While the NFL remains in the downtime of the year, fantasy football is ramping up, with managers beginning their season preparation by testing their draft strategy with 2022 standard fantasy football mock drafts. As we patiently wait for the return of football on the field, here is a mid-July fantasy football 2-round mock draft with standard scoring.
2022 standard fantasy football mock draftÂ
For reference, this fantasy football mock draft was run with a 1QB/2RB/2WR/TE/Flex roster format with a 10-team league.
1.01) Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Volume, volume, and more volume. That is the name of the game in a standard scoring fantasy football mock draft. When receptions no longer add points, managers must target those who see as much volume as possible. Few players in 2022 come with more projected volume than RB Jonathan Taylor.
Outside of a Superflex draft, Taylor is the 1.01 for this season. The overall RB1 of 2021, Taylor posted 1,811 yards on the ground (5.5 ypc) thanks to his 332 carries. Taylor found the end zone 18 times thanks to his league-leading 85 red-zone carries. He also dominated the league in first downs with 107. For context, it was 47 more than Antonio Gibson in second place (65). This was the most since Shaun Alexander in 2005 (107). The Colts rely on Taylor to move the ball, and that won’t change in 2022.
1.02) Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
Every player, regardless of position, comes with injury risk — Running backs even more so. While last year was a disappointment in how it ended, no one can match Derrick Henry’s workload.
Henry led the position in fantasy PPR points per game (23.4) through the first eight weeks and was pacing his 2020 campaign by more than 2.5 PPR points per game. He was the ultimate touch hog, averaging 29.6 per game, seven more than the next closest RB.
And although he didn’t play again until the NFL postseason, Henry still finished 15th in total touches and as the RB20 overall in just eight games played. The wheels will fall off at some point, but Henry will be asked to put the team on his back in a year where Ryan Tannehill could struggle.
1.03) Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
The only reason not to select Christian McCaffrey is if you feel he will play in 13 or fewer games in 2022. If you take the over, there is little to no reason to fade one of the best RBs when on the clock, even in a standard fantasy football mock draft.
The recent acquisition of Baker Mayfield will be the best QB he has ever played with. While we prefer McCaffrey in PPR formats due to his otherworldly passing volume (100+ targets), the overall yardage total he brings more than makes up for it.
1.04) Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Playing in 13 games, Dalvin Cook rushed 249 times for 1,159 yards (fifth-most) with six rushing touchdowns. For the first time since 2018, Cook failed to top 1,500 scrimmage yards and double-digit touchdowns in a season.
Even in a “down year,” Cook was fourth in the NFL in total yards while averaging 106.4 yards per game. The only knock on his season was the lack of touchdowns, but this came from a dip in opportunities, not efficiency. In what many call a more aggressive offense under head coach Kevin O’Connell, Cook should have a bounceback season in 2022.
1.05) Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
I expected Najee harris to come in as a rookie and see a decent chunk of volume. That said, I did not foresee him leading the league in touches with 381. Harris turned his 401 opportunities into 1,667 total yards with 10 touchdowns. Of his 1,200 yards, 913 (76%) came after contact. That’s 2.97 yards of his 3.9 average coming after the first hit.
I don’t feel Harris will see the passing volume he did last season with Ben Roethlisberger (94 targets), but Harris should still clear the 325-touch threshold. He is one of the few RBs with 300+ touch upside, and in a standard scoring mock draft, that volume is critical.
1.06) Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
If it is not apparent, running backs fly off the boards early in standard scoring fantasy football mock drafts. That trend continues with Joe Mixon. In 2021 for the AFC Champion Bengals, Mixon rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns on 292 carries while adding a career-high 42 receptions for 314 yards and three scores through the air.
After a season where he averaged just 1.6 yards before contact, Mixon could set career-high numbers behind the new-look Bengals OL that ranks inside the top 10 for the position. Regardless of the scoring format, I am in on Mixon for 2022.
1.07) Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Unlike others, Austin Ekeler is not your traditional three-down RB. But Ekeler finished eighth in total touches (276) and 14th in touches per game (17.2). That’s because of his ridiculous receiving volume. In 2021 alone, Ekeler saw a 13.9% target share, and his 70 receptions ranked second behind only Harris.
While standard scoring formats hurt Ekeler a touch, his touchdown volume helps to right the proverbial ship. Ekeler’s 18 red-zone TDs and 63 red-zone touches ranked first and second, respectively. Although Ekeler is a prime candidate for regressing due to his extreme scoring clip, he is in one of the NFL’s top offenses and has 1,550+ total yards in two of the last three years.
1.08) Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
You could count on one hand how many other running backs are better on the ground than Nick Chubb and still have plenty to spare. Only once in his career has Chubb failed to hit 1,000 yards on the ground. That was his rookie campaign, but even then, he fell just four yards short at 996.
Since then, Chubb has averaged 1,273.3 yards per season despite averaging just 14 games a year. What is just as impressive is that he has averaged 89.4 yards per game over the last two seasons while playing alongside Kareem Hunt. Passing utilization has been the only drawback for Chubb, as it’s never been his role. Chubb’s eclipsed 30 targets only once in his career (49 in 2019). That is less of a concern in a standard mock draft.
The consistency Chubb brings is top-notch, and should anything keep Hunt off the field, he could rush for 1,500 yards with relative ease.
1.09) Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
It was bound to happen eventually. Someone had to break the RB run we had going. I can think of no one better to do it than Cooper Kupp.
Kupp had a historic season en route to capturing the elusive “Triple Crown.” Leading the NFL in receptions (145), yards (1,957), and touchdowns (18), Kupp was also No. 1 in targets (191), yards per game (114.5), and fantasy points per game (17.3). It’s unlikely Kupp ever reaches any of these markers again, but even an 85% version of him in 2022 is more than enough for Kupp to be a first-round pick — even in a standard-scoring fantasy league.
1.10) James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
So long as he stays healthy, James Conner is a legitimate three-down back for the Cardinals. The team felt more than comfortable relying on Conner, as in games without Chase Edmonds, Conner averaged 16.6 carries, 5.6 targets, 96.6 total yards, 1.4 TDs, and 18.06 fantasy points per game in standard leagues.
Those are absurd numbers. Part of this is due to his 7.5% TD rate, scoring 18 times on 239 touches. He is absolutely a regression candidate for how often he finds the end zone but not in his volume. Conner is still the lead back in a powerful offense and carries 1,200-yard and double-digit touchdown upside. He sneaks just inside Round 1 of this 2022 standard fantasy football mock draft
2022 standard fantasy football mock draft | Round 2
Let’s kick off our final round of this fantasy football mock draft, with Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift the first player taken off the board in an RB-heavy second round.
2.01) D’Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions
Despite missing four games, D’Andre Swift put together a very good fantasy season. He averaged 17.6 opportunities per game, 34% of which came through the air. What is worth noting is the middle-of-the-season stretch Swift had after Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties. After bouncing between 8-14 carries in Weeks 1-4, Swift averaged 16 rushes per game from Weeks 5-11, the sixth most over this stretch.
His value will always be higher in PPR scoring formats as one of the best receiving backs in the NFL. However, Swift does not receive enough credit for his rushing skills and will be behind one of the top-five offensive lines in the NFL in 2022. This year could very well be Swift’s coronation, and even in standards scoring leagues, that impact will certainly be felt and worth drafting in standard mock drafts.
2.02) Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
If you want to flip this for Ja’Marr Chase, I get it. But for me, at least in my current mood, I lean on Justin Jefferson as my WR2.
After a record-smashing rookie season with 88 receptions, 1,400 yards, and seven TDs, Jefferson followed it up with 108 receptions on 167 targets for 1,616 yards and 10 scores in 2021. His 3,032 yards are the most in NFL history for a player through their first two years in the league. It also translated to fantasy, coming in as the WR6 overall and WR9 in per-game scoring (11.9) in 2020, followed by No. 4 and No. 5 in 2021 (13.1).
As noted with Cook, this is expected to be a more aggressive offense with more verticality. We have yet to see Jefferson’s ceiling, which is a scary thought.
2.03) Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
I have no disillusions everyone and their mother will love this pick. Many have been burned one too many times to invest the draft capital in Saquon Barkley. Yet, I am a glutton for punishment that chases upside.
Yes, Barkley has played in just 15 of 33 games the last two seasons. With that said, the “injury-prone” label is unfair. He stepped on a defender’s foot after a play was over in 2021, and his ankle was the size of a softball. Barkley came back too early but was his old self by the end of the season. And in 2020, he tore his ACL, and as expected, he struggled upon his return.
He is a 250-touch RB with no competition for carries, and he could also bring in 50 or more receptions. I am not expecting Brian Daboll to completely change the Giants. But I do believe they will be improved, especially up front. Does Barkley try to break it outside too often? Sure. But few have the ability to pull it off as he does. And in 2022, he finally has the body capable of realizing the upside that has been missing since late 2019.
2.04) Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Just as it did in the early picks, volume is key. It’s just as important as talent. Combine them together, and you have the makings of a breakout star for fantasy. Enter Cam Akers of the Los Angeles Rams.
I do not care what he did in the playoffs or how inefficient he was. He wasn’t even supposed to be there. It took an Adrian Peterson-like recovery to return from his torn Achilles in six months. Yet, when he came back, Sean McVay threw him into the deep end.
After a five-carry “tune-up” in Week 18, Akers rushed 67 times for 172 yards in his four playoff games, catching eight of 10 targets for 76 yards. That’s 19.25 opp/game with no ramp-up outside what he did during rehab. Also, Akers faced Tampa Bay — the No. 1 rush defense last year — and the 49ers (twice) in three of his five games. Adding further context to this feat, 95% of Akers’ rushing yards came after contact, meaning he was able to generate power at the point of contact.
The RB1 in this offense carries an 18-20-touch upside any given week. Give me Akers in fantasy this year every single chance I can. He is far more talented than some want you to believe. In a scoring format that does not penalize him for his lack of targets, Akers is a sensational second-round pick in 2022 fantasy football standard scoring mock drafts.
2.05) Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Ronald Jones in Kansas City, Chris Godwin returning from an ACL tear, and Rob Gronkowski retiring (again), Leonard Fournette will be an integral cog of the Bucs’ offense. Rushing 180 times for 812 yards, Fournette led the backfield, finding the end zone eight times. In PPR leagues, Fournette was a massive pick as he recorded 69 receptions on 84 targets. He turned those into 454 yards and two TDs, accounting for 49.3% of his total fantasy points (9.23 PPR/game). His six targets per game tied Swift for the most in the NFL.
While standard-scoring leagues and mock drafts will not receive the additional points from the catches, the extra yardage is definitely felt. What is also felt is the pace of this team and their consistent ability to cap off drives in the red zone. Rachaad White will push Giovani Bernard for some passing work, but this is Fournette’s backfield. He should have another solid campaign in 2022.
2.06) Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase is a game-breaking moment waiting to happen on every play. Hauling in 81 of 121 targets (23.7% target share), Chase was fourth in yards (1,455) and third in scores (13).
When Joe Burrow needed a big play, Chase was his No. 1 target. The rookie from LSU was ninth among receivers with 1,617 air yards, accounting for 37.06% of the team’s total (10th-highest rate league-wide). He is a bit more boom-or-bust than Jefferson, but when he hits, he wins weeks. Accounting for more time for Joe Burrow due to the much improved OL, Chase has just as good of a shot to be the overall WR1 as anyone in 2022.
Coming off the board a full round later than typical in a PPR draft, Chase at the 2.06 could be one of the best picks in a 2022 fantasy football standard mock draft.
2.07) Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones slides a few spots as the RB13 but should bring a stable floor for fantasy. Recording 15.7 touches per game, Jones did outpace fellow Packers AJ Dillon by just 2.4 touches/game. While Dillon did lead the team in rushing (187 carries for 803 yards), he was marginally behind in per-game attempts, with Jones averaging 11.4 to Dillon’s 11.
Where Jones did dominate the tandem was in targets, receiving 67% of the backfield targets in 2021. I expect this to hold in 2022, with Dillion edging Jones in overall rushes but Jones in touches and touchdowns. If you prefer to wait on RBs, Dillon is a perfect fallback option in the middle rounds.
2.08) Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
The downfall of Ezekiel Elliott is overblown. This is by no means a slight on Tony Pollard. He could be a league-winner if given the chance. However, the only opinion that matters is the Cowboys’, and everything tells us that this is Elliott’s backfield when both are healthy.
In the 30 active games where both are available (2020-2021), Pollard averages 7.5 carries, 2.53 targets, 51.24 yards, and 8.12 PPR/game. Elliott, on the other hand, averages 15.1 rushes, 4.5 targets, 81.26 yards, and 15.76 PPR/game. Elliott’s torn PCL in Week 4 accounts for his dip in opportunities at 302, his lowest since 2017 (10 games).
Yet, he was still the RB6 and has yet to finish outside the top 12 for the position. There is undoubtedly room for both in Dallas. But Elliott is the RB1 and someone I have no qualms spending a second-round pick on in a 2022 fantasy football standard mock draft.
2.09) Mike Evans, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If receptions no longer count, chase red-zone targets and touchdowns. That is where the bulk of points will come from with wide receivers. I already have a few fliers on Mike Evans leading both in 2022. We know the 1,000 yards are coming. It’s never not happened for Evans in his eight seasons. With Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski gone, Evans is the only one left until Chris Godwin returns from his ACL tear.
Since 2019, Evans has finished as the WR5, WR7, and WR8. And in the two years with Tom Brady, he scored 13 and 14 touchdowns. He has also done this on 118 targets or less. Imagine what will happen in 2022 when he has over 130. In standard-scoring leagues, where touchdowns matter, Evans is as safe of a pick as there is.
2.10) Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
Normally my WR4, Stefon Diggs came in one slot lower but remains a mid-to-late second-round pick. It’s just so hard to beat Diggs’ volume. Playing in 17 games, Diggs hauled in 103 of 163 targets for 1,225 yards and 10 TDs to finish as the WR8 in fantasy. Diggs was 10th amongst WRs in team target share at 27% and was 12th in intended air yards (35.4%). However, given the vertical nature of this offense, his 35.4% was still 1,841 air yards, the second most in the NFL.
Since joining the Bills, Diggs finished as a WR1 (top 12) in 27% of his contests and inside the top 24 (WR2+) in 53% while averaging 165 targets, 115 receptions, 1,380 yards, and nine touchdowns. The current Super Bowl favorite (+650), the Bills, in my opinion, will light the NFL on fire with the Josh Allen-to-Diggs connection right at the center of it all.
