12-Team PPR Mock Draft: How To Build a Fantasy Team Around Travis Kelce
People often ask me if they should take Chiefs TE Travis Kelce in the first round. More often than not, I respond that when you take a TE early it leaves your roster with holes at the other skill positions. But it's important to consider the viability of different strategies, and that's where our Mock Draft Tool comes in handy. In this mock, not only did I take an early TE, but I ALSO took an early QB. You will also notice I did a back-door sneaky stack with the Saints.
The mock was 16 rounds, and I had the fourth pick. Starting lineups for this mock draft were 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 RB/WR/TE, 1 K, and 1 Defense, with full PPR scoring.
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12-Team PPR Early TE Mock Draft Analysis
Round 1 (1.04) TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
I do expect his production to drop off about 15-18% from last year, but he is still the top player at a scarce position and his overall production is unquestioned.
Round 2 (2.09): QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
There are three top-tier quarterbacks and Hurts is one of them. I expect the Eagles to have more competitive games this season with their tough schedule, so that might improve Hurts’ numbers too as he keeps passing for all four quarters.
Round 3 (3.04): WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
He should be going in Round 2; a no-brainer pick in Round 3.
Round 4 (4.09): RB Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
I normally don’t want to take a running back who is part of a committee as my RB1, but starting this draft with Kelce and Hurts is forcing me out of my comfort zone already. Luckily, we know that Seattle will give Walker about 20 touches per game.
Round 5 (5.04): WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Watson is a true home-run hitter. He might only have 60 receptions, but they could be for close to 1,000 yards and nine TDs.
Round 6 (6.09): RB D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles
I paired him with Hurts to have a second player on the Eagles offense.
Round 7 (7.04): WR Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh looks like they are trusting Kenny Pickett more and their offense has been clicking in preseason. Johnson’s TD numbers should increase dramatically too.
Round 8 (8.09): RB David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
A battering ram who I take at this point in most drafts. What other potential 10-TD player can you find in Round 8?
Round 9 (9.04): WR Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
I decided to build a sneaky back-door Saints stack, so I paired Thomas with Olave to get all the points I could. Thomas looks back to his old self in practice.
Round 10 (10.09): WR Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns
Moore will not be there this late in any high-stakes draft or in your home league. Take him in Round 8 if you want him.
Round 11 (11.04): RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
If Najee Harris falters a smidge, Warren is talented enough to run away with the RB1 job.
Round 12 (12.09): TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Johnson could get seven or eight TDs this season. He always flashes when you least expect it.
Round 13 (13.04): QB Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
I needed to take Carr to solidify my Olave-Thomas-Johnson sneaky stack.
Round 14 (14.09): Kansas City Chiefs Defense
They tend to get a lot of turnovers and they have a late BYE week, which is one of the things I look for when drafting a defense.
Round 15 (15.04): K Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
Tucker is simply the best kicker in NFL history.
Round 16 (16.09): RB Deuce Vaughn, Dallas Cowboys
Vaughn is looking terrific in the preseason and might end up being the RB on the field during Dallas’ two-minute drill.
Final Mock Draft Analysis
I like how this team turned out but I think I would be more likely to draft one like this in a home league rather than a high-stakes format. In home leagues, often a player or two might slip, which would allow me to capitalize and benefit from my Kelce/Hurts start without suffering too much at WR and RB.
