With all of the uncertainty going on in the sports world, the NFL is surging ahead with plans to start the season on time. Can I get a high-five on that as we say thank goodness? We have previously examined what a PPR fantasy draft first round might look like. But PPR isn’t the only way to play fantasy football, as standard rules are also very popular. Both of these drafts must be prepared for in different ways since the scoring is not the same. This is your ten team fantasy football standard first-round mock draft!

First Pick: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

Whether playing PPR fantasy football or standard absolutely makes no difference when it comes to the first pick in the draft. The answer is simple: Christian McCaffrey. The reason is that he can do it all. He carries the football- 287 carries for 1,387 yards. He catches the ball- 116 for 1,005 yards. And best of all, he gets in the end zone, 15 rushing, and four receiving touchdowns. What more could one ask?

In case you aren’t convinced, look at his record since joining the league. He has improved his stats every season and avoided any injury problems. His rushing has increased (435-1,098-1,387), as has his receiving (651-867-1,005). He is in every sense a special talent. That is proven by the fact that last year he became only the third NFL player in history to rush and receive at least 1,000 yards in the same season. Add it all up and he is the number one pick in any draft. Case closed.

Second Pick: Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Of course, this pick is predicated on there being no complications from the recent announcement that Elliot was diagnosed with COVID-19. It is expected that all systems will be green once the season begins. If that is the case, then Zeke is the recommendation for the number two overall pick. It’s easy to figure out why; he is much more consistent than any other running back. Other than when he was suspended, when the ref blows the whistle, Elliott plays.

There can be no debate that Zeke can run the football. Last season, he rushed 301 times for 1,357 yards. He also scored 12 TDs. In his three full seasons as a pro, Elliott averages 1,474 rushing yards per season and he has won two rushing titles. And he is not a one-trick pony, as he caught 54 passes for 420 yards and another two TDs. Don’t get scared off by new coach Mike McCarthy. He has never had an RB as good as Elliott and he will use him to the maximum. The Cowboys offense is ready to launch and you will be, too, if you select Zeke.

Third Pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

Being able to select Saquon Barkley with the third pick should make any fantasy owner happy. Even though he had some injuries last season, it looks like all systems go with him this season. And what kind of 2020 should you expect? How do 1,307 rushing yards and 91 catches sound? That is what he did as a rookie. He also scored 15 touchdowns. He certainly would fit in nicely on anyone’s fantasy team.

Even with the injuries, he still rushed for 1,003 yards and 6 TDs while catching 52 passes for 438 yards and 2 more scores. There is every indication that his numbers will return to his first year’s results. You have to figure that QB Daniel Jones will greatly improve in his second season and the Giants’ offense will be much better. Barkley would seem to be the greatest beneficiary of that. Make sure you are on board when the Barkley train leaves the station.

Fourth Pick: Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

Usually, running back is the way to go in the first round, especially in standard leagues. But this year and this player are different.  Michael Thomas is such a special player that it would be foolish to ignore him. Thomas turned in a spectacular season a year ago and unlike some of the players coming up behind him, he has no injury history. He has played in 16 games the last three seasons. On top of that, he has led the league in receptions the last two.

But it is last season when everything came together. Despite QB  Drew Brees missing 5 games, Thomas caught 149 passes for 1,725 yards and 9 TDs. The receptions set an NFL record for a single season. Brees, despite the problems he has off the field, looks to go out huge in his final season on it. Even if he was forced to miss games again, the Saints have the ultimate gunslinger behind him now in Jameis Winston. Thomas is as elite as it comes. Don’t let him fall in your draft. Trust me, you will regret it.