2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Undervalued Players, Round Two
Executing mock drafts are some of my favorite activities to do in the off-season. Rather than focusing on traditional 10-team or 12-team mock drafts you can find anywhere, I like to bring something different to the table as well. Last week, I started another mock draft with a simple concept – choose the player on the board you think is undervalued in terms of their ranking, ADP or overall status within the dynasty community. While these players certainly don’t belong on any kind of “draft no matter what” list, they could represent players who are simply deemed as a value where you currently have to select them. In other words, the risk seems to be well worth the reward. The rules for this exercise were simple – you can take any player (rookie or veteran) and not worry about format (2QB, 1QB, etc.). Simply choose a player you believe is taken too late in drafts. No participant could make two picks in a row so we could get some variety as well. I asked each person to justify their selection and I’ll add my own commentary as well. Make sure you check out overvalued mock drafts from earlier in the month and the first round as well.
With all that in mind, let’s get to it.
2.01 = Rashee Rice, WR KC
Commentary given: Rice is being valued as if he is going to miss multiple seasons. He finished as the WR27 as a rookie and the WR4 from week 12 on. In April, he was the WR20 and the 31st overall player. He is now currently going as the WR39 a drop of 19 spots in WR ranks because of a potential suspension which may not come until 2025.
My thoughts: The suspension doesn’t exactly seem to be looming, does it? Meanwhile, all the attention is going to Xavier Worthy instead of people talking about Rice and his step forward expected this year. Yes, there are character concerns and a knucklehead factor exists here. However, this drop does seem to be a little “kneejerk” and could be more reactive than it should be. This is a good selection for this draft, in my opinion.
2.02 =Terry McLaurin, WR WAS
Commentary given: Despite being ranked as the WR39, he’s still the top receiver in Washington and has four straight 1,000 yard seasons. There’s something to be said for a player who is going to get you between 75 and 90 catches, 1,000 yards, and a handful of touchdowns. If Jayden Daniels is the real deal, McLaurin’s scores could go up as well. He looks like a relative bargain at the moment.
My thoughts: It really is easy to get caught up in targeting the “elite of the elite” when it comes to receivers but you’re just not going to have five players like Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb or Tyreek Hill on your team because they simply don’t exist. There’s something to be said for getting consistent veterans who you can reasonably expect solid numbers from and McLaurin has fit that mold for a long time. If Jayden Daniels really is as good as advertised, McLaurin should have some solid seasons left in him.
2.03 = Justin Fields, QB PIT
Commentary given: QB33 in ADP and a near certainty to start for the Steelers at a point in 2023. Delivers immense dual-threat upside when on the field, already finished as a top 6 QB in fantasy, still on his rookie deal, and guaranteed to spike in value when becoming the starter. Definite caution as the ability to keep a starting role long-term remains a question mark, but a clear undervalued asset that will spike in due course.
My thoughts: Russell Wilson has done nothing to dispel the idea his best (and even productive) days are behind him. At this point, I’m going to be surprised if Fields doesn’t start more games than Wilson just because of his rushing upside. He’ll need to impress to land a long-term deal in Pittsburgh or somewhere else, but I’m going to be stunned if he rides the bench all season.
2.04 = Javonte Williams, RB DEN
Commentary given: And now the freefall should stop. Currently ranked as the RB21 and #86 player overall, Williams looks like a player who has taken over the backfield and while he’s still going to share carries here and there, he’s looking pretty undervalued as many knocked him down thinking he was going to lose his job. That looks extremely unlikely at this point, leaving him as a solid value.
My thoughts: Dynasty managers are notoriously impatient with running backs and Williams experienced a major value decrease over the past year. With everything we’ve seen this off-season, it certainly looks like he’s going to be the starter in Denver. For a player once ranked as a top-5 running back, it seems his demise may be a little overblown.
2.05 = David Njoku, TE CLE
Commentary given: Admittedly, Njoku did his heavy lifting with Joe Flacco late in 2023. Deshaun Watson has been a disaster, yet there is hope he is past his shoulder issue and can provide competent quarterback play. Njoku’s talent has always been evident; his production has now caught up to his immense physical tools. He is in his prime and very possibly second in line for targets in Cleveland.
My thoughts: We’ve seen some major performances from Njoku and he’s still one of the more streaky players. Still, he has the potential to be the TE1 in any given week and you can get him very late in drafts. At 28 years of age, we should still have a solid run of production from him.
2.06 = Ben Sinnott, TE WAS
Commentary given: Currently being drafted as the TE18, the situation is too good to not be looking at him earlier. The production in college wasn’t great, but he is dripping with upside. Young and talented QB, lack of a true big receiver to dominate the red zone, and Ertz to mentor him. Yes, please. Plus he’s just 22.
My thoughts: Sinnott is rising on a lot of draft boards and while I don’t see a rookie statement like we did with Sam LaPorta last season, it’s fair to wonder why he’s all the way down as a mid-range TE2. The recipe is there for him to shine and much like McLaurin, he has real upside if Daniels hits early.
2.07 = Taysom Hill, QB/RB/WR/TE NO
Commentary given: His usage is wild. His contract is even more ridiculous. However, the saints use him in interesting ways. He gets lined up all over the field and gets usage in the redzone. You may have to hold your nose every time you start him but come season end he will be a top 12-15 TE and you can get him for TE40 prices
My thoughts: The most polarizing player of the last decade. He really is. Hill can give you two or 40 on any given week. While you really do have to swallow the good with the bad, he’s very likely going to outperform his ADP.
2.08 = DK Metcalf, WR SEA
Commentary given:I find it tough to believe there are 17 better receivers than Metcalf. Yes, his 66 catches last season were disappointing. However, his 8 touchdowns and 16.9 yards per catch were both career highs and this is a player who has scored 43 times in his five seasons. New OC Ryan Grubb is going to find creative ways to get him the ball and this feels like a window to buy.
My thoughts: This was my pick and I can double down on it. The Seahawks are committed to finding ways to get him the ball and Metcalf seems to be undervalued at the moment. I understand the dip in catches last year but Pete Carroll and his conservative ways are gone and this team’s offense is promising to look a lot different. I’m buying.
2.09 = Chase Brown, RB CIN
Commentary given: Second-year running backs in ambiguous situations are notorious for value spikes and excellent production. Brown is in a high-powered offense led by Joe Burrow and his main competition is Zack Moss – a lackluster volume guy on his third team in five seasons. Brown has the skill set to be an impact in all phases and feels a steal at RB42 in ADP, with a guarantee of a split-backfield in a worst-case scenario
My thoughts: The carry split between Moss and Brown is going to be one of the most important stories of week one. If one or the other really does take over the backfield, they could decide fantasy leagues playing in this offense. This could be a wild timeshare but Brown is better than a lot of people think.
2.10 = Ty Chandler, RB MIN
Commentary given: Aaron Jones is fantastic but has never not been in a split backfield. Chandler impressed in his opportunities last season including a start at Cincinnati in week 15 where he turned 26 touches into 157 yards and a touchdown. The contingency value is through the roof if Aaron Jones were to miss time. Chandler has both stand-alone and injury upside and can be had as the RB49 as the 162nd player off the board in July ADP
My thoughts: Chandler is uber-talented and the arrival of Jones has made his price tag much more palatable. Jones was awful for most of the 2023 season but most forget that because they simply remember him single-handedly killing the Cowboys in the playoffs. The fact is Jones may be running on fumes and I love the Chandler pick here.
2.11 = Dontayvion Wicks. WR GB
Commentary given: The WR60 in ADP, Wicks is a player who flashed strong metrics toward the end of his rookie season in 2024. Whilst the Packers’ WR room is stacked, Wicks is undervalued for a player who could easily become the WR2 or better with a little luck. A lot of sharp analysts are in on Wicks at cost, including the WR guru Matt Harmon of Reception Perception.
My thoughts: Count me on Wicks as well. The Green Bay receiving corps is going to be unpredictable but the cost on Wicks is well worth the investment. There has been nothing but glowing reports about him at camp and he seems poised for a serious breakout.
1.12 = Tim Patrick, WR DEN
Commentary given: Going to be an every down player for the broncos and is currently available for free. With Nix attempting a high % of his throws underneath (70% in preseason) and Sutton profiling more downfield. Patrick could end up in a target heavy role as the underneath option. He went undrafted in 9/10 August mocks for ADP.
My thoughts: This one was interesting, too. Patrick can be had off most waiver wires and it seems he’s relatively healthy. You could do a lot worse on the waiver wire for sure.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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