Fantasy Football 2015: 1st-Round Mock Draft and Winning Strategy

There are many ways to win in fantasy football.   

In years past, it was a game dominated by the best running backs. As the passing game started to pick up steam, quarterbacks and receivers became even more important than they had been. 

The experts who told you that you had to draft two running backs with your first two picks were often proven wrong. You could win with quarterback-wide receiver, running back-wide receiver, wide receiver-running back or even quarterback-tight end if you hit on the right combination.

However, many of us still favor drafting a stud running back early on because the truly dominant running backs are in much shorter supply than the big-play receivers who can get you points.

In this piece, we are presenting our first-round mock draft. We have a heavy emphasis on running backs for the reason just stated. If we let a running back like Jamaal Charles or Adrian Peterson pass in favor of a wide receiver, where are we going to get an adequate replacement?

"

Jamaal Charles' confidence is through the roof. He's feeling like LeBron James. http://t.co/NniLbJNTsN pic.twitter.com/tkii9LtS1i

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 2, 2015"

On the waiver wire? Make a trade? Not going to happen. No matter how surprising a young stud like Matt Asiata was last year when he had to take over following Peterson's issues, he was never going to be anything close to his predecessor. Asiata may have had a pair of three-touchdown games against the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins, but he did not resemble Peterson.

In his Week 9 three-TD game against Washington, Asiata had 10 carries for 26 yards. That tells fantasy players he is not the real deal.

"

.@AdrianPeterson: I’m already a Hall of Famer, I want to be the best ever http://t.co/BiIWjdFync pic.twitter.com/9NXvCDwVQ6

— SundayNight Football (@SNFonNBC) August 9, 2015"

Stud running backs are in short supply and that's why we favor them over the large majority of other superstars. It is not the only way to go, but it is the philosophy to follow this year.

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

There are five running backs who stand out and should go at the top of the draft. There may be differences in the drafting position of the first five, but they should include Charles, Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Le'Veon Bell and Eddie Lacy.

"

In '14 Le'Veon Bell's 854 receiving yds, 826 yds after the catch & 29 forced missed tackles on catches were PFF era (2007) highs for a RB.

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) August 3, 2015"

Those five are all can't-miss picks, but there's no such thing as a sure thing. Peterson didn't play a game after Week 1 as a result of being placed on the commissioner's exempt list, and injuries always are part of equation. 

"

#FantasyFootball preseason top 200: Eddie Lacy is the early choice for No. 1 overall player. http://t.co/gEIfBqq7PG pic.twitter.com/JJHydr5Fx1

— Athlon Sports (@AthlonSports) August 9, 2015"

After you get past the first five, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Antonio Brown and tight end Rob Gronkowski can break the running back run. However, running backs should probably dominate the rest of the first round.

Here's our projection of how the first round should go in a 12-team draft.

Player	Position	Team	Skinny
Jamaal Charles	RB	KC	Best of the best
Adrian Peterson	RB	Minn.	Should return to dominant form
Eddie Lacy	RB	GB	Touchdown machine for game's best offense
Le'Veon Bell	RB	Pitt.	Elite performer even with the suspension
Marshawn Lynch	RB	Sea.	No signs of slowing down
Aaron Rodgers	QB	GB	Early favorite for MVP
Antonio Brown	WR	Pitt.	Is there a way to cover him?
Rob Gronkowski	TE	NE	Fully healthy for a full season means superior production
LeSean McCoy	RB	Buff.	Great move for Rex and your fantasy team
DeMarco Murray	RB	Phil.	Motivated to repeat last year's success
Matt Forte	RB	Chi.	Most productive player on sad team
Jeremy Hill	RB	Cin.	Ready to become a superstar

You might be tempted to go with Calvin Johnson, Demaryius Thomas or Julio Jones in the first round, but don't do it. This is not 2011, 2012 or 2013. Don't make the mistake of living in the past.