Summertime can be a slower period for fantasy football. Team rosters are generally set, and there isn’t much news coming out of OTA and minicamp practices. However, if you’re in a dynasty league, you know it’s a nonstop grind. And summertime is normally the time for rookie drafts.

Like in the NFL, every great dynasty fantasy team is consistently infused with young talent. And a successful rookie draft can go a long way in developing a powerhouse for years to come.

To help you nail your rookie draft, I conducted a five-round rookie mock draft using our Draft Wizard and will outline my thought process for each pick. Before we delve into the picks, here are the league rules:

• 12-team league
• Half-point PPR format
• No superflex
• I was randomly assigned the 7th pick

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Pick 1.7: Trevor Lawrence (QB- JAX) 

The seventh pick is a tough place to be. You’ll most likely miss out on Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, Javonte Williams, Kyle Pitts, and Ja’Marr Chase. In this draft, all five of those players, plus DeVonta Smith, were off the board.

This pick is completely dependent on your quarterback situation. In this case, I’m assuming I need a long-term solution and am going with Lawrence, who is a generational prospect. Jaylen Waddle was still on the board, but the 2021 receiving class is deep enough where I can target the position later.

Pick 2.7: Kadarius Toney (WR – NYG) 

With the elite talent on the board almost completely depleted, I’m taking one of the most talented players left. Toney profiles as a slot weapon and could be a handful to cover in the open field. If he can refine his route running, he could be an electric slot receiver. However, Toney dealt with durability issues throughout college, and New York’s quarterback situation is hardly settled.

I admit, Toney is not one of my favorite prospects. But he was the best player on the board here.

Pick 3.7: Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE) 

This running back class is thin, and I’ve missed out on some of the top talents. So in Round 3, I’m taking a flyer on a bruising runner who could turn out to be New England’s goal-line back at the very least. Stevenson is a 6-foot, 230 bowling ball who runs hard between the tackles. I’m not sure he’ll be an every-down back at the next level, but we saw how effective LaGarrette Blount was in New England. Stevenson has a similar skillset and could rise up a muddled depth chart.

Pick 4.7: Larry Rountree III (RB – LAC) 

Rountree III is another intriguing flyer in a Chargers backfield that doesn’t have a proven complement to Austin Ekeler. A highly productive college player (more than 3,000 rushing yards in his Missouri career), Rountree possesses the size and burst to make it at the next level. If he can improve his vision to identify cutback lanes faster, he could be a worthwhile partner for Ekeler in Los Angeles.

Pick 5.7: Jonathan Adams Jr., (WR – DET) 

Adams is my favorite lottery ticket in rookie drafts this year. The Arkansas State product went undrafted, but he was a human highlight reel last season and lands on a Lions roster with very little talent at wide receiver.

Insane catch by Arkansas State WR Jonathan Adams. Overturned on review but still amazing. pic.twitter.com/DwVDHXJr6q

— Max Olson (@max_olson) September 12, 2020

Adams is a baller and knows how to go up and attack the ball in the air. If he can improve his separation skills at the next level, he could quickly rise the ranks in Detroit.

What did you think of my mock draft? Let me know on Twitter!