Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 1-QB
Marvin Harrison Jr. ... But Then What?
Chances are, you have a dynasty rookie draft coming up.
It might even start before the NFL Draft, when player landing spots are a mystery.
That's why we assembled the Draft Sharks staff to play out a three-round dynasty rookie mock draft (1-QB).
So, how'd it all unfold behind Marvin Harrison Jr.?
Let's dig in ...
Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft – Round 1
1.01 – Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Alex Korff: Your coworker might have gotten their job through nepotism, but it is not why Harrison is a projected top 5 NFL Draft pick.
Ja’Marr Chase is the only WR in our database with a higher rookie model score.
Harrison is in a tier of his own in 1-QB drafts. Check out our full profile for more on Harrison's dynasty value.
1.02 – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Kevin English: Nabers broke out for 72-1,017-3 as a 19-year-old true sophomore. His game hit another level in 2023, when Nabers finished top-3 nationwide in receiving yards and TDs.
Nabers projects as a top-8 NFL Draft pick with no major flaws.
1.03 – Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Matt Schauf: It's close enough between Odunze and Brock Bowers that I'd be willing to let team need affect the decision. If I'm not already set with a good (and at least young-ish) TE, then I'm willing to bet on Bowers becoming a true difference-maker.
For this mock, I'll go Odunze -- who doesn't seem like he should be separated much from Nabers. Odunze broke out at 19, delivered big numbers each of the past two years, and tested very well.
He's not a lock for big NFL production but carries WR1 potential.
Draft With Data -- Not Feelings.
1.04 – Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Shane Hallam: Bowers' dynamic ability as a runner and receiver makes him worth a top-5 rookie pick.
He could easily re-create Sam LaPorta's rookie season in a pass-heavy offense.
We dug further into Bowers' dynasty outlook in this profile.
1.05 – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Jared Smola: Thomas exploded for 1,177 yards and 17 TDs as a junior last year -- despite battling Malik Nabers for targets.
Then he earned a 99th-percentile Relative Athletic Score at the Combine, highlighted by a 4.33-second 40 time at 6'3 and 209 pounds.
He's widely expected to be the fourth WR off the board in this stacked class and has WR1-level fantasy upside.
1.06 – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
C.H. Herms: Even in a 1-QB format, I'm still looking to land Williams early. A player with his kind of ceiling can be a difference-maker and create a positional advantage.
Our full profile digs deeper into Williams' dynasty value.
1.07 – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Matt: This is where I start shopping the pick in trades if the draft opens this way.
Mitchell's fine. But he also never led a college team in receptions or receiving yards. After two quiet years at Georgia, he transferred to Texas and caught 20 fewer balls than Xavier Worthy.
I'm picking him here assuming Mitchell goes fifth among WRs in the NFL Draft. If that proves not to be the case, I'm open to taking whichever WR does go ahead of him.
1.08 – Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Kevin: Worthy burst on the national scene as a freshman, tallying team highs in receptions (62), receiving yards (981), and TDs (12).
We knew about the speed heading into the NFL Combine, but he turned heads by setting a Combine record with a 4.21-second 40 time.
If a team can look past Worthy’s size (5’11, 165) and play-strength limitations, he could quickly deliver some explosive fantasy lines in the NFL.
1.09 – Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Shane: I really want to see the draft capital for Franklin to feel confident taking him this early in a rookie draft. The production and pedigree are certainly there, but poor Combine drills make Franklin a scary bet.
I'm in if an NFL team takes him among the top 50 picks -- even if his main role is a Gabe Davis-like deep threat.
There is a possibility of a big fall for Franklin in the draft, though.
1.10 – Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
Kevin: Prior to a November ACL tear, Brooks looked on track to be the RB1 in this class. Maybe that still happens. Regardless, I’ll take a shot on a 21-year-old (in July) with lead-back size and a three-down skill set.
1.11 – Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Jared: I don't believe any remaining RB, WR, or TE is a good bet to be a true impact fantasy asset. Daniels certainly has that potential. He was excellent throwing deep at LSU and reminds me of Lamar Jackson as a runner.
If he hits, he's a top-5 fantasy QB, with upside to the top of the position.
1.12 – Drake Maye, QB, UNC
Matt: I need NFL Draft capital to help sort the WRs in this range. What I see now is a jumble of guys with some intrigue but plenty of questions.
Throw in an unexciting group of RBs, and I'm OK with taking a shot on this dual-threat QB.
Maye delivered a nearly 4-1 TD-INT ratio as a passer, while racking up 1,209 yards and 16 TDs on the ground for his UNC career. Our full profile dives deeper into his dynasty value.
TIP
Playing in a multi-QB dynasty league? View our recent dynasty superflex rookie mock draft.
Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft – Round 2
2.01 – Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Alex: McConkey had a really solid showing at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine that validated his decent college production. McConkey possesses the athleticism, football IQ, and overall ability to get him on the field.
We are projecting him to be a PPR asset.
2.02 – Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Herms: Despite being a slightly undersized and older (23) prospect, Corum shows enough on film to be a nice change-of-pace back.
2.03 – Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
Kevin: Benson overcame a horrific 2020 knee injury at Oregon.
Over the past two seasons at Florida State, he tallied 1,896 yards and 23 TDs on 6.1 yards per carry.
Benson brings the size and pass-catching ability to eventually see starting-level work in the NFL. He’s likely to go on Day 2 of the draft.
2.04 – J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Herms: We're looking at a pretty significant tier drop at this point in the draft. I don't mind taking swings on QBs when no other clearer options are available.
There's some major smoke around McCarthy going among the top 10 of the NFL Draft. Scooping a share of him here presents solid value.
Check out McCarthy's full profile for more.
2.05 – Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Jared: I don't expect to end up with much Coleman in dynasty rookie drafts. I'm trying to wean myself off of big-bodied, contested-catch receivers who struggle to create separation (the name "J.J. Arcega-Whiteside" still gives me nightmares).
But this feels like a fine spot to take a shot on a 6'3, 215-pounder who scored on 16.5% of his college catches.
2.06 – Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Kevin: Pearsall was the biggest mover in analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s latest top 50, rising 9 spots to No. 39.
I think he’s more of a late Round 2 NFL pick, but his route polish and sure hands give him a chance to contribute immediately.
2.07 – Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Matt: I don't like that Allen skipped running the 40 at the Combine and his pro day. That makes me wonder if he was afraid of putting up an Audric Estime-level time (4.71 seconds).
But Allen comes off a nice three-year college run that included averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He looks like he'll be limited as a receiver but did rack up 28 receptions in 2023.
Allen's decision to leave school early also suggests he got positive reviews on his expected draft position.
In a weak RB class, he's a shot worth taking in this range. That'll change, though, if he slides well into Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
2.08 – Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
Alex: Wilson pops on film, and his analytical profile is fairly strong. Our rookie model specifically calls out players who are statistically better on film than analytically, so I always watch those WRs closely.
A decent-sized slot receiver with some success in the return game is often a solid bet for NFL production.
If his route-running improves, he can thrive at the next level.
2.09 – Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
Shane: Wright showed off his 4.3 speed at the Combine, but he is more than just a home run threat.
Wright's ability to stack opposing LBs and manipulate their positioning to create bigger plays is a special trait required in the NFL. With his intelligence and athleticism, he torched some of the SEC's toughest defenses in Georgia and Kentucky this past season.
Though Tennessee didn't ask him to do much in the receiving game, Wright showed at the Combine he is a natural hands catcher. With some improvements to his vision and cutback ability, Wright has RB1 upside in the NFL.
2.10 – Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Jared: He'd be getting more love if Brock Bowers wasn't stealing all the thunder in this TE class. Sanders topped 600 receiving yards as both a sophomore and junior, averaging a strong 13.1 yards per catch.
Not even 21 yet, Sanders should still have tons of room for growth.
2.11 – MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC
Shane: He has all the traits you want in a starting NFL RB. That includes size, speed, and an 8.57 RAS.
Despite the lack of college production, Lloyd's pedigree as a recruit shows the potential.
If he can get fourth-round draft capital in an open situation, his ceiling is high.
2.12 – Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Matt: Legette's final college season (71-1255-7 receiving line) was fantastic. And then his Combine testing lined up (4.39-second 40 time at 6'1, 221 pounds).
So why didn't he go earlier in this mock? Because Legette didn't catch more than 18 balls in a season until his fifth year at South Carolina. Four quiet years plus a late breakout is a significant red flag for a prospect.
The end of Round 2, however, is plenty late enough to buy the upside and not worry about the risk. If Legette doesn't work out at this draft cost, you'll be OK.
TIP
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Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft – Round 3
3.01 – Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
Shane: Corley's college production and do-it-all ability makes me comfortable that he earns some type of NFL role.
Corley presents a varied skill set like Jayden Reed last year. If he can get the Day 2 draft capital, Corley could rise to the second round of rookie drafts.
3.02 – Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
Alex: Polk is a prototypically sized wideout who had a productive college career. He's a physical receiver who will need to refine his route-running in the NFL.
Big plays and winning contested catches will help him get drafted, but it won’t be enough to make him fantasy-relevant without some progression.
One of the factors I watch in the model is agreement factor, which compares a prospect's athleticism, film, and production scores. A high agreement means the prospect scored similarly in all fields.
Polk has an agreement factor of 3.8, well above average for the position and draft class overall.
3.03 – Devontez Walker, WR, UNC
Jared: Walker broke out as a sophomore at Kent State and then averaged 87 yards and 0.9 TDs per game at North Carolina last year.
His 193-pound frame might limit his utility as a pro, but Walker's sub-4.4 speed gives him exciting big-play upside.
3.04 – Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Shane: The Combine was pretty awful for Irving at his size (though he improved his vertical at his Pro Day). Still, his short-area quickness and explosiveness will trump his long speed.
Similar in size to Kyren Williams, Irving could outperform his draft position.
3.05 – Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
Herms: Like Blake Corum, Davis is a shorter prospect (5'8). But he's stout enough to be a solid committee contributor at the next level.
Davis also displayed some nice hands as a receiver at the Senior Bowl. It's all about landing upside guys at this point in the draft.
3.06 – Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame
Jared: His slow 4.71-second 40 time drew the headlines. But Estime crushed in the vertical and broad jumps and actually earned an above-average RAS.
There's still a chance for Estime to emerge as the lead ball carrier in an NFL committee. His 221-pound frame could be especially valuable near the goal line.
3.07 – Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Herms: I can't pass up the opportunity to land a potential NFL starter this late.
Should Nix land in a solid situation, he could turn into a worthwhile trade chip if you don't need him to start for your team.
3.08 – Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
Alex: Shipley was an offensive weapon for the Clemson Tigers, racking up solid rushing, receiving, and return yardages over his three colligate years.
He is too small to be a conventional workhorse, but his versatility will help him find a spot on an NFL roster.
According to PFF, his pass blocking is suspect and could be a concern for his playing time. But his well-rounded profile (agreement factor of 4.5) is worth a dart throw in Round 3.
3.09 – Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
Kevin: Burton brings just decent size, but he’s a top-end athlete (9.06 RAS). He also led the Crimson Tide in receiving yards each of the past two seasons.
There’s a chance he sneaks into Round 3 come April, even in a strong WR class.
3.10 – Isaiah Davis, RB, South Dakota State
Matt: Davis delivered impressive efficiency for his college career. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry, three seasons (among four) with at least 100.1 yards per game, and 51 total TDs.
Davis scored on 7.4% of his career rushes and closed his run with a pair of workhorse-type seasons. He also delivered elite numbers in yards after contact, elusive rating, PFF rushing grade.
I was hoping Davis would test faster, but the 4.57-second 40 time at 218 pounds gives him a 66th-percentile speed score for the position. He carries some sleeper potential in a shaky RB class.
3.11 – Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Alex: Sinnott is an athletic freak (9.49 RAS) who walked on at K-state. He lettered in FIVE sports in high school and was named to the all-state team as a TE, WR, and DE by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association.
He is an athlete. Throw him on a taxi squad and see what happens.
3.12 – Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington
Herms: Johnson didn't wow anyone with his 4.68-second 40 time at the Combine. But he does have the requisite build (6'0, 217 pounds) and produced as a runner and receiver in college.
It took the 2023 transfer to Washington for Johnson to exceed 89 carries for the first time. But he racked up 149 receptions across his three seasons at Mississippi State.
Mediocre yardage efficiency -- 5.2 per rush and 6.1 per catch for his career -- align with that slow 40 time. But Johnson's a solid dart throw at this level, while we await his draft capital.
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