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The Mock Draft project: Most wanted fantasy football picks

Marvin Harrison Jr. was a first-rounder in April's NFL draft and found his spot early in the third round of this summer's ESPN Mock Draft Project. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN's fantasy football analysts are no strangers to doing rankings. In fact, you can find a variety of rankings in our 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Guide.

Rankings are great. They're the blueprint from which we build our fantasy football rosters. But drafting a fantasy football team isn't as simple as following a list of players. There's nuance. Science. Art. Not an insignificant amount of luck. There's a saying in ESPN Fantasy whenever we do a mock draft: If we were to do it again right now, you'd end up with completely different results. So, we thought we'd do exactly that, and the Mock Draft Project was born.

Over the past six weeks, 10 of our fantasy analysts were put through almost three dozen drafts, with "alternates" stepping in to account for absences. When we were done, everyone had been given the opportunity to draft twice from every slot in a 10-team league. We tracked the results, which you'll find below, as well as having heavily influenced the rankings you'll find in the ESPN fantasy football draft platform.

Here is a quick breakdown of what you'll find compiled for the nearly 200 players who were taken during this exercise.

Pos Rank: The player's overall rank among players at his position.

ADP: The player's average draft position accounting for all 34 mocks conducted to date.

HIGH: The highest draft pick used to select a player

LOW: The lowest draft pick used to select a player. "ND" means there was at least one draft where this player was not taken.

PREFERRED BY: The ESPN analyst who selected that player more often than any other analyst. The percentage of drafts in which they took the player is listed in parentheses. Only the most recent 20 drafts consisting of two picks from each of the 10 draft slots were considered.

PREFERRED ADP: The average draft pick used by that analyst to select that player, with the same caveat as described in the "Preferred By" category.

The drafters (alphabetically by last name): Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Daniel Dopp, Tyler Fulghum, Eric Karabell, Liz Loza, Eric Moody and Field Yates. Fantasy editors Pierre Becquey and Keith Lipscomb, as well as ESPN Stats & Information researchers John Parolin and Kevin Pulsifer, participated in drafts when not all 10 mock drafters were available.

Below the draft chart you will find a lists of each analyst's most-taken players in their most recent 20 mock drafts; three quarterbacks, eight running backs, eight wide receivers, and two each at tight end, kicker and defense. The average draft pick they used to pick that player is included. Each list is organized by position and by most-selected player, regardless of average draft position. If you'd like to read more about what each drafter took away from the exercise, we've collected their insights here.


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Stephania Bell's Most Selected Players

Quarterbacks

Anthony Richardson, Ind, 50%, Average Pick: 42.1
Kyler Murray, Ari, 15%, Average Pick: 74.3
Josh Allen, Buf, 10%, Average Pick: 36.0

Running Backs

James Conner, Ari, 40%, Average Pick: 62.4
Blake Corum, LAR, 35%, Average Pick: 95.4
Trey Benson, Ari, 35%, Average Pick: 98.9
Kyren Williams, LAR, 30%, Average Pick: 15.5
Tyjae Spears, Ten, 30%, Average Pick: 77.7
Breece Hall, NYJ, 25%, Average Pick: 2.8
Jerome Ford, Cle, 25%, Average Pick: 108.6
De'Von Achane, Mia, 20%, Average Pick: 24.8

Wide Receivers

Rashid Shaheed, NO, 70%, Average Pick: 113.9
Adonai Mitchell, Ind, 55%, Average Pick: 135.7
Tank Dell, Hou, 50%, Average Pick: 55.8
Ladd McConkey, LAC, 45%, Average Pick: 92.3
Michael Pittman Jr., Ind, 30%, Average Pick: 19.8
Nico Collins, Hou, 30%, Average Pick: 28.5
Brandon Aiyuk, SF, 25%, Average Pick: 38.8
Jayden Reed, GB, 25%, Average Pick: 71.2

Tight Ends

George Kittle, SF, 30%, Average Pick: 73.3
Travis Kelce, KC, 25%, Average Pick: 28.8

Defenses

49ers D/ST, SF, 35%, Average Pick: 132.9
Cowboys D/ST, Dal, 20%, Average Pick: 144.5

Kickers

Brandon Aubrey, Dal, 70%, Average Pick: 131.8
Jake Elliott, Phi, 15%, Average Pick: 146.7

Matt Bowen's Most Selected Players

Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott, Dal, 40%, Average Pick: 70.1
Caleb Williams, Chi, 30%, Average Pick: 133.7
Joe Burrow, Cin, 20%, Average Pick: 76.0

Running Backs

D'Andre Swift, Chi, 45%, Average Pick: 58.7
Travis Etienne Jr., Jax, 35%, Average Pick: 18.1
Gus Edwards, LAC, 35%, Average Pick: 112.0
Tyler Allgeier, Atl, 35%, Average Pick: 123.9
David Montgomery, Det, 30%, Average Pick: 62.7
Jahmyr Gibbs, Det, 20%, Average Pick: 13.5
Alvin Kamara, NO, 20%, Average Pick: 34.0
Rhamondre Stevenson, NE, 20%, Average Pick: 46.0

Wide Receivers

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sea, 60%, Average Pick: 86.3
George Pickens, Pit, 50%, Average Pick: 55.3
Ladd McConkey, LAC, 45%, Average Pick: 93.3
DJ Moore, Chi, 40%, Average Pick: 37.3
DK Metcalf, Sea, 30%, Average Pick: 30.2
Brandon Aiyuk, SF, 25%, Average Pick: 34.2
Rome Odunze, Chi, 25%, Average Pick: 92.4
Jameson Williams, Det, 25%, Average Pick: 102.6

Tight Ends

Dallas Goedert, Phi, 60%, Average Pick: 133.3
Brock Bowers, LV, 25%, Average Pick: 119.8

Defenses

Steelers D/ST, Pit, 75%, Average Pick: 146.1
Ravens D/ST, Bal, 10%, Average Pick: 138.0

Kickers

Greg Zuerlein, NYJ, 40%, Average Pick: 156.9
Jake Elliott, Phi, 15%, Average Pick: 152.3

Mike Clay's Most Selected Players

Quarterbacks

Jalen Hurts, Phi, 30%, Average Pick: 44.5
Lamar Jackson, Bal, 20%, Average Pick: 53.0
Josh Allen, Buf, 10%, Average Pick: 40.5

Running Backs

Ty Chandler, Min, 30%, Average Pick: 130.5
Travis Etienne Jr., Jax, 25%, Average Pick: 20.6
Breece Hall, NYJ, 20%, Average Pick: 2.5
Jonathan Taylor, Ind, 20%, Average Pick: 10.8
Kyren Williams, LAR, 20%, Average Pick: 14.3
Josh Jacobs, GB, 20%, Average Pick: 38.5
D'Andre Swift, Chi, 20%, Average Pick: 68.3
Tyler Allgeier, Atl, 20%, Average Pick: 126.5

Wide Receivers

Tyler Lockett, Sea, 60%, Average Pick: 108.1
DeAndre Hopkins, Ten, 45%, Average Pick: 90.6
Keenan Allen, Chi, 40%, Average Pick: 71.8
Calvin Ridley, Ten, 35%, Average Pick: 55.7
Courtland Sutton, Den, 30%, Average Pick: 99.8
Brian Thomas Jr., Jax, 30%, Average Pick: 113.7
Zay Flowers, Bal, 25%, Average Pick: 52.2
Rome Odunze, Chi, 25%, Average Pick: 95.2

Tight Ends

T.J. Hockenson, Min, 40%, Average Pick: 124.1
Travis Kelce, KC, 25%, Average Pick: 30.6

Defenses

Jets D/ST, NYJ, 35%, Average Pick: 144.9
Cowboys D/ST, Dal, 20%, Average Pick: 144.0

Kickers

Harrison Butker, KC, 60%, Average Pick: 154.9
Jake Moody, SF, 15%, Average Pick: 158.0

Tristan H. Cockcroft's Most Selected Players

Quarterbacks

C.J. Stroud, Hou, 20%, Average Pick: 61.3
Jayden Daniels, Wsh, 20%, Average Pick: 116.0
Josh Allen, Buf, 15%, Average Pick: 36.0

Running Backs

Zach Charbonnet, Sea, 40%, Average Pick: 109.4
Javonte Williams, Den, 35%, Average Pick: 83.7
Zack Moss, Cin, 30%, Average Pick: 85.5
Jahmyr Gibbs, Det, 20%, Average Pick: 13.8
Kenneth Walker III, Sea, 20%, Average Pick: 42.8
Devin Singletary, NYG, 20%, Average Pick: 98.0
Jaleel McLaughlin, Den, 20%, Average Pick: 127.5
Bijan Robinson, Atl, 15%, Average Pick: 4.7

Wide Receivers

Marvin Mims Jr., Den, 45%, Average Pick: 138.1
Justin Jefferson, Min, 35%, Average Pick: 7.3
Jordan Addison, Min, 35%, Average Pick: 88.0
Rashee Rice, KC, 30%, Average Pick: 72.5
Jaylen Waddle, Mia, 25%, Average Pick: 39.8
Michael Pittman Jr., Ind, 20%, Average Pick: 18.0
Mike Evans, TB, 20%, Average Pick: 30.8
Tank Dell, Hou, 20%, Average Pick: 54.8

Tight Ends

Travis Kelce, KC, 30%, Average Pick: 27.8
Sam LaPorta, Det, 30%, Average Pick: 32.3

Defenses

Bengals D/ST, Cin, 75%, Average Pick: 156.1
Saints D/ST, NO, 20%, Average Pick: 152.3

Kickers

Jake Elliott, Phi, 50%, Average Pick: 147.2
Justin Tucker, Bal, 40%, Average Pick: 142.4

Daniel Dopp's Most Selected Players

Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes, KC, 30%, Average Pick: 47.3
Josh Allen, Buf, 20%, Average Pick: 39.0
Lamar Jackson, Bal, 20%, Average Pick: 49.5

Running Backs

J.K. Dobbins, LAC, 35%, Average Pick: 114.3
Zach Charbonnet, Sea, 30%, Average Pick: 105.3
David Montgomery, Det, 25%, Average Pick: 58.6
Ezekiel Elliott, Dal, 25%, Average Pick: 93.6
Zamir White, LV, 20%, Average Pick: 58.0
Zack Moss, Cin, 20%, Average Pick: 81.0
Christian McCaffrey, SF, 15%, Average Pick: 1.3
Jahmyr Gibbs, Det, 15%, Average Pick: 13.3

Wide Receivers

Nico Collins, Hou, 45%, Average Pick: 28.2
Jayden Reed, GB, 45%, Average Pick: 72.9
Rashee Rice, KC, 40%, Average Pick: 80.0
Darnell Mooney, Atl, 40%, Average Pick: 133.0
Drake London, Atl, 35%, Average Pick: 19.7
Xavier Worthy, KC, 35%, Average Pick: 102.3
Puka Nacua, LAR, 30%, Average Pick: 12.3
DK Metcalf, Sea, 30%, Average Pick: 33.0

Tight Ends

Trey McBride, Ari, 40%, Average Pick: 50.0
Evan Engram, Jax, 40%, Average Pick: 63.8

Defenses

Lions D/ST, Det, 40%, Average Pick: 148.6
Ravens D/ST, Bal, 30%, Average Pick: 142.3

Kickers

Jake Bates, Det, 80%, Average Pick: 154.1
Jake Moody, SF, 10%, Average Pick: 158.0

Tyler Fulghum's Most Selected Players

Quarterbacks

Anthony Richardson, Ind, 25%, Average Pick: 46.4
Kyler Murray, Ari, 20%, Average Pick: 65.0
Josh Allen, Buf, 15%, Average Pick: 35.0

Running Backs

Najee Harris, Pit, 50%, Average Pick: 75.9
De'Von Achane, Mia, 45%, Average Pick: 25.7
David Montgomery, Det, 40%, Average Pick: 59.4
Kyren Williams, LAR, 30%, Average Pick: 14.5
Javonte Williams, Den, 30%, Average Pick: 76.5
Tony Pollard, Ten, 25%, Average Pick: 86.4
Derrick Henry, Bal, 20%, Average Pick: 19.8
Devin Singletary, NYG, 20%, Average Pick: 97.8

Wide Receivers

Curtis Samuel, Buf, 50%, Average Pick: 117.9
Cooper Kupp, LAR, 35%, Average Pick: 37.1
Nico Collins, Hou, 25%, Average Pick: 27.2
DeVonta Smith, Phi, 25%, Average Pick: 35.4
Tank Dell, Hou, 25%, Average Pick: 50.6
Jameson Williams, Det, 25%, Average Pick: 101.0
Mike Williams, NYJ, 25%, Average Pick: 122.0
Brandon Aiyuk, SF, 20%, Average Pick: 36.0

Tight Ends

Jake Ferguson, Dal, 45%, Average Pick: 98.7
Kyle Pitts, Atl, 35%, Average Pick: 62.0

Defenses

Chargers D/ST, LAC, 75%, Average Pick: 155.6
Browns D/ST, Cle, 15%, Average Pick: 122.0

Kickers

Ka'imi Fairbairn, Hou, 45%, Average Pick: 147.2
Brandon Aubrey, Dal, 30%, Average Pick: 138.0

Eric Karabell's Most Selected Players

Quarterbacks

Brock Purdy, SF, 65%, Average Pick: 128.8
Jordan Love, GB, 45%, Average Pick: 106.9
Caleb Williams, Chi, 25%, Average Pick: 130.2

Running Backs

Ezekiel Elliott, Dal, 80%, Average Pick: 85.9
Nick Chubb, Cle, 75%, Average Pick: 101.3
Josh Jacobs, GB, 40%, Average Pick: 36.0
Joe Mixon, Hou, 30%, Average Pick: 25.8
D'Andre Swift, Chi, 30%, Average Pick: 63.5
Raheem Mostert, Mia, 30%, Average Pick: 94.3
Rachaad White, TB, 25%, Average Pick: 28.4
Alvin Kamara, NO, 25%, Average Pick: 33.6

Wide Receivers

DeAndre Hopkins, Ten, 55%, Average Pick: 82.4
Tee Higgins, Cin, 45%, Average Pick: 55.1
Puka Nacua, LAR, 35%, Average Pick: 12.1
Tyreek Hill, Mia, 30%, Average Pick: 3.8
Davante Adams, LV, 30%, Average Pick: 18.3
Chris Godwin, TB, 30%, Average Pick: 66.2
A.J. Brown, Phi, 25%, Average Pick: 10.6
DJ Moore, Chi, 25%, Average Pick: 43.6

Tight Ends

George Kittle, SF, 30%, Average Pick: 72.3
Travis Kelce, KC, 20%, Average Pick: 35.3

Defenses

Browns D/ST, Cle, 90%, Average Pick: 129.3
Ravens D/ST, Bal, 10%, Average Pick: 138.0

Kickers

Younghoe Koo, Atl, 60%, Average Pick: 153.8
Cameron Dicker, LAC, 40%, Average Pick: 158.0

Liz Loza's Most Selected Players

Quarterbacks

Jayden Daniels, Wsh, 50%, Average Pick: 111.3
Jalen Hurts, Phi, 30%, Average Pick: 44.0
Lamar Jackson, Bal, 20%, Average Pick: 48.5

Running Backs

Jaleel McLaughlin, Den, 50%, Average Pick: 136.2
Austin Ekeler, Wsh, 45%, Average Pick: 92.9
Joe Mixon, Hou, 40%, Average Pick: 23.6
Isiah Pacheco, KC, 35%, Average Pick: 14.3
Alvin Kamara, NO, 35%, Average Pick: 33.7
Rhamondre Stevenson, NE, 35%, Average Pick: 45.6
Jaylen Warren, Pit, 30%, Average Pick: 69.5
Jonathan Taylor, Ind, 20%, Average Pick: 10.5

Wide Receivers

Terry McLaurin, Wsh, 35%, Average Pick: 74.9
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ari, 30%, Average Pick: 21.0
Stefon Diggs, Hou, 25%, Average Pick: 33.8
Christian Kirk, Jax, 25%, Average Pick: 76.4
Tyler Lockett, Sea, 25%, Average Pick: 113.0
Rashid Shaheed, NO, 25%, Average Pick: 123.8
CeeDee Lamb, Dal, 20%, Average Pick: 2.0
Tee Higgins, Cin, 20%, Average Pick: 59.0

Tight Ends

Dalton Kincaid, Buf, 35%, Average Pick: 55.7
Kyle Pitts, Atl, 20%, Average Pick: 66.3

Defenses

Ravens D/ST, Bal, 30%, Average Pick: 137.3
49ers D/ST, SF, 20%, Average Pick: 138.3

Kickers

Evan McPherson, Cin, 30%, Average Pick: 155.0
Ka'imi Fairbairn, Hou, 15%, Average Pick: 151.3

Eric Moody's Most Selected Players

Quarterbacks

Kyler Murray, Ari, 15%, Average Pick: 86.7
Patrick Mahomes, KC, 10%, Average Pick: 40.0
Jalen Hurts, Phi, 10%, Average Pick: 43.0

Running Backs

Chase Brown, Cin, 60%, Average Pick: 111.7
Rico Dowdle, Dal, 60%, Average Pick: 133.3
Jonathon Brooks, Car, 30%, Average Pick: 58.5
Brian Robinson Jr., Wsh, 30%, Average Pick: 72.2
Aaron Jones, Min, 25%, Average Pick: 49.4
Tony Pollard, Ten, 25%, Average Pick: 90.4
Rachaad White, TB, 20%, Average Pick: 30.0
Alvin Kamara, NO, 20%, Average Pick: 34.0

Wide Receivers

Jerry Jeudy, Cle, 45%, Average Pick: 113.0
Deebo Samuel Sr., SF, 35%, Average Pick: 45.7
Cooper Kupp, LAR, 30%, Average Pick: 42.7
Diontae Johnson, Car, 30%, Average Pick: 79.5
Courtland Sutton, Den, 30%, Average Pick: 97.7
DeMario Douglas, NE, 30%, Average Pick: 126.7
Ja'Marr Chase, Cin, 25%, Average Pick: 5.6
Davante Adams, LV, 25%, Average Pick: 23.8

Tight Ends

Travis Kelce, KC, 25%, Average Pick: 27.0
George Kittle, SF, 20%, Average Pick: 79.5

Defenses

Cowboys D/ST, Dal, 25%, Average Pick: 145.2
Jets D/ST, NYJ, 15%, Average Pick: 143.7

Kickers

Evan McPherson, Cin, 40%, Average Pick: 154.9
Harrison Butker, KC, 20%, Average Pick: 155.5

Field Yates' Most Selected Players

Quarterbacks

Joe Burrow, Cin, 35%, Average Pick: 80.7
Dak Prescott, Dal, 15%, Average Pick: 86.7
Josh Allen, Buf, 10%, Average Pick: 37.5

Running Backs

Jahmyr Gibbs, Det, 35%, Average Pick: 13.1
Isiah Pacheco, KC, 25%, Average Pick: 17.4
Jerome Ford, Cle, 25%, Average Pick: 111.2
James Cook, Buf, 20%, Average Pick: 22.5
Saquon Barkley, Phi, 15%, Average Pick: 11.0
Kenneth Walker III, Sea, 15%, Average Pick: 40.0
Aaron Jones, Min, 15%, Average Pick: 56.7
Zamir White, LV, 15%, Average Pick: 59.0

Wide Receivers

Jakobi Meyers, LV, 50%, Average Pick: 125.9
Stefon Diggs, Hou, 45%, Average Pick: 32.9
Calvin Ridley, Ten, 40%, Average Pick: 55.9
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ari, 30%, Average Pick: 21.3
Rome Odunze, Chi, 25%, Average Pick: 100.8
Davante Adams, LV, 20%, Average Pick: 22.0
Rashee Rice, KC, 20%, Average Pick: 78.3
Jordan Addison, Min, 20%, Average Pick: 89.0

Tight Ends

David Njoku, Cle, 30%, Average Pick: 88.8
Evan Engram, Jax, 20%, Average Pick: 66.0

Defenses

Chiefs D/ST, KC, 35%, Average Pick: 151.1
Jets D/ST, NYJ, 20%, Average Pick: 146.0

Kickers

Younghoe Koo, Atl, 20%, Average Pick: 156.0
Brandon Aubrey, Dal, 15%, Average Pick: 145.7