The recent fantasy football mock draft from Fantasy Football Calculator showcased a wide range of strategies, from early positional runs to high-upside rookie swings. With 12 teams drafting in a PPR format, this draft offered a compelling look at how managers are approaching the 2025 fantasy football landscape. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the trends, values, and standout selections.
Early Round Strategies
The first round was dominated by wide receivers, as expected in many 2025 PPR formats. Ja’Marr Chase (1.01), Justin Jefferson (1.03), and CeeDee Lamb (1.08) were among the first names off the board, highlighting the premium placed on elite WR1s. Interestingly, Team 10 opened with a double running back strategy, landing Derrick Henry (1.10) and Christian McCaffrey (2.03). This pairing of aging but productive backs could deliver high weekly floors, albeit with some long-term risk.
Several teams focused on securing alpha wideouts early while waiting on other positions. For example, Team 5 started with Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs but then added Tyreek Hill and Breece Hall—an elite four-player start that balances positional strength with value.
Mid-Round Value Hunting
The middle rounds (Rounds 3–6) saw several intriguing picks. Tyreek Hill (3.06) was a steal given his usual late-first to early-second round ADP. Similarly, Breece Hall (4.07) represented great value in the fourth, as he’s projected to be a top-10 back in most formats. Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts both slipped to the sixth round, offering outstanding value for teams that waited on quarterback.
Rookie Brock Bowers (4.10) was the first tight end selected, a surprise considering Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews were still available. Bowers has breakout potential, but this aggressive pick comes with risk in redraft formats.
Quarterback Trends
Quarterbacks came off the board inconsistently, with a few teams reaching early and others grabbing veterans late. Jayden Daniels was selected at 3.05—a significant gamble considering Patrick Mahomes (6.01) and Joe Burrow (4.09) were available later. Team 6 may have overpaid for Daniels’ dual-threat upside, but if he clicks, the reward could be massive.
Rookies and High-Risk Picks
This draft leaned heavily on rookies and breakout candidates. Besides Daniels and Bowers, managers invested in names like Quinshon Judkins (8.02) and Xavier Worthy (6.11). While these players could outperform their draft slots, relying on rookies in critical mid-rounds introduces considerable risk.
Team Construction Highlights
Team 1 paired Ja’Marr Chase and A.J. Brown with Jayden Daniels and Bucky Irving, aiming for a high-ceiling squad with some volatility. Team 5’s balanced build of Saquon, Jacobs, Hill, and Hall looks like the most complete team through four rounds. Team 10’s heavy veteran core—McCaffrey, Henry, Joe Mixon, and Joe Burrow—could dominate early if age doesn’t catch up.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this draft reflected the typical balance of floor and ceiling picks, with some teams favoring proven production and others swinging for upside. The managers who capitalized on value—grabbing Mahomes, Hill, or Hall below ADP—came away with the most complete rosters. As always, staying fluid and adapting to draft dynamics remains the best strategy for success in fantasy football.
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