Ok, so it’s only January, 2011, but it’s never too early to start mock drafting. Below you will find our very first 2011 Fantasy Football Mock Draft (with expert commentary through the first three rounds). Keep in mind that we will crank out frequent updates as we head in the direction of the 2011 NFL Season. This seven round redraft fantasy football mock draft is based on a 12-team league with standard scoring, and the line-up requirements are as follows: 1QB, 2RB, 3WRs, 1TE, 1K and 1DST.

Updated: 1/12/2011

2011 Fantasy Football Mock Draft

Round One

1.01 – Arian Foster, Texans RB – We predicted Foster’s rise to the elite last off-season. Well, don’t expect us to jump off the wagon that we helped construct. Chris Johnson deserves consideration here, and so does Adrian Peterson, but Foster is money and he has the freshest legs of all the elite backs entering 2011.

1.02 – Chris Johnson, Titans RB – CJ2K commands No. 1 overall consideration, but Foster is the safer grab at the one spot at this point in the 2011 fantasy football off-season. Having a top two overall pick in 2011 is fantasy gold – You almost can’t miss.

1.03 – Adrian Peterson, Vikings RB – Peterson, like Chris Johnson, commands No. 1 overall consideration, but as mentioned above, Foster just feels safer and fresher. Peterson will be elite per start in 2011, no question, but we have our concerns about that Vikings’ offense heading into the upcoming season, and until they make changes this off-season (or through the draft), AP is our No. 3 overall player.

1.04 – Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars RB – We do have injury concerns with MJD, but it’s hard to slot him any lower than this.

1.05 – Ray Rice, Ravens RB – Doubt him all you want, but we still believe – At least we do at this value. Don’t grab him as a top 2-3RB, but just know he is capable of that kind of production in 2011. It took him all season to do it, but he finally showed signs of life down the stretch in 2010.

1.06 – Jamaal Charles, Chiefs RB – Charles was INSANE in 2010, rushing the football 230 times for 1,467 yards (6.4) and posting 8 total scores. He also added 45 receptions for 468 yards. After a monster finish to the 2009 season, and now with his breakout 2010 season in the rear view, how can anyone doubt this stud’s potential entering 2011? He averaged an amazing 6.4 yards-per-carry in 2010 – That’s unbelievable! Draft him with confidence anywhere around this draft slot in 2011.

1.07 – Andre Johnson, Texans WR – This guy is an amazing talent and he still has a lot left in the tank. Expect 1,300-1,400 yards and 9-10 scores in 2011.

1.08 – Calvin Johnson, Lions WR – Calvin Johnson is about as physically gifted as Andre Johnson, but injury concerns and an always-cloudy quarterback situation keeps Calvin cemented below AJ entering 2011 fantasy drafts.

1.09 – Drew Brees, Saints QB – Most years we agree with the fantasy world-wide philosophy that drafting a quarterback in the first-round of a fantasy draft is a bad idea, but consistency is the most important part of enduring an entire fantasy season, especially given how fast rookie receivers are now coming along these days. Sleepers, and we aren’t just talking rookie receivers, are everywhere these days, and rock-solid studs that produce guaranteed weekly points are becoming underrated. Brees is as consistent as they come, and he can carry you every single week.

1.10 – Aaron Rodgers, Packers QB – Like Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers can carry any team on a weekly basis, and that kind of consistency is worth “wasting” a first-round pick on a quarterback. Granted, you can take a Philip Rivers later, and there is something to be said about that strategy, but it comes down to Brees and a second-round player vs. a first-round player and Philip Rivers. Which is better? An argument can be made for either approach.

1.11 – Darren McFadden, Raiders RB – This is a risky place to slot Darren McFadden given how often runners emerge one season and then vanish the next season. McFadden was a big-time prospect coming out of college, then he disappointed fantasy worlds for two straight seasons. In 2010, though, he dropped elite production on fantasy leagues everywhere, rushing for 1,157 yards, pulling in 507 receiving yards and scoring 10 total touchdowns. If healthy, expect at least those numbers in 2011. Health is the concern, though, which is why you won’t see him ranked higher than this. This is about right for D-Mac entering 2011.

1.12 – LeSean McCoy, Eagles RB – Health being a concern seems to be an ongoing theme with most of the first-round running backs entering 2011. Still, given the upside of most of these rushers, like McCoy, it’s too hard to take a pass. Expect another 1,500+ total yards and 7-10 scores in 2011.

Round Two

2.01 – Roddy White, Falcons WR – It’s hard to believe Roddy White pulled in 115 passes last season. I’m not suggesting that he can’t repeat his monster 2010 campaign this upcoming fantasy season, or that he will be overvalued this off-season, but 115 receptions is a lot to expect once again this upcoming season. White is clearly in that top tier of wide receivers looking forward, and fantasy owners should expect at least 90-100 receptions, 1,200+ yards and 8-10 scores in 2011.

2.02 – Michael Vick, Eagles QB – Vick exploded in 2010, and while injury is always a concern given his style of play, Vick is money heading into 2011. He could arguably lead fantasy leagues in scoring. Vick threw for 3,018 yards and 21TDs in 2010. He also rushed the football 100 times for 676 yards and 9TDs. Expect at least that kinda action in 2011 – It just comes down to staying on the field for Vick owners.

2.03 – Peyton Hillis, Browns RB – Where do we even begin? Hillis came out of nowhere in 2010 and led many fantasy owners into the playoffs. The problem is that Hillis failed fantasy owners down the stretch in 2010, as he rushed for just 59, 35 and 15 yards in Weeks 15-17 (in that order). He had no scores in those contests, either. His extremely disappointing finish in ’10 will have many doubting him in 2011. This should be good news for crafty drafters. We doubt him a bit ourselves, it’s only natural… still, his 1,177 rushing yards, 477 receiving yards and 13 total scores is enough to make him a very solid second-round grab in 2011. Given he has top 5-10RB upside in 2011, he easily deserves this ranking – And we actually consider this borderline sleeper-value. It’s all about low-risk/high-reward when building the foundation of your fantasy football team.

2.04 – Peyton Manning, Colts QB – The definition of consistency! Pair him with any consistent first-round talent and you have yourself a playoff team already!

2.05 – Tom Brady, Patriots QB – What we just said about Peyton Manning above, yea, apply that same reasoning here.

2.06 – Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs WR – Bowe went nuts in 2010. While we expect him to remain a fantasy stud in 2011, it’s tough to expect him to duplicate his 2010 numbers of 72 receptions, 1,162 yards and 15TDs. The receptions and yards are doable, for sure, but expect more like 8-11 scores and then just hope for more (don’t expect it).

2.07 – Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals WR – Fitz could be elsewhere in 2011, so stay tuned! If in AZ, and without a solid quarterback tossing him the rock, Fitz will be dropping further down.

2.08 – Hakeem Nicks, Giants WR – Nicks has the talent and situation to be a top 2-3 fantasy wide receiver in 2011. He just has to stay healthy, that’s all.

2.09 – Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers RB – He isn’t exactly flashy, but Mendy gets it done and he will again in 2011.

2.10 – Jonathan Stewart, Panthers RB – His health and situation will have him breaking out, or disappointing, in 2011. It’s boom or bust time for J-Stew!

2.11 – Michael Turner, Falcons RB – He is solid, but will he begin to breakdown in 2011? He is worth the risk at this point in the second-round, but let someone else reach for “The Burner” at the top of the second-round.

2.12 – Philip Rivers, Chargers QB – Rivers always falls further than he should. He is arguably as good as any of the quarterbacks slotted above him, but this is good news (that he always seems to have good draft value). Don’t expect him to slip too far in 2011, but he should be a fine grab after the top four quarterbacks are off the board.

Round Three

3.01 – Mike Wallace, Steelers WR – We predicted Wallace’s rise to the elite last off-season – We expect even more out of him in 2011.

3.02 – Wes Welker, Patriots WR – Welker is the definition of value-grab heading into 2011. Welker has fantasy WR1 upside, yet he will likely fall at least this far in most early 2011 fantasy football drafts. Take advantage!

3.03 – Greg Jennings, Packers WR – Waiting on a WR1 until the third-round isn’t a bad strategy to use in 2011. Jennings easily has WR1-type value.

3.04 – DeSean Jackson, Eagles WR – We have our injury concerns, for sure, but he is a fantasy WR1/WR2 when healthy.

3.05 – Vincent Jackson, Chargers WR – Jackson has the talent to be a fantasy WR1, no question… In fact, he is second-round material if the situation is right. What is his situation entering 2011? That’s to be announced. Stay tuned!

3.06 – DeAngelo Williams, Panthers RB – Where will D-Will be in 2011? Where he lands will either have him moving up, or down, in our next mock draft update. If signed to start elsewhere in 2011, D-Will could become a first-round prospect entering August drafts. Stay tuned for more on D-Will!

3.07 – Brandon Lloyd, Broncos WR – It’s only natural to doubt Lloyd a bit heading into 2011, but this is good news because it makes him low-risk/high-reward.

3.08 – Miles Austin, Cowboys WR – It’s tough to value this guy heading into 2011. With Tony Romo back from injury, Austin should regain some of his fantasy dominance. That said, Dez Bryant will command more looks moving forward. Both could hurt each other a bit, as far as maintaining fantasy WR1-type value, but both can still be strong fantasy WR2-type players in 2011.

3.09 – Frank Gore, 49ers RB – Gore’s value will change as the off-season moves along. How fast he heals from his 2010 season-ending hip injury will determine his 2011 fantasy football value. He could move up a lot during our next mock draft update. Stay tuned.

3.10 – Antonio Gates, Chargers TE – Gates will still be a beast in 2011. He is more valuable without V-Jax in town, though.

3.11 – Matt Forte, Bears RB – Given all the other talent slotted above, it’s hard to place Matt Forte any higher than this. This could be a good thing, though, as he is low-risk/high-reward at this value.

3.12 – Marques Colston, Saints WR – Colston was solid in 2010, and while his injury history is concerning, he has solid value this late. He could get snagged higher than this, but value him around this slot in August drafts.

The Rest…

Round Four

4.01 – Steven Jackson, Rams RB

4.02 – Reggie Wayne, Colts WR

4.03 – Mike Williams, Buccaneers WR

4.04 – Knowshon Moreno, Broncos RB

4.05 – Sidney Rice, Vikings WR

4.06 – Brandon Marshall, Dolphins WR

4.07 – Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants RB

4.08 – Shonn Greene, Jets RB

4.09 – Cedric Benson, Bengals RB

4.10 – Vernon Davis, 49ers TE

4.11 – Jermichael Finley, Packers TE

4.12 – Anquan Boldin, Ravens WR

Round Five

5.01 – Dez Bryant, Cowboys WR

5.02 – Steve Johnson, Bills WR

5.03 – Santonio Holmes, Jets WR

5.04 – Matt Schaub, Texans QB

5.05 – LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers RB

5.06 – Pierre Garcon, Colts WR

5.07 – Michael Crabtree, 49ers WR

5.08 – Kenny Britt, Titans WR

5.09 – Chris Wells, Cardinals RB

5.10 – Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars TE

5.11 – Jimmy Graham, Saints TE

5.12 – Sam Bradford, Rams QB

Round Six

6.01 – Dallas Clark, Colts TE

6.02 – Ryan Grant, Packers RB

6.03 – Matt Ryan, Falcons QB

6.04 – Tony Romo, Cowboys QB

6.05 – Matt Cassel, Chiefs QB

6.06 – Santana Moss, Redskins WR

6.07 – Dustin Keller, Jets TE

6.08 – Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars WR

6.09 – Ryan Mathews, Chargers RB

6.10 – Benjarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots RB

6.11 – Jahvid Best, Lions RB

6.12 – Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers QB

Round Seven

7.01 – Brandon Jacobs, Giants RB

7.02 – Michael Tolbert, Charger RB

7.03 – Zach Miller, Raiders TE

7.04 – Jason Witten, Cowboys TE

7.05 – Owen Daniels, Texans TE

7.06 – Chris Cooley, Redskins TE

7.07 – Johnny Knox, Bears WR

7.08 – C.J. Spiller, Bills RB

7.09 – Eli Manning, Giants QB

7.10 – Pierre Thomas, Saints RB

7.11 – Steve Smith, Panthers WR

7.12 – Rob Gronkowski, Patriots TE

Again, note that we will be release more versions of this mock draft as the off-season moves along. Stay tuned for updates, and be sure to comments and predictions below!