After the fireworks die down and the hot dogs have been eaten, I feel a hunger. It's a hunger to dominate my college buddies and work friends in my fantasy drafts. If you are reading this, you are also probably quite peckish. Let's feast on some mock drafts! 

2026 Non-PPR Fantasy Football Mock Draft

Today, we're mock drafting a 1QB standard-scoring format, drafting seventh in a 12-team league.

Round 1: Taking Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 1.07

Jahmyr Gibbs went first overall, and I was not surprised. He is at the top of my rankings as well. Gibbs was fourth in red-zone touches last season, had a 16.2 percent target share, and David Montgomery is now a Houston Texan. His ceiling is virtually unlimited. 

Christian McCaffrey went next, and it feels risky. He is 29 with over 2,300 career touches. Too rich for me, but he has proven me wrong before. Bijan Robinson was an excellent value at No. 4. Pairing with new Head Coach Kevin Stefanski will be great for Robinson.

I wanted to draft Jonathan Taylor in this standard format, but he went sixth, so I took a slight risk and chose Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He was the last of the top-tier wide receivers following the selections of Puka Nacua and Ja'Marr Chase. 

It would be more conventional to take an RB in the first round in a standard draft, but I went for positional scarcity. Saquon Barkley and Ashton Jeanty, both players I considered, went next, and the opening round closed with WRs CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Justin Jefferson coming off the board. 

Though talented, Jefferson disappointed last season largely due to quarterback play. It remains a concern.

Round 2: Kenneth Walker Anchors the Backfield

The second round began with James Cook going off the board. I considered him in the first round. He was RB5 in standard scoring last season and fourth in red-zone rushing attempts. Cook was the first of eight consecutive RBs drafted in this round. 

Hopeful that Omarion Hampton would fall, I chose Kenneth Walker 18th overall. Now with the Chiefs, in a backfield bereft of competition, I anticipate an increase from his 221 carries and five rushing TDs from last season. I could not go two rounds without a volume back, and Walker gives me that with upside.

Josh Allen was the first QB to go at 22nd overall, which is early in a 1QB league. The final pick of the second round was the newest New England Patriot, A. J. Brown. Pairing with Drake Maye gives Brown significant upside. Nico Collins joined Brown on the turn, netting a great pair of starting receivers. Kyren Williams, a player I am high on, went next before the top two TEs - Brock Bowers and Trey McBride - were taken. 

Round 3: Garrett Wilson and the Jets' New Look

My third pick was Garrett Wilson. Lamar Jackson had just been taken. Wilson has a new QB in Geno Smith and a new Offensive Coordinator in Frank Reich. Wilson has already spoken strongly in favor of Reich's scheme, as reported by ESPN. Smith has more marked success in the NFL than nearly all of Wilson's prior quarterbacks. 

Four of the next five picks were WRs, closing out Round 4.

Round 4: Loading Up at WR with Chris Olave

The fourth round began with the third quarterback drafted, Joe Burrow. TreVeyon Henderson, whom I was hoping to slide, went next, followed by three more receivers. 

While it might be malpractice to not come out of the first four rounds with two RBs in this format, I did just that. Chris Olave was still on the board, and I have him in the top 12 at the position. With 18 WRs already taken, I could not resist. I also passed on Travis Etienne and Javonte Williams. Not surprisingly, both players went later in the round.

Round 5: Quinshon Judkins for RB Volume

Round five began with me feeling nervous about having only one RB, so I went with Quinshon Judkins. He should be a volume back in Cleveland's offense. As a rookie, he carried 230 times over fifteen games and averaged over 10 fantasy points. 

The second tier of TEs off the board included Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren, and Harold Fannin, all of whom were chosen in this round. Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and Jalen Hurts came off the board here as well.

Round 6: A Rookie Swing on Jadarian Price

I went RB again in the sixth round, taking a swing on the rookie, Jadarian Price. Price found a good spot to land in the NFL Draft, going to Seattle in the first round. He finds himself in a strong offense with a built-in workload after Walker's departure. 

Other noteworthy picks in the round included rookie pass catcher Carnell Tate and Patrick Mahomes, who was the sixth QB picked.

Round 7 and Beyond: Late-Round Value

Heading into the middle rounds with a core of receivers and rushers in tow, I began to seek high-ceiling players at the thinner positions. I was thrilled to land Tucker Kraft while others were loading up on mid-round backs and receivers. I have Kraft as a top five TE in my rankings. 

Three more QBs were selected in round seven before I took Jaxson Dart in the eighth. Surrounded by weapons, the dual-threat Dart has significant upside after finishing as QB14 as a rookie. 

As everyone scrambled for value among the remaining RBs and WRs, I found some value in Alec Pierce and Rachaad White, both of whom are expected to contribute to their respective teams this season. 

Kenyon Sadiq was my next choice. I love his upside in the Jets' retooled offense after he led the nation with eight receiving touchdowns last season at Oregon. Sadiq was the only player taken after round nine who was neither a back nor a receiver. 

I was also happy to grab Tyjae Spears late, as he had over 100 touches last season and adds value as a pass-catcher. 

Thank you for joining me for this mock draft experiment. Keep on mockin'!

DaveFantasy is a veteran fantasy player and award-winning sports journalist. Follow him on Twitter or Bluesky.