Fantasy Football 2022: Mock Draft Analysis and Selection Strategy

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon race at the NFL football team's practice field Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

This is a busy week for many fantasy football leagues. That's because it's one of the most common draft weeks of the year.

The preseason is over, NFL teams have cut their rosters down to 53 players and the regular season is quickly approaching. There are only eight days until the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills kick off the 2022 season with a Sept. 8 matchup.

For fantasy leagues, this is the optimal time to draft. It helps that Monday is Labor Day, giving people the opportunity to turn a holiday weekend into a fantasy football-themed one as well.

As final draft preparations occur, here's a breakdown of a three-round mock for a 12-team half-PPR league that was conducted using the FantasyPros Mock Draft Simulator.

Round 1

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs a drill during practice at the NFL team's football training camp in Westfield, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

3. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

4. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

5. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

6. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

7. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

8. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

9. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

10. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

11. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

12. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Seven of the 12 managers took a running back in the opening round, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see more get taken in many leagues. The three wide receivers guaranteed to go in the first are Jefferson, Kupp and Chase, but it could be wise to go with Adams if you're at No. 11 or No. 12 and not a huge fan of the RBs available.

It's a bit of a reach to take Kelce in the first round this year, especially because he might not even end up as the top tight end (that could be Mark Andrews). It's better to go with a running back or wide receiver who can be the star of your lineup in 2022.

For the most part, this first round unfolded as expected. Taylor and McCaffrey are the best choices at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, and there's a great argument to be made for Jefferson at No. 3, as he could surpass Kupp as the top fantasy WR this season.

So while it's typically best to go RB in the first, there's nothing at all wrong with taking a WR like Jefferson or Kupp later in the top five, or Chase or Adams later in the round.

Round 2

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) during pregame warmups before an NFL preseason game against the Houston Texans on Thursday, August 25, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)

13. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

14. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

15. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

16. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

17. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

18. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

19. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

20. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

21. Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

22. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

23. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

24. Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos

It's a bit interesting that the managers at No. 13 and No. 14 didn't take running backs, as neither did so in the first round. And each of the RBs who went from Nos. 15-19 could have been strong choices earlier in the second round.

Fantasy managers should usually try to come out of the first two rounds with a running back, because it's going to be the most difficult position to fill later in the draft, unless some fall much farther than expected. Meanwhile, the managers at No. 17 and No. 21 each got great value in Jones and Fournette, respectively.

Williams shouldn't be drafted too high in the second round, because Melvin Gordon could still have a substantial role in the Broncos' offense this year. But if Williams is still on the board for the final pick of the round, that's a better spot to land him than earlier on.

Round 3

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen looks to throw during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

25. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

26. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

27. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

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

29. Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

30. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

31. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

32. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

33. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

34. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

35. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders

36. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

So here's where the first quarterback came off the board in this mock: Allen at No. 27. He'll be the first QB taken in the majority of drafts, and for good reason, given his ability to use his legs in addition to his arm.

But this is still a bit too early to be drafting him. If you reach for a quarterback early in the third, you're missing out on a ton of stud RBs and WRs. And that's not wise, considering you can get strong QBs in the mid-to-late rounds, but not for those other positions.

The other players taken in the third in this mock were all solid running backs and wide receivers, except for Pitts. It's probably better to wait to see if you can get him in the fourth, given he doesn't have the track record of Kelce or Andrews, so No. 31 is a bit early to be reaching for him.