2025 Mock Draft with FFA App

Testing draft strategies in mock drafts is essential preparation for the real thing. Chris and Jesse from FFA recently completed a 12-team PPR mock draft on FantasyFootballCalculator to refine their approach for the upcoming season. Chris is picking from the 4th position and Jesse from the 10th. What follows is a round-by-round breakdown of how they approached each pick, the decision-making process behind player selection, and how to use the FFA app to build a competitive roster from any draft position.

Rounds 1 and 2:

Chris:

Drafting from the 1.04, there is a clear top three players (Chase, Bijan, Gibbs) and I was hoping to get one of them. There is a case to include Barkley in this tier, but age and probability of staying healthy to repeat last year’s performance pushes me to favor the other three. It is obviously important to secure top end assets at the start of a draft, grabbing the RB1 and TE1 from 2024 is one way to do so.

Value over replacement (VOR) is an important metric in fantasy football that measures a player’s projection relative to a baseline replacement-level player. VOR represents a player’s true value by quantifying how much better they are compared to this baseline. Gibbs and Bowers were the highest VOR players available at each draft pick. Bowers’ ADP of 37 is staggering, compared to being the 11th most valuable asset in the FFA projections. He led the NFL in receptions through the first 8 weeks of his rookie year, finishing 3rd with 112 and 8th in receiving yards with 1,194. Adding only 5 TDs, Bowers still scored 264 PPR points. The new look Raiders offense with Geno Smith, Ashton Jeanty, Pete Carrol and others should lead to increased red zone opportunities for Bowers to raise his TD totals in 2025.

Jesse:

When I’m on the clock at 1.10, I focused on securing the highest VOR player available, which led me to Derrick Henry, who had just completed a dominant 2024 campaign with 1,921 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns as the RB4 in fantasy points per game. While some might question taking a 31-year-old running back in the first round, Henry’s production in Baltimore’s offense proved that age is just a number for the King. 

My selection also aligned with turn strategy. I anticipated that one of the elite wide receivers would fall to me in the second round, and that’s exactly what happened. Coming back at 2.03, I snagged Amon-Ra St. Brown, who caught 115 passes for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024. While there are questions about Detroit’s new offensive coordinator John Morton replacing Ben Johnson, St. Brown’s target share and red zone usage should remain elite.

Rounds 3 and 4:

Chris:

Chase Brown was the highest VOR asset available at the 3.04 outside of Lamar and above the rest of the players taken after Bowers at 21. This was another easy selection and an example of how to manipulate the turn. The drop-off from Bowers/Mcbride to the TE3 is about 21, while drop-offs at other positions here are minimal. If all three RBs (Brown, Bucky, Kyren) all went before my pick, this draft would have turned out very different with a 3rd round WR. Regardless, Brown finished RB10 in 2024 and the Bengals added little competition to challenge his role. Set for a big third year in the NFL and looking to improve upon 294 touches in the high volume Bengals offense last year.

With RBs and TE set with top end finishers, the focus had to shift to WR at the 4.09. It was tough to see some of the veterans like Terry McLaurin go, but Garret Wilson is another top 10 finisher in his own right. The WR10 last year sees former OSU teammate Justin Fields enter as the starting QB, along with a strong offensive line and bolstered run game. Losing Davante Adams (29% team target share) this offseason leaves a massive target gap that should funnel the passing game through Wilson (26% team target share). FFA ranks him as the WR18 and I get him at a nice value as the WR21 in this mock.

Jesse:

At 3.10, I continued prioritizing VOR regardless of position. Breece Hall presented interesting value here. Despite finishing as just the RB17 in PPG in 2024, the Jets invested more into the offense line and Breece offers a reliable floor with his pass catching ability. 

The fourth round brought a decision point: chase a quarterback or tight end, or continue building my skill position depth? I opted to pass on the QB or TE by selecting Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 4.03. While JSN has a slightly lower VOR than other available options, his floor and ceiling combination made sense here. The Seahawks’ passing game continues to evolve, and JSN showed flashes of brilliance late in his rookie season that suggest a breakout is coming.

Rounds 5, 6 and 7:

Chris:

Headed into the middle rounds and only drafting one WR through the first four rounds, it was time to look for safe upside with the next three picks. Waddle enters his 5th NFL season with the Dolphins and is projected as the FFA WR34. Losing Jonnu Smith this offseason vacates 111 targets, replacing him with Darren Waller and returning the duo of Hill/Tua. Waddle will look to bounce back from WR46 and WR32 finishes over the past 2 seasons (WR8 in 22′ and WR13 in 21′).

Jameson Williams is in a different situation, looking to build on a strong and healthy 2024 where he played in 15 games (12 and 8 games in prior years). Staying on the field allowed Williams to grow and get comfortable in Ben Johnson’s system, finishing as the WR22 and two 25 point fantasy playoff performances. The Lions lose their prolific OC in Johnson, but return all weapons and replace him from within, hiring their Senior Offensive Assistant since 2022 John Morton.

In a start 7 redraft format, my starting lineup would now be full outside of QB. Deciding to go with Travis Hunter at the 7.04 is a bold decision, but also a no brainer. The upside he brings is unmatched by each player taken after him, from his athletic ability to his offense-oriented HC Liam Cohen. His true ceiling will depend on how many offensive he plays in a given week, but all signs point to a large workload for the two-way #2 overall pick in 2025.

Jesse:

At 5.10, I watched Omarion Hampton and TreVeyon Henderson—my targeted running backs—get selected the two picks immediately before mine. I had to pivot quickly, recognizing Zay Flowers as the last receiver in his tier and pulled the trigger.

Round six brought relief as Sam LaPorta fell to me at 6.03. LaPorta’s connection with Jared Goff gives him a safe floor with spike-week potential. Getting a top-tier tight end in the sixth round felt like solid value.

At 7.10, I secured my quarterback in Kyler Murray. His rushing upside provides a weekly floor that most pocket passers can’t match. I’m betting on Murray’s dual-threat ability to deliver production in Arizona’s improving offense. The significant drop-off to the next tier of quarterbacks made this selection an easy one.

Rounds 8, 9 and 10:

Chris:

After taking my first rookie, it was time to lock up a QB at the 8.09 without much else on the board standing out. Coming off of a strong rookie year and leading the Broncos to the playoffs, Nix is projected as the FFA QB9. The team was not stagnant this offseason either, making big moves through the draft and free agency to help their young QB’s development.

One of the Bronco’s free agent acquisitions was bringing in my 9.04, Evan Engram. Engram had an injury riddled 2024, producing strong numbers when healthy. In 2023 and 2024 he played in all 17 games, finishing TE2 and TE5. This is a perfect opportunity for Engram to provide a safety blanket for Nix and he has the potential to be the #2 receiving option in this offense for next to Courtland Sutton.

Since taking Emeka Egbuka at the 10.09 in this mock draft, Jalen McMillan has been placed on IR and Egbuka has risen from a 160 overall FFA rank to 126. The quick rise shows how valuable these rookies can be, but they can fall just as fast if they do not perform out the gate. Godwin is expected to return around week 4, giving the NFL’s newest first round OSU WR time to make his mark in the offense.

Jesse:

With my starting lineup largely set, rounds 8-10 became about identifying league-winning upside. Brian Robinson was my target at 8.03, but I lose out again on RB as he goes one pick before me. I settled for J.K. Dobbins, whose situation in Denver offers sneaky upside if he can stay healthy.

I took Jordan Addison at 9.10. Among all players available, Addison had by far the highest ceiling. Justin Jefferson will continue to draw coverage, leaving Addison to feast as the Vikings’ WR2.

At 10.03, I took another calculated risk with Colston Loveland. The rookie tight end has the athletic profile to contribute immediately, and more importantly, could provide valuable depth or trade bait if he hits by midseason.

Rounds 11, 12 and 13:

Chris:

By the 11.04 I was confident in my WR core, but the Higgins pick solidified it. Coming into the league at 6’4 214 with an ascending QB in CJ Stroud, he has everything he needs to be a fantasy star. There will be plenty of mouths to feed in this offense after bringing in his Iowa State teammate Jaylin Noel and veteran slot WR Christian Kirk, but the #2 receiving option is up for grabs in Houston. It is an odd fit next to Nico Collins and a decimated run game. Higgins could be dropped a few weeks into the season, or be winning leagues for educated drafters.

With only two RBs and two skill position picks remaining, I decided to grab Tank Bigsby at the 12.09. There have been trade rumors around the league regarding RBs and Travis Ettienne has been a name floating around. The new regime in Jacksonville did not draft either of these backs, but took an explosive fourth round back out of Virginia Tech in Bhayshul Tuten.

The Cowboys also have weak RB depth, taking an explosive receiving back out of Texas in the fifth round. The RB room consists of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, my 12.09, Deuce Vaughn, and a 7th round rookie Phil Mafah. Blue spent seasons buried on depth charts behind NFL talent and was unable to produce huge numbers, but tested well at the combine running the second fastest RB 40 time.

Jesse:

Round 11 brought my biggest risk-reward play: Brandon Aiyuk at 11.10. Aiyuk presents a unique value after tearing his ACL and MCL in 2024. With a potential return in week 6, if Aiyuk returns to even 80% of his 2023 form when he posted 1,342 yards, the value at this spot is tremendous.

Drake Maye at 12.03 gives me quarterback depth with upside. The Patriots’ offensive improvements should create a better environment for the young quarterback to develop. Finally, I closed out the draft with rookie receiver Jack Bech at 13.10, another lottery ticket who could emerge if things fall correctly.

Wrap-Up:

Chris:

Drafting from the 1.04, I was able to secure elite players at RB and TE early while still walking away with a deep WR group led by Garrett Wilson, Jaylen Waddle, and Jameson Williams. My team feels balanced, with upside plays like Travis Hunter and Emeka Egbuka giving me breakout potential. If I could change one thing, I might have tried to grab a more established RB3 and waited longer on QB with so much talent available late. Overall, I’m happy with the blend of safety and ceiling across my roster at every position group.

Jesse:

This draft from the 10 spot showcases both high upside and significant risk. While I secured elite anchors in Henry and St. Brown plus strong positional advantages at TE and QB, the roster leans heavily on boom-or-bust players like Aiyuk, Dobbins, and Addison who need things to break right. Missing Hampton, Henderson, and Brian Robinson (who hadn’t been traded at the time of the draft) by just one or two picks forced pivots that left me thinner at running back than ideal. If this mock extended beyond 13 rounds, I’d target a reliable RB3 and a Week 1-ready receiver to provide immediate depth while waiting for my upside plays to take the field. The roster has championship potential if the risks hit but needs health and patience to reach that ceiling.