This offseason I collaborated with my fellow writers at King Fantasy to provide everyone with version 1.0 of our Superflex/TE premium rookie mock draft. I wanted to put this together to give varying viewpoints on picks made in the draft, as well as keep track of player movement/perceived value throughout the offseason. It will be interesting to see risers and fallers throughout the offseason events of the NFL draft and finding out landing spots, player news coming out of training camp, etc.
Check out the results of the mock draft below along with analysis from each writer on why they selected each player at their respective pick!
1.01 – Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson
Writer – Jack Humphrey @jackhumphreykm
If you are not taking Trevor Lawrence as the 1.01 in any superflex league then you should be trading out of the position. I even have an argument for taking him 1.01 in single qb leagues. We have not seen a prospect coming out at this position for many years, Andrew Luck. Lawrence is a generational talent with excellent footwork, a strong accurate arm and mobility. He is everything we want and instantly makes the team that drafts him fantasy relevant. A day one starter both in real life and fantasy, Lawrence already cracks my top 10 dynasty quarterbacks.
1.02 – Najee Harris – RB – Alabama
Writer – Adam Martin @thereggambler1
Najee Harris is the real deal and any NFL or fantasy team should be thrilled to have him. Harris showed he was good but then the 2020 season came along and he showed what he could really do. Amassing a total of 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns rushing, Harris showed he was the main running back to draft this year. He showed he is the complete three down back by adding an extra 425 yards and four touchdowns in the passing game as well. He had the most forced missed tackles in the SEC in 2020 for returning running backs and has the best chance to make it in the NFL.
1.03 – Justin Fields – QB – OSU
Writer – Liam Humpage @fantasysportad1
With Najee Harris and Trevor Lawrence going before my pick, grabbing Justin Fields was an easy choice for me. The combination of great accuracy at all levels and the ability to scramble effectively created nightmares for college defences. Fields has the arm strength to put the ball into tight windows, but has the accuracy to place the ball to help the receiver make the play while limiting the effectiveness of the defensive back. A lot of people think dual threat quarterbacks will throw to their primary read, or run. For the large majority, this is true. Fields, however, consistently goes through all of his progressions and often makes the correct play – pass to the open read or scramble. It’s not all sunshine and daisies with Fields though, he often tries to make a play where there isn’t one to be made, sometimes resulting in turnovers. Luckily, throwing the ball away is a coachable trait. He also tends to stand flat footed in the pocket when his primary read is open. Again, this is coachable so I wouldn’t put too much stock into it.
1.04 – Travis Etienne – RB – Clemson
Writer – Toby Ackland @ukdfsports
I get that QBs are far more valuable in SuperFlex leagues, but I just couldn’t pass up on Etienne, my RB2 in this draft. The Clemson product had a brilliant senior year, and worked hard to improve his pass-catching ability, making him a potential three-down back in the league. He has so much big-play potential with his speed and quickness, and is unlikely to be caught once he breaks the first level. He should become a feature back in the NFL.
1.05 – Zach Wilson – QB – BYU
Writer – Alastair Cook @FFDynastyGrill
This was an easy pick, to get a quarterback with so much NFL potential at the 5 spot really excites me. Wilson could come in and be a day 1 starter for a quarterback needy team and is heavily tipped to be a top 6 pick in the NFL draft. Ja’Marr Chase was in consideration but in super flex leagues quarterbacks are kings.
1.06 – Ja’Marr Chase – WR – LSU
Writer – Tyler Moore @Tyler_FF_
I was faced with the decision of taking the 4th QB off the board, the 3rd RB off the board or my #1 WR. I had to go with Chase here as he provides top tier WR potential with an extremely safe floor. He shows no red flags in either my tape breakdown or analytics research. He will be a day 1 starter for whichever team he gets drafted to and will provide an immediate impact on the field. I did consider Javonte Williams (my #2 RB), but couldn’t pass up on the high ceiling/high floor prospect that Chase is.
1.07 – Javonte Williams – RB – UNC
Writer – Jack Humphrey @jackhumphreykm
When I watch tape on Javonte Williams I see two current NFL running backs. Chris Carson- Williams runs with that violent style. Lev Bell- Williams may run violently but there’s that Lev Bell patience in doing it. He is easily my RB2 in this class with everything you would want in a NFL running back. I bark a lot about my RBS being good in pass pro, but ultimately that’s what gets rookies taken off the field missing these assignments. Ronald Jones is a prime example of this. Williams is excellent at pass protection which is why I comfortably have him above Etienne from this crop.
1.08 – Kyle Pitts – TE – Florida
Writer – Adam Martin @thereggambler1
Kyle Pitts showed this year that he can be a difference maker in the receiving game. He really progressed in 2020 for Florida receiving 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. Although the figures might not sound great you have to remember he only played in eight games. Pitts is a freak athlete who stands at 6’6 and will win most one on ones. The average size of a corner in the NFL is 5’11. There is no contest. Pitts can be compared to a potential Darren Waller and if he ends up in the right spot could be massive for your fantasy team very quickly.
1.09 – DeVonta Smith – WR – Alabama
Writer – Liam Humpage @fantasysportad1
Again, this pick involved no hesitation. DeVonta Smith is my current WR2 of this class for many reasons. When evaluating WR prospects, there are a lot of qualities I look for, but the main traits can be shortened to: Athleticism (speed, agility, vertical, etc.), route running, catching, and yards after catch (or YAC) ability. Smith is not the fastest prospect, but his athletic traits combined allow him to beat a defender in a multitude of ways. He consistently creates separation, whether it’s due to his clean cut routes, or his strength. His elusiveness and YAC ability is remarkable. The biggest issue you will hear about is his small size at 170lbs. Don’t let that fool you, he plays a lot bigger than that. Oh, and he’s the first WR to win the Heisman Trophy since Desmond Howard in 1991.
1.10 – Jaylen Waddle – WR – Alabama
Writer – Toby Ackland @ukdfsports
Despite missing a large proportion of the season and being somewhat overshadowed in 2020 by his Heisman-winning teammate DeVonta Smith, I still believe Waddle will be an elite WR1 in this league. His speed, mixed with his explosiveness and yard-after-catch ability produces a mismatch in almost any situation versus opposition defenders.
1.11 – Rashod Bateman – WR – Minnesota
Writer – Alastair Cook @ffdynastygrill
Delighted to get my WR2 at this position. My top tier of RBs was gone but this 2021 class is deep in WR talent and Bateman being on the board is an instant selection here. Bateman looks to be the most NFL-ready player at the receiver position in my eyes. Route running, great hands and ability to go up and consistently win the ball at the catch point are all traits of elite NFL receivers..
1.12 – Trey Lance – QB – North Dakota State
Writer – Tyler Moore @Tyler_FF_
I was ecstatic I was able to get a QB with Lance’s potential with the last pick in the 1st round. The fact that Lance fell this far is a testament to how deep this draft class is, because I still love the picks that went ahead of me. Lance’s physical tools are really special to watch on film and he possesses traits that you just can’t teach. He has top 5 QB potential and I couldn’t let that fall into the 2nd round.
2.01 – Mac Jones – QB- Alabama
Writer – Jack Humphrey @jackhumphreykm
In superflex quarterbacks are the gold. Jones is a polarising player within the community. I currently have him as my QB 4 from this class, he’s a project for the team that drafts him and most certainly not a day one starter. Jones is smart, competitive and someone who can make all the throws you want, if the team that drafts him can sit on him for a year then they could have themselves an excellent quarterback. If you are looking for a high upside prospect going into 2022 then draft Jones and stash him on your taxi rosters.
2.02 – Rondale Moore – WR – Purdue
Writer – Adam Martin @thereggambler1
Rondale Moore is a bit of a risk given his last two years of college not going to plan thanks to injury and Covid. However, he showed back in 2018 how good he can be with a great first season. In 13 games he produced 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns. Moore might be small but he is quick and agile and can make defenders look foolish. He also has the ability to be involved in the backfield with specifically designed snaps, like Tyreek Hill or Meacole Hardman. He might take some time to get used to the NFL so don’t expect to use him straight away.
2.03 – Kenneth Gainwell – RB – Memphis
Writer – Liam Humpage @fantasysportsad1
Kenneth Gainwell could see a bump in value should his landing spot be favourable. My current RB4 of the class, I was ridiculously excited to land him at the 2.03. Gainwell is extremely explosive back and can take any play to the house. Gainwell is not a power runner, so don’t expect that from him but he is elusive and will make DBs look silly trying to tackle him. Memphis loved his versatility, frequently playing him as a WR or in a pass catching role. He has great vision and speed to bounce plays to the outside, allowing him to break into the 2nd level with ease. The perfect fit for Gainwell would be to be paired with a power back lower on the depth chart.
2.04 – Tylan Wallace – WR – Oklahoma State
Writer – Toby Ackland @ukdfsports
Wallace’s vertical ability means it’s difficult to comprehend that he’s only 5’11”. He had a solid college career at Oklahoma State, posting 3,760 yards to go with 48 touchdowns and an incredible 20.7 yards per catch. Wallace is my favourite WR in this year’s second ‘tier’ of wideouts, and his ability to come down with contested catches so frequently, means he should see significant playing time in his rookie year.
2.05 – Michael Carter – RB – UNC
Writer – Alastair Cook @ffdynastygrill
One of my favourite players and potential steals of rookie drafts is Michael Carter out of North Carolina. Overshadowed slightly by Javonte Williams, Carter was immensely productive in his own right averaging a crazy 8 yards per carry in 2020. Never going to be a workhorse but has so much playmaking ability that he can proper in a 2RB scheme.
2.06 – Elijah Moore – WR – Ole Miss
Writer – Tyler Moore @Tyler_FF_
Elijah Moore is a dynamic player that can provide his NFL team with a home run threat on the field. He demonstrated great hands, shifty route running and exciting yards after the catch ability while at Ole Miss. Moore had a true breakout year in 2020 with 86 catches for 1193 yards and 8 touchdowns in only 8 games, good for being a Biletnikoff and Maxwell award finalist. He is a versatile receiver but will most likely line up a majority of his snaps in the NFL at the slot (where he should be a day 1 starter).
2.07 – Chuba Hubbard – RB – Oklahoma State
Writer – Jack Humphrey @jackhumphreykm
Like many of this year’s running backs landing spots will be key. In truth, Hubbard should have declared for the 2020 class. This is because in 2019 he was the big 12’s offensive player of the year. Rushing for over 2,000 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns. He is still only 21 with a patient-run style with very good vision. I’m not expecting him to contribute straight away but he is certainly someone I’m willing to stash on my taxi rosters. If he recaptures that 2019 form I’m laughing.
2.08 – Kadarius Toney – WR – Florida
Writer – Adam Martin @thereggambler1
Kadarius Toney showed how good he can be last year for Florida and can step up to the NFL. He received 984 yards and ten touchdowns in the 11 games he played last year. Toney has some serious speed but he also has great ability at getting separation. He might not be the biggest guy but he likes to show how much strength he has and is not afraid to use it. Toney may take a bit of time to get used to the NFL in the same way as Rondale Moore will. However, he has shown enough for you to take a punt on him.
2.09 – Brevin Jordan – TE – Miami
Writer – Liam Humpage @fantasysportad1
Unlike my other picks (1.03, 1.09, 2.03) this one took a bit of consideration. Brevin Jordan only just squeezes into my current rankings as TE2. Jordan gives a huge amount of versatility able to line up with a hand in the dirt, in the backfield or even in the slot. His route running is smooth and creates a matchup nightmare. Faster than the majority of LBs, but near 40lbs bigger than a DB. He’s also a decent blocker which will attract NFL organizations to draft him for both his pass-catching and blocking skills. Jordan ran a lot of YAC routes in college, and he definitely used it to his advantage. If he ends up on a team that doesn’t ignore the TE position on offense, I can see Jordan being a great asset for your dynasty team. Just try to give the TE position a little more time to develop at the NFL level.
2.10 – Pat Freiermuth – TE – Penn State
Writer – Toby Ackland @ukdfsports
Kyle Pitts’ unique talent no doubt sets him apart from the rest of this year’s TE class. But make sure not to overlook Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth. At 6’5” and 256lbs he boasts the size of an elite pass-catching threat across the middle of the field and in the red zone. He’s not as flashy or explosive as Pitts but provides the reliability you need at the TE position. Especially with his strong catching ability. He’s drawn comparisons to Hunter Henry in the build-up to this year’s draft. Snagging him at the end of the 2nd round here should be considered a steal.
2.11 – Terrace Marshall – WR – LSU
Writer – Alastair Cook @ffdynastygrill
Offering great size and physicality, Marshall is a productive receiver who was overshadowed by Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase at LSU. That was until this year where he recorded 731 yards in just 7 games and hauling in 10 TDs. Is not limited to one position either. He can be used inside in the slot and outside which NFL teams will love. He’s a steal this late and can shine in the right landing spot.
2.12 – Amon-Ra St. Brown – WR – USC
Writer – Tyler Moore @Tyler_FF_
The 2nd tier of this year’s WR class is extremely deep, so St. Brown being my WR7 and getting him at the end of the 2nd round felt like a steal. He hasn’t garnered much offseason buzz, but his analytics and film are both very consistent. St. Brown is another high ceiling/high floor player that checks all the boxes. Physicality, YAC ability, versatility, and consistent route running shows me a complete wide receiver that any team could utilize as a WR2-3. Also has the potential to develop into a focal point of a team’s offense.
I appreciate everyone taking the time to go through this mock draft and I hope it proves useful for you! We all really enjoyed taking part and putting this together. Keep an eye out throughout the offseason as we continue to do these and keep track of the movement of these players. Especially when we find out landing spots and start hearing NFL news on these prospects!
That rounds out our Rookie Mock Draft 1.0 (this was Superflex & TE Premium, just to remind you). Remember, you can check out our other dynasty content here. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. And, as always, if you want something more specific to your league- reach out!
Image Credit: John David Mercer – USA TODAY Sports
