Early Mock: Banking on Brady and Gronk

It may seem a bit early, but with the draft completed and OTAs starting, I recently participated in a 14-team PPR mock draft that will be published in Rotowire's annual football magazine. The full results will be available this summer, but for now, let's take a look at my picks and the reasoning behind them. It was a 13-round draft, with roster settings of 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX, 1 K, 1 DEF and 3 bench spots.

1st round (sixth overall) TE Rob Gronkowski

I actually ranked Dez Bryant and DeAndre Hopkins ahead of Gronk when I did a way-too-early top 10 in mid-February. I'm still not worried about Bryant's health, but I do think the Cowboys plan to run the ball a ton after selecting RB Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4 overall. Hopkins' team also added a lot of competition for touches, and we now know that Brock Osweiler will be under center. My new top 10 would be Antonio Brown>Julio Jones>Odell Beckham>Le'Veon Bell>Gronkowski>Hopkins>Bryant>David Johnson>Allen Robinson>Mike Evans.

2nd round (23rd) RB Jamaal Charles

Charles is reportedly making good progress in his recovery from a torn ACL, and by Week 1 he'll be 11 months removed from suffering the injury. Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware both proved capable last season, but I don't think either would be a major threat to a healthy Charles, who ran for a career-high 1,509 yards in 2012 after tearing the ACL in his other knee in 2011. Prior to last season's injury, he was making good on his first-round ADP, with five touchdowns, 541 scrimmage yards and 21 receptions in five games – averaging 20.2 fantasy points per contest in PPR leagues.

3rd round (34th) WR T.Y. Hilton

Clearly needing a wide receiver, I hoped to get either Hilton or Jarvis Landry, who came off the board three picks before my selection. Hilton posted a 69-1,124-5 receiving line (135 targets) last season, despite playing half the year without Andrew Luck. I'm betting Hilton ends up closer to his 2014 production (82-1,345-7).

4th round (51st) WR Doug Baldwin

Another season with double-digit touchdowns is probably too much to ask, but as the clear top target in Seattle's passing game, Baldwin should catch 5-6 balls per contest and find his way north of 1,000 yards. He'll likely settle in somewhere between last season's second-half outburst and his previous level of (solid but wholly unspectacular) production. This could end up being a steal if Jimmy Graham (patella rupture) isn't around to compete for Russell Wilson's attention.

5th round (62nd) RB Jeremy Langford

After filling in capably for Matt Forte last season, Langford will have the first crack at the lead role in what admittedly could be a committee backfield. I don't expect Jacquizz Rodgers or Ka'Deem Carey to ultimately pose much of a threat, and fifth-round rookie Jordan Howard can't match Langford's pass-catching skills. I think Langford will end up going about 15 picks higher than this in August and September drafts, particularly in PPR formats.

6th round (79th) WR Corey Coleman

The top wide receiver in the draft (in my opinion), Coleman landed with a sad-sack franchise that will start either Robert Griffin III or Josh McCown at quarterback. This wasn't the best landing spot for the rookie's non-fantasy career, but with minimal competition at his position, Coleman should step right in as a heavily-targeted starter. That's more than can be said for any of the other rookie receivers.

7th round (90th) QB Tom Brady

The QB position looks deep this season, but there's still a major difference between the top seven or eight guys and the horde that follows them. I should land a decent starter for Weeks 1-4 in the final three rounds, but at worst, Jimmy Garoppolo would be viable. Brady would've gone 2-3 rounds earlier if he weren't set to miss the first four games.

8th round (107th) WR Vincent Jackson

I'm a bit worried about an Austin Seferian-Jenkins breakout, but Jackson will probably be the No. 2 target in what should be an improved Tampa offense.

9th round (118th) WR Mike Wallace

I had a tough time with Rounds 8 and 9, unable to find players that I could get excited about. I settled for Wallace, who could revive his career with the help of Joe Flacco's big arm. Of course, Flacco is coming back from a torn ACL, and the Ravens have 2015 first-rounder Breshad Perriman to compete with Wallace for deep targets. Kamar Aiken and Steve Smith (Achilles) are also candidates to lead the team in receiving. Why did I draft Wallace?

10th round (135th) Seattle Defense/Special Teams

I have the Broncos and Seahawks in their own tier for team defenses, so while I'd normally wait until the final two rounds, I opted for Seattle over a speculative running back or receiver.

11th round (146th) RB Jordan Howard

Having already drafted Jeremy Langford, it made sense to target his primary competition for snaps and touches. I alternatively could've handcuffed Jamaal Charles with Charcandrick West, but the presence of Spencer Ware dissuaded me from doing so.

12th round (163rd) QB Marcus Mariota

Fill-in starter while Brady is suspended. Given his youth and speed, Mariota could even return something useful in a trade if he gets off to a fast start those first four weeks.

13th round (174th) K Graham Gano

Solid kicker on a good team (Panthers).