Monday Mocks: 2024 “What If” Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft

Ryan McDowell Posted On April 1, 2024

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.

Each year, the closer we draw to the draft, the more information we collectively learn. This means the mock drafts that were once a futile exercise begin to look more and more realistic. One of my favorite NFL Draft analysts, Matt Miller, released a full seven-round NFL mock draft. These are always my favorite because of the depth. Of course, the players near the top of the draft will also claim early picks in rookie drafts but the later round selections can be crucial dynasty assets as well.

This week’s superflex dynasty rookie mock is based solely on what Matt projected in his full NFL mock draft. We’ll assume he nailed both the landing spots and draft capital that are so crucial in ultimately determining a player’s dynasty value.

ROUND ONE:

1.01 Caleb Williams, QB CHI (Round 1, Pick 1)

Let’s be honest, many of Matt’s picks will not prove correct come draft weekend, just like all other analysts and draftniks. This will not be one of those. The Bears have cleared the path for Williams to be the top overall pick and have made improvements to their offensive line and pass-catching corps. Many have suggested Williams will have the best immediate situation of any top overall quarterback pick ever, which is hard to argue. He’s already being valued as a low-end QB1 based on our latest dynasty ADP.

1.02 Jayden Daniels, QB WAS (1.02)

The Commanders own the second overall pick and the decision likely comes down to Daniels or another quarterback. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has some questions about his game as he enters the league, but some have suggested he also has the highest upside of any player in the draft, including Williams. After the video-game type numbers Daniels posted in his final college season, including over 3,800 passing yards, 1,100 rushing yards and 50 total touchdowns, it is easy to get excited about Daniels. With Marcus Mariota as the other option, we’d likely see Daniels earn the right to start from day one.

1.03 Marvin Harrison Jr., WR LAC (1.05)

The top wideout in the draft is expected to be Harrison and here, he slides down to the Chargers. After moving on from both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, the team is a prime landing spot for one of the top pass catchers in the draft. With Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston currently expected to be the top two options on the team, Harrison would likely be the leading receiver immediately. Harrison is being valued as a dynasty WR1 and top-12 pick in 1QB startup drafts.

1.04 Malik Nabers, WR NYG (1.06)

After his impressive pro day, Nabers seems to be closing the gap between he and Harrison, with some calling the LSU product the best receiver in the class. Dynasty managers with early picks will be faced with a difficult decision, but it sure feels like you can’t go wrong with either of these players. In this scenario, Nabers is a Giant and immediately becomes the top target in the offense. Like Harrison, Nabers is already being valued a dynasty WR1 before we even know his official landing spot.

1.05 Drake Maye, QB MIN (1.03)

The hype surrounding Daniels has somewhat pushed former North Carolina quarterback Maye down the board. While he’s still expected to be a very early selection, as he was here, there almost a sense of looking down on Maye’s profile. Personally, I am very excited about him as a prospect and would consider selecting him over Daniels in leagues I am faced with the choice. In this mock, the Vikings trade up to the third overall pick to find their quarterback of the future (and present.) Teamed with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson, Maye would gain massive dynasty value and would be in a better spot than either Williams or Daniels.

1.06 Rome Odunze, WR CHI (1.09)

As previously mentioned, the Bears have been making moves in anticipation of the arrival of Williams on their roster. Most notably, dealing for the veteran Allen to pair with DJ Moore. They might not be done though as it has become the norm to project Chicago to grab a receiver with the ninth overall pick, assuming Odunze falls. As good as the Washington star is, and he’s my favorite player to watch in this class, this could be a Jaxon Smith-Njigba situation all over again, with the rookie capped in a WR3 role for his team.

rome odunze | kirby lee-usa today sports

1.07 Brock Bowers, TE NYJ (1.10)

Bowers is by far the top tight end prospect in this draft and among the best we’ve seen in years. While it appears his stock is falling, it seems to be more of a player/team match. The Jets sit at ten overall and with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers expected to be fully healthy, the team once again is a playoff contender. Bowers would step in right away as the lead tight end and could be the second option in the passing game behind wideout Garrett Wilson. Bowers is a top-five dynasty option at the tight end position.

1.08 JJ McCarthy, QB DEN (1.04)

After seven elite assets, the eighth spot represents a tier drop and even a strong landing spot for a player like McCarthy is not enough to push him over the top-seven. Here, the needy Broncos land the Michigan product after a trade up to the fourth pick. Sean Payton-favorite Jarrett Stidham could see early-season work in this scenario but McCarthy would obviously get on the field soon.

1.09 Brian Thomas, WR ARI (1.12)

Thomas has been a fast riser since he dominated the Combine and coming off the board with the twelfth overall pick is an example of that. In this mock, Arizona moves down and nabs the player that would immediately become their WR1. After losing Marquise Brown, Michael Wilson is currently the top name on Arizona’s wideout depth chart. Ouch.

1.10 Jonathon Brooks, RB DAL (2.56)

Collectively, the dynasty community has approached this year’s running back class with uncertainty. Ask five different analysts or dynasty managers about their RB1 in the class and you could get five different answers. Essentially, we’re waiting on the NFL to tell us what they think based on draft capital, along with landing spots. In this mock, Brooks checks both boxes as the first back off the board in the top landing spot, Dallas. Assuming he’s healthy, Brooks slides right in as the RB1, the spot occupied by Tony Pollard last season. This would give a massive boost to his value and establish him as the top rookie back in dynasty drafts.

1.11 Xavier Worthy, WR KC (1.32)

The former Texas speedster Worthy has been a hot name since he broke the Combine record for the 40-yard run. Worthy has routinely been projected as a late first-rounder, as he is here. The Chiefs are obviously the dream landing spot, though there would be a bit of short-term overlap with the veteran Brown now on the roster.

1.12 Bo Nix, QB LV (1.13)

There are plenty of reasons to doubt Nix as he is set to enter the league but if Miller is right with his draft capital prediction, dynasty managers would be forced to take notice. The Raiders would have a suddenly crowded depth chart after signing veteran Gardner Minshew and head coach Antonio Pierce suggesting Aidan O’Connell deserves a shot at the starting job also. This competition would also hurt Nix’s value, though as a potential rookie starter, he sneaks into the first round of rookie drafts.

ROUND TWO:

2.01 Adonai Mitchell, WR BUF (1.28)
2.02 Ladd McConkey, WR BAL (1.30)
2.03 Jaylen Wright, RB CIN (3.80)
2.04 Braelon Allen, RB CAR (4.101)
2.05 Xavier Legette, WR CAR (2.33)
2.06 Ricky Pearsall, WR CIN (2.49)
2.07 Malachi Corley, WR PIT (2.51)
2.08 Blake Corum, RB LAC (4.105)
2.09 MarShawn Lloyd, RB NYG (4.107)
2.10 Michael Penix, QB NYG (2.47)
2.11 Troy Franklin, WR DET (2.61)
2.12 Trey Benson, RB CLE (3.85)

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

Author
Recent Posts

Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.