent, a new toy at running back (rookie Doug Martin) and the No. 11 trio of wide receivers (thanks to Vincent Jackson's arrival).