2022 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 4-Round Simulation With Notable Picks

For months, fantasy football analysts have been breaking down mock drafts, anticipating what could happen when managers construct their rosters for the 2022 season. And it isn't time to stop quite yet.

The NFL season is quickly approaching, but there are still a few days remaining for fantasy football drafts, and some leagues will surely be drafting between now and Thursday. Maybe some managers will even squeeze in another mock or two during that span.

Soon, there will be actual regular-season games to forecast and break down. But not quite yet, considering some fantasy teams still need to add players.

So, here's a four-round mock draft for a 12-team, half-PPR league (conducted using the FantasyPros Mock Draft Simulator), along with a notable pick from each of those rounds.

1. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

3. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

4. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

5. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

6. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

7. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

8. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

9. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

10. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

11. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

12. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

Notable Pick: 8. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

In some drafts, Jefferson is going as high as No. 3. There's no way he should be falling as low as No. 8, and if he does, you've got to take him immediately without hesitation.

Jefferson could end up as the No. 1 fantasy wide receiver in 2022, which is why many are drafting him ahead of Kupp, the defending NFL Offensive Player of the Year. The Vikings' offense is potent, and Jefferson should put up big numbers as he has in each of his first two NFL seasons.

Because of that, Jefferson is a great choice at No. 3 and no manager should be letting him slide out of the top five in drafts.

13. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

14. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

15. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

16. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

17. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

18. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

19. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

20. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

21. Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

22. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

23. Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos

24. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Notable Pick: 13. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

It's always difficult to decide when to take the top tight ends. Kelce and Andrews are in a class of their own, but how early is too early to draft them?

Kelce was taken with the first pick of the second round in this mock, and that may be just a bit too early. He's been a consistent top performer in recent years, and he gives managers a tremendous advantage at tight end. But there will still be quite a few strong running backs available at No. 12 who may have been better choices.

So while Kelce and Andrews should both be considered in the second, it shouldn't be until the back half of the round. There are too many top RBs and WRs who make for better picks before that.

25. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

26. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

27. DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers

28. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

29. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders

30. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

31. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

32. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

33. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

34. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

35. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

36. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Notable Pick: 33. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Some fantasy managers may be sleeping a bit on Conner heading into 2022. But it's important not to forget how productive he was last season when he rushed for 752 yards and scored 18 total touchdowns over 15 games in his first year with the Cardinals.

Conner is still only 27, and he clearly has a nose for the end zone. He should get a ton of carries in the red zone again for Arizona this year.

If you miss out on some of the top running backs during the first two rounds, then Conner is a great player to target in the third, as he should be reliable throughout the season.

37. Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams

38. David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears

39. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

40. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

41. Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

42. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

43. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

44. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

45. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

46. Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans

47. Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

48. AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers

Notable Pick: 45. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

Sutton may be the wide receiver who benefits the most from the Broncos' offseason trade for quarterback Russell Wilson. Denver's passing attack should be much more potent this year, and Sutton could be its top playmaker.

Last season, Sutton had only 58 catches for 776 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. But he was targeted 98 times, so the Broncos were clearly trying to get him the ball. Wilson will do a better job of making sure that happens.

Sutton is a high-ceiling potential breakout wide receiver who should provide tremendous value as a fourth-round pick in fantasy drafts.