Fantasy Football Deep League Strategy: 16-Team PPR Mock Draft
Most fantasy football leagues have 12 teams with around 16 rounds in their drafts. High-stakes leagues often have 12 teams with 20 rounds of selections. But there are some leagues that have more than the traditional 12. In this mock draft simulation, I used 16 teams as my baseline. When you have 16 teams it thins the player pool within five rounds. Players jump up two rounds in value and sleepers barely exist. Here is my draft board from a recent 16-team mock I did using the FantasySP Custom Mock Draft Tool.
In 16-team drafts, I do not wait as long on my QB. My biggest fear is that in such deep leagues, QB gets extremely thin and I cannot build a good enough team to compete. This was a Full-PPR draft, with starting lineups of 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 Flex, 1 K, and 1 Defense. For the purposes of these mocks, I always take 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, and 1 TE on my bench. I had the seventh overall pick, here is my team:
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16-Team PPR Mock Draft Analysis
Round 1 (1.07): WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
I think he's going to be a target machine, especially with Matthew Stafford not having a rapport with the rest of his receivers.
Round 2 (2.10): QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
The reason I took Lamar is that I'm getting extra rushing yards in case I can't find two good running backs I like.
Round 3 (3.07): WR Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
I'd be a little shocked if Ridley was available here in a real draft, but taking him at this point is a steal.
Round 4 (4.10): WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
I don't love the team he plays for, but I do think that London is in line to get 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.
Round 5 (5.07): RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills
By now you must know how I feel about Cook; he could be the breakout running back in the AFC.
Round 6 (6.10): RB David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
I'm trying to draft Montgomery on as many teams as possible. He should get at least double-digit touchdowns and he will help in receptions as well.
Round 7 (7.07): WR Odell Beckham, Jr., Baltimore Ravens
I wanted to have some sort of stack with Jackson and Beckham was the last receiver left from the Ravens.
Round 8 (8.10): RB De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
This is a purely speculative upside pick.
Round 9 (9.07): WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Other experts are higher on Collins than I am but I'm thinking Collins has a chance to break through if he can stay healthy with C.J. Stroud as the quarterback.
Round 10 (10.10): TE Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos
I'm hoping that Sean Payton devises ways for him to get open.
Round 11 (11.07): RB Deuce Vaughn, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas didn't add any running backs in the offseason, and I think Vaughn will end up being the one they use in the two-minute drill.
Round 12 (12.10): TE Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
I know he's only a rookie but I do think Musgrave is going to get a ton of snaps.
Round 13 (13.07): QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
People are completely overlooking Purdy. Kyle Shanahan is an offensive innovator and Purdy has a terrific chance for 3,500 passing yards and about 25 touchdowns.
Round 14 (14.10): Washington Commanders Defense
I think they are sneakier than most people think and should have a good chance of making the playoffs.
Round 15 (15.07): K Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders
Carlson is my go-to kicker if Justin Tucker is not available.
Round 16 (16.10): WR Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers
Palmer is a solid receiver on a great offensive team and I am happy to get him as my last pick in the draft.
Final 16-Team PPR Mock Draft Analysis
Deep leagues are certainly the most challenging in that it’s really all about playing your starters and hoping that they don’t get injured. I like Lamar and my receivers a lot, as well as Cook and Montgomery. I’m just worried that my tight ends are weak and my RB depth is too thin.
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