First Round PPR Mock Draft (1st Round)

Fantasy football success begins with a solid draft. A great draft can set you up to dominate each week with ease, while a poor draft can leave you scrambling to avoid last place. But where do you start? What if you're unsure which player to pick first, let alone how to build your team over 16 rounds? At Fantasy Football Insiders, we've got you covered with our Full PPR First Round Mock Draft. This guide will help you secure the top-tier talent that everyone is after, ensuring you start your season on the right foot.

PPR, for those who are new to fantasy, stands for point per reception. It's a scoring system that works as follows: Each yard gained by running backs, tight ends, or wide receivers is 0.1 points. A running back who rushes for 20 yards, for example, would have two fantasy points. But each time a player catches a ball, they receive an extra point on top of the yardage. If that same running back had one reception for 20 yards, that would be 3 points, because they would receive an extra point for each catch. PPR is the most common form of fantasy football nowadays, as it is more adapted to modern NFL schemes and gives bigger advantages to pass-catchers.

As the years go by, the gap between wide receivers and running backs continues to widen. The top players in the game are increasingly those who dominate through the air, and many offenses now thrive without relying on star ball carriers. The most valuable running backs are those who offer receiving upside in addition to their rushing abilities. In our mock draft, we've included the top 12 fantasy players for this season to set you up for success. Notably, only four running backs made the list, highlighting the shift in NFL offensive schemes. Without further ado, let's dive in.

1. CeeDee Lamb - WR, Dallas Cowboys

CeeDee Lamb is an undeniable top pick for this upcoming season. He has all the qualities needed for a premier fantasy wide receiver: a reliable quarterback, a pass-heavy offense, and minimal competition for targets. Last season, despite a slow start, Lamb finished as the top receiver. After the Cowboys' mid-season bye week, he dominated the league, averaging 28.5 points per game. During this impressive 11-game stretch, his lowest performance was 16.5 points, and he scored in all but two games.

In 2024, the Cowboys' offense is even better positioned for Lamb to excel. With Michael Gallup and Tony Pollard, who combined for 89 receptions last season, no longer on the team, the only notable addition is the 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott, who isn't nearly as effective as he used to be. CeeDee is extremely agile, physical, and is excellent at gaining yards after the catch. He is also reliable for long passes, and can make plays out of nothing. He's an unreal talent that you won't find anywhere else. Dak Prescott will continue to target Lamb, and this expected volume makes #88 a confident choice for the number one overall pick.

2. Christian McCaffrey - RB, San Francisco 49ers

Despite most running backs peaking in their early twenties, McCaffrey continues to excel as he approaches thirty years old. When healthy, the Stanford alum is one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in modern football. Last season, McCaffrey secured the Offensive Player of the Year award by leading the league in scrimmage yards, averaging nearly 25 points per game, and out-scoring the next closest running back by over 100 points. 

As the centerpiece of the dominant 49ers offense, McCaffrey offers a dependable floor of around 22 points per game, with only four games below this threshold in 2023. His unique ability to dominate the receiving game, evidenced by 564 yards and 7 touchdowns through the air last season, makes him an exceptional choice. If you draft McCaffrey, you can expect a consistently high performance and game-changing potential.

3. Tyreek Hill - WR, Miami Dolphins

Tyreek Hill’s speed has been terrorizing defensive backs since 2017. In 2023, Hill saw 171 targets, and this number is expected to remain similar in 2024 with few significant changes to the Dolphins' offense. Tua Tagovailoa will continue to rely on the speedster, and Hill should continue to produce despite reaching his year 30 season. Fantasy managers should confidently consider Hill among their top three picks due to his explosiveness and big-play potential. Hill's unmatched speed allows him to sprint past defensive backs for deep gains, which is why he led the league in both receptions over 20 yards and 40 yards last season. 

While he will share touches with other playmakers like Jaylen Waddle, Devon Achane, Raheem Mostert, and Odell Beckham Jr., this Miami offense runs around "The Cheetah" just as he runs around defenders. Tyreek Hill remains one of the top fantasy football players heading into September.

4. Breece Hall - RB, New York Jets

Breece Hall finished last season as the RB2, rushing for over 1,000 yards and adding another 500 yards through the air. Despite a slow start, he scored 28 fantasy points against Denver in Week 5 and averaged over 20 points per game for the rest of the season. The Jets' depth chart includes late-round rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, as well as second-year back Israel Abanikanda, who had just 22 carries in his first season. With almost no competition for carries, Hall is set to consistently get 18+ touches per game in 2024.

To top it off, Hall was actually the only running back to surpass McCaffrey in receptions and receiving yards, despite playing with quarterbacks Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, and Nick Boyle. With Aaron Rodgers returning in 2024, Hall is poised to dominate leagues and is a surefire RB1 for your team. It's not unrealistic to predict he could finish as the overall RB1.

5. Amon-Ra St. Brown - WR, Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions reached the conference championship in the 2023 season for the first time in over 30 years, largely thanks to third-year wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown had his best season yet, finishing as the WR3 and hitting career highs in nearly every statistical category, averaging 17.8 fantasy points per game. The Lions made minimal changes to their offense during the offseason, positioning St. Brown for continued success in 2024.

Despite the presence of other offensive playmakers like Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta, St. Brown remains the primary weapon in the Lions' offense, ensuring consistent volume each game. He provides a reliable floor, with only one game under 14 fantasy points during the 2023 campaign. St. Brown is a safe bet for your top pick and should maintain consistent production throughout the season.

6. Justin Jefferson - WR, Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings parted ways with Kirk Cousins this offseason, leaving Sam Darnold as their new quarterback. Justin Jefferson, arguably the best wide receiver in the league, will play without Cousins for the first time in his career. Since entering the league in 2018, Darnold's career has been disappointing, but he now has the opportunity to prove himself alongside one of the NFL's brightest young stars.

Despite being sidelined for much of 2023, the former LSU star still reached the 1,000-yard mark and averaged 20 fantasy points per game. Jefferson remains the focal point of the Vikings' offense, highlighted by his record-breaking contract as the highest-paid non-quarterback in early June. Jordan Addison, a solid WR2, will help divert defensive attention from Jefferson without taking away his targets.

While the drop in quarterback quality may lower Jefferson's position in mock drafts, his undeniable talent keeps him a top option in the first round. Don’t hesitate to use a top pick on him in your drafts this year.

7. Ja'Marr Chase - WR, Cincinatti Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase had an unpredictable season in 2023, but it’s not a reason to fade him out of the first round. He remains one of the most talented wide receivers and has the potential to win your league, albeit with some risk. Chase averaged 16.4 points per game and finished as the WR11, a lower ranking than expected for a player of his caliber. However, don’t anticipate a repeat of last year.

Chase and Joe Burrow have a unique connection, stemming from their time together at LSU and continuing in the NFL. Last season, Burrow struggled with a calf injury that affected his performance, and later, a wrist injury that sidelined him for the season, impacting Chase's production. When Burrow was healthy, Chase averaged nearly 25 points per game and scored five touchdowns. Reports indicate that Burrow is expected to be fully healthy to start the season, which bodes well for Chase’s fantasy outlook.

In 2021, Chase won Offensive Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance. In 2022, he averaged over 20 fantasy points per game and scored nine touchdowns. His big-play ability and athleticism make him an invaluable asset. Don’t hesitate to draft Chase early; his talent is too significant to pass up.

8. Bijan Robinson - RB, Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons' offense will look significantly different in 2024. Head coach Arthur Smith has been replaced by Raheem Morris, and quarterback Desmond Ridder has been succeeded by Kirk Cousins. Once known for their run-heavy and underperforming offense, the Falcons now have the potential to become one of the league's most dynamic attacks. Leading the run game is former Texas superstar Bijan Robinson, entering his second year as an RB in 2024.

Last season, Robinson averaged 11.8 points per game but was inconsistent due to the Falcons' overall struggles. The offense ranked 17th in yards per game, and Ridder couldn’t sustain drives, throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns. With Kirk Cousins now at the helm, the team is expected to make more red zone appearances, providing Robinson more opportunities to showcase his talent. Although Cousins was injured for much of 2023, when healthy, he threw 18 touchdowns to 5 interceptions and averaged 291 passing yards per game, a substantial upgrade from Ridder’s 177 yards.

With an improved passing game, Robinson should see more action through the air and plenty of red zone chances.

While he will share some carries with Tyler Allgeier, who had 186 rush attempts in 2023, this limit on Robinson’s touches slightly lowers his outlook. Nevertheless, he remains a top running back prospect for this year’s draft. Under a new coaching system, Robinson will likely receive more carries and become a central focus in the offense, continuing to be the lead rusher while also contributing significantly in the receiving game. He has the potential for 30+ point games and is easily a top-10 pick in this year’s draft.

9. A.J. Brown - WR, Philadelphia Eagles

A.J. Brown has been one of the NFL's top receivers for years, and that trend is likely to continue in 2024. Last season, he finished as the WR5, delivering stellar performances despite a few off games. He remains a solid first-round pick in this year’s draft, especially towards the end of the round, though it’s unlikely he will surpass last season's performance.

The Philadelphia Eagles recently added Saquon Barkley to replace D’Andre Swift, marking their only significant offensive change. The main drawback of drafting A.J. Brown is the Eagles' run-heavy offense, which can limit his production. In 2023, the Eagles ranked in the middle of the league for passing yards but were 8th in rushing yards. With Jalen Hurts being one of the most mobile quarterbacks and Saquon Barkley's elite rushing ability, the ground game will likely remain a focal point in 2024.

However, A.J. Brown is too talented to fall out of the top 10 and is easily Jalen Hurts' favorite target. While he may not rack up 10+ receptions per game, Brown is one of the best deep threats in the game, capable of scoring touchdowns on any play. Despite DeVonta Smith being a strong WR2, he lacks Brown's explosiveness and won't impact Brown's big-play potential. A.J. Brown should be at the top of draft boards and is a definite first-round pick.

10. Garrett Wilson - WR, New York Jets

Garrett Wilson is set for a massive breakout season and could realistically finish as the top wide receiver in fantasy football. While he hasn't yet proven himself with Aaron Rodgers and has yet to surpass 100 receptions in a season, Wilson's exceptional talent and skill set him apart from most players. This season, he has the potential to firmly establish himself as a top-tier receiver in the league.

In his first two seasons, Wilson has already achieved the impressive feat of surpassing 1,000 receiving yards each year, despite playing with a mix of lower-tier quarterbacks like Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Tim Boyle. Now, with Aaron Rodgers—who spent most of his career with star receiver Davante Adams and is looking for a new primary target in New York—Wilson is poised for a significant boost in his numbers. As the clear number one receiver for the Jets, he is set to thrive with Rodgers at quarterback.

The only notable competition for targets is former Chargers receiver Mike Williams, who, at 29 years old and having only played three games last season, likely won’t do much more than steal some touchdowns. Rodgers needs a young, speedy receiver to rely on, and Wilson fits that role perfectly. With his speed, agility, smooth route running, and proven ability to create separation, Wilson is an ideal candidate for a breakout season. Fantasy managers should confidently draft Garrett Wilson this year.

11. Puka Nacua - WR, Los Angeles Rams

Puka Nacua was the surprise free agent pickup of the season, emerging from obscurity to finish as the WR4. The rookie started every game and averaged nearly 18 fantasy points per game, amassing 160 targets—an incredible volume for a fifth-round pick. He capitalized on his opportunity when Cooper Kupp was sidelined with an injury in Week 1, becoming the Rams' primary weapon for four weeks and averaging about 24 points during Kupp's absence. Though his production dipped once Kupp returned, Nacua still managed to establish himself as a leading receiver.

Under Sean McVay's guidance, the Rams will continue to employ a West Coast offense, providing Nacua with plenty of downfield opportunities. However, Cooper Kupp remains a significant factor. While Nacua appeared to be favored over Kupp when both were healthy, the margin was slim, with Nacua receiving 102 targets compared to Kupp's 95. Both players enter the 2024 season ready to play, setting up an intriguing battle for target dominance. Additionally, Kyren Williams' increased involvement in the offense could impact the balance between passing and running plays.

Despite the competition, Nacua has a high ceiling and the potential to be a top WR in the league if he maintains sufficient volume. After his standout 2023 season, Matthew Stafford is likely to continue targeting the second-year receiver heavily, making Nacua a priority in the Rams' offense. With his proven talent, Nacua should be at the top of draft boards this season.

12. Jonathan Taylor - RB, Indianapolis

While I'm not as high on Jonathan Taylor as others, I can't deny his talent. He's an athletic and versatile back playing behind a strong offensive line, making him a key part of the Colts offense. Despite his breakout 2021 season, injuries have plagued him since, limiting him to 21 games over the last two seasons.

There are several concerns with Taylor. At 25, he's reaching an age where many running backs begin to decline, and his injury history makes it unlikely he’ll replicate his 2021 performance. Additionally, the NFL’s increasing focus on the passing game means Taylor’s limited receiving skills are a drawback; he had only 19 receptions in 10 games in 2023. Though Anthony Richardson's presence might change this, their limited playing time together complicates building chemistry.

Moreover, the Colts' offense in 2024 will likely be more dynamic, with Richardson expected to throw more and receivers like Michael Pittman and rookie Adonai Mitchell needing targets. This could reduce Taylor's workload compared to his best season under a run-heavy scheme with Carson Wentz.

However, Taylor is still a strong fantasy option, with little competition for carries and a great offensive line. Just be prepared for the Colts to possibly lean more on Richardson's arm, which might limit Taylor's ceiling.