Final Rookie Mock Draft: Round Two

Jacob Feldman

west

The wonderful month of August is finally here – that means the long football drought is finally over! Training camps have begun, preseason games are underway and we are only a few weeks away from the regular season kicking off and fantasy football matches beginning. It is a wonderful time where almost every owner thinks their team has what it takes to make that next step.

The new crop of rookies are a major part of that hope for a lot of owners. Unfortunately, the statistics are not in the favor of anyone who is being overly reliant on them since the vast majority of these youngsters are going to bust. However, we also know there will be a handful of them who will turn into the next fantasy stars. In order to help those of you with late rookie drafts or those of you engaging in trade talks, our writers are back with one final writers only rookie mock draft.

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!

We continue with the middle round of our draft. There continues to be a ton of value in the early and middle of the second round of drafts. In fact, a lot of these players would be first round picks in a lot of other years. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a few of these guys turn into fantasy stars, which is rare in the second round.

Let’s take a look!

2.01 – Cody Latimer, WR DEN

Jaron’s thoughts: After Eric sniped me with the Jeremy Hill selection, I went with the top wide receiver left on my board (over Lee, Adams and Moncrief). The Broncos traded up for Latimer in the second round and John Elway gushes over his abilities. Great hands, a 4.39 40 at his Pro Day (4.45 at the Combine), size (6’3″, 215) and being dubbed the “best blocking receiver, by far, in the draft” by his general manager is a package that will be difficult to keep off the field. If Wes Welker or Emmanuel Sanders miss any time in 2014, Latimer should step in opposite Demaryius Thomas and get single coverage. Latimer has the talent to produce long after Peyton Manning retires.

My thoughts: Latimer has been an interesting player this off-season. He’s gone from a relative unknown to a high draft pick to a major fantasy target over the last few months. There are a few things about him that make me hesitate just a little bit and that’s why I have Lee, Adams and Moncrief ahead of him in my rankings. First, I don’t think Latimer plays at nearly the speed he ran during the combine. Second, I’m not sure exactly how high his upside is with some of the other players who are locked into contracts like Thomas taking priority. Third, I worry about him once Manning retires. Historically speaking, bad quarterbacks can only support one fantasy receiver and that would be Thomas. With all that said, Latimer in the early second is still good value – there is just some risk here long term.

2.02 – Marqise Lee, WR JAX

Russell’s thoughts: Lee is my candidate for this years ‘overstayed his welcome’ award. I think Lee peaked too early in his college career before he could declare for the draft, which enabled everyone to look past his elite after the catch skills and focus/nitpick on his weaknesses. It wouldn’t shock me if Lee ends up leading rookies in receptions this year.

My thoughts: Lee falling to the early second round in this mock is a product of some running backs creeping up into the first. It is also an example of how these early second round picks hold great value this year. While I like Allen Robinson better long term than Lee, that doesn’t mean I dislike Lee. I think he has all of the skills needed to be a very good complement on an NFL team and if the Jaguars hit on Blake Bortles as their quarterback, Lee could push for low end WR2 numbers if he can stay healthy.

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2.03 – Davante Adams, WR GB

Karl’s thoughts: I’ve seen Adams go as high as the early first round in rookie drafts, so snagging him in the second is considered a steal by many. Many feel as though the Jordy Nelson contract will hamstring the Green Bay Packers in their ability to sign Randall Cobb. If they are unable to sign Cobb, the talented Adams could enter a starting role in one of the league’s top offenses.

My thoughts: The upside for Adams is directly tied to the contract status of Nelson and Cobb. With the structure of Nelson’s deal, I think it will be possible for the Packers to sign Cobb as well, which would put a major damper on the value of Adams. I don’t think he has the talent to bypass either of the two, but they both have had injury issues from time to time, so Adams could find himself in line for a bigger role at any point in time once he proves himself to the Packers and Aaron Rodgers.

2.04 – Terrance West, RB CLE

Scott P’s thoughts: I’m a huge fan of Terrance West. I love his character, lateral agility and production. He has an excellent opportunity in an offensive scheme that fits his talent and a solid offensive line blocking for him. We all know about Ben Tate’s injury history and I don’t think Isaiah Crowell will be a factor.

My thoughts: Scott has been a fan of West’s almost as long as I have been. I remember the good old days back in the Spring when I was able to get West late in the third round of our mock drafts and even took a little bit of flak for it from time to time. Now he is a middle or early second round selection without fail. He has everything you want in a bell cow back – durability, size, strength, speed, agility, balance and vision. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he is a top ten running back in dynasty rankings as soon as 2015.

2.05 – Donte Moncrief, WR IND

Brian’s thoughts: Happy Birthday! Moncrief turns 21 on August 6th and I feel like I am getting a gift at pick 2.05. Moncrief had incredible measurables at the NFL combine and was drafted into an offense with the best young quarterback in the NFL. Moncrief will likely not make a huge impact in 2014. However, with Reggie Wayne aging and Hakeem Nicks on a one-year contract, Moncrief will likely cost much more in heading into the 2015 season. I’m really happy to have him at this value in a rookie draft.

My thoughts: I think Moncrief is the 2014 version of Justin Hunter. He is a very raw but extremely talented young man who is likely to struggle during his rookie year. He’s someone I’m going to be trying to buy up part way into the season when his owners are getting impatient with his lack of performance and production. His size, speed and agility are off the charts. He just needs to learn how to play the position. With an elite young quarterback and a veteran like Wayne showing him the ropes, I’m confident he’s going to learn and show up in a big way in 2015.

2.06 – Ka’Deem Carey, RB CHI

Jeff M’s thoughts: Because this mock is filled with killers for drafters, it’s hard to get good value on picks. So when it came to me at 2.06, I was less concerned about value and more worried with getting the player I liked most. Despite the mass of concern among pundits over his lack of speed, Carey is such an amazing fit in Chicago, I don’t really care what his 40 time was. At wide receiver, quarterback and tight end, I’ll take skill over situation every time. But with the brevity of a running back’s career, I’m more interested in their landing spot than usual. As with my first round pick (Carlos Hyde), Carey finds himself in a premium situation, so I’m on board.

My thoughts: Jeff finds himself in the unfortunate position of selecting in the slot directly after a fairly significant drop off. The next several players are all about the same, so it just comes down to personal preference for this selection. Carey would not have been my choice because I think he is more of the career backup type than the heir apparent, but anything is possible. He does have the skill set for Chicago’s offense, I’m just not sure if he is talented enough to pull it off. I think it is more likely Matt Forte plays out the two years on his contract and someone other than Carey takes over the lead role. Carey is a decent ‘wait and see’ player. Just don’t expect anything soon.

2.07 – Teddy Bridgewater, QB MIN

James’s thoughts: Yeah, it’s pretty early to take a quarterback. I’m a late-round-QB-drafter at heart, but sometimes players come along who are worth an investment. I think he will be a top ten dynasty quarterback by the beginning of next year and he couldn’t be in a better situation with a great running back and fantasy-friendly offensive coordinator, so I am buying now before his price goes way up.

My thoughts: James is much higher on Bridgewater than I am. I don’t see any quarterback in this draft class who is going to be a top ten quarterback – I see all of them as having QB2 fantasy upside for their careers. I do feel Bridgewater is the best of the bunch by a pretty significant margin, though. I just question how well the Vikings can surround him with talent. Adrian Peterson isn’t getting any younger and Greg Jennings is going to be 31 by week four of the season. I fear Bridgewater will be hitting his stride just as they are moving on.

2.08 – Tre Mason, RB STL

Dan’s thoughts: Nearing the end of the second round, I had a tough decision between Mason, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and fellow tailback Isaiah Crowell. While I really like ASJ’s upside and Crowell’s overall skills, I like Mason’s situation in St.Louis so much it was too hard to pass on him. Most fantasy owners are buying the quote from Rams head coach Jeff Fisher that Mason is a “change-of-pace back,” but I’m not one of them. Zac Stacy will likely get the majority of carries in 2014, but beyond this year, I see Mason as the more talented runner. He’s a bargain in the back half of round two in any rookie draft.

My thoughts: I full heartedly agree with Dan’s thoughts on Mason. While he isn’t an elite talent, he is a better runner than Stacy. Mason’s biggest downfall, like a majority of rookie running backs, is his lack of experience in pass protection. This might make him just an occasional presence until he learns. Once he does figure it out, he’ll push Stacy into the backup role and take over. This could be as soon as late in the 2014 season. If you’re drafting Mason, be patient with him and I think you will be rewarded, especially if he’s a middle or late second round pick in your league.

2.09 – Jace Amaro, TE NYJ

My thoughts: This was a tough choice for me. I took Eric Ebron in the first, but since this is a mock where you’re supposed to take the best player available, I didn’t worry about position. The top two players on my board right now are the two tight ends – Amaro and Austin Seferian-Jenkins. ASJ has been injured and Amaro has struggled to learn an NFL playbook, so neither one has had glowing reviews thus far – that made me go back to my original assessments.

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. On the positive side of things, he is a very productive and efficient pass catcher. He might have the role of someone like Aaron 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 once he figures out the position. Just expect it could take him some time, just like almost all rookie tight ends.

2.10 – Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE TB

Ghost’s thoughts: I’m pretty shocked he fell this far. ASJ will easily be a top five tight end in 2-3 years, bank on it.

My thoughts: Unlike Ghost, I’m not really shocked ASJ or Amaro fell this far as it seems to be in the appropriate range for them. Maybe they could have gone a few picks sooner, but not by much. ASJ has ideal size and athleticism to be an inline tight end and receiving threat in the mold of Rob Gronkowski. The talent and natural gifts were never the question about ASJ. I just question his desire and his durability. He’s already missed some time due to injury and it will be interesting to see if he can keep focused on improving. If he does, he could push for TE1 numbers, but the Ghost is more optimistic than I am.

2.11 – Charles Sims, RB TB

Eric H’s thoughts: It seems like the 11-spot in a rookie draft represents some sort of selection purgatory. I was hoping ASJ would fall one more spot, as I view him as being the last member of the previous tier. Sims isn’t a bad consolation prize, as I think he could function as a decent passing-down back. With that said, I’m more bullish on Doug Martin than most and don’t view Sims as any sort of immediate threat. His true value will likely be seen a few years from now.

My thoughts: Everyone draws the tier lines at different spots and I have Sims in the same tier as the players taken just before him. I wouldn’t mind the eleventh slot at all if the draft played out like this. While Martin is a very good back, I don’t think he is elite. Combine that with Sims’ proficiency in the passing game and the preference for a committee approach by the new coaching staff in Tampa and I think Sims is going to have some nice value in PPR leagues. I think he could approach a Joique Bell-level of production with Martin healthy and starting. Should Martin get hurt or start to slip, Sims has the talent and the ideal skill set to take over the full time role. He’s one of my favorite late second round targets.

2.12 – Martavis Bryant, WR PIT

Eric O’s thoughts: Bryant is the big bodied wide receiver Ben Roethlisberger has begged for since Plaxico Burress left in free agency. Bryant isn’t going to put up eye popping numbers in his rookie year, but he could realistically threaten for eight plus touchdowns as a red zone specialist. With Ben’s willingness to throw it up for his receivers, I think Bryant landed in the perfect spot in both the NFL Draft and this rookie mock draft.

My thoughts: I like Bryant more than most and I think he is a great selection at this point in the draft. Like Eric mentioned, he has the size the Steelers have been severely lacking for years. I think it will take a year or two for him to settle into his role, but once he does, he is going to be a beast, especially in the red zone. In the short term, he’s going to be a specialist brought on to go after those jump balls.

That’s it for round two. There’s a ton of value to be had in this round, but there are also quite a few players creeping up draft boards in the third round. Stay tuned for round three!

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jacob feldman