Over the last six weeks, we’ve done a variety of mock drafts, which can all be found in the Yahoo Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
This week, I jumped back into the Yahoo Fantasy Plus Instant Mock Draft tool to quickly test my skills with the ninth pick overall.
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The scoring format for this mock is half PPR with the following roster spots: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, FLEX, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN. And as always, I excluded defenses and kickers, since they should only be drafted in the final rounds.
My Full Roster
QB: Brock Purdy, SF
RB: Christian McCaffrey, SF
RB: TreVeyon Henderson, NE
WR: Drake London, ATL
WR: DeVonta Smith, PHI
WR: Travis Hunter, JAX
TE: George Kittle, SF
FLEX: Emeka Egbuka, TB
Bench: Jordan Mason, MIN
Bench: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WAS
Bench: Braelon Allen, NYJ
Bench: Bhayshul Tuten, JAX
Round 1
1.09 - Christian McCaffrey (SF - RB)
Fantasy managers who were burned by McCaffrey’s injury situation last year are understandably hesitant to spend a first-round pick on him again. However, all indications this summer are that the 29-year-old is back to form and ready to assume his role as the engine of the 49ers’ offense. We’re also just one year removed from McCaffrey averaging four more fantasy points per game than any other running back through the first 16 weeks. The arrival of Brian Robinson Jr. is more about depth and the health of Isaac Guerendo than it is about CMC, so don’t be scared to take in the mid-to-late first.
Round 2
2.04 - Drake London (ATL - WR)
Another mock and another selection of London in the second round. This has been my most common pick across all fantasy drafts this year, and for good reason. London is coming off a breakout campaign where he finished as the fifth-highest scoring fantasy receiver on a per game basis and his numbers only improved in Michael Penix Jr.’s three starts. During that span, London led the league in targets and tied for the fantasy WR1 spot. Both those things are in play for London in 2025, now that Penix is under center full-time.
Round 3
3.09 - George Kittle (SF - TE)
While I prefer Brock Bowers or Trey McBride when drafting an elite tight end, Kittle has the lowest ADP of that trio and actually led the position in fantasy points per game last year. With Brandon Aiyuk expected to return midseason and Jauan Jenings uncertain for Week 1, the 49ers offense is set to revolve around McCaffrey, Kittle and Ricky Pearsall. We could see Kittle serve as the team’s de facto No. 1 receiver for a good part of 2025.
Round 4
4.04 - TreVeyon Henderson (NE - RB)
Running backs went off the board faster than expected, which is always a risk in any draft. So with only a couple names left in this RB tier, I went with one of the biggest risers this preseason in Henderson. In the mock I did two weeks ago, the rookie was a sixth-round pick. Not anymore. His big-play ability and pass-catching prowess are exactly what the Patriots’ offense needs and should lead him to a top-20 fantasy season at his position in Year 1.
Round 5
5.09 - DeVonta Smith (PHI - WR)
Smith dealt with what appeared to be minor injuries in August and the Eagles took a very cautious approach regarding their star No. 2 wideout. In the last three seasons, Smith has been the WR17, WR21, and WR14 in fppg — but he’s being drafted in the WR23-WR27 range this year. That’s immediate value without even considering the extreme upside if A.J. Brown ever missed time.
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Round 6
6.04 - Travis Hunter (JAX - WR)
The shoulder injury that has kept Hunter sidelined the last couple weeks might be the only thing holding his ADP in check. Fantasy managers should be rushing to draft the second-overall pick now that his head coach Liam Coen has stated the plan is to play him on at least 80% of the Jaguars’ offensive snaps. It was also great to see Hunter playing out of the slot 62.5% of the time in the first preseason, since that was an area where he excelled in college. Hunter is going to be an impact player in real life and I’m shocked people aren’t more excited about his fantasy potential.
Round 7
7.09 - Emeka Egbuka (TB - WR)
If you’ve been following my content this year, you know there are a few players I’m leaving most drafts with. London in the second round is one of them and Egbuka in this range is another. At this point there isn’t much that needs to be said about the first-round rookie. He’s earned the praise of everyone around the organization, including teammates Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans. His path to playing time has also been cleared by Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan being injured. A special season is coming for Egbuka, so don’t miss out.
Round 8
8.04 - Jordan Mason (MIN - RB)
We can add Mason’s name to the list of players I target in most drafts. His performance for the 49ers in Christian McCaffrey’s absence last year showcased what he’s capable of and the Vikings noticed. However, he won’t be a pure backup behind Aaron Jones in Minnesota. Instead, Mason will be an equal member of the backfield and is expected to be the favorite for goal-line carries. In that role, Mason can offer fantasy RB3 weekly production with a ceiling inside the top-12 if Jones gets injured.
Round 9
9.09 - Brock Purdy (SF - QB)
When I miss out on an elite quarterback, Purdy becomes one of my top targets in this area of drafts. Purdy has finished as a top-12 fantasy passer in each of the past two seasons and has the fourth-easiest fantasy QB schedule in 2025. If you’re worried about the fact I’ve drafted three 49ers in the first nine rounds, just know that the team has one of the softest schedules across the board (McCaffrey the fifth-easiest among RBs, Kittle the 12th-easiest among TEs).
Round 10
10.04 - Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WSH - RB)
With Brian Robinson Jr. now in San Francisco, the Commanders backfield is wide open. A committee with Croskey-Merritt, Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the most likely outcome, but the explosive rookie has the best shot to lead this group in fantasy points. While others are having fun with his nickname of "Bill," you should just make sure you’re scooping him up on as many rosters as possible. While his ADP is still down in this territory, I’ve seen him go off the board a round or two earlier in recent drafts.
Round 11
11.09 - Braelon Allen (NYJ - RB)
Allen’s outlook isn’t far off from Mason’s, just behind a younger starter in a weaker offensive environment. Breece Hall is the lead back in New York, but the hype around Allen this offseason has been constant. He’s expected to earn more touches as part of a committee backfield implemented by head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. In that role, Allen can be a weekly fantasy RB3/flex with the possibility for more if Hall gets hurt or is traded in the final year of his contract.
Round 12
12.04 - Bhayshul Tuten (JAX - RB)
The Jaguars’ backfield is one of the hardest to project at the moment because it feels like almost any outcome is on the table. Tuten is technically behind Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne on the depth chart, but it seems like it’s only a matter of time before the rookie gets an opportunity. While his path would be much clearer if one of the veterans is moved before the season, Tuten is still worth stashing even if Bigsby and Etienne are on the roster in Week 1. Be patient.
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