As Fantasy players, we all love running backs. But how much should you love that position in a PPR league where you start three receivers?
We recently held a 12-team PPR mock draft with members of our CBS Sports staff, and one manager, Michael Kiser, leaned on running backs in a big way to start his team. Picking at No. 3 overall, Michael started with Christian McCaffrey, Nick Chubb and Leonard Fournette with his first three selections.
He drafted his first receiver in Round 4 with Chris Godwin, but Michael then went away from receiver again with his next two picks in Evan Engram and Aaron Rodgers. He finalized his starting receivers in Round 7 and 8 with Alshon Jeffery and Geronimo Allison, and this was an interesting strategy to use in this format.
We start a flex spot (RB/WR/TE) in this league, so Michael can have McCaffrey, Chubb and Fournette in his lineup, which is awesome given the upside of that trio. And Engram and Rodgers are ranked as top-four options at their respective positions, so those guys are potential stars.
I love Godwin this season, but he's more of a No. 2 receiver than a No. 1 option. And Michael did well to draft him in Round 4.
But what will make this roster a championship team will likely be the production of Jeffery and Allison, as well as Godwin, if everyone else produces as expected. I think this strategy can work.
Jeffery is a quality Fantasy receiver, and he's worth drafting in Round 7 in this format. I'm excited for Allison, who was drafted in Round 8, and we'll see what happens with him and Marques Valdez-Scantling this season as the second receiver in Green Bay opposite Davante Adams.
Michael also has some good reserve receivers in Courtland Sutton, Andy Isabella and Jamison Crowder, and I like this roster as a whole. Maybe, hel could have drafted Mike Evans over Chubb in Round 2 to guarantee a better option at receiver. Or T.Y. Hilton, Stefon Diggs or Adam Thielen over Fournette in Round 3.
He also could have passed on Rodgers in Round 6 for Dante Pettis or Mike Williams. One move I would have made is draft Valdez-Scantling in Round 9 over Austin Ekeler to lock up the Packers receivers behind Adams.
But this is the roster Michael drafted, and I expect it to be competitive. We'll see how it compares to my team.
Picking at No. 9 overall, I had a tough choice between JuJu Smith-Schuster and David Johnson. I went with Smith-Schuster because I didn't expect him, Michael Thomas or Odell Beckham to make it back to me in Round 2 at No. 16 overall. On the other hand, I expected one of Johnson, James Conner, Joe Mixon, Le'Veon Bell or Dalvin Cook to be there in Round 2, and I ended up with Mixon. Thomas went at No. 12 overall, and Beckham was gone at No. 14.
Like Michael, I also went heavy at running back with Mixon, Aaron Jones and Josh Jacobs after drafting Smith-Schuster. I could have drafted Kenny Golladay or Godwin instead of Jacobs in Round 4, but I went with my best player on the board, regardless of position.
I felt lucky to get Robby Anderson in Round 6, and I feel confident in three receivers emerging as my final starting option in Allen Robinson, Curtis Samuel and DaeSean Hamilton. Robinson is the safest of that trio, but I love the upside for Samuel and Hamilton this season. If you've been following our mock drafts, you know I take these two receivers in almost every league.
My tight end is a potential star in O.J. Howard, who I drafted in Round 5. And I was the second-to-last manager to draft a quarterback with Jameis Winston in Round 11, which I consider a steal. I also backed him up with Dak Prescott in Round 15. I'm thrilled with the way this roster turned out.
In this league, all touchdowns are worth six points, and we award one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving and one point for every 25 yards passing. We also award one point for every reception. We feature a starting lineup of QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, TE, FLEX (RB/WR/TE), K and DST. There also are six reserve spots for a 16-round draft.
Our draft order is as follows:
- Jeremy Bache, Fantasy Sales Coordinator
- Adam Aizer, Podcast Host
- Michael Kiser, Director, Video Production
- George Maselli, Fantasy Editor
- Ben Gretch, Fantasy Editor
- Dave Richard, Senior Fantasy Writer
- Heath Cummings, Senior Fantasy Writer
- Will Brinson, Senior NFL Writer
- Jamey Eisenberg, Senior Fantasy Writer
- Chris Towers, Senior Editor, Fantasy
- Meron Berkson, CBS Sports HQ Producer
- Jack Capotorto, CBS Sports HQ Producer
Round 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos | Team | Player |
1 | Dave Richard | P. Mahomes QB KC |
2 | Jamey Eisenberg | J. Hurts QB PHI |
3 | Zach Brook | J. Allen QB BUF |
4 | Brandon Howard | L. Jackson QB BAL |
5 | Thomas Shafer | C. McCaffrey RB SF |
6 | R.J. White | C. Lamb WR DAL |
7 | Jake Grogins | C. Stroud QB HOU |
8 | Dan Schneier | J. Burrow QB CIN |
9 | Jacob Gibbs | A. Richardson QB IND |
10 | Adam Aizer | K. Murray QB ARI |
11 | Heath Cummings | B. Hall RB NYJ |
12 | Meron Berkson | T. Hill WR MIA |
Round 2 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
13 | Meron Berkson | J. Jefferson WR MIN |
14 | Heath Cummings | D. Prescott QB DAL |
15 | Adam Aizer | A. St. Brown WR DET |
16 | Jacob Gibbs | J. Chase WR CIN |
17 | Dan Schneier | B. Robinson RB ATL |
18 | Jake Grogins | J. Gibbs RB DET |
19 | R.J. White | A. Brown WR PHI |
20 | Thomas Shafer | P. Nacua WR LAR |
21 | Brandon Howard | D. Moore WR CHI |
22 | Zach Brook | G. Wilson WR NYJ |
23 | Jamey Eisenberg | J. Taylor RB IND |
24 | Dave Richard | J. Love QB GB |
Round 3 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
25 | Dave Richard | S. Barkley RB PHI |
26 | Jamey Eisenberg | M. Harrison Jr. WR ARI |
27 | Zach Brook | K. Williams RB LAR |
28 | Brandon Howard | D. Henry RB BAL |
29 | Thomas Shafer | N. Collins WR HOU |
30 | R.J. White | B. Purdy QB SF |
31 | Jake Grogins | J. Mixon RB HOU |
32 | Dan Schneier | J. Herbert QB LAC |
33 | Jacob Gibbs | B. Aiyuk WR SF |
34 | Adam Aizer | T. Etienne RB JAC |
35 | Heath Cummings | T. Tagovailoa QB MIA |
36 | Meron Berkson | T. Lawrence QB JAC |
Round 4 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
37 | Meron Berkson | C. Williams QB CHI |
38 | Heath Cummings | M. Pittman WR IND |
39 | Adam Aizer | J. Daniels QB WAS |
40 | Jacob Gibbs | J. Goff QB DET |
41 | Dan Schneier | T. Kelce TE KC |
42 | Jake Grogins | J. Jacobs RB GB |
43 | R.J. White | K. Cousins QB ATL |
44 | Thomas Shafer | D. Achane RB MIA |
45 | Brandon Howard | D. Watson QB CLE |
46 | Zach Brook | B. Mayfield QB TB |
47 | Jamey Eisenberg | C. Olave WR NO |
48 | Dave Richard | D. Adams WR NYJ |
Round 5 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
49 | Dave Richard | D. London WR ATL |
50 | Jamey Eisenberg | M. Stafford QB LAR |
51 | Zach Brook | S. LaPorta TE DET |
52 | Brandon Howard | D. Samuel WR SF |
53 | Thomas Shafer | M. Evans WR TB |
54 | R.J. White | R. White RB TB |
55 | Jake Grogins | N. Chubb RB CLE |
56 | Dan Schneier | J. Waddle WR MIA |
57 | Jacob Gibbs | I. Pacheco RB KC |
58 | Adam Aizer | J. Cook RB BUF |
59 | Heath Cummings | C. Ridley WR TEN |
60 | Meron Berkson | K. Walker III RB SEA |
Round 6 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
61 | Meron Berkson | A. Kamara RB NO |
62 | Heath Cummings | T. McBride TE ARI |
63 | Adam Aizer | T. Higgins WR CIN |
64 | Jacob Gibbs | J. Brooks RB CAR |
65 | Dan Schneier | C. Kupp WR LAR |
66 | Jake Grogins | A. Rodgers QB NYJ |
67 | R.J. White | M. Andrews TE BAL |
68 | Thomas Shafer | S. Diggs WR HOU |
69 | Brandon Howard | Z. Flowers WR BAL |
70 | Zach Brook | D. Smith WR PHI |
71 | Jamey Eisenberg | D. Kincaid TE BUF |
72 | Dave Richard | D. Metcalf WR SEA |
Round 7 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
73 | Dave Richard | A. Cooper WR BUF |
74 | Jamey Eisenberg | G. Pickens WR PIT |
75 | Zach Brook | T. McLaurin WR WAS |
76 | Brandon Howard | K. Pitts TE ATL |
77 | Thomas Shafer | M. Nabers WR NYG |
78 | R.J. White | Z. White RB LV |
79 | Jake Grogins | T. Dell WR HOU |
80 | Dan Schneier | C. Kirk WR JAC |
81 | Jacob Gibbs | D. Johnson WR BAL |
82 | Adam Aizer | G. Smith QB SEA |
83 | Heath Cummings | T. Pollard RB TEN |
84 | Meron Berkson | M. Brown WR KC |
Round 8 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
85 | Meron Berkson | G. Kittle TE SF |
86 | Heath Cummings | C. Godwin WR TB |
87 | Adam Aizer | L. McConkey WR LAC |
88 | Jacob Gibbs | D. Montgomery RB DET |
89 | Dan Schneier | D. Swift RB CHI |
90 | Jake Grogins | K. Allen WR CHI |
91 | R.J. White | J. Reed WR GB |
92 | Thomas Shafer | J. McCarthy QB MIN |
93 | Brandon Howard | N. Harris RB PIT |
94 | Zach Brook | J. Addison WR MIN |
95 | Jamey Eisenberg | W. Levis QB TEN |
96 | Dave Richard | E. Engram TE JAC |
Round 9 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
97 | Dave Richard | Z. Moss RB CIN |
98 | Jamey Eisenberg | J. Conner RB ARI |
99 | Zach Brook | K. Coleman WR BUF |
100 | Brandon Howard | X. Worthy WR KC |
101 | Thomas Shafer | D. Carr QB NO |
102 | R.J. White | R. Wilson QB PIT |
103 | Jake Grogins | J. Smith-Njigba WR SEA |
104 | Dan Schneier | R. Odunze WR CHI |
105 | Jacob Gibbs | C. Watson WR GB |
106 | Adam Aizer | A. Jones RB MIN |
107 | Heath Cummings | C. Sutton WR DEN |
108 | Meron Berkson | D. Hopkins WR KC |
Round 10 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
109 | Meron Berkson | R. Stevenson RB NE |
110 | Heath Cummings | J. Williams RB DEN |
111 | Adam Aizer | J. Ferguson TE DAL |
112 | Jacob Gibbs | B. Bowers TE LV |
113 | Dan Schneier | B. Young QB CAR |
114 | Jake Grogins | T. Hockenson TE MIN |
115 | R.J. White | A. Ekeler RB WAS |
116 | Thomas Shafer | D. Jones QB MIN |
117 | Brandon Howard | J. Williams WR DET |
118 | Zach Brook | R. Mostert RB MIA |
119 | Jamey Eisenberg | T. Spears RB TEN |
120 | Dave Richard | T. Benson RB ARI |
Round 11 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
121 | Dave Richard | R. Rice WR KC |
122 | Jamey Eisenberg | B. Thomas Jr. WR JAC |
123 | Zach Brook | J. Warren RB PIT |
124 | Brandon Howard | J. Wright RB MIA |
125 | Thomas Shafer | D. Maye QB NE |
126 | R.J. White | K. Shakir WR BUF |
127 | Jake Grogins | T. Lockett WR SEA |
128 | Dan Schneier | C. Brown RB CIN |
129 | Jacob Gibbs | X. Legette WR CAR |
130 | Adam Aizer | G. Minshew QB LV |
131 | Heath Cummings | D. Singletary RB NYG |
132 | Meron Berkson | G. Edwards RB LAC |
Round 12 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
133 | Meron Berkson | B. Nix QB DEN |
134 | Heath Cummings | J. Palmer WR LAC |
135 | Adam Aizer | Q. Johnston WR LAC |
136 | Jacob Gibbs | A. Mitchell WR IND |
137 | Dan Schneier | R. Dowdle RB DAL |
138 | Jake Grogins | I. Likely TE BAL |
139 | R.J. White | B. Robinson Jr. RB WAS |
140 | Thomas Shafer | D. Njoku TE CLE |
141 | Brandon Howard | J. Jeudy WR CLE |
142 | Zach Brook | E. Elliott RB DAL |
143 | Jamey Eisenberg | Z. Charbonnet RB SEA |
144 | Dave Richard | J. Ford RB CLE |
Round 13 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
145 | Dave Richard | B. Corum RB LAR |
146 | Jamey Eisenberg | J. Dotson WR PHI |
147 | Zach Brook | B. Irving RB TB |
148 | Brandon Howard | L. Musgrave TE GB |
149 | Thomas Shafer | T. Tracy Jr. RB NYG |
150 | R.J. White | J. Meyers WR LV |
151 | Jake Grogins | R. Pearsall WR SF |
152 | Dan Schneier | D. Wicks WR GB |
153 | Jacob Gibbs | K. Vidal RB LAC |
154 | Adam Aizer | M. Williams WR PIT |
155 | Heath Cummings | R. Doubs WR GB |
156 | Meron Berkson | C. Samuel WR BUF |
Round 14 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
157 | Meron Berkson | J. Dobbins RB LAC |
158 | Heath Cummings | J. Brissett QB NE |
159 | Adam Aizer | M. Lloyd RB GB |
160 | Jacob Gibbs | T. Franklin WR DEN |
161 | Dan Schneier | A. Gibson RB NE |
162 | Jake Grogins | T. Boyd WR TEN |
163 | R.J. White | J. Fields QB PIT |
164 | Thomas Shafer | T. Allgeier RB ATL |
165 | Brandon Howard | J. Burton WR CIN |
166 | Zach Brook | J. Downs WR IND |
167 | Jamey Eisenberg | R. Wilson WR PIT |
168 | Dave Richard | M. Corley WR NYJ |
Round 15 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
169 | Dave Richard | J. Polk WR NE |
170 | Jamey Eisenberg | S. Darnold QB MIN |
171 | Zach Brook | B. Allen RB NYJ |
172 | Brandon Howard | T. Chandler RB MIN |
173 | Thomas Shafer | K. Mitchell RB BAL |
174 | R.J. White | R. Davis RB BUF |
175 | Jake Grogins | W. Robinson WR NYG |
176 | Dan Schneier | M. Mims WR DEN |
177 | Jacob Gibbs | J. McLaughlin RB DEN |
178 | Adam Aizer | D. Goedert TE PHI |
179 | Heath Cummings | D. Douglas WR NE |
180 | Meron Berkson | R. Shaheed WR NO |
Dave Richard | ||
---|---|---|
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 1 | P. Mahomes QB KC |
2 | 24 | J. Love QB GB |
3 | 25 | S. Barkley RB PHI |
4 | 48 | D. Adams WR NYJ |
5 | 49 | D. London WR ATL |
6 | 72 | D. Metcalf WR SEA |
7 | 73 | A. Cooper WR BUF |
8 | 96 | E. Engram TE JAC |
9 | 97 | Z. Moss RB CIN |
10 | 120 | T. Benson RB ARI |
11 | 121 | R. Rice WR KC |
12 | 144 | J. Ford RB CLE |
13 | 145 | B. Corum RB LAR |
14 | 168 | M. Corley WR NYJ |
15 | 169 | J. Polk WR NE |
Jamey Eisenberg | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 2 | J. Hurts QB PHI |
2 | 23 | J. Taylor RB IND |
3 | 26 | M. Harrison Jr. WR ARI |
4 | 47 | C. Olave WR NO |
5 | 50 | M. Stafford QB LAR |
6 | 71 | D. Kincaid TE BUF |
7 | 74 | G. Pickens WR PIT |
8 | 95 | W. Levis QB TEN |
9 | 98 | J. Conner RB ARI |
10 | 119 | T. Spears RB TEN |
11 | 122 | B. Thomas Jr. WR JAC |
12 | 143 | Z. Charbonnet RB SEA |
13 | 146 | J. Dotson WR PHI |
14 | 167 | R. Wilson WR PIT |
15 | 170 | S. Darnold QB MIN |
Zach Brook | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 3 | J. Allen QB BUF |
2 | 22 | G. Wilson WR NYJ |
3 | 27 | K. Williams RB LAR |
4 | 46 | B. Mayfield QB TB |
5 | 51 | S. LaPorta TE DET |
6 | 70 | D. Smith WR PHI |
7 | 75 | T. McLaurin WR WAS |
8 | 94 | J. Addison WR MIN |
9 | 99 | K. Coleman WR BUF |
10 | 118 | R. Mostert RB MIA |
11 | 123 | J. Warren RB PIT |
12 | 142 | E. Elliott RB DAL |
13 | 147 | B. Irving RB TB |
14 | 166 | J. Downs WR IND |
15 | 171 | B. Allen RB NYJ |
Brandon Howard | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 4 | L. Jackson QB BAL |
2 | 21 | D. Moore WR CHI |
3 | 28 | D. Henry RB BAL |
4 | 45 | D. Watson QB CLE |
5 | 52 | D. Samuel WR SF |
6 | 69 | Z. Flowers WR BAL |
7 | 76 | K. Pitts TE ATL |
8 | 93 | N. Harris RB PIT |
9 | 100 | X. Worthy WR KC |
10 | 117 | J. Williams WR DET |
11 | 124 | J. Wright RB MIA |
12 | 141 | J. Jeudy WR CLE |
13 | 148 | L. Musgrave TE GB |
14 | 165 | J. Burton WR CIN |
15 | 172 | T. Chandler RB MIN |
Thomas Shafer | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 5 | C. McCaffrey RB SF |
2 | 20 | P. Nacua WR LAR |
3 | 29 | N. Collins WR HOU |
4 | 44 | D. Achane RB MIA |
5 | 53 | M. Evans WR TB |
6 | 68 | S. Diggs WR HOU |
7 | 77 | M. Nabers WR NYG |
8 | 92 | J. McCarthy QB MIN |
9 | 101 | D. Carr QB NO |
10 | 116 | D. Jones QB MIN |
11 | 125 | D. Maye QB NE |
12 | 140 | D. Njoku TE CLE |
13 | 149 | T. Tracy Jr. RB NYG |
14 | 164 | T. Allgeier RB ATL |
15 | 173 | K. Mitchell RB BAL |
R.J. White | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 6 | C. Lamb WR DAL |
2 | 19 | A. Brown WR PHI |
3 | 30 | B. Purdy QB SF |
4 | 43 | K. Cousins QB ATL |
5 | 54 | R. White RB TB |
6 | 67 | M. Andrews TE BAL |
7 | 78 | Z. White RB LV |
8 | 91 | J. Reed WR GB |
9 | 102 | R. Wilson QB PIT |
10 | 115 | A. Ekeler RB WAS |
11 | 126 | K. Shakir WR BUF |
12 | 139 | B. Robinson Jr. RB WAS |
13 | 150 | J. Meyers WR LV |
14 | 163 | J. Fields QB PIT |
15 | 174 | R. Davis RB BUF |
Jake Grogins | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 7 | C. Stroud QB HOU |
2 | 18 | J. Gibbs RB DET |
3 | 31 | J. Mixon RB HOU |
4 | 42 | J. Jacobs RB GB |
5 | 55 | N. Chubb RB CLE |
6 | 66 | A. Rodgers QB NYJ |
7 | 79 | T. Dell WR HOU |
8 | 90 | K. Allen WR CHI |
9 | 103 | J. Smith-Njigba WR SEA |
10 | 114 | T. Hockenson TE MIN |
11 | 127 | T. Lockett WR SEA |
12 | 138 | I. Likely TE BAL |
13 | 151 | R. Pearsall WR SF |
14 | 162 | T. Boyd WR TEN |
15 | 175 | W. Robinson WR NYG |
Dan Schneier | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 8 | J. Burrow QB CIN |
2 | 17 | B. Robinson RB ATL |
3 | 32 | J. Herbert QB LAC |
4 | 41 | T. Kelce TE KC |
5 | 56 | J. Waddle WR MIA |
6 | 65 | C. Kupp WR LAR |
7 | 80 | C. Kirk WR JAC |
8 | 89 | D. Swift RB CHI |
9 | 104 | R. Odunze WR CHI |
10 | 113 | B. Young QB CAR |
11 | 128 | C. Brown RB CIN |
12 | 137 | R. Dowdle RB DAL |
13 | 152 | D. Wicks WR GB |
14 | 161 | A. Gibson RB NE |
15 | 176 | M. Mims WR DEN |
Jacob Gibbs | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 9 | A. Richardson QB IND |
2 | 16 | J. Chase WR CIN |
3 | 33 | B. Aiyuk WR SF |
4 | 40 | J. Goff QB DET |
5 | 57 | I. Pacheco RB KC |
6 | 64 | J. Brooks RB CAR |
7 | 81 | D. Johnson WR BAL |
8 | 88 | D. Montgomery RB DET |
9 | 105 | C. Watson WR GB |
10 | 112 | B. Bowers TE LV |
11 | 129 | X. Legette WR CAR |
12 | 136 | A. Mitchell WR IND |
13 | 153 | K. Vidal RB LAC |
14 | 160 | T. Franklin WR DEN |
15 | 177 | J. McLaughlin RB DEN |
Adam Aizer | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 10 | K. Murray QB ARI |
2 | 15 | A. St. Brown WR DET |
3 | 34 | T. Etienne RB JAC |
4 | 39 | J. Daniels QB WAS |
5 | 58 | J. Cook RB BUF |
6 | 63 | T. Higgins WR CIN |
7 | 82 | G. Smith QB SEA |
8 | 87 | L. McConkey WR LAC |
9 | 106 | A. Jones RB MIN |
10 | 111 | J. Ferguson TE DAL |
11 | 130 | G. Minshew QB LV |
12 | 135 | Q. Johnston WR LAC |
13 | 154 | M. Williams WR PIT |
14 | 159 | M. Lloyd RB GB |
15 | 178 | D. Goedert TE PHI |
Heath Cummings | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 11 | B. Hall RB NYJ |
2 | 14 | D. Prescott QB DAL |
3 | 35 | T. Tagovailoa QB MIA |
4 | 38 | M. Pittman WR IND |
5 | 59 | C. Ridley WR TEN |
6 | 62 | T. McBride TE ARI |
7 | 83 | T. Pollard RB TEN |
8 | 86 | C. Godwin WR TB |
9 | 107 | C. Sutton WR DEN |
10 | 110 | J. Williams RB DEN |
11 | 131 | D. Singletary RB NYG |
12 | 134 | J. Palmer WR LAC |
13 | 155 | R. Doubs WR GB |
14 | 158 | J. Brissett QB NE |
15 | 179 | D. Douglas WR NE |
Meron Berkson | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 12 | T. Hill WR MIA |
2 | 13 | J. Jefferson WR MIN |
3 | 36 | T. Lawrence QB JAC |
4 | 37 | C. Williams QB CHI |
5 | 60 | K. Walker III RB SEA |
6 | 61 | A. Kamara RB NO |
7 | 84 | M. Brown WR KC |
8 | 85 | G. Kittle TE SF |
9 | 108 | D. Hopkins WR KC |
10 | 109 | R. Stevenson RB NE |
11 | 132 | G. Edwards RB LAC |
12 | 133 | B. Nix QB DEN |
13 | 156 | C. Samuel WR BUF |
14 | 157 | J. Dobbins RB LAC |
15 | 180 | R. Shaheed WR NO |