Final Pre-Draft Rookie Mock Draft: Round Two
May is now upon us. Any other year, that means we would be discussing the impact of your favorite running back getting drafted as a backup to Jamaal Charles. Or what it means for Trent Richardson that the Colts drafted two running backs in the first five rounds. Of course this isn’t any other year. The NFL pushed the draft back a few weeks, which means there has been even more scrutiny and effort put into evaluating this year’s crop of rookies.
Sometimes it is tough to tell what to believe and where to look, especially in a draft class like this one that is very deep and without a whole lot of separation in certain spots. In order to help you sift through the mud and gunk that is “lying season” in the NFL, we’re here with around one of our staff only rookie mock drafts.
Here is a quick refresher on the guidelines given to our drafters before each mock begins:
1) Standard PPR scoring with normal lineup requirements
2) Draft order is randomly generated and no trades are allowed
3) Draft the best player available without any consideration for team need
Once the mock is complete, each drafter was asked to provide some comments about the player they drafted. In order to provide a second perspective on each selection, I will also provide some comments on each of the choices. From time to time we will disagree on a player, and that’s perfectly okay. There is no group think here at DLF and sometimes we get widely different opinions on players. I’ll be the first to admit that we, and especially me, will get a few of these players wrong. It happens!
This is our last look at the draft order before we know the teams they will be playing for. Situation does matter, especially at the running back position, so the order will change by the end of draft weekend. Speaking of draft weekend, the next rookie mock will be started by our staff on draft weekend. I’ll put the picks as soon as the draft is complete with a write-up to follow a few days after the draft is completed.
If you want to take a look back at previous mock drafts, here are the links for you:
Pre-Combine Mock: Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3
Post-Combine Mock: Round1, Round 2 and Round 3. Risers and Fallers article.
We continue with the middle round of our draft. You’re going to recognize a lot of the names near the top of this list because at the current point in time this draft seems to be one of the deeper ones in recent memory. Of course that is destined to change as time goes on just because it always does when talented players go to terrible situations, but there is the promise of great value this year through the middle of the second round.
2.01 – Tre Mason, RB Auburn
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 1.07
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.09
Eric H’s thoughts: Given the lack of elite running back talent this year, the top of the second round is a great place to be. What Mason lacks in pass protection he more than makes up for in speed, suddenness and elusiveness. He showed an ability to shoulder the load in the rugged SEC and, in my opinion, has high-end RB2 potential.
My thoughts: Mason is a very interesting player for me this year. He had a very high profile, productive college career and it is always interesting to see how those players translate to the NFL. He is one of the better pure rushers in this draft class, but I do have some questions about his ability to play in an NFL passing game, both as a blocker and a receiver. I would also like to see him add another five pounds of muscle to help increase the chances of him staying healthy. He had a nice track record in college of durability, but with his workload and only being 5’8”, it needs to be a little bit of a concern. With that said, he’s a great target in the early second.
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2.02 – Donte Moncrief, WR Ole Miss
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.11
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.02
Jeff M’s thoughts: From a physical standpoint, Moncrief is perhaps the best all-around receiver in this class. He has good size (6’2” 221 lbs) and showed as well, or better than, any other player at his position at the combine. Aside from having great measureables, Moncrief is a handful in one-on-one coverage, beating the press consistently in college and showing the speed to create separation.
The knock on him is that he is raw, which despite his being a very good route runner, is true in other regards. He shows inconsistent hands, letting the ball get into his body and he struggles in traffic and with double teams. He also has a maddening tendency to disappear at times. Despite these flaws, I still see him as having as high of a ceiling as any receiver entering the draft.
My thoughts: When I look at Moncrief, the one thing I think of is upside. With his size and athletic ability, he has all of the raw tools needed to turn into a top 20 receiver in the NFL. While I won’t go as far as Jeff in terms of his upside, I think he has talent. Patience will be required with him. I do have some questions if he can fix his catching issues though as unusually small hands for his height could be partially to blame. If he can correct his flaws and add a little polish, he could definitely pay off as a high upside second round pick.
2.03 – Isaiah Crowell, RB Alabama State
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 3.01
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.08
Dan’s thoughts: Of all the tailbacks available in this year’s draft, Crowell is my favorite. I also believe he’s the most talented. Much has been made of his off-the-field discretions, but he’s kept his nose clean since leaving Georgia after his freshman year (2011). Although he played against subpar competition at Alabama State over the last two years, he demonstrated impressive power and burst and a nose for the goal line (30 touchdowns) for the Hornets. He also displayed great vision and has the build (5’11, 224 pounds) to handle the workload of a featured runner at the next level. Dynasty owners shouldn’t get used to seeing Crowell drafted in the second round of rookie drafts. If he’s taken as highly as I expect him to be in the NFL Draft and ends up in the right situation, he could become a top-five rookie pick.
My thoughts: I really liked Crowell when he was a third round flier. Now that he is creeping into the early second round, the price is just too high for my liking, much like Latavius Murray when he quickly shot up draft boards and became overpriced in my mind last year. Yes, he was productive again subpar competition and yes, he kept out of trouble for the last two years, but that doesn’t clear the slate for him. It’s true he has talent and is one of the better pure rushers in this draft – that’s only a part of the story, though. His combine numbers were bad, his effort on the field was questioned more than once and he didn’t dominate the lesser competition like I would have wanted. There are also some questions about his skills in the passing game. Personally, the bigger concern for me is I wonder what will happen once he gets paid at the next level. Money tends to bring out the worst in some people. The risk is there and in the early second I feel like you’re ignoring a lot of it.
2.04 – Davante Adams, WR Fresno State
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.08
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 1.12
Scott P’s thoughts: For me, it was Seastrunk or Adams. I chose Adams, mainly because I love his athletic ability, size, production and the physical nature to his game. He also made some nice plays in the red zone. I think the value is with Adams so I took him here.
My thoughts: Adams is another player I’ll be very interested to see progress in the NFL. In terms of NFL receivers, he is almost the exact average of the top group in terms of size and athletic ability. He was a great red zone target in college and even with exceptionally small hands, he was a very natural pass catcher. I think his game transitions into more of a possession receiver in the NFL. I do feel he lacks some of the upside of a few other players in this draft and will probably max out as the second receiver on an NFL team and as a low end WR2 in fantasy leagues. Of course, if you get that out of a second round pick you should be thrilled!
2.05 – Charles Sims, RB West Virginia
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.01
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.01
Tim’s thoughts: It’s nearly impossible right now to draft running backs in mocks. It will all come down to landing spot. Sims is a good blocker which generally is a predictor of how quickly a rookie running back can get on the field. I don’t have an issue with the players who went immediately after Sims. It’s just too early to really know.
My thoughts: I was a little surprised Sims slipped down to the middle of the second round in this mock draft, but it might be a byproduct of the way the hype machine works. Sims isn’t the fastest, quickest, or most powerful runner. In fact, he needs to add about 5-10 pounds of muscle to help out with that last one. Where he separates himself from the pack is in the passing game. He is easily the best and most prolific pass catcher in this draft class. If he ends up in a system that uses running backs out of the backfield, he could quickly turn into a PPR beast with 50+ receptions. If you don’t play in PPR leagues, it hurts his value a bit.
2.06 – Jeremy Hill, RB LSU
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.04
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.07
Ghost’s thoughts: Hill is a big, bruising running back who could see a whole lot of time between the tackles in the NFL. His skill set makes him a great choice to be a bell cow back in the NFL, so grabbing him in the second could pay a lot of dividends in the coming years.
My thoughts: I was really high on Hill at the start of the draft process. I loved the size and felt he had the power and speed to be underrated as the draft process unfolded. In fact, I think the 2.04 pick prior to the combine was mine. Then the combine came and he had a pretty bad day. It made me look back at some of his games. He isn’t elusive in the open field from what I saw and seemed to miss a few of the smaller holes. I’m not sure if it was a vision issue or if he just isn’t quick enough to hit them before they close. Either way, I came away thinking he is little more than a straight ahead power runner. Most of his big runs came when there were holes I could have ran through. He won’t see those in the NFL. That means his most likely scenario is a short yardage role in a committee. Add in some character questions and I’ve dropped him down my board. In short, he looks like a less talented Alfred Morris.
2.07 – Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.03
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.05
Brian’s thoughts: Bridgewater does not have prototypical size, but he does have solid leadership skills, moxy and accuracy on the football field. Bridgewater will likely land in a situation where he is the starter the day he is drafted. He does have some issues with his deep throws, but if he lands in the right situation this could be a steal in the second round.
My thoughts: Sometimes it is amazing how much things can change in just a year. Bridgewater went from the unquestioned best quarterback in the draft class to possibly not even being a first round pick. Ultimately, his fantasy value will be tied to the team he lands on. He has the skill set to be a very good quarterback in the NFL in the right system. He doesn’t have the physical tools of some of the other quarterbacks in this draft class, but in my opinion he is the best decision maker and the best one at handling pressure when the pocket comes crashing in on him.
2.08 – Lache Seastrunk, RB Baylor
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 1.08
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 1.11
Jeff B’s thoughts: Seastrunk, in my opinion, has the highest ceiling of this entire running back draft class, so I really have no idea how he slipped into the second half of round two. Everybody knows he’s dynamic when he gets the ball “in space,” but what impresses me most is his ability to “get small” and explode through a running lane at the line of scrimmage. Overall, it seems as if he’s being criminally underrated right now as he could potentially be a top six or seven rookie pick if drafted into the right situation.
My thoughts: A lot of my favorite players are continuing to slide in this mock and Jeff is once again the lucky one in my opinion. While I’m not entirely sure if I agree with the statement of Seastrunk having the highest ceiling in this draft class, he does have a ton of upside. He is explosive, fast and like Jeff mentioned, has the ability to squeeze through some holes. His college production was inflated by the system he was in, but I liked what I saw as a rusher from him. The passing game is a whole different story. When it comes to blocking, the best he can do is get in the way right now and he had more drops in college than he had receptions. It could take some time for him to round out his game and see solid playing time, but if I’m picking in the middle of round two in fantasy drafts and he is still on the board, I’m racing to the proverbial podium with my selection.
2.09 – Jace Amaro, TE Texas Tech
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 1.12
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.06
Eric O’s thoughts: Eric Ebron will be the first tight end drafted in rookie drafts this year, but Amaro is a nice consolation prize. He rarely lines up with his hand down, instead spending most of his time in the slot. I want my fantasy tight ends running routes, not blocking. Think Aaron Hernandez without the murders.
My thoughts: Amaro was my top rated tight end heading into the combine, but his performance or rather the performance of Ebron made the two flip in my rankings. Amaro isn’t an athletic freak like Ebron and he needs to work on his blocking if he wants to see a lot of playing time. The positive side of things is he is a very productive and efficient pass catcher. He might have the role of someone like Hernandez, but he plays the position like Jason Witten. He uses his large frame to box out and overpower defenders, creating separation with body position and route running or just winning at the point of the catch. He isn’t flashy, but he could be a solid TE1 for years to come.
2.10 – Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 2.06
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 3.04
Ken K’s thoughts: I’ve never been known to play it safe in my rookie drafts. After all, most of these players are going to be busts or roster eaters in the end, anyway. I’ll take a shot with Manziel, hoping he could revolutionize the game, while knowing he’ll probably be destined for my waiver wire three years from now as he searches for work in the CFL.
My thoughts: The true wild card of this year’s draft rears his head once again. In the NFL draft he could be anything from the first overall pick to a third rounder. In fantasy drafts, he could be anywhere from a late first to a late third, unless of course you play in superflex/2QB leagues. Opinions on what Manziel is and could become are about as varied as the snowflakes in a field. Personally, I’m of the belief that his style of play doesn’t fit in the NFL. It reminds me of a mix of Michael Vick and Brett Favre, except Manziel isn’t the athlete Vick was and he isn’t the passer Favre was. This leaves him in the middle of the two, not being athletic enough nor a good enough passer to pull it off. I could very easily be wrong about him though as no one really knows.
2.11 – Cody Latimer, WR Indiana
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: Undrafted
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: Undrafted
Ryan M’s thoughts: Latimer is one of the fastest risers as the NFL Draft approaches and as a result, his dynasty stock is increasing as well. In fact, he’s routinely going as high as the mid first round in some rookie mocks. While I think that is being a bit too reactionary to his increasing draft stock, I am glad to take a shot on him in the late second round. He has great size and he uses it well to make tough catches and get away from defenders, which is necessary since he lacks top end speed. Latimer was a late bloomer as football was not always his primary sport, so he’s still learning the position and he’s shown improvement every year while at Indiana. Don’t be surprised at all if he vaults himself into the Davante Adams/Allen Robinson/Brandin Cooks tier.
My thoughts: The last few months have been a roller coaster for Latimer in terms of his draft stock. A few months ago he was a third or fourth round draft pick – then something happened and he has since been talked about as a second round selection, maybe sneaking up into the first round of the NFL Draft. Honestly, I don’t see him in quite that light. He’s near the bottom of my top ten receivers at this point but that’s about it. He’s a converted basketball guard who still has a lot to learn about playing the position. If all of that raw potential is harnessed, he could be a solid fantasy producer. However, I think it is more likely that the hype pushes him up draft boards to the point where he isn’t worth the risk.
2.12 – Terrance West, RB Towson
Pre-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 3.11
Post-Combine Mock Draft Selection: 3.07
My thoughts: I remember the good old days a few months ago when I would mention West and no one had any idea who I was talking about. He was just another small school prospect. Then people started to look a little bit closer into his background and his production and he started to climb. While it isn’t as quick of a climb as Latimer, he is still climbing. He’s now being talked about as a potential day two selection in the NFL draft and in the right situation he’ll be a second round pick in fantasy drafts as well.
With ideal size for the position and exceptional vision, he dominated the FCS ranks with the best season ever recorded at their level. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he has enough speed to post 20+ yard runs and rarely misses a hole. Combine that with the ability to squeeze through holes that no one his size should fit through and you have a potential beast. The only concern I have is the jump from FCS to the NFL is absolutely massive. Defenders are bigger, stronger, and faster, which means there is going to be an adjustment period for West. Holes will open and close much more quickly and defenders will find him faster than he’s ever experienced. He will learn and if he lands in a good situation, he’s definitely one of my targets in the late second round.
That’s it for round two. The third and final round, where we see a lot of our favorite fliers to keep an eye on, will be coming up tomorrow. The risers and fallers article will be after that!
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- Final 2021 Pre-Draft Rookie Mock: Round Three - April 28, 2021
- Final 2021 Pre-Draft Rookie Mock: Round Two - April 26, 2021
- Final 2021 Pre-Draft Rookie Mock: Round One - April 25, 2021
