It’s not quite the throes of redraft season, but the preparation is beginning to ramp up, and nothing is more critical in the ever-changing process than conducting mock drafts.
Here is a 2025 redraft fantasy football mock draft for 1QB non-PPR leagues from the No. 12 spot. Assume a starting lineup of 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1TE, 2 Flex spots.
Redraft Mock Draft From the No. 12 Spot
For those new to my mocks, first and foremost, welcome!
Here is some insight into how I formulate my picks. I write up each one in real time. I’m not doing a mock draft and then going back to discuss each pick. I am giving you a direct window into my brain at the time I am on the clock for each selection.
Now, let’s get to the mock draft!
1.12) Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ashton Jeanty was never going to make it this far. That puts us in an early bind. In non-PPR, it’s very risky to leave the first two rounds without a running back. However, the running backs available here are not as elite as the wide receivers.
The beauty of conducting these mocks in real time is that we can test things out. If we get to the end of this draft and we find out that taking wide receivers in back-to-back picks, then we’ve learned something.
There’s not much separating Brian Thomas Jr. from the next WR on my board. It doesn’t matter who goes first anyway. We’re taking them both and seeing how it plays out.
2.01) Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Out of all the players available, Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers are a notch above everyone else. Drake London is close, but I like the sophomores a little better.
Malik Nabers historical rookie target share pic.twitter.com/xEfws8jg1z
— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) May 22, 2025
This is as simple as taking the top two players on my board and going from there. I’ve found that I prefer the running backs in Rounds 3-6 over the wide receivers, which is a reversal of my previous preferences.
Let’s see if this puts us too far behind the eight ball in a format where running backs are extra valuable.
3.12) Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
I am not particularly high on Breece Hall this season. At least not right now. He was a major disappointment last season, averaging 15.1 fantasy points per game. While those aren’t awful numbers, he was a consensus top-three pick.
Adding to the concern: Hall only got to 15.1 ppg by garnering massive receiving volume. Hall led all running backs in routes run and saw a 13.8% target share, third in the league.
While the Jets should be better offensively with Justin Fields, rushing quarterbacks are not great for running backs in the passing game. Hall is the top running back remaining on my board, and I cannot leave the first four rounds without at least one.
4.01) Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
I went back and forth on this one for a while. I like Chuba Hubbard, the other player I was considering here. This wouldn’t even be a question in previous years. We only need one quarterback. I can pick a backup later. And there are a handful of late-round signal-callers I like a lot.
Ultimately, this came down to weekly upside. Lamar Jackson is going to post multiple 30-point weeks. He will win matchups by himself. As much as I think Hubbard can be a high RB2, he doesn’t have the same swing potential as Jackson.
5.12) RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos
In retrospect, I wish I had taken Hubbard, but only because Jalen Hurts fell way below ADP (average draft position). It’s impossible to have known, and it’s not something any of you should bank on. But in a vacuum, I prefer Hurts and Hubbard to Jackson and any of the running backs available at this point.
A Running back that can be used in the passing game😱
RJ Harvey is going to feast in Sean Payton’s offense🔥 pic.twitter.com/Waw8eWFdMR
— Trev🗣️ (@Boisabronco) June 5, 2025
As for those backs, I have RJ Harvey ranked significantly higher than the rest. There’s a little bit of added risk that he doesn’t get goal-line work, yet Harvey remains a pretty safe bet on a team searching for a franchise starter in the backfield.
6.01) D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears
I didn’t think I would find myself on the D’Andre Swift train in 2025, then I asked the conductor for a ticket.
The Bears’ lack of investment in the running back position in free agency and in the draft matters. It’s a clear sign they believe in Swift.
With only Roschon Johnson and seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai behind him on the depth chart, Swift is positioned for heavy volume on what should be a very good offense. We may look on Swift as one of the better values if the Bears don’t add anyone else.
7.12) Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
We’ve seen Jaylen Waddle as a PPR volume guy. We’ve seen him as a high aDOT (average depth of target) efficiency guy. Not last year.
Waddle was one of the worst picks in fantasy football. But, do we really think he suddenly became bad?
This is very late for a guy who could emerge as the WR1 on the Dolphins with Tyreek Hill in decline. I have Waddle ranked significantly higher than the remaining receivers on the board. With three running backs already on the roster, I’m taking a third WR.
8.01) T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings
This is a tough spot. There are several players I like, but all of them would be considered reaches based on their ADP. At the same time, I don’t want to take a player who is not atop my board just because of ADP.
After thinking about it, I decided the move is to take T.J. Hockenson. This goes against my usual strategy of being either the first guy or last one to draft a tight end, so we’ll see how it unfolds. However, Hockenson is the top tight end on my board and represents a potential edge that I don’t think the top remaining backs or receivers offer.
9.12) Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills
This is an interesting spot because I can go one of two ways. Ray Davis is actually not the top player on my board. However, taking a running back who is likely to yield 6-8 points per game is not a long-term solution. I can pick that up on the waiver wire.
Davis offers RB1 upside. While that would require an injury to James Cook, I’d rather stash Davis on my bench as RB4 than put a guy on my roster who is a low upside flex option.
10.01) Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The order of Bhayshul Tuten and Davis didn’t matter. Tuten is a similar pick in that there’s upside if he becomes the lead back for the Jaguars. The difference is that he doesn’t necessarily need an injury to do it.
I do not believe in Travis Etienne Jr., and Tank Bigsby is a two-down grinder who offers nothing in the receiving game. Tuten, a fourth-round pick, has a good chance to overtake the depth chart.
11.12) Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints
The Saints are the favorites to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean they won’t score any points. This is a team that will be trailing a ton and forced to throw a lot. Rashid Shaheed was actually outperforming Chris Olave when both went down last season. Shaheed is massively undervalued right now.
The first touchdown of the first Sunday this season belongs to Derek Carr, Rashid Shaheed and the @Saints!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/hMbfIfFNpe
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024
12.01) Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
I don’t like Michael Pittman Jr. this year. His quarterback situation with Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones is less than ideal. Pittman is a receptions machine — 109 for 1,152 yards in his career-best 2023 season — but that doesn’t move the needle in a non-PPR league.
Still, it’s Round 12 and we’re talking about the WR1 for an NFL team that is legitimately talented. I’ll take that stab.
13.12) Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans
I have no idea who is going to be the WR2 for the Houston Texans. Jayden Higgins has the higher draft capital than third-rounder Jaylin Noel. Meanwhile, Christian Kirk remains the presumptive favorite for targets after inking a one-year, prove-it deal.
The Texans have no allegiance to any player. If Higgins is the best, he’ll get the job. If not, he cost me a Round 13 pick — no big deal.
14.01) Joshua Palmer, WR, Buffalo Bills
Based on Joshua Palmer’s ADP, I could’ve waited even longer. It’s possible no team could have selected him. But this mock draft concludes after 14 rounds, and I wanted to make sure to talk about him.
I’m not a believer in Keon Coleman, and Khalil Shakir is a slot receiver. The Bills brought Palmer in to be the primary X. He won’t be a superstar, but if we can get WR3 value from a WR6, that’s a fantastic return on investment. Not to mention the bonus stack with Josh Allen.