RADIO
There's a lot of people who wait until after the NFL Draft to do their fantasy football rookie drafts. It makes sense -- knowing where a player ends up is a huge part of what helps determine their fantasy football value.
Still, it can be fun to do a last-minute rookie draft before we know where players are landing. It makes things more challenging, and challenging can be a lot of fun.
Let's take a look at what fantasy football rookie mock drafts look like if you did one the morning of the NFL Draft. Note: this is for one-QB leagues, not Superflex. If it was SF, Caleb Williams would be the clear No. 1 option.
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1.01: Marvin Harrison Jr. - WR
This is a wide receiver-heavy class and Marvin Harrison Jr. is at the top of the heap. Harrison is a potentially elite NFL receiver. He just has such a great blend of everything you want from a wideout -- speed, explosion, route running. Throw him a ball and he's going to go get it. There's a little concern about him needing to add some muscle to his frame, but he simply has too much upside to ignore here. Harrison could be a top-five NFL wide receiver.
1.02: Malik Nabers - WR
The gap from Harrison back to LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers is relatively small. He's a versatile receiver who can play at any receiver position and can take advantage of his speed to make plays at every level. He can get open down the field for big gains and can also use his acceleration to succeed out of the slot, outrunning linebackers for big plays. He's probably not as good at making contested catches as Harrison, but that's really the only major knock against Nabers.
Jayden Daniels was hyped watching Malik Nabers' 4.3 40-yard-dash 💨🔥
@JayD__5 | @WhyGuard13 | @LSUFootball pic.twitter.com/sNwW5a9N5i
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) April 23, 2024
1.03: Rome Odunze - WR
Rome Odunze is the third elite receiver prospect in this class. He might not have elite speed like the prior two players, but he's a sure-handed receiver who made a big impact in the deep passing game at Washington. Probably more of a possession guy at this level, which is why I have him third of the receivers. Still, he has a long NFL career ahead of him.
1.04: Brock Bowers - TE
Brock Bowers is an elite tight end prospect. You can make an argument that he's the third-best player mentioned in this whole article after Harrison and quarterback Caleb Williams. But he's also a tight end. Bowers looks like a can't-miss prospect, but tight ends often have a tough transition to the NFL because they're tasked with being both a receiver and lineman. Still, Bowers could be a top-five tight end, offering great positional value. It's why he's the first non-receiver in this mock.
Here is Brock Bowers taking a handoff and hitting 21.5mph. Other players who’s FASTEST game-speed of the szn was 21.5?
George Pickens, Calvin Ridley, Jayden Reed, Ja’Marr Chase, Kenneth Walker.
Reminder, Bowers is a TIGHT END
— Frank J. Dyevoich⚖️🏈 (@Fantasy_Giant) April 23, 2024
1.05: BrIan Thomas Jr. - WR
Brian Thomas is really, really fast. He ran the second-fastest 40 at the Combine behind Xavier Worthy. I'm a little concerned about the fact he was relatively quiet over his first two collegiate seasons, but he had a breakout season in 2023, catching 68 passes for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns. He'll be able to run by a lot of NFL defenders and make plays in the vertical passing game. He also has good size and accelerates well. He's not the most physical guy, but he has the build to play more physically. Thomas has some route-running stuff to work on, but that can pretty easily be fixed at the next level.
1.06: Caleb Williams - QB
Caleb Williams is the clear No. 1 quarterback prospect in this class. He's a future NFL star who can make any throw he wants and can make plays with both his arm and legs when things break down. If this was a decade ago, teams might have pause about his size, but a 6-foot-1 QB can succeed now. I also don't buy into any of the character concerns, since they all seem...I don't know, is "weird" the right word? People have weird concerns about Williams that seem to be colored by their personal biases.
1.07: Blake Corum - RB
Blake Corum already being 23 is a little concerning, but he's the most pro-ready running back in this class. He isn't the most explosive back, but he's a consistent runner with the patience to pick his spot and wait for plays to develop. The Michigan product isn't a future star, but I'm not sure any running back in this class is.
1.08: Xavier Worthy - WR
Xavier Worthy broke the Combine record for the 40-yard dash. He's going to make some really impressive plays in the NFL because of his speed, though his size makes him a pretty boom-or-bust prospect. The 5-foot-11 receiver weighs just 165 pounds, so there are definitely circumstances where that'll come back to bite him. Can he consistently win against press coverage in the NFL? Still, you can't ignore that speed. I'm drafting him in the middle of the first in rookie drafts because of the high ceiling.
1.09: Adonai Mitchell - WR
Adonai Mitchell is a safer pick than his teammate Xavier Worthy, but I like Worthy's ceiling more, hence me having Mitchell at 1.09, one spot behind his fellow Longhorn. The 6-foot-2 Mitchell has the speed to be a major threat down the field and a pro-ready build, so I do have him above Worthy in redraft leagues because of that.
1.10: Jonathon Brooks - RB
This feels a little weird. I had Worthy over Mitchell because of the long-term upside, but I have Jonathon Brooks under Corum even though Brooks has more upside. Why? Because I'm more worried about Brooks hitting that upside. He's coming off a torn ACL, but a healthy Brooks is a speedy running back who can make plays in space and should be able to make plays in the passing game.
Lots of love circling in draft rooms for Texas RB Jonathon Brooks right now. Size and wiggle + pass-catching ability = 3-down back. Smooth operator who played his best games against best opponents. Going to be a terrific pro. pic.twitter.com/tbp3xYB7Pg
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 23, 2024
1.11: Troy Franklin - WR
This is where we get a bit of a drop in terms of the wide receiver position. Not that Troy Frankin can't be really, really good, but he looks more like a high-end No. 2 receiver than a true No. 1 guy. He's an incredibly fast player who just doesn't have the build right now to be an every-down receiver.
1.12: Jayden Daniels - QB
Drake Maye might be the safer option as the QB2 in this class, but Jayden Daniels has more upside. While his late breakout age is a concern, Daniels is an incredible athlete who can make huge plays with his legs while also displaying some good touch on his passes. He needs to work a little on arm strength, but if he can transition to the NFL effectively, he'll be a long-term fixture in this league.
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