2021 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-Team, PPR Results

Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, PPR results originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Fantasy football season is upon us and there's a good chance your upcoming fantasy draft snuck up on you faster than expected. 

If you only have so much time to prep and you don't feel like spending a ton of time sitting in a mock drat lobby, fear not. A staff of NBC Sports Washington writers and video editors/producers got together for a 12-team fantasy football mock draft to give a good idea of how a given draft could go down. 

Draft order

1. Shelby Daniels
2. Mike DePrisco
3. Isaiah Cromer
4. JJ Regan
5. Matt Cone
6. Tyler Byrum
7. Prince Grimes
8. Cory Skloff
9. Ethan Cadeaux
10. Megan Joseph
11. Andrew Gillis
12. Matt Weyrich

The order was randomized one hour before the draft began, and it's a PPR league, giving one point to player per each reception they make during games. 

Round 1 

1	Shelby Daniels	Derrick HenryRB, Tennessee Titans
2	Mike DePrisco	Christian McCaffreyRB, Carolina Panthers
3	Isaiah Cromer	Dalvin CookRB, Minnesota Vikings
4	JJ Regan	Tyreek HillWR, Kansas City Chiefs
5	Matt Cone	Alvin KamaraRB, New Orleans Saints
6	Tyler Byrum	Travis KelceTE, Kansas City Chiefs
7	Prince Grimes	Ezekiel ElliottRB, Dallas Cowboys
8	Cory Skloff	Saquon BarkleyRB, New York Giants
9	Ethan Cadeaux	Jonathan TaylorRB, Indianapolis Colts
10	Megan Joseph	Davante AdamsWR, Green Bay Packers
11	Andrew Gillis	Austin EkelerRB, Los Angeles Chargers
12	Matt Weyrich	Stefon DiggsWR, Buffalo Bills

Analysis: Shelby gave us a surprise right at the top, taking Derrick Henry over consensus top choices Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook. Henry has led the NFL in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns the last two seasons, though. 

Round 2

13	Matt Weyrich	Aaron JonesRB, Green Bay Packers
14	Andrew Gillis	Nick ChubbRB, Cleveland Browns
15	Megan Joseph	Najee HarrisRB, Pittsburgh Steelers
16	Ethan Cadeaux	Antonio GibsonRB, Washington
17	Cory Skloff	DeAndre HopkinsWR, Arizona Cardinals
18	Prince Grimes	Calvin RidleyWR, Atlanta Falcons
19	Tyler Byrum	Clyde Edwards-HelaireRB, Kansas City Chiefs
20	Matt Cone	DK MetcalfWR, Seattle Seahawks
21	JJ Regan	Joe MixonRB, Cincinnati Bengals
22	Isaiah Cromer	Keenan AllenWR, Los Angeles Chargers
23	Mike DePrisco	Justin JeffersonWR, Minnesota Vikings
24	Shelby Daniels	A.J. BrownWR, Tennessee Titans

Analysis: One of our resident Washington Football Team experts made Antonio Gibson the first player taken from the hometown team in Round 2. Gibson impressed as a rookie last season with over 1,000 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. Here, Ethan's banking on Gibson to take his game to another level in 2021. 

Round 3

25	Shelby Daniels	Chris CarsonRB, Seattle Seahawks
26	Mike DePrisco	Miles SandersRB, Philadelphia Eagles
27	Isaiah Cromer	Darren WallerTE, Las Vegas Raiders
28	JJ Regan	Terry McLaurinWR, Washington
29	Matt Cone	David MontgomeryRB, Chicago Bears
30	Tyler Byrum	CeeDee LambWR, Dallas Cowboys
31	Prince Grimes	D'Andre SwiftRB, Detroit Lions
32	Cory Skloff	J.K. DobbinsRB, Baltimore Ravens
33	Ethan Cadeaux	George KittleTE, San Francisco 49ers
34	Megan Joseph	Robert WoodsWR, Los Angeles Rams
35	Andrew Gillis	Allen Robinson IIWR, Chicago Bears
36	Matt Weyrich	Mike EvansWR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Analysis: Tight end is probably the hardest position to get steady production out of week-to-week, so if you have a chance to get an elite one, it may be worth passing on a few running backs and wide receivers to secure. Tyler took the top guy in the first round in Travis Kelce, while Isaiah and Ethan snagged the next two in Darren Waller and George Kittle. 

Round 4

37	Matt Weyrich	Amari CooperWR, Dallas Cowboys
38	Andrew Gillis	DJ MooreWR, Carolina Panthers
39	Megan Joseph	Mark AndrewsTE, Baltimore Ravens
40	Ethan Cadeaux	Tyler LockettWR, Seattle Seahawks
41	Cory Skloff	Josh JacobsRB, Las Vegas Raiders
42	Prince Grimes	Adam ThielenWR, Minnesota Vikings
43	Tyler Byrum	Myles GaskinRB, Miami Dolphins
44	Matt Cone	Josh AllenQB, Buffalo Bills
45	JJ Regan	Darrell Henderson Jr.RB, Los Angeles Rams
46	Isaiah Cromer	Lamar JacksonQB, Baltimore Ravens
47	Mike DePrisco	Brandon AiyukWR, San Francisco 49ers
48	Shelby Daniels	Chase EdmondsRB, Arizona Cardinals

Analysis: We have the first two quarterbacks off the board, and neither are Patrick Mahomes. Weird. Matt Cone and Isaiah opted for two of the best quarterbacks in the AFC who have yet to win a Super Bowl. Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are both elite quarterbacks, they just aren't Mahomes. 

Round 5

49	Shelby Daniels	Cooper KuppWR, Los Angeles Rams
50	MikeDePrisco	Patrick MahomesQB, Kansas City Chiefs
51	Isaiah Cromer	Justin HerbertQB, Los Angeles Chargers
52	JJ Regan	Chris GodwinWR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
53	Matt Cone	Kyle PittsTE, Atlanta Falcons
54	Tyler Byrum	Julio JonesWR, Tennessee Titans
55	Prince Grimes	Courtland SuttonWR, Denver Broncos
56	Cory Skloff	Diontae JohnsonWR, Pittsburgh Steelers
57	Ethan Cadeaux	Ja'Marr ChaseWR, Cincinnati Bengals
58	Megan Joseph	Kyler MurrayQB, Arizona Cardinals
59	Team Gillis	Tee HigginsWR, Cincinnati Bengals
60	Team Weyrich	Travis Etienne Jr.RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Analysis: The fifth round saw three rookies come off the board in Kyle Pitts, Ja'Marr Chase and Travis Etienne Jr. The 2021 class was loaded with talented playmakers and there's a good chance a few of them make an instant impact in fantasy this year. If you're in a dynasty format, this is a good year to have a high draft pick. 

Round 6

61	Matt Weyrich	Dak PrescottQB, Dallas Cowboys
62	Andrew Gillis	Javonte WilliamsRB, Denver Broncos
63	Megan Joseph	Antonio BrownWR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
64	Ethan Cadeaux	Jerry JeudyWR, Denver Broncos
65	Cory Skloff	Kenny GolladayWR, New York Giants
66	Prince Grimes	Aaron RodgersQB, Green Bay Packers
67	Tyler Byrum	Russell WilsonQB, Seattle Seahawks
68	Matt Cone	Chase ClaypoolWR, Pittsburgh Steelers
69	JJ Regan	T.J. HockensonTE, Detroit Lions
70	Isaiah Cromer	Odell Beckham Jr.WR, Cleveland Browns
71	Mike DePrisco	Tyler BoydWR, Cincinnati Bengals
72	Shelby Daniels	JuJu Smith-SchusterWR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Analysis: This is the stage of the draft where championships are both won and lost. Some teams play it safe by taking standout performers from the year before like Chase Claypool at No. 68 or Tyler Boyd at No. 71, while others go for the boom-or-bust options like Antonio Brown at No. 63 and Odell Beckham Jr. at No. 70. Who's to say which approach is right? 

Round 7

73	Shelby Daniels	Ryan TannehillQB, Tennessee Titans
74	Mike DePrisco	Kareem HuntRB, Cleveland Browns
75	Isaiah Cromer	Michael ThomasWR, New Orleans Saints
76	JJ Regan	Tom BradyQB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
77	Matt Cone	Leonard FournetteRB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
78	Tyler Byrum	Marquise BrownWR, Baltimore Ravens
79	Prince Grimes	Dallas GoedertTE, Philadelphia Eagles
80	Cory Skloff	Robby AndersonWR, Carolina Panthers
81	Ethan Cadeaux	Mike DavisRB, Atlanta Falcons
82	Megan Joseph	Laviska Shenault Jr.WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
83	Andrew Gillis	Logan ThomasTE, Washington
84	Matt Weyrich	Jaylen WaddleWR, Miami Dolphins

Analysis: Speaking of boom or bust, Megan's team is looking like the prime example for that phrase. She took a rookie running back in the second round, a tight end in the third, Antonio Brown in the sixth and now Leviska Shenault Jr. in the seventh. With Kyler Murray and Davante Adams holding things down at the other starting spots, this is looking like a squad with a lot of variability.

Round 8

85	Matt Weyrich	Noah FantTE, Denver Broncos
86	Andrew Gillis	Corey DavisWR, New York Jets
87	Megan Joseph	Damien HarrisRB, New England Patriots
88	Ethan Cadeaux	Deebo SamuelWR, San Francisco 49ers
89	Cory Skloff	William Fuller VWR, Miami Dolphins
90	Prince Grimes	Melvin Gordon IIIRB, Denver Broncos
91	Tyler Byrum	James RobinsonRB, Jacksonville Jaguars
92	Matt Cone	Mike WilliamsWR, Los Angeles Chargers
93	JJ Regan	Brandin CooksWR, Houston Texans
94	Isaiah Cromer	DeVonta SmithWR, Philadelphia Eagles
95	Mike DePrisco	Mike GesickiTE, Miami Dolphins
96	Shelby Daniels	Robert TonyanTE, Green Bay Packers

Analysis: Another rookie goes off the board with Isaiah taking DeVonta Smith 94th overall. Smith is probably the best receiver on the Eagles, but Philadelphia hasn't had a ton of success getting stable production out of that position since Jeremy Maclin in 2014. Maybe securing a Heisman trophy winner will do the trick. 

Round 9

97	Shelby Daniels	Raheem MostertRB, San Francisco 49ers
98	Mike DePrisco	Washington D/STD/ST, Washington
99	Isaiah Cromer	DJ Chark Jr.WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
100	JJ Regan	Michael GallupWR, Dallas Cowboys
101	Matt Cone	Buccaneers D/STD/ST, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
102	Tyler Byrum	Marvin Jones Jr.WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
103	Prince Grimes	Jarvis LandryWR, Cleveland Browns
104	Cory Skloff	Jalen HurtsQB, Philadelphia Eagles
105	Ethan Cadeaux	Michael CarterRB, New York Jets
106	Megan Joseph	David JohnsonRB, Houston Texans
107	Andrew Gillis	Trey SermonRB, San Francisco 49ers
108	Matt Weyrich	Curtis SamuelWR, Washington

Analysis: A lot of people in this draft made fun of a particular owner to take the Washington defense in the ninth round. That particular owner would tell them that with his key starters secured at quarterback, running back and wide receiver with a good backup at each spot, why not take the best defense available? How many players in rounds 8-12 actually make a start for you in the regular season? If you were buying a car that had all four tires but no brakes, you wouldn't ask for more tires. 

Round 10

109	Matt Weyrich	Henry Ruggs IIIWR, Las Vegas Raiders
110	Andrew Gillis	Zack MossRB, Buffalo Bills
111	Megan Joseph	Matthew StaffordQB, Los Angeles Rams
112	Ethan Cadeaux	Joe BurrowQB, Cincinnati Bengals
113	Cory Skloff	Jonnu SmithTE, New England Patriots
114	Prince Grimes	Irv Smith Jr.TE, Minnesota Vikings
115	Tyler Byrum	Ravens D/STD/ST, Baltimore Ravens
116	Matt Cone	James ConnerRB, Arizona Cardinals
117	JJ Regan	AJ DillonRB, Green Bay Packers
118	Isaiah Cromer	Kenyan DrakeRB, Las Vegas Raiders
119	Mike DePrisco	T.Y. HiltonWR, Indianapolis Colts
120	Shelby Daniels	Cole BeasleyWR, Buffalo Bills

Analysis: Prince taking Irv Smith Jr. at No. 114 could be one of the big steals of this draft. The former second-round pick emerged as the Vikings' best tight end over Kyle Rudolph last year and is poised to get a good share of the red zone targets in 2021. As Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson draw most of the opposing defenses' attention, Smith could fill in that gap and become a top fantasy option this year. 

Round 11

121	Shelby Daniels	Devin SingletaryRB, Buffalo Bills
122	Mike DePrisco	Evan EngramTE, New York Giants
123	Isaiah Cromer	Jalen ReagorWR, Philadelphia Eagles
124	JJ Regan	Nyheim HinesRB, Indianapolis Colts
125	Matt Cone	Jamaal WilliamsRB, Detroit Lions
126	Tyler Byrum	DeVante ParkerWR, Miami Dolphins
127	Prince Grimes	Browns D/STD/ST, Cleveland Browns
128	Cory Skloff	Mecole HardmanWR, Kansas City Chiefs
129	Ethan Cadeaux	Steelers D/STD/ST, Pittsburgh Steelers
130	Megan Joseph	Darnell MooneyWR, Chicago Bears
131	Andrew Gillis	Elijah MooreWR, New York Jets
132	Matt Weyrich	Tyler HigbeeTE, Los Angeles Rams

Analysis: We're starting to see more defenses come off the board here as two AFC North units get picked up in Round 11. So far, Washington, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Cleveland are the top defenses per this mock draft. Trying to score in that division is not going to be an easy task. 

Round 12

133	Matt Weyrich	Hunter HenryTE, New England Patriots
134	Andrew Gillis	Justin FieldsQB, Chicago Bears
135	Megan Joseph	Eric EbronTE, Pittsburgh Steelers
136	Ethan Cadeaux	Justin TuckerK, Baltimore Ravens
137	Cory Skloff	Ronald Jones IIRB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
138	Prince Grimes	Sterling ShepardWR, New York Giants
139	Tyler Byrum	James WhiteRB, New England Patriots
140	Matt Cone	J.D. McKissicRB, Washington
141	JJ Regan	Trevor LawrenceQB, Jacksonville Jaguars
142	Isaiah Cromer	Gus EdwardsRB, Baltimore Ravens
143	Mike DePrisco	Tony PollardRB, Dallas Cowboys
144	Shelby Daniels	Parris CampbellWR, Indianapolis Colts

Analysis: Andrew and J.J. must talk to each other quite a bit because they had the same idea of taking rookie quarterbacks here in Round 12. Lawrence is the presumed No. 1 in Jacksonville, but Fields has yet to earn a starting job yet in Chicago. Andrew might know something we don't since he took him ahead of Lawrence and Trey Lance. 

Round 13

145	Shelby Daniels	Harrison ButkerK, Kansas City Chiefs
146	Mike DePrisco	Jakobi MeyersWR, New England Patriots
147	Isaiah Cromer	Tarik CohenRB, Chicago Bears
148	JJ Regan	Brandon McManusK, Denver Broncos
149	Matt Cone	Michael Pittman Jr.WR, Indianapolis Colts
150	Tyler Byrum	Tyler BassK, Buffalo Bills
151	Prince Grimes	Phillip LindsayRB, Houston Texans
152	Cory Skloff	Nelson AgholorWR, New England Patriots
153	Ethan Cadeaux	Trey LanceQB, San Francisco 49ers
154	Megan Joseph	49ers D/STD/ST, San Francisco 49ers
155	Andrew Gillis	Bryan EdwardsWR, Las Vegas Raiders
156	Matt Weyrich	Alexander MattisonRB, Minnesota Vikings

Analysis: Megan got great value here by getting the 49ers at No. 154, who might just be the best defense in the NFL after an injury-riddled 2020. Ethan also may have gotten the rookie quarterback with the highest ceiling in 2021 by taking Lance. 

Round 14

157	Matt Weyrich	Latavius MurrayRB, New Orleans Saints
158	Andrew Gillis	Baker MayfieldQB, Cleveland Browns
159	Megan Joseph	Graham GanoK, New York Giants
160	Ethan Cadeaux	Adam TrautmanTE, New Orleans Saints
161	Cory Skloff	Giovani BernardRB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
162	Prince Grimes	Jason MyersK, Seattle Seahawks
163	Tyler Byrum	Russell GageWR, Atlanta Falcons
164	Matt Cone	Rob GronkowskiTE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
165	JJ Regan	Jamison CrowderWR, New York Jets
166	Isaiah Cromer	Bills D/STD/ST, Buffalo Bills
167	Mike DePrisco	Tua TagovailoaQB, Miami Dolphins
168	Shelby Daniels	Colts D/STD/ST, Indianapolis Colts

Analysis: Given Alvin Kamara's heavy workload over the past few years, drafting his handcuff isn't the worst idea. By taking Latavius Murray, Matt gets a productive back who might earn an increased workload with Jameis Winston at quarterback. 

Round 15

169	Shelby Daniels	Kirk CousinsQB, Minnesota Vikings
170	Mike DePrisco	Matt RyanQB, Atlanta Falcons
171	Isaiah Cromer	Ben RoethlisbergerQB, Pittsburgh Steelers
172	JJ Regan	Rashod BatemanWR, Baltimore Ravens
173	Matt Cone	Marquez CallawayWR, New Orleans Saints
174	Tyler Byrum	Daniel JonesQB, New York Giants
175	Prince Grimes	Randall CobbWR, Green Bay Packers
176	Cory Skloff	Broncos D/STD/ST, Denver Broncos
177	Ethan Cadeaux	Tyrell WilliamsWR, Detroit Lions
178	Megan Joseph	Rondale MooreWR, Arizona Cardinals
179	Andrew Gillis	Rams D/STD/ST, Los Angeles Rams
180	Matt Weyrich	Dolphins D/STD/ST, Miami Dolphins

Analysis: Kirk Cousins is still worth drafting in fantasy football?! That's news to me. Meanwhile, Matt gets some more value late in the draft by taking the Dolphins defense, which was a turnover machine last season and is returning just about every key player from a year ago with a few additions. 

Round 16

181	Matt Weyrich	Jason SandersK, Miami Dolphins
182	Andrew Gillis	Greg ZuerleinK, Dallas Cowboys
183	Megan Joseph	Gabriel DavisWR, Buffalo Bills
184	Ethan Cadeaux	Terrace Marshall Jr.WR, Carolina Panthers
185	Cory Skloff	Younghoe KooK, Atlanta Falcons
186	Prince Grimes	Zach WilsonQB, New York Jets
187	Tyler Byrum	Austin HooperTE, Cleveland Browns
188	Matt Cone	Matt GayK, Los Angeles Rams
189	JJ Regan	Patriots D/STD/ST, New England Patriots
190	Isaiah Cromer	Josh LamboK, Jacksonville Jaguars
191	Mike DePrisco	Rodrigo BlankenshipK, Indianapolis Colts
192	Shelby Daniels	Zach ErtzTE, Philadelphia Eagles

Analysis: Zach Ertz used to warrant a third or fourth-round pick in PPR leagues, but this year he's Mr. Irrelevant. Consdiering he may not be on the Eagles by the time the season begins, it makes at least a little sense that he dropped this far.