FGT 2017 Fantasy Football Mock Draft – Rounds 3 & 4

By the Football Garbage Time Staff

Last time, we gave you the results of the first two rounds of the 2017 Football Garbage Time staff Twitter Mock Fantasy Football Draft (tagged with #FGTMockDraft), which was conducted for a mock standard Yahoo 12-team league (1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K & 1 DEF with standard scoring) to hopefully help all of you with your drafts.

Below are the results of the second two rounds along with some comments.  We also include the Average Draft Position (ADP) as of August 6th as per Fantasy Pros so you can see how we differ from how they’re currently being drafted.

And for your convenience, here’s all four rounds of the Mock Draft in order:

2017 Football Garbage Time Staff NFL Fantasy Football Mock Draft – Rounds 1 through 4

Don’t agree with our picks?  Well, it’s a free country, so sound off in the comments!

And don’t forget to check our Preseason Fantasy Football Podcast Special for more help with your draft!

– Ha Kung Wong, Editor-In-Chief

Ryan Whitfield (1)

Aaron Rodgers – USA Today Sports Photo

1st Round – Pick 1 – David Johnson (RB) [Current ADP: 2.0]

2nd Round – Pick 24 – Brandin Cooks (WR) [Current ADP: 28]

3rd Round – Pick 25 – Aaron Rodgers (QB) [Current ADP: 20]

4th Round – Pick 48 – Dalvin Cook (RB) [Current ADP: 59.0]

This is what Ryan had to say about his picks:

It’s early for a QB, I know. But at the important 2-3 turn I saw an opportunity to have the second best QB on a team with the best RB and a top ten WR. Pretty scary team here.

Vanity Pick!  Reach!  I know I know.  But I believe in the kid.  And I can’t talk up Cook all off season and not take him in our mock draft, can I?  I don’t think so.

Ha Kung Wong

Amari Cooper

1st Round – Pick 2 – Le’Veon Bell (RB) [Current ADP: 1]

2nd Round – Pick 23 – Jordy Nelson (WR) [Current ADP: 11]

3rd Round – Pick 26 – Amari Cooper (WR) [Current ADP: 23]

4th Round – Pick 47 – Travis Kelce (TE) [Current ADP: 39]

The Oakland Raiders were on an express train to the Super Bowl until their trip was derailed by Derek Carr’s multiple injuries.  But Derek Carr is back and healthy, the Raiders backfield has added at least the potential of the return of Beastmode and Jared Cook adds a weapon at TE that previously didn’t exist.

Amari Cooper managed 1,153 yards and 5 TDs with a respectable 63% catch rate in 2016 as the top guy in Oakland and also tied for drawing the second most defensive pass interference (7).  Those are solid numbers, but I think with all the potential upgrades, it can be better.

And according to Pro Football Focus, Cooper’s WR Rating and Overall Grade has trended up since his first year.

Travis Kelce is a great TE.  I don’t think there’s any argument there.  In fact, he was the top ranked TE according to DYAR on Football Outsiders.  But with a fully healthy Rob Gronkowski back in the mix, its yet to be seen if Kelce keeps the top spot.  Kelce amassed 1125 yards and 4 TDs in 2016, coming off his second consecutive Pro Bowl season.  Not only is that the most receiving yards for any TE in 2016, it’s actually the 12th most receiving yards among ALL NFL players.  In fact, Pro Football Focus had Kelce as having the top WR rating for post routes.

Patrick Mahomes may have been drafted in the first round to be the QB of the future, but he won’t see the field in 2017.  Alex Smith will remain the guy under center and we all know how much he likes Kelce.  I generally don’t like to draft a TE early, but late 4th is a great spot for what is likely to be a top 2 option.

Scott King (1)

Andrew Luck

1st Round – Pick 3 – Antonio Brown (WR) [Current ADP: 4.0]

2nd Round – Pick 22 – Todd Gurley (RB) [Current ADP: 21.0]

3rd Round – Pick 27 – Andrew Luck (QB) [Current ADP: 47.0]

4th Round – Pick 46 – Cam Newton (QB) [Current ADP: 57.0]

This is what Scott had to say about his picks:

I ended up with two QBs in back to back rounds.  I went with Luck to grab a top rated QB and I could not pass up in Newton in the 4th.  Either way I have two starters and can move one or wait and see who gets hot.  Both have injury issues but hopefully they both don’t go down.

Joanne Kong

Terrelle Pryor

1st Round – Pick 4 – Odell Beckham Jr. (WR) [Current ADP: 6.0]

2nd Round – Pick 21 – Lamar Miller (RB) [Current ADP: 28.0]

3rd Round – Pick 28 – Terrelle Pryor (WR) [Current ADP: 38.0]

4th Round – Pick 45 – Spencer Ware (RB) [Current ADP: 41.0]

This is what Joanne has to say about her picks:

Why should we love Terrelle Pryor?

After starting his NFL career as a back-up quarterback, Pryor spent his first break-out season in the NFL as a wide receiver.  In 2016, Pryor caught 77 of 140 targets, totaling 1,007 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.  In fantasy numbers, Pryor had three games with 5+ points, four games with 10+ points, a game with 15+ points and a game with 20+ points.

Still uncertain about Pryor’s fantasy outlook for the season?  Here’s why you shouldn’t be:

In 2016, the Cleveland Browns had five starting quarterbacks, but Pryor still had over 1,000 receiving yards, and had the most yards of any offensive player for the Browns.

Currently with the Washington Redskins, Pryor will be catching passes from Kirk Cousins.
With Washington losing its two top receivers, Pierre Garcon now with the San Francisco 49ers and DeSean Jackson with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pryor is well positioned to be an outside threat with plenty of targets in Washington, and should also have more opportunity in the end-zone.

Along with Pryor, Washington’s receiving core will include Josh Doctson (WR – Returning 2016 1st round draft pick), Jamison Crowder (WR – 2nd year) and Jordan Reed (TE).

Spencer Ware was the top rusher for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 with 921 rushing yards and three touchdowns.  Although his fantasy points didn’t make you dance on the table (most weeks), they didn’t have you crying in the corner either.  Ware had two games with 15+ points, two games with 20+ points and nine games with 5+ points.

Entering his fourth year, Ware’s production shouldn’t be much different, especially since the offense hasn’t changed.  Ware is slotted to be the number 1 running back in Kansas City and is hoping for similar if not better production in the upcoming season.  Behind Ware is Charcandrick West (293 rushing yards and a touchdown) and rookie Kareem Hunt (3rd round draft pick).  Hunt may push Ware for touches eventually, though, so grabbing him late as a handcuff might not be a bad idea.

Jake Smith (1)

Rob Gronkowski

1st Round – Pick 5 – Julio Jones (WR) [Current ADP: 5.0]

2nd Round – Pick 20 – DeMarco Murray (RB) [Current ADP: 10.0]

3rd Round – Pick 29 – Rob Gronkowski (TE) [Current ADP: 22.0]

4th Round – Pick 44 – Kirk Cousins (QB) [Current ADP: 82.0]

This is what Jake had to say about his picks:

It doesn’t matter what kind of injury risk that Gronk is. He is too much of an athlete to pass up on IN THE THIRD ROUND!!!!! If Tom Brady keeps throwing to him, I couldn’t think of a better compliment to Julio Jones than Rob Gronkowski. Even with only 25 receptions last year, 3 of those still went for touchdowns.

Gronk was a no brainer for me.

You like that?! Kirk Cousins never gets any love, but it’s hard to deny the former Spartan. I’ve been a big fan and personally called him taking the job from RG3 on draft day. Even if the Redskins continue to try to handicap him by ditching all of their receivers, Kirk Cousins still ranked 4th overall in my league last year as my QB, and he is bound to post monster numbers again this year.

Jy’Shon Gilliard (1)

Justin Tucker

1st Round – Pick 6 – Ezekiel Elliott (RB) [Current ADP: 3.0]

2nd Round – Pick 19 – Tom Brady (QB) [Current ADP: 24.0]

3rd Round – Pick 30 – Justin Tucker (K) [Current ADP: 91.0]

4th Round – Pick 43 – Eli Manning (QB) [Current ADP: 132.0]

I get the logic that Jy is employing for his picks, but I still think the third round is too early for a K.  Tucker is one of the best though, with the most FGs made (38) and highest FG percentage (97.4) of any K in 2016.  Points are points after all, so I could see being a little bit aggressive in getting Tucker, but I’d prefer to wait another 6 or 7 rounds before considering it.

This is what Jy had to say about his picks:

My rounds 3 and 4 selections were basically selected by virtue of who hadn’t been selected. I was going with who I felt was the best available selections. I also selected the only kicker of the entire draft, Justin Tucker, because he has proven to be a premier kicker in this league. The Baltimore Ravens will also need their kicker more for points due to the fact that their QB, Joe Flacco, has sustained an injury. Kickers also give you plenty of consistent points and don’t take many physical shots to their body.

Scott King (2)

Allen Robinson – AP Photo

1st Round – Pick 7 – Mike Evans (WR) [Current ADP: 7.0]

2nd Round – Pick 18 – Jameis Winston (QB) [Current ADP: 63.0]

3rd Round – Pick 31 – Allen Robinson (WR) [Current ADP: 31.0]

4th Round – Pick 42 – Isaiah Crowell (RB) [Current ADP: 30.0]

This is what Scott had to say about his picks:

I was able to fill out my roster with a solid WR and RB.  Robinson puts up numbers with a bad QB. Maybe Bortles will get things going with a decent running game.  Crowell plays for a team that may or may not win a game this year.  If the Browns can put something together on offense he’ll have a solid year.

Ryan Whitfield (2)

Alshon Jeffery

1st Round – Pick 8 – Michael Thomas (WR) [Current ADP: 15.0]

2nd Round – Pick 17 – Jordan Howard (RB) [Current ADP: 18.0]

3rd Round – Pick 32 – Alshon Jeffery (WR) [Current ADP: 37.0]

4th Round – Pick 41 – Kelvin Benjamin (WR) [Current ADP: 82.0]

This is what Ryan had to say about his picks:

This one pains me.  Alshon Jeffery was the anchor of my WR core last year and his late season suspension derailed one of my better teams.  But, I like Wentz and like the offseason Philly had.  Jeffrey should produce here.

People are down on Fat Boy Benjamin right now, and rightfully so. But if these three work out and I’m rolling him out as WR3, I should have the best WR core in the league.  Kelvin and Cam are due to bounce back.

Jake Smith (2)

Leonard Fournette

1st Round – Pick 9 – AJ Green (WR) [Current ADP: 11.0]

2nd Round – Pick 16 – LeSean McCoy (RB) [Current ADP: 8.0]

3rd Round – Pick 33 – Leonard Fournette (RB) [Current ADP: 22.0]

4th Round – Pick 40 – Matt Ryan (QB) [Current ADP: 50.0]

This is what Jake had to say about his picks:

With already selecting two established guys with AJ Green and LeSean McCoy, I could afford to take a big high risk/high reward guy here. Leonard Fournette is an NFL ready back. As long as 25 picks have crossed the board, anybody should feel comfortable with letting Fournette be their RB2 this season. What’s not to love?

Matt Ryan was on a tear last year and he’s gonna be on a tear again this year. Julio Jones is gonna catch for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns a game and Matt Ryan is gonna throw 3 more touchdowns again to a different guy each week. The Falcons O is gonna be crazy, so why not take the man who is in charge of it all.

John Kirkland (1)

DeAndre Hopkins

1st Round – Pick 10 – Melvin Gordon (RB) [Current ADP: 9.0]

2nd Round – Pick 15 – Dez Bryant (WR) [Current ADP: 19.0]

3rd Round – Pick 34 – DeAndre Hopkins (WR) [Current ADP: 26.0]

4th Round – Pick 39 – Marshawn Lynch (RB) [Current ADP: 20.0]

This is what John had to say about his picks:

Lost a season last year due to a crappy Brock Osweiler … this year will be different with DeShaun Watson at the helm (once he kicks Tom Savage to the bench). Wait, what? Yep, this means we will be hearing a lot of DeShaun to DeAndre for DeTouchdown! By the end of the season, we will be calling the Texans, DeTexans!!!

A big question mark here as he is coming out of retirement and you have to wonder whether it is just a ploy by the Raiders to sell more tickets … In my opinion Beastmode is a performer (see all of his interviews, lol) and will not disappoint! While some would be more comfortable drafting him in Round 5, I went with my gut.

Jy’Shon Gilliard (2)

Christian McCaffrey

1st Round – Pick 11 – Julian Edelman (WR) [Current ADP: 47.0]

2nd Round – Pick 14 – TY Hilton (WR) [Current ADP: 16.0]

3rd Round – Pick 35 – Christian McCaffrey (RB) [Current ADP: 33.0]

4th Round – Pick 38 – Jarvis Landry (WR) [Current ADP: 49.0]

McCaffrey can be huge, but Jonathan Stewart isn’t done yet.  I like the upside, but it certainly is a risk.  As for Landry, if this were a PPR I’d like this pick better.  As is, and after the unfortunate injury to Tannehill, I’m not too sure.

John Kirkland (2)

Drew Brees

1st Round – Pick 12 – Devonta Freeman (RB) [Current ADP: 13.0]

2nd Round – Pick 13 – Jay Ajayi (RB) [Current ADP: 14.0]

3rd Round – Pick 36 – Drew Brees (QB) [Current ADP: 43.0]

4th Round – Pick 37 – Doug Baldwin (WR) [Current ADP: 29.0]

This is what John had to say about his picks:

I have relied on Brees time and time again in other fantasy leagues and he mostly never disappoints.  While I would rather have Winston this year, he was gone and I needed a QB!  Consider Drew a safe bet for at least 22-36 points a game, depending on scoring rules.

A top ten fantasy wide receiver in back-to-back years?  Sign. Me. Up! Don’t know why Baldwin gets overlooked by everyone. He is the top WR in Seattle, gets around 20% of the passes and has a great QB throwing to him. What’s not to love?

Thanks for following #FGTMockDraft on Twitter and keep checking back throughout the season for more Fantasy Football help!