How I Built My Gridiron Gauntlet Fantasy Football Team: McCaffrey, Cook, and More

A few days ago, I noticed an ESPN free-to-play fantasy football tournament called the Gridiron Gauntlet, and I thought it would be fun to make that my next “mock draft” so here we are!

These 10-team PPR leagues function like most other standard redraft leagues. The intrigue is that the top-four teams in each league make the platform-wide tournament. The fantasy scores from weeks 15-17 are combined to determine the overall champion.

The winner gets their name engraved on the Gridiron Gauntlet trophy - plus a replica trophy as well. The winner also receives a championship ring, while the top-10 teams get a custom branded jersey. You can read more about the Gridiron Gauntlet on ESPN.

In my 10-team league, I was given pick nine. The roster is as follows: one QB, two RBs, two WRs, one TE, one flex, one DST, one K and seven bench slots. Let's see what we can do! 

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Round 1 - Christian McCaffrey

I drafted McCaffrey to kick off this draft. If you've followed along here in the leadup to the season, you know I'm skeptical of taking McCaffrey.

He fell a few picks, and with running backs flying off the board, I felt he was the best pick at No. 9 overall. He's a great fantasy back when healthy, so now I have to hope he is healthy all of 2026. I'll be taking more running backs soon to protect myself in case CMC battles injuries in 2026.

Round 2 - James Cook

Cook was still around for my second-round pick, so I decided to draft him. I like the value of that pick, and think he could outperform that draft slot by enough to make him a draft steal.

Getting Cook was a great way to follow up landing McCaffrey in round 1. I'm set with two possible top-five fantasy backs now, and can look to some other positions now for my picks coming up.

Round 3 - Chris Olave

I got my first receiver in round 3 with Olave. I'm a big fan of Olave as a fantasy asset, especially at this draft slot.

He was a high-end fantasy wideout a season ago, and could do the same thing in 2026, especially with rookie teammate Jordyn Tyson already out with an injury. If he can deliver a top-10 or so fantasy WR finish, this fantasy team will be sitting pretty.

Round 4 - Kyren Williams

Williams was my next pick, and already makes it three running backs drafted. I like drafting running backs early and often, especially when taking a guy like CMC first.

I think Williams is a good draft value at this pick, and think he's going to outperform that level of fantasy pick. Importantly, none of my running backs so far have the same bye week, so I'm lined up well at RB for the season.

Round 5 - Tee Higgins

Higgins was my second fantasy wideout taken, and I like the value again here in round 5.

He might be the No. 2 receiver on his own team, but the Bengals' are a high-flying offense, especially in the passing game, so I expect Higgins to shine if he can stay healthy. 

Round 6 - Jaylen Waddle

I doubled up on receivers, and landed the first guy on my bench with Waddle.

I'm actually a bit higher on Courtland Sutton in Denver, but I really didn't like the value of anyone else near this pick, so I decided to take a chance on Waddle. None of my first three wideouts taken have the same bye week either, so I'm liking how things are shaping up there too.

Round 7 - Carnell Tate

I went with yet another wide receiver here in round 7, grabbing the rookie Tate.

He's trending up as a fantasy asset as the season begins. Tate has a chance to be the team's top pass catcher, so to get him at this point of the draft could be a massive win for me. Getting him as a reserve to start doesn't force me to play him, so I like the pick.

Round 8 - Jaylen Warren

I landed a fourth running back here with Warren, who has a different bye week than my other running backs so far.

Warren looks to be part of a split backfield, but I think he could still have flex-level starting value. I feel confident at RB now, even with the risky CMC leading the way.

Round 9 - Tucker Kraft

I finally decided to draft a tight end, and I'm thrilled to get Kraft in round 9.

Kraft was on his way to a career season when he got injured halfway through last year. That makes him a bit risky going into the season, so I'll likely take another tight end before the draft is over.

Round 10 - George Kittle

The time to take another tight end was now for me, and I got Kittle just a couple selections after Kraft.

Kittle has similar risks coming off a big injury of his own, so I'm really hoping one of these two takes off in 2026. If both do, I could either start both tight ends, or look to trade one for a different position of need eventually.

Round 11 - Justin Herbert

Finally, a quarterback in round 11! Getting Herbert this late is exactly why I don't mind avoiding the position this year.

Herbert could be a top-10 fantasy QB, and a weekly starter, so I love the value here in round 11. I'll only take another QB if the value jumps off the page at me, otherwise I'll just stream a QB for when Herbert is on his bye week. 

Round 12 - Wan'Dale Robinson

Robinson is the fifth fantasy wide receiver that I've drafted. As a depth option, he's one of my favorite late-round wideouts, especially in a PPR format.

I don't love having both him and Tate from the Titans, but again, as depth options, that's a better thing to me. We'll see if either can deliver big enough to use on a weekly basis eventually.

Round 13 - Kyle Monangai

I landed a fifth running back here in Monangai. I think he could end up leading the Bears' backfield in 2026, but an early injury has his value and upside down.

This late in the draft, I'm willing to take a risk on a player like Monagai. I'll stash him and hope he eventually leads the Bears' backfield, otherwise I can just drop him if I need to stream another quarterback or tight end.

Round 14 - Chris Godwin

Godwin was my sixth and final wideout selection for this draft. He gives me yet another wide receiver option.

I like his value here in round 14, even if he's just the team's WR2 behind Emeka Egbuka. If Godwin leads the way, I have a huge draft steal, or trade chip, on my hands.

Round 15 - Harrison Mevis

I was happy to get Mevis as my kicker. 

I like the Rams' offense and think they are going to score a bunch of points, which sets Mevis up to have a big fantasy season. If he struggles, then I'd simply replace him with someone else.

Round 16 - Jaguars DST

I plan to just stream DSTs this season, so I grabbed one with a favorable schedule early on.

With the Saints and Panthers to kick off the season, I see the Jacksonville DST scoring well for at least those two weeks, so that's a good streaming start.

Final Thoughts

I really liked the team I drafted for the ESPN Gridiron Gauntlet. 

I like the quarterback position, even with just Herbert there. He should carry me most of the season. If he struggles, I can drop a player at the end of my bench and find another fantasy QB to pair with Herbert.

McCaffrey, Cook and Williams are a great RB trio, and Warren and Monangai are two solid depth options. I'm set if injuries hit there, and could be starting three RBs a week, which I like.

With the early picks going toward running backs, landing Olave and Higgins as my top fantasy wideouts is a bit underwhelming, but throwing Waddle, Tate, Robinson and Godwin into the mix, I feel confident about that position too.

I'm really set at tight end, barring injuries, with Kraft and Kittle. Getting those two at TE gives me roster flexibility elsewhere if both guys are performing at high levels.

The kicker and DST picks are good ones in my eyes, but really I'll just stream and ride the hottest fantasy assets at each spot.

I feel really good about this fantasy team, and think I have a great chance to make the playoffs, which is the whole goal of this ESPN tournament. We'll see if my team can deliver!