Monday Mocks: 2024 Cornerstone Players

Ryan McDowell Posted On January 29, 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.

Years ago, I wrote an article here at DLF called “Rookies and Sophomores and Devys (Oh My!)” That mini-series would eventually become known as our Cornerstone Rankings, an idea that was so popular it has been accepted and repeated by multiple other sites and content creators.

The idea behind our Cornerstone Rankings is to combine the most recent rookie class, the current rookie class, and the players eligible for next year’s rookie class. That means the players eligible for these rankings are adjusted every year, around this time. Recently, we’ve removed the rookie class of 2022 and added players likely to be drafted in 2025.

As the name suggests, these young players can often serve as the cornerstone for a dynasty team. Build teams around these players and set your team up to compete for league titles for years to come. The Cornerstone Rankings can be very valuable as they offer perspective as to how we should value next year’s picks, seeking to weed through the ongoing rookie hype that engulfs dynasty players on an annual basis.

This week, I’ll share a one-man mock, my view of how the players in the 2023, 2024 and expected 2025 classes should be ranked compared to one another. To match our Cornerstone Rankings, I’ve used the superflex format for this mock.

ROUND ONE

1.01 = CJ Stroud, QB HOU

After Stroud’s massive rookie season, one of the best we’ve ever seen from a quarterback, it is difficult to have any other player as the first off the board from these three classes. Not only did Stroud put up huge numbers, but led his team to the playoffs and turned Nico Collins and Tank Dell into top-25 dynasty receivers. He’s a top-five dynasty quarterback for years to come.

1.02 = Caleb Williams, QB USC

While Stroud is in a tier of his own, things get tough as early as this second overall pick. As good as some of the backs and receivers are, if I’m drafting with these options, it has to be a quarterback. Both Williams and the other available quarterbacks have questions, so I’ll opt for the presumed top overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Whether it’s for the Bears or another team that trades up, Williams should be a fantasy starter from day one with the upside to be valued as a dynasty QB1 immediately.

1.03 = Anthony Richardson, QB IND

It was certainly a close call between Williams and the Colts’ Richardson, but the multiple injuries suffered by the former Florida star in his rookie season were the difference. Of course, Richardson displayed massive upside when he was on the field and had more success as a passer than expected. With the Colts expected to upgrade their offense, dynasty managers should be very excited about Richardson’s future.

1.04 = Marvin Harrison, WR Ohio State

One of the challenges of pre-NLF Draft dynasty startups is valuing rookies compared to established NFL players when landing spot and draft capital is still unknown. With all of that, I still want Ohio State’s Harrison over any available running back or any other pass catcher. Harrison is an elite receiver prospect and would be the story of this class if not for Williams. In fact, he still might be.

1.05 = Bijan Robinson, RB ATL

Robinson’s rookie season left a bit of a sour taste in the mouths of dynasty managers after he was poorly used by former head coach Arthur Smith. Of course, “former” is the key word there. Oh, and Robinson was still really good this past season. Only Christian McCaffrey had more top-24 fantasy performances than Robinson’s 13. He is still my dynasty RB1 overall.

1.06 = Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET

Forever linked, when you see Robinson come off the board in a draft, expect Gibbs to follow soon after. The freak athlete posted six games as a top-three fantasy scorer this season, tied with McCaffrey for most in the league. He did that while sharing the backfield with veteran David Montgomery and getting off to a slow start. Gibbs is my dynasty RB2 overall.

1.07 = Puka Nacua, WR LAR

The biggest surprise of the 2023 season was Rams rookie Puka Nacua, the Day Three pick. Given the volume and the production, even when Cooper Kupp was on the field, there is little doubt Nacua is legit and here to stay. Already being valued as a first rounder in our recent 1QB dynasty ADP, Nacua is easily the top receiver from last year’s class.

1.08 = Jayden Daniels, QB LSU

A clear tier down from the earlier quarterbacks, Daniels could end up being this year’s version of Richardson, the high-ceiling, low-floor quarterback with many unknowns. After his Heisman campaign, Daniels has climbed from a projected third rounder to the possible third overall pick. That unknown upside could be enough to push him over the other quarterbacks in the past and current rookie classes.

1.09 = Drake Maye, QB North Carolina

While Daniels could end up being the favored choice in dynasty rookie drafts, North Carolina’s Maye is much safer and is the likely second overall pick. Maye put together a pair of excellent seasons the past two years and could be the next starting quarterback for the Commanders. Maye, along with Daniels, should be valued as top-18 dynasty quarterbacks from the moment they are drafted.

1.10 = Malik Nabers, LSU

Being overshadowed by the impending superstar Harrison, Nabers is somehow underrated even though he is likely to be a top-ten NFL Draft pick. Nabers led the nation with over 120 receiving yards per games and was one of two receivers to exceed 1,500 yards on the year.

1.11 = Sam LaPorta, TE DET
1.12 = Brock Bowers, TE Georgia

LaPorta is coming off one of the best seasons ever by a rookie tight end and quickly ascended to the dynasty TE1 spot. Bowers is already being called the best tight end prospect ever and could be valued as highly as the dynasty TE2 soon after he’s drafted. In tight end premium leagues, both LaPorta and Bowers could move up at least one spot.

ROUND TWO

2.01 De’Von Achane, RB MIA

2.02 Tank Dell, WR HOU

2.03 Zay Flowers, WR BAL

2.04 Jordan Addison, WR MIN

2.05 Rome Odunze, WR Washington

2.06 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR SEA

2.07 Jayden Reed, WR GB

2.08 Rashee Rice, WR KC

2.09 Dalton Kincaid, TE BUF

2.10 Bryce Young, QB CAR

2.11 Evan Stewart, WR Oregon

2.12 Luther Burden, WR Missouri

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

Author
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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.