Mock Draft 4.0: The Final Final Countdown

Well that was fun! A draft that finally lived up to the hype with trades galore and plenty of first round skill players. What makes this an even better draft is that many of those skill players landed in great spots to contribute early or have clear paths to future production. From a fantasy standpoint, that means those picking outside the first round will have the chance to find that individual whose worth lies far within... a diamond in the rough. Now before you get all bent out of shape because of the following mock, just realize that picking players is not always easy and is far from an exact science. Everyone has their own opinions about specific players and who they want or don't want on their team, so I'm doing my best to emulate Mr. Weaver with my own projection on who I feel is the best fit for that team.

(1.1) Size Does Matter
Christian McCaffrey - Panthers
Odds on favorite to lead rookies in all around touches. The Panthers brass know this team is carried by Cam Newton and they need to keep him upright and healthy. McCaffrey should be given ample opportunity to carry the rock or catch dump passes when the team make sit to the red zone. While we don't count return yards, McCaffrey is good for at least one return TD and those 6 points will be added to his impressive rookie totals.

(1.2) Gold Standard
Joe Mixon - Bengals
We can argue about morality and debate whether or not Mixon deserves to be in a jail cell rather than a football pads, but as a football player, the man is an extremely talented individual. I think a lot of folks where surprised he went as high as he did, but by landing in Cincinnati, Mixon leaps to the front of the rookie picks. First off, he will have an opportunity to contribute day one with Bernard rehabbing from injury and Hill being extremely ineffective in Bernard's absence. Second, the Bengals did a fantastic job in fielding a draft that will maximize the offensive potential. Ross III was selected with the team's first pick and his skill set will force the secondary to remain honest and choose between him and AJ Green. This means less men in the box and plenty more running room for the backfield. Hill could see a resurgence, but I believe Mixon will have the lead role.      

(1.3) Above Average Joes
Leonard Fournette - Jaguars
On opportunity alone, Forunette makes the absolute most sense at third overall. He won't contribute much in the passing game (especially with the soft-handed Yeldon contributing on 3rd downs) but when it comes to touchdowns, he should be near the top of the rookie leader-board. The Jaguars offense stalled way too often last season because they couldn't get any semblance of a running game going. That will change in 2017. As mentioned above, Fournette will rely solely on his rushing totals and TDs which will hurt his PPR value but a starting RB is a starting RB and too good for the Joe's to pass up.  

(1.4) Garbage Emoji
Dalvin Cook - Vikings
The only reason Cook falls to four is due to a slightly less than clear path to production. The three backs taken prior all slide into starting roles and won't have to share a piece of the production pie. the presence of Latavius Murray is not a huge barrier, but it is a stumbling block for Cook who talent-for-talent is leaps and bounds ahead of the aforementioned Murray. I believe Cook is a perfect fit for the Vikings offense and will turn into Sam Bradford's best friend and security blanket. McKinnon will also muddy this backfield as a 3rd down specialist but if Cook can improve his pass protection he'll get more opportunities to shine and showcase his homerun hitting ability.    

(1.5) I Vincitori
Corey Davis - Titans
Chalk this up as the "move that makes the most sense." After watching 4 straight running backs come off the board, grabbing the top pass-catcher is not only a huge value but offers this team the highest production possibility. Davis will step in and fill a huge need for an offense devoid of transcendent talent. This year's crop of wideouts is not the strongest compared top years past, but Davis is a polished route-runner who can play the slot and be flexed outside to maximize his production. This is very much a run-first team, but Davis will offer Mariota a pass-catching option beyond the Tight End. Davis should flirt with 80 catches and 1000 yards as a rookie.

(1.6) Garbage Emoji
Alvin Kamara - Saints
This is a tough one. As mentioned above, this year's pass-catching crop is weak with many of the top talent landing in spots that don't provide the best paths to production. With that in mind, Keegan makes a gamble on investing in future opportunity. The Saints already have Mark Ingram and future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson, but they both carry injury histories and the Saints did trade up to select Kamara in the third round so he will have a role in this offense that will score a lot of fantasy points. Kamara is expected to beat out Cadet for 3rd down touches and was flexed out to receiver on occasion while at Tennessee. AP signed a two year deal and Ingram is in his third year of a four year commitment. If all breaks right, Kamara could find himself in a very intriguing situation in 2018.

(1.7) For Narnia
Samaje Perine - Redskins
Coach Gruden hates Matt Jones, loves his injury-plagued third down back, and luckily found a capable grinder in "Fat Rob" Kelley last season. On pure running back talent, these three stooges are no where near the bruising back from Oklahoma (the other Sooner). This is another gamble selection, but makes sense for AJ who needs to find someone who will contribute as an RB2 at the very least. The Redskins offense is still potent with Cousins under center (for now) and Perine will get every opportunity to take the starting gig away from "Fat Rob." It may seem like a reach here, but Wide Receiver is a position of strength for the Narnians.

(1.8) DaBert
John Ross III - Bengals
The roster is stacked which means Brett can draft the best available player. I believe that is Ross III who finds himself opposite AJ Green and more than likely in single coverage. Drafting Ross III opens up the offense by keeping defenders out of the box (mentioned in Mixon selection) and will allow the talented players on the roster more chances to get open. That is a catch 22 for Ross III (or should I say, a catch 4.22!) with less sticky coverage Green and Eifert should see a bump in production along with the backfield. With so many mouths to feed it'll be hard to predict those explosion games, but the first round selection means Ross III is someone who can't be passed up.

(1.9) Tom-a-Hank
Marlon Mack - Colts
I'm sure some of you are pissed that this name ended up on this mock and there's no possibility of Mack slipping and becoming a later round steal. The keyword of this mock draft is opportunity. It's what fantasy points rely entirely upon and in Mack's case, a golden opportunity is only being blocked by the ageless wonder that is Frank Gore. Mack is extremely talented but had a knack for fumbling while at USF (the other one) but has the size and skills to be an every down contributor. Sooner or later Gore will succumb to Father Time and if that happens this season, Mack is in prime position to perform.

(1.10) Gold Standard
Mike Williams - Chargers
The rich get richer. A tight end or franchise quarterback makes sense here, but when you have a player of Williams talent fall to you, you make the pick. Jonathan has a loaded receiving corps but in this case the pick is more of a bargaining chip for future trade dealings. The "only draft running backs early" method has worked out for him, but again I go back to opportunity. Williams will line up opposite Keenan Allen (who has an ability for sustaining massive injuries) and should get his fair share of targets on a team that seems to always be playing catch-up with Rivers chucking sidearm shots 60 times a game. He'll get his.  

(1.11) Above Average Joes
Kareem Hunt - Chiefs
Spencer Ware is the productive leader of this backfield, but wore down as the season went on in 2016. Hunt is an experienced rusher who will surprise folks who didn't watch late night MACtion on ESPN the last couple seasons. Tyreek Hill and Charck West get their touches too, but if there's a true spell to Ware it will be Hunt who is the more prototypical workhorse. During his senior season he really developed as a pass catcher (41 Rec, 403 yards, 1 td) which backs in Andy Reid's (more like Alex "Checkdown" Smith's) system are required to do. Initial returns on this investment are modest but if injuries plague Ware again in 2017, Hunt could have a very respectable rookie campaign.

(1.12) Garbage Emoji
D'Onta Foreman - Texans
The Doak Walker Award winner only has a short 165 mile move to his new home in Houston where he slides in immediately as the spell back to Lamar Miller. Last year proved that Miller can't handle the rigors of a full NFL season which is good news for Foreman's future prospects. He also is a contrast to Miller's shifty, slippery skill set. Foreman is a big back who will be the short yard specialist and should find paydirt more than a handful of times this season. If all breaks right, this backfield could rival what the Giants had with Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs. If injury strikes Miller again, there's no one on the roster who would challenge Foreman for the starting back role.  

(2.1) Garbage Emoji
OJ Howard - Buccaneers 
The top tight end talent. Even Cameron Brate scored 8 times last year!

(2.2) Bad Hombres
Donnel Pumphrey - Eagles
Will his diminutive size prevent him from showcasing his skills? Risk/reward in Philly's offense.

(2.3) Milk Steak
Jamaal Williams - Packers
A true RB who should take some carries from Ty Montgomery, but Aaron Rodgers likes to throw or keep it himself when in the red zone.

(2.4) Garbage Emoji
JuJu Smith-Schuster - Steelers
Yes, Martavis Bryant is on the roster and starting some beef (see twitter) with fellow receivers, but we will see how long he can stay away from the weed and another suspension. Smith-Schuster has all the talent to be a solid WR2, he just needs an opportunity.

(2.5) I Vincitori
Jeremy McNichols - Buccaneers
Early draft buzz cooled off a bit allowing Alex to scoop up a player who could push for touches early and keep the job if he's successful.

(2.6) Garbage Emoji
Marshawn Lynch - Raiders
After investing in the future early (3 RBs, a WR, and a TE), Keegan makes a play for the title by bringing in Beastmode.

(2.7) Above Average Joes
David Njoku - Browns
The Barndog proved tight ends can find success in Cleveland. He also proved that if you don't perform you get the ax quick.

(2.8) Natty Bohs!
Zay Jones - Bills
There isn't a need that stands out above the others so this is a best available player selection. Jones slides in and will see opportunity as the guy who's always in single coverage opposite Sammy.

(2.9) Tom-a-Hank
James Conner - Steelers
DeAngelo Williams 2.0. Bell has either missed time with injury or suspension so at some point Conner will be a must start.

(2.10) DaBert
Evan Engram - Giants
Gronk is the surefire starter, but when week 11 rolls around and he's prepping for another back surgery Brett will need someone to pick up the pace (and that's not Allen).

(2.11) Bad Hombres
Joe Williams - 49ers
There have been whispers that Hyde is falling out of favor and needs a committee mate in Santa Clara. Williams has character concerns but was VERY productive after pulling a Brett Favre and un-retiring last season for the Utes.

(2.12) Bad Hombres
Curtis Samuel - Panthers
The biggest question is how will he be used? He figures to be the slot specialist but will more than likely have a few packages that feature him as a runner ala Tyreek Hill. Could be a better pro than fantasy contributor.

So... did I just give you the keys to the kingdom or better yet a glimpse at my overall draft board? Who knows. I thought about putting a certain Wahlberg gif at the end here, but for the sake of the children and less crass language, I leave you with this warning.