ESPN Fantasy Marathon concludes with RB-heavy mock draft
A 10-team PPR mock draft featuring ESPN analysts saw running backs dominate the early rounds, with the first quarterback not selected until pick 40.
The annual ESPN Fantasy Football Marathon concluded with a 10-team mock draft that highlighted a significant consensus on running back value. The event, which serves as the traditional capstone to the Marathon, featured a panel of prominent ESPN analysts and personalities competing in a Points Per Reception (PPR) format.
The draft order began with Adam Schefter, who selected Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs first overall. Eric Moody followed with Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, while Mike Clay took the first wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase, with the third pick. Other participants in the draft included Liz Loza, Field Yates, Joe Fortenbaugh, Daniel Dopp, Keiana Martin, Dan Graziano, and Tyler Fulghum.
Early draft action revealed a heavy emphasis on the running back position, with 13 of the first 20 picks dedicated to the role. This early depletion of top-tier backs created perceived value at wide receiver, prompting analysts to pivot their strategies in the subsequent rounds. Despite the focus on skill positions, tight ends were also addressed early, with Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers and Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride selected in the top 25 picks.
The most notable strategic divergence in the draft was the delayed acquisition of quarterbacks. The first signal-caller was not selected until the 40th overall pick, when Schefter chose Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. By the end of Round 7, only three quarterbacks had been drafted, a trend that reflects the ongoing debate within the fantasy community regarding the optimal timing for the position.
The full round-by-round pick list and final team rosters have been published by ESPN, detailing the specific selections and bye weeks for each participant. The draft’s outcomes provide a snapshot of the current consensus among the network’s leading voices as the 2026 fantasy football season approaches.
For those wishing to review the proceedings, ESPN has made a simulcast replay available on its YouTube channel. Additionally, the network’s Mock Draft Lobby remains open for users to conduct their own practice drafts and refine their strategies ahead of the upcoming season.
