Monday Mocks: 2024 Landing Spots

Ryan McDowell Posted On April 15, 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.

The countdown continues as we are now less than two weeks away from the 2024 NFL Draft. Much of the analysis throughout the past several months has been focused on individual players. As most would admit though, two of the most crucial data points in studying and projecting the outlook for these players comes on draft weekend – draft capital and landing spot.

Landing spot is a difficult piece to consider as there are so many layers to what makes up a “good” landing spot. Opportunity is obviously important, so a crowded depth chart would be imposing. The quality of the overall team and offense matters as well. Of course, landing spots will ultimately be revealed in 10 days, but we should all be prepared for what happens that weekend. One way to do that is to identify the ideal landing spots for the players we are hoping to acquire in rookie drafts.

In this mock, I “drafted” the landing spots that could be most beneficial for the players we care about. Whether your NFL Draft weekend is focused on Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr. or Brock Bowers, these are the landing spots that could give incoming rookies a value boost come superflex dynasty rookie drafts.

ROUND ONE:

1.01 Chicago Bears QB

Okay, this one is cheating a little. We already know with near certainty that the Bears will be using their top overall pick on USC’s Caleb Williams. We are also quite sure that Williams will be the overwhelming favorite to be the top pick in most superflex rookie drafts. It has been a popular opinion leading up to the NFL Draft that Williams will have the best initial supporting cast of any top overall quarterback pick. That includes weapons like DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, along with a new offensive coordinator.

1.02 Minnesota Vikings QB

The Vikings are not in the same position as their division-foe Chicago, but still have a pressing need at the quarterback position. With Kirk Cousins gone, the Vikes signed Sam Darnold, but no one seems to view him as a long-term option, understandably so. Minnesota has made some pre-draft moves, hinting at a possible trade up for a quarterback. Like Chicago, the Vikings have strong pass-catchers that could make for an easy transition for any rookie signal caller. If the Vikings select Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, as has been rumored, it would be interesting to see if he could overtake Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels in rookie drafts.

1.03 Buffalo Bills WR

The Bills finally made the big move recently, dealing away disgruntled receiver Stefon Diggs. While the veteran had clearly lost a step, the trade leaves Buffalo with a major gap in their receiver depth chart. With Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir currently slotted as the top two pass catchers, this team needs a WR1. The Bills own the 28th overall pick and there should be a few options available for them, including Adonai Mitchell and Ladd McConkey. The rookie receiver that does land in Buffalo will certainly see a value bump in rookie drafts.

1.04 Dallas Cowboys RB

The Cowboys let Tony Pollard walk via free agency and haven’t really made any more to replace him, despite a stacked free agent crop. Dallas did retain Rico Dowdle and will presumably use a Day Two pick on a rookie back. They have often been projected to use their 56th overall pick to select the first running back off the board, perhaps Jonathon Brooks. The opportunity is so strong on what is expected to once again be a playoff contender that any back Dallas selects on Day Two is likely to end up being the top rookie back selected in dynasty leagues.

1.05 Washington Commanders QB

The Commanders own the second overall pick and are expected to choose between the rookie quarterbacks Maye and Daniels. While the opportunity will be there to start right away, the supporting cast is below average. Receiver Terry McLaurin is the only established offensive pass catcher and there are certainly questions after the entire coaching staff was revamped this offseason.

1.06 Los Angeles Chargers WR

The Chargers made some difficult cap-related decisions this offseason, trading Keenan Allen and letting Mike Williams walk via free agency. That leaves Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston as the top two wideouts. While both players have perceived upside, neither seem ready to be the WR1. Since trading Allen to the Bears, wide receiver, perhaps Malik Nabers, has become the trendy mock draft connection for the Chargers with the fifth overall pick. Even in what has become a perpetually disappointing offense, serving as the top option for Justin Herbert would boost the value of any rookie wideout.

1.07 Denver Broncos QB

The Broncos did what we all expected earlier this offseason, dumping Russell Wilson. While the time had come for that move, that leaves Denver and head coach Sean Payton with just Jarrett Stidham as a starting option under center. The Broncos own the twelfth pick, making it unlikely they will land one of the top four quarterbacks without trading up. That could leave them to reach for a player like Bo Nix, or simply roll with Stidham for the 2024 season.

1.08 New England Patriots QB

The New England Patriots have become the team fantasy football managers want no part of, especially when it comes to the passing game. Mac Jones was a first-round bust and free agent receiver Juju Smith-Schuster was also a major disappointment. The good news is the new coaching staff, led by Jerod Mayo, could bring sweeping changes, which are clearly needed. The uncertainty about the new-look offense as well as the lack of quality holdovers make this landing spot among the more undesirable.

1.09 Las Vegas Raiders RB

The Raiders let Josh Jacobs walk, leaving them with third-year back Zamir White and newly signed Alexander Mattison to lead their backfield. White is certainly intriguing from a dynasty standpoint but with several capable backs in the rookie class, it won’t be a surprise to see Vegas add to their backfield through this draft. If that player is a Day Two pick, he could even have the inside track to start right away.

1.10 Arizona Cardinals WR

With Marquise Brown gone and Rondale Moore traded to Atlanta, the Cardinals simply have few viable receivers left on their depth chart. Michael Wilson had a promising rookie season while fan favorite Greg Dortch is a depth piece at best. The Cardinals have been regularly projected to use the fourth overall pick on Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison, Jr. He’d immediately become Kyler Murray’s top option and would be viewed as a fantasy starter from day one. Even if the Cardinals somehow bypass the potential superstar in Harrison, any rookie receiver drafted in the first two rounds would see a solid value gain as a result of this landing spot.

1.11 Pittsburgh Steelers WR

The Steelers dealt away the disgruntled Diontae Johnson earlier this offseason, leaving just George Pickens, along with tight end Pat Freiermuth, as the team’s reliable receiving options. The Steelers have developed a reputation for snagging Day Two receivers and maximizing their potential, at least in the short term. I expect Pittsburgh to do that again. They currently own picks in the middle of rounds two and three and given the depth of the receiver class, could easily wait until that range to find their WR2 behind Pickens. The changes on the coaching staff and at the quarterback position should be positive moves for Pickens and any other wide receivers as well.

1.12 New York Giants RB

The Giants have so many needs, especially on offense, that their entire roster could be listed here. After Saquon Barkley bolted for division-rival Philadelphia, the Giants responded by signing Devin Singletary, who had a solid year for the Texans. While the veteran was a nice surprise last season, the Giants overpaid him and he’s clearly not a player that can be relied on beyond this season. This team needs a new quarterback, multiple receivers, and potentially a tight end if Darren Waller decides to call it a career, but it’s the running back position that has me most interested. Even in a poor offense, a rookie back could succeed here and make his way into fantasy football starting lineups.

ROUND TWO:

2.01 Kansas City Chiefs WR
2.02 Los Angeles Chargers RB
2.03 Carolina Panthers RB
2.04 New York Giants QB
2.05 Indianapolis Colts TE
2.06 New York Jets TE
2.07 Jacksonville Jaguars WR
2.08 Denver Broncos WR
2.09 New York Giants WR
2.10 Indianapolis Colts WR
2.11 New Orleans Saints WR
2.12 Dallas Cowboys WR

Other Landing Spots to Track:

SEA WR, BUF RB, CIN RB, CAR WR, NE WR, CIN WR, CAR TE, CIN TE, WAS TE, LAC TE, DEN TE, LAR TE, MIA TE, SEA TE, TB TE

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.