2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft: Post-Combine Edition, Round One

As always, the DLF Slack channels have been filled with healthy debates and discussions on this year’s rookie class. Most of us have our pre-draft rookie rankings but some minds have been changed based on the results of this year’s NFL Draft Scouting Combine. Before you know it, many rookie drafts will kick off across the globe, so we wanted to see where we might expect the players in this rookie class to be selected after this year’s edition of the Underwear Olympics. As a result, we conducted a three-round rookie mock draft, post-combine edition. Some details are below.

This was a 1QB draft

Once someone made a selection, they were instructed to wait at least two more picks to make an additional selection in order to let others chime in

I asked for commentary on each pick but I’ll add my own thoughts on each selection as well

With all that in mind, let’s take a look at how this thing panned out, starting with round one.

1.01 = Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR OSU

Commentary given: In a draft full of solid receivers, he still stands out. The production, metrics, and family history are all significant. In the end, there are likely going to be five or six receivers taken this year who truly have the potential to be a future dynasty WR1 but Harrison seems almost assured to be just that. I’ll take that at 1.01 in any year. In short, he’s as close to a sure thing as you’re ever going to get.

My thoughts: Clearly makes sense to me. I spent some time the other day looking at the best wide receiver classes in history. The one most widely regarded as being the best was back in 1996 and it featured the following:

1 = Keyshawn Johnson, Jets
7 = Terry Glenn, Patriots
18 = Eddie Kennison, Rams
19 = Marvin Harrison, Colts (ironic, I know)
24 = Eric Moulds, Bills
34 = Amani Toomer, Giants (it’s not a Toomah)
43 = Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers
52 = Bobby Engram, Bears
89 = Terrell Owens, 49ers
135 = Joe Horn, Chiefs

To us old timers, we remember that one well. For those who haven’t been around for that long, check out the 2014 NFL Draft.

4 = Sammy Watkins, Bills
7 = Mike Evans, Buccaneers
12 = Odell Beckham Jr., Giants
20 = Brandin Cooks, Saints
53 = Davante Adams, Packers
61 = Allen Robinson, Jaguars
63 = Jarvis Landry, Dolphins
91 = John Brown, Cardinals

This year’s version is widely regarded as one of the best of all-time (at least on paper). We’ll see if that actually pans out but it’s fun to look back, nonetheless. Regardless, Harrison would be my choice seven days a week. Will this class rival that of 2014?

1.02 = Malik Nabers. WR LSU

Commentary given: Any other year, he could easily be the 1.01. He’s an incredibly smooth route runner who creates separation with ease. Wherever he lands, he will command volume immediately and produce for fantasy the second he gets on the field.

My thoughts: This one also seems to be given in a 1QB draft. At this point, it seems more likely Nabers passes Harrison than Rome Odunze passes Nabers. There’s a clear “it” factor with Nabors and while his landing spot is going to be critical, he looks like the clear 1.02 at the moment. The next month or two is going to be interesting to see if it holds.

1.03 = Rome Odunze. WR WASH

Commentary given:  Let’s keep the WR train rolling. He posted a crazy 9.69 RAS score and looked good at the combine (and more importantly) was at the combine (which we can’t say about picks one and two). He has great size, good speed, and great college production. Odunze is a red zone and first down machine who should have no problem producing at the next level. We’re just waiting to see his draft capital.

My thoughts: Being a huge Husky homer, I’m trying to be as un-bias as I can. However, it’s hard for me not to get really excited about Odunze. He has a track record of success and looks like a sure-fire star at the next level. I’ll be buying in the top three in every draft I can this off-season.

1.04 Brian Thomas Jr., WR LSU

Commentary given: I’m tapping the WR until it’s dry. Thomas tested very well at the Combine with a 4.33 40-time and a 38.5 inch vert. The tape checks out he has a very explosive release package and excels at making plays downfield. First round draft capital is almost a lock with him. Considering he posted a 13.9 average depth of target, if he gets paired with a big-armed quarterback who likes to chuck it downfield, he could be the most productive wide receiver in the class.

My thoughts: I’m not 100% sure Thomas isn’t a bit of a one-trick pony but I’m also pretty certain his floor is pretty high, too. While I’m not prepared to put him ahead of the “big three” at the moment and see a clear tier break after those top three receivers, I’m also not looking to move the 1.04 if I have it. I really like his upside.

1.05 – Brock Bowers, TE Georgia

Commentary given: Bowers might be the most impressive tight end prospect we’ve ever seen. He has been an elite college player since he stepped on campus. He caught 13 touchdowns his freshman year and broke out at the age of 18. He’ll be a star tight end no matter where he is selected to.

My thoughts: The selections of players like Eric Ebron and Kyle Pitts are going to scare a lot of dynasty managers away but Bowers could honestly be a Travis Kelce-like difference maker in the end. I don’t love taking tight ends this highly but I can see the case to be made as Bowers looks truly special. He’ll just have to be in order to merit a top-5 pick.

1.06 = Xavier Worthy, WR TEX

Commentary given: He was being pushed by a lot of receivers in the pre-draft process (including his own teammate in Adonai Mitchell). However, a record-breaking combine and a season featuring a 75/1,014/5 line have him squarely where he should be – a first round rookie wide receiver with massive upside.

My thoughts: There’s no doubt Worthy helped himself by being the fastest player in combine history. A lot of people had his teammate ahead of him but most of them have changed their minds now. Getting someone with this kind of upside in the middle of round one is rare and simply illustrates the depth of this year’s class.

1.07  = Caleb Williams, QB USC

Commentary given: Williams has gone from being a generational talent to a controversial pick in the time since he won his Heisman Trophy in 2022. I loved his confidence and demeanor during Combine media interviews, but he did not throw. He should put on a show at USC’s Pro Day and will be the number one overall pick.

My thoughts: I’m just not convinced Williams is the second coming of Patrick Mahomes. I’m also not convinced Chicago is the best place to unlock his fantasy potential. While I like him as a prospect, I’d be really hard-pressed to take him this highly in a 1QB format. Still, I can see the reasoning.

1.08 = Trey Benson, RB FSU

Commentary given:  It seems like a good time to start pushing running backs earlier in drafts. Benson was already my RB1 in this year’s class, and his 4.39 forty at 6′ and 216 locked him in for me.

My thoughts: I would’ve taken Benson one pick earlier so this one makes sense to me. He was my RB1 prior to the combine and his performance did nothing but solidify that. While the position as a whole doesn’t look nearly as good as usual, Benson has NFL-level traits that should translate.

1.09 Troy Franklin, WR ORE

Commentary given: Disappointing combine but still love his profile and potential. Great route running and athleticism with good age-adjusted production. Only just turned 21 so plenty of room to develop as well.

My thoughts: I honestly think his 10-second split time (worst at the Combine) is going to be overblown. He’s a playmaker and while he’s not in the same class as some others, this is a value pick for me at 1.09.

1.10 = Jonathon Brooks, RB Texas

Commentary given: If it weren’t for the ACL injury, Brooks would probably be considered the number one running back in this class. Seeing him at the Combine, he was walking around just fine with no brace on his knee. It was also impossible to ignore what a beast of a human being Brooks was. Measuring in at 6 feet tall and 216 pounds, he’ll be a tough player to bring down. He said he should be fully healthy by training camp, but that may be an optimistic timeline for the Texas running back.

My thoughts: I like Brooks as a prospect and this seems like a good range to me. In other drafts, he’d be a top-5 option so there’s a chance a contending team could get a piece that allows them to stay in contention late in round one. The injury isn’t a big deal to me at all since ACL injuries seem to be a rite of passage these days.

1.11  Ladd McConkey, WR Georgia

Commentary given: I’ve seen him as high as WR4 in some pre-combine mocks, so to land him here as WR7 feels like stealing. I was already high on him, his combine performance only confirmed all my prior biases.

My thoughts: No player has risen more in the past couple days than McConkey. I’m still on the fence as to him being a first round rookie pick but I can also see the logic behind it. It’s honestly hard to look past his workout numbers and production.

1.12 Xavier Legette, WR South Carolina

Commentary given: I know people hate the fact he was a one hit wonder in his fifth year in college, but I saw what I needed to at the combine. Legette has good size at 6-1, 221 pounds and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash. He also had a 40 inch vertical jump. He is a player I think is worth taking a shot on at this point in the draft.

My thoughts: I like this pick as well. Legette may be a “one-hit wonder” but there’s also something to be said about a player who has simply matured and grown during his time in college. There’s nothing wrong about being a player who has improved throughout his college career and people need to look at that as a positive instead of a negative.

We’ll see you later this week for round two!