2015 Fantasy Football GoingFor2 Expert Mock Draft Round 2 and 3

If you missed Round 1 you can view it here.

Round 2

2.1 Tucker – Demaryius Thomas

My second pick is Demaryius Thomas. With Julius Thomas gone and Eric Decker long gone, I expect D. Thomas to get even more balls thrown his way this season. Hopefully D. Thomas doesn’t let this contract holdout situation tarnish his work ethic and he continues to produce at a high level. (update: Demaryius Thomas signed)

2.2 Anthony – DeMarco Murray

With my second pick I’m selecting DeMarco Murray. He’ll be used in the same way Shady (LeSean McCoy) was. Which means more receptions than when he was in Dallas. Murray will be the focal point of the offense, especially considering the Eagles got rid of several starters. Last season was his best season and his second consecutive 1,000 yard season.

2.3 Dan – Matt Forte

With my second pick and 13th overall I am selecting RB Matt Forte. After passing on him in the 1st round for Antonio Brown, it is a steal to be getting him now in the 2nd. Rushing for over 1,000 yds and 6 TDs last season proved a good RB to have on your team, but factor in the 800 yds receiving for another 4 TDs and you’re looking at a complete package. The only factor that brought him out of my 1st round status was the fear of a new system under coach John Fox (RBBC). The good news on that front is the other 4 RBs on the team right now are Jacquizz Rodgers, Ka’Deem Carey, Jeremy Langford, and Senorise Perry. Unless Jeremy Langford has a good rookie showing in preseason or Jacquizz Rodgers finally breaks the 100 carry mark in 2015, it looks promising that Forte will remain a 3 down back.

2.4 Geoff – C.J. Anderson

After passing on a RB in the 1st round, it was foregone conclusion that I would have to go RB in the second. And C.J. Anderson fell into my lap. Even though he didn’t take over as the lead back until week 12, he still managed to amass 849 yards and 8 TDs. With Peyton Manning nearing the end of his career, the Broncos will have to rely heavily on the run game if they hope to keep Manning upright long enough to have a shot at another Super Bowl. Anderson could be what Terrell Davis was to john Elway.

2.5 Fawad – Odell Beckham Jr.

I choose Odell Beckham Jr. The return of King Salsa (Victor Cruz) should benefit Beckham as well as being healthy enough to play a full season.

2.6 Josh – Aaron Rodgers

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A-A-Ron Rodgers. With all the elite WRs gone, I figured I’d grab me the best QB in the league who is going to get all the Fantasy points. Not to mention the WR I want should be available for my next pick, Rodgers won’t.

2.7 Dennis – Jeremy Hill

Hill took over for Geo Bernard when he got hurt and never gave to job back. In 8 starts he rushed 222 times for a 5.1 yard average and 9 TDs. Hill figures to get the lion’s share of the carries again with 300 touches, 1350 combined yards and 13 TDs a reasonable goal.

2.8 Brandon – Andrew Luck

At this point in the draft the “sure thing” RBs are gone — and I refuse to take a WR this high — so I will with the QB that I feel will lead all QBs in fantasy scoring this year: Andrew Luck (as much as it hurts me saying that being a Chiefs fan). With the addition of Andre Johnson that passing offense will be potent with T.Y. Hilton and the emergence of Donte Moncrief. You guys must be thinking, “what about Gore?”. I believe this is the year Gore takes a huge step back production wise, and the Colts will have to go back to slinging it early and often by mid-season. Luck throws a few more picks than I would like to see but his volume in yards and TDs will make up for it.

2.9 Harrison – Calvin Johnson

Pick #19 is in……Calvin Johnson. He is still clearly the #1 option for Stafford and the Lions. Injuries slowed him down last year, but he still averaged double-digit fantasy points in standard leagues. He still has the speed and size to dominant down field and in the red zone.

2.10 Shane – Jimmy Graham

With my next pick, I will be selecting tight end, Jimmy Graham. With Russell Wilson being one of the best QBs to throw on the run, what better target to find downfield than Jimmy Graham. I predict Graham to not only play tight end in this offense, but possibly find himself at wide receiver as well (experts are predicting). At this point in the draft you still need to target big time playmakers even if it is at the tight end position. Maybe Pete Carroll will have an excuse this season to not “run the ball”.


 

Another round with very few surprises. We saw two quarterbacks go off the board in Rodgers and Luck, and we saw the second tight end. It may have been a little early to take Graham, but when you consider the position in which Shane was drafting, there was no way Graham would be there in the fourth for him to take, so I’m okay with reaching a little to get your guy.

Dennis was the only one to go with the conventional wisdom of going RB in the first two rounds. I think from where he is drafting, that was a pretty good strategy. His selection of Jeremy Hill solidifies maybe the most important position in fantasy football, he can now concentrate on other, deeper, positions.

With all that said, I have yet to mention my favorite pick and the winner of Round 2. I’m giving it to Harrison. To get Calvin Johnson this late in the draft is a steal in my opinion. He is going to be a stud this year and has as good a chance as any to finish the year as the No. 1 wide receiver.


 

Round 3

3.1 Shane – Peyton Manning

As I wrap around with my next pick, I don’t even hesitate to take Peyton Manning. With retirement rumors swarming him, I honestly believe this will push Peyton to the second and possibly third round in some drafts, as it did this one. If this is the case SNATCH HIM UP. He is still the same Peyton that threw for over 4500 yards last season. Still the same Peyton that threw 39 TDs and still the same Peyton that won the MVP award just two short seasons ago.

3.2 Harrison – Julio Jones

With the 22nd pick…..Julio jones. Last season he topped the 100 receptions for the first time in his career. He has taken over the #1 WR spot in Atlanta from the aging Roddy White. Without a clear and known RB in place, the Falcons will continue to throw the ball all over the field.

3.3 Brandon – Latavius Murray

With my next selection I will return to the running back pool. With an abundance of WR and lots of value at TE in later rounds, I will go with Latavius Murray. I was torn between him and Alfred Morris, but with McFadden leaving and Alf’s declining numbers — combined with the Redskins uncertainty on offense — I’m going with Murray. The Raiders seem to be on the upswing, and Murray’s low rushing TDs from last season don’t scare me. Roy Helu backing him up doesn’t scare me either (I live in the DC area, trust me Oakland he’s nothing special). Murray should have a strong season

3.4 Dennis – Jordy Nelson

After two straight RBs to open the draft I was hoping a decent WR was still left and I get Nelson in the 3rd. Still only 30 and Rodgers favorite receiver, the last two combined seasons he totaled 183 receptions, 21 TDs and over 2800 yds without missing a game.

3.5 Josh – DeSean Jackson

With the revamped line of the Skins, I expect RGIII to have more time and allow Djax to get deep and behind secondaries. Last year he had more 40-plus yard catches than any other WR, and I see that trend continuing. Not to mention quick passes to him he turns into big gains. It might not translate to wins for my Skins but big points for fantasy.

3.6 Fawad – Andre Ellington

With my pick I choose Andre Ellington. Arians has said that he will likely be the focal point of the offense with an expanded offensive role — barring injury.

3.7 Geoff – Alshon Jeffery

With my third pick in taking Alshon Jeffery. He 85 rec 1133 yard and 10 TDs in 2014, while dealing with a few nagging injuries AND with Brandon Marshall stealing targets. Now that he is fully healthy and Marshall is in New York, he’ll be the first option in the passing game. Cutler is a turn over machine, but thankfully INTs don’t count negative for a wide receiver.

3.8 Dan – Alfred Morris

For my 3rd round pick I am taking RB Alfred Morris. Since he came in the league he has rushed for 1,000+ yards every season and is known to pound the rock against opposing defenses. His stats last year were the lowest of his 3 season career but the Redskins offensive line was abysmal. The front office obviously noticed and made some moves to revamp their offensive line. Look for the running game to open up in 2015 and — at the very least — he is still the No. 1 RB in Washington that should get around 20 carries a game, and be a solid start week in and week out.

3.9 Anthony – DeAndre Hopkins

I’m selecting DeAndre Hopkins with my 3rd pick. With Andre Johnson out of Houston the torch has clearly been passed. Hopkins is definitely the No. 1 option. DeAndre had over 1,000 yards receiving last year and had the second most targets (127) on the team. Also he averaged 16 yards a catch. The only thing between Hopkins and fantasy stardom is the Texans QB situation. But, in my opinion it doesn’t matter who’s throwing the ball, this former Clemson Tiger will come down with it!

3.10 Tucker- Randall Cobb

Randall Cobb was a stud last year. Over 90 catches with 12 TDs. I expect around the same production from him — especially since he got the new contract that he deserves.


We have our first big surprise of this draft. DeSean Jackson goes to Josh in the middle of the third round. I’m not saying this is a bad pick, but Jackson’s average draft position (ADP) is currently at 47, which puts him at the bottom of the fourth round in 10 team leagues. At the same time, I think this brings up a good draft strategy, or more drafting advice, know you league-mates. If you read the introductions to all the drafters that I wrote to open round 1, then you know this mock draft is full of Redskins fans. This simple fact means Jackson probably wouldn’t have made it back to Josh in the fourth, and if he truly believes that Jackson is his guy, then I have no problem with him reaching a little.

This round was full of wide receivers, with six of the 10 picks going to wide outs. Wide receiver is one of the deepest positions pretty much every year, but the disparity between a No.1 fantasy wide receiver and the No. 2’s is greater than it normally is, so you can expect a run on wide receivers in your own drafts in Round 3.

I had a hard time deciding on a winner for this round, and it ultimately came down which team I thought was in the best shape through three rounds. Every team so far has a question mark player on their roster so far, except one. I’m going to list each mock drafter and their question mark player, and then I’ll give you my winner.

Shane – Peyton Manning – Will he be the Manning of the first half of 2014 or the second half?

Brandon – Latavius Murray – We just don’t know what to expect from a guy who hasn’t played much.

Dennis – Jeremy Hill – How many carries is Giovani Bernard going to steal? Will Hill get as big a work-load or will it be more RBBC?

Josh – DeSean Jackson – A big play receiver, but will his QB be good enough?

Fawad – Odell Beckham Jr. – Yes he was a beast last year, but small sample size, can he do it again?

Geoff – C.J. Anderson and Alshon Jeffery – Jeffery is now the No. 1, can he handle it? Anderson did it in a small sample size, can he continue to do it with a potentially diminished Peyton Manning?

Dan – Alfred Morris – His numbers have declined every year since coming into the league, and he doesn’t catch the ball much.

Anthony – DeAndre Hopkins – He is the No. 1 guy in Houston, can he handle it and can his QB get him the ball?

TuckerArian Foster – Can he stay healthy?

And the winner of Round 3 with his first three selections of Eddie Lacy, Calvin Johnson, and Julio Jones goes to Harrison. Those are three “can’t miss” players, or at least as “can’t miss” as you can get in fantasy football. That’s one hell of a start for Harrison, can he keep it up? Check back for rounds 4 and 5.

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Geoff Lambert

Geoff has been playing fantasy football since 1996 and covering it professionally since 2015. In addition to being the founder of GoingFor2.com and The Armchair Fantasy Show, Geoff has contributed to FantasyPros, FantasyLife, and the now-defunct RotoWriters, while also appearing on a multitude of fantasy podcasts. Geoff's favorite professional teams are the 49ers, the Pelicans and the Nationals.

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