Fantasy Football Mock Draft On Sleeper: Starting WR-RB

We're facing two of the most important weekends of the year coming up. So many fantasy football drafts will take place in the final two weeks before the season kicks off on Sept. 9 with the Patriots visiting the champion Seahawks in a rematch of the Super Bowl.

So what better time conduct a mock draft, this one using Sleeper. Here are the details of the draft:

Using Draft Champion
Sleeper ADP
12 teams
PPR scoring
1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX, 1 D/ST, 1 K, 6 Bench
Draft Slot - 7th

Let's see how the draft went.

Sleeper Fantasy Football Mock Draft

Round 1

1.01 - Jahmyr Gibbs | RB | Lions

There's a pretty strong consensus at the top of nearly every mock draft. Unless it's a SF / 2QB format, the first two picks are going to be Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson in some order. Our projections have them both around the 1,300 rushing yard / 65+ reception / double-digit total TD mark.

Only a healthy Christian McCaffrey has the profile and skill set to match what these two can produce in a single season.

1.02 - Bijan Robinson | RB | Falcons

See above.

1.03 - Ja'Marr Chase | WR | Bengals

For many, this is where the draft technically begins. Depending on if your league is full PPR or half-PPR, you could go in several different directions here. If you like tier-based drafting, of which I am a huge fan, Ja'Marr Chase and the following two wideouts are the only ones our fantasy football projections have cracking the 300-point threshold this season.

1.04 - Puka Nacua | WR | Rams

Puka Nacua is dealing with a pair of off-the-field issues, but has reportedly had his civil trial date moved to March 2028. Certainly, the NFL can and will conduct its own investigation on its own timeline so we may need to adjust if new information comes out.

Aside from that, Nucua is dealing with a groin injury and is working on getting ready for Week 1. Assuming full health, he'll be one of the most targeted, productive wideouts in the league again this season.

1.05 - Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR | Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba had about as good of a season as you can have in 2025. He finished with 163 targets, 119 receptions, an absurd 1,793 receiving yards, and 10 TDs. He capped it all off with a Super Bowl victory.

HIs subsequent four-year, $168.6 million contract extension was a nice bonus as well.

Regardless, he's a must-draft in the first round of all drafts.

1.06 - Christian McCaffrey | WR | 49ers

The electrical substation has been getting all the attention this offseason and for good reason. We might, once again, be looking down the barrel of a massive Christian McCaffrey season. Aside from Derrick Henry, there aren't many RBs who have aged as well as CMC. Heading into his age-30 season, let's see what he has left in the tank.

1.07 - Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | Lions

My first pick came at the 1.07. This is where I feel another tier exists in Round 1, as the truly elite options are gone at both RB and WR. However, guys in this range, including Amon-Ra St. Brown, are still more than capable of finishing as the overall No. 1 at their position.

ARSB will have to contend with Gibbs soaking up a ton of volume, but we project him to finish with roughly 1,200 yards and 10 TDs.

Perhaps the greatest thing about ARSB is his high-level of consistency. Check out his season-ended stats over the last 3-4 seasons.

1.08 - James Cook | RB | Bills

Picks in this range, specifically ARSB and James Cook, provide a level of safety and security that other players simply don't.

Coming off a career-best season in rushing attempts (309) and rushing yards (1,621), Cook is locked into a secure role with one of the best offenses in football.

1.09 - Justin Jefferson | WR | Vikings

I would have taken CeeDee Lamb here, so I'll have to disagree with the computer on this one. While I've been higher than most on the prospects of Kyler Murray both this season and in dynasty formats, there are just too many question marks for me to take Justin Jefferson here over Lamb.

Jefferson is still supremely talented. Let's just hope his QB can consistently get him the ball.

1.10 - CeeDee Lamb | WR | Cowboys

The final wideout of Round 1, Lamb should, once again, be the primary engine of the passing attack for the Dallas Cowboys. Before a slightly disappointing 2025 campaign, Lamb was a top-end option for three straight seasons.

The Cowboys are loaded on offense, and Lamb will carry more than his fair share of the load. He's another safe pick with a high floor and a high ceiling.

1.11 - Kenneth Walker | RB | Chiefs

From Super Bowl Champion and MVP to the new face of the Chiefs backfield, Kenneth Walker heads into 2026 with high expectations. He was the RB5 in this draft, but our projections have him down at RB11. That discrepancy means fantasy managers are going to have some decisions to make on draft night.

At this price, I am fine passing on Walker. However, drafting near the 1/2 turn means you often have to forgo fantasy football ADP (to an extent) and build your roster in a way that makes the most sense to you.

1.12 - Jonathan Taylor | RB | Colts

#OnWisconsin

I always have to give a quick shoutout to one of the greatest to ever come out of the University of Wisconsin.

Now heading into his seventh season, Jonathan Taylor is coming off a 2025 campaign that saw him score the second-most PPR points he's had in a season, and the most since 2021. He doesn't offer as much in the passing game as some of his counterparts, but it's hard to ignore the nearly 1,600 yards and 18 TDs he racked up on the ground last year.

He's a solid, safe pick at the end of Round 1.

For the full results, check out the draft board.

My Team

1.07 - Amon-Ra St. Brown

2.06 - Saquon Barkley

3.07 - Chris Olave

4.06 - Javonte Williams

5.07 - Christian Watson

6.06 - Rome Odunze

7.07 - RJ Harvey

8.06 - Dak Prescott

9.07 - Stefon Diggs

10.06 - De'Zhaun Stribling

11.07 - Keaton Mitchell

12.06 - Jalen Coker

13.07 - Hunter Henry

14.06 - Caleb Douglas

15.07 - Steelers Defense

16.06 - Evan McPherson

Biggest win - I really liked how Rounds 3-6 turned out. After going WR/RB in Rounds 1 and 2, I didn't feel boxed in by building my roster a certain way. Olave, Williams, Watson, and Odunze offer an ideal blend of floor/ceiling production that should carry my team for much of the season.

Also, I really like the later-round picks in Coker and Douglas. Both could become key contributors on their respective teams. If not, they'll be some of the first guys I drop during the first waiver wire run.

Biggest concern - I ended up punting on the TE position and I don't feel great about Henry as my No. 1 option. There were a few times I waited one round too long to snag someone whom I wanted, but it is what it is. I don't mind streaming the position and staying active on the waiver wire throughout the season.