Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Perfect First Round in 12-Team, PPR League

Fantasy football season is in full swing, as leagues everywhere prepare for their drafts.

Newsweek Sports is the perfect place to get all your fantasy football coverage all season long, starting with pre-draft rankings, sleepers, and more.

More news: Fantasy Football Rankings — Top 10 Players at Every Position for 2024 Season

For those who are getting ready for draft season, here is what a perfect first round should look like in a 12-team, points-per-reception league.

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Don’t overthink this one. McCaffrey is the best player at an incredibly value position in fantasy football. He’s the focal point of one of the league’s best offenses, coming off a 2023 season in which he accumulated 339 touches and 2,023 yards from scrimmage along with 21 touchdowns. All three of those led the league. He’s the No. 1 pick.

2. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Lamb has the highest floor of any wide receiver, which is why he’s the top choice here. Going with Tyreek Hill is not a bad option, but Lamb’s consistency and expected amount of touches make him the first receiver off the board.

Read more: Cowboys to Increase CeeDee Lamb’s Touches Due to Massive Contract, Says Stephen Jones

3. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

A lot of leagues will go with another running back here, but Hill’s ceiling should make him the No. 3 pick. He’s coming off a 2023 season in which he led the league with 1,799 receiving yards and had 119 catches and 13 touchdowns. His big-play ability could turn around a fantasy week on any given play.

4. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

Hall had 299 touches for 1,585 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns last year. This year, the Jets should be much better with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, giving Hall way more opportunities to find the end zone.

5. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Robinson, like Hall, should benefit from a much better offense in 2024. He still had 272 touches for 1,463 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. He’s an explosive back who will get tons of looks in a new Falcons offense.

6. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

7. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

8. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

You can’t go wrong with any of these picks as all three wide receivers are due for big seasons. Jefferson and St. Brown have higher floors, while Chase may have the highest ceiling with a healthy Joe Burrow. All three are great options at either of these picks.

9. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Taylor struggled to stay healthy last year but averaged over 15 fantasy points per game when he played. He’s healthy this season and will benefit from an explosive Colts offense alongside quarterback Anthony Richardson.

10. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

Wilson has secured back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with some of the worst quarterback play in the NFL. Now he has Aaron Rodgers.

11. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Brown has had consecutive dominant seasons in the Eagles offense with Jalen Hurts. His consistency and reliability make him a perfect selection at the end of the first round.

12. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Nacua had 105 catches for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns a year ago. His breakout has him going as an end-of-first-round talent in 2024.