Fansided

Fantasy football mock draft: Predicting first-rounder’s fantasy potential

By Ryan McCloy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers passes against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers passes against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 10
Next
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 31: Jayson Oweh #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 31, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 31: Jayson Oweh #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions lines up against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 31, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

No. 21 – Indianapolis Colts

Miami DL Jaelan Phillips

  • The promise that Gregory Rousseau showed in 2019 was nearly echoed by Phillips’ 2020 after injuries kept him out of the 2019 season. Medicals will be crucial, but the talent is undeniable.

Fantasy Spin: The Colts Defense was among the league’s best in 2020, and a pick like Phillips should only improve that standing. Phillips could come in with formidable sack numbers in year 1, and should help he Colts stay among the best in the league. I don’t anticipate much IDP value, but wouldn’t be surprised if he turns a few heads after a few weeks.

No. 22 – Tennessee Titans

Penn State EDGE Jayson Oweh

  • Like I mentioned earlier regarding Kwity Paye, Oweh doesn’t have gaudy stats to flash at scouts, but he has everything else they’re looking for. He has the size, speed, and talent that indicate a breakout could come at the NFL level.

Fantasy Spin: The Titans always seem to be one player away don’t they? I’m not sure Oweh will be the guy who comes in and instantly makes that difference, but with a few other moves they could emerge as a consistent D/ST option in 2021. Oweh will certainly not have any IDP value to speak of this season.

No. 23 – New York Jets

South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn

  • After grabbing their latest QB of the future at 2, the Jets focus on their biggest flaw on defense as Horn becomes the third CB off the board. Horn won’t solve their problems at corner, as rookies often struggle with the transition to pro receivers, but he’s a good building block to head in the right direction.

Fantasy Spin: The Jets’ Defense showed flashes of talent last season, even without former Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley. Their secondary struggled keeping opposing offenses at bay, leading to minimal fantasy success. With their excess cap space this offseason, they could be able to build a decent team in 2021. Horn could be targeted often as a rookie corner likely to get extensive starting opportunity, so if his talent translates to the NFL, he could see good pass defense numbers. That being said, he’s a rookie corner in a rebuilding defense. Barring any miracles, neither Horn nor the Jets defense will have much fantasy value in any format.

No. 24 – Pittsburgh Steelers

North Dakota State QB Trey Lance

  • I love this fit. The knock on Lance is that his competition level may not have prepared him for the pro game, so why not learn from a future Hall-of-Famer at the tail end of his career, as the Steelers have struggled to find an heir apparent in recent drafts.

Fantasy Spin: Lance is poised to remain an emergency backup in 2021 if drafted by the Steelers, who have verbally committed to Ben Roethlisberger this season. Unless presented with a desperate situation caused by injury or the like, Lance will not have any fantasy impact with the Steelers yet.

Home/Fantasy Football