The King's One-Man Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft

We are very used to seeing seasonal one-man mock drafts, which have now been around since the early part of the century. I cannot officially claim to have invented the exercise, but I do not recall anyone else of prominence in our industry issuing them at the time when I published my first one around two decades ago.

I’m not doing anything new by now constructing my own three-round Rookie Dynasty Mock Draft. But it will give you a good picture of where and how I value the incoming class, and this should be a helpful look for those of you still about to embark on the procedure. Even if you have done yours already, it should be interesting to compare my evaluations with yours and can also help you evaluate rookies for a dynasty start-up draft.

My one-man rookie mock is based on a 12-team PPR setup with four points for a TD pass.

Round One

1. Josh Jacobs: He is going to be an instant impact performer. Jacobs is physical, can also make defenders miss and catches passes out of the backfield. He will also be the TD finisher for an improving Oakland offense.
2. N'Keal Harry: He could actually struggle at times as a rookie. Expectations may be too high in a system that will be difficult to adjust to. But once he gets comfortable Harry should be a versatile playmaker with a clearly defined offensive role. He is the only WR selected in the first round by Bill Belichick in 19 years. That indeed is a ringing endorsement.
3. Kyler Murray: If the numerous comparisons to Russell Wilson turn out to be true, you will regret passing on Murray if you do not have a top-level QB. Yes, the position is deep, but this guy is a special dual threat. If you want to take a RB or WR here based on pressing need that is totally understandable, but he is the best Fantasy player on the board at this point.
4. David Montgomery: He may have to battle Mike Davis for some playing time in his first season, but you have to figure he eventually becomes the lead runner for the Bears.
5. Miles Sanders: Injuries are already hindering him very early in his pro career, but you have to evaluate him in the longer term. He is a very pretty runner who is elusive and catches passes out of the backfield, too. Even if Doug Pederson continues to utilize more than one RB, he’ll become the most productive Fantasy RB on the team at some point.
6. D.K. Metcalf: If you have a WR need and want to take him ahead of Montgomery and Sanders, go right ahead. Metcalf still needs to polish his game some, but he is a very unique blend of size and speed playing with one of the best deep passers in the game to boot. Russell Wilson has never had a target like Metcalf before and the possible production makes him a big upside candidate.
7. Parris Campbell: There are a lot of notable pass-catchers that Campbell will have to compete with catches for as a rookie in Indianapolis. But eventually, he will seize a starting job and become a feared big-play artist for Andrew Luck.
8. Noah Fant: Many will consider this a reach but I do not care. I took Fant seventh in my own rookie mock here at RotoBaller recently. He is a very special packaging of receiving abilities and could become a Top 6 Fantasy TE very early in his career.
9. T.J. Hockenson: Most will prefer Hockenson over Brown and that is just fine. There may be two future Fantasy star TEs from this draft class. He is the missing piece that Detroit needs in their passing game as a big, fluid target.
10. Darrell Henderson: He was my first pick at No. 9 overall in my own rookie draft. Henderson could actually share some playing time with Todd Gurley in his rookie year. He is a smaller RB, but he is explosive, and if he is efficient at the pro level he could really shine if he is utilized frequently by the Rams
11. Mecole Hardman: The Tyreek Hill suspension will come at some point, and when it does, Hardman will be pushed into more of a prime role. He could be boom or bust early in his career, but you have to believe he was drafted as Hill’s successor.
12. A.J. Brown: Maybe he can finally become the dependable wideout that the Titans continue to search for. Brown should become reliable out of the slot and may quickly challenge for quality playing time.

Round Two

13. Alexander Mattison: We have already seen how injury-prone Dalvin Cook can be. Mattison is a power runner who can finish off a lot of scoring drives for a quality offense if he is pushed into a significant role.
14. Damien Harris: If Sony Michel continues to miss games, Harris could move into a spot as a lead ball carrier for New England when he is out.
15. Andy Isabella: Could become a very dependable target for Kyler Murray very quickly.
16. Marquise Brown: He may have to develop more bulk, but he was regarded by many as the best WR in the 2019 NFL Draft and once Lamar Jackson starts getting comfortable throwing a more consistent deep ball, he has significant upside.
17. Deebo Samuel: A run-after-the-catch artist, Samuel could eventually help solidify a questionable San Francisco WR corps.
18. Devin Singletary: Size is a concern at 5-7, 205, but an opportunity to at least be a timeshare guy could come quickly in Buffalo.
19. Ryquell Armstead: Was not picked until the fifth round by Jacksonville, but if Leonard Fournette goes down again, only Alfred Blue may stand in his way of a quality workload.
20. Diontae Johnson: The Steelers need someone to step forward as a playmaker with Antonio Brown gone, and Johnson could make a real splash some time in his first two pro seasons.
21. Hakeem Butler: The big target who could become the perfect complement to Christian Kirk and Isabella for Murray.
22. Terry McLaurin: There is opportunity at WR in Washington, and he is sharp route runner who worked with Dwayne Haskins in college.
23. Benny Snell: The best RB on the board at this point, could fill in well if James Conner proves to be a consistent injury concern.
24. J.J.  Arcega-Whiteside: There can be potential opportunities at WR in Philadelphia, and Whiteside could become the big, dependable target needed over the unreliable Alshon Jeffery.

Round Three

25. Jace Sternberger
26. Gary Jennings Jr.
27. Irv Smith Jr.
28. Justice Hill
29. Darwin Thompson
30. Drew Lock
31. Dwayne Haskins
32. Kelvin Harmon
33. Bryce Love
34. Miles Boykin
35. Josh Oliver
36. Jalen Hurd