DLF Writer/Subscriber Rookie Mock Draft
There have already been quite a few 2018 dynasty rookie mock drafts here at DLF, and there might be more to come. This mock is different though, as it includes not only a collection of our staff writers, but a group of six of our subscribers as well. I can’t take credit for this idea as that goes to subscriber last year. Once again, I gathered six DLF staff writers and they, in turn, chose a DLF subscriber to represent our users in the four-round rookie mock draft.
Our participants include DLF writers Bobby Koch, Pete Lawrence, Richard Jenkins, Brian Harr, Travis May and Levi Chappell. Participating subscribers include Patrick McDermott, AJ Renaldo, Ben Cunningham, Dwight Peebles, Heath Thomas and Ben Loshe.
As I reveal the picks, I will also share some comments made by each participant regarding their picks.
Round One
1.01 – Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State
Bobby drew the first pick and it was, of course, an easy choice. He said, “Barkley is by far the best talent available in the draft. He can run, he can catch, and he will likely be the focal point of any offense he finds himself in.”
1.02 – Derrius Guice, RB LSU
Guice has been the long-time favorite to be the second player drafted, though the gap between him and the players to follow has been hotly debated. Ben L. says, “I’m really happy taking Guice here. I believe the hype for Barkley is overshadowing how good Guice could be.”
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1.03 – Nick Chubb, RB Georgia
Former Georgia running back Chubb has become the heavy favorite to be the 1.03 pick and that’s exactly what Pete does here. He says, “A healthy pre-injury Chubb would absolutely be the 1.01 in rookie drafts. I saw more of that player in 2017 and is further removed from that gruesome leg injury the better he looks.”
1.04 – DJ Moore, WR Maryland
Moore has been one of the fastest risers since the season ended and that could continue if he hears his names called in the first round on Thursday. Patrick says, “This would have been Nick Chubb if he made it to my pick but my choice came down to Sony Michel and Moore. I like Michel but have some concerns about him as a feature back in the NFL. I love Moore’s ceiling as I think he has tremendous upside. With the 1.04 pick, I didn’t want to miss here so I went with a guy that has an excellent metric profile from both an athletic and production standpoint that could contribute day one.”
1.05 – Rashaad Penny, RB San Diego State
Penny can do a little bit of everything and Richard has noticed, calling Penny “my RB3 for the class. I love his combination of elusiveness and power.”
1.06 – Sony Michel, RB Georgia
In a surprise, Michel falls to the middle of the first round. This seems to be his floor at this pre-draft stage. Brian says, “I would’ve been deciding between Michel and Chubb at the 1.03, so getting his at 1.06 feels pretty good.”
1.07 – Courtland Sutton, WR SMU
Sutton was viewed as a contender to be the second player drafted in this class behind Barkley but has fallen off just a bit. He makes an excellent target in the middle of the round though. Heath said of Sutton, “The WR1 for me. He has every tool in the box to become a good mixture of Alshon Jeffery and Larry Fitzgerald.”
1.08 – Royce Freeman, RB Oregon
Freeman is a player who has been rising up the ranks and rookie mock drafts and is regularly being selected in the first round. Dwight said, “I love what I see when I watch him play, he’s a prospect that may not have the measurables like the other backs but you an’t deny the on-field production.”
1.09 – James Washington, WR Oklahoma State
The value of Oklahoma State’s Washington has been difficult to accurately identify, but Travis is glad to take advantage of that. He said, “I got my 1.06 at the 1.09. No wide receiver has ever done what Washington did, about 20 yards per reception on over 200 catches is ridiculous.
1.10 – Christian Kirk, WR Texas A&M
Kirk, who did a little bit of everything for Texas A&M, has been moving up my ranks, but Ben C. might not agree. He says, “I was afraid this would happen, having to select from a group of player that my scouting notes all say “let someone else draft him…” I would be looking to trade this pick, but Kirk is my highest rated player on the board.”
1.11 – Ronald Jones, RB USC
Former USC running back Jones has been taking some heat as of late but sticks in the first round. AJ notes that he “was the best player on the board. I feel fortunate to have him fall that far to me.”
1.12 – Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama
Another player tumbling a bit pre-draft is Ridley, as Levi acknowledges, saying “Ridley’s value has slid some lately, but getting him at the end of the first feels like good value.”
Round Two
2.01 – Equanimeous St. Brown, WR Notre Dame
As you probably know, I love this pick of St. Brown to lead off the second round. Bobby had this to say, “EQSB is a guy I see falling down the rookie draft boards a bit, but he’s one of the few with true WR1 upside.”
2.02 – Michael Gallup, WR Colorado State
This is spot on where I have seen Gallup consistently being drafted nearly all off-season. Ben L. said of Gallup, “Great production numbers in his college career, would have been better numbers if he wasn’t limited by his quarterback. In 2017 he had 37% of the Rams’ offense. Was recruited heavily by the SEC but didn’t have the grades to accept the offers. To us, he is a great prospect and has the size that you look for in a WR1.”
2.03 – Kerryon Johnson, RB Auburn
Johnson enjoyed a breakout season for the Auburn Tigers and he could easily be a first round dynasty pick but falls to the 2.03 this time. Pete calls Johnson a “runner with great patience and vision who forced 50 missed tackles on carries in 2017, which ranked him fifth among 2018 draft prospects, according to PFF.”
2.04 – John Kelly, RB Tennessee
Kelly is a favorite of many and this also seems like the latest he might be drafted, based on what we know pre-draft. Patrick says, “At 2.04, I went with John Kelly. Typically, in the second round of drafts, I target running backs that can contribute or produce early to either help my teams win games or gain value as a flip piece. This was pretty easy for me. I wasn’t in love with most of the players in this range and Kelly was extremely productive both rushing and receiving the ball in his time at Tennessee.
2.05 – Anthony Miller, WR Memphis
Sometimes it is this simple. Richard said of his decision to take former Memphis wideout Miller, “best players at this point in the draft.”
2.06 – Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma
The first quarterback to be selected is Mayfield, coming off the board in the mid-second. Brian said, “Early for a quarterback? Maybe, but I want Mayfield shares everywhere possible.” This is actually right about where I expect the top fantasy quarterback to be selected, but it Mayfield or another.
2.07 – Mark Walton, RB Miami
If only Walton hadn’t suffered that season-ending injury, he might be viewed as a strong prospect, or at least we would have a better understanding of his value. Heath still has confidence though, saying, “I love Walton. Not straight line fast but has the wiggle to make defenders miss. And he has some of the best hands of any running back in the class.”
2.08 – Dallas Goedert, TE South Dakota State
Despite his small school status, Goedert has a chance to be the top tight end selected in both the NFL Draft and dynasty rookie drafts. Dwight mentioned, “This is another guy you have to see play. He makes catches and absolutely dominates defensive players. It may take him a little time, but he should be a top five tight end for years to come.”
2.09 – Mark Andrews, TE Oklahoma
Although Andrews has seemingly lost value since the off-season began, he is not a player we should avoid. Travis said, “huge slot tight ends aren’t a bad thing anymore. Andrews could find relevant production in year one.”
2.10 – DJ Chark, WR LSU
Chark has been gaining value since an impressive Combine performance when he showed off his speed. Ben C. said, “He’s SPARQ-y, high Phenom Score, high market share, just the klind of long shot I like.”
2.11 – Kalen Ballage, RB Arizona State
Ballage’s value is all over the board, depending on who you talk to. AJ grabs him at the end of the second round and says he is “excited about Ballage’s pass-catching, hopefully with a strong landing spot, he can be used correctly.”
2.12 – Mike Gesicki, TE Penn State
The top of the tight end class is tough to differentiate, as evidenced by Penn State’s Gesicki, the top tight end according to many, including myself, falling to the end of the second round as the third tight end drafted. Levi said, “I would have loved to have taken Goedert or Mayfield here, but I’ll settle for the math athletic tight end and my second ranked tight end prospect.
Round Three
3.01 – Josh Rosen, QB UCLA
Considered the top rookie quarterback by a majority of dynasty players, Rosen is the second signal caller off the board in this mock. Bobby agrees, saying, “Rosen is my QB1 in the class. He doesn’t have the highest ceiling in my opinion, but he does have the highest floor.”
3.02 – Auden Tate, WR Florida State
Tate’s value has taken a major hit since earlier in the off-season, making him a nice value in the third round. Ben L. said Tate has “great size at 6’5” and 225 pounds, alos one of the younger wide receivers in the draft. He doesn’t necessarily have the numbers some of the other guys have but when you watch his tape he is very impressive. Scored 16 touchdowns and 65 receptions which is a 25% touchdown rate. For us, he’s a guy we like and can see some of his skills translating to the NFL.”
3.03 – Josh Adams, RB Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s Adams was a favorite early on in the process but is another player who has seemingly lost value since the games ended. Pete nabs him here, calling Adams a “gifted back who is a strong one-cut downhill runner. PFF stats gave him an Elusive Rating of 107, which is fourth best in the 2018 running back draft class.”
3.04 – Nyheim Hines, RB North Carolina State
Pass-catching back Hines seems like an ideal third round pick for dynasty owners. Patrick said, “The 3.04 pick was actually a difficult decision as I was torn between receiver Antonio Callaway and Hines. While Callaway’s off the field issues are troubling, his ceiling is immense if he stays out of trouble. Hines is on the short side standing in at 5’8” but is almost 200 pounds with a BMI of 30.1 while running a 4.38 40 at the Combine. In the end, I went with Hines because I could see him getting playing time early on as an excellent satellite back while garnering some carries along the way and I prefer to take a chance on early production with my picks outside of the first round.
3.05 – Antonio Callaway, WR Florida
Considering his first-round talent and undraftable off-field issues, former Florida receiver Callaway will be one of the most interesting players to track come draft time. Richard takes the risk here and said, “Has as much upside as any receiver in the class. Super young breakout age and was awesome despite terrible quarterback play in the SEC.”
3.06 – DaeSean Hamilton, WR Penn State
I’ve seen and heard others say this, but I think there is some validity to it. Hamilton is being underrated after being in the shadow of Barkley and even Gesicki during his college career. Here, Brian makes him a third-round pick, calling Hamilton a “really good route runner. Gest separation and makes contested catches, even though he doesn’t always high-point the ball. Will play in the slot.”
3.07 – Jaylen Samuels, RB North Carolina State
Samuels has certainly presented dynasty players with a challenge over the past few months. We can’t even be sure what position he will play. Heath makes this pick and said Samuels is “a complete weapon for any offense. Has the ability to come in and put up 70 receptions and 600+ rushing yards.”
3.08 – Lamar Jackson, QB Louisville
Personally, I’d be willing to take Jackson at least a full round earlier than this, so I love the value Dwight got here. He says, “The NFL game will take some time for Jackson to grasp but he is so electric and fun to watch, it is hard to imagine he won’t make an impact on the NFL.”
3.09 – Sam Darnold, QB USC
I was surprised at how the quarterbacks fell in this draft. While I expect these players to be second rounders in general, there will certainly be rookie drafts that mirror this one. Of drafting Darnold, Travis said, “At this point in the draft, taking a day three wide receiver over a top ten overall selection would just be a bad decision.” I tend to agree.
3.10 – Justin Jackson, RB Northwestern
Jackson destroyed my Kentucky Wildcats in the most recent bowl game and he is also one of my favorite sleepers in this class. Ben said this about Jackson, “Nice athletic profile and on tape appears to be average or better at most things but excellent at none. Long shot to become a three-down back but could find a spot as a third down PPR contributor as a bye week replacement.”
3.11 – Deon Cain, WR Clemson
It wasn’t that long ago that Cain was viewed as a hands down first round rookie pick, so this is very nice value. TJ says Cain “has good measureables and Clemson has a knack lately for spitting out talented receivers.”
3.12 – Bo Scarbrough, RB Alabama
Many seemed to have given up on former Crimson Tide running back Scarbrough before his career even begins. Late in the third round, it is hard to pass him up. Levi said, “Scarbrough lacks pass catching ability, but I could see him carving out a short yardage/first and second down role on the right team. He has all the physical ability in the world.”
Round Four
4.01 – Tre’Quan Smith, Central Florida
Smith, a member of the “national champion” UCF team, is going a bit under the radar. Bobby made him his final pick and noted, “Smith performed so well last season he caused some people to question Sutton. I’d be stoked to get him at 4.01.”
4.02 – Hayden Hurst, TE South Carolina
Hurst is being vastly underrated by dynasty owners, mostly due to his “advanced” age. While he might not have the long career of someone like Gesicki, he could be in a position to make an impact sooner that his counterparts in the class.
4.03 – Dante Pettis, WR Washington
I can’t express how much I love Pettis as a fourth rounder. Pete agrees, calling him a “strong route runner with gifted athletic abilities. A bit of Stefon Diggs in round four.”
4.04 – Chase Edmonds, RB Fordham
One of my favorite parts of the pre-draft process is learning more about players I’ve overlooked during the past college seasons. Edmonds is certainly one of those. Patrick said, “The 4.04 pick was pretty easy for me as I was hoping Edmonds would make it to me. He is another player on the smaller side coming in at 5’9” and 205 pounds but also has a BMI over 30 to go along with his excellent agility score. While Edmonds probably won’t be that workhorse he was at Fordham, I could definitely see him getting playing time early on as a satellite back in the NFL as that position becomes more important in today’s game.
4.05 – Jordan Lasley, WR UCLA
Lasley is an easy pick in the fourth round and I continue to be surprised he hasn’t risen up the ranks more by this point. Richard grabbed him here and called Lasley “elusive and fast with the ball in his hands. Has been getting more buzz as draft season has gone along. Could be a decent compliment to a WR1.”
4.06 – Richie James, WR Middle Tennessee State
James is yet another player who has fallen out of favor in the dynasty community even since the season ended. Brian called James “under the radar right now, but not likely to fall this far. A playmaker.”
4.07 – Korey Robertson, WR Southern Miss
Heath has me intrigued about this player, calling Robertson “My guy! WR13 on my board. Not a nuanced route runner but he high points the ball about as well as anyone in the class. Played weak competition but really showed up when they played Tennessee and Kentucky.“
4.08 – Keke Coutee, WR Texas Tech
I’ve heard more and more folks I trust tab the speedy Coutee as a target in rookie drafts. Dwight has as well, as he called Coutee an “excellent late round flyer.”
4.09 – Troy Fumagalli, TE Wisconsin
Travis grabbed Wisconsin’s Fumagalli with his final pick, noting “round four is an excellent place to take the best tight end available in most seasons. Fumagalli can block, catch and boasts your typical TE1 resume.”
4.10 – Josh Allen, QB Wyoming
I’m not sure any player has dealt with more criticism during this pre-draft process than Allen and here he falls to the late fourth round. Even when drafting him, Ben wasn’t exactly excited, saying “well…someone in the NFL is going to give him a chance and if he surprises us all and is a stud, getting a stud at any position at 4.10 is massive value.”
4.11 – Jaleel Scott, WR New Mexico State
You might notice a theme to the final round of the draft. AJ calls Scott “a dart throw.”
4.12 – Allen Lazard, WR Iowa State
Lazard was once a favorite in devy leagues but finds himself lasting to the final pick of this mock. Levi said, “With the last pick in the draft, I will gladly take a guy who is 6’5” and 230 pounds and compares athletically to Kenny Golladay and Josh Gordon. He also showed steady production at Iowa State.”
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