Post-Combine Dynasty First Round Rookie Mock Draft

It’s that time again folks! It’s the beginning of the NFL offseason, which means the NFL Draft is just around the corner. With that being said, it only makes sense to do a preview of what your first round of your dynasty rookie mock drafts should look this May. This is going to change a lot up until that point because right now we currently have to go completely based of speculation of where people will end up, compared to where they actually land.

1.01: Jameis Winston, QB – Florida State

Like the actual NFL Draft, I think Jameis Winston should be the number one pick selected in dynasty leagues as well. Of course, if you don’t need a quarterback, you don’t draft Jameis Winston first overall. However, I’m imagining if you are picking first that quarterback is your issue. To me, Jameis Winston is the best quarterback to come out of college since Andrew Luck. Plus, all indications are currently pointing to Jameis landing in Tampa, which isn’t exactly a terrible scenario for a quarterback. I think that Jameis Winston is here to stay in the league for at least the next 12 seasons.

1.02: Kevin White, WR – West Virginia

In my dynasty leagues, I like big, physical wide receivers that I know are going to be around a while. Kevin White is a bigger, faster, and stronger wide receiver than Amari Cooper is. Although Cooper does run smoother routes, White is currently developing that aspect of his game as well. White is going to be a nightmare in the Red Zone for opposing defenses, which is a big factor in why I have him currently ranked over Cooper.

1.03: Amari Cooper, WR – Alabama

I cannot tell a lie; Amari Cooper is clearly the most complete receiver in the class because of how easily he can get open. When you watch Amari Cooper on film, you’ll see a guy that is so comfortable getting in and out of his breaks. Plus, once he does get out of his break, he possesses elite hands. My one compliant would be that he doesn’t go up and fight for the ball as well as White does, but with how smooth he gets in and out of his routes, it’s rarely an issue.

1.04: Melvin Gordon, RB –Wisconsin

Most people will be surprised that I don’t have Gurley as my first running back off of the board, but he is coming off a torn ACL. Melvin Gordon wouldn’t be my number one back if Gurley wasn’t injured, but that doesn’t go to say that Gordon isn’t a good NFL back. Gordon has rare Jamaal Charles like boost, but also provides a good frame to absorb contact. Gordon is going to be the first running back off of the board, and he should be with his combination of size and speed.

Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) returns a kickoff against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

1.05: Todd Gurley, RB – Georgia

In the dynasty community, Todd Gurley is the number one prospect on most people’s board, but I cannot put him there yet. Gurley is the most complete back in this class with his ability to efficiently pass block, catch the ball out of the backfield, and he has great vision for a back. However, I am slightly worried about Todd Gurley’s knee and you should be too. ACL’s, while they aren’t as scary as they were back in the day, are still an extremely scary surgery that could affect an athlete’s mental toughness. I think that the Gurley injury will be a one-time scenario, but it’s better to play it safe then be sorry.

1.06: Dorial Green- Beckham, WR – Missouri

Dorial Green-Beckham was ranked as the number one receiver coming out of high school three years ago. However, with the off the field issues that occurred when he was at Missouri, he’s going to fall in the draft. Teams are going to be worried that he could become the next Josh Gordon if he doesn’t straighten up his act in a hurry. Right now, Green-Beckham is an extremely raw wide receiver that doesn’t have a good grasp of the route tree yet, but he does have a Calvin Johnson like frame.

1.07: DeVante Parker, WR – Louisville

Ultimately I think Parker can punch his ticket to Minnesota and plan on teaming up with his former college quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. Parker is a bigger possession receiver, who tends to not use much of his speed, even though he has it. Perhaps we will see him use more of his speed at the next level, but from what I’ve seen of him, he’s more of a possession receiver. Parker is probably the third best high pointer in class, which is his talent for catching the ball at it’s highest point.

1.08: Jaelen Strong, WR – Arizona State

Jaelen Strong may be moving up my rankings. The more I watch, the more I like, and from what I’m told, a team may reach for him. From what I’ve heard from people in the media, is that teams are all over the board on these wide receivers. All the teams agree that Cooper and White are the two best receivers in the class and then the next three vary. Some teams like Strong as the third best receiver, while others have him fifth. Right now, it looks like Strong may be headed for Kansas City, which is an extremely wide receiver desperate team right now.

1.09: Jay Ajayi, RB – Boise State

Like Strong, Ajayi is receiving a mixed bag of reviews from NFL teams. Some think he is the third best running back in the class and others think that he doesn’t even belong in the top-7. I’ll tell you, he’s a more complete player than Doug Martin was coming out of Boise State. Ajayi is a great pass catcher and has a combination of strength and burst. This season, Ajayi become the first running back in FBS history to rush for over 1,800 yards and receive over 500 yards in the same season.

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

1.10: Marcus Mariota, QB – Oregon

While I think Jameis Winston is the best quarterback in the class, I do believe that Mariota is still going to have success in the NFL. This Mariota pick is based off the fact that I think this owner will have Peyton Manning. If you have Peyton Manning, I think Mariota is going to be a good pick for you. Sure, you won’t play Mariota this year at all hopefully, but once Manning retires, you’ll need a seamless transition into your future quarterback. I like Mariota a lot more if he ends up with Chip Kelly, but I’m not sure how likely that is at this point.

1.11: Ameer Abdullah, RB – Nebraska

Abdullah is a little on the small side to me, but he can definitely play in this league. Being a small running back doesn’t mean that you will be bad, sometimes being smaller has its advantages. Some defensive players will struggle to see him behind the big offensive lineman and it will allow Abdullah to buy time in the backfield and find the hole. Abdullah is a passionate runner who isn’t too effective in pass blocking because of his size but, he definitely makes an effort at it. He returns kicks, catches passes, and can get through gaps with ease, which are all traits that should transition into the next level smoothly.

1.12: Tevin Coleman, RB – Indiana

I like Coleman’s size and his ability to burst through holes. From what I’ve seen, he doesn’t struggle in pass protection, but he doesn’t play in a pass friendly conference. Although he didn’t work out at the combine, I think he will have a nice pro day and be one of the top running backs taken in the class.

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Post-Combine: Dynasty First Round Rookie Mock Draft

By Chris Brent | Mar 1, 2015