Tag Archives: dynasty rookie mock draft

Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft 2014 – 1st Edition

Posted on by Standard 1

manzielLess than a week removed from the 2014 NFL draft, it’s already time for mock rookie dynasty drafts. Personally, it seems like there are more potential dynasty prospects this year then there have been which is a great problem to have for your dynasty team. Let’s look at where the rookies ended up in our first edition of a dynasty rookie mock draft for 2014.

The rules are:

  • Two rounds
  • 12-teams
  • PPR (1.0 point per reception)
  • IDP (4.0 points per sack; 1.0 point per tackle)

1st Overall Pick – Sammy Watkins, WR – Buffalo Bills – The most generous comparisons call Watkins a smaller Calvin Johnson and his measurables and talent are unmatched in this receiver class. He steps in to Buffalo atop the depth chart from week one. This pick isn’t a slam dunk but it’s close. Watkins is surrounded by talent but his ultimate value will be determined by his quarterback. Current Bills quarterback E.J. Manual will either progress to a legit NFL starter or he’ll bomb and Buffalo will be in the market for a new quarterback soon. Both scenarios will be to Watkins advantage.

2nd Overall Pick – Mike Evans, WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – If Evans ended up in a different situation, I could conceivably but him ahead of Watkins. However, he’ll start his career as the clear #2 in the passing game but faces competition for touches from each offensive position. The quarterback situation is slightly better than in Buffalo as Josh McCown has proved adequate and (potential) future starter Mike Glennon has some potential. Evans will step in to Vincent Jackson’s role once Jackson moves on and should top out as a WR1 in dynasty.

3rd Overall Pick – Eric Ebron, TE – Detroit Lions – The first tight end off the board was also the first tight end selected in the NFL draft. On the surface, this is a match made in heaven with the highly talented Ebron going to one of the most pass-happy offenses in all of football. New offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi came from New Orleans where he mastered the use of a tight end. There will be a few draw backs as the fight for targets will be fierce among Calvin, the newly signed Golden Tate, and emerging tight end Joseph Fauria along with running back Reggie Bush. But for dynasty purposes, Ebron has the best situation and could be a stud real soon.

4th Overall Pick – Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The first surprise of the mock, ASJ has the most potential of the tight end bunch. Standing at 6′ 6″, he’ll immediately unseat incumbent Tim Wright but join the battle for touches early on. However, for dynasty purposes, after Vincent Jackson moves on and ASJ establishes his red zone presence, he should be a TE1 in dynasty. For PPR leagues, pass-catching tight ends are a premium, which is why ASJ is the pick here.

5th Overall Pick – Jadeveon Clowney , DL – Houston Texans – Assuming Clowney stays at defensive end, he’ll make an immediate impact on your dynasty team. Projecting as a Julius Peppers-type, dynasty teams should kill for the chance to add someone who will get double-digit sacks every year for the foreseeable future. However, monitor this situation closely as his value is inherently tied to his position and there have already been whispers about him being considered a linebacker. Be sure to confirm the designation your league has given him before drafting. If they keep him at end, draft him here. If not, you can wait.

6th Overall Pick – Jordan Matthews, WR – Philadelphia Eagles – Any receiver in the Eagles offense should be considered but Matthews age plus size plus hands makes him the top receiver off the dynasty board after Watkins and Evans. The departure of DeSean Jackson along with the recovery of Jeremy Maclin means Matthews could step right in and produce. If quarterback Nick Foles can keep up his 2013 pace, Matthews should have no problem matching Jackson’s production year-in and year-out.

7th Overall Pick – Brandin Cooks, WR – New Orleans Saints – Cooks steps in to, arguably, the best situation possible for a receiver. Trading up to get him, the Saints will put Cooks in the slot and let him move all over the field. It’ll be a departure for the Saints who haven’t had a quick, shifty talent like Cooks before. However, like any high-powered offense, he’ll be fighting for targets. But when/if Marques Colston breaks down, Cooks could be the top receiver on the depth chart and should provide production immediately.

8th Overall Pick – Carlos Hyde, RB – San Francisco 49ers – Hyde was, surprisingly, the third running back off the board in the NFL draft but is the first one taken in this dynasty mock draft. Hyde was considered the top running back prospect by many but enters a crowded running back situation. He won’t produce a lot this year but his dynasty value is pretty high. The 49ers appear to be ready to move on from Frank Gore after his contract runs out this year and there is some talk about Marcus Lattimore not being ready for the season. If things break a certain way, Hyde will be the top back in San Francisco as early as 2015.

9th Overall Pick – Odell Beckham, Jr., WR – New York Giants – After hinting they weren’t happy with their current receiver situation, the Giants grabbed Beckham where he should immediately step in as the 2nd option in the Giants passing game. It was quite possible ODB would go in the top 10 of the actual draft so the talent is there. His value will be determined by the recovery of Eli Manning and if he can return to form. If so, Beckham would be a bargain at this spot for dynasty owners.

10th Overall Pick – Jace Amaro, TE – New York Jets – Of the three tight ends in this mock draft, Amaro could contribute the most right away. He enters a situation without many weapons but does have a decent quarterback situation, at least if Mike Vick ends up on top. Ironically, he’s also the most raw of the three and has little-to-no value in the run game. But if he can create separation in the NFL, something he didn’t have to do a lot in college, he could be a stud.

11th Overall Pick – Marqise Lee, WR – Jacksonville Jaguars – Slipping to the second round of the NFL draft, Lee steps in to a promising situation in Jacksonville. The Jaguars drafted a quarterback in Blake Bortles for the long-term and have some talent in the ranks with Cecil Shorts. Excellent route runner who was beat up in 2013, his 2012 looked like a carbon copy of Hakeem Nicks when healthy. Great hands, great route running, willing in the run game so he won’t come off the field.

12th Overall Pick – Teddy Bridgewater, QB – Minnesota Vikings – The first quarterback taken in this mock draft, Bridgewater definitely has the clearest path to starting immediately. He also has a few dangerous weapons at his disposal in Adrian Peterson, Cordarrelle Patterson, and even Kyle Rudolph. If he can replicate what scouts saw on his game tape in college, he’ll be a low-end QB1 in no time.

13th Overall Pick – Ryan Shazier, LB – Pittsburgh Steelers – Shazier shot up draft boards and ended up as  mid-first round pick in the NFL draft. He’ll immediately step in as an inside linebacker in Pittsburgh’s very aggressive 3-4 system. He’s surrounded by talented outside linebackers in Jarvis Jones and Jason Worilds and should rack up tackles immediately. His best attribute is his speed and is able to cover sideline-to-sideline. He should top out as a LB1 in dynasty leagues.

14th Overall Pick – Bishop Sankey, RB – Tennessee Titans – The first running back taken in the NFL Draft, Sankey has a ton of talent but will need to be coached well. He also is going to a poor team without a lot of talent and coaching that isn’t conducive to running backs. However, he should see significant carries immediately and could even take over the starter’s role from Shonn Greene before the season starts. Long-term, his outlook isn’t as strong as Hyde’s but an infusion of talent could change that.

15th Overall Pick – Kelvin Benjamin, WR – Carolina Panthers – Welcome to your ultimate boom-or-bust pick in Benjamin. He’s still raw and would, ideally, have landed on a team with veterans for him to learn from and take his time. However, he’s being thrown to the fire thanks to the lack of depth in Carolina. Dynasty leaguers should know pretty quickly if they have a stud on their hands as he currently projects as a starter. Benjamin is a huge player and should be a top red zone target. He could top out as a WR1 or a taxi squad player.

16th Overall Pick – Blake Bortles, QB – Jacksonville Jaguars – The most raw quarterback of the bunch, Bortles also has the highest ceiling. He’ll have a long leash as the third overall pick and would be an ideal taxi squad player for your team his rookie year. The Jaguars have openly said they’d like to go run-heavy so there won’t be a lot of pressure early. They’ve also added some talent around the position to soften the learning curve. If you can afford to wait on a quarterback, Bortles should be your pick.

17th Overall Pick – Johnny Manziel, QB – Cleveland Browns – Manziel’s dynasty value took a big hit with the news of a possible Josh Gordon suspension. Coaches have also started very clearly that Manziel is the backup behind Brian Hoyer. However, for dynasty purposes, Cleveland is a team on the rise with an outstanding offensive line. The question remains if he can take the hits but if he does, watch out.

18th Overall Pick – C.J. Mosley, LB – Baltimore Ravens – Mosley was upset as the top linebacker taken in the NFL draft by Shazier but lands on a great team where he could thrive. He has speed and cover skills but will need to overcome the injuries that seem to plague graduates from Alabama. He also will have competition with Arthur Brown but, for dynasty purposes, should have great value long-term.

19th Overall Pick – Khalil Mack, LB – Oakland Raiders – The Raiders deserve kudos for taking a great prospect and improving their defense. Mack is a great pass-rusher from day one and will rack up sacks in the Aldon Smith mold. He won’t have a lot of tackles but for big-play leagues, Mack could be a LB2/3 for many seasons.

20th Overall Pick – Davante Adams, WR – Green Bay Packers – Adams turned out a bunch of production at Fresno State and enters a positive fantasy situation in Green Bay. He’s a possession receiver on a team with a lot of targets. He’ll start the season behind Randall Cobb, Jarrett Boykin, and Jordy Nelson but is an ideal taxi squad player.

21st Overall Pick – Paul Richardson, WR – Seattle Seahawks – Richardson has talent but has serious injury concerns. He also isn’t a prototypical #1 receiver, size-wise, and goes to an extremely run-heavy team. He’ll enter the season fifth on the depth chart and should only be considered if you have taxi-squad availability.

22nd Overall Pick – Cody Latimer, WR, Denver Broncos – Latimer is a fantastic, late round dynasty option. Tall, young and great hands is a great combo and he’s heading to pass-happy Denver. He probably won’t contribute a lot this year but Wes Welker is a free agent next year and Latimer will be next in line.

23rd Overall Pick – Tre Mason, RB – St. Louis Rams – Drawing comparisons to Ray Rice, Mason needs coaching in the passing game to be anything other but a change of pace back. The depth behind Zac Stacy isn’t strong so he could open the season as the clear backup but won’t do anything to unseat Stacy as a starter.

24th Overall Pick – Devonta Freeman – RB – Atlanta Falcons – Freeman is pass-protection ready and has good hands and should unseat Jacquizz Rodgers immediately for targets. With only Stevan Jackson posing any real threat on the depth chart, Freeman could be a starter as soon as next year in a high-powered offense. Another good player to have on your taxi-squad.

2013 Dynasty Rookie Rankings Big Board – Round 1 (1st Edition)

Posted on by Standard 2

The time is (almost) here. Your dynasty fantasy football draft. Where you can finally put all your Madden Franchise mode skills to use. Unlike re-drafts, where the choices are obvious, you’re playing GM to your very own franchise. You have to take into account need, potential, opportunity and, most of all, skill. Let’s see who DFFC would take in an IDP, 12-team PPR league:

Round 1, Pick 1 – RB-Le’Veon Bell (PIT) – After finishing 26th in rushing, Pittsburgh needed an injection of talent in the running game. After long-time incumbent Rashard Mendenhall moved on Pittsburgh determined that holdovers Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer are not suited for the top spot. Enter Bell. At 6′ 1″ and 230 pounds, the Michigan State product can be a punishing runner. Pittsburgh is also implementing a zone-blocking scheme along the lines of Mike Shanahan’s offenses in Denver and now Washington that will allow Bell to see the holes created by his lineman and strike where convenient. Bell is already penciled in as the starter and has a chance to become the rare rookie that contributes both now and later.

Round 1, Pick 2 – RB-Eddie Lacy (GB) – The Bruiser from ‘Bama was thought to be the top running back in the NFL draft but fell to 61 and Green Bay. With little (to no) competition, Lacy has been able to establish his starter status after some impressive practices. Becoming what New Orleans had hoped for fellow ‘Bama running back Mark Ingram appears to be the goal – someone who can convert the 3rd and 1, 1st and Goal, etc. However, there are some real concerns with Lacy’s long-term health which caused several teams to refrain from taking him in the NFL draft. Lacy’s doctors insist he’ll be ok but it’s still something to watch. If healthy, Lacy will be a fine compliment to the passing attack of Aaron Rodgers and co. He, like Bell, has a chance to be a contributor very early in his career.

Round 1, Pick 3 – RB-Giovani Bernard (CIN) – The first running back taken in the draft, Bernard is probably the most explosive. He’s being compared to Ray Rice thanks to his short stature but big build and versatility. He’s so versatile the Bengals even have him lining out wide. Skill-wise he’s set but it’s all about opportunity. BenJarvus Green-Ellis was signed in 2012 to a three-year contract. He could aways be cut earlier but chances are they’ll let his contact run out after 2014 and block Bernard’s path to an everyday role. The hope is Green-Ellis falls flat and they turn the ball over to Bernard sooner than expected. At the moment, he’s a RB3, at best, but could be up to RB1 by the end of the season.

Round 1, Pick 4 – RB-Montee Ball (DEN) – Drafted in the second round out of Wisconsin, Ball was probably the most experienced of the running back class after almost 1,000 attempts in college. He entered a high-powered offense but a crowded backfield. Knowshon Moreno has had four years to show he’s not the long-term answer but Denver will still use him sparingly. It’s Ronnie Hillman that’s blocking Ball’s path to fantasy greatness. Hillman was drafted in the 3rd round of last year’s draft and has ‘earned’ the starting spot. He’s currently the 1A to Ball’s 1B which sounds eerily familiar to Coach John Fox’s last team where the Panthers refused to favor one of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Fantasy owners don’t need to be reminded of that hot mess. It’s ok to draft Ball but don’t expect a workhorse role for at least a year.

Round 1, Pick 5 – WR – DeAndre Hopkins – In the first upset of the first round, I have Houston first round pick DeAndre Hopkins as the first receiver off the board. At 6′ 1″ and 214 pounds, Hopkins fits the mold more as a long-term receiver than Tavon Austin. Drafted by Houston, he was the immediate favorite for the ‘Z’ position and has not disappointed. He had a fantastic week of camp, including a 40-yard bomb, and has already established the trust of the coaching staff. There is no one to challenge him as the heir apparent and he’ll get the benefit of learning from one of the best (very Terrell Owens-esque). He’s already slated for at least 50 catches his rookie year with that number sure to grow. Grab him early, grab him often.

Round 1, Pick 6 – TE-Tyler Eifert (CIN) – With more NFL offenses utilizing their tight ends as receivers, expect more rookie tight ends to be drafted higher.  Tyler Eifert, drafted in the first round in 2013 is first up. Even though Cincinnati had an established tight end, and not necessarily a bad one, they still opted to draft the Notre Dame product. He’s lining up wide and catching passes in traffic which is music to dynasty fantasy owners ears. And with the likes of Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski going in the first or second rounds of drafts, Eifert could be right up there with them and soon. There’s no doubt that tight end is the position with the most disparity between first and worst. If you can grab a difference maker, you take him. Eifert could be that.

Round 1, Pick 7 – WR-Kenbrell Thompkins (NE) – Who? Exactly. Thompkins went undrafted this year and only earned a spot because of the massive upheaval in New England’s receiving corps. But boy is he making it count. Not only is a vertical threat but has shown signs of being a possession receiver as well. Of course, it always helps when you’re on the same page as Tom Brady. Brady threw the ball 637 times last year and with four of his top five receivers gone, the competition for targets is wide open. Thompkins has been the most impressive so far. Impress your friends and take him.

Round 1, Pick 8 – RB-Christine Michael (SEA) – Michael’s the first player off the board not walking into an obviously advantageous position but he could be thrown into one soon. Michael was a first round talent but fell to the second due to off-field issues. His tough, explosive running style is an ideal fit in Seattle and not that much different from incumbent Marshawn Lynch. But Lynch has his own off-field issues to deal with which could propel Michael to the starting lineup. Current backup Robert Turbin is just now getting back on the field so if Michael continues to impress, this first-round talent could be the recipient of Seattle’s powerful running game. The upside is huge.

Round 1, Pick 9 – WR-Tavon Austin (STL) – The highest receiver drafted at #8 overall, Austin is going to be a ping-pong ball and bounce all over the place. Out wide, in the slot, in the backfield. It’s just a shame he’s heading into an offense of such uncertainty. Sam Bradford is in a make-or-break year, they appear to have full-blown RBBC on their hands and there’s no skill position players coming back to estabslish some sort of consistency after the departure of Steven Jackson. Don’t get me wrong, he’s justified his draft position. But throw in the fact that Brian Schottenheimer is his OC, he of the almost 500 rush attempts last year, and the passing game is even murkier. Austin is a talent but doesn’t enter the best situation. And at this point, opportunity is half the battle.

Round 1, Pick 10 – QB-E.J. Manuel (BUF) – The first quarterback taken in the NFL draft, Manuel should also be the first quarterback off dynasty fantasy boards. Manuel is a big boy at 6′ 5″ and 230 pounds. He’s the captain of the rebuilding effort of the Buffalo franchise and should be given plenty of opportunities. Just the fact that he’ll be the starter in Buffalo at a minimum of 2-3 years props up his value since there’s only a finite number of starting quarterbacks in fantasy. His weapons are an asset as well as Buffalo has surrounded him with rookie receivers Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, Da’Rick Rogers and rookie tight end Chris Gragg. Throw in all-world running back C.J. Spiller and perennial 1,000 yard receiver Stevie Johnson and Manuel has no excuses. We’ll have to wait and see him in game action to determine if he’ll be a fantasy starter in years to come but Manuel is definitely in the right place in the right time.

Round 1, Pick 11 – TE-Zach Ertz (PHI) – Drafted in the second round, Ertz looked as if he walked into a less than ideal fantasy situation. New Philly coach Chip Kelly had been a run-first coach at Oregon and there were already two tight ends in front of him. Incumbent Brent Celek and free agent James Casey. Originally, Celek would have been the in-line tight end with Casey as the ‘move.’ However, Ertz has earned first-team reps in practice and is now predicted to have more catches and yards than either of the other two Philly tight ends after impressing the team. As with Eifert and Manuel, Ertz plays a position with a finite amount of quality players. Don’t be afraid to draft Ertz.

Round 1, Pick 12 – WR-Markus Wheaton (PIT) – Drafted in the 3rd round, Wheaton is the heir apparent to the departed Mike Wallace. However, he’s also been drawing comparisons to Hines Ward. Physically, both don’t/didn’t stand out but Wheaton has shown the ability to go over the middle and catch balls in traffic (at least in camp). Then comes the good news that Wheaton is already practicing with the first team and lining up in the slot or the outside. Using Ward as a comp, I don’t think anyone would be disappointed in a guy with six 80+ receptions/1,000 yard seasons. His status may be murky this year but shouldn’t be after that.

Click here for a mock round two and be sure to follow us on twitter for your daily dynasty update!