2021 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft: Post-Draft Edition, Round Two
The 2021 NFL Draft is in the books. All the hype, analysis and speculation is over and we now know who went where and can project what the future may hold for these young men. This is the first of what will be countless mock drafts here at DLF covering the entire off-season. We were lucky enough to have some DLF Team members together in a war room during the draft, so this one (and the Superflex one we’ll post here soon) were both performed right after the draft. Without any further delay, here is round one (rounds two and three will be revealed in the upcoming days). The tiers I’m adding here are based on our early rankings.
Round Two
2.01 – Trey Lance, QB SF
2021 fielded a crop of quarterbacks the likes of which we haven’t seen perhaps ever, though we can’t say that with any level of confidence until we get a few years out. Until then, Lance is popularly being selecting shortly after Trevor Lawrence based on a combination of character, arm talent and situation. San Francisco is arguably the best situation for any of the rookie quarterbacks and with only Jimmy Garoppolo ahead of him, it won’t be long before Lance is under center and producing. While his collegiate resume is short, he’s long on talent and sky is the limit for this young talent.
2.02 – Trey Sermon, RB SF
Every year it seems multiple running backs fall from grace as their pre-draft stock prices take a hit due to poor drafted situation. And, conversely, some backs see just the opposite occur. Enter Trey Sermon, the good-sized back who falls to what initially would seem to be a crowded backfield in San Francisco. The third-round selection is built for the NFL and will fit well within the 49ers scheme – in time. In the near-term, Sermon is no better than fourth on the depth chart but looking ahead to 2022, the three backs ahead of him are all free agents and it could be Sermon who is starting from week one.
2.03 – Kadarius Toney, WR NYG
Toney is a raw prospect who, similar to 2020 first-round-selection Jalen Reagor, was drafted more for fit and role than being a purely dominant presence at the position. At nearly 6′, with speed and agility to burn and proficient from the slot, the Giants will be able to immediately get the ball to their new dynamic weapon in space to open up the offense for a return of Saquon Barkley and newly acquired receiver Kenny Golladay. Daniel Jones‘ prospects are looking up in 2021.
2.04 – Justin Fields, QB CHI
Fields was the fourth quarterback drafted when the NFL Draft finished day-one, but he’s being drafted well ahead of second-overall selection Zach Wilson and even Trey Lance on occasion in fantasy. It stands to reason as Fields possesses a rare combination of arm talent, speed and size while also producing against top competition in the Big 10. Unlike Wilson, Fields may not be under center in week one, giving way to veteran Andy Dalton, but with a coaching staff pressured to win now, it’s not out of the question Fields is starting immediately, though odds are better for a mid-season appearance.
2.05 – Dyami Brown, WR WAS
Brown has been just below the prime-time radar for some time and only recently began to pick up momentum as draft analysts moved beyond the top-tier receiver prospects. He possesses good size (6’1/189), ball skills and plus-level speed to push for time immediately outside in the Football Team’s offense. In his last two years at North Carolina, he produced over 2,000 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns. Brown is a raw prospect with a limited route tree but with the athletic dynamic to develop quickly at the next level and he’s an intriguing upside second-round selection in dynasty.
2.06 – Amari Rodgers, WR GB
Another post-draft riser, Amari Rodgers was picking up momentum leading into the draft and that only continued following his selection by Green Bay in the third-round. While much of his value could be linked to the Aaron Rodgers saga, there’s no denying the slot-opportunity provided to Amari Rodgers with or without the veteran Aaron returning. Should Aaron Rodgers return under-center for 2021, Amari Rodgers could push early for material snaps and targets. As a second-round dynasty selection, it’s a boon for those able to select him in the middle of the round.
2.07 – Tutu Atwell, WR LAR
What Atwell doesn’t possess in size (5’9/155), he makes up for in quick-twitch speed and agility. It seems every year there are micro-sized, quick-twitch receivers who intrigue with skill-set but never produce well-enough to stick on dynasty rosters over the long term. Atwell certainly could fall into this category and will likely play primarily on special teams given the team’s loaded receiver depth chart. But if he garners snaps out of the slot, he may surprise.
2.08 – Tylan Wallace, WR BAL
The Ravens have been ultra-disappointing of late related to receiver production and they again addressed the position during the 2021 NFL Draft. The value gem of this draft may very well be fourth-round addition Tylan Wallace. Wallace, from Oklahoma State, possesses an “It” factor at receiver in the mold of Will Fuller. Fluid and flexible, he possesses late-second round appeal in dynasty drafts given his drafted situation.
2.09 – Pat Freiermuth, TE PIT
With a Rob Gronkowski comp, Freiermuth is a nice consolation prize for those needing help at the tight end position but unable to score the transcendent Kyle Pitts in the first round. While not elite in any one area, Freiermuth shows good ability to use his body, is a capable route-runner while possessing plus-level after-the-catch ability. Rookie tight ends have a notoriously long integration period in the NFL but a dynast coach with patience may have a quality addition here late in the second-round.
2.10 – Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR DET
St. Brown disappointed when he measured in at 5’11” but he’s a thick 197 lbs. and is a relatively savvy route-runner. He doesn’t possess elite speed or agility but there’s no arguing his drafted situation in Detroit. Past USC receivers have been a mixed-bag in the NFL and St. Brown’s closes comp to me is to Nelson Agholor.
2.11 – Michael Carter, RB NYJ
A teammate of earlier-selected Javonte Williams, Michael Carter was the “two” in the one-two punch that was the Williams-Carter tandem for the Tarheels.  At only 5’8/201 lbs., Carter may struggle to carve out anything more than a third-down role but his drafted situation in New York (Jets) behind only Tevin Coleman is noteworthy. Should Carter show-well in training camp and add muscle-mass, every possibility exists he could be seeing starting snaps by mid-season.
2.12 – Zach Wilson, QB NYJ
Wilson was the second quarterback off the board in the NFL Draft but has been a fringe second-round selection in dynasty rookie mocks thus far. Drawing comps to Patrick Mahomes for his off-platform ability and arm strength, Wilson didn’t face nearly the competition that Justin Fields did but he’ll be a day-one starter on an offense with upgraded skill-position players. If you have need at the position, Wilson is an easy selection near the end of the second round.
Round three coming soon!
You can find Jeff on Twitter at @dlf_jeff
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