Post Combine Rookie Mock Draft: Round Three
The scouting combine has come and gone – that means pro teams as well as die hard football fans have all had the chance to see (and in some cases drool over) the newest crop of rookies. In some cases, the combine changed everything, in others, it changed absolutely nothing.
In order to figure out which is the case for each player, here is the second in our series of rookie only mock drafts. This particular draft features three rounds and was conducted one week after the NFL combine in order to give you an idea of how much has changed. There are still an awful lot of items that can and will change our opinions, the largest of which is of course the NFL Draft, but here is what people are thinking right now.
For this mock draft, we assumed it was a standard scoring PPR league with normal lineup requirements, meaning no IDP, super flex, or two quarterback leagues. Trades were not allowed. Draft order was randomly assigned and each drafter was asked to make a brief comment about why they made the pick they did. I’ll follow up each pick with some brief thoughts of my own. I’m not a draft expert, and like many of you, my rookie analysis is far from complete. I’m just sharing my thoughts so you get two opinions on each pick. In cases of disagreement, I’ll be the first to admit I might be the one that is wrong.
Once all three rounds are complete, I’ll give a wrap up of the major risers and fallers so you can get a feel for which players seem to be moving about the most thanks to the combine. If you want to take a look for yourself, you can look back at the pre-combine round 1 and round 2 mock drafts.
In case you missed the first parts of the post-combine mock drafts, take a look at the first round and second round.
3.01 – Miguel Maysonet, RB Stony Brook
Ghost’s thoughts: Small school prospect, but the guy runs like a pro. If he went to a bigger name school, he would be going around the third round. As it is, he went to a small school and I believe he will get drafted late. Whoever takes him will be getting a steal.
My thoughts: I’ll be honest in saying Maysonet is someone who was completely off my radar. Part of it is the small school, and part of it is that he didn’t fully participate at the combine. What he did do wasn’t overly impressive. I think it is a reach, but in the third round you might as well take a gamble on a guy who you really like.
3.02 – Terrance Williams, WR Baylor
Ryan’s thoughts: I had to triple check to be sure Williams was actually still available with the 26th overall pick. Although I would be surprised if it happens, this is a player who some consider a first round NFL Draft pick and those rarely fall to the third round of a rookie draft. Williams is another player whose value has taken a bit of a hit, but he offers solid value this late.
My thoughts: Here is the receiver I’ve been waiting to get drafted. Williams should be drafted by at least the middle of the second round of rookie drafts by the time that things are all said and done. He has the size, speed, and talent to be a quality NFL starter and a good depth player on a fantasy roster. I’ll be very surprised if he stays a third round pick in actual rookie drafts this Summer.
3.03 – Stepfan Taylor, RB Stanford
Mark’s thoughts: Taylor had a lackluster combine running a slow 40.  However, his athleticism was never his selling point and players like Frank Gore prove a slower 40 time isn’t everything.  He’s a well-rounded back who should carve out a role in the league.  I’m very happy with the value in the third.
My thoughts: I think that comparing Taylor to Gore is a little too optimistic. When I watch Taylor play, he reminds me of former Stanford running back Toby Gerhart. He can run, block and catch, but he isn’t really a NFL level talent at any of them. However, the fact he can do all of them means he will be a quality backup at the NFL level. I don’t expect much more than that.
3.04 – Kenjon Barner, RB Oregon
Jeff B’s thoughts: Barner oozes with potential. Despite his lack of ideal size for an every-down back, he was sturdy throughout his college career. He’s got excellent timing, vision, speed and very underrated pass-catching abilities. With some added strength, I could see him developing in the same mold as Ray Rice and Maurice Jones-Drew.
My thoughts: I don’t quite see the Rice and MJD comparison on this one. Barner is two inches taller and 12 pounds lighter than MJD while being an inch taller and 16 pounds lighter than Rice. Not only does his size not fit with that mold, his skill set doesn’t fit, either. I view him as more of a product of the Oregon machine than a true NFL level talent. I view him as a Justin Forsett kind of player as a change of pace back – he’s a second or third back on NFL rosters in my opinion.
3.05 – Zac Stacy, RB Vanderbilt
Chad’s thoughts: Here’s a name I’ve liked ever since @RumfordJohnny started touting him. After watching some tape, Stacy has real NFL ability and can contribute to a team come week one. I highly doubt he’ll be fantasy relevant his rookie year (it depends on where he lands), but the guy has the build and mentality to be a workhorse. He seemed to have opened some eyes after the combine by running a 4.55 and throwing up 25+ reps at 225 lbs.  I’ve heard he’s been taken in the first round in some rookie mocks, so needless to say, I’m happy with him at 3.05
My thoughts: I like Stacy, largely because he is a very high character guy. He was a lead by example player in College and will be a high effort, locker room leader in the NFL. On the field, I view him as the early down back in a committee. He didn’t catch a whole lot of passes in college (only 46 in four seasons), but he’s going to get the chance to hammer the ball up the middle with his size. Injuries are also a little bit of a concern for him since he missed parts or all of seven games in his first two years of College. I view his upside as that of what Mikel Leshoure did last season.
3.06 – Joseph Randle, RB Oklahoma State
Eric’s thoughts: I like running backs who catch the ball and Randle definitely excels at pass protection and catching out of the backfield. His production dropped a little from his Junior to Senior year, but that was a result of the team around him not being as good. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Green Bay, Pittsburgh or Cincinnati.
Editor’s Note: Keep in mind this draft was held prior to free agency.
My thoughts: Randle ran a lot slower at the combine than I expected, which dropped my opinion of him. He is also built a little bit too much like a receiver for him to be much more than a change of pace back. He is shifty and does a good job of making defenders miss but lacks the burst to pull away from most defenders. Overall, I view him as a slightly slower, less explosive Darren Sproles.
3.07 – Mike Gillislee, RB Florida
My thoughts: Like in the second round, there were two players who I was a little shocked to see still available at this point in time. I expected Gillislee to be taken towards the end of the second round or at the latest in the early third. In the NFL Draft, I expect him to be a middle round pick due to him being a back who has the ability to play on all three downs. He needs a little bit of work in pass protection, but he catches the ball well out of the backfield and shows decent power while finishing his runs.
There are a few concerns with Gillislee as well. Outside of the pass protection, he needs to be a little bit more careful with the football. He also needs to be a bit more decisive when running. He sometimes seems to be thinking about running and where to go instead of just going there. The good thing is that pass protection, carrying the football and being more confident and decisive when running are all items that can be taught. I don’t expect him to do much as a rookie, but he could be a guy that grows into a starting role in year two or year three as he takes over for an aging starter.
3.08 – Aaron Dobson, WR Marshall
Andy’s thoughts: People are forgetting about this strong, muscular receiver from Marshall. He attacks the ball in the air at its highest point. Dobson’s highlight reels have a few “I can’t believe he caught that” receptions. He has very strong hands and should excel in the NFL once he figures out how to deal with physical coverage.
My thoughts: Andy and I are on the same page once again. The other player who I was surprised to see still available at 3.07 was Dobson. He didn’t participate in the combine, which has him flying a little bit under the radar. I will be very interested to see just how fast he is when he runs at his pro day. His size, strength and ability to go after the ball remind me a little bit of a healthy Sidney Rice back in 2009. His biggest strength might be that he won’t need to beat corners with speed in order to get open and make the catch.
3.09 – EJ Manuel, QB Florida State
Steve’s thoughts: NFL offenses continue to migrate towards the dual-threat quarterbacks and that’s exactly what Manuel is. He’s extremely athletic, has a strong arm and produced at Florida State. He still needs to develop much like Colin Kapernick did, but his ceiling is extremely high. I’ll take that over a player like Matt Barkley who comes with some concerns and a lower ceiling.
My thoughts: At this point, the field is pretty much wide open. There aren’t any players who really jump out to me as players who need to be selected. It all comes down to what you like once you’re talking late third territory. As for Manuel, I agree with Steve that he is a high ceiling palyer. I also think he is a low floor player. Manuel’s growth and progress could be Kaepernick-like or he could be more like Tim Tebow. At this point, it’s worth the gamble if you have the roster space to sit on him for two or three years.
3.10 – Vance McDonald, TE Rice
Jon’s thoughts: Vance is a big, athletic tight end who is quickly rising up NFL draft boards. I view him as the third Tight End in this draft by a wide margin. If he ends up on a team with a need, he could have an easy path to relevancy. McDonald ran exceptionally well for his size (4.69, 40 yard dash), caught the ball well and showed outstanding strength (he led all tight ends with 31 reps in the bench press). I see the potential to be a Jason Witten or Todd Heap type of player.
My thoughts: In my own personal rankings, McDonald is nipping at the heels of Zach Ertz to be the second tight end off the board and he might even pass him with further research. I view McDonald as being more athletic, having better size and with a higher upside than Ertz. I do have some questions about how McDonald will do against bigger, stronger and faster defenders (both when running routes and blocking), but if he can adjust to the size and speed of the NFL, he could be a very good all-around tight end.
3.11 – Matt Barkley, QB USC
Jeff’s thoughts: I’m not ultra high on Barkley due to his arm strength and his USC game tape, but he’s likely to be the second quarterback off the board and you could do a lot worse with a third round fantasy rookie pick. I’ll take the value pick with upside here.
My thoughts: Barkley will be a very interesting player to watch as the pro days roll around. I think it was a mistake for him to not be prepared for the combine – it was a chance for him to get some positive press going for him during the month of March. For me, the NFL Draft will be the big factor for Barkley. It will be all about which team takes a chance on him. I do think that his upside is someone like Matt Schaub, but his chances of reaching that are kind of slim right now unless he ends up in the right situation.
3.12 – Mark Harrison, WR Rutgers
Coleman’s thoughts: Harrison excites me. He’s big (6’3″, 231 pounds) and fast (4.41 40). He looks like Brandon Marshall out there, but a better pro comparison would be Mike Williams. I expect he’ll be a project, but he’ll make an impact at the next level.
My thoughts: Harrison is a player who surprised me at the NFL Combine. In fact, he was one of the top four receivers at the combine according to my study on measurables. He has the physical tools and seems to be motivated to make his mark in the NFL; however, he just wasn’t very productive in College, catching just over 100 passes over his entire four year career. He has several parts of his game that he needs to improve and it will probably take a few years for him to do that. If he is successful, he will surprise a lot of people. He’s a day three NFL pick and his landing spot could make all the difference in the world.
Stay tuned for the risers and fallers article!
- 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
