Welcome to Monday Mocks, where I’ll bring you (you guessed it), a new mock draft every Monday during the off-season. In my opinion, drafting is the best part of fantasy football, so I do as much of that as I can. This series will be filled with all types of mocks. We’ll draft startups, rookies, devys and more. Obviously, I love mock drafts but not all mocks are built the same. There are varying purposes for mocks, whether you are a participant or simply an observer.
The Senior Bowl practices and games are taking place this week and the NFL Combine is just over a month away. The coming weeks will be filled with NFL mock drafts and dynasty managers should be soaking those up in an effort to learn as much about these incoming rookies, as well as NFL team needs.
I especially enjoy checking out the work of DLF’s own Shane P. Hallam, who keeps his seven-round mock constantly updated at Draft Countdown. In this 1QB dynasty rookie mock draft, I’ll assume the NFL Draft plays out just as Shane projects, including landing spot and draft capital. For each player, I’ll list their projected team as well as their draft capital, based on Shane’s mock draft.
ROUND ONE:
1.01 Bijan Robinson, RB DAL (1.26)
Texas running back Bijan Robinson is already locked in as the top pick in rookie drafts, but falling to the late first round and being scooped up by the Dallas Cowboys would enhance his value even more. Obviously, with most mock drafts this time of year, we have to make some assumptions. In this scenario, the Cowboys let free agent Tony Pollard walk and replace him with Robinson.
1.02 Jahmyr Gibbs, RB KC (1.30)
We’ve seen this one before, right? The Chiefs use their first-rounder on a running back and the dynasty community goes wild? Some differences here as even with the perfect landing spot, Jahmyr Gibbs won’t be overtaking Robinson, although I may have said the same thing years ago about Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jonathan Taylor. Anyway, Jerick McKinnon is a free agent and Gibbs would pair nicely with hard-runner Isiah Pacheco.
1.03 Quentin Johnston, WR NYG (1.25)
Months away from the NFL Draft, there is no real clarity on which wide receiver will be the first off the board. With all three being selected within a few picks here, landing spot and team situation is even more important. TCU beastly wideout Quentin Johnston would have the chance to be the top option in the Giants’ passing game as soon as he steps on the field. That’s enough to give him the edge and make him the third pick in the 1QB format.
1.04 Jordan Addison, WR SEA (1.20)
It was actually USC’s Jordan Addison who was the first wideout drafted in the mock, landing with the Seahawks in the back-half of Round One. The Seattle receiver duo of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have been amazing for years now, but Lockett is now over 30 years old and there is no depth behind the pair.
1.05 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR BAL (1.22)
Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba did himself no favors in a difficult final college season but he’s shown enough that most have him pegged as a first-rounder. The good news is he’d have a chance to be the Ravens’ WR1 immediately but there are obvious questions about Baltimore’s offense, with or without impending free agent quarterback Lamar Jackson.
1.06 Zach Charbonnet, RB MIA (2.51)
The first big riser from this mock draft is former UCLA runner Zach Charbonnet. With Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson both entering free agency, the Dolphins will be looking to make some moves. This is a backfield that dynasty managers want a piece of and any rookie landing here will experience a dynasty value spike.
1.07 Devon Achane, RB ARI (2.34)
Currently listed at 5’9” and 185 pounds, size will be a major part of the profile for running back Devon Achane. The Cardinals need playmakers though and they could part ways with veteran James Conner, which would open up plenty of playing time for a rookie.
1.08 Sean Tucker, RB PHI (3.95)
The first third-round pick in this mock, former Syracuse running back Sean Tucker lands in the ideal spot with the Eagles. This team can seemingly do no wrong from a team-building perspective and veteran starter Miles Sanders is set to enter free agency. Tucker could pair with the versatile Kenneth Gainwell to form the backfield duo.
1.09 Michael Mayer, TE GB (1.15)
Well, it’s not the wide receiver everyone wants for the Packers but a first-round tight end would be a huge boost for the offense. The Pack had inconsistent production from the tight end position this year and Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer is expected to be the top guy off the board in both the NFL Draft and dynasty rookie drafts. With this landing spot, he’d immediately be valued as a dynasty TE1.
1.10 Jalin Hyatt, WR BUF (1.27)
Following a late-season skid, it became apparent that the Bills need some help at the wide receiver position. I’m not actually sure big-play specialist Jalin Hyatt is the best fit given that Gabriel Davis already offers that lid-lifting ability. Regardless, any wideout this offense adds, especially when using first-round draft capital, would be a dynasty target.
1.11 Josh Downs, WR TEN (2.41)
The Titans reworked their receiver depth chart last offseason, trading superstar AJ Brown, drafting Treylon Burks, and signing veteran Robert Woods. While Burks still possesses tons of upside, none of those moves paid off in the short term. Needing more help, they add Tar Heel Josh Downs, who would have the chance to start immediately for this Tennessee offense.
1.12 Tank Bigsby, RB LV (4.109)
Former Auburn back Tank Bigsby, a favorite of the devy community for years now, falls to Day Three in Shane’s mock draft, scooped up by the Raiders. Las Vegas could be prepping to lose veteran Josh Jacobs, a free agent coming off a career year. They also drafted banger Zamir White last year but he got little opportunity to prove himself as a rookie. The fourth-round draft capital stings a bit it is canceled out by a positive landing spot.
ROUND TWO:
2.01 Zach Evans, RB CHI (4.134)
Former Mississippi back Zach Evans has been a favorite to be the RB3 in this class but in this mock, he falls down to the RB12. Obviously, that hurts his rookie draft value. Like Bigsby right before him, Evans would have a chance to replace a veteran starter if Chicago were to use their fourth-round selection on him. With David Montgomery expected to move on, Evans would potentially be paired with Khalil Herbert in the Bears backfield.
2.02 Kayshon Boutte, WR NO (3.71)
It has been a rocky road for former LSU receiver Kayshon Boutte. Once considered the favorite to be the WR1 in this class, Boutte has battled injuries, along with rumors of other issues on campus, resulting in tumbling NFL Draft stock. For better or worse, Boutte stays home with this landing spot and the Saints have a clear need at the receiver position outside of Chris Olave.
2.03 Kendre Miller, RB HOU (3.73)
Using their third-rounder on a running back after hitting on Dameon Pierce a year ago would constitute a bit of a luxury pick. Kendre Miller, who enjoyed a breakout year for TCU, would pair well with Pierce. A knee injury kept Miller out of the Nation Championship game but is not expected to require a long-term recovery period.
2.04 Kenny McIntosh, RB CAR (2.61)
Another running back featured in the national title game was Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh, who gets somewhat surprising second-round draft capital here. That, paired with landing with the running back-needy Panthers pushes McIntosh into the top half of the second round. With D’Onta Foreman set to enter free agency, Carolina is left with Chuba Hubbard and last year’s rookie surprise Raheem Blackshear.
2.05 Cedric Tillman, WR LAC (2.54)
A prototypical WR1-frame is the calling card for former Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman and here, he earns second-round draft capital to the Chargers. This is an interesting spot, as the Chargers are expected to have veterans Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Josh Palmer all back in the fold next year. These players, especially Williams, also routinely deal with injuries and missed time. I would be somewhat surprised to see a receiver selected this early by the Chargers but it could not be ignored by dynasty managers. Tillman was outplayed by Hyatt this season despite entering the season with the expectation of being the team’s leading receiver.
2.06 Zay Flowers, WR HOU (2.33)
This Texans team just needs offensive playmakers. Veteran Brandin Cooks is likely to be gone from this roster, leaving Nico Collins and not much else. Flowers, at 5’10” and 172 pounds, is certainly not going to be a team’s alpha wideout, but could earn an immediate role in this Houston offense.
2.07 CJ Stroud, QB LV (1.07)
The third quarterback drafted in this mock draft, I would expect CJ Stroud to be the top option in dynasty rookie drafts. Not only does he possess the ideal size and the best mix of arm strength and mobility but Stroud would also be in line to start for the Raiders immediately. Factor in the playmakers for Las Vegas compared to the other quarterback-needy teams at the top of the draft and it becomes clear that Stroud is the pick.
2.08 Bryce Young, QB HOU (1.02)
Not far behind of course is Bryce Young. His size will continue to be a topic up until and even beyond draft day. There are plenty of attributes that can’t be challenged though, including his accuracy and overall playmaking ability. The first quarterback drafted in this mock, Young would be the favorite to start right away for the Texans as they attempt to rebuild that roster.
2.09 Tyjae Spears, RB ATL (4.110)
The buzz has been building around former Tulane back Tyjae Spears as we near the Senior Bowl and Combine. Here, Spears is a Day Three pick of the Falcons, joining last year’s surprise rookie Tyler Allgeier. Spears’ arrival would possibly signal the end of veteran Cordarrelle Patterson’s time with the team.
2.10 Dalton Kincaid, TE JAX (1.24)
The final first-round skill position player left is Utah’s Dalton Kincaid. His stock has seemingly been rising early in this pre-draft process. In fact, Kincaid must have gotten some positive feedback because he recently withdrew from the Senior Bowl activities, a good sign that he expects to be drafted early. The Jaguars got a huge year from Evan Engram but he is also set to enter free agency.
2.11 Roschon Johnson, RB NYG (3.100)
Stuck in the shadow of Robinson in the Texas backfield for the past three years, Roschon Johnson is an underrated back. In this mock, he gets Day Two draft capital and a win-win situation with the Giants. If New York is able to retain free agent Saquon Barkley, Johnson is versed in backing up an elite back. If Barkley moves on, Johnson could surprisingly compete for the starting job. If the latter is the case, Johnson likely does not fall this far in rookie drafts.
2.12 Rashee Rice, WR NE (2.46)
The Patriots seemingly always need help at the wide receiver position. Expect free agent Jakobi Meyers to move on via free agency, leaving a void in the depth chart. Rashee Rice had to wait his turn to be the leading target for SMU but made the most of his opportunity this past season. Second-round draft capital would likely result in an early opportunity for Rice with the Patriots.
We’ll be back next week with another mock draft!
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Solid article as always. But Nico Collins and not much else? John Metchie is going to silence the naysayers this year!
Very informative & entertaining article.
I’m holding out hope for Metchie too!
