Fantasy Football 12-team non-PPR mock draft: Here's why you can't wait on running back in this format
Here's how our staff 12-team non-PPR mock draft played out

It's fun when you see different things happen in Fantasy drafts. And we had something unique happen in our latest 12-team, non-PPR mock draft featuring members of our CBS Sports staff.
In this format, running backs are more valuable because receptions don't count. And in this draft, the first five players selected were running backs -- with Breece Hall at No. 1 overall.
I've seen some PPR drafts where CeeDee Lamb or Tyreek Hill go at No. 1 overall ahead of Christian McCaffrey. But I haven't seen Hall in the top spot until now.
Understandably, some Fantasy managers are concerned about McCaffrey. He's 28, just had more than 400 total touches last season (including the playoffs) and is currently dealing with a calf injury. Also, the 49ers best offensive lineman, Trent Williams, is dealing with a holdout.
I would have still selected McCaffrey first because he should be fine for Week 1, hopefully Williams will get his contract settled soon, and I'm confident McCaffrey can remain elite for at least one more year. But Hall was exceptional last season, and now he's two years removed from the torn ACL he suffered in 2022, gets Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) back and has a revamped offensive line.
Hall is my No. 2 overall player in this format, so I can't really fault Will Brinson for passing on McCaffrey for Hall. Only time will tell if Will is proven right with this move.
I was also surprised by Tommy Tran, who selected Justin Jefferson at No. 7 overall ahead of Hill. While I'm still excited about Jefferson this season, even with Sam Darnold the potential full-time starting quarterback with J.J. McCarthy (knee) hurt, I would have selected Hill here.
Hill is my No. 1 receiver, and he should be better than Jefferson in this format, especially because of the touchdown potential. Hill has three seasons on his resume with at least 12 touchdowns, and Jefferson's best year was 10 touchdowns in 2021.
I drafted Jonathan Taylor with the No. 4 overall pick, and my strategy was to lean toward running backs early in this mock. Puka Nacua was my selection in Round 2, but then I drafted Kenneth Walker III in Round 3 and Najee Harris in Round 4.
Walker is one of my favorite breakout candidates with the new offense in Seattle, and Harris' value is on the rise with Jaylen Warren (hamstring) potentially out for the start of the season. I can start Taylor, Walker and Harris in this lineup, and I'm fine being thin at receiver in non-PPR.
I was excited to get Malik Nabers in Round 5, but I didn't prioritize my No. 3 receiver spot. Jameson Williams will start there, and he's a breakout candidate in Year 3. But I'll also use Josh Palmer, Darnell Mooney and Ja'Lynn Polk in that spot. Palmer is a solid sleeper as the potential No. 1 receiver for the Chargers.
Running back is the strength of this team with Taylor, Walker and Harris, along with Rico Dowdle, Chuba Hubbard and Jamaal Williams. Dowdle could be the best running back for the Cowboys, and Hubbard will open the season as the starter for the Panthers with Jonathon Brooks (knee) hurt.
I also have Kyler Murray at quarterback and Kyle Pitts at tight end. This team should be a playoff contender in this league.
In this league, all touchdowns are worth six points, and we award one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving and one point for every 25 yards passing. We feature a starting lineup of QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, TE and FLEX (RB/WR/TE) with six reserves for a 14-round draft.
Our draft order is as follows:
1. Will Brinson, Senior NFL Writer
2. Jake Grogins, CBS Sports HQ Production Staff
3. R.J. White, Managing Editor, SportsLine and CBS Fantasy
4. Jamey Eisenberg, Senior Fantasy Writer
5. Chris Towers, Senior Editor, Fantasy Sports
6. Daniel Schneier, Senior Fantasy Editor
7. Tommy Tran, CBS Sports HQ Host
8. Heath Cummings, Senior Fantasy Writer
9. Rob Thomas, FFT Facebook Moderator
10. Joel Cox, CBS Sports VP Business Development
11.Adam Aizer, FFT Podcast Host
12. Zach Brook, FFT Social Media Coordinator
Round 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos | Team | Player |
1 | Adam Aizer | B. Robinson RB ATL |
2 | Dave Richard | J. Gibbs RB DET |
3 | Rob Thomas | J. Chase WR CIN |
4 | Jake Ignaszewski | S. Barkley RB PHI |
5 | Heath Cummings | A. Jeanty RB LV |
6 | Jake Grogins | D. Henry RB BAL |
7 | Jamey Eisenberg | C. McCaffrey RB SF |
8 | Tommy Tran | J. Jefferson WR MIN |
9 | R.J. White | D. Achane RB MIA |
10 | Thomas Shafer | C. Lamb WR DAL |
11 | Brandon Howard | M. Nabers WR NYG |
12 | Meron Berkson | N. Collins WR HOU |
Round 2 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
13 | Meron Berkson | J. Taylor RB IND |
14 | Brandon Howard | J. Cook RB BUF |
15 | Thomas Shafer | J. Jacobs RB GB |
16 | R.J. White | P. Nacua WR LAR |
17 | Tommy Tran | C. Brown RB CIN |
18 | Jamey Eisenberg | B. Irving RB TB |
19 | Jake Grogins | B. Thomas Jr. WR JAC |
20 | Heath Cummings | K. Williams RB LAR |
21 | Jake Ignaszewski | A. St. Brown WR DET |
22 | Rob Thomas | A. Brown WR PHI |
23 | Dave Richard | T. Higgins WR CIN |
24 | Adam Aizer | O. Hampton RB LAC |
Round 3 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
25 | Adam Aizer | D. London WR ATL |
26 | Dave Richard | B. Bowers TE LV |
27 | Rob Thomas | C. Hubbard RB CAR |
28 | Jake Ignaszewski | T. McBride TE ARI |
29 | Heath Cummings | G. Kittle TE SF |
30 | Jake Grogins | L. McConkey WR LAC |
31 | Jamey Eisenberg | R. Harvey RB DEN |
32 | Tommy Tran | J. Smith-Njigba WR SEA |
33 | R.J. White | K. Walker III RB SEA |
34 | Thomas Shafer | M. Evans WR TB |
35 | Brandon Howard | B. Hall RB NYJ |
36 | Meron Berkson | T. Hill WR MIA |
Round 4 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
37 | Meron Berkson | J. Conner RB ARI |
38 | Brandon Howard | L. Jackson QB BAL |
39 | Thomas Shafer | J. Allen QB BUF |
40 | R.J. White | J. Daniels QB WAS |
41 | Tommy Tran | D. Adams WR LAR |
42 | Jamey Eisenberg | J. Burrow QB CIN |
43 | Jake Grogins | T. Henderson RB NE |
44 | Heath Cummings | C. Sutton WR DEN |
45 | Jake Ignaszewski | D. Swift RB CHI |
46 | Rob Thomas | D. Metcalf WR PIT |
47 | Dave Richard | M. Harrison Jr. WR ARI |
48 | Adam Aizer | J. Hurts QB PHI |
Round 5 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
49 | Adam Aizer | I. Pacheco RB KC |
50 | Dave Richard | A. Kamara RB NO |
51 | Rob Thomas | J. Croskey-Merritt RB WAS |
52 | Jake Ignaszewski | X. Worthy WR KC |
53 | Heath Cummings | T. Pollard RB TEN |
54 | Jake Grogins | G. Wilson WR NYJ |
55 | Jamey Eisenberg | G. Pickens WR DAL |
56 | Tommy Tran | D. Montgomery RB DET |
57 | R.J. White | T. McMillan WR CAR |
58 | Thomas Shafer | A. Jones RB MIN |
59 | Brandon Howard | J. Williams WR DET |
60 | Meron Berkson | J. Waddle WR MIA |
Round 6 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
61 | Meron Berkson | T. Tracy Jr. RB NYG |
62 | Brandon Howard | Z. Flowers WR BAL |
63 | Thomas Shafer | J. Mixon RB HOU |
64 | R.J. White | T. McLaurin WR WAS |
65 | Tommy Tran | C. Ridley WR TEN |
66 | Jamey Eisenberg | T. Hunter WR JAC |
67 | Jake Grogins | D. Smith WR PHI |
68 | Heath Cummings | D. Samuel WR WAS |
69 | Jake Ignaszewski | B. Mayfield QB TB |
70 | Rob Thomas | D. Moore WR CHI |
71 | Dave Richard | R. Pearsall WR SF |
72 | Adam Aizer | J. Jeudy WR CLE |
Round 7 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
73 | Adam Aizer | E. Egbuka WR TB |
74 | Dave Richard | P. Mahomes QB KC |
75 | Rob Thomas | S. LaPorta TE DET |
76 | Jake Ignaszewski | J. Meyers WR LV |
77 | Heath Cummings | R. Odunze WR CHI |
78 | Jake Grogins | R. Rice WR KC |
79 | Jamey Eisenberg | M. Golden WR GB |
80 | Tommy Tran | Z. Charbonnet RB SEA |
81 | R.J. White | K. Johnson RB PIT |
82 | Thomas Shafer | S. Diggs WR NE |
83 | Brandon Howard | M. Andrews TE BAL |
84 | Meron Berkson | T. Kelce TE KC |
Round 8 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
85 | Meron Berkson | J. Warren RB PIT |
86 | Brandon Howard | K. Coleman WR BUF |
87 | Thomas Shafer | C. Kupp WR SEA |
88 | R.J. White | J. Dobbins RB DEN |
89 | Tommy Tran | D. Njoku TE CLE |
90 | Jamey Eisenberg | J. Mason RB MIN |
91 | Jake Grogins | B. Allen RB NYJ |
92 | Heath Cummings | J. Addison WR MIN |
93 | Jake Ignaszewski | T. Warren TE IND |
94 | Rob Thomas | B. Nix QB DEN |
95 | Dave Richard | C. Olave WR NO |
96 | Adam Aizer | T. Hockenson TE MIN |
Round 9 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
97 | Adam Aizer | T. Bigsby RB JAC |
98 | Dave Richard | T. Etienne RB JAC |
99 | Rob Thomas | J. Reed WR GB |
100 | Jake Ignaszewski | C. Godwin WR TB |
101 | Heath Cummings | Q. Judkins RB CLE |
102 | Jake Grogins | J. Jennings WR SF |
103 | Jamey Eisenberg | T. Kraft TE GB |
104 | Tommy Tran | B. Tuten RB JAC |
105 | R.J. White | E. Engram TE DEN |
106 | Thomas Shafer | J. Williams RB DAL |
107 | Brandon Howard | S. Williams WR GB |
108 | Meron Berkson | N. Chubb RB HOU |
Round 10 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
109 | Meron Berkson | B. Robinson Jr. RB WAS |
110 | Brandon Howard | J. Wright RB MIA |
111 | Thomas Shafer | C. Skattebo RB NYG |
112 | R.J. White | K. Shakir WR BUF |
113 | Tommy Tran | J. Ford RB CLE |
114 | Jamey Eisenberg | D. Mooney WR ATL |
115 | Jake Grogins | J. Fields QB NYJ |
116 | Heath Cummings | L. Burden III WR CHI |
117 | Jake Ignaszewski | R. Stevenson RB NE |
118 | Rob Thomas | N. Harris RB LAC |
119 | Dave Richard | A. Ekeler RB WAS |
120 | Adam Aizer | C. Kirk WR HOU |
Round 11 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
121 | Adam Aizer | J. Downs WR IND |
122 | Dave Richard | D. Kincaid TE BUF |
123 | Rob Thomas | M. Pittman WR IND |
124 | Jake Ignaszewski | D. Prescott QB DAL |
125 | Heath Cummings | K. Murray QB ARI |
126 | Jake Grogins | B. Aiyuk WR SF |
127 | Jamey Eisenberg | J. Blue RB DAL |
128 | Tommy Tran | D. Sampson RB CLE |
129 | R.J. White | T. Benson RB ARI |
130 | Thomas Shafer | O. Gordon II RB MIA |
131 | Brandon Howard | B. Smith RB KC |
132 | Meron Berkson | J. Goff QB DET |
Round 12 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
133 | Meron Berkson | R. Shaheed WR NO |
134 | Brandon Howard | R. Bateman WR BAL |
135 | Thomas Shafer | C. Loveland TE CHI |
136 | R.J. White | M. Mims WR DEN |
137 | Tommy Tran | D. Douglas WR NE |
138 | Jamey Eisenberg | I. Guerendo RB SF |
139 | Jake Grogins | T. Spears RB TEN |
140 | Heath Cummings | R. Davis RB BUF |
141 | Jake Ignaszewski | K. Pitts TE ATL |
142 | Rob Thomas | T. Allgeier RB ATL |
143 | Dave Richard | C. Tillman WR CLE |
144 | Adam Aizer | R. Doubs WR GB |
Round 13 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
145 | Adam Aizer | D. Giddens RB IND |
146 | Dave Richard | J. Higgins WR HOU |
147 | Rob Thomas | R. White RB TB |
148 | Jake Ignaszewski | K. Allen WR LAC |
149 | Heath Cummings | B. Purdy QB SF |
150 | Jake Grogins | J. Ferguson TE DAL |
151 | Jamey Eisenberg | M. Brown WR KC |
152 | Tommy Tran | D. Maye QB NE |
153 | R.J. White | T. Franklin WR DEN |
154 | Thomas Shafer | A. Thielen WR CAR |
155 | Brandon Howard | T. Tagovailoa QB MIA |
156 | Meron Berkson | J. Love QB GB |
Round 14 | ||
Pos | Team | Player |
157 | Meron Berkson | T. Harris WR LAC |
158 | Brandon Howard | D. Hopkins WR BAL |
159 | Thomas Shafer | C. Otton TE TB |
160 | R.J. White | C. Rodriguez Jr. RB WAS |
161 | Tommy Tran | J. Palmer WR BUF |
162 | Jamey Eisenberg | W. Shipley RB PHI |
163 | Jake Grogins | D. Waller TE MIA |
164 | Heath Cummings | T. Brooks RB CIN |
165 | Jake Ignaszewski | R. Dowdle RB CAR |
166 | Rob Thomas | R. Johnson RB CHI |
167 | Dave Richard | K. Monangai RB CHI |
168 | Adam Aizer | T. Hill TE NO |
Adam Aizer | ||
---|---|---|
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 1 | B. Robinson RB ATL |
2 | 24 | O. Hampton RB LAC |
3 | 25 | D. London WR ATL |
4 | 48 | J. Hurts QB PHI |
5 | 49 | I. Pacheco RB KC |
6 | 72 | J. Jeudy WR CLE |
7 | 73 | E. Egbuka WR TB |
8 | 96 | T. Hockenson TE MIN |
9 | 97 | T. Bigsby RB JAC |
10 | 120 | C. Kirk WR HOU |
11 | 121 | J. Downs WR IND |
12 | 144 | R. Doubs WR GB |
13 | 145 | D. Giddens RB IND |
14 | 168 | T. Hill TE NO |
Dave Richard | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 2 | J. Gibbs RB DET |
2 | 23 | T. Higgins WR CIN |
3 | 26 | B. Bowers TE LV |
4 | 47 | M. Harrison Jr. WR ARI |
5 | 50 | A. Kamara RB NO |
6 | 71 | R. Pearsall WR SF |
7 | 74 | P. Mahomes QB KC |
8 | 95 | C. Olave WR NO |
9 | 98 | T. Etienne RB JAC |
10 | 119 | A. Ekeler RB WAS |
11 | 122 | D. Kincaid TE BUF |
12 | 143 | C. Tillman WR CLE |
13 | 146 | J. Higgins WR HOU |
14 | 167 | K. Monangai RB CHI |
Rob Thomas | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 3 | J. Chase WR CIN |
2 | 22 | A. Brown WR PHI |
3 | 27 | C. Hubbard RB CAR |
4 | 46 | D. Metcalf WR PIT |
5 | 51 | J. Croskey-Merritt RB WAS |
6 | 70 | D. Moore WR CHI |
7 | 75 | S. LaPorta TE DET |
8 | 94 | B. Nix QB DEN |
9 | 99 | J. Reed WR GB |
10 | 118 | N. Harris RB LAC |
11 | 123 | M. Pittman WR IND |
12 | 142 | T. Allgeier RB ATL |
13 | 147 | R. White RB TB |
14 | 166 | R. Johnson RB CHI |
Jake Ignaszewski | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 4 | S. Barkley RB PHI |
2 | 21 | A. St. Brown WR DET |
3 | 28 | T. McBride TE ARI |
4 | 45 | D. Swift RB CHI |
5 | 52 | X. Worthy WR KC |
6 | 69 | B. Mayfield QB TB |
7 | 76 | J. Meyers WR LV |
8 | 93 | T. Warren TE IND |
9 | 100 | C. Godwin WR TB |
10 | 117 | R. Stevenson RB NE |
11 | 124 | D. Prescott QB DAL |
12 | 141 | K. Pitts TE ATL |
13 | 148 | K. Allen WR LAC |
14 | 165 | R. Dowdle RB CAR |
Heath Cummings | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 5 | A. Jeanty RB LV |
2 | 20 | K. Williams RB LAR |
3 | 29 | G. Kittle TE SF |
4 | 44 | C. Sutton WR DEN |
5 | 53 | T. Pollard RB TEN |
6 | 68 | D. Samuel WR WAS |
7 | 77 | R. Odunze WR CHI |
8 | 92 | J. Addison WR MIN |
9 | 101 | Q. Judkins RB CLE |
10 | 116 | L. Burden III WR CHI |
11 | 125 | K. Murray QB ARI |
12 | 140 | R. Davis RB BUF |
13 | 149 | B. Purdy QB SF |
14 | 164 | T. Brooks RB CIN |
Jake Grogins | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 6 | D. Henry RB BAL |
2 | 19 | B. Thomas Jr. WR JAC |
3 | 30 | L. McConkey WR LAC |
4 | 43 | T. Henderson RB NE |
5 | 54 | G. Wilson WR NYJ |
6 | 67 | D. Smith WR PHI |
7 | 78 | R. Rice WR KC |
8 | 91 | B. Allen RB NYJ |
9 | 102 | J. Jennings WR SF |
10 | 115 | J. Fields QB NYJ |
11 | 126 | B. Aiyuk WR SF |
12 | 139 | T. Spears RB TEN |
13 | 150 | J. Ferguson TE DAL |
14 | 163 | D. Waller TE MIA |
Jamey Eisenberg | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 7 | C. McCaffrey RB SF |
2 | 18 | B. Irving RB TB |
3 | 31 | R. Harvey RB DEN |
4 | 42 | J. Burrow QB CIN |
5 | 55 | G. Pickens WR DAL |
6 | 66 | T. Hunter WR JAC |
7 | 79 | M. Golden WR GB |
8 | 90 | J. Mason RB MIN |
9 | 103 | T. Kraft TE GB |
10 | 114 | D. Mooney WR ATL |
11 | 127 | J. Blue RB DAL |
12 | 138 | I. Guerendo RB SF |
13 | 151 | M. Brown WR KC |
14 | 162 | W. Shipley RB PHI |
Tommy Tran | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 8 | J. Jefferson WR MIN |
2 | 17 | C. Brown RB CIN |
3 | 32 | J. Smith-Njigba WR SEA |
4 | 41 | D. Adams WR LAR |
5 | 56 | D. Montgomery RB DET |
6 | 65 | C. Ridley WR TEN |
7 | 80 | Z. Charbonnet RB SEA |
8 | 89 | D. Njoku TE CLE |
9 | 104 | B. Tuten RB JAC |
10 | 113 | J. Ford RB CLE |
11 | 128 | D. Sampson RB CLE |
12 | 137 | D. Douglas WR NE |
13 | 152 | D. Maye QB NE |
14 | 161 | J. Palmer WR BUF |
R.J. White | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 9 | D. Achane RB MIA |
2 | 16 | P. Nacua WR LAR |
3 | 33 | K. Walker III RB SEA |
4 | 40 | J. Daniels QB WAS |
5 | 57 | T. McMillan WR CAR |
6 | 64 | T. McLaurin WR WAS |
7 | 81 | K. Johnson RB PIT |
8 | 88 | J. Dobbins RB DEN |
9 | 105 | E. Engram TE DEN |
10 | 112 | K. Shakir WR BUF |
11 | 129 | T. Benson RB ARI |
12 | 136 | M. Mims WR DEN |
13 | 153 | T. Franklin WR DEN |
14 | 160 | C. Rodriguez Jr. RB WAS |
Thomas Shafer | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 10 | C. Lamb WR DAL |
2 | 15 | J. Jacobs RB GB |
3 | 34 | M. Evans WR TB |
4 | 39 | J. Allen QB BUF |
5 | 58 | A. Jones RB MIN |
6 | 63 | J. Mixon RB HOU |
7 | 82 | S. Diggs WR NE |
8 | 87 | C. Kupp WR SEA |
9 | 106 | J. Williams RB DAL |
10 | 111 | C. Skattebo RB NYG |
11 | 130 | O. Gordon II RB MIA |
12 | 135 | C. Loveland TE CHI |
13 | 154 | A. Thielen WR CAR |
14 | 159 | C. Otton TE TB |
Brandon Howard | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 11 | M. Nabers WR NYG |
2 | 14 | J. Cook RB BUF |
3 | 35 | B. Hall RB NYJ |
4 | 38 | L. Jackson QB BAL |
5 | 59 | J. Williams WR DET |
6 | 62 | Z. Flowers WR BAL |
7 | 83 | M. Andrews TE BAL |
8 | 86 | K. Coleman WR BUF |
9 | 107 | S. Williams WR GB |
10 | 110 | J. Wright RB MIA |
11 | 131 | B. Smith RB KC |
12 | 134 | R. Bateman WR BAL |
13 | 155 | T. Tagovailoa QB MIA |
14 | 158 | D. Hopkins WR BAL |
Meron Berkson | ||
Rd | Pk | Player |
1 | 12 | N. Collins WR HOU |
2 | 13 | J. Taylor RB IND |
3 | 36 | T. Hill WR MIA |
4 | 37 | J. Conner RB ARI |
5 | 60 | J. Waddle WR MIA |
6 | 61 | T. Tracy Jr. RB NYG |
7 | 84 | T. Kelce TE KC |
8 | 85 | J. Warren RB PIT |
9 | 108 | N. Chubb RB HOU |
10 | 109 | B. Robinson Jr. RB WAS |
11 | 132 | J. Goff QB DET |
12 | 133 | R. Shaheed WR NO |
13 | 156 | J. Love QB GB |
14 | 157 | T. Harris WR LAC |