Fantasy Football Mock Drafts are in full force, with several league sites opening up their mock fantasy football draft sections for the new season. With only a few weeks remaining until NFL teams start training camp, finding out which player is going where, especially in the early rounds, is yet another tool I use in my draft strategies.
So lets not mess around with anymore talk. Below is the third of three rounds in a recent mock draft Fantasy Knuckleheads was able to take part in, including the player and analysis. Make sure to check out Round One and Round Two to see how each team is shaping up with their first three picks. Also, make sure to check out our Draft Section for all the drafting help you need, including analysis, mock drafts and real drafts.
6 points for all touchdowns and PPR scoring.
ROUND THREE
3.1. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars
Since it looks like MJD will avoid suspension following an altercation at a night club, this is decent value for a player only one year removed from a 1600-yard rushing season. He is expected to be ready for training camp after coming off Lisfranc surgery, but he is still an iffy prospect if he had gone any higher than this pick due to the injury and his lack of help in the passing game.
3.2. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
Blame the lack of a competent quarterback for Fitz's down year in 2012. Carson Palmer might be up there in age, but he's better than anything Arizona trotted out last season. If Michael Floyd can continue to make his presence felt as the No. 2, Fitz should be one of the top bounce-back candidates this season.
3.3. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
I have to consider this pick the biggest wild card of all three rounds. The Patriots still have yet to put a timeline on Gronk's return from back surgery. So this pick could easily sway more to bust then boom for the first half of the season at least. This owner better draft a solid replacement to make up for the chance that Gronkowski winds up on the PUP to start the season.
3.4. Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots
After I wrote my piece on whether Ridley would repeat his 2012 numbers, I got a few various answers. Shane Vereen was the biggest reason people think Ridley won't duplicate his 1263 rushing yards from 2012. However, with a certain tight end now gone from the Patriots locker room, the team might have to rely more on the running game than they have in the past. This is an excellent pick for a player who has been going in the second round in many drafts thus far.
3.5. Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers
Not really much to say about this pick. Jackson is a low-end WR1 again in 2013, but his value will depend greatly on whether or not Josh Freeman can hold off Mike Glennon for the starting job during the season.
3.6. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
It's believed that AJ may have lost a step last season, but still put up a considerable amount of fantasy stats due to his targets (Ranked 6th with 162). DeAndre Hopkins is the future No. 1, but Johnson should eek out at least another 80-85 reception year going on 33.
3.7. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders
With just one 1000-yard rushing season in his career and a plethora of injuries attached to him, McFadden is always a risky option. I'd avoid him like the plague this season, which means I don't like this pick at all. I know he has to go sometime, but the third is too steep for my taste.
3.8. Reggie Bush, RB, Lions
Bush might not set records in the rushing department, but he's going to be a huge PPR option with the Lions. Landing him this late is tremendous value, especially if he manages to notch 75-80 catches.
3.9. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
With arguably the best group of offensive weapons in the NFL surrounding him, Ryan will put up 4500+ yards and 30-35 touchdowns again this season. Having Steven Jackson in the backfield will help immensely.
3.10. Roddy White, WR, Falcons
White has been falling under the radar lately with all the hoopla surrounding Julio Jones. It will be hard seeing him eclipse 100 catches ever again with so many other players around him vying for attention, but 1200 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns will be easily attainable. It'd be hard seeing S-Jax take THAT many chances away from White this year.
3.11. Randall Cobb, WR, Packers
It's hard to deny just how versatile Cobb is and will be this season. The team can use him as a running back, receiver and on special teams. But how will his role change now that Green Bay has upgraded their backfield? There is also belief that the Pack might opt to keep Cobb as a returner if no one else steps up. That's good news for those owners who get points for return yardage, but it could affect Cobb's progression as a legit fantasy receiver.
3.12. Victor Cruz WR, Giants
With a new contract in tow, Cruz is primed to put up another 1000-yard season. Hakeem Nicks seems like he's slowly fading out as the No. 2, with Rueben Randle primed to step up as the No. 3 this year. Regardless, Cruz should vastly improve on his 1092 receiving yards and rack up around 1200-1300 with another ten touchdowns.