Dynasty League – Fantasy Football Rookie Mock Draft
By Raju Byfield
1.05 – A.J. Brown (Tennessee Titans)
Arguably the most talented wide receiver in the draft class, A.J. Brown landed in an unenviable situation. He landed with Marcus Mariota, a talented but injury-riddled quarterback who appears to be in a make-it-or-break-it season. He also landed beside the more talented Corey Davis, and on a team that just shelled out free agency dollars to slot weapon Adam Humphries. Brown is a hulking receiver who can dominate both inside and out.
Somewhat of an afterthought in redraft leagues Brown’s dynasty stock is in good shape. Mariota will sink or swim this year, which means Brown is almost assured to have a competent quarterback by 2020. Brown is a great route runner who is dominant after the catch. Brown recorded 7.1 yards after the catch in 2018. Able to thrive on a team with three other players who made it onto NFL rosters this summer, Brown is being somewhat overlooked in dynasty formats.
Often compared to JuJu Smith-Schuster, Brown is at his best and most explosive working out of the slot. He is only half an inch shorter than JuJu but has him beat in both speed and weight. A prolific receiver who can win at all four levels, Brown is one of the only wide receivers in this draft class with a legitimate 100 reception upside as a pro. Brown has WR1 talent, but is a WR2 for dynasty purposes, especially when 2020’s influx of talent at the position is taken into account.
Corey Davis will remain the number one in Tennessee, but as we have all seen in the past, receivers other than Davis can be fantasy relevant with Mariota throwing them the ball. With the Titans offense shaping up to be more explosive than ever, Brown could surprise as a rookie. As mentioned above, if Mariota does not thrive this season, the Titans will likely be adding a first-round talent next season. You may not need to take A.J. Brown fifth overall to land him, but his positioning here is based on dynasty projections and where this writer would be personally comfortable taking him in a dynasty rookie draft.