Throughout the season, you will see a lot of ridiculous designs analyzed on this site. The primary value of ridiculous designs will not be realized until August, but there is still something to be gained by implementing them at various times until the draft season. Well, we’re in August now.
This is the fifth spot I have done. Given the time gap between each mock I will often draw from the same position to create a timeline of how perception and my own opinions change. I did two late-pick mock drawings in the pretty close up, so for this one, I’m back to the two-place. I make my picks and write my thoughts in real time as I do these mocks with our free running simulator so I can really capture what I am thinking at the moment. With the design season ahead of us, I’m now at the point where I fully understand the implications each pick has for future picks, and I know which players I will need later based on the ones I take earlier. It does not always go according to plan, what is the beauty of this game.
This is for a 12-team, PPR competition with one QB, three WRs, two RBs, one TE, and one flex. I have removed kickers and defenses because there is simply no value in taking them.
Complete fashion designs using our free running simulator >>
1.02 Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG)
Nothing has changed for whom I consider my second overall player. Saquon Barkley is my choice to complete 2020 as the overall RB1. The Giants’ offensive situation is better this year than it was last year. They have improved the offensive line, and we can not forget that Barkley is a generation of talent and just 23 years old.
2.11 George Kittle (TE – SF)
This is exactly what I hope to change here. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire now a consensus first-round pick and the fantasy community finding the need for pounds running back early, the top 15 backs are now all gone. This presented a great opportunity to experiment with not going RB-RB. I typically wait for tight ends and quarterbacks, but this is practice, and it’s important to understand how your team looks with strategies that are not ideal. That led me to George Kittle, who is likely to become a target dog on a running first offense, but one who has already lost two receivers in Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd.
3.02 Adam Thielen (WR – MIN)
I’m so glad I approached this mockery as I did, because it presents a real challenge. The biggest problem for me in this early position of the third round is the top running backpacks and wide receivers available are all pretty similar. It does not matter who I selected, it would be one that is equal to what the essays on the back end would get. Finally, I decided with my top-ranked wide receiver, Adam Thielen, to go over my top-ranked running back, Leonard Fournette, understanding that would force me to go back in the fourth or fifth round.
4.11 Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)
To be honest, if this was a real bear and Lamar Jackson made it back to me, the 100% chance I’m taking him, despite what I’ve already done, and I’ll just figure it out later. I passed Jackson because that is not a scenario that will ever happen. I do not expect much from Jonathan Taylor to be here, but it is at least plausible. There are several recipients that I like and I will take one with my next choice. For now, I secure my RB2 in the best rookie-running prospect since Saquon Barkley, which I expect Marlon Mack will overcome almost immediately.
5.02 DK Metcalf (WR – SEA)
I really wanted DJ Chark here, but the choice went for me. The downgrade is minimal, although DK Metcalf will establish itself as the Seahawks’ WR1 this year. He out-targets Tyler Lockett over the back half of the 2019 season. At least the two are on equal playing fields. With Chark gone, this choice would have been Metcalf, even if Lockett was still on the board.
6.11 Andre Swift (RB – DET)
It seems that rookies can be a bit underestimated in these mocks, because D’Andre Swift is an absolute steal at this point in the concept. My two goals here were Swift and Kareem Hunt. If both were gone, I would probably pivot to a wide receiver and later tackle on three running lines in the draft, hoping my top two would carry me. I see Swift moving a 60% stake and Kerryon Johnson going straight. I do not like Swift as a talent, but he is definitely above replacement level and talented enough to produce when given the opportunity.
7.02 Kareem Hunt (RB – CLE)
I only have two wide receivers, but I’m ready to take a hit at my early WR3 to put Kareem Hunt on my bench. Hunt was a mid to low-end RB2 after returning from suspension last season, and that’s quite his downfall, even if Nick Chubb stays healthy. Hunt’s ceiling is a high end RB2 with Chubb and an elite RB1 if Chubb gets hurt when Hunt is traded.
8.11 Anthony Miller (WR – CHI)
I do not like to touch a little for Anthony Miller here, but I needed a WR3. This is a very weak WR3, but, remember, George Kittle is technically my WR1, so if you consider Miller as TE I would have been wide receiver in the second round, then he’s better than any tight end I would put up here. Miller is entering his third season, but his first as the clear starter against Allen Robinson. Miller was able to transfer 100 goals this season and is an idea let-round goal.
9.02 Matthew Stafford (QB – DET)
I wanted to make sure I caught Matthew Stafford here because I was expecting a QB1 season from him. Stafford was a top-five quarterback before he was injured, and he returns his top three receivers and full coaching staff. Continuity only helps an already talented quarterback who oversees.
10.11 Darrell Henderson (RB – LAR)
This is such an ironic choice, because I do not have much hope for Darrell Henderson this season. He’s just the top running back on my board in a place where I saw no value in taking wide receivers because the guys who are gone are all WR5s darts. Henderson completely failed like a rookie and could not even get on the field over a broken Todd Gurley and a looting Malcolm Brown – not even when one of them was out. Cam Akers is set to be the man, but maybe Henderson flies into camp. Honestly, this was probably a bad choice.
11.02 Carson Wentz (QB – PHI)
The value here is too good to pass up. Carson Wentz is a legitimate QB1, and I can play matchups between him and Matthew Stafford or potentially trade. I always take a backup quarterback as a tight end, but never both. With Kittle locked as my TE1, I do not have to have a second tight end, so getting two QB1s seems like a good idea.
12.11 Curtis Samuel (WR – CAR)
I can not give up Curtis Samuel. He’s just too talented. We would sing a much different tune about Samuel if Kyle Allen could complete everything downfield last season. Even though Robby Anderson represents increased goal competition, Teddy Bridgewater is an unqualified upgrade over Allen and I have confidence that Matt Rhule understands the talent he has in Samuel. This is the year!
13.02 Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF)
As my last wide receiver, I had the opportunity to consolidate just about every goal of the 49ers. Seems like a worthwhile gamble. Brandon Aiyuk has to start, and although I’m not a huge believer in his talent as a rookie wide receiver in general, I’ve chasing goals. Aiyuk has a shot to get 100 of them.
Final Roster
QB: Matthew Stafford, Carson Wentz
RB: Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, D’Andre Swift, Kareem Hunt, Darrell Henderson
WR: Adam Thielen, DK Metcalf, Anthony Miller, Curtis Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk
TE: George Kittle
Full design board
Need more advice? Access our Design Kit and Design Wizard tool >>
sign up: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
In addition to our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning list Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your concept this season. From our free mock Design simulator – allowing you to mock design against realistic opponents – to us Cheat Sheet Creator – that allows you to combine rankings of 100+ experts into one cheat sheet – we have treated you to this fantasy season of concept football.
Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. See for more on Jason archive, follow him @ jasonkatz13.
