Combined 2020-2021 Superflex Rookie Mock Draft: Round Two
We know the hype (and cost) of 2020 rookie picks, but the 2021 class is also projected to be strong. Its picks may present an affordable alternative to expensive 2020 first-rounders.
Eight members of the DLF Devy team got together for a two-round rookie draft combining the 2020 and 2021 draft classes to help dynasty owners see the extent to which 2021 picks represent an alternative value play.
Round one did, indeed, feature players from both draft classes and suggests that 2021 first-round picks offer affordable production and value. Round Two is presented below.
The DLF team members making the picks (be sure to give them a follow) are:
- Ray Garvin (@RayGQue)
- Kyle Holden (@KyleHoldenFF)
- Rob Willette (@RobWillette24)
- Dwight Peebles (@FFPeeblesChamp)
- Joseph Nammour (@jnammour24)
- Ryan McDowell (@RyanMc23)
- Frank Gruber (@threedownhack)
- Austin DeWitt (@DeWitt_Dynasty)
The draft assumes 12 teams, superflex, and 1.0 PPR scoring for all positions.
2.01. Tyler Johnson, WR Minnesota (Joseph)
Proponents of film and analytics often butt heads on which is the more effective way to evaluate prospects, but Johnson is a player on whom both film and analytics can agree. Johnson is one of the best route runners in college football, runs the complete route tree, excels at the catch point and is impressive tracking the ball downfield. Johnson also is a market share and dominator rating extraordinaire – he had the second-highest dominator rating in college football last year, behind just Jalen Reagor – and is part of a terrific cohort of players to break out at age 19.
2.02. Tylan Wallace, WR Oklahoma State (Ryan)
Somehow relatively under the radar, Tylan Wallace had one of the most productive seasons in recent years in 2018 and is expected to be the focal point of the Cowboys’ passing offense again this season as a junior. Like many young receivers, Wallace has the athleticism to succeed on the college level but if he wants to transition to the NFL, he’ll need to improve his route running and likely add some weight to his 6’0”, 185-pound frame.
2.03. Cam Akers, RB Florida State (Frank)
How the mighty have fallen. I considered Cam Akers with the 1.07, instead choosing Jonathan Taylor, and was curious to see how far he may slide. Devy folks are mistaking Florida State’s historically bad 2018 campaign and offensive line for shortcomings in Akers’ game. I’ll instead point to his body of work – top three overall recruit in his class, all-time Florida State freshman rushing record holder – and talent that still pops on tape. Pair all that with the positive reports from Tallahassee of the offense’s improvement under up-tempo mastermind Kendal Briles. This is a buy-low window for Cam Akers.
2.04. Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota (Austin)
It’s no secret that Tyler Johnson has been absolutely dominant in his time at Minnesota. He put up a massive 52.3% College Dominator last year, but what may be even more impressive is that fact that true freshman Rashod Bateman was able to breakout out with a 28.4% College Dominator in the same offense. A common excuse for underperforming players is that their teammates are “NFL talents” as if that’s going to change when they get to the NFL. If there is a player who can claim that as an excuse, then it’s Bateman. And he still almost hit 30% as a freshman. Color me impressed.
2.05. Eno Benjamin, RB Arizona State (Ray)
As a true sophomore, Eno Benjamin put on an absolute show for the Arizona Sun Devils in 2018. He had 300 total carries with an additional 30 plus receptions totaling over 1,900 total yards. His 37% College Dominator rating which placed him sixth amongst running backs was an outstanding feat for him. There are those who question his size, but at 5’10” and 210 pounds, I’m not concerned as he’s shown he’s more than capable of handling a full workload.
2.06. Justin Herbert, QB Oregon (Kyle)
There is some risk with Herbert but the upside is very high. His size and athleticism will likely cause some NFL team to fall in love with his game. If he can show some more consistency this season, he could be in the running for the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. We could very well be having a Tua vs. Herbert debate for the top pick in April.
2.07. Henry Ruggs, WR Alabama (Rob)
Ruggs may be one of the NFL’s most athletic players from day one (check out his high school hoops highlights if you want some evidence) and he has matured quickly at Alabama. An electric player in the open field who toys with defenders at the line, Ruggs is not as hyped as many 2020 receivers but has the tools to be one of the first receivers off the board.
2.08. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB Vanderbilt (Dwight)
This seems like a total steal to me near the end of the second round. Vaughn is electric; a back who can run between the tackles, break tackles at the line of scrimmage and be a danger to take it to the house on every run, as well. If he shows he can catch passes he could enter the 2020 Draft as one of its top three backs.
2.09. Tee Higgins, WR Clemson (Joseph)
Higgins has lost a bit of value over the last year, and I think the main reason is the emergence of his teammate Justyn Ross. Higgins has an NFL frame at 6’4”, 205 pounds, highlight quality hands, and athleticism.
2.10. Bryan Edwards, WR South Carolina (Ryan)
It was somewhat surprising when South Carolina receiver Bryan Edwards opted to return to school following his junior year. Edwards has been a player devy owners have been tracking for years now since his unparalleled 17-year old breakout season as a freshman. While Edwards has enjoyed a successful college career, he has yet to eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau.
Often when a player returns to school for his senior season, it is a warning sign to fantasy players that we may have been overrating said player. I am worried this could be the case with Edwards. While he has the perfect size to become a WR1, standing 6’3” and weighing in at 220 pounds, there are some concerns after he makes the catch. Edwards has not shown great speed or the consistent ability to break tackles or elude defenders. At this late point in the second round, Edwards is a solid target, but he has a lot to prove in his final college season.
2.11. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR USC (Frank)
People justifiably point to the market share numbers put up by the other wide receivers in the 2020 and 2021 classes as those players climb devy rankings. Meanwhile, Amon-Ra St. Brown put up a 25% dominator rating (60-750-3) in a true freshman season began as an 18-year-old. However, the buzz around him appears to be fading. Quickness, elusiveness, explosion and hands are the qualities that pop for St Brown. I am happy to wait until 2021 to land a player with his skillset and overall prospect profile, and believe that this draft position represents excellent value.
2.12. Jake Fromm, QB Georgia (Austin)
This is superflex, right? I know Fromm does not get a lot of love in the low-volume Georgia passing attack, but you may be surprised at how good the signs are for his future. Last year, he was ninth in completion percentage, sixth in adjusted passing yards per attempt, and fifth in passing efficiency. He is definitely not in the same tier as Tua Tagovailoa, but he vastly outperformed Herbert in each category, as well as devy darling Trevor Lawrence. The buy low window is now.
- 20/20: Jameson Williams, WR Alabama - February 26, 2022
- Cornerstone Report: Week Nine - November 12, 2021
- Cornerstone Report: Week Eight - November 5, 2021
