Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft 2.0: Pre-Combine

Now that the NFL season is officially over, it is time to look ahead to the off-season. The combine kicks it all off on February 27th. During the combine, rumors will fly regarding rookies, and it will lead to a lot of discourse in the dynasty community. Things will certainly change after the combine as there will still be over a month until the draft, but before everyone’s opinions get swayed due to the combine, let’s take a look at where things stand right now.

The mock will be a two-round, 12-team Superflex league, and the rookies will not have NFL landing spots.

Round 1

1.01- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise St.: Ashton Jeanty is arguably the best RB prospect since Saquon Barkley. He is a powerful runner with elite contact balance as well as good speed and acceleration. He profiles as a three-down workhorse and a true game-changer in the backfield. He is a top-three player in the draft regardless of position, and he is the clear 1.01 regardless of landing spot.

1.02- Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona: Receivers built like Tetairoa McMillan don’t come around too often. He is 6’5″, and 212 pounds, but he moves like a smaller slot receiver. He is great down the field, but he is a true difference-maker after the catch as he is a very fluid mover. His unique blend of size and speed gives him a ceiling that many players simply don’t have. He profiles as an elite red zone threat right away, and he has the chance to be a true difference-maker in fantasy if he develops.

1.03- Cam Ward, QB, Miami: At the moment Cam Ward feels like a lock to be the first quarterback off the board in April, and he should be in rookie drafts as well. He has an elite arm, the ability to make any throw, a solid rushing floor, and extreme confidence. He has everything a team looks for in a franchise QB, and if he puts it all together and limits the turnovers, he could be a special player in the NFL and fantasy.

1.04- Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC: Jeanty gets all the shine, and rightfully so, but Omarion Hampton is an elite talent as well. He is a physical runner who hits the hole without hesitation. He put up great numbers despite not having much help around him. He profiles as a three-down back who shouldn’t come off the field much. He has a chance at first-round draft capital in April, and if his name is called on night one, he becomes an instant top-eight back in dynasty.

1.05- Luther Burden, WR, Missouri: Luther Burden is a dynamic athlete who excels after the catch. Missouri’s offense had its struggles this year and it caused concern surrounding Burden, but there shouldn’t be any. His upside is as high as McMillans due to his ability after the catch. He profiles as a power slot from day one, and he should see plenty of volume at the next level.

1.06- TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio St.: TreVeyon Henderson has been the biggest riser since the College Football Playoffs as he displayed his elite breakaway speed on numerous occasions. He doesn’t profile as a workhorse, but if he sees just half of the snaps he should be a special fantasy player. Teams may talk themselves into Henderson on night one of the draft, and if he gets round one capital, he may go even earlier than the 1.06. He can be a game-changer due to his speed.

1.07- Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: Shedeur Sanders isn’t the best athlete at the position, but he is an accurate pocket passer who throws with anticipation. He doesn’t profile as much of a rusher, but he is mobile enough to move around in the pocket. It feels like a safe bet he will be a long-term starter at the next level, and that is always valuable for fantasy.

1.08- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio St.: Emeka Egbuka has become one of the more underrated players in the draft. He is a good route runner with great hands, a willing blocker, and he can play anywhere in the offense. His floor is as safe as anyone and his ceiling is higher than some may expect. His fantasy ceiling appears to be Keenan Allen, and that would be a home run, and his floor is still double-digit points in PPR.

1.09- Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa: Kaleb Johnson is a powerful runner who profiles as an early down workhorse, but not much of a pass catcher at the moment. If he lands on the right offense, he could have a chance at double-digit touchdowns as a rookie. His ceiling will be determined on his touchdown upside, but he should see plenty of work to have a safe floor.

1.10- Tyler Warren, TE, Penn St.: Tyler Warren can do it all at tight end. He is a matchup nightmare over the middle of the field, as well as a great safety blanket for his quarterback. He headlines a very strong tight-end class, and he feels like a lock for the top-twenty on draft night.

1.11- Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio St.: Quinshon Judkins had a good season, but not the season many had hoped for. People have questions about his speed, but his vision and pass-catching ability give him the potential to be a three-down back. He may also wind up as an early down-back who has to rely on touchdowns to be a difference-maker. His landing spot will determine a lot.

1.12- Matthew Golden, WR, Texas: Matthew Golden can be lined up anywhere on the field and produce. He is an explosive route runner who can win at all levels. He is trending towards first-round capital, which would lock him into round one.

Round 2

2.01- Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan: A tremendous athlete at tight end who needs to improve as a blocker. With his athleticism, he should be a go-to target over the middle of the field at the next level.

2.02- Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado: If he was only a receiver, he would be a top-three pick, but it appears Travis Hunter will play full-time corner at the next level with plays sprinkled in on offense. Well worth the gamble in round two, not in round one.

2.03- Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee: An explosive runner with breakaway speed. He runs through contact and exploits bad angles at the second level.

2.04- Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss: A bigger receiver with great hands and an ability to play the game at his own pace. He can win in all areas of the field with his size and speed.

2.05- Jack Bech, WR, TCU: A former tight end who plays as a powerful receiver. He has strong hands as well as a physical playstyle that he uses to his advantage downfield. Not the most dynamic athlete but he knows how to win off the line of scrimmage.

2.06- Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona St.: He seeks out contact and runs through defenders. He is a better pass catcher than advertised, and he has the potential to be a three-down back. Not the fastest back, but he has good short-yardage quickness.

2.07- Devin Neal, RB, Kansas: A quick accelerator with good burst and vision. He makes defenders miss with his quick cuts and burst. Also a weapon in the passing game as he has great hands.

2.08- Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss: Needs to sit for a year or two, but he has the tools that teams look for, especially his arm. Needs to go through all of his reads and take what the defense gives him instead of trying to create.

2.09- Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford: A bigger receiver who profiles best as a big slot. A sharp route runner who wins off the line of scrimmage. He can play inside or outside at the next level.

2.10- Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa St.: A bigger receiver with great movement skills. He can win at all three levels of the field and profiles as a wide receiver two in the NFL.

2.11- Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma St.: A bigger back who has good initial burst, but not great top-end speed. He picks up steam as he gets downhill and is a physical runner. His 2023 season showed his upside, if he can find that version of himself again he will be a steal.

2.12- Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon: A smaller receiver, but one of the best separators in the draft class. Elite speed makes him a tough guard in one-on-one situations. Can turn a short gain into a long one with his speed.

End Of My Mock Draft Rant

The landing spots will ultimately determine a lot when it comes to rookie drafts, but it is never too early to see where things may stand. The combine always pushes players up boards and down boards, so it made sense to go over things before players rise and fall.

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