2016 Rookie Mock Draft

Ryan McDowell Posted On November 8, 2015

elliot

Since we’re essentially at the mid-way point of the NFL season, some eyes are starting to wander towards the events of the off-season, including the NFL Draft. Our friend at Bleacher Report, Matt Miller, has released his mid-season three round NFL mock draft, a true sign that we are getting closer and closer to draft season.

As I’ve done in past years, I wanted to take Matt’s mock and create a rookie mock draft based on those possibilities. For the purpose of this activity, I will only include players Matt has mocked in his first three rounds, meaning Alabama running back Derrick Henry will not be included. For the record, I do clearly expect Henry to be a first round pick in dynasty rookie drafts. Other players that are on my radar but were not included in Matt’s mock draft include Mike Williams, Corey Davis, Bucky Hodges, Corey Clement, Jordan Villamin, Elijah McGuire, Tajae Sharpe and Pharoh Cooper.

1.01 – Ezekiel Elliott, RB OSU

Chicago Bears

First round, Tenth pick

Ohio State running back Elliott burst onto the scene late in his sophomore year and helped carry the Buckeyes to a national title. His continued high level of play has placed him near the top of the wish list of many general managers, both in the NFL and in dynasty leagues. The recent knee injury to Matt Forte could serve as a reminder to the Bears’ brass that their stud running back is not getting any younger. Assuming Forte remains in Chicago in 2016, Elliott would not be handed the starting job, but the combination of being a top ten NFL draft pick along with being the heir to Forte’s throne pushes him to the top of dynasty drafts.

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1.02 – Laquon Treadwell, WR MISS

Seattle Seahawks

First round, Fifteenth pick

If you have followed my rankings, you might be surprised to see Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell falling out of the top spot. I have been a longtime fan of Treadwell and in almost every scenario, he will be my favorite to be the 1.01 rookie pick. One situation that could change that would be Treadwell landing in Seattle. We continue to hear about how great quarterback Russell Wilson could be if he actually had weapons. The Seahawks aggressively acquired wide receiver Percy Harvin a couple years ago and he flopped. Last off-season, tight end Jimmy Graham was their trade target. Once the hands down top tight end in fantasy is now an afterthought playing in the Pacific Northwest. At this point, any pass catcher playing in this offense gets a downgrade from me. Treadwell is still talented enough to remain in the top two of this class.

1.03 – Corey Coleman, WR BAY

Baltimore Ravens

Second round, First pick

One player I was somewhat down on entering this college season was Coleman, the junior wide receiver from Baylor. I think the reason why is two fold. First, his frame, at 5’10” and 185 pounds, does not match what we’ve come to expect from a top receiver in the NFL. Of course, smaller wide receivers like Antonio Brown, Randall Cobb and others have done a lot to dispel that line of thinking, not to mention the plays Coleman himself has made this year. I’ve also found myself a little hesitant to buy in to the Baylor offense when it comes to their NFL prospects. I’m starting to think Coleman could be different though. He’s playing lights out and ending up with the Ravens at the top of the second round would not be the worst situation for him. The loss of Steve Smith to injury and/or retirement leaves Baltimore thin at receiver to say the least. With Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams still somewhat unknowns, there is a chance Coleman, or any early round receiver, could quickly ascend to the top of their depth chart.

1.04 – Josh Doctson, WR TCU

Dallas Cowboys

First round, Twelfth pick

Another player I’ve been somewhat doubtful of is Texas Christian receiver Josh Doctson, who is much older than his counterparts in this upcoming draft class. A player’s age and the numbers produced at each coinciding with that age, as studied by another friend of DLF, Jon Moore, can go a long way in projecting a player’s NFL future. Doctson is dominating this season, much like he did last year as a junior, but he’s doing it largely against younger players, which makes the accomplishment slightly less impressive. If Doctson were indeed drafted this early in the first round as the first pass catcher off the board, his stock would get a big boost. The Cowboys have been searching for a talented receiver to play alongside Dez Bryant and it is evident Terrance Williams is not the answer. This is a case where Doctson’s age and experience could be beneficial as he could potentially earn a starting role from day one.

1.05 – Tyler Boyd, WR PIT

Cleveland Browns

Second round, Fifth pick

Pitt Panthers’ wide receiver Boyd has actually lost a little value over the past few months. Before the season began, he was arrested for driving under the influence and was suspended for the team’s opening game. He has put up very respectable numbers this year, but has been hurt by the struggles of the Panthers’ offense. His thin frame, weighing just 200 pounds at 6’2”, has come into question as well when considering him as an NFL prospect. Even if the Browns do get star Josh Gordon back on the field in 2016, they still have some huge holes to fill in their offense, so Boyd would have the chance to earn immediate playing time.

1.06 – Michael Thomas, WR OSU

St. Louis Rams

First round, Twentieth pick

There’s a reason Ohio State is the defending champion and again in contention for a championship. In addition to a pair of good options at the quarterback position and the best draft eligible running back in country, they also have some top receivers, led by Michael Thomas. I had him pegged as more of a role player, but he has stepped up and filled the shoes of Devin Smith, plus more. Thomas has been moving up the boards in NFL mock drafts and is currently viewed as an almost certain first round pick, which is where Matt has him mocked. Unfortunately, he’s set to go to St. Louis in this exercise and that is another team I generally avoid when it comes to their passing game. Maybe that turns around with the addition of someone like Thomas.

1.07 – Will Fuller, WR ND

Carolina Panthers

First round, Twenty-ninth pick

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish entered the season with typical high expectations and a bevy of talented pass-catchers. Personally, I was a strong believer in Corey Robinson, and he’s had an admirable season, but it’s been Will Fuller who has led the injury riddled Irish. Fuller is on pace to match his impressive sophomore season when he notched over 1,000 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. Even playing at the prestigious Notre Dame, I think Fuller is still somewhat off the mainstream radar, but much like it did for Phillip Dorsett, being selected late in the first round would be a huge boost for his dynasty value. Add in the fact that the Panthers have some major needs at wide receiver and Fuller moves into the middle of the first round of dynasty rookie drafts.

1.08 – Leonte Carroo, WR RUT

Atlanta Falcons

Second round, Twenty-seventh pick

I wasn’t sure how things would go for Rutgers receiver. After putting up some huge games at the beginning of the season, Carroo had an off-field issue and was dismissed from the Scarlet Knights’ program. He returned after the issue was resolved and he has again been on a tear. Many expected Carroo to leave college a year early last off-season, but staying one more season might pay off. The Falcons are clearly looking for a new running mate for Julio Jones, giving Leonard Hankerson and Justin Hardy their chances so far this year. Any receiver taken this early in the draft would immediately gain dynasty value.

1.09 – Devontae Booker, RB UTAH

Dallas Cowboys

Third round, Twelfth pick

Utah running back Booker is another player many expected to bolt for the NFL after his junior season, but he too returned to school and the team has turned into a national power thanks in part to his return. He is on his way to matching his gaudy numbers from a year ago, his first with the Utes, as he already has over 900 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Booker is another player who is older than his typical classmates, though I don’t discount running backs for that as I do wide receivers. We know how the Cowboys’ running back position has fared this season and things only got worse as the team released Joseph Randle. Dallas can’t be confident that their long-term starter is currently on their roster, so any back drafted in the first two days would be on the first round radar in dynasty rookie drafts.

1.10 – Braxton Miller, WR OSU

New England Patriots

Second round, Thirty-second pick

Here’s yet another Ohio State product in the top 12. It’s been an interesting journey for former starting quarterback Braxton Miller. As you know, Miller was beat out for the starting job by JT Barrett, who was then overtaken by Cardale Jones, who was then replaced by Barrett, again. Through that process, Miller was never really given another shot to earn the quarterback role, but he was moved to wide receiver, where he has been surprisingly good. Landing with the Patriots would be an excellent opportunity for Miller as the Pats have shown a propensity for turning former quarterbacks into valuable pass catchers.

1.11 – Evan Engram, TE MISS

New York Giants

Third round, Twenty-third pick

Ole Miss began the season on a tear and even after some close games, remains one of the most talented teams in the country. They could end up with as many as three top ten picks in the NFL Draft, but that does not include their athletic tight end Evan Engram. He has been somewhat overshadowed and as is often the case with college tight ends, hasn’t really put up eye-popping numbers. I think Engram could be a player that we look back at in a few years and wonder why we didn’t notice him sooner. The trend in New York over the past few years is that they can take any tight and make him a viable fantasy asset. Before Martellus Bennett was a star in Chicago, he broke out with the Giants. We know how Larry Donnell went from a no name to a fantasy starter a year ago. I would be very excited to see what a highly drafted one could do in this offense.

1.12 – Alex Collins, RB ARK

Green Bay Packers

Third round, Twenty-ninth pick

The Packers seem to have their running game in order with Eddie Lacy, who was viewed as an elite back not too long ago, paired with solid veteran backup James Starks. The issue this season is of course the disappointing play from Lacy. Drafting a back in the third round would serve as excellent insurance and Collins is enjoying his best season to date.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.