The NFL Combine arrives this week. Dynasty managers get a close-up look at the prospects we have been hearing about for months. With the lack of running back talent, how many quarterbacks will climb into the first round? It’s time for 1QB Mock Draft 3.0.
1QB Rookie Mock Draft 2.0 – Round 1
1.01 Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, 6’3″ 202
OSU
Marvin Harrison Jr. is bigger, faster, and more physical than your favorite cornerback.
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 25, 2024
He’s cooked Joey Porter Jr, Will Johnson, Deonte Banks, Kamari Lassiter, Kalen King, and more as if they’re pedestrian CBs. pic.twitter.com/ksxUwnoCs1
I debated taking Nabers but ended up sticking with Harrison. MHJ has excellent size, hands, route running ability, and a Hall of Fame pedigree. There is not a lot left to be said about Harrison. Like Bijan last year, Harrison is the 1.01.
1.02 Malik Nabers, WR, 6’1″ 200
LSU
Nabers is a shade behind Harrison on my big board, and I will happily take him here. He’s got ridiculous burst and explosiveness. He accelerates and has the long speed to be a deep threat. Nabers is a quick, clean route-runner with good ball skills. Nabers is a complete receiver prospect with few holes in his game.
1.03 Rome Odunze, WR, 6’3″ 200
Washington
I will keep the trend going by taking the third receiver to start this mock draft. Rome Odunze checks all the boxes for what you want in an X receiver. He seems destined to be a top-10 NFL pick. At only 21 years old, I am happy to select Odunze here. It’s an easy pick to build around as a contender or a rebuild.
1.04 Brock Bowers, TE, 6’4″ 240
Georgia
The best player available is Brock Bowers, the best tight end prospect since Kyle Pitts. Don’t let a picture of him in shorts next to Rob Gronkowski fool you—this kid is for real. Bowers produced at a high level at Georgia. He moves incredibly well for his size, and I think Brock Bowers has a great chance to usurp Sam LaPorta as TE1 before we know it.
1.05 Brian Thomas Jr., WR, 6’5″ 198
LSU
Brian Thomas Jr.'s release package, combined with his elite speed in a 6'4+ frame, makes him nearly impossible to press, particularly on deep routes.
— Dynasty Zoltan (Mike Garai) (@DynastyZoltanFF) February 21, 2024
If he can add some physicality at the stem, add flexibility in his cuts and refine his hand location on low throws – look out. pic.twitter.com/Kc2mq3HxLk
I was torn for a few players here, but I went with the Junior from LSU who had a breakout season in 2023. Thomas is a big 6’5″ receiver who was outshined by his teammate Malik Nabers last season. Thomas’ big frame makes him a dangerous weapon in the red zone for an NFL team. In 2023, He was about to put up 17 touchdowns. He has rare speed to go along with his size, which can be a mistake for a defense. He should be a key factor for any team that should make him a top-10 pick in rookie drafts.
1.06 Caleb Williams, QB, 6’1″ 216
USC
Williams will be massively successful in the NFL or a huge failure. I don’t see much in between. His talent with throwing from multiple arm angles will translate positively to the NFL, similar to Mahomes. One metric that translates to NFL success is accuracy, in which Williams is outstanding. The one knock on him is that he held onto the ball a little too long in college. All things considered, to get a potential top 3 NFL QB here, I think you have to take that chance. I’d probably take him a pick or two higher than this.
1.07 Troy Franklin, WR, 6’2″ 170
Oregon
Speed and verticality make up Troy Franklin’s college tape, and those elements alone make him a potential first-round pick in April. While not in Tier 1 of this year’s WR group, Franklin absolutely should factor into the first round of your dynasty rookie drafts and could be considered a steal at this point of your drafts.
1.08 Keon Coleman, WR, 6’4″ 215
FSU
While Keon Coleman’s college production is modest, his build is anything but. At 6’4, 215lbs, he’s one of the few receivers expected to go early in the draft with a traditional X build. Despite low raw production, he has several green flags working for him; he’s an early declare wide receiver with a good breakout age, and he’s currently projected to be drafted in the first. These are all things that point to high-end success in the NFL.
1.09 Xavier Worthy, WR, 6’1″ 172
Texas
Xavier Worthy played with a broken hand in 2022
— Snoog’s Dynasty Society (@FFSnoog) February 21, 2024
I wonder why his drop rate was high that year 🤔pic.twitter.com/uGni4npWP1
Worthy is one of a few players my data-first approach has me higher on than others. An early breakout and three years of efficient production make him an easy top-5 WR in this class. His film is littered with game-breaking plays and ankle-breaking YAC, and his elite speed will be on display shortly at the combine.
1.10 Jayden Daniels, QB, 6’4″ 210
LSU
With a tier break in talent at this point in the draft, Jayden Daniels is the most logical pick. Yes, taking a quarterback here in 1QB leagues is risky, but the Heisman trophy winner has the upside to outperform his draft capital. His ability in the run game and his high-powered arm make him a possible top-5 pick in the NFL draft.
1.11 Jonathon Brooks, RB, 6’0″ 199
Texas
Where do you rank #Texas RB Jonathan Brooks in this RB class?
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) February 24, 2024
2023 season:
732 yards after contact
64 MTF
24 explosive runs
1.50 YPRR pic.twitter.com/Jrl8HoTdvD
With most of the top wide receivers off the board, you have to lean best flex available. Brooks has the highest ceiling of all the running backs in this class, and before the injury, he would probably be drafted in the top 8; landing him at 11 is a good value. With his size and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, he fits the modern mold of what the NFL is looking for. His landing spot on draft day will be the most interesting part of this dynasty value; you hope a team invests an early day two pick to land him—other players I liked at this spot are Adonai Mitchell and Ladd McConkey.
1.12 Bucky Irving 5’10” 194
Oregon
I agree with Mike that there was a distinct tier break a few picks ago. If I was drafting today at this point of the off-season process, I will take a chance on Irving here. Irving is under the all-important 200-pound mark for a running back but displays incredible short-area quickness. Irving has a lethal combo of explosiveness and contact balance for someone his size. I could see him going on Day 2, and if he lands somewhere like Baltimore, Minnesota, or Cincinnati, his stock will soar.
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