The 2016 NFL regular season now just a couple weeks away, so fantasy football leagues around the nation should be busy conducting their respective drafts. For those players – and there are many of you – who are still conflicted with who to take in the first couple of rounds, fear not. Here’s a handy mock draft of the first three rounds (for a standard 10-man league) to help you out, along with accompanying fantasy points projections for each player.
The top picks in the draft are usually reserved for running backs, but this year figures to be different. Pittsburgh Steelers star wideout Antonio Brown is the consensus No. 1 pick, and it’s hard to argue with his incredibly high and consistent production over the past few years. He came in second in the league in receiving yards last season, and is priced at +275 to reclaim his receiving crown in 2016. Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones will also be in contention as top-five picks.
But of course, running backs are still going to go early. Adrian Peterson is still in the mix to be the top back taken, but at age 31, he’s hardly a sure thing anymore. Todd Gurley and David Johnson have garnered considerable hype after impressive rookie seasons, and should only get better from a fantasy perspective.
Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott, the runaway favorite at +120 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, should also be off the board fairly quickly, potentially even ahead of AP.
Round 2
PICK
PLAYER
POSITION
TEAM
2016 PTS PROJ
11
Le’Veon Bell
RB
Pittsburgh Steelers
195.6
12
A.J. Green
WR
Cincinnati Bengals
181.4
13
Allen Robinson
WR
Jacksonville Jaguars
180.4
14
Rob Gronkowski
TE
New England Patriots
170.4
15
Devonta Freeman
RB
Atlanta Falcons
197.6
16
LeSean McCoy
RB
Buffalo Bills
213.3
17
Jordy Nelson
WR
Green Bay Packers
170.6
18
Jamaal Charles
RB
Kansas City Chiefs
207.1
19
Brandon Marshall
WR
New York Jets
178.2
20
Mark Ingram
RB
New Orleans Saints
195.2
The second round should still have a host of excellent running backs on the board. Le’Veon Bell could be a solid value play, especially now that he’ll be suspended for just three games instead of four. A couple more dual-threat backs – Devonta Freeman and Jamaal Charles – are also interesting options, but with Charles coming off an ACL injury, expect Freeman to go a tad earlier.
Speaking of ACLs, Jordy Nelson will be coming back from his own knee injury. But while projections for him are understandably conservative, consider taking him a little earlier since he’s sure to be targeted early and often by Aaron Rodgers in that Packers offense.
Round 3
PICK
PLAYER
POSITION
TEAM
2016 PTS PROJ
21
Keenan Allen
WR
San Diego Chargers
157.1
22
Eddie Lacy
RB
Green Bay Packers
167.9
23
Alshon Jeffery
WR
Chicago Bears
174.7
24
Doug Martin
RB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
185
25
Sammy Watkins
WR
Buffalo Bills
163.6
26
Mike Evans
WR
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
163.2
27
Brandin Cooks
WR
New Orleans Saints
151.3
28
Amari Cooper
WR
Oakland Raiders
151.3
29
Cam Newton
QB
Carolina Panthers
333.7
30
Carlos Hyde
RB
San Francisco 49ers
171.7
Expect there to be a run on the remaining top wide receivers by Round 3. There will be no shortage of options, with undisputed No. 1’s like Alshon Jeffery, Sammy Watkins, and Mike Evans all capable of putting up big numbers. But the better play could be taking Keenan Allen.
The San Diego Chargers missed half of last season with a kidney problem. Prior to getting injured, though, he was on course for around 130 catches and 1,500 yards. Snagging that sort of production early in the third round could be an absolute steal. So would grabbing Allen at +2,800 to lead the NFL in receiving yards this season.
