Rookie SuperFlex Mock Draft part II

By John Laub
John Laub

 

 

   Dynasty Football 101

 

         Rookie SuperFlex Mock Draft part II

                February 14-17 2022


 

 

Round 2

 

2.1 WR George Pickens, Georgia

I was hoping Pickens would make it back to me and he did. He’s 6’3” and 200-pounds with good speed, and runs crisp routes. Even though Pickens missed most of 2022 with a torn ACL, he is one of the few players who has the talent to be the top receiver from this draft class. Pickens has the physical tools to be a prototypical No. 1 wideout. The biggest risk in my opinion is his attitude, which could cause issues. That said, I think the risk is worth the reward at this price. My comp is A.J. Green in his prime. Mark Ringo, @MarkRingo12

2.2 WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

With Matt Corral, Malik Willis, Sam Howell and Kenny Pickett all being selected at the end of the first round, I am not going to reach for a quarterback at this point, even if I “need” one. I prefer in a Dynasty Standard or SuperFlex draft to go “the best player” available route. This one fell into my lap and I couldn’t be more excited then to get Olave here. After his Combine and Pro Day come and go, we could see him move into the first round of rookie drafts. His speed, elusiveness and route running are some of the top of this wide receiver class. He’s a true deep threat and can take the ball to the house anytime. Any offense should enjoy having Olave on their team as he can line up as the X, Y or Z positions on the field. Ryan Miner, @RyanMiner_FFB

 

2.3 WR David Bell, Purdue

I was excited that David Bell was still on the board at pick 2.03 in this SuperFlex mock draft. He is in my top five of rookie wide receivers in this class. He declared early, but in his three seasons at Purdue, he produced elite statistics with 232 receptions for 2,946 yards and 21 touchdowns. He is a cerebral player and is only 21-years old with excellent size at 6’2” and 205-pounds. He is the type of receiver that is not great at one particular thing, but he’s good at just about everything. Jeremy Miller, @Miller88Jeremy

2.4 WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State

This looks like a deep wide receiver class, but I believe there’s a bit of a drop-off after the top eight, and Dotson was the last of those eight still on the board when I made this selection. He’s on the small side (5’11” and 183-pounds), but I don’t worry about size as much if a receiver can beat press coverage, and Dotson beat it consistently at Penn State. He’s a fantastic route-runner with exceptional ball skills. Tough competition seemed to bring out his best, as evidenced by 8-144-3 and 11-127-0 performances against Ohio State in 2020 and 2021. Pat Fitzmaurice, @Fitz_FF

2.5 RB James Cook, Georgia

If you look at season totals, you’re going to breeze by Cook. It wasn’t long ago, another pair of Bulldog runners split the backfield and then went on to be very productive in the NFL. Cook has the DNA, being Dalvin’s brother, to be a star. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry and scored a touchdown once every 16 carries. Landing spot will be crucial for his fantasy projection. Ryan Stern, @rstern33

2.6 WR Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky

A converted running back, Robinson found enough success on the ground in college that we’re going to hear the Deebo Samuel comp far too many times between now and draft day. The reality is that they’re quite different stylistically, and ultimately, I think Robinson settles in as a very good NFL slot receiver. Even though he is still learning the wide receiver position, he’s already an excellent route runner, capable of creating the type of quick separation that NFL quarterbacks will love. That doesn’t mean a creative offensive coordinator wouldn’t also look to funnel some carries his way. After all, Robinson is a nightmare to try to tackle in space. To me, Robinson is already what Kadarius Toney truthers want him to be. I’d rather have the guy who has demonstrated the ability to stay on the field and seems to have his head on straight. For what it’s worth, I strongly considered Carson Strong here as well. I have no idea if he’ll pan out, but the arm talent is pretty undeniable. Still, I’ve been a big fan of Robinson dating back to his freshman season at Nebraska so I couldn’t pass him up. Warren Kiessling, @rotocoach

2.7 QB Carson Strong, Nevada

In Round 2, I selected Carson Strong as a high-value pick. Strong can make all the NFL throws and has complete control of an offense. This year, he threw for 4,186 yards and 36 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. Although the knock on him will be his lack of running ability, many other consistent fantasy starters used their arms as their main weapon; Stafford, Brady, and Herbert are just three examples that come to mind. His decision making skills and arm strength will serve him well long term in the NFL and as a fantasy producer. Joe Goody, @JGoody77

2.8 TE Jaylen Wydermyer, Texas A&M

This was another player that I suspect will go a little higher in rookie drafts, but my goal will be to get him around this pick. Wydermyer is basically tied with another tight end in Trey Mcbride, in my opinion, but both stand out from the rest of the field. At 6'5” and 255-pounds, he has the size to be an every-down tight end, and I expect him to crush the Combine as well. I have him projected to get Second Round NFL Draft capital, so he checks all of the boxes for me. John Arrington, @DynastyCoachA

2.9 RB Rachaad White, Arizona State

In Dynasty drafts, the wide receivers are the deepest position in 2022. Therefore, I wanted to grab the last of my top six running backs. White offers an elite fantasy ceiling as a pass catcher. At 6’0” and 210-pounds, the former Sun Devils’ gamebreaker ran a diverse route tree in college and might be the preeminent backfield pass-catcher available in April. Last summer, Bruce Feldman named the Arizona State runner to his annual “Freaks” list, and White lived up to the advance billing. In 2021, White snatched 43 passes for over 450 yards and a touchdown. He also registered 1,456 yards from scrimmage. Grabbing two electric pass-catching backs in the first two rounds makes me very happy. John Laub, @Gridironschol91

 

2.10 RB Dameon Pierce, Florida

Pierce has begun to catch some buzz as draft season winds up, and for good reason. The 5' 10" and 215-pound brawler won't pop in most analytical models, never having broken 600 yards in a season, but his film tells a very different story from his stats. He's elusive, a tackle breaker, and runs with a violence unbeaten in this class, but also shows surprising smoothness and agility for his size. He didn't get a ton of passing-game work but did at times play split out wide and was highly efficient with the reps he got, putting up 11.4 yards per receptions and three touchdowns on just 19 catches in his final year. If you're in early drafts, scoop Pierce up at his current undervalued price; when he gets Day 2 Draft Capital this spring, he won't be hanging around at the end of the second any longer. Eric Kortz, @ekballer

2.11 QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

I didn't intend to double up at the quarterback position, but Desmond Ridder at pick 2.11 is too good to pass up. I see Ridder as a potential sledgehammer on a contending roster. If he gets good draft capital and finds the field in 2021, there is Jalen Hurts level potential at a bargain price. I don't love his arm as he has a tendency to miss the easy throws, but a solid rushing floor can overcome many accuracy ills. Consider me thrilled to grab him here and have a high upside asset with ascending trade value moving forward. Tommy Blair, @TommyBl46781407

2.12 RB Tyler Allgeier, BYU

I selected Allgeier as the eighth running back off the board at pick 2.12 because he is an above-average pass catcher with the size and power to be an asset on any down, in any situation. The BYU product is an explosive back with a nose for the end zone (23 rushing touchdowns in 2021). What might impress me the most about his rise in the collegiate level, is his ability to overcome and get better. He was a nominee for the 2021 Burlsworth Award: The most outstanding player who started his campus tenure as a walk-on. Another feather in Allgeier's cap, he hasn't missed a game in his college career due to injury. Jeff Haseley, @JeffHaseley

 

Round 3

 

3.1 WR John Metchie, III, Alabama

I was eyeing RB Dameon Pierce, but Erik sniped me–gaa! Metchie is still a nice consolation prize. He’s quick, a good route runner, and should make plenty of catches, especially if used in the slot. Here’s my thinking with drafting injured players like Metchie, III…it’s not ideal, but long-term they’ll probably be fine. My picks probably won’t do much in 2022, but that’s actually a good thing. In theory, everyone else’s teams’ should do better than mine this upcoming season since their picks will contribute more than my rookies. That helps my team’s chances of getting a high draft slot next year which, in turn, helps me build a more formidable team for a sustained run. My comp is the Packers’ Randall Cobb. Mark Ringo

3.2 TE Trey McBride, Colorado State

First, if Trey McBride makes it out of the second round of drafts, thank your league mates for letting him slip. He had a great season with 90 receptions and 1,121 yards along with one touchdown. The touchdowns may not have been there for the Colorado State Ram, but he was the team’s playmaker. Coming in at 6’3” and 249-pounds, he’s got the size that NFL teams are looking for. He was a standout at Senior Bowl practices and caught a touchdown pass from Desmond Ritter in the game. He’s a well-rounded tight end that blocks well and catches on the run. I see him as a poor man’s Rob Gronkowski, with a nice ability to be a safety relief for a team’s quarterback. Ryan Miner

3.3 RB Brian Robinson, Alabama

Brian Robinson Jr. is the type of player that I will draft in probably 70% of my Dynasty leagues this year. He is a solid running back from an elite college program in Alabama, and if he lands in the right spot, he could be a great two-down back in a shared backfield. He has good size and decent speed, but he is an older back that played five seasons so most dynasty players will pass on him in the first two rounds of most rookie drafts. So that should give everyone a chance to draft him in the early third round of Dynasty drafts this year. Jeremy Miller

3.4 RB Jerome Ford, Cincinnati

Tough choice here between Ford and Jalen Tolbert. Ford only had one season of high-level college production, but I don’t consider it a major strike against him, because he was log-jammed at Alabama for two seasons before transferring to Cincinnati. He’s powerfully built at 5’11” and 215-pounds and seems to have a nose for the end zone, with 20 scores for the Bearcats in 2021. Ford is probably going to be a committee back in the NFL, but he’s talented enough to get his foot in the door somewhere. Pat Fitzmaurice

3.5 WR Skyy Moore, Western Michigan

Give me 94 catches for 1,283 yards and 10 touchdowns in the third round all day. Moore has great short speed and burst off the line and is a terrific route runner. He should be a productive slot receiver not too long into his NFL career. Ryan Stern

3.6 WR Romeo Doubs, Nevada

The third round is where we take home run swings in rookie drafts so I try not to think about a prospect’s floor and instead just focus on the potential upside. After all, it feels like we wind up dropping guys from this round more often than not, or just burying them deep on the roster for a couple of seasons. Doubs is a great size-speed combo and has the type of athletic profile I probably fall in love with far too often. So here I am setting up to get hurt again. Doubs has both suddenness and easy acceleration, transitions in and out of breaks smoothly, and seems to have little trouble creating separation at multiple levels. The big question is going to be his hands. While he tracks the ball well on deep routes and can win in contested catch situations, too often he lets the ball get into his body and will at times suffer from focus drops. It’s fixable stuff, and as I said, the athletic profile is there. He may have the ability to develop into an Allen Robinson-type down the line. I also strongly considered Jalen Tolbert here, but I went with Doubs because I’m not convinced Tolbert wasn’t just an older prospect (already 23-years old already) who mostly benefited from beating up on Sun Belt-level competition. Warren Kiessling

3.7 WR Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama

In round three, I took my favorite wide receiver coming out of the Senior Bowl in Tolbert. The former Jaguars’ star caught 82 passes for 1,474 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior year and was awarded the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year. Observers have noted his ability to run by or out-muscle defenders shows that he is as well-rounded as any player at the position. With ideal size and above average speed, Tolbert could be this year’s DK Metcalf or Justin Jefferson. In the right situation, Tolbert will outshine all the other wide receivers selected ahead of him as he proves the team on his helmet isn’t as important as the talent on the field. Joe Goody

3.8 TE Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina

The plan going in was definitely not to grab two tight ends, but my strategy is always the best player available, so here we are! There was a running back and a couple of wide receivers that I had my eye on, but I don't think they had the upside that Likely presents, if he hits. While he is a tier below Wydermyer for me, I still see an exciting, athletic profile, and decent size. If he gets the early third round draft capital I'm expecting, he could be a steal in the late third. John Arrington

3.9 WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State

After grabbing back-to-back running backs, I wanted to acquire a receiver with upside. As the 2021 season came to a close, the industrial draft complex began to identify Watson as a NFL prospect despite playing at the FCS level. Therefore, I needed to put my eyeballs on the Bisons’ playmaker. I observed Watson in the FCS playoffs and at the Senior Bowl. At 6’4” and 211-pounds, Watson has the size and frame to succeed at the next level, and my production model highlights his abilities. He posted a 35% Team Aerial Dominator and averaged over 20 yards per catch. Both are impressive and indicate NFL potential. I will gladly select Watson in anticipation that he earns day 2 draft capital. John Laub

3.10 WR Khalil Shakir, Boise State

Typically, the move is to take running backs in the mid-to-late rounds of your rookie drafts. Not many late-round receivers hit, and many of them will hit the waiver before they do. I'm a big fan of Boise State receiver Shakir's game, and he's worthy of a selection at this spot. He put up impressive numbers at nearly every data point I care about for receivers, including 3.25 RYPTPA (receiving yards per team pass attempt) and 46% Dominator Rating, and he went for over 1,100 yards his senior year despite below-average QB play and an offense that ranked 78th in the FBS. He may not blow minds at the combine—I expect a good-not-great forty in the high 4.4s or low 4.5s, nothing to write home about at 6' 0" and 190-pounds—but Shakir's tape is a treat to watch, packed full of circus catches, quality routes, and make-you-miss ability. He likely profiles as a slot guy, which won't earn him early draft capital, but he'll easily latch on to a roster with his return skills and tough, fight-for-inches play style. Shakir has what it takes to make an impact on a team when—not if—he gets on the field. He's my bet in this class for the day 3 wide receiver to own for fantasy football. Eric Kortz

3.11 RB Zamir White, Georgia

Injuries are the primary reason Zamir White is available at 3.11. ACL tears on both knees derailed White's college career and will likely cause him to fall in the NFL Draft this spring. I'm happy to take the chance on the powerful Georgia runner who still has upside. I'm hopeful he finds a role as a goal line back with a team like the Chiefs or Cardinals, but he's likely going to be buried on a depth chart this season and toward the roster bubble of a contending team. Tommy Blair

3.12 WR Justyn Ross, Clemson

At this point in the draft, it is difficult to find a player with high expectations. I selected Ross as the sixteenth wide receiver off the board with a chance that he can elude his injury concerns and perform to the standards that we saw pre-2020. Ross was well on his way to an outstanding college career at Clemson, showing promise across the board in several areas of scouting focus. A congenital fusion in his neck/spine surfaced in 2020 and he was forced to miss the season. As good of a receiver that Ross is, there is a concern that his neck condition could pose a problem in the future. He has the ability and skills to be a top-flight receiver, but the injury concern has caused his draft stock to decrease, especially since 2020. Jeff Haseley