Good morning everyone, we have a first look at an early 2021 Dynasty Rookie Draft. It is April, which means its Draft Month. This mock is for the Pot Cakes Dynasty League, will things go this way? Who knows, but let’s look at the First Two Rounds of the Rookie Draft. Remember, in a rookie draft a guy like Braxton Berrios or Scotty Miller could be drafted, but we don’t care about that right now. With there being five rounds and 63 potential rookie picks in the Dynasty Draft, I will need to see how the draft shakes out to even try to go for 63 players. Or maybe I’ll get bored in the coming weeks and go for it. Until then, here are the 26 rookies I could see being drafted in the first two rounds of the 2021 Pot Cakes Dynasty League Rookie Draft.
Round 1 Pick 1 – DeVonta Smith – WR1 – Alabama
I mean my goodness. The numbers. He lost his teammate Waddle, who maybe was better, and despite the defensive attention of Smith being the clear cut #1 for Bama hewent off for an incredible season. The LSU game stands out, Smith was unstoppable. When you’re the Heisman as a wide receiver, I think you should be the first WR off the board. The last WR in consideration for Heisman Voting was in 2014, third place Amari Cooper an Alabama alum. I think that is good company, if you could give me Amari Cooper in a rookie draft I would take it. With WR depth being a premium, Smith could be the WR depth early in his career and blossom into the superstar you need.
Round 1 Pick 2 – Travis Etienne – RB1 – Clemson
Etienne is the perfect fit for how the NFL is forming their RBs. Little smaller, quicker, and can work in the passing game. You see it in the league today, Aaron Jones, Myles Gaskin, J.K. Dobbins, Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Teams seem to be trending this way, so I would expect Etienne is the RB that is picked for the best fit on at the draft. We know he is going to be drafted before pick 48 in the draft. I doubt Etienne goes to a team to be a true RB2, he is going to a team that is looking for a new starter or at worst a RB1b. I like Etienne replacing Kenyan Drake on the Cardinals, a fit like that. The Cards can support two RBs, now they just need that second RB.
Round 1 Pick 3 – Najee Harris – RB2 – Alabama
All that stuff I said about Etienne, throw it out the window if you take Harris. He is more of a Jonathan Taylor RB, except he’s much taller. It is way too early to say, but with Harris being a more traditional RB, I think his draft stock may suffer and that will result in a slower transition to be the RB1 wherever he goes. Harris is either going to a team to be the RB1 or he’s going to a team to do the exact same thing as their current RB1, which makes him the backup. Harris has a decent shot at being a Jonathan Taylor, working his way to the RB1. But when I look at Etienne and Harris, I feel like Etienne will be more than what CEH ended up being, and Harris will be less than JT. When you look at teams available, I move Harris up if Etienne goes to the Jets or any non-RB1 situation, and Harris must go to the Phins, Cards, or Steelers. I might be missing some scenarios, but if Harris is not on a play today team, then he will be a slow burn, but with the short shelf life of RBs give me the Etienne touches.
Round 1 Pick 4 –Ja’Marr Chase – WR2 – LSU
Chase is the most interesting rookie draft prospect. As a sophomore he lit up everyone. The problem I have with Chase is that everyone on LSU that year lit up defenses. While yes, Chase was exceptional and arguably better than Justin Jefferson while in college, I need more than one season. This is me, I need more than one season. I don’t need greatness, I just need flashes of it for more than one year. This is why I am under valuing Chase as the 4th pick in the rookie draft. Again, undervaluing him at #4 and #2 in his position. Shame on me.
Round 1 Pick 5 – Terrace Marshall, Jr. – WR3 – LSU
Marshall is a big body that can go inside and outside. Marshall still gets credit for the 2019 LSU Team. This draft spot might be a touch inflated, but he put up 10 TDs this year in 7 games, then opted out to focus on the NFL draft. His versatility is why I think you snag him here, maybe a touch early, but the fit will ultimately decide. Just like Chase this guy is a burner. I think he is flying up the actual draft board, so why not move him up in a mock.
Round 1 Pick 6 – Jaylen Waddle – WR4 – Alabama
Waddle suffered a major injury. He was one of the fastest field speed guys in recent memory. The injury is the big question mark. If he was fully healthy, he would be the WR1, but he falls to WR4 due to injury and uncertainty of how he can play now. This is a way to early mock, so hopefully on the combine he jumps up a few spots in the rankings. A team at pick 6 is on the outside looking in. What an absolute rocket ship Waddle could be for whoever drafts him.
Round 1 Pick 7 – Kenneth Gainwell – RB3 – Memphis
Interesting right? Gainwell here ahead of some other backs. Memphis is an RBU, not really but DeAngelo Williams, large gap, Darrell Henderson, Tony Pollard, and Antonio Gibson. Gainwell opted out, but he out rushed Gibby last year. You have an RB that was the starter over Gibby, took a year off to get ready so fresh legs. I like this a lot. Gainwell will be a decent RB.
Round 1 Pick 8 – Javonte Williams – RB4 – North Carolina
Williams is a big guy. I think this “hurts” his productivity in the NFL just by tendencies with wanting smaller faster guys. The good news is that Williams does it all. He is a first down, second down, third down, goal line, 2-minute, and pass blocking back. So while his stock is “hurt” do to his size, if this hits, it’s a grand slam. I think he’s the perfect late first pick, because if you are drafting here, your team should be good, and if he hits my goodness it’s a steal. Plus Williams may be a two-year play. You just have to be willing to wait.
Round 1 Pick 9 – Rashod Bateman – WR5 – Minnesota
The Big 10 was a mess this year. The delayed start and game cancellations, what a mess. Bateman was not a mess. He was ranked higher in mocks going into this season, but after the season he put together, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to drop him more. He originally opted out this season but made his return, finished in the top 10 for Big 10 wide receivers. He is just an all-around decent WR.
Round 1 Pick 10 – Kadarius Toney – WR6 – Florida
Toney is a fun player to watch. He is the type of player that you design plays around. The 49ers do this with Brandon Aiyuk, run, pass, screen, just get the guy the ball. Toney was the guy for Florida. Kyle Trask put up video game numbers, and his favorite target was Toney. Toney is flying up draft boards. He will definitely be a guy I watch for what team he goes to. Toney could easily be better than the Claypool/Pittman/Shenault picks of last year.
Round 1 Pick 11 – Kyle Pitts – TE1 – Florida
Honestly, Pitts is the most confusing draft prospect. He could go from 4 to 20 in the actual draft. Kmet was the TE1 last year, was on a Bears team with double digit TEs, end of the year he’s making plays. Pitts, wherever he goes, will likely fall into the TE2 position to start. BUT Pitts is being drafted because he is a monster as a receiver, like every TE in the history of rookie tight ends, the blocking will have to come, but as a receiver he’s worth an early pick. I would expect Pitts to get work in spread work, goal line work. Pitts’ wingspan is insane. If he turns into a Jimmy Graham, that is perfect for fantasy.
Round 1 Pick 12 – Trevor Lawrence – QB1 – Clemson
Lawrence will be the Jacksonville Jaguars QB. DJ Chark is someone you should look for in dynasty leagues, because he is relevant again. The Jags need to figure some things out, and with a new coach coming in the hope is that they figure things out quickly. Apparently, the Jags Oline is good at run blocking, as every running back played well this year. The addition of Marvin Jones gives Lawrence a red zone threat and wily vet. The defense will need to be addressed in the offseason, but Lawrence is in a decent spot for a team that should be improving over the next few years.
Round 1 Pick 13 – Chuba Hubbard – RB5 – Oklahoma State
Last year, Chuba is a top 5 pick. He had a bad 2020, but everyone did. Hubbard is a polished RB, did not get as much work in the passing game as you would like, but as a runner, in 2019, him and Jonathan Taylor were both monsters. Hubbard is going to need the right fit, but I think he’s worth the late first risk on him being more like his 2019 self. Plus in our draft this is a free pick, why not go for a little risk with this free pick.
Round 2 Pick 1 – Justin Fields – QB2 – Ohio State
Fields is going to have a fit issue, this could raise or lower his rookie fantasy draft stock. As a QB for the Jets, well he is someone I would avoid. If he goes to the 49ers, well he’s someone I take if I need a backup, if he’s to the Patriots or Lions, then he is a must have for year two. Either way, an early second round pick on Fields is a good business decision. Fields is super athletic, Fields in a Shanahan offense (eye emoji).
Round 2 Pick 2 – Rondale Moore – WR7 – Purdue
This dude might be the first true slot off the board. He also is a great returner, and in some leagues that holds value. Moore could be that sneaky WR3/Returner that is a deep WR league or flex. Moore jumped through the roof at his pro day, explosion is no issue for him. With our league using return yards as points, Moore could be a big hit four a second rounder.
Round 2 Pick 3 – Elijah Moore – WR8 – Ole Miss
Back to back Moores. Moore is another slot receiver. He is undersized. Moore is a bit of a gadget guy, or at least he was for Ole Miss. Ole Miss would line him up in the backfield a few times and use him for jet sweeps. Moore suffers from only being a slot, he will need to go somewhere that is missing that slot position. Moore’s draft stock is pretty high, he probably goes in the second round. At pick 16 overall, second round guys might be as good as it gets.
Round 2 Pick 4 – Amon-Ra St. Brown – WR9 – USC
St. Brown is a good route runner, decent size, and has a brother in the NFL. He had a good amount of touchdowns in a shortened season. He seems to be peaking at the right time. St. Brown should be in the mix for a WR2 position with the right fit. He is a guy that has been up and down the draft board, when he’s drafted should adjust when he goes in dynasty.
Round 2 Pick 5 – Pat Freiermuth – TE2 – Penn State
Freiermuth picked up where Gesicki left off. Freiermuth broke Penn States TE TD record. He is a run after catch guy, he is a decent route runner, and big enough to get those tough catches. With last years draft being underwhelming at TE, this year has a big 3 and Pat is right in the middle of it. With tight ends being hit or miss, stashing a top TE could payout well longterm.
Round 2 Pick 6 – Trey Sermon – RB6 – Ohio State
This is a prediction here. With the RBs starting to fall off here, Sermon’s electric finish should get him drafted. It is insane how he finished the season, and in a year like this, Sermon’s final push might be enough to get him drafted “early”. This is all injury pending, an arm injury is less worrisome than if he injured his legs to end his season.
Round 2 Pick 7 – Trey Lance – QB3 – North Dakota State
Trey Lance is going to end up on a good team. He is the QB4/5 in the draft, he will be a mid to late first. Trey is a taxi squad guy. When he is eligible for the big dance, he should be starting or already on his second year. Teams with older QBs should be stashing guys like this.
Round 2 Pick 8 – Tamorrion Terry – WR10 – Florida State
Terry is the Mike Williams of this draft, but a touch bigger. Terry is 6’4, and averaged over 20 yards a catch. He is also a burner. I think Terry’s size and deep threat ability forces him onto the field this year.
Round 2 Pick 9 – Kylin Hill – RB7 – Mississippi State
Hill is big and breaks tackles. He will not break off a 40 yard run, but he will be an early favorite of a Zack Moss type back. The right fit and he can be the goal line back.
Round 2 Pick 10 – Zach Wilson – QB4 – BYU
Wilson falls a little bit behind Lance because he will likely be on a worse team. He is in that in-between stage. Will he play? Is his team good? Wilson’s fit might be an issue. He might be the Sam Darnold of this draft. Depending on how bad you need a QB depends on how early you take Wilson. Wilson on the Jets or anyone as the Jets QB, I’d need to see the proof before I eat the pudding.
Round 2 Pick 11 – Seth Williams – WR11 – Auburn
Williams just catches touchdowns. He can get up, he can get down the field, which all adds up to him being a red zone target.
Round 2 Pick 12 – Brevin Jordan – TE3 – Miami
Rounding out the big 3 of tight ends. The problem with Jordan is his size, which might keep him off the field. The good news is he is a good receiver. But that’s the issue, he needs to be on the field to run routes. Jordan rounds out the top end of the TE class.
Round 2 Pick 13 – Max Borghi – RB8 – Washington State
Borghi is the RB receiver out of the group. He’s a James White type guy. About a 140 catches in two seasons and 1,000 yards receiving. Borghi is looking to be a 3rd down RB, but I’m sure he will need to pick up on the pass pro situation. Borghi is a sneaky play in PPR leagues.
That is who I have for the first 26 rookies off the board. It will be interesting, I think the actual draft may influence our draft. As the league is more QB dominated, will it slowly influence dynasty managers? When you start sneaking into the second round your options are taking a RB6/WR8 or a TE2/QB3, that gap in production or potential starter makes a difference. It is going to be tough for people to pass on a hit or miss starter compared to a work in progress depth guy. Each fantasy manager will have to evaluate their needs and go from there.
I think we might take a look into what each team needs. A quick look at each manager’s team and what they need to keep an eye on for when the draft goes through. Then it is time for each manager to get out their own big board, to see if they need to make a move up, back, or stay put for the guy they want.
That does it for this week. Thank you for your patience, but these last two months some players moved around, as things settle, we will look at the biggest winners and losers of the offseason. Until next time, I hope you and yours have a better tomorrow.
Let’s Go!
JonnyDIII
DIII Digest 