The 2015 Fantasy Football GoingFor2 Expert Mock Draft Rounds 6-8
To see the earlier rounds click here:
Round 6
6.1 Tucker, Greg Olsen
My next pick is Greg Olsen. Olsen is a top 5 TE so that’s a no brainer. There’s no reason he shouldn’t remain a top 5/top 10 TE for this year based on numbers alone.
6.3 Anthony, Antonio Gates *mock was done pre suspension
My next pick is Antonio Gates. Gates had 12 touchdowns last year, which was the second highest total of his career. He played more last season than he did in previous years. Gates played 787 snaps which ranked him 17th among tight ends.
6.4 Dan, Brandin Cooks
I’m going with Brandin Cooks. Cooks started 7 games last season and was able to rack up 53 receptions for 550 yards before injuries ended his season. I had a decision between him, Edelman, or B Marshall. Edelman won’t have Brady for an undetermined amount of games and B Marshall has either Geno Smith or Fitzpatrick getting him the ball – compared to Drew Brees — I’ll take my chances with the Saints. Besides, with Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills gone, Brees is going to have to rely on Cooks this season to keep their passing game going. I expect Cooks to be the #1 after camp and rake in 1,000+ yards this season.
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6.4 Geoff, Matt Ryan
My pick here would be Joique Bell if it wasn’t June and they are already talking about him missing training camp. After Bell there really isn’t Rbs to trust. I thought about Yeldon, but it’s too risky. Edelman was a thought, but I already have Gronk, I didn’t want 2 Brady-less players. So even though it’s much higher than I anticipated taking a QB, I’m selecting Matt Ryan. General consensus says Ryan had a down year in 2014, but in actuality he had a career year in passing yards, his 3rd most TD passes, and the second highest QB rating in his career. The Falcons still have very little at RB, and with a healthy Roddy White and Julio Jones, Ryan should be in for another big time year!
6.5 Fawad, Brandon Marshall
With Marshall there has always been a bromance with his new QB’s….this year he will capture the heart of Geno Smith who is in his make or break third year — if he gets the nod to start — and as Todd Bowles as the new coach we will likely see a more pass first attacking offense, unlike the Jets of the past. Marshall will also be a viable red zone target which is where the Jets and Geno struggled the most last year.
6.6 Josh, C.J. Spiller
New city, new start and I think the Saints are going to use him a lot more than they did Bush, and in the red zone could be a favorite target for Brees out of the backfield. Also he’s always a threat on kick and punt returns.
6.7 Dennis, Julian Edelman
Edelman gained 972 yds on 92 catches with 4TDs in 14 games last season. He’s easily Brady’s favorite receiver with a whopping 285 targets over the last 2 seasons. The Patriots have not upgraded their receiving core, and while Edelman is a better PPR pick, with Revis and Browner gone this season, I expect the Patriots to have to throw a lot more in 2015, so Edelman should get plenty of opportunities again.
6.8 Brandon, Keenan Allen
My pick is Keenan Allen. After a very disappointing second year in the league I think he is in line for a bounce back season. With the Chargers backfield weakened — with the Ryan Matthews exit — they will probably have to rely on Rivers and the passing game more. I don’t see Allen being that bad two years in a row. If he stays healthy he could be in for a huge season.
6.9 Harrison, Jarvis Landry
I select Jarvis Landry. He was targeted 112 times while only getting the start in 11 games. His production made Mike Wallace expendable. He will be that productive slot receiver like a Wes Welker or Edelman. In a PPR league, he would be even more valuable, but with so many chances in a standard league; he would produce on your fantasy team.
6.10 Shane, Vincent Jackson
My next pick is Vincent Jackson. According to recent reports, new OC Dirk Koettner has been moving Jackson around multiple positions on the field, inside and out, to help Winston for a better air attack. I can see this Tampa Bay passing game relying on the veteran to help move them down the field. Add that to the fact he is expected to receive full salary, and you have a very happy and satisfied Vincent Jackson who is ready to put up some big numbers with Famous Jameis.
Yet another round dominated by wide receivers, with six more coming off the board, but in that mix of wide receivers, there was one player that stood out. Honestly, this mock was done in June and into July, and when Josh made his pick of C.J. Spiller, I thought it was a bad pick. But with all the beat reporters claiming Spiller will get 60-plus catches this year, I’m going to have to give this round to Josh.
Round 7
7.1 Shane, Victor Cruz
My next pick is a complete gamble, but hey, that’s the nature of fantasy sports sometimes. I am going with Victor Cruz. Weather he will be healthy or not, it may be too early to tell, but I do know many teams will struggle to stop Odell Beckham and that’s only going to leave the salsa dancing WR in a lot of one on one situations. The New York Giants have a chance to murder some secondaries this season if Cruz can come back and play to his caliber. Many people will probably fade him in the draft, but I myself am willing to take my risk. I look for Cruz to come back stronger than ever in the 2015 season.
7.2 Harrison, T.J. Yeldon
Yeldon was a 3 down back at Bama and will get a chance in Jacksonville. He showed he can be a work horse running the ball and has the soft hands to catch balls out of the backfield in Bama. He will be a stat stuffer. Some depth charts already have Yeldon as the starter for the jags.
7.3 Brandon, Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce is one of three legit targets Alex Smith has in his offense (Charles and Maclin being the other two). With Fasano moving on this offseason, Kelce has no competition for TE reps on the roster as it stands. He had some monster games last season and could potentially be a top 5 TE next season since Smith had one of the lowest throw rates of 10+ yards downfield last season.
7.4 Dennis, Joique Bell
Bell is not a guy who I want to start a majority of my games this season, but is decent 7th round value and good for bye week and injury spot starts. He rushed for 860 yards and 7 TDs last season and should see a slight bump in those numbers with Reggie Bush now departed.
7.5 Josh, Josh HiIl
Because someone has has to take Graham’s spot and Brees loves his TE.
7.6 Fawad, Amari Cooper
With my pick I’m going with Amari Cooper. Raiders love the aerial attack which will benefit Cooper. Quarterback Derek Carr had a decent year as a rookie and shall improve with another year under center. Copper’s only competition is an injury riddle Craptree (Michael Crabtree). Cooper’s experience facing SEC competition will also help ease him into playing against NFL competition.
7.7 Geoff, Roddy White
Despite an injury riddle season, White still managed to have 980 yards and 7 TDs. The Falcons will be throwing the ball a ton, much like last year, and though White is no longer the No. 1 option he’ll still see plenty of targets. Not to mention the last 8 games of the season, the Falcons play every game in either a dome stadium or a warm weather outdoor stadium, with the exception of “maybe” their away game at Carolina, but even then it’s doubtful they will see snow. That schedule is a blessing for a passing team, and will benefit White greatly.
7.8 Dan, Ben Roethlisberger
I’m going with Roethlisberger. Averaging over 300 yards and 2 TDs a game last year, that will be tough to maintain, but the WR corps should be enough to make a pretty good argument for a similar 2015 season. I needed either a QB or a TE in this pick and lets face it, no TE this far down in the draft is a sure thing. As far as other QBs go, Brady is on the board but not a surprise seeing as nobody knows his suspension details. Romo is on the board but he is getting up in age and he plays for the Cowboys. Stafford has potential but I like having the double points for TDs when Big Ben connects with my first pick Antonio Brown.
7.9 Anthony, Giovani Bernard
I’m selecting Giovani Bernard. Despite injuries and being Jeremy Hill‘s back up, Bernard is still expected to be a huge part of Cincinnati’s offense. He’s going to get a lot of key touches and will be a great change of pace. As a rookie he had 56 catches and is projected for more than that this year. In limited action (13 games) he had almost 700 yards rushing and 7 total touchdowns.
7.10 Tucker, Steve Smith
I’m selecting Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin with my picks. Both receivers had over 75 receptions and over 1000 yards and 5/6 touchdowns last year. Neither of the 2 showed signs of slowing down even though they are older receivers. I call that pretty reliable stats in my book for a 3rd receiver slot and a flex WR slot.
Josh, you were doing so well, and then you go and take Josh Hill way too high. In your defense I think you made this pick while you were driving to the beach, but if you really liked Hill, you could have gotten him much lower and used this pick more wisely. Like my boy Anthony. The pick of Giovani Bernard was a great value pick. Jeremy Hill had a great rookie season, but the sophomore slump is a real thing. Doug Martin anyone? Hell, Gio himself fell into it. Gio will get touches regardless if Hill slumps or not, and that’s why Anthony wins this round.
Round 8
8.1 Tucker, Anquan Boldin
I’m selecting Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin with my picks. Both receivers had over 75 receptions and over 1000 yards and 5/6 touchdowns last year. Neither of the 2 showed signs of slowing down even though they are older receivers. I call that pretty reliable stats in my book for a 3rd receiver slot and a flex WR slot.
8.2 Anthony, Martavis Bryant
With my pick I’m selecting Martavis Bryant. Despite only appearing in 10 games he had 8 touchdowns. Including a 4 game stretch with at least 1. Bryant has a great opportunity to be the Steelers number 2 receiver opposite Antonio Brown. If he is the 2 or the 3 WR he should get plenty of targets with Brown being constantly double teamed. He finished last season with 26 catches and 549 yards in limit action last season. Look for these numbers to increase greatly with more experience and targets from Big Ben!
8.3 Dan, Tevin Coleman
I’m going to go with Tevin Coleman. Although he is a rookie, he is coming into an Atlanta Falcons team that is still looking for their starting RB. Devonta Freeman also has a chance at the job but if Coleman can beat him out at some point early in the season he might be a fantasy stud in a Kyle Shannahan offense that has had 1st, 5th, and 17th ranked run offenses in the past 3 seasons and also had success with the Houston Texans. Coleman had a tremendous junior season in Indiana before declaring for the draft – if the offense can give him some room, expect him to do some damage in the NFL and contend for rookie of the year.
8.4 Geoff, Ameer Abdullah
With Joique Bell and his “Achilles cleanup” and knee injury sidelining him in OTAs and mini camps, the coaching staff have fallen in love with Abdullah. With Bell being a question mark to start the season, Abdullah has a shot to steal the starting job. Either way he expected to be a big part of what should be a good offense.
8.5 Fawad, Matthew Stafford
My pick is Matthew Stafford. Adding a second year in a new offensive system and also the development of rookie TE Eric Ebron leads me to believe that Stafford will be back to his 2011 form when he had 41 TDS. Hopefully “Megahurt” stays healthy.
8.6 Josh, Tony Romo
Okay, my next pick is Tony Romo. He may make boneheaded mistakes late in games to cost the Cowboys, but fantasy wise he puts up a lot of good points. And will be a good drop in sub when my starter is on bye or if his match-up doesn’t bode to well.
8.7 Dennis, Martellus Bennett
Marty B led the NFL in 2014 in receptions by a TE with 90 and was 3rd in yards with 916. He added 6 TDs and quietly emerged as Jay Cutler‘s security blanket. Marshall is gone, and though the Bears drafted Kevin White as his replacement, QBs don’t always trust rookies, so Bennett’s targets should be safe in 2015.
8.8 Brandon, Michael Floyd
With my next selection I’m taking Michael Floyd. With an abyss at quarterback last year he still had over 800 yards and 6 TDs. If Arizona gets the QB situation squared away (possibly a big if) Floyd should be good for at least 1000 and ten TDs. I’m banking on a breakout year for Floyd with defenses still keying on Fitzgerald even as he gets a little longer in the tooth
8.9 Harrison, Jason Witten
Pick is in….Jason Witten. He is still a reliable security blanket for Romo and the Dallas offense. He will always get touches in a game and he is the most reliable TE in the 2nd tier of TEs to give you points
8.10 Shane, Joseph Randle
Shane My next pick is Joseph Randle. With DeMarco gone and Dallas’ elite offensive line still in place, I believe Randle will put up some number. I have never been a believer in McFadden, so I can see Randle getting a bulk of the carries.
Shane’s pick at No. 10 may have been the best pick of this entire draft so far. He just grabbed the starting running back for a team that in 2014 had a running back in DeMarco Murray touch the ball an unheard of 449 times. Even if Randle touches in 300 times, he will be fantasy relevant. Shane wins this round hands down.
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