Did you know that 8-team fantasy football leagues are the second-most popular league size on ESPN? While 10-team leagues remain the standard and the hard core players enjoy the challenge of 12-, 14- or even 16-team leagues, there’s a lot to like about the 8-team format. For one thing; your roster has better players, and that’s just fun. The waiver wire also has better players, so while injuries still hurt, there’s quality replacements to be had so your whole season isn’t shot even if you lose your starting running back in Week 1.
There’s still plenty of strategy and skill involved in winning any fantasy league, but 8-teamers are also more approachable for the casual fan, so if you’re thinking of starting a league for friends and family who maybe aren’t as in tune with every NFL team’s third running back and fourth wide receivers, consider an 8-team league as a way to get everyone started.
We got a crew together to mock up an 8-teamer with PPR scoring to see what a league might look like this year and what strategies you might want to employ, specifically when it comes to quarterbacks. You may have noticed that, as a group, we tend to wait on QB longer than most leagues do, but in an 8-team draft, that strategy can be pushed to the extreme. A defense before a starting quarterback? It happened.
Mock Draft participants: fantasy analysts Tristan H. Cockcroft, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Matt Bowen and Stephania Bell, researcher Kevin Pulsifer, NFL editor Tom Carpenter and fantasy editor Pierre Becquey.
Round 1
1. Christian McCaffrey, SF (RB1) — Cockcroft
2. CeeDee Lamb, Dal (WR1) — Pulsifer
3. Breece Hall, NYJ (RB2) — Moody
4. Tyreek Hill, Mia (WR2) — Becquey
5. Ja’Marr Chase, Cin (WR3) — Karabell
6. Bijan Robinson, Atl (RB3) — Carpenter
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det (WR4) — Bowen
8. Saquon Barkley, Phi (RB4) — Bell
Round 2
9. Justin Jefferson, Min (WR5) — Bell
10. Jonathan Taylor, Ind (RB5) — Bowen
11. A.J. Brown, Phi (WR6) — Carpenter
12. Puka Nacua, LAR (WR7) — Karabell
13. Garrett Wilson, NYJ (WR8) — Becquey
14. Kyren Williams, LAR (RB6) — Moody
15. Isiah Pacheco, KC (RB7) — Pulsifer
16. Jahmyr Gibbs, Det (RB8) — Cockcroft
Round 3
17. Michael Pittman Jr., Ind (WR9) — Cockcroft
18. Chris Olave, NO (WR10) — Pulsifer
19. Derrick Henry, Bal (RB9) — Moody
20. Travis Etienne Jr., Jax (RB10) — Becquey
21. Travis Kelce, KC (TE1) — Karabell
22. Davante Adams, LV (WR11) — Carpenter
23. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ari (WR12) — Bowen
24. Nico Collins, Hou (WR13) — Bell
Round 4
25. De’Von Achane, Mia (RB11) — Bell
26. James Cook, Buf (RB12) — Bowen
27. Sam LaPorta, Det (TE2) — Carpenter
28. Joe Mixon, Hou (RB13) — Karabell
29. Josh Jacobs, GB (RB14) — Becquey
30. Drake London, Atl (WR14) — Moody
31. Josh Allen, Buf (QB1) — Pulsifer
32. Rachaad White, TB (RB15) — Cockcroft
Round 5
33. DK Metcalf, Sea (WR15) — Cockcroft
34. Mike Evans, TB (WR16) — Pulsifer
35. Stefon Diggs, Hou (WR17) — Moody
36. Kenneth Walker III, Sea (RB16) — Becquey
37. Alvin Kamara, NO (RB17) — Karabell
38. Brandon Aiyuk, SF (WR18) — Carpenter
39. DJ Moore, Chi (WR19) — Bowen
40. Mark Andrews, Bal (TE3) — Bell
Round 6
41. DeVonta Smith, Phi (WR20) — Bell
42. Patrick Mahomes, KC (QB2) — Bowen
43. Jalen Hurts, Phi (QB3) — Carpenter
44. Deebo Samuel Sr., SF (WR21) — Karabell
45. Cooper Kupp, LAR (WR22) — Becquey
46. Jaylen Waddle, Mia (WR23) — Moody
47. Trey McBride, Ari (TE4) — Pulsifer
48. Malik Nabers, NYG (WR24) — Cockcroft
Round 7
49. Lamar Jackson, Bal (QB4) — Cockcroft
50. Zay Flowers, Bal (WR25) — Pulsifer
51. Dalton Kincaid, Buf (TE5) — Moody
52. Anthony Richardson, Ind (QB5) — Becquey
53. Aaron Jones, Min (RB18) — Karabell
54. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (RB19) — Carpenter
55. George Pickens, Pit (WR26) — Bowen
56. Tank Dell, Hou (WR27) — Bell
Round 8
57. Zamir White, LV (RB20) — Bell
58. David Montgomery, Det (RB21) — Bowen
59. Jonathon Brooks, Car (RB22) — Carpenter
60. Calvin Ridley, Ten (WR28) — Karabell
61. Kyle Pitts, Atl (TE6) — Becquey
62. Tee Higgins, Cin (WR29) — Moody
63. James Conner, Ari (RB23) — Pulsifer
64. Evan Engram, Jax (TE7) — Cockcroft
Round 9
65. D’Andre Swift, Chi (RB24) — Cockcroft
66. Jaylen Warren, Pit (RB25) — Pulsifer
67. Joe Burrow, Cin (QB6) — Moody
68. Tyjae Spears, Ten (RB26) — Becquey
69. Keenan Allen, Chi (WR30) — Karabell
70. Chris Godwin, TB (WR31) — Carpenter
71. Christian Kirk, Jax (WR32) — Bowen
72. C.J. Stroud, Hou (QB7) — Bell
Round 10
73. Terry McLaurin, Wsh (WR33) — Bell
74. Najee Harris, Pit (RB27) — Bowen
75. Javonte Williams, Den (RB28) — Carpenter
76. Diontae Johnson, Car (WR34) — Karabell
77. Christian Watson, GB (WR35) — Becquey
78. Tony Pollard, Ten (RB29) — Moody
79. Zack Moss, Cin (RB30) — Pulsifer
80. Jayden Reed, GB (WR36) — Cockcroft
Round 11
81. Brian Robinson Jr., Wsh (RB31) — Cockcroft
82. Marquise Brown, KC (WR37) — Pulsifer
83. Amari Cooper, Cle (WR38) — Moody
84. Austin Ekeler, Wsh (RB32) — Becquey
85. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (RB33) — Karabell
86. Rome Odunze, Chi (WR39) — Carpenter
87. George Kittle, SF (TE8) — Bowen
88. Ladd McConkey, LAC (WR40) — Bell
Round 12
89. Blake Corum, LAR (RB34) — Bell
90. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sea (WR41) — Bowen
91. Jordan Addison, Min (WR42) — Carpenter
92. Nick Chubb, Cle (RB35) — Karabell
93. Keon Coleman, Buf (WR43) — Becquey
94. Raheem Mostert, Mia (RB36) — Moody
95. Devin Singletary, NYG (RB37) — Pulsifer
96. Rashee Rice, KC (WR44) — Cockcroft
Round 13
97. Jameson Williams, Det (WR45) — Cockcroft
98. Jerome Ford, Cle (RB38) — Pulsifer
99. Chase Brown, Cin (RB39) — Moody
100. J.K. Dobbins, LAC (RB40) — Becquey
101. Trey Benson, Ari (RB41) — Karabell
102. Courtland Sutton, Den (WR46) — Carpenter
103. Xavier Worthy, KC (WR47) — Bowen
104. Adonai Mitchell, Ind (WR48) — Bell
Round 14
105. San Francisco 49ers DST (D/ST1) — Bell
106. Gus Edwards, LAC (RB42) — Bowen
107. Cleveland Browns DST (D/ST2) — Carpenter
108. Baltimore Ravens DST (D/ST3) — Karabell
109. Zach Charbonnet, Sea (RB43) — Becquey
110. DeAndre Hopkins, Ten (WR49) — Moody
111. Ty Chandler, Min (RB44) — Pulsifer
112. Dak Prescott, Dal (QB8) — Cockcroft
Round 15
113. Brandon Aubrey, Dal (K1) — Cockcroft
114. Justin Tucker, Bal (K2) — Pulsifer
115. Dallas Cowboys DST (D/ST4) — Moody
116. New Orleans Saints DST (D/ST5) — Becquey
117. Kyler Murray, Ari (QB9) — Karabell
118. Tyler Allgeier, Atl (RB45) — Carpenter
119. Pittsburgh Steelers DST (D/ST6) — Bowen
120. Jake Elliott, Phi (K3) — Bell
Round 16
121. MarShawn Lloyd, GB (RB46) — Bell
122. Ka’imi Fairbairn, Hou (K4) — Bowen
123. Evan McPherson, Cin (K5) — Carpenter
124. Younghoe Koo, Atl (K6) — Karabell
125. Matt Gay, Ind (K7) — Becquey
126. Harrison Butker, KC (K8) — Moody
127. New York Jets DST (D/ST7) — Pulsifer
128. Cincinnati Bengals DST (D/ST8) — Cockcroft
Team rosters are presented in first-round pick order. Pick and Bye weeks are indicated in parentheses in this manner: (Round.Pick | Bye)
Team Cockcroft
QB1 Lamar Jackson, Bal (Pick: 7.1 | Bye: 14)
QB2 Dak Prescott, Dal (Pick: 14.8 | Bye: 7)
RB1 Christian McCaffrey, SF (Pick: 1.1 | Bye: 10)
RB2 Jahmyr Gibbs, Det (Pick: 2.8 | Bye: 5)
RB3 Rachaad White, TB (Pick: 4.8 | Bye: 11)
RB4 D’Andre Swift, Chi (Pick: 9.1 | Bye: 7)
RB5 Brian Robinson Jr., Wsh (Pick: 11.1 | Bye: 14)
WR1 Michael Pittman Jr., Ind (Pick: 3.1 | Bye: 14)
WR2 DK Metcalf, Sea (Pick: 5.1 | Bye: 9)
WR3 Malik Nabers, NYG (Pick: 6.8 | Bye: 11)
WR4 Jayden Reed, GB (Pick: 10.8 | Bye: 10)
WR5 Rashee Rice, KC (Pick: 12.8 | Bye: 6)
WR6 Jameson Williams, Det (Pick: 13.1 | Bye: 5)
TE1 Evan Engram, Jax (Pick: 8.8 | Bye: 12)
K1 Brandon Aubrey, Dal (Pick: 15.1 | Bye: 7)
D/ST1 Cincinnati Bengals DST (Pick: 16.8 | Bye: 12)
Team Pulsifer
QB1 Josh Allen, Buf (Pick: 4.7 | Bye: 12)
RB1 Isiah Pacheco, KC (Pick: 2.7 | Bye: 6)
RB2 James Conner, Ari (Pick: 8.7 | Bye: 11)
RB3 Jaylen Warren, Pit (Pick: 9.2 | Bye: 9)
RB4 Zack Moss, Cin (Pick: 10.7 | Bye: 12)
RB5 Devin Singletary, NYG (Pick: 12.7 | Bye: 11)
RB6 Jerome Ford, Cle (Pick: 13.2 | Bye: 10)
RB7 Ty Chandler, Min (Pick: 14.7 | Bye: 6)
WR1 CeeDee Lamb, Dal (Pick: 1.2 | Bye: 7)
WR2 Chris Olave, NO (Pick: 3.2 | Bye: 12)
WR3 Mike Evans, TB (Pick: 5.2 | Bye: 11)
WR4 Zay Flowers, Bal (Pick: 7.2 | Bye: 14)
WR5 Marquise Brown, KC (Pick: 11.2 | Bye: 6)
TE1 Trey McBride, Ari (Pick: 6.7 | Bye: 11)
K1 Justin Tucker, Bal (Pick: 15.2 | Bye: 14)
D/ST1 New York Jets DST (Pick: 16.7 | Bye: 12)
Team Moody
QB1 Joe Burrow, Cin (Pick: 9.3 | Bye: 12)
RB1 Breece Hall, NYJ (Pick: 1.3 | Bye: 12)
RB2 Kyren Williams, LAR (Pick: 2.6 | Bye: 5)
RB3 Derrick Henry, Bal (Pick: 3.3 | Bye: 14)
RB4 Tony Pollard, Ten (Pick: 10.6 | Bye: 5)
RB5 Raheem Mostert, Mia (Pick: 12.6 | Bye: 6)
RB6 Chase Brown, Cin (Pick: 13.3 | Bye: 12)
WR1 Drake London, Atl (Pick: 4.6 | Bye: 12)
WR2 Stefon Diggs, Hou (Pick: 5.3 | Bye: 14)
WR3 Jaylen Waddle, Mia (Pick: 6.6 | Bye: 6)
WR4 Tee Higgins, Cin (Pick: 8.6 | Bye: 12)
WR5 Amari Cooper, Cle (Pick: 11.3 | Bye: 10)
WR6 DeAndre Hopkins, Ten (Pick: 14.6 | Bye: 5)
TE1 Dalton Kincaid, Buf (Pick: 7.3 | Bye: 12)
K1 Harrison Butker, KC (Pick: 16.6 | Bye: 6)
D/ST1 Dallas Cowboys DST (Pick: 15.3 | Bye: 7)
Team Becquey
QB1 Anthony Richardson, Ind (Pick: 7.4 | Bye: 14)
RB1 Travis Etienne Jr., Jax (Pick: 3.4 | Bye: 12)
RB2 Josh Jacobs, GB (Pick: 4.5 | Bye: 10)
RB3 Kenneth Walker III, Sea (Pick: 5.4 | Bye: 9)
RB4 Tyjae Spears, Ten (Pick: 9.4 | Bye: 5)
RB5 Austin Ekeler, Wsh (Pick: 11.4 | Bye: 14)
RB6 J.K. Dobbins, LAC (Pick: 13.4 | Bye: 10)
RB7 Zach Charbonnet, Sea (Pick: 14.5 | Bye: 9)
WR1 Tyreek Hill, Mia (Pick: 1.4 | Bye: 6)
WR2 Garrett Wilson, NYJ (Pick: 2.5 | Bye: 12)
WR3 Cooper Kupp, LAR (Pick: 6.5 | Bye: 5)
WR4 Christian Watson, GB (Pick: 10.5 | Bye: 10)
WR5 Keon Coleman, Buf (Pick: 12.5 | Bye: 12)
TE1 Kyle Pitts, Atl (Pick: 8.5 | Bye: 12)
K1 Matt Gay, Ind (Pick: 16.5 | Bye: 14)
D/ST1 New Orleans Saints DST (Pick: 15.4 | Bye: 12)
Team Karabell
QB1 Kyler Murray, Ari (Pick: 15.5 | Bye: 11)
RB1 Joe Mixon, Hou (Pick: 4.4 | Bye: 14)
RB2 Alvin Kamara, NO (Pick: 5.5 | Bye: 12)
RB3 Aaron Jones, Min (Pick: 7.5 | Bye: 6)
RB4 Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (Pick: 11.5 | Bye: 7)
RB5 Nick Chubb, Cle (Pick: 12.4 | Bye: 10)
RB6 Trey Benson, Ari (Pick: 13.5 | Bye: 11)
WR1 Ja’Marr Chase, Cin (Pick: 1.5 | Bye: 12)
WR2 Puka Nacua, LAR (Pick: 2.4 | Bye: 5)
WR3 Deebo Samuel Sr., SF (Pick: 6.4 | Bye: 10)
WR4 Calvin Ridley, Ten (Pick: 8.4 | Bye: 5)
WR5 Keenan Allen, Chi (Pick: 9.5 | Bye: 7)
WR6 Diontae Johnson, Car (Pick: 10.4 | Bye: 11)
TE1 Travis Kelce, KC (Pick: 3.5 | Bye: 6)
K1 Younghoe Koo, Atl (Pick: 16.4 | Bye: 12)
D/ST1 Baltimore Ravens DST (Pick: 14.4 | Bye: 14)
Team Carpenter
QB1 Jalen Hurts, Phi (Pick: 6.3 | Bye: 5)
RB1 Bijan Robinson, Atl (Pick: 1.6 | Bye: 12)
RB2 Rhamondre Stevenson, NE (Pick: 7.6 | Bye: 14)
RB3 Jonathon Brooks, Car (Pick: 8.3 | Bye: 11)
RB4 Javonte Williams, Den (Pick: 10.3 | Bye: 14)
RB5 Tyler Allgeier, Atl (Pick: 15.6 | Bye: 12)
WR1 A.J. Brown, Phi (Pick: 2.3 | Bye: 5)
WR2 Davante Adams, LV (Pick: 3.6 | Bye: 6)
WR3 Brandon Aiyuk, SF (Pick: 5.6 | Bye: 10)
WR4 Chris Godwin, TB (Pick: 9.6 | Bye: 11)
WR5 Rome Odunze, Chi (Pick: 11.6 | Bye: 7)
WR6 Jordan Addison, Min (Pick: 12.3 | Bye: 6)
WR7 Courtland Sutton, Den (Pick: 13.6 | Bye: 14)
TE1 Sam LaPorta, Det (Pick: 4.3 | Bye: 5)
K1 Evan McPherson, Cin (Pick: 16.3 | Bye: 12)
D/ST1 Cleveland Browns DST (Pick: 14.3 | Bye: 10)
Team Bowen
QB1 Patrick Mahomes, KC (Pick: 6.2 | Bye: 6)
RB1 Jonathan Taylor, Ind (Pick: 2.2 | Bye: 14)
RB2 James Cook, Buf (Pick: 4.2 | Bye: 12)
RB3 David Montgomery, Det (Pick: 8.2 | Bye: 5)
RB4 Najee Harris, Pit (Pick: 10.2 | Bye: 9)
RB5 Gus Edwards, LAC (Pick: 14.2 | Bye: 10)
WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det (Pick: 1.7 | Bye: 5)
WR2 Marvin Harrison Jr., Ari (Pick: 3.7 | Bye: 11)
WR3 DJ Moore, Chi (Pick: 5.7 | Bye: 7)
WR4 George Pickens, Pit (Pick: 7.7 | Bye: 9)
WR5 Christian Kirk, Jax (Pick: 9.7 | Bye: 12)
WR6 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sea (Pick: 12.2 | Bye: 9)
WR7 Xavier Worthy, KC (Pick: 13.7 | Bye: 6)
TE1 George Kittle, SF (Pick: 11.7 | Bye: 10)
K1 Ka’imi Fairbairn, Hou (Pick: 16.2 | Bye: 14)
D/ST1 Pittsburgh Steelers DST (Pick: 15.7 | Bye: 9)
Team Bell
QB1 C.J. Stroud, Hou (Pick: 9.8 | Bye: 14)
RB1 Saquon Barkley, Phi (Pick: 1.8 | Bye: 5)
RB2 De’Von Achane, Mia (Pick: 4.1 | Bye: 6)
RB3 Zamir White, LV (Pick: 8.1 | Bye: 6)
RB4 Blake Corum, LAR (Pick: 12.1 | Bye: 5)
RB5 MarShawn Lloyd, GB (Pick: 16.1 | Bye: 10)
WR1 Justin Jefferson, Min (Pick: 2.1 | Bye: 6)
WR2 Nico Collins, Hou (Pick: 3.8 | Bye: 14)
WR3 DeVonta Smith, Phi (Pick: 6.1 | Bye: 5)
WR4 Tank Dell, Hou (Pick: 7.8 | Bye: 14)
WR5 Terry McLaurin, Wsh (Pick: 10.1 | Bye: 14)
WR6 Ladd McConkey, LAC (Pick: 11.8 | Bye: 10)
WR7 Adonai Mitchell, Ind (Pick: 13.8 | Bye: 14)
TE1 Mark Andrews, Bal (Pick: 5.8 | Bye: 14)
K1 Jake Elliott, Phi (Pick: 15.8 | Bye: 5)
D/ST1 San Francisco 49ers DST (Pick: 14.1 | Bye: 10)