FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Mock Draft with Scott Pianowski | Expert Strategy, Picks & Round-by-Round Advice for PPR Leagues (Ep. 2022)

Welcome to the FantasyPros Football Podcast; I’m Ryan Wormley with Pat Fitzmaurice, Scott Bogman, and Yahoo’s Scott Pianowski for a redraft mock that kicks off my first real run at 2026 drafts. I drew the first pick, we’re spread across the board, and before we get rolling I asked Scott how prepped he feels this early.

I’m still early in my process and juggling baseball, so mocks are my reps, like a driving range to test grips and swings. I’m not at peak sharpness yet, but it’s a great time to try builds and see what sticks.

It feels like the calendar keeps creeping up, with rankings and early shows popping everywhere; Pat, how are you handling the earlier push?

We’re getting reps and I’m here to learn, even if I still hit a few shanks. I’m eager to hear smart people explain their picks while I start to take stands at certain positions.

I just wrapped my rankings, so this mock is about reading the room. I want to see true costs, spot early values, and note where the market is off.

At one, I passed on a three‑receiver build and took Bijan Robinson for the anchor; Chase and Nacua went next. Scott, would you consider Chase at the very top in a 3WR league?

I would, because if Burrow’s upright that passing game is a carnival. At 1.04 I grabbed Jahmyr Gibbs, love the soft schedule and the flexibility of a hero‑RB start.

At 1.10 I went Ashton Jeanty over CeeDee Lam and even over Jonathan Taylor since I’m bullish on the line upgrades and run‑friendly play caller. I’m uneasy with Taylor if Daniel Jones isn’t fully back to stressing defenses.

I scooped Jonathan Taylor and Drake London at the turn, and I appreciate the gift. I leaned to the healthier wideout over a rehabbing rookie.

I took Malik Nabers even with murky early‑season news because he’s a target magnet when active. I’m not worried about a rookie teammate siphoning his load.

I wanted a wideout but the tier fell out, so I doubled at RB with Chase Brown tied to a high‑octane Bengals setup. Not ideal, but value won.

Late second I chose Brock Bowers over Trey McBride for breakout potential in a better offense, then opened the third with Amarian Hampton to buy the Chargers’ run game. It’s uncomfortable skipping WRs in a 3WR league, but the value was too good.

I grabbed Tetairoa McMillan despite Bryce Young concerns because 150 targets are in play. I passed on Tee Higgins to avoid internal point drains with my Bengals RB.

On third‑round QBs, I’d maybe consider Josh Allen, but I generally wait and instead prioritize an elite tight end. I took Kenneth Walker for a team leaning more into the run and Colston Loveland as my TE3 with real thousand‑yard upside.

I hammered WR with DeVonta Smith and Zay Flowers, expecting extra looks if A.J. Brown moves. It’s a mock, so I tested how far I can push RB without hating life.

I opted for Emeka Egbuka over aging vets, then added Rome Odunze and Kyle Pitts, with Chuba Hubbard for boring volume and Blake Corum as a swing with contingent top‑12 upside.

I snagged Davante Adams and Derrick Henry as discounts, then Brian Thomas Jr. and Ricky Pearsall, followed by Caleb Williams and Quentin Johnston to lean into Chargers exposure. I kept swinging at WR depth with Casey Concepcion and Xavier Worthy.

I chased ceiling with Jameson Williams and Christian Watson despite durability risk, then added D’Andre Swift after a tier drop and Jonathan Brooks as an affordable upside bet even if Carolina gets committee‑ish.

I rounded out RB with Quinshon Judkins and David Montgomery to avoid two injury rehabs, then took Harold Fannin Jr. for role and volume. I settled on Dak Prescott after my Jackson Dart stack got sniped.

I landed Brock Purdy as a safe QB1 in Shanahan’s ecosystem and felt fine after missing Dak.

Final grades had me at a B minus and seventh with elite RBs, an elite TE, and a QB I like but thin WRs, while the sim liked Pat third, Bogman fifth, and Scott P. eighth. We traded friendly jabs about expert graders and, on A.J. Brown’s likely move, Scott leaned more third round than late second on a new team.

I’m good with a more balanced start than usual, like my later WR values, and see Bijan versus Gibbs as a coin flip this year.

After seeing this board, I want an early slot, maybe even first overall, because the values came back nicely.

I’m thrilled with Gibbs at four and a young, ascending WR core; in hindsight I’d have fully punted TE rather than dabble. I’m bullish on Kevin O’Connell’s offenses and happy to draft Vikings pieces.

Thanks for rolling with us on this mock; big thanks to Scott Pianowski, check out his work and Yahoo’s new fantasy offerings, and we’ll see you next time.