It’s June, and most of us have been knee-deep in mocks, best balls, and dynasty startups for a couple of months now. To be honest though, the summer is just heating up, and the rookie landscape could change drastically over the summer. Here’s my latest look at a two-round rookie mock draft, in Superflex (SF) format.
- More Dynasty Articles & Advice
- Dynasty Startup Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Dynasty Rookie Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft
Here’s our two-round dynasty rookie mock draft for a Superflex league.
1.01 – Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL)
It’s unusual to not take a QB first in SuperFlex, but Bijan Robinson has just that good a profile. The immediate Saquon Barkley comps might be a bit unfair, but his athleticism, opportunity, and lack of significant backfield competition makes Bijan an easy choice at the top. I know the years of a running back aren’t the same as QBs and WRs, but you don’t pass on a generational talent like this.
1.02 – Anthony Richardson (QB – IND)
Second overall is where it gets interesting. If you ranked rookies before the draft, I don’t think Richardson would have been the top QB taken, but the landing spot changes things. It’s fair to think Gardner Minshew will at least start the season, but Richardson’s wait wont be long (even with a 54 percent completion rate over 13 games in college). Richardson’s upside is through the roof with this dual-threat ability, and with Shane Steichen as his head coach, it’s impossible to at least not dream of another Jalen Hurts.
1.03 – Bryce Young (QB – CAR)
I think Anthony Richardson’s long-term fantasy upside is greater than that of Bryce Young, but I’d still take Young on my real life football team first. We have FAR more proof of his playmaking ability (both in and out of the pocket) than we do Richardson, and there’s also no wondering when Young will become the starting QB. He’ll be under center Week 1, despite some of the coachspeak we’ve heard. They’ve already started to build around Young with some solid vets (Adam Thielen, Miles Sanders, and DJ Chark) and drafted him an exciting playmaker in Jonathan Mingo. He’ll only get better as more pieces are put into place.
1.04 – Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)
I almost went with three straight QBs here, but I think Gibbs is a better investment than C.J. Stroud. I’m lower than the consensus on Gibbs in general as I think the fantasy community thinks he’ll have a bigger role than he actually will right off the bat. I’m also concerned about his pass protection ability, which is super important for RBs in the NFL. However, Detroit spending a premium pick on Gibbs suggests they do plan on featuring him in the passing game. Over his three years at college, Gibbs racked up 103 receptions and 23 total TDs, and he goes right into a high-octane Detroit offense.
1.05 – CJ Stroud (QB – HOU)
CJ Stroud has given us a lot of reasons to like him in the NFL based on his skillset and 89.7 college QB rating (96th percentile). However, the reason I have him lower than the top four is his supporting cast. At face value, there’s technically nothing wrong with Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz, and Robert Woods, but it’s also a far cry from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Chris Olave (Stroud’s college targets).
1.06 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
It’s time for the receiver run, and Smith-Njigba should be the first wideout off the board. You might not see it immediately as JSN is playing behind established WRs in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but Smith-Njigba had an elite 4.02 yards per route run and an 84.8 percent catch rate in his full 2021 season.
1.07 – Jordan Addison (WR – MIN)
I think Smith-Njigba has the better long-term profile, but if you’re looking for a more immediate impact, Addison looks like he fits the bill. Going into a solid offense like Minnesota’s is really nice, and Addison should step right into Adam Thielen’s vacated spot. Addison had 29 receiving TDs in his three-year college career and can line up inside and outside. You may be nervous rostering someone who will always be a perpetual WR2 in this offense, but Jaylen Waddle, Tee Higgins, and DeVonta Smith should put your mind at ease.
1.08 – Quentin Johnston (WR – LAC)
This will be the last pick of the “consensus top eight” before we see drafters deviating paths. Johnston is arguably in the best offense of any skill position player in the first round, but his Combine numbers may scare some people away. Johnston was only in the 14th percentile in agility score and 41st percentile in the 40-yard dash time, so there’s downside here as well. However, his ceiling is solid down the road, especially with Justin Herbert as his QB.
1.09 – Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)
This might be a little early, but the path t realizing his upside looks clear for upside for Kincaid. Anyone worrying about Dawson Knox “blocking” him shouldn’t, as Kincaid was heavily utilized as a slot WR and could conceivably go right into that role for Buffalo too. His 13.4 YPR in college is eye-popping, and he’s in the right offense for points.
1.10 – Devon Achane (RB – MIA)
I’m higher than consensus on Achane, who I think carves out an immediate role for himself for the Dolphins even in the short term (provided, of course, Dalvin Cook doesn’t take his talents to Miami Beach). Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson are there to quell Achane’s short-term ceiling, but not long-term. Achane’s explosive ability gives him oodles of upside.
1.11 – Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)
I liked Flowers a lot more before he went to Baltimore, but this is far enough for him to fall. We know he has big-play speed (88th percentile 40-yd dash), but the Ravens have ranked 29th or 30th in pass attempts for three of the past four seasons. They also have added Odell Beckham, and Rashod Bateman is set to return (we think). I do like Flowers’ talent, but I wouldn’t even argue against letting him slip even further here.
1.12 – Will Levis (QB – TEN)
Who knows what Tennessee is going to end up doing at the QB position, but it’s definitely not Malik Willis, and Ryan Tannehill is on the backside of his career. Levis’ slide down the draft board is concerning, but it would seem he’s at least close to an NFL opportunity, and QBs are extra-valuable in SF leagues.
2.01 – Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)
Don’t let Charbonnet’s landing spot dissuade you just because he has another talented young RB in front of him. However, Charbonnet proved that he could be utilized heavily in the passing game in Chip Kelly’s offense, and Seattle is currently devoid of that kind of player.
2.02 – Kendre Miller (RB – NO)
Miller has a wide array of outcomes, especially in the short term. If Alvin Kamara finally gets suspended, you’ll see Miller go way higher than this, as Jamaal Williams would be his main competition. If Kamara doesn’t get suspended, it’s possible we never really see anything significant happen from Miller, who received a very low scouting grade.
2.03 – Michael Mayer (TE – LV)
At cost, I think Mayer might wind up being an even better investment than Dalton Kincaid, as he’s already established himself as an exceptional blocker (I hear that’s important in the NFL). From a fantasy perspective, Mayer’s YAC leaves you wanting, but he’s now the all-time receptions leader for Notre Dame and showed that he has the versatility to line up all over.
2.04 – Rashee Rice (WR – KC)
High (ish) draft capital? Check. Elite QB? Check. Unknown WR hierarchy in KC? Check. All told, this seems like a savvy second round rookie pick for a guy with a 95th percentile burst score.
2.05 – Josh Downs (WR – IND)
This is somewhat the opposite end of the spectrum as Rashee Rice, as Downs steps into a situation with a QB who’s also a rookie and a suspect offense out of the gate. However, we could see Downs immediately start as the WR3 out of the slot and quickly ascend to the WR2 if Alec Pierce busts.
2.06 – Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)
I’m always loathe to trust TEs in rookie drafts, even the “can’t miss” ones (looking at you, Kyle Pitts). The reason is that there is so much more to adjust to in the NFL at tight end than there is at the other skill positions, and blocking has a lot to do with it. That said, LaPorta finds himself in a favorable spot in Detroit, and Brock Wright and James Mitchell do not instill fear in me as players who will “block” LaPorta.
2.07 – Tyjae Spears (RB -TEN)
Eventually, Derrick Henry’s wall has to hit. I know some have been guessing at it for the last couple of years, and he’s proved them wrong, but he’s 29 and not a cyborg (I think). Spears may not have a year one (or even year two) impact, but it’s clear the draft pick of Spears shows that Tennessee has started to plan for the post-Henry era.
2.08 – Jonathan Mingo (WR – CAR)
This is the point in a rookie draft where we’re hoping for that “lightning in a bottle” receiver. Mingo certainly has lightning in his veins with a 96th percentile speed score and 91st percentile burst score. His agility scores and catch rates are cause for concern, but you didn’t spend a first rounder on him, and he could be part of a fun budding regime in Carolina.
2.09 – Jalin Hyatt (WR – NYG)
The homer in me might be bumping Hyatt a couple of picks higher than maybe we should see him since the Giants’ WR room is one of the most confusing in the NFL. However, we’re talking about the freaking Biletnikoff winner who scored in the 91st percentile with the 40-yard dash and had a 97th percentile burst score. Anyone on that team could become the WR1 at any given point. After all, who had Isaiah Hodgins on their bingo card last year?
2.10 – Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI)
I have zero clue about what the Bears are going to do at RB, which is why this is a good pick at 2.10. They have a three-headed monster in Khalil Herbert, Donta Foreman, and Roschon Johnson, and it’s really anyone’s backfield to win. The Chicago offense itself is not one to get excited about (and Justin Fields will also steal a lot of carries), but Roschon has 5.6 YPC to his name at Texas, which is solid.
2.11 – Jayden Reed (WR – GB)
After Christian Watson, the WR room is a carousel. Unfortunately, the QB range of outcomes is as well, and Green Bay projects to be much more run-heavy in 2023. However, Reed logged an above-average 4.45 40-yard dash and profiles to be able to line up all over.
2.12 – Hendon Hooker (QB – DET)
It’s a Superflex league, so we can find room for the 25-year old rookie coming off an ACL tear. There is no reason to expect any kind of production from Hooker for the foreseeable future, but if he can translate his game to the NFL, it’s in the realm of possibility that this is a steal at 2.12 in SF formats.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
