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By Jay Pounds (@JayPoundsNFL)
In Dynasty Owner you will find that the most efficient way to build your roster is having players that perform well on cheap contracts. The best way to find those players on cheap contracts happens to be in your rookie drafts. I wanted to do something completely different from the norm this week to help prepare owners for draft day and I would not have been able to pull it off without fellow Dynasty Owner Tom Ayling (@Flanker546). Please go and give him a follow for his help with this week’s content!
This week we are going to do a full 3-round rookie mock draft to give owners a sense of what to expect come June 4th. When starting the mock, I asked Tom to go into the draft trying to think as a rebuilding owner in a vacuum, while I did the same with my picks. I have a feeling after looking at this draft compared to the ADP on the platform, you will see that many of this year’s Dynasty Owner rookie drafts will turn out vastly different. One of the best parts of Dynasty Owner that I have found is no matter how much you try to understand the way everyone else values players, it always ends up playing out different then you had expected.
I figured since Tom was generous enough to help with this mock draft, I would let him take the 1.01 and that was a mistake as it was the start of Tom sniping many of my favorite rookies! I found myself taking the best talent on the board in many cases with thoughts of trading players later down the road, especially the running backs who I feel can net tremendous value from contenders in trades. I did not ask much behind Tom’s thoughts on his picks, but I will give a brief reasoning on why each player was picked in the first two rounds. I will not say much on the third rounders as I have covered a lot of them over the previous two weeks.
Tom – Odd number picks.
Jay – Even number picks.
Round 1
- Trevor Lawrence (4 years, $9,198,372)- Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence was this draft’s clear cut best player and as a rebuilding owner you can never go wrong adding a player like that to your roster. I would tend to think if you are a rebuilding owner you were having issues at the quarterback position. Salary for Lawrence is pricey compared to some of the other rookies, but if he turns out as expected this pick should be a home run.
2. Najee Harris (4 years, $3,261,861)- Running back, Pittsburgh Steelers
I know I preach to avoid running backs early in rebuilds but not all rebuilds are the same, plus Najee Harris is a Steeler. If I am a rebuilding owner, I would consider other players here but ultimately with Lawrence gone, I would go with Harris. The reason I would take Harris here is his cheap salary and the fact you will be able to snag quite a few draft picks in return for trading him to a contender. If you decide not to trade him, you should have a workhorse RB for the foreseeable future.
3. Kyle Pitts (4 years, $8,227,623)- Tight end, Atlanta Falcons
I absolutely love the talent and landing spot of Kyle Pitts, and if I am being honest, I probably would have taken him with my next pick had he not gone here. The only downside I see with Pitts is the typical time it takes tight ends to develop and the salary he will be playing at. All of that said if he is who we think he is, Pitts will be a huge advantage most weeks on your roster for many years to come.
4. Ja’Marr Chase (4 years, $7,547,410)- Wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
The year off for Chase worries me a bit but the last time we saw him on a football field he was clearly the best wide receiver….That field also had Justin Jefferson on it. Chase has a pricey salary being drafted so early but he more than has the talent to make his contract a value. The thought of Chase reuniting with Joe Burrow is extremely intriguing and should pay dividends quickly for the rookie. While there is risk with all rookies, I see Chase as a solid long term player.
5. Justin Fields (4 years, $4,717,988)- Quarterback, Chicago Bears
I wanted Justin Fields at pick number 6 in the worst way but without trading in this mock draft I was stuck watching my guy get taken. In my opinion, Fields should be the best value in this entire class and has the athleticism to be a top 12 quarterback as a rookie. Fields fell much further than expected in the draft and it resulted in a massive value for Dynasty Owners who draft him. If he can beat out Dalton quickly, this may be the best pick in the draft.
6. Trey Lance (4 years, $8,526,319)- Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers
At this spot I was really torn between Javonte Williams, Travis Etienne, and Trey Lance. If I were in win now mode, I would have definitely taken one of the backs available but as a rebuilding owner I took the most intriguing prospect in the draft, Trey Lance. I love the fact Lance landed with Kyle Shanahan in the Bay Area. Every time I think of this pairing, I look back to RGIII in Washington. The only negative on Lance is he may sit a year wasting a valuable season of his rookie deal.
7. Jaylen Waddle (4 years, $6,771,498)- Wide receiver, Miami Dolphins
To me the Dolphins selecting Waddle speaks volumes to what Tua Tagovailoa saw at Alabama. Tua played with both Waddle and DeVonta Smith in college and likely had quite a bit of input on which receiver to draft in Miami. If Tua and Waddle find their groove, Waddle should excel out of the gate. I have also noticed a lot of people comparing Waddle to Henry Ruggs (WR – LV) and I would advise those to look again, Waddle is great underneath. My main concern for Waddle is the development of Tua.
8. Javonte Williams (4 years, $2,216,438)- Running back, Denver Broncos
I think Javonte Williams is the perfect rebuilding running back at the 8 spot. Williams should get a decent role in Year 1 giving his body time to adjust some before receiving a massive load in 2022 and beyond. If this scenario plays out like most think it should by this time next year Williams will be an absolute steal with a very low salary. Watch out for a potential Melvin Gordon suspension in 2021 as well. I know a lot of people have Travis Etienne ahead of Williams, but I am a Williams truther with him getting one of Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) highest running back grades ever during the 2020 season, against the same competition Etienne faced in the ACC.
9. Zach Wilson (4 years, $8,787,670)- Quarterback, New York Jets
Zach Wilson is the player whose draft position will likely be vastly different in every league. I don’t think Wilson is a bad pick here at all as he will get every possible chance to succeed in the Big Apple on top of being a Day 1 starter. I think a lot of the bad on Wilson is tied to the organization that drafted him, but we must remember Adam Gase is no longer there. If Wilson is even a middle of the road quarterback this will be a great pick at the back end of the first round. The Jets invested heavily on the offensive side of the ball during this off-season, now we just have to wait and see if it pays off.
10. Travis Etienne (4 years, $3,224,526)- Running back, Jacksonville Jaguars
At the 10 spot I found myself in a difficult spot, especially as a rebuilding owner. I love DeVonta Smith, and I love drafting wide receivers when I am rebuilding but I felt the value of a potential RB1 was too much to pass up. I am worried about James Robinson in Jacksonville, but the amount of work Etienne will see as a receiver to start should offset that worry some. I think eventually talent will win out and it will be Etienne’s backfield to lose in Jacksonville. I also feel Etienne will net more in a potential trade over Smith in the near future.
11. DeVonta Smith (4 years, $5,035,347)- Wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
Attention rebuilding owners! If this happens do not trade this pick. Draft DeVonta Smith! At the 11 spot we have an absolute steal in DeVonta Smith. If I were a rebuilding owner picking at number 11 with Smith on the board, I don’t think I would be able to hit draft fast enough. In many other years, Smith would be a lock to go in the top 5-7 picks and here he sits at pick 11. The depth of talent in the 2021 class shows itself with this selection. The Slim Reaper may take a season or two to fully adjust to the NFL as a smaller receiver, but I fully expect him to be an absolute stud for years to come.
12. Rashod Bateman (4 years, $3,149,853)- Wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens
With the final pick of the first round, I took Rashod Bateman. Bateman was injury prone in college but has the talent to be a monster in the NFL as long as he can stay healthy. If Lamar Jackson takes a step forward passing, Bateman could be a huge beneficiary of that. If Bateman is healthy, there is a real chance he could be the top receiver for the Ravens out of the gate and that’s not something I’m ok passing on this late in the first. The question marks are there but Bateman has first round draft capital on a team that needs an alpha receiver.
Round 2
- Trey Sermon (4 years, $1,218,233)- Running back, San Francisco 49ers
Is there a player that has had a bigger rise this off-season than Trey Sermon? Sermon went from being a mid-third rounder in a lot of mocks and is now going late first-very early second round in almost all leagues. The Kyle Shanahan effect is real for running backs in the NFL. Sermon doesn’t have a whole lot of talent to beat out in front of him, especially after 2021. The fact that the 49ers traded a lot of picks away for Trey Lance only to trade more away to get Sermon later in the draft says a ton about how they view Sermon. I have zero issue with this pick as I tend to be a believer in players Kyle Shanahan sees as a fit for his system.
2. Michael Carter (4 years, $1,071,842)- Running back, New York Jets
I honestly do not care for this pick, and I happen to be the one that made it. If I could go back and redo this pick, I probably would switch to Mac Jones, or Elijah Moore (though I got him at the 2.04) over a running back. The reason I took Carter here is because he has a chance to take control of the Jets backfield right away. I like Carter as a long term NFL type player, but I do not think he is built to handle a full workload. As a contender, I don’t have an issue with Carter here but as a rebuilding owner I would go in a different direction.
3. Mac Jones (4 years, $3,896,588)- Quarterback, New England Patriots
To get a soon to be starting quarterback at just under $4 million here at the 2.03 is great value. Mac Jones is going to a great organization who will likely keep him out awhile, but that will also benefit him in the long run. The one thing I love about Jones to New England is how accurate he is and how much their system wants to rely on accurate throws and making the right play, two things Jones excels at. If Cam Newton doesn’t return to normal form quickly, we will see a change in New England sooner rather than later with all the money they spent this off season. Outside of San Francisco, Jones couldn’t have landed in a better situation.
4. Elijah Moore (4 years, $2,235,107)- Wide receiver, New York Jets
Elijah Moore was one of my favorite receivers in this class in terms of pure talent. I was not thrilled with the fact he went to New York who already have Denzel Mims, Corey Davis, Keelan Cole, and Jamison Crowder on the roster, leaving little room for Moore. If things play out well Moore could be the number 2 or 3 guy in 2022 with Cole and Crowder on expiring deals. A lot of Moore’s success will likely be tied to rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. Let’s hope Moore’s talent wins out here.
5. Rondale Moore (4 years, $1,731,060)- Wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals
A lot of what I said about the Moore above can be said about Rondale Moore as well. Rondale Moore was drafted to the Arizona Cardinals who have Nuke Hopkins, A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, two pass catching running backs, and potentially Larry Fitzgerald on the roster for 2021. Moore has a much more realistic shot at quality playing time in 2022 when Green and Fitz will likely be gone. Moore is a talented kid who will get his shot eventually.
6. Kadarius Toney (4 years, $3,429,877)- Wide receiver, New York Giants
While I am not a huge fan of Kadarius Toney as a player, at the 2.06 I just couldn’t pass on someone with first round draft capital. Opportunities like this or a potential Mac Jones fall are why rebuilding owners should make cap flexibility a priority. Toney is a risk at nearly $3.5 million in salary, but he also has a chance to pay off big. As a rebuilding owner, that’s something you should be targeting at this point in the draft. I remember saying to Tom this is when things get interesting in the draft and his response was “you mean gross” and he couldn’t have said it better!
7. Terrace Marshall (4 years, $1,432,372)- Wide receiver, Carolina Panthers
Marshall is one of the more interesting players in this rookie class and I have heard many different opinions about him. I love Marshall at this spot because he is similar to Kadarius Toney in the fact he has very high upside with a low floor. If Marshall can find a role as the third option in Carolina it could spell big things for his future. I also love the fact that Marshall is reuniting with Joe Brady who he played for at LSU.
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown (4 years, $1,066,313)- Wide receiver, Detroit Lions
Amon-Ra St. Brown can be put into the same class as Trey Sermon as one of the biggest risers after the NFL draft. The Lions took St. Brown in the fourth round and while typically that wouldn’t be something to write home about the Lions have no one ahead of him on the depth chart. There is a real chance St. Brown is the most talented receiver on the Lions roster already.
9. Amari Rodgers (4 years, $1,224,974)- Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
I was very high on Amari Rodgers because of the mix of talent and landing spot. The fact that the other A. Rodgers (Aaron Rodgers) is threatening to never play for the Packers again really worries me, because I feel Aaron Rodgers will hold a grudge and follow through on his word. All that said, I feel Amari Rodgers is talented but will need Jordan Love to develop quickly should their starting quarterback leave town.
10. Chuba Hubbard (4 years, $1,048,294)- Running back, Carolina Panthers
There is only one reason owners are drafting Hubbard and that is to handcuff CMC. Hubbard showed flashes of greatness in college and would have been a much higher draft pick had he declared for the draft early. The decision to come back to school cost Hubbard money and saved Dynasty Owners’ cap space.
11. Nico Collins (4 years, $1,217,879)- Wide receiver, Houston Texans
Nico Collins was drafted to a messy, but great situation. I say messy because of the Deshaun Watson issues, and I say good because there is no one in front of him on the depth chart aside from Brandin Cooks. If Collins has a solid training camp and preseason, you could find yourself with a starter in the back end of the second round.
12. Pat Freiermuth (4 years, $1,507,045)- Tight end, Pittsburgh Steelers
The best pick in the entire second round is the Steeler, Pat Freiermuth! I’m kidding of course. In many past seasons a tight end with the talent of Freiermuth would go much earlier than late second but the presence of Kyle Pitts has pushed back some of the love Freiermuth would typically get. Freiermuth will take a bit to develop but could turn into a Heath Miller type when all is said and done.
Round 3
- D’Wayne Eskridge (4 years, $1,488,376)- Wide receiver, Seattle Seahawks
D’Wayne Eskridge should be the third receiver from Day one in Seattle.
2. Kenneth Gainwell (4 years, $953,882)- Running back, Philadelphia Eagles
Kenneth Gainwell is a great pass catching back who kept Antonio Gibson behind him at Memphis.
3. Dyami Brown (4 years, $1,236,000)- Wide receiver, Washington Football Team
The addition of Curtis Samuel hurts but Brown could benefit from an upgraded passing attack.
4. Kellen Mond (4 years, $1,305,854)- Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings
The perfect quarterback for a rebuilding roster. Kirk Cousins won’t be around forever.
5. Tutu Atwell (4 years, $1,477,175)- Wide receiver, Los Angeles Rams
Tutu Atwell has great draft capital after being taken in the second round of the NFL draft.
6. Josh Palmer (4 years, $1,258,365)- Wide receiver, Los Angeles Chargers
Josh Palmer starts his career with a young stud quarterback in Justin Herbert.
7. Anthony Schwartz (4 years, $1,215,755)- Wide receiver, Cleveland Browns
Anthony Schwartz is blazing fast and could be the Browns deep threat in Week 1.
8. Javian Hawkins (3 years, $810,000)- Running back, Atlanta Falcons
Javian Hawkins has a great chance to earn playing time in Atlanta.
9. Jarret Patterson (3 years, $808,333)- Running back, Washington Football Team
Jarret Patterson had 409 yards and 8 touchdowns in one game. Enough said!
10. Davis Mills (4 years, $1,304,382)- Quarterback, Houston Texans
With everything going on with Deshaun Watson, Davis Mills could start early on in his career.
11. Jermar Jefferson (4 years, $889,581)- Running back, Detroit Lions
Jermar Jefferson is playing in a wide-open offense, though he is behind the most talented player.
12. Tylan Wallace (4 years, $1,041,341)- Wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens
Tylan Wallace has a ton of talent but was slowed by injuries in college.
Conclusion
I am more excited than ever to be a part of Dynasty Owner. As you can see how owners value a player and his contract is everything in this format. Please feel free to let me know if you guys enjoyed this type of article and which picks you would have made differently as a rebuilding owner.
I want to remind everyone the rookie drafts will be starting on June 4th at 12pm for all returning Dynasty Owner leagues. Be ready to wheel and deal and improve your rosters. Another huge shoutout to Tom Ayling for helping me with this mock draft and adding a little less bias to it. Good luck in your rookie drafts and as always good luck on your Chase for the Ring!