Good morning everyone, and welcome to Draft Season. The Pot Cakes Dynasty League just completed their Rookie Draft. Eligible players for the draft include all incoming rookies, and free agents not currently on a Pot Cakes Fantasy Team roster. Ultimately, the draft grade is used looking at your first three rounds, with rounds four and five having little effect on your grade. As a reminder, 13 picks for rounds 1 through 4, and 12 picks for rounds 5, the 13th pick of the first three rounds went to the consolidation playoff bracket 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Full draft below, grades to follow.
The 2021 Pot Cakes Dynasty Rookie Draft.
| POT CAKES 2021 ROOKIE DRAFT | |||
| OVR | PICK | TEAM | PLAYER, POS, TM |
| 1 | 1.01 | Bruce | Najee Harris, RB, PIT |
| 2 | 1.02 | JonnyDIII | Ja’Marr Chase, WR, CIN |
| 3 | 1.03 | JonnyDIII | Travis Etienne Jr., RB, JAX |
| 4 | 1.04 | Trashman | Trevor Lawrence, QB, JAX |
| 5 | 1.05 | Mush | Javonte Williams, RB, DEN |
| 6 | 1.06 | Pistol | Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL |
| 7 | 1.07 | Batman | Devonta Smith, WR, PHI |
| 8 | 1.08 | CrossFit | Justin Fields, QB, CHI |
| 9 | 1.09 | Teach | Jaylen Waddle, WR MIA |
| 10 | 1.10 | Daddy Wombat | Rondale Moore, WR, ARI |
| 11 | 1.11 | PeePaw | Trey Sermon, RB, SF |
| 12 | 1.12 | PeePaw | Michael Carter, RB, NYJ |
| 13 | 1.13 | Teach | Trey Lance, QB, SF |
| 14 | 2.01 | Bruce | Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL |
| 15 | 2.02 | JonnyDIII | Elijah Moore, WR, NYJ |
| 16 | 2.03 | Batman | Terrace Marshall Jr. WR, CAR |
| 17 | 2.04 | Trashman | Amari Rodgers, WR, GB |
| 18 | 2.05 | Mush | Kadarius Toney, WR, NYG |
| 19 | 2.06 | Touchdown Guy | Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET |
| 20 | 2.07 | JonnyDIII | Kenneth Gainwell, RB, PHI |
| 21 | 2.08 | Mush | Josh Palmer, WR, LAR |
| 22 | 2.09 | Batman | Jake Funk, RB, LAR |
| 23 | 2.10 | Daddy Wombat | Khalil Herbert, RB, CHI |
| 24 | 2.11 | Batman | Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR |
| 25 | 2.12 | Bottom Bunk | Dyami Brown, WR, WSH |
| 26 | 2.13 | Teach | Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE |
| 27 | 3.01 | Bruce | Dewayne Eskridge, WR, SEA |
| 28 | 3.02 | PeePaw | Zach Wilson, QB, NYJ |
| 29 | 3.03 | JonnyDIII | Nico Collins, WR, HOU |
| 30 | 3.04 | Trashman | Tutu Atwell, WR, LAR |
| 31 | 3.05 | Mush | Matt Stafford, QB, LAR |
| 32 | 3.06 | Pistol | Javian Hawkins, RB, ATL |
| 33 | 3.07 | JonnyDIII | Tylan Wallace, WR, BAL |
| 34 | 3.08 | CrossFit | Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT |
| 35 | 3.09 | Teach | Seth Williams, WR, DEN |
| 36 | 3.10 | Daddy Wombat | Tre McKitty, TE, LAC |
| 37 | 3.11 | PeePaw | Anthony Schwartz, WR, CLE |
| 38 | 3.12 | Touchdown Guy | Elijah Mitchell, RB, SF |
| 39 | 3.13 | Mush | Xavier Jones, RB, LAR |
| 40 | 4.01 | Bruce | Marquez Stevenson, WR, BUF |
| 41 | 4.02 | JonnyDIII | Larry Rountree III, RB, LAC |
| 42 | 4.03 | PeePaw | Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, TEN |
| 43 | 4.04 | Trashman | Jaret Patterson, RB, WFT |
| 44 | 4.05 | Pistol | Gerrid Doaks, RB, MIA |
| 45 | 4.06 | Bruce | Brevin Jordan, TE, HOU |
| 46 | 4.07 | Bottom Bunk | Dazz Newsome, WR, CHI |
| 47 | 4.08 | CrossFit | Shi Smith, WR, CAR |
| 48 | 4.09 | Teach | Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, MN |
| 49 | 4.10 | Daddy Wombat | Jermar Jefferson, RB, DET |
| 50 | 4.11 | PeePaw | Mac Jones, QB, NE |
| 51 | 4.12 | Touchdown Guy | Frank Darby, WR, ATL |
| 52 | 4.13 | Pistol | Cornell Powell, WR, KC |
| 53 | 5.01 | Bruce | Sage Surratt, WR, DET |
| 54 | 5.02 | Batman | Chris Evans, RB, CIN |
| 55 | 5.03 | Touchdown Guy | Demetric Felton, RB, CLE |
| 56 | 5.04 | Trashman | Hunter Long, TE, MIA |
| 57 | 5.05 | JonnyDIII | Noah Gray, TE, KC |
| 58 | 5.06 | CrossFit | Pooka Williams Jr, RB, CIN |
| 59 | 5.07 | Bottom Bunk | Kellen Mond, QB, MIN |
| 60 | 5.08 | CrossFit | Sam Ehlinger, QB, IND |
| 61 | 5.09 | Teach | Kylin Hill, RB, GB |
| 62 | 5.10 | Daddy Wombat | Jaelon Darden, WR, TB |
| 63 | 5.11 | PeePaw | Anthony Firkser, TE, TEN |
| 64 | 5.12 | Touchdown Guy | Kene Nwangwu, RB, MIN |
Trades:
| TRADE |
| Teach Receives: |
| Pick 13 |
| Batman Receives: |
| Pick 22, Devante Parker |
| TRADE |
| Mush Receives: |
| Pick 18, Pick 22, Odell |
| Pistol Receives: |
| 2023 1st, James Robinson |
| TRADE |
| PeePaw Receives: |
| Pick 28 |
| JonnyDIII Receives: |
| Brandin Cooks |
Let’s take a look by original draft order (worst to first).
Bruce
Picks – 1.01, 2.01, 3.01, 4.01, 4.06, 5.01
Picks in Order:
1.01 Najee Harris, RB, PIT,
2.01 Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL
3.01 D’wayne Eskridge, WR, SEA
4.01 Marquez Stevenson, WR, BUF
4.06 Brevin Jordan, TE, HOU
5.01 Sage Surratt, WR, DET
Bruce finished last, last season, so his team needs collective help. Star players include, J.T., Zeke, and Godwin, with help from Damien Harris, Chark, and Tyler Boyd. Bruce walks away with two starters after the draft, those being Harris and Bateman. My biggest concern is that neither are “safe” options. Harris is obviously safer, because they have no choice, but the Steelers O-Line is a concern, and Bateman is going to a situation where targets will be a concern. But let’s say something nice about Bruce, you can make the case that Harris is best available, Bateman was for sure the best available, and Eskridge was the best available. It can be easy to look at team needs rather than best available, Bruce appeared to hit both out of the park.
Bruce’s Draft Grade A.
Batman
Picks – 1.07, 2.03, 2.09 (traded pick 1.13 to receive 2.09 and DeVante Parker), 2.11, 5.02
Picks in Order:
1.07 Devonta Smith, WR, PHI
2.03 Terrace Marshall, Jr., WR, CAR
2.09 Jake Funk, RB, LAR
2.11 Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR
5.02 Chris Evans, RB, CIN
Batman has three big names, Lamar Jackson, D’Andre Swift, and Darren Waller. His WRs include Woods, Agholor, Juju, also has Noah Fant, Gaskin and Conner. Again, another team that needs help all around. Batman has QB, TE, and now WR in great spots. Adding Parker for depth, and drafting Devonta Smith, should provide instant production. Terrace Marshall is likely a longer play, but the former LSU receiver should be someone to keep your eyes on for a year two breakout. Now, let’s look at some gambles. Batman went 3/3 to end his draft with RBs. Those are Funk, Hubbard, and Evans. All of those RBs find themselves in potential backup roles. You could make a decent argument, that one of those late seconds should have went to a WR, but having already take 3 (including Parker trade) earlier, you only have so much room on the bench. Batman did the right thing by taking some shots at RBs to see who is where on the depth chart once the preseason ends.
Batman’s Draft Grade A.
JonnyDIII
Picks – 1.02, 1.03, 2.02, 2.07, 3.03, 3.07, 4.02, 5.05 (traded pick 3.02 for Brandin Cooks)
Picks in Order:
1.02 Ja’Marr Chase, WR, CIN
1.03 Travis Etienne, RB, JAG
2.02 Elijah Moore, WR, NYJ
2.07 Kenneth Gainwell, RB, PHI
3.03 Nico Collins, WR, HOU
3.07 Tylan Wallace, WR, BAL
4.02 Larry Rountree III, RB, LAC
5.05 Noah Gray, TE, KC
JonnyDIII needs help, has Mahomes, Diggs, Keenan Allen, and McLaurin. JD3 is in full rebuild. Grabbing the WR1 and possible #1 overall is great. JD3 now has pretty solid WR core. You can start 6 WRs, Diggs, Allen, McLaurin, Chase, and mix in Moore/Davis/Cooks/Pittman/Mooney, it’s not bad. Obviously needs a guy to step up. RB Etienne is a pass catcher and will be the RB1 for this team. This is obviously a huge flaw in JD3’s team. Gainwell is a sneaky long term option, Miles Sanders has an injury history and is halfway through his rookie contract. Gainwell will have the chance to compete with Sanders for the RB1 position next year. That will make this pick a hit or miss. Nico has a chance to be the future WR1 for the Texans, and Wallace has a chance to make the starting lineup for Baltimore who have 1 WR in the rookie they drafted earlier. Shedding a pick for Brandin Cooks is a great move, Cooks just quietly produces year after year, and that depth will help while JD3’s other young WRs have their growing pains. While people will think I’m biased, it’s tough to argue the best draft grade when you get 2 of the top 4 players, with Pitts being the only argument for being ahead of Etienne.
JonnyDIII’s Draft Grade A+.
Trashman
Picks – 1.04, 2.04, 3.04, 4.04, 5.04
Picks in Order:
1.04 Trevor Lawrence, QB, JAX
2.04 Amari Rodgers, WR, GB
3.04 Tutu Atwell, WR, LAR
4.04 Jaret Patterson, RB, WAS
5.04 Hunter Long, TE, MIA
Trashman has Aaron Jones, Nick Chubb, Allen Robinson, Mark Andrews, Kenny G, and Juice Landry. As a backup TE he has Evan Engram. QBs he has Wentz, Cam, Baker, and Danny Dimes. What Trashman did at pick 1.04 with Devonta Smith, Pitts, and Jaylen Waddle on the board is criminal. Baker just came off a great season, and Wentz has a new team new look. Sure, T-Law is great, but is the fourth pick worth it? Probably not. Amari Rodgers? Tutu? I mean Trashman is looking at people that may start as the #3 on their team. Trashman needs T-Law to be a top 10 QB by next year, I don’t see it happening.
Trashman’s Draft Grade C-.
Mush
Picks – 1.05, 2.05, 2.08 (2.05 and 2.08 were part of a trade where Mush received 2.05, 2.08, and OBJ from Pistol for a 2023 First and James Robinson), 3.05, 3.13,
Picks in Order:
1.05 Javonte Williams, RB, DEN
2.05 Kadarius Toney, WR, NYG
2.08 Josh Palmer, WR, LAC
3.05 Matthew Stafford, QB, DET
3.13 Xavier Jones, RB, LAR
Mush maybe made the move of the draft by getting OBJ and two picks for a future first. Mush has Gibby, Dobbins, Jacobs, Clyde, Deebo, Dionte, and Hollywood. He really needs WR help. So with 1.05 he adds the future starter for the Broncos. He then adds potential starter Kadarius Toney. Josh Palmer, we don’t know, but he was probably best available at that time. Stafford in the third is a solid pick for a guy that doesn’t have a QB. Xavier Jones, will be in the mix for potentially the Rams backup role. It will be interesting to see what Mush does with all his RBs, can only start four of them. He needs his WRs to come through, who knows what will happen, but he has assets. OBJ is helpful, he just needs the clock to turn back.
Mush’s Draft Grade A.
Pistol
Picks – 1.06, 3.06, 4.05, and 4.13 (Pistol traded away 2.05 and 2.08 and OBJ for a 2023 First and James Robinson).
Picks in Order:
1.06 Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL
3.06 Javian Hawkins, RB, ATL
4.05 Gerrid Doaks, RB, MIA
4.13 Cornell Powell, WR, KC
David Monty, Hunt, Mikey T, Kelce, and that’s it for stars. He has Darius Slayton and Russell Gage as depth. Pistol made the right pick at 1.06, Pitts was best available and could be the best player in the draft. Trading away two second rounder and possibly your best WR is insane for a future first and an RB about to lose his job. Pistol’s last pick might be his best, potential to be a WR in the Mahomes offense, that’s big. Good long play. Javian Hawkins could be something, same with Doaks, but I expect both teams to address RB in next years draft or free agency.
Pistol’s Draft Grade B-.
Bottom Bunk
Picks – 2.12, 4.07, and 5.07
Picks in Order:
2.12 Dyami Brown, WR, WAS
4.07 Dazz Newsom, WR, CHI
5.07 Kellen Mond, QB, MIN
Bottom Bunk was trade happy during the year. This ended in 3 picks. He only has one pick worth grading, he took Dyami Brown. I don’t mind the pick. B.B. has Cook and Ridley. It will be a long season for him. But as for his draft, given what he had, not bad. But giving up those picks is bad, the grade reflects that.
Bottom Bunk’s Draft Grade C.
CrossFit
Picks – 1.08, 3.08, 4.08, 5.06, and 5.08
Picks in Order:
1.08 Justin Fields, QB, CHI
3.08 Pat Freiremuth, TE, PIT
4.08 Shi Smith, WR, CAR
5.06 Pooka Williams, Jr, RB, CIN
5.08 Sam Ehlinger, QB, IND
CrossFit has Tom Brady, Dak, Ekeler, Mostert, Davis, Lockett, Amari Cooper Kupp, and CMC. We have two picks to really dive into, Justin Fields and Pat Freiremuth. Brady is pegged to be a top QB this year. Dak also has potential to bounce back, and even if he doesn’t this year, he should next year. I tell you what, I do not mind the Pat pick, CrossFit can use the depth and long play at TE. As for the first round pick. What on earth is going on? Waddle was still on the board, Sermon the heir to the throne for Mostert on the board, but you go with Fields? Sure, Fields might play out, but the Bears haven’t exactly had a good fantasy QB in a while. By the time Fields is relevant his WRs and RBs will age out. With all the issues CrossFit had with injuries last year, a skill player makes more sense.
CrossFit’s Draft Grade B.
Teach
Picks – 1.09, 1.13 (Teach gets 1.13 gives up Pick 22 and Devante Parker), 2.13, 3.09, 4.09, 5.09.
Picks in Order:
1.09 Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA
1.13 Trey Lance, QB, SF
2.13 Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE
3.09 Seth Williams, WR, DEN
4.09 Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, MIN
5.09 Klin Hill, RB, GB
Teach has Rodgers, Chris Carson, Mixon, Treek Hill, Tee Higgins, D.J. Moore, and Hockenson. I like his draft. Teach took best available at 9 and was gifted Waddle, then he made a move to get his future QB. Takes a shot on the NE backfield, grabs a WR. Overall, it was a good draft.
Teach’s Draft Grade A-.
Daddy Wombat
Picks – 1.10, 2.10, 3.10, 4.10, and 5.10.
Picks in Order:
1.10 Rondale Moore, WR, ARI
2.10 Khalil Herbert, RB, CHI
3.10 Tre’ McKitty, TE, LAC
4.10 Jemar Jefferson, RB, DET
5.10 Jaelon Darden, WR, TB
Daddy Wombat entered the War Room, and came out ok. D.W. has Russ, Kamara, D-Hop, Metcalf, Claypool, and Jeudy. The problem is they are missing RBs bad. Kamara is the only starter they have. While going with Moore is ok, but you have a starter in Michael Carter just sitting there. So that is a huge miss. Even Trey Sermon is a miss. Herbert will be on a depth chart, but the Tarik Cohen PUP list is helpful for the potential CHI backup, but that’s his ceiling. A Rhamondre Stevenson would have been a better shot in the dark for a potential RB1 in the second. I mean these were ok picks, just not team need picks. While you should go best available, reaching a spot or two won’t kill you. Daddy Wombat could have filled out his roster a little better.
Daddy Wombat’s Draft Grade C+.
PeePaw
Picks – 1.11, 1.12, 3.02 (PeePaw received 3.02 for Brandin Cooks), 3.11, 4.03, 4.11, and 5.11.
Picks in Order:
1.11 Trey Sermon, RB, SF
1.12 Michael Carter, RB, NYJ
3.02 Zach Wilson, QB, NYJ
3.11 Anthony Schwartz, WR, CLE
4.03 Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, TEN
4.11 Mac Jones, QB, NE
5.11 Anthony Firkser, TE, TEN
PeePaw has no QB (Goff and Big Ben), Miles Sanders, A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyk, Davante Adams, and Justin Jefferson. PeePaw rode his horses to the championship, that’s his WR core. With that in mind, I love this draft. He has a decent mix of vet WRs and up and coming WRs. I think mixing in two rookie RBs with starting/second year potential is smart. Trading Brandin Cooks is whatever, I don’t know that you get a whole lot more for him, and having all these WRs already, all Cooks would have done was make him regret not playing him if someone has an off week. Grab a QB, who knows if Wilson turns out but he’ll have the opportunity. Schwartz, with OBJ and Juice running out of their deals Schwartz could work his way into the lineup next year. But a great fourth pick in doubling down on QB in Mac Jones, he’s a stash play. Firker for the second to last pick just ensures that he has a backup TE to see how the first few weeks go. PeePaw having late picks did the most he coud.
PeePaw’s Draft Grade A.
Touchdown Guy
Picks – 2.06, 3.12, 4.12, 5.03, and 5.12.
Picks in Order:
2.06 Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET
3.12 Elijah Mitchell, RB, SF
4.12 Frank Darby, WR, ATL
5.03 Demetric Felton, RB, CLE
5.12 Kene Nwangwu, RB, MIN
Touchdown Guy won the championship, so who cares about this draft. He gave up a first and one next year for Derrick Henry, it worked, so none of this matters. TDG has Tall Josh Allen, Saquan, D-Train, Melly, Adam Thielen, Mike Evans, Julio, and Kittle. He could use WR depth and he got it with St. Brown, he has a brother in the NFL, and is on a team with endless questions at the WR position. St. Brown is a great pick. Mitchell, who knows, the 49ers use backs, Mitchell may be in the mix next year. Darby same thing, Felton maybe a longer play, Kene could be the backup in Minny. I don’t mind the draft, and seeing as he won last year, I think he knocked it out of the park.
Touchdown Guy’s Draft Grade A.
Well that does it for the Rookie Draft. Waivers begin next week, $200 for Free Agents, from next Wednesday to Week 17. Overall a pretty good draft, a lot of delay due to the first pick, but it all went pretty smoothly. We have rosters expanded to 35, have to be 25 (5 must be taxi eligible (rookie or 2nd year)) by the Sunday before Week 1. We will see how many of these rookies make a team and then stay on a fantasy roster. Good luck to everyone, top 10s soon to come. Until then I hope you and yours have a better tomorrow.
Let’s Go!
JonnyDIII
DIII Digest 