Fantasy Football 2019 Mock Draft
This story appears in the 2019 Fantasy Football special issue of Sports Illustrated. For more great storytelling and in-depth analysis, subscribe to the magazine—and get up to 94% off the cover price. Click here for more.
It’s July, which means fantasy football season is officially here. We’ve already shared our full top 300 rankings, sleepers, busts and breakout candidates. Plus some thoughts on players who switched teams, new coaches and other players who are overvalued or undervalued.
Now it’s time for our first mock draft. Some of SI.com’s best NFL minds got together for a mock: 12 teams went 12 rounds, drafting for a standard-scoring league. The positions: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, FLEX, DST, K and three bench spots. A star indicates a rookie, of which five were drafted.
We’ll present the draft in its entirety, and then each owner will defend his or her team and explain the decision-making process.
(You’ll notice that Tyreek Hill was not drafted, given the uncertainty of his status this season.)
DRAFT ORDER
1. Michael Beller, SI.com Fantasy Writer
2. Tom Mantzouranis, SI Video Senior Producer
3. Conor Orr, MMQB Staff Writer
4. Alex Hampl, SI Video Senior Producer
5. Kalyn Kahler, MMQB Writer/Producer
6. Jeremy Woo, SI.com Writer/Producer
7. Eric Single, SI.com Senior Producer
8. Mitch Goldich, SI/MMQB Associate Producer
9. Bette Marston, SI/MMQB Associate Editor
10. Gary Gramling, SI/MMQB Senior Editor
11. Ben Eagle, SI.com Director of Editorial Projects
12. Jimmy Traina, SI.com Writer/Producer
ROUND 1
1. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants—BELLER
2. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints—MANTZOURANIS
3. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers—ORR
4. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys—HAMPL
5. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs—KAHLER
6. Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers—WOO
7. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers—SINGLE
8. Le'Veon Bell, RB, New York Jets—GOLDICH
9. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns—MARSTON
10. Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams—GRAMLING
11. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans—EAGLE
12. Antonio Brown, WR, Oakland Raiders—TRAINA
ROUND 2
13. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons—TRAINA
14. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints—EAGLE
15. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals—GRAMLING
16. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers—MARSTON
17. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs—GOLDICH
18. David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals—SINGLE
19. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers—WOO
20. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns—KAHLER
21. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers—HAMPL
22. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings—ORR
23. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers—MANTZOURANIS
24. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers—BELLER
ROUND 3
25. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals—BELLER
26. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers—MANTZOURANIS
27. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts—ORR
28. Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys—HAMPL
29. Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings—KAHLER
30. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings—WOO
31. Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts—SINGLE
32. Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots—GOLDICH
33. Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars—MARSTON
34. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles—GRAMLING
35. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks—EAGLE
36. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons—TRAINA
ROUND 4
37. Phlllip Lindsay, RB, Denver Broncos—TRAINA
38. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans—EAGLE
39. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions—GRAMLING
40. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams—MARSTON
41. Brandin Cooks, WR, Los Angeles Rams—GOLDICH
42. Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions—SINGLE
43. Damien Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs—WOO
44. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears—KAHLER
45. Robert Woods, WR, Los Angeles Rams—HAMPL
46. Tevin Coleman, RB, San Francisco 49ers—ORR
47. Kenyan Drake, RB, Miami Dolphins—MANTZOURANIS
48. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia Eagles—BELLER
ROUND 5
49. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers—BELLER
50. Lamar Miller, RB, Houston Texans—MANTZOURANIS
51. Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts—ORR
52. Mark Ingram, RB, Baltimore Ravens—HAMPL
53. Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears—KAHLER
54. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons—WOO
55. Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns—SINGLE
56. Josh Jacobs*, RB, Oakland Raiders—GOLDICH
57. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers—MARSTON
58. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots—GRAMLING
59. Jordan Howard, RB, Philadelphia Eagles—EAGLE
60. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints—TRAINA
ROUND 6
61. James White, RB, New England Patriots—TRAINA
62. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals—EAGLE
63. Sammy Watkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs—GRAMLING
64. O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers—MARSTON
65. Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans—GOLDICH
66. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks—SINGLE
67. Hunter Henry, TE, Los Angeles Chargers—WOO
68. Eric Ebron, TE, Indianapolis Colts—KAHLER
69. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals—HAMPL
70. Jared Cook, TE, New Orleans Saints—ORR
71. Marvin Jones, WR, Detroit Lions—MANTZOURANIS
72. David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears—BELLER
ROUND 7
73. Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns—BELLER
74. Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets—MANTZOURANIS
75. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers—ORR
76. Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals—HAMPL
77. Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans—KAHLER
78. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers—WOO
79. David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns—SINGLE
80. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos—GOLDICH
81. Latavius Murray, RB, New Orleans Saints—MARSTON
82. Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants—GRAMLING
83. Derrius Guice, RB, Washington Redskins—EAGLE
84. Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants—TRAINA
ROUND 8
85. Jerick McKinnon, RB, San Francisco 49ers—TRAINA
86. Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans—EAGLE
87. Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles—GRAMLING
88. LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills—MARSTON
89. N'Keal Harry*, WR, New England Patriots—GOLDICH
90. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons—SINGLE
91. Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks—WOO
92. Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars—KAHLER
93. Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans—HAMPL
94. Golden Tate, WR, New York Giants—ORR
95. Anthony Miller, WR, Chicago Bears—MANTZOURANIS
96. Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers—BELLER
ROUND 9
97. Matt Breida, RB, San Francisco 49ers—BELLER
98. Philip Rivers, QB, Los Angeles Chargers—MANTZOURANIS
99. Keke Coutee, WR, Houston Texans—ORR
100. Ronald Jones II, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers—HAMPL
101. Bears, DST—KAHLER
102. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks—WOO
103. Tyrell Williams, WR, Oakland Raiders—SINGLE
104. Devin Funchess, WR, Indianapolis Colts—GOLDICH
105. Robert Foster, WR, Buffalo Bills—MARSTON
106. D'Onta Foreman, RB, Houston Texans—GRAMLING
107. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers—EAGLE
108. Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets—TRAINA
ROUND 10
109. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons—TRAINA
110. Justin Tucker, K, Baltimore Ravens—EAGLE
111. Kyler Murray*, QB, Arizona Cardinals—GRAMLING
112. Marquise Goodwin, WR, San Francisco 49ers—MARSTON
113. Miles Sanders*, RB, Philadelphia Eagles—GOLDICH
114. Marquise Brown*, WR, Baltimore Ravens—SINGLE
115. Dion Lewis, RB, Tennessee Titans—WOO
116. Greg Zuerlein, K, Los Angeles Rams—KAHLER
117. Jared Goff, QB, Los Angeles Rams—HAMPL
118. Carlos Hyde, RB, Kansas City Chiefs—ORR
119. Royce Freeman, RB, Denver Broncos—MANTZOURANIS
120. Trey Burton, TE, Chicago Bears—BELLER
ROUND 11
121. Harrison Butker, K, Kansas City Chiefs—BELLER
122. Jaguars, DST—MANTZOURANIS
123. Ravens, DST—ORR
124. Rams, DST—HAMPL
125. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles—KAHLER
126. Vikings, DST—WOO
127. Browns, DST—SINGLE
128. Ka'imi Fairbairn, K, Houston Texans—GOLDICH
129. Stephen Gostkowski, K, New England Patriots—MARSTON
130. Chargers, DST—GRAMLING
131. Vance McDonald, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers—EAGLE
132. Patriots, DST—TRAINA
ROUND 12
133. Matt Prater, K, Detroit Lions—TRAINA
134. Saints, DST—EAGLE
135. Michael Badgley, K, Los Angeles Chargers—GRAMLING
136. Cowboys, DST—MARSTON
137. Texans, DST—GOLDICH
138. Adam Vinatieri, K, Indianapolis Colts—SINGLE
139. Wil Lutz, K, New Orleans Saints—WOO
140. Curtis Samuel, WR, Carolina Panthers—KAHLER
141. Zane Gonzalez, K, Arizona Cardinals—HAMPL
142. Jake Elliott, K, Philadelphia Eagles—ORR
143. Brett Maher, K, Dallas Cowboys—MANTZOURANIS
144. Broncos, DST—BELLER
TEAM BELLER—QB: Mayfield; RB: Barkley, Jones; WR: Green, Jeffery; TE: Burton; FLEX: Godwin; DST: Broncos; K: Butker; BENCH: Montgomery, Pettis, Breida
The first pick was the toughest, because we have a quartet at the top for the first time in years: Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott and Alvin Kamara. I chose Barkley for his expected usage this season.
TEAM MANTZOURANIS—QB: Rivers; RB: Kamara, Drake; WR: Allen, Jones; TE: Kittle; FLEX: Miller; DST: Jaguars; K: Maher; BENCH: Anderson, Miller, Freeman
I went with Alvin Kamara at No. 2 because he was second to only Todd
Gurley in red zone carries in 2018 and Mark Ingram is gone. My receivers beyond Keenan Allen are suspect, but I consider George Kittle my No. 1 WR.
TEAM ORR—QB: Luck; RB: McCaffrey, Cook; WR: Hilton, Williams; TE: Cook; FLEX: Coleman; DST: Ravens; K: Elliott; BENCH: Tate, Coutee, Hyde
My biggest concern was whether to pick Christian McCaffrey or Patrick Mahomes in the first round. I chose McCaffrey, who will continue to be one of the most utilized players in football in 2019, and then took QB Andrew Luck four rounds later.
TEAM HAMPL—QB: Goff; RB: Eliott, Ingram; WR: Evans, Cooper; TE: Walker; FLEX: Woods; DST: Rams, K: Gonzalez; BENCH: Fitzgerald, Kirk, Jones II
I focused on systems as much as talent. I think Bruce Arians will supercharge the Buccaneers, making Mike Evans a possible top three receiver. And as my selection of three Cardinals shows, I am all in on the Kliff Kingsbury era.
TEAM KAHLER—QB: Mahomes; RB: Chubb, Cohen; WR: Diggs, Robinson; TE: Ebron; FLEX: Fuller; DST: Bears; K: Zuerlein; BENCH: Westbrook, Jackson, Samuel
My priorities were to draft Patrick Mahomes and the Bears defense, so I moved early on both of them. Last season, Chicago’s D singlehandedly saved me many times, and the unit returns nearly intact.
TEAM WOO—QB: Wilson; RB: Gordon, Williams; WR: Adams, Thielen; TE: Henry; FLEX: Ridley; DST: Vikings; K: Lutz; BENCH: Moore, Penny, Lewis
Generally I try to draft safe, and I feel good about my base of proven veterans: Melvin Gordon, Adam Thielen and Davante Adams. I speculated on Damien Williams, but if he’s Kansas City’s lead back, that could be a home run.
TEAM SINGLE—QB: Ryan; RB: Conner, Johnson; WR: Golladay, Landry; TE: Njoku; FLEX: Mack; DST: Browns; K: Vinatieri; BENCH: Lockett, Williams, Brown
I went with James Conner’s upside over Todd Gurley and Le’Veon Bell’s proven production. David Johnson and Marlon Mack should flourish in high-octane offenses. Don’t sleep on Matt Ryan now that OC Steve Sarkisian is gone.
TEAM GOLDICH—QB: Watson; RB: Bell, Michel; WR: Cooks, Sutton; TE: Kelce; FLEX: Jacobs; DST: Texans; K: Fairbairn; BENCH: Harry, Funchess, Sanders
I normally wait to take a tight end, but Travis Kelce was a value pick. I also jumped on value at running back, at at the expense of my WRs. But every year lesser-known receivers become good waiver-wire pickups.
TEAM MARSTON—QB: Rodgers; RB: Fournette, Murray; WR: Beckham Jr., Smith-Schuster; TE: Howard; FLEX: Kupp; DST: Cowboys; K: Gostkowski; BENCH: McCoy, Foster, Goodwin
I took some young wideouts but anchored my starters by drafting Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Leonard Fournette is a risky top RB given his durability issues, but picking ninth means missing out on the top backs.
TEAM GRAMLING—QB: Wentz; RB: Gurley, Mixon; WR: Edelman, Watkins; TE: Ertz; FLEX: Johnson; DST: Chargers; K: Badgley; BENCH: Shepard, Foreman, Murray
Once I tell Todd Gurley he slipped to 10th, he’ll go into this season with a chip on his shoulder; plus, I would have happily settled for Joe Mixon in the first if Gurley hadn’t slipped. Kerryon Johnson has top 10 RB upside.
TEAM EAGLE—QB: Newton; RB: Carson, Henry; WR: Hopkins, Thomas; TE: McDonald; FLEX: Howard; DST: Saints; K: Tucker; BENCH: Boyd, Guice, Davis
Don’t wait on tight end the way I did, ending up with Vance McDonald. The position gets thin—fast. One TE does break out every year, so you can strike gold in the later rounds. If you don’t, though, buckle up for a long season.
TEAM TRAINA—QB: Brees; RB: Freeman, Lindsay; WR: Brown, Jones; TE: Engram; FLEX: White; DST: Patriots; K: Prater; BENCH: McKinnon, Crowder, Sanu
Antonio Brown will have a monster season as he tries to prove himself in Oakland. Phillip Lindsay wore out some in 2018, but he is the real deal. Jerick McKinnon can be a steal if he bounces back from his ACL tear.
