10-Team PPR Fantasy Football Mock Draft from 3rd Position: Three Backs to Start Things, Plus Joe Burrow, Terry McLaurin and More

Here's my last fantasy football mock draft before the first week of the NFL regular season hits!

We'll do a 10-team PPR setup and draft third. The roster will feature seven bench slots and the following starting lineup: one quarterback, two running backs and wide receivers, one tight end, one FLEX, one defense/special teams and one kicker.

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Round 1 - Saquon Barkley

After Ja'Marr Chase and Bijan Robinson were drafted, I went with Barkley over Jahmyr Gibbs.

Barkley is coming off a stellar season and is in line for another monster fantasy season. He might not be the PPR threat that Gibbs is, but I think Barkley will get more touches, which gives him a higher upside.

He's a great player to build a fantasy team around.

Round 2 - Bucky Irving

I wanted to get Irving or Chase Brown with one of these next two picks, but didn't know if both would fall, so I decided to grab Irving.

Irving is one of my favorite fantasy picks this season, so it's only fitting I get him in my last mock before the season. He's primed to power the Bucs' backfield, and I think he could outperform his ADP, despite being an early-round pick.

Round 3 - Chase Brown

Well, my plan backfired, and Irving was the only running back taken between my last pick and this one. Instead of taking a guy I'm not as high on, I tripled up on running backs and took Brown.

You honestly probably cannot ask for a better trio of fantasy backs for 2025. Brown will be the workhorse for the Bengals. With these three backs on my roster, I could completely avoid this position for several rounds - let's see if that actually happens.

Round 4 - Joe Burrow

After locking in three weekly starters at running back, I got an every-week starter at QB with Burrow.

He's likely to finish in the top-five at the position again, and isn't as big of an injury risk as the others taken early, as he's not a dual-threat guy. This is not how I saw this mock draft going, but I'm loving the results so far.

Round 5 - Terry McLaurin

McLaurin had a tumultuous preseason between looking for a new contract and an injury. He got a new deal and seems to be past his injury, so I'm back on board with him as a good fantasy asset.

He has fantasy WR1 upside, especially because Washington doesn't have many other options. On volume alone, McLaurin should shine. After skipping the position early, this is the perfect kind of fantasy wideout to land.

Round 6 - Tetairoa McMillan

McMillan is my second straight fantasy wideout pick, and is another high-upside individual who makes up for skipping the position early.

I think I'll still address the position in case McMillan doesn't shine as a rookie, but I really cannot complain with these fantasy wideouts, and the starting lineup overall, through six rounds.

Round 7 - Jameson Williams

I debated taking Williams last round, so getting him here is a win for me.

I chose McMillan over him as he's the clear top wideout for the Panthers, while Williams is the No. 2 guy for Detroit. Williams gives me an early-season starting option if I don't trust McMillan in his matchups though.

Round 8 - Aaron Jones Sr.

I keep highlighting Jones as a good draft value player. He fell about 13 picks past his ADP, so I decided to take a chance on him.

He gives me another fantasy back to turn to, especially if injuries strike. Jones could also be trade bait if he ends up serving as a good fantasy asset again in 2025.

Round 9 - Tyler Warren

I wanted to wait another round for a tight end, but with not a ton of great options left, I reached a bit for Warren to fill out my starting lineup (not including D/ST or K).

He's on the rise as a fantasy asset as the season nears. I see Warren starring for this Colts' offense, and see him as a weekly starting option. I plan to get another tight end still, but I cannot complain with the rookie as my starter in round 9.

Round 10 - Matthew Golden

I still don't know why Golden isn't being drafted earlier, but I'll grab him again here in round 10. He even fell nine spots past his ADP.

I think he'll lead the Packers' pass catchers in 2025, and be a big-time draft steal by the end of the year. After skipping the wideout position early, it now doesn't even feel like a weakness.

Round 11 - Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Why not take a swing on a running back with a later pick? Croskey-Merritt could be the leading rusher for the Commanders' backfield after the Brian Robinson trade.

He's just a depth option for me, but the risk is low and the upside could be high. If the rookie delivers, I have another trade chip to play with.

Round 12 - Colston Loveland

Let's double up on 2025 first-round rookie tight ends and get Loveland.

I'm not super high on him, but the risk is low, and if Warren pans out, I have no reason to play Loveland anyways. If both rookies pan out, then I could use one as trade bait.

Round 13 - Brock Purdy

I wasn't going to take another quarterback, but the draft value is just too rich for me not to take Purdy.

He has top-10 fantasy upside, and could be another trade chip if he reaches that level. I'm set at every position, so why not take the best available player?

Round 14 - Jayden Higgins

With my last non-D/ST or K pick, I went with another rookie in Higgins. 

I think he's going to surprise this season and be a really good No. 2 or a surprise No. 1 over Nico Collins. The injury-plagued Collins could open the door for Higgins to really star as the season progresses.

Round 15 - 49ers D/ST

I plan to stream at D/ST and K all season, but the Niners' defense gives me a possible every-week starting option.

The start of the season is matchups against the Seahawks, Saints, Cardinals and Jaguars, so I could be set for the first month of play. I'll take that for sure.

Round 16 - Jake Elliott

How about the kicker for one of the best offenses in the league to cap my draft?

Elliott could end up starting most weeks for me, so maybe my idea of streaming won't actually come true.

Final Thoughts

This is a perfect fantasy football mock draft to end on. This might be my favorite one of the season.

I was graded as a B+ and fifth out of the 10 teams, so our simulator here didn't like my team as much. 

With Burrow and Purdy at quarterback, there's nothing to worry about at that position, unless injuries hit.

I'd argue I have the best running backs in the league with Barkley, Irving and Brown as starters and Jones and Croskey-Merritt as backup options. Landing five potential No. 1 backs in a 10-team league doesn't happen much, so it's a definite position of strength.

I was worried about my receivers after skipping them early on, but McLaurin, McMillan, Williams, Golden and Higgins gives me more than enough for the coming season. If any of my three rookies take off, I'm going to be set.

Warren and Loveland are a fun, but risky, tight end duo. This could be a position that holds me back, but I have the ammo elsewhere to improve that position if I want, otherwise I'm sure I can get by with streamers.

Elliott and the 49ers D/ST at those spots feels like a couple more wins. I went from thinking I was going to stream to having probable weekly starters.

Overall, I love this team, and think I'd compete for a fantasy title as long as I'm not decimated by injuries.

Best of luck if you are drafting over the weekend, and be sure to follow along all season at FantasySP! We helped you get ready for your drafts, and now will transition into helping you during the season!