You can pore over position rankings and research breakout candidates until your eyes bleed. But sometimes you just need to see the real thing.
Fantasy football mock drafts are a great way to prepare for real fantasy football drafts, as you can gain valuable intel on where players might be drafted in a risk-free environment.
Check out NBC Sports Boston's full 2021 draft kit
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Don't feel like spending an hour of your life in a mock draft room? You're in luck, because we did it for you. Our staff joined forces with the fantasy football experts at NBC Sports EDGE to hold a 12-team mock draft with standard scoring (half-point PPR) and a standard roster (one QB, two RBs, two WRs, one TE, one FLEX, one K, one DEF, six bench spots).
More draft resources from NBC Sports EDGE: Draft Guide | Mock Draft Simulator
The full draft results -- complete with analysis of each round -- are below. (A note: This draft was held on Thursday, July 22, before it was reported that Aaron Rodgers would attend Packers training camp.)
Draft Order
- Vaughn Dalzell, NBC Sports EDGE
- John Daigle, NBC Sports EDGE
- Denny Carter, NBC Sports EDGE
- Nick Goss, NBC Sports Boston
- Jack Miller, NBC Sports EDGE
- Ryan Provencher, NBC Sports Boston
- Justin Leger, NBC Sports Boston
- Corey Parson, NBC Sports EDGE
- Darren Hartwell, NBC Sports Boston
- Pat Kerrane, NBC Sports EDGE
- Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston
- Jon Henrie, NBC Sports Boston
Round 1
NFL
| 1. | Christian McCaffrey (Car - RB) | Vaughn Dalzell |
| 2. | Dalvin Cook (Min - RB) | John Daigle |
| 3. | Tyreek Hill (KC - WR) | Denny Carter |
| 4. | Jonathan Taylor (Ind - RB) | Nick Goss |
| 5. | Derrick Henry (Ten - RB) | Jack Miller |
| 6. | Alvin Kamara (NO - RB) | Ryan Provencher |
| 7. | Ezekiel Elliott (Dal - RB) | Justin Leger |
| 8. | Saquon Barkley (NYG - RB) | Corey Parson |
| 9. | Austin Ekeler (LAC - RB) | Darren Hartwell |
| 10. | Nick Chubb (Cle - RB) | Pat Kerrane |
| 11. | Stefon Diggs (Buf - WR) | Phil Perry |
| 12. | Travis Kelce (KC - TE) | Jon Henrie |
Analysis: Denny shakes things up right off the bat by taking Tyreek Hill at No. 3. He's the consensus WR1, but most early drafts have seen a run on running backs until the mid-to-late first round. Saquon Barkley is solid value for Corey at No. 8 if the Giants' workhorse can stay healthy.
Round 2
| 13. | Aaron Jones (GB - RB) | Jon Henrie |
| 14. | Antonio Gibson (Was - RB) | Phil Perry |
| 15. | Calvin Ridley (Atl - WR) | Pat Kerrane |
| 16. | Joe Mixon (Cin - RB) | Darren Hartwell |
| 17. | Davante Adams (GB - WR) | Corey Parson |
| 18. | DeAndre Hopkins (Ari - WR) | Justin Leger |
| 19. | DK Metcalf (Sea - WR) | Ryan Provencher |
| 20. | Darren Waller (LV - TE) | Jack Miller |
| 21. | Najee Harris (Pit - RB) | Nick Goss |
| 22. | Justin Jefferson (Min - WR) | Denny Carter |
| 23. | A.J. Brown (Ten - WR) | John Daigle |
| 24. | J.K. Dobbins (Bal - RB) | Vaughn Dalzell |
Analysis: Corey's faith in Davante Adams might be rewarded, as he drafted the stud Packers receiver before reports that Aaron Rodgers is expected to return to Green Bay. Adams was the No. 1 wideout in fantasy last season but the fourth WR taken here.
Round 3
| 25. | George Kittle (SF - TE) | Vaughn Dalzell |
| 26. | Michael Thomas (NO - WR) | John Daigle |
| 27. | CeeDee Lamb (Dal - WR) | Denny Carter |
| 28. | Mike Evans (TB - WR) | Nick Goss |
| 29. | Keenan Allen (LAC - WR) | Jack Miller |
| 30. | Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC - RB) | Ryan Provencher |
| 31. | Terry McLaurin (Was - WR) | Justin Leger |
| 32. | Patrick Mahomes (KC - QB) | Corey Parson |
| 33. | Allen Robinson II (Chi - WR) | Darren Hartwell |
| 34. | Chris Godwin (TB - WR) | Pat Kerrane |
| 35. | David Montgomery (Chi - RB) | Phil Perry |
| 36. | D'Andre Swift (Det - RB) | Jon Henrie |
Analysis: We also held this draft before a report that Michael Thomas will begin the season on the PUP list and miss the first six weeks. Tough blow for John with quality wideouts like CeeDee Lamb, Mike Evans, Keenan Allen and Terry McLaurin all on the board at No. 26.
Round 4
| 37. | Julio Jones (Ten - WR) | Jon Henrie |
| 38. | Miles Sanders (Phi - RB) | Phil Perry |
| 39. | DJ Moore (Car - WR) | Pat Kerrane |
| 40. | Amari Cooper (Dal - WR) | Darren Hartwell |
| 41. | Adam Thielen (Min - WR) | Corey Parson |
| 42. | Chris Carson (Sea - RB) | Justin Leger |
| 43. | Robert Woods (LAR - WR) | Ryan Provencher |
| 44. | Cooper Kupp (LAR - WR) | Jack Miller |
| 45. | Josh Jacobs (LV - RB) | Nick Goss |
| 46. | Tyler Lockett (Sea - WR) | Denny Carter |
| 47. | Diontae Johnson (Pit - WR) | John Daigle |
| 48. | Lamar Jackson (Bal - QB) | Vaughn Dalzell |
Analysis: You knew Julio Jones wouldn't make it past the fourth round. The former Falcons star is No. 41 in our Top 100 and will probably see less volume in Tennessee, but he's one of the best receivers in the game when healthy. The late 30s or early 40s seem about right for Jones.
Round 5
| 49. | Myles Gaskin (Mia - RB) | Vaughn Dalzell |
| 50. | Ja'Marr Chase (Cin - WR) | John Daigle |
| 51. | Kyle Pitts (Atl - TE) | Denny Carter |
| 52. | Tee Higgins (Cin - WR) | Nick Goss |
| 53. | Courtland Sutton (Den - WR) | Jack Miller |
| 54. | T.J. Hockenson (Det - TE) | Ryan Provencher |
| 55. | Josh Allen (Buf - QB) | Justin Leger |
| 56. | Kareem Hunt (Cle - RB) | Corey Parson |
| 57. | Travis Etienne (Jax - RB) | Darren Hartwell |
| 58. | Brandon Aiyuk (SF - WR) | Pat Kerrane |
| 59. | Damien Harris (NE - RB) | Phil Perry |
| 60. | Kenny Golladay (NYG - WR) | Jon Henrie |
Analysis: Damien Harris is 77th on our big board, so you could argue he was a reach here. Then again, Phil has been watching every New England practice this offseason as our Patriots beat writer, so maybe there's a reason he's bullish on the young running back.
Round 6
| 61. | Odell Beckham Jr. (Cle - WR) | Jon Henrie |
| 62. | Dak Prescott (Dal - QB) | Phil Perry |
| 63. | Kyler Murray (Ari - QB) | Pat Kerrane |
| 64. | Mark Andrews (Bal - TE) | Darren Hartwell |
| 65. | Darrell Henderson Jr. (LAR - RB) | Corey Parson |
| 66. | Mike Davis (Atl - RB) | Justin Leger |
| 67. | Russell Wilson (Sea - QB) | Ryan Provencher |
| 68. | Chase Claypool (Pit - WR) | Jack Miller |
| 69. | Justin Herbert (LAC - QB) | Nick Goss |
| 70. | Jalen Hurts (Phi - QB) | Denny Carter |
| 71. | Chase Edmonds (Ari - RB) | John Daigle |
| 72. | JuJu Smith-Schuster (Pit - WR) | Vaughn Dalzell |
Analysis: There's merit to waiting until the later rounds to draft a quarterback, but if you want a top-10 arm, you can't wait much longer than the sixth or seventh round. Five QBs off the board in Round 6 means we have eight QBs taken in the first 70 picks.
Round 7
| 73. | Jerry Jeudy (Den - WR) | Vaughn Dalzell |
| 74. | Ryan Tannehill (Ten - QB) | John Daigle |
| 75. | Javonte Williams (Den - RB) | Denny Carter |
| 76. | Robby Anderson (Car - WR) | Nick Goss |
| 77. | Raheem Mostert (SF - RB) | Jack Miller |
| 78. | Ronald Jones II (TB - RB) | Ryan Provencher |
| 79. | Leonard Fournette (TB - RB) | Justin Leger |
| 80. | Dallas Goedert (Phi - TE) | Corey Parson |
| 81. | James Robinson (Jax - RB) | Darren Hartwell |
| 82. | Deebo Samuel (SF - WR) | Pat Kerrane |
| 83. | Curtis Samuel (Was - WR) | Phil Perry |
| 84. | Trey Sermon (SF - RB) | Jon Henrie |
Analysis: Interesting to see two Bucs running backs go back-to-back here. Ronald Jones II and Leonard Fournette are 81st and 94th in our Top 100 rankings, respectively, but maybe "Playoff Lenny" will see a bigger share of the workload (especially near the goal line) after his postseason heroics.
Round 8
| 85. | Tom Brady (TB - QB) | Jon Henrie |
| 86. | Will Fuller V (Mia - WR) | Phil Perry |
| 87. | Tyler Higbee (LAR - TE) | Pat Kerrane |
| 88. | DJ Chark Jr. (Jax - WR) | Darren Hartwell |
| 89. | Brandin Cooks (Hou - WR) | Corey Parson |
| 90. | Noah Fant (Den - TE) | Justin Leger |
| 91. | Melvin Gordon III (Den - RB) | Ryan Provencher |
| 92. | Michael Carter (NYJ - RB) | Jack Miller |
| 93. | Logan Thomas (Was - TE) | Nick Goss |
| 94. | AJ Dillon (GB - RB) | Denny Carter |
| 95. | Marquise Brown (Bal - WR) | John Daigle |
| 96. | Jarvis Landry (Cle - WR) | Vaughn Dalzell |
Analysis: Taking a soon-to-be 44-year-old Tom Brady at No. 85 overall as the QB10? Is Jon Henrie nuts? ... Or does he recall that Brady was the eighth-best player in fantasy last season while playing on a torn MCL and returns all of his offensive weapons in 2021? Let the GOAT drop on draft boards at your own peril.
Round 9
| 97. | DeVonta Smith (Phi - WR) | Vaughn Dalzell |
| 98. | Tony Pollard (Dal - RB) | John Daigle |
| 99. | Gus Edwards (Bal - RB) | Denny Carter |
| 100. | Michael Pittman Jr. (Ind - WR) | Nick Goss |
| 101. | Laviska Shenault Jr. (Jax - WR) | Jack Miller |
| 102. | Tyler Boyd (Cin - WR) | Ryan Provencher |
| 103. | Kenyan Drake (LV - RB) | Justin Leger |
| 104. | Michael Gallup (Dal - WR) | Corey Parson |
| 105. | Zack Moss (Buf - RB) | Darren Hartwell |
| 106. | Elijah Moore (NYJ - WR) | Pat Kerrane |
| 107. | Mike Williams (LAC - WR) | Phil Perry |
| 108. | Jamaal Williams (Det - RB) | Jon Henrie |
Analysis: Laviska Shenault Jr. will be a popular late-round pick after catching five or more passes in his last four games last season. He could emerge as a solid WR3 if Trevor Lawrence lives up to expectations, so don't be surprised if the Jaguars wide receiver is gone within the first 100 picks.
Round 10
| 109. | Antonio Brown (TB - WR) | Jon Henrie |
| 110. | Jonnu Smith (NE - TE) | Phil Perry |
| 111. | Rondale Moore (Ari - WR) | Pat Kerrane |
| 112. | Aaron Rodgers (GB - QB) | Darren Hartwell |
| 113. | Tevin Coleman (NYJ - RB) | Corey Parson |
| 114. | Jaylen Waddle (Mia - WR) | Justin Leger |
| 115. | Los Angeles (LAR - DEF) | Ryan Provencher |
| 116. | Mecole Hardman (KC - WR) | Jack Miller |
| 117. | Devin Singletary (Buf - RB) | Nick Goss |
| 118. | Latavius Murray (NO - RB) | Denny Carter |
| 119. | James Conner (Ari - RB) | John Daigle |
| 120. | Corey Davis (NYJ - WR) | Vaughn Dalzell |
Analysis: Gotta pat my self on the back here: I rolled the dice on Aaron Rodgers (reminder: we drafted while his future was still unclear) and was rewarded by landing the reigning NFL MVP in Round 10. Situations like these often go in the other direction (see: Bell, Le'Veon) but sometimes the risk is worth the reward.
Round 11
| 121. | DeVante Parker (Mia - WR) | Vaughn Dalzell |
| 122. | Irv Smith Jr. (Min - TE) | John Daigle |
| 123. | Jamison Crowder (NYJ - WR) | Denny Carter |
| 124. | Hunter Henry (NE - TE) | Nick Goss |
| 125. | Matthew Stafford (LAR - QB) | Jack Miller |
| 126. | Nyheim Hines (Ind - RB) | Ryan Provencher |
| 127. | Marvin Jones Jr. (Jax - WR) | Justin Leger |
| 128. | David Johnson (Hou - RB) | Corey Parson |
| 129. | Henry Ruggs III (LV - WR) | Darren Hartwell |
| 130. | Alexander Mattison (Min - RB) | Pat Kerrane |
| 131. | James White (NE - RB) | Phil Perry |
| 132. | Robert Tonyan (GB - TE) | Jon Henrie |
Analysis: DeVante Parker in Round 11 is good value for Vaughn; the 28-year-old is two seasons removed from a 1,200-yard season and could top 1,000 yards again in 2021 if Tua Tagovailoa takes a step forward. Also, we see Phil out here drafting the entire Patriots backfield.
Round 12
| 133. | Washington (Was - DEF) | Jon Henrie |
| 134. | Rashod Bateman (Bal - WR) | Phil Perry |
| 135. | Giovani Bernard (TB - RB) | Pat Kerrane |
| 136. | Phillip Lindsay (Hou - RB) | Darren Hartwell |
| 137. | Pittsburgh (Pit - DEF) | Corey Parson |
| 138. | T.Y. Hilton (Ind - WR) | Justin Leger |
| 139. | Cole Beasley (Buf - WR) | Ryan Provencher |
| 140. | Devontae Booker (NYG - RB) | Jack Miller |
| 141. | Baltimore (Bal - DEF) | Nick Goss |
| 142. | Damien Williams (Chi - RB) | Denny Carter |
| 143. | Darnell Mooney (Chi - WR) | John Daigle |
| 144. | Tampa Bay (TB - DEF) | Vaughn Dalzell |
Analysis: Damien Williams and Darnell Mooney are both potential sleepers in Chicago. The former is a good handcuff for David Montgomery, while the latter is set to see an increased role after the Bears traded Anthony Miller to Houston.
Round 13
| 145. | Justin Tucker (Bal - K) | Vaughn Dalzell |
| 146. | Darrynton Evans (Ten - RB) | John Daigle |
| 147. | Emmanuel Sanders (Buf - WR) | Denny Carter |
| 148. | Joe Burrow (Cin - QB) | Nick Goss |
| 149. | Harrison Butker (KC - K) | Jack Miller |
| 150. | Nelson Agholor (NE - WR) | Ryan Provencher |
| 151. | J.D. McKissic (Was - RB) | Justin Leger |
| 152. | Mike Gesicki (Mia - TE) | Corey Parson |
| 153. | San Francisco (SF - DEF) | Darren Hartwell |
| 154. | Chuba Hubbard (Car - RB) | Pat Kerrane |
| 155. | Justin Fields (Chi - QB) | Phil Perry |
| 156. | Younghoe Koo (Atl - K) | Jon Henrie |
Analysis: Here's the case for waiting on a QB: While the rest of your league drafts kickers, you can snag 2020 No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow, like Nick did here. There's obviously injury risk as he returns from a serious knee injury, but the Bengals quarterback has top-10 upside.
Round 14
| 157. | Tarik Cohen (Chi - RB) | Jon Henrie |
| 158. | Jake Funk (LAR - RB) | Phil Perry |
| 159. | Tyler Bass (Buf - K) | Pat Kerrane |
| 160. | Wil Lutz (NO - K) | Darren Hartwell |
| 161. | Greg Zuerlein (Dal - K) | Corey Parson |
| 162. | Indianapolis (Ind - DEF) | Justin Leger |
| 163. | Austin Hooper (Cle - TE) | Ryan Provencher |
| 164. | Kenneth Gainwell (Phi - RB) | Jack Miller |
| 165. | Jason Sanders (Mia - K) | Nick Goss |
| 166. | New England (NE - DEF) | Denny Carter |
| 167. | Cleveland (Cle - DEF) | John Daigle |
| 168. | Evan Engram (NYG - TE) | Vaughn Dalzell |
Analysis: Once the top seven or eight kickers are off the board, you're almost better off taking a flyer on a skill position player and dealing with kicker later. That's the approach Phil and Ryan took here by selecting Jake Funk and Austin Hooper, respectively.
Round 15
| 169. | Benny Snell Jr. (Pit - RB) | Vaughn Dalzell |
| 170. | Matt Gay (LAR - K) | John Daigle |
| 171. | Matt Prater (Ari - K) | Denny Carter |
| 172. | Jared Cook (LAC - TE) | Nick Goss |
| 173. | Denver (Den - DEF) | Jack Miller |
| 174. | Ryan Succop (TB - K) | Ryan Provencher |
| 175. | Robbie Gould (SF - K) | Justin Leger |
| 176. | Matt Ryan (Atl - QB) | Corey Parson |
| 177. | Jalen Reagor (Phi - WR) | Darren Hartwell |
| 178. | Salvon Ahmed (Mia - RB) | Pat Kerrane |
| 179. | Kansas City (KC - DEF) | Phil Perry |
| 180. | Kirk Cousins (Min - QB) | Jon Henrie |
Analysis: Kirk Cousins as Mr. Irrelevant somehow seems fitting. Well done, Jon.
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