Monday Mocks: Chiefs and 49ers

Ryan McDowell

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.

The Big Game is in the books and the Kansas City Chiefs prevailed, winning their second-straight Super Bowl. MVP Patrick Mahomes claims his team is just getting started, as the media compares him to everyone from Tom Brady to Michael Jordan.

In honor of the Super Bowl, along with some of the top players in the league featured on each team, I will be mocking from only the Chiefs and 49ers, from a superflex dynasty perspective.

ROUND ONE:

1.01 Patrick Mahomes, QB KC

Although Mahomes struggled to get in a rhythm for much of the Super Bowl, he finished with an impressive 333 passing yards and two touchdown passes, including the game-winner. From a dynasty perspective, he remains a locked-in top-three overall pick in superflex leagues and is the easy call when considering which player from the game I’d select when starting a new fantasy squad.

1.02 Christian McCaffrey, RB SF

It was perfect symmetry for McCaffrey, who finished the game with 80 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards, leading the 49ers in both categories. While some of the younger players have more dynasty value, McCaffrey is still the best overall back in the league. At 27 years old, he’s an outlier as nearly all other ball carriers his age have begun to lose value. CMC is the only top-five dynasty running back older than 23 years old.

dlf promo 4for4 03

1.03 Brock Purdy, QB SF

Purdy was carving up the Chiefs’ defense to start the game before being almost completely shut down in the second and third quarters. He got hot again late in the game but just couldn’t finish the job. The former Mr. Irrelevant finished with 255 passing yards and a touchdown. Purdy has been steadily gaining value all season, but still sits outside the QB1 range, holding the QB14 spot in our latest dynasty ADP, just behind Tua Tagovailoa.

1.04 Brandon Aiyuk, WR SF

Serving as Purdy’s most consistent receiver all season, Aiyuk was mostly held in check by the Chiefs defense. He did finish with 49 yards on three grabs. Aiyuk is among the top 12 dynasty receivers for the second straight month and his DLF Trade Analyzer value is at an all-time high this month. At age 25, he still has some room to grow when it comes to dynasty value.

1.05 Rashee Rice, WR KC

The Chiefs’ breakout star this season has been the rookie receiver Rice. When all other wideouts flopped, Rice stepped up and became Mahomes’ favorite target in the second half of the season. On Sunday night, Rice caught six passes but gained just 39 yards. Rice is up to the WR23 in our latest ADP. It’s a tough call to take Rice over the upcoming pick, but the 22-year-old gets the edge due to his young age and the upside as the potential top target in a Mahomes and Andy Reid offense.

1.06 Deebo Samuel, WR SF

Samuel finished the game with just six touches for 41 yards in the big game, but it could be his second-half injury scare that impacts his offseason value more than any other play. Samuel pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury as the game went to a commercial but was back on the field for the Niners’ next offensive possession. Injuries have always been a concern for Samuel and could be enough to end his recent value climb, which had him up to the WR14.

1.07 Isiah Pacheco, RB KC

It was mostly a game to forget for Pacheco, who coughed up two fumbles and nearly lost a third on a pitch from Mahomes. Pacheco rushed for 59 yards and added 33 more on six receptions. His current RB13 ADP rank is easily the highest of his two-year career. As a former late-round draft pick, Pacheco will continue to face doubt from dynasty managers, likely making him an annual bargain in drafts and trade talks.

1.08 George Kittle, TE SF

On the biggest stage of the year, Kittle was mostly shut down, totaling four yards on two catches. He also left the game for a short time in the fourth quarter before returning to the field. Like his teammate Samuel, injuries have held back Kittle’s dynasty value and that trend is certain to continue as he ages. As our current TE7, Kittle has tied his lowest positional dynasty ADP since September of 2018.

1.09 Travis Kelce, TE KC

Speaking of low points, Kelce’s first-half interaction with head coach Andy Reid was shocking. After a slow and frustrating first half, the future Hall of Famer got going in the second half. He finished as the Chiefs leading receiver, totaling 93 yards on nine catches. Kelce’s dynasty value has been fading fast as he failed to produce the monster games we had all been so accustomed to from past years. Kelce is now the TE8 according to our dynasty ADP, though I expect that rank to actually rise during the offseason.

1.10 Elijah Mitchell, RB SF

This is not just a tier break after the Kelce pick, but a massive gap to the tenth pick, 49ers backup Mitchell. He turned two carries into eight yards and had a first-down run called back due to penalty. Mitchell was once a solid starter for the 49ers but struggled to stay on the field. This is obviously a part of the motivation to acquire McCaffrey last season. Mitchell is expected to remain with the Niners next season and should still be viewed as a high-upside backup in one of the league’s top offenses.

1.11 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC

The Chiefs’ former first-round pick, Edwards-Helaire has been a huge disappointment for dynasty managers. CEH had one lone carry and failed to gain a yard. Edwards-Helaire will now enter free agency and is almost certain to be playing for a new team in 2024. Maybe this is an example of a player who simply needs a change of scenery, but I am not holding high expectations.

1.12 Sam Darnold, QB SF

Obviously Darnold saw little action this season and none in the Super Bowl, but there is at least some hope for the future. Darnold will enter free agency and could opt for a situation that offers a better shot for playing time. That would be tempting, but sticking with a Kyle Shanahan-coached offense is probably the wiser move.

We’ll be back next week with another mock draft!

Ryan McDowell
Latest posts by Ryan McDowell (see all)

Monday Mocks: Chiefs and 49ers