Fantasy Football Mock Draft, No. 8 Pick: Full list of picks, analysis and key takeaways

Welcome to the eighth installment of my 12-part mock draft series, where I’m drafting from every spot — 1 through 12 — in a standard 12-team Yahoo league to break down how draft strategies evolve based on pick position. As always, I used the Yahoo Fantasy Plus Instant Mock Draft tool and drafted solo. The format is half-PPR, with the following roster construction: QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, TE, FLEX, K, D/ST and six bench spots.

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We’re onto the 1.08 spot where I elected to go robust RB — drafting four running backs in four of the first five rounds. That was a bit much; however, I thought I ended up with plenty of value at other skill positions to make it work.

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Let’s break it down.

Full Roster

• RB: Christian McCaffrey (SF)

• WR: Courtland Sutton (DEN)

• FLEX: Omarion Hampton (LAC)

• D/ST: Washington Commanders (WAS)

• Bench: TreVeyon Henderson (NE)

• Bench: Travis Hunter (JAC)

• Bench: Braelon Allen (NYJ)

• Bench: Dylan Sampson (CLE)

• Bench: DeMario Douglas (NE)

Rounds 1–3: Ground and pound

1.08 – Christian McCaffrey (SF – RB)
2.05 – Josh Jacobs (GB – RB)
3.08 – Omarion Hampton (LAC – RB)

Roster assessment after Round 3

Three workhorse RBs in three rounds is an old-school start you rarely see anymore. Landing CMC at 1.08 is risky, but when fully healthy, few players can match his volume and production. Josh Jacobs at 2.05 brings a proven workhorse back with no competition behind him to my RB2 slot. Jacobs was a top-five back (16.2 FPPG) in his first stint in Green Bay. Pass catching is not his forte; however, he’ll get 300+ touches and plenty of opportunities in the red zone.

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As I continue to build my stable, rookie Omarion Hampton has a legitimate three-down skill set in a Chargers offense built for RB production. I drafted him ahead of his fourth-round ADP, but I knew he wasn’t going to make it back to me. The longer Najee Harris misses time, the more reps Hampton will get. I’m not concerned about reports of him potentially being in a committee backfield. OT Rashawn Slater’s injury is more troubling for the Chargers offense, but I’m still bullish on Hampton producing out of the gate.

Rounds 4–6: Securing the pass catchers, plus another RB

4.05 – Garrett Wilson (NYJ – WR)
5.08 – TreVeyon Henderson (NE – RB)
6.05 – Courtland Sutton (DEN – WR)

Roster assessment after Round 6

Garrett Wilson should garner a ton of targets with his former college QB, Justin Fields, under center. DJ Moore cooked with Fields, and the Jets’ WRs are pretty weak aside from Wilson. Pairing two promising rookie RBs with a couple of vets is the type of balance I want to see in my RB room. Selecting Henderson at 5.08 was about at ADP (5.09), so I was cool taking him there. Even if he’s splitting carries with Rhamondre Stevenson, Henderson’s explosiveness and talent should prevail and make him a solid fantasy option.

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Sutton is a player I rarely draft, but I’m warming up to him if he continues to fall. He currently has a fifth-round ADP, so snagging him in the sixth was a value pick. No qualms adding a veteran WR2 who can capitalize on an improved Broncos’ passing game with Bo Nix and Sean Payton at the helm.

Rounds 7–10: Scooping up youth and value

7.08 – Travis Hunter (JAC – WR)
8.05 – Rome Odunze (CHI – WR)
9.08 – Kyler Murray (ARI – QB)
10.05 – Braelon Allen (NYJ – RB)

Roster assessment after Round 10

I doubt a real draft would unfold this way, but hey, you have to take what the board gives you. Travis Hunter and Rome Odunze were all drafted one round after their current ADPs. Getting those guys where I did was critical for building out the depth of my roster.

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Hunter is the most decorated and polished WR in the 2025 draft class, so I expect he’ll be a fantasy asset right away. FWIW, WR aficionado Matt Harmon believes Odunze will break out this year. At cost, I’m more than down for that. At QB, Kyler Murray gives me the dual-threat optionality that I covet, with Braelon Allen adding even more youth and depth to my RB crew.

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The squad is shaping up nicely despite drafting using four of my first five picks on RBs.

Rounds 11–15: Filling out the bench

11.08 – Tyler Warren (IND – TE)
12.05 – Dylan Sampson (CLE – RB)
13.08 – DeMario Douglas (NE – WR)
14.05 – Cameron Dicker (LAC – K)
15.08 – Washington Commanders (WAS – D/ST)

I punted TE again because I’ve noticed that Warren tends to be available after Round 10. His utilization in the preseason looks promising, so he’s worth the gamble if you find yourself waiting this long to address the TE position. Dylan Sampson is a deep sleeper who could emerge from Cleveland’s uninspiring backfield. DeMario Douglas is mere depth to my receiving corps and finally, my kicker and D/ST were chosen to close out the roster without sacrificing earlier upside picks.

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Positional runs and key takeaways

From the 1.08, I dig the robust-RB build with McCaffrey, Jacobs and Hampton. Of course, doing so leaves gaps at WR. Wilson ended up being the third WR off the board in the fourth round. Seeing eight WRs get drafted in that round, I did the right thing. Knowing when to join a run and when to fade it can make or break your team. I’m fortunate I didn’t lose ground at receiver there or in the sixth round with Sutton.

QB and TE runs were minimal early, giving me room to wait until Murray and Warren later. The positional flow worked perfectly for my strategy — I secured elite RB depth early, then scooped up WR upside without overpaying.