Monday Mocks: Post-Combine DLF Team Rookie Mock Draft
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.
Last week, in anticipation of the annual NFL Scouting Combine, I shared a 1QB rookie mock draft, along with some of the tools and other information we offer that hopefully supported your Combine viewing experience. As it always does, the Combine gave us a new perspective and additional pieces to the puzzle for many key players.
This week, it’s time to take a new look at what a rookie mock draft might look like, with a focus on the players gaining or losing value following the events in Indianapolis.
After the Combine concluded, I gathered a group of DLF writers to mock it out, superflex style. Here is how our team currently views the top four rounds of a superflex rookie draft.
Mock drafters, in order:
- Rob Willette
- Bruce Matson
- John Arrington
- Joe Cretini
- Matt Price
- Dan Meylor
- Andrew Scherber
- Alex Sheldon
- Ryan McDowell
- Brandon Haye
- John DiBari
- Lewis Wood
ROUND ONE:
1.01 – Ashton Jeanty, RB
We saw little from the top back in the class as Jeanty wisely sat out of the on-field drills. He’s already proven enough and could find his way into the top-ten picks come NFL Draft night. Willette agrees, saying, “Even in SF, Jeanty is a clear 1.01 as a dominant three-down player who is a top 5 dynasty RB from day one. No standout QB makes this easy.”
1.02 – Omarion Hampton, RB
One of the winners of the Combine, and as a result, a fast riser and now a potential first-round NFL Draft pick. Hampton’s 111.7 speed score helped give him a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.93, tops among this year’s class and the fourteenth-best since 1987.
1.03 – Tetairoa McMillan, WR
McMillan was another presumed first-rounder who was mostly a bystander in Indianapolis. There is a lot to like about the playmaker who has been often compared to Drake London, but recent reports suggest his stock is falling. That didn’t change anything for Arrington, who shared his thoughts on the former Arizona star, “With rookie drafts, I stick to tier-based drafting, so this is the easiest decision I’ve had to make in a long time. McMillan is my clear-cut WR1 in the class, and I would even consider him at 1.01.”
1.04 – Cam Ward, QB
Although Ward didn’t participate in any testing or throwing drills at the Combine, he still came away as a riser by default as his prime competition created more questions about his game, but more on that later. Here’s what Cretini had to say about his pick…” I am sprinting to the podium to draft the presumed QB1, Cam Ward. Despite any perceptions around this quarterback class being weak, getting to draft a quarterback with top-five draft capital this late in superflex rookie drafts is a rare opportunity. Rumors have circulated this week in Indy that some teams are considering trading up to the #1 overall pick to draft Ward. I’m ecstatic he has fallen to me here.”
1.05 – Shedeur Sanders, QB
Like his fellow quarterback, Sanders did not participate, but there was plenty of news and opinions being shared about the son of Prime. Multiple reports suggest many NFL teams don’t view Sanders as a top-ten pick. We’ll soon find out if that’s just talk or the beginning of a Draft Day fall. Price made this pick and had these thoughts regarding Sanders…” A unique prospect given that he has been in the spotlight since he was a child, Sanders displays all the baseline traits you want to see from an NFL starting quarterback. His experience playing behind atrocious offensive lines will benefit him at the next level, should he land with a bad team.
Sanders throws with touch and accuracy as a passer, displaying the ability to stand in the pocket and deliver a big-time throw even when he knows he’s about to be punished by a pass rusher who wasn’t touched on his way to the quarterback. Getting a quarterback prospect of his quality in the middle of the first is a luxury I can’t pass up at this point in the off-season process. That could change once we know more about his situation as an NFL rookie. Given what we know right now, the negativity directed at Sanders feels more like noise than signal.
Shedeur Sanders | Credit: Ron Chenoy
1.06 – Kaleb Johnson, RB
When it comes to the running back class beyond Jeanty, it’s a “get your guy” situation. For many, including Meylor, Iowa’s punishing back Johnson is their guy. While Johnson didn’t wow at the Combine, that doesn’t have Meylor worried at all. “We knew Kaleb Johnson would run in the 4.5s, so I’m not sweating what he did in Indy. He’s big, athletic, and reads blocks while also showing upside as a pass catcher. A perfect fit in the Shanahan zone run scheme, he has RB1 upside and is a solid pick at 1.06.”
1.07 – Tyler Warren, TE
The top tight end of the class could actually become a major value as a mid-first-rounder. Ranked by most as a top-ten overall prospect in the class, Warren can do it all, balancing size and athleticism. Like many others, Warren did nothing at the Combine, but no others threatened his status as the top tight end. Here’s what Scherber thinks about the former Michigan star…”There were a number of ways I could have gone here, but Warren just felt safest regardless of format. The talent is there for him to be one of the best young tight ends in the league early on. Whether or not he ultimately becomes elite in fantasy will partly depend on landing spot, but that is true for most of the remaining prospects, especially the running backs. Warren is the safest bet here in my opinion.”
1.08 – Matthew Golden, WR
Perhaps the most impressive wide receiver of the weekend and a clear riser, Golden has gone from sleeper to first-round dynasty lock in a matter of a few weeks. Golden was already gaining steam before posting a 4.29 40-yard time, the best among all rookie wideouts. Sheldon sees some of the same things, making him the pick here at the eighth spot…” Matthew Golden has been picking up steam these past few weeks and has started to get consideration as a first-round receiver. After his combine performance, he’s likely locked into being a first-round selection and potentially the WR2 of the draft.”
1.09 – TreVeyon Henderson, RB
I had the ninth pick and debated between a pair of former Buckeyes backs, eventually settling on Henderson. The explosive back showed off at the Combine, posting elite numbers in the vertical (38.5”) and broad (10’8”) jumps, along with a very good 4.43 40 time. Henderson is expected to be a Day Two pick and is a smash pick this late in rookie drafts.
1.10 – Devin Neal, RB
This is a bit earlier than we’ve typically seen Neal, the former Kansas back, get drafted. Remember though, as tightly packed as these backs are in rankings, it’s dangerous to assume you can get your guy with a later pick. While some may have viewed Neal’s 4.58 40 as a disappointment, he more than made up for it with his excellent jumps of 37.5” (vertical) and 10’4” (broad). Haye explained his pick…” This is not my favorite spot, but I think Devin Neal is a sleeper. Aspects of his game remind me of Bucky Irving. Does not have great speed but shows good short area quickness.”
1.11 – Quinshon Judkins, RB
DiBari got a steal with this pick, and he knows it. “9.88 RAS (23rd best since 1987). I would hate to admit how much earlier I would have taken him, but landing him at 1.11 might be the biggest steal of the draft.” I’m with him. Judkins was another huge winner coming out of the Combine. There has even been some occasional first-round talk regarding his draft status. I doubt that happens, but Day Two draft capital with a favorable landing spot will be enough to push Judkins up the board post-NFL Draft.
1.12 – Luther Burden, WR
With most of the top wideouts bypassing the on-field drills, Burden not only participated but thrived at the Combine. There are still some concerns about Burden, partly caused by a sub-8.5” hand measurement. No matter the hand size, Wood loves the value he got to end the first round. “Burden was the presumed 1.01 after a huge 2023 campaign. Yes, the 2024 season was a drop-off, but the explosivity and YAC are still elite. Getting him at 1.12 is a huge value – I’d consider him at 1.04-5.”
ROUND TWO:
2.01 – Emeka Egbuka, WR
Ohio State’s Egbuka also sat out the Combine drills, which was a curious choice given he is far from a Round One lock. Egbuka is an ideal slot man and can be a quarterback’s best friend. He’d be a solid value in the second round of rookie drafts. Willette was clearly happy with the value of the Buckeyes’ wideout: “I will nab Egbuka, a never flashy yet reliable player who could easily be a PPR cheat code annually.”
2.02 – DJ Giddens, RB
The Combine changed the outlook for Giddens, the Kansas State product who was viewed as a sleeper back just a few days ago. A big back (6’0”, 212 pounds) with explosive traits and very good speed. This all resulted in a near-perfect RAS for Giddens, who might be able to get into the Day Two mix following his impressive performance.
2.03 – Jaxson Dart, QB
You might have noticed a theme in this year’s Combine. Many of the top incoming stars chose to sit out, which was frustrating to many. Ole Miss signal caller Dart was ready to compete and showed off his cannon arm. He’s a big-time riser and should be drawing first-round draft capital after his showing in Indy. Arrington loved what he saw…” This one is too easy. It’s a superflex league, and Dart is easily a top-three quarterback in this class and has been moving up throughout the entire process. Dart has the best metrics of any quarterback in this class, but there are concerns with the offensive scheme helping him out. I’m willing to take that chance toward the end of the first round of rookie drafts.”
Jaxson Dart | Credit: Petre Thomas
2.04 – Colston Loveland, TE
While Warren is nearly unanimously ranked as the TE1 in the class, Loveland shouldn’t be far behind. The gap of nearly a full round will not happen in most rookie drafts. A 6’6” beast, Loveland did not work out as he recovers from a shoulder injury, but he is expected to be fully healthy for training camp. With multiple teams in need of a tight end, Loveland could come off the board in the middle of Round One.
2.05 – Cam Skattebo, RB
Still riding a hot streak coming off an all-time performance in the college football playoffs, Skattebo showed off his skills at the Combine. The Arizona State back posted the third-best vertical jump (39.5”) and a 10’3” broad jump but sat out of the 40, which was probably wise. Price loves Skattebo…” An old-school, violent running back with a modern-era NFL skillset. Skattebo plays with incredible physicality that reminds me of Marshawn Lynch at times, with his insatiable need to run through and over defenders. A skilled receiver, Skattebo will help us out in fantasy with explosive production on screen plays and wheel routes.
Skattebo is one of those guys that “just loves playing football” and will be my selection in the middle of the second round in nearly every draft, depending on where he lands in the NFL draft. My ideal landing spot would be with the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round.”
2.06 – Jalen Royals, WR
Coming off a season-ending foot injury, Royals was still able to run a solid 4.42 40 at the Combine, along with an impressive gauntlet performance. Meylor made Royals his second-round pick…”Jalen Royals is the hidden gem of the 2025 receiver class. He has the best football IQ of any wideout in the draft and makes contested catches look effortless. I want a wide receiver that can get open versus man and zone, and at all three levels of the defense and Royals is that guy.”
2.07 – Jaylin Noel, WR
One of the biggest winners of the Combine was Noel. After an impressive Senior Bowl performance, Noel continued his heater in Indy. Noel led all wideouts in the vertical jump (41.5”), broad jump (11’2”), and bench (23 reps.) Noel is a virtual lock to be a second-rounder and his rookie ADP should climb in the next 50 days as well. Scherber scooped him up right here…” With a 4.39 in the 40 as well as a 41” vertical, Noel confirmed his physical gifts. For now, he profiles as a slot receiver with juice, and that would be fine, but I firmly believe he can become a much more complete wide receiver at the next level with some fine-tuning to his release package and overall route running technique. At this stage of the draft, that upside was very appealing to me.”
2.08 – Jayden Higgins, WR
Noel’s teammate, Higgins also had a very strong Combine performance. Sheldon grabbed the value and shared his thoughts…”Jayden Higgins has been having a great draft season as he looked like one of the best receivers at the Senior Bowl and got a 9.87 RAS score based on his combine results. He’s trending towards being an early day 2 selection based on that, and his inside-out potential, hands, and catch radius make him a great value pick this late in the draft.”
Jayden Higgins scored a 9.87 out of 10.00 on his RAS Score.
He ranked 46 out of 3,408 WR’s from 1987 to 2025 (Per: @MathBomb).
Notable Information:
➖94th Percentile Height (6’4)
➖96th Percentile Arm Length (33”)
➖94th Percentile Speed Score (111.6)A true X Wide Receiver pic.twitter.com/VW6eVDrV7o
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) March 2, 2025
2.09 – Elic Ayomanor, WR
An underrated winner coming out of the Combine, Ayomanor has ideal size for a possession receiver, posting elite jumps of 38.5” (vertical) and 10’7” (broad) and a surprising 4.47 40-yard time. While still a long shot to move into Day One, Ayomanor should go early in the second round and would be a major value this late in the second round of rookie drafts.
2.10 – Trevor Etienne, RB
Georgia’s Etienne showed off his elite speed and very good explosion numbers in the jumps, yet he came in just under 200 pounds on his 5’8” frame. This is typically a bad sign, but at this point in the rookie draft, the gamble is well worth it. Here’s what Haye shared about Etienne… “Another running back but I think Etienne showed great things on the field but dealt with injuries at Georgia. He ran well at the combine and showed good receiving skills at the Senior Bowl. I think he is underrated and good be a very good NFL player.”
2.11 – Bhayshul Tuten, RB
The story of the Combine, the little-known Tuten led his position in the 40 (4.32) and vertical (40.5”) and tied for the second-longest broad jump (10’10”). DiBari scooped up the riser at the end of the second round… “I was a Tuten guy before the combine, and after he blew the doors off the building with his performance, I’m shocked he was still available this late. I think he gets decent Day Two draft capital, to a team that needs a starter at the position, and we won’t see him go this late again.”
2.12 – Travis Hunter, WR/CB
At the start of the Combine, there were multiple reports that most teams were viewing Hunter as a wide receiver, rather than a cornerback. Then, Hunter himself reminded us that he can go both ways and wants to do that in the league. Dynasty managers clearly still have some hesitation about how the Heisman winner will be used, which has led to his routine falls down draft boards. Wood finished off the second round, taking a shot on Hunter… “Travis Hunter is the WR1 in this class if he plays more on offense. Without clarity, it’s hard to take him much higher, but it’s very risk-free at 2.12 and has the upside to be the best pick in the draft.”
ROUND THREE:
3.01 – Jalen Milroe, QB
3.02 – Dylan Sampson, RB
3.03 – Tre Harris, WR
3.04 – Mason Taylor, TE
3.05 – Elijah Arroyo, TE
3.06 – Jack Bech, WR
3.07 – Quinn Ewers, QB
3.08 – Tahj Brooks, RB
3.09 – Ollie Gordon, RB
3.10 – Tory Horton, WR
3.11 – Damien Martinez, RB
3.12 – Tai Felton, WR
ROUND FOUR:
4.01 – Savion Williams, WR
4.02 – RJ Harvey, RB
4.03 – Brashard Smith, RB
4.04 – Harold Fannin, TE
4.05 – LeQuint Allen, RB
4.06 – Xavier Restrepo, WR
4.07 – Isaiah Bond, WR
4.08 – Kyle Monangai, RB
4.09 – Tyler Shough, QB
4.10 – Ricky White, WR
4.11 – Raheim Sanders, RB
4.12 – Tez Johnson, WR
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