Underworld Rookie Mock Draft Recap #6

by Cody Carpentier · Draft Strategy

The RotoUnderworld community will be partaking in a series of 12-team, five-round rookie mock drafts, running through the summer. The mock drafters will be comprised of PlayerProfiler writers/analysts, our friends in the Patreon community, and our friends over at The Breakout Finder. While these pieces will include quick-hitting notes from the drafters about why they made their selection, our writers will take turns recapping the festivities and adding their own unique perspectives.

Rookie Mock Draft Recap #6 – 2 QB

As the NFL Draft nears, the Minions of the Underworld continue to grind away, dropping new articles and taking part in rookie mock drafts, seasonal best ball leagues, and dynasty startups. Today we bring the first 2 QB version of the Rookie Mock Drafting Series to show where the industry’s finest are picking quarterbacks as opposed to tight ends, receivers, and running backs. Although many in the fantasy community are still playing single QB and are just being introduced to SuperFlex leagues, many of The Podfather’s Patreon Leagues are 2 QB, and they bring forward a different challenge.

fantasy-football-dynasty-league-rankings

Mock drafts are unpredictable as it is. Now add some devy specialists and Patreon wildcards and we should have ourselves a good old time (editors note: this draft began on March 22nd, so that’s why you may see some players picked way before or behind what you’d expect post pro day circuit).

1.01 – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

Analyst: Jay Dozier (@TheJayDozier)
Rationale: Hoping for a QB leftover in the second.

1.02 – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Analyst: Dan Turner (@eagledanff)
Rationale: Best QB in a 2QB rookie draft, was an easy pick at 1.02.

1.03 – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Analyst: Jaylan Glenn (@JayyyG_FF)
Rationale: My QB1. Has great arm talent/accuracy and elite athleticism. Fade the “one read QB” noise.

1.04 – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Analyst: Joshua Benjamin (@bizzer619)
Rationale: I’ve seen more consistent throws from Wilson than Lawrence! I feel comfortable saying he’s the best QB in this class and I’m so excited to get him here! If you can trade down from Lawrence and still land Wilson…”that’s the show.”

1.05 – Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

Analyst: Ray Marzarella (@rayraymarz)
Rationale: Etienne has the No. 1 Breakout Rating in this rookie RB class per Breakout Finder, and he owns a top-20 all time mark. Best Comparable Player via PlayerProfiler is D’Andre Swift, and he deserves consideration at the 1.01 in all formats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KPak07HB10

1.06 – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Analyst: Andrew Quinn (@_coachquinn)
Rationale: Hopefully he turns out to be the next big Konami Code QB in the league.

1.07 – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Analyst: Chris LeMeilleur (@thistimearound)
Rationale: I normally fade WR in favor of RB, but Chase is the most surefire hit left on the board unless you can trade back and grab Bateman.

1.08 – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

Analyst: Cody Carpentier (@CarpentierNFL)
Rationale: In this situation, I would move back. After the top four QB,s, top two RB’s and Chase are gone, it’s a clear tier break for me.

1.09 – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

Analyst: Neil Dutton (@ndutton13)
Rationale: I too would favor trading back in this scenario. But if pressed, I shall go with Mac Jones.

1.10 –  Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina

Analyst: Nick Tabs (@ntabs33)
Rationale: In a recent Mind of Mansion episode, J.J. Zachariason mentioned that Williams could be the first RB drafted. Three down stud!

1.11 – Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

Analyst: Will Barrett (@Will_Barrett1)
Rationale: Was hoping for Batemen here, but can’t complain with Rondale Moore. It was between him and Devonta Smith. Moore is a freak of nature.

1.12 – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Analyst: Theo Gremminger (@TheOGfantasy)
Rationale: I was thrilled to get Kyle Pitts here. Great value at the 1.12.

Round 1 Takeaways

In a 2 QB rookie draft, one would expect it to start QB-QB-QB, and it did from 1.02-1.04. But at the 1.01, our guy Jay Dozier grabbed Najee Harris. After a month of disappointing pro days, Harris was actually one of the big winners after not testing athletically at either Alabama pro day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W41pdwRE7cc

With San Francisco trading up to 1.03 in the NFL Draft, Mac Jones dropping to the 1.09 might be a thing of the past  a month from now.

2.01 – Kyle Trask, QB, Florida

Analyst: Jay Dozier (@TheJayDozier)
Rationale: Taking Trask here since he is at the end of the tier 2 QB group.

2.02 –  Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Analyst: Dan Turner (@eagledanff)
Rationale: Taking the reigning Heisman winner here at this spot. His weight isn’t an issue for me.

2.03 – Kenny Gainwell, RB, Memphis

Analyst: Jaylan Glenn (@JayyyG_FF)
Rationale: Austin Ekeler with good draft capital, Easily the best receiver at the position in the class for me.

2.04 – Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M

Analyst: Joshua Benjamin (@bizzer619)
Rationale: What reach? I believe Mond is the third-best QB prospect in this class! Mond, Dak Prescott and Tim Tebow are the only SEC QBs to have 9,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards! He shows great pocket awareness while making every throw with touch. He’s conscious of his progressions. Great sign for a signal caller who boasts an 88th-percentile Breakout Age.

2.05 – Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State

Analyst: Ray Marzarella (@rayraymarz)
Rationale: One of the few exciting early-declare RBs in this class. Has a chance to really up his value in the eyes of the draftnik community, and hopefully begin reaching more widely accepted Day 2 consideration, if he can smash at Oregon State’s April 1st pro day (editors note: he didn’t).

2.06 – Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss

Analyst: Andrew Quinn (@_coachquinn)
Rationale: Probably would trade back at this point, but I like Moore’s breakout rating and Lifetime Value in the middle of the second-round. Was between a handful of other guys at this pick.

2.07 – Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC

Analyst: Chris LeMeilleur (@thistimearound)
Rationale: I can’t remember the last time I drafted two WRs in a rookie draft, but the rest of the talent is a reach and honestly not very good, so give me the early breakout Pac-12 WR that pushed his elders aside and produced as a freshman and sophomore.

2.08 – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Analyst: Cody Carpentier (@CarpentierNFL)
Rationale: Jaylen Waddle at pick No. 20 is ridiculous! Don’t love it, but I like it.

2.09 – Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State

Analyst: Neil Dutton (@ndutton13)
Rationale: I don’t care about the format, getting Chuba Hubbard at this late stage of the second round is a marvelous stroke of good fortune.

2.10 – Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU

Analyst: Nick Tabs (@ntabs33)
Rationale: This guy is quickly becoming one of my favorite prospects in this class, get him before he gets the draft capital and mainstream buzz.

2.11 – Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State

Analyst: Will Barrett (@Will_Barrett1)
Rationale: I like Tylan Wallace here. He’s a tough player with a 93rd-percentile College Dominator Rating.

2.12 – Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina

Analyst: Theo Gremminger (@TheOGfantasy)
Rationale: With Hubbard, Gainwell, and Jefferson off the board, I grabbed the last of the second-round RBs. He is the last RB for me in this tier.

Round 2 Takeaways

The surprising pick of Round 2 goes to Kellen Mond at the 2.04. Per Jim Nagy: “scouts and coaches left the Texas A&M Pro Day impressed with Mond’s growth, arm strength and maturity.” Seven of the first 16 picks were quarterbacks in this 2 QB Mock, something you can expect going forward.

With guys like Mond, Kyle Trask, and Mac Jones getting pushed up boards, it allows players like Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith to drop into the early/mid-second round. This is exciting for rookie draft value, which is the key in any draft, and is ultra important in 2021. The late-second to early-third round is the ideal draft position in 2 QB rookie drafts if you are set at the quarterback position. You’ll end up with value plays like Waddle (2.08), Chuba Hubbard (2.09), and Dyami Brown (3.01).

3.01 – Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina

Analyst: Jay Dozier (@TheJayDozier)
Rationale: I like that Brown is always open.

3.02 – Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

Analyst: Dan Turner (@eagledanff)
Rationale: Big slot potential and his separation skills are excellent, so worth a shot here in the third.

3.03 – Seth Williams, WR, Auburn

Analyst: Jaylan Glenn (@JayyyG_FF)
Rationale: I’m all about age-adjusted production at WR, so an alpha build SEC WR with a freshman year Breakout Age at the top of the third is a no-brainer for me.

3.04 – Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn

Analyst: Joshua Benjamin (@bizzer619)
Rationale: It’s always hard to evaluate a WR in an Auburn uniform. With that said, we all know about the 4.32 40-yard Dash. Listen, I’m not laying my claim to Schwartz so much as I believe that an NFL team will. I can see this creating a value bubble.

3.05 – Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State

Analyst: Ray Marzarella (@rayraymarz)
Rationale: This would be a different story had Tamorrion Terry or Amari Rodgers melted faces at their pro days, though neither would likely be available here if that were the case. Instead I’ll go with the guy who comes from the athlete factory known as Penn State University, and a potential mid-second round NFL Draft pick.

3.06 – Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State

Analyst: Andrew Quinn (@_coachquinn)
Rationale: I like the value of the mid-third round pick, and wouldn’t be surprised if Sermon gets an opportunity to lead a backfield at the next level. Not saying it happens during his rookie year, but if he goes off, he’s a steal in the third round.

3.07 – Brevin Jordan, TE, Florida

Analyst: Chris LeMeilleur (@thistimearound)
Rationale: Jaylan and Ray have murdered me three rounds in a row, grabbing my favorite picks in that early/mid range (editors note: sorry, but not actually sorry), but luckily I have Brevin as my TE2 in the class, so this is a steal at pick No. 32.

3.08 – Elijah Mitchell, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette

Analyst: Cody Carpentier (@CarpentierNFL)
Rationale: The best small-school running back in the 2021 class, played with Trey Ragas and Raymond Calais at UL-Lafayette.

3.09 – Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo

Analyst: Neil Dutton (@ndutton13)
Rationale: The size is an issue, but my word this kid was productive for the Bulls. A 300 AND a 400-yard game in 2020! Yes, yes please.

3.10 –  Tamorrion Terry, WR, Florida State

Analyst: Nick Tabs (@ntabs33)
Rationale: Scored 17 touchdowns in his first two years at Florida State. He’s going to be hard to stop in the red zone.

3.11 – Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina

Analyst: Will Barrett (@Will_Barrett1)
Rationale: I like Shi Smith‘s versatility, and I think that will attract many NFL teams.

3.12 – Javian Hawkins, RB, Louisville

Analyst: Theo Gremminger (@TheOGfantasy)
Rationale: I was excited to get Hawkins here. He was highly productive at Louisville and has big-play ability despite his small size.

Round 3 Takeaways

This will be the last time we see Elijah Mitchell this late in a RotoUnderworld-centric mock draft. After blazing at his pro day and drawing comparisons to Jerick McKinnon, Jamaal Charles, and Darrynton Evans, expect Mitchell’s value to only rise between now and the NFL Draft.

After seven of the first 16 picks off the board went to quarterbacks, round three saw zero come off the board. As expected, this QB class is extremely top-heavy with depth in that top tier but after, it dwindles down to nothing. Reach of the round goes to Shi Smith. In past mocks, he has gone in the middle of the fourth and early in the fifth. I see Smith as a solid NFL receiver, but not so much a fantasy favorite. But when you like somebody in the middle rounds, you have to get your guy!

4.01 – D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan

Analyst: Jay Dozier (@TheJayDozier)
Rationale: Eskridge’s after-catch cut to top speed is one of the most fun things to watch of this year’s rookies.

4.02 – Kylin Hill, RB, Mississippi State

Analyst: Dan Turner (@eagledanff)
Rationale: Good all-around ball carrier that can block, catch passes, and is a patient runner that could spot start on a couple of teams in the NFL if needed.

4.03 – Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson

Analyst: Jaylan Glenn (@JayyyG_FF)
Rationale: Slot WR built like an RB with good YAC ability and is likely to be used in multiple different ways at the next level.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC4aYj_f4us

4.04 – Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville

Analyst: Joshua Benjamin (@bizzer619)
Rationale: Tutu excels on screens and jet sweeps. He has the speed to stretch the field. This leaves hope for an otherwise paperweight wideout to land with a great offense and make a splash early in his career. Being the Dade HS Player of the Year as a QB is also fun considering the alumni.

4.05 – Nico Collins, WR, Michigan

Analyst: Ray Marzarella (@rayraymarz)
Rationale: Michigan stigma be damned, Nico Collins is sure to see his stock skyrocket after the show he put on at his pro day. In taking my first WR this late in a rookie draft, I’ll take a guy who could sneak into Day 2 of the draft and who has the prototypical size we look for in our alpha dog wideouts.

4.06 – Larry Rountree, RB, Missouri

Analyst: Andrew Quinn (@_coachquinn)
Rationale: Another dart throw, also aided by the fact that I’m a Mizzou fan. If he gets decent draft capital, he might work his way into goal-line work and/or handcuff value. Who knows?

4.07 – Demetric Felton, WR, UCLA

Analyst: Chris LeMeilleur (@thistimearound)
Rationale: There are no gems left in this draft without landing spot information, so give me a warm body at RB with a solid Lance Zierlein grade and top-5 receiving back upside.

4.08 – Jamie Newman, QB, Georgia

Analyst: Cody Carpentier (@CarpentierNFL)
Rationale: The last draftable quarterback in rookie drafts. If he lands somewhere with an aging quarterback, 2022 could be big for the Wake Forest transfer.

4.09 – Jaelon Darden, WR, North Texas

Analyst: Neil Dutton (@ndutton13)
Rationale: Absolutely delighted to land the speedster from North Texas at this late stage of proceedings. Marvelous!

4.10 – Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest

Analyst: Nick Tabs (@ntabs33)
Rationale: Could be a red zone weapon with his 6-3, 215-pound frame.

4.11 – Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech  

Analyst: Will Barrett (@Will_Barrett1)
Rationale: I’m just a VT fan.

4.12 – Hunter Long, TE, Boston College

Analyst: Theo Gremminger (@TheOGfantasy)
Rationale: Long should be the fourth TE taken and has a chance to be a day two pick.

Round 4 Takeaways

The fourth round was full of gems. Ray had to stop the fall of Nico Collins, one of the only winners from the 2021 pro day circuit, drafting him at the 4.05. Dan Turner jumped into the party, drafting Kylin Hill at the 4.02. Hill is a huge question mark in the fantasy community because nobody knows how the NFL values him. The talent and profile is there, but the off-field is a question.

Jamie Newman is on track to be the sleeper quarterback of the draft. Think Russell Wilson. Newman was great at Wake Forest before transferring to Georgia in 2020 and opting out because of COVID, so he never played with the Bulldogs. I grabbed Newman at the 4.08 on upside alone. Theo finished round 4 off with a BANG! Hunter Long may be the second tight end drafted in April, and that would surprise some, but not those in the know. Long is big, athletic, polished, and garnered more targets in 2020 than Kyle Pitts.

5.01 – Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota State

Analyst: Jay Dozier (@TheJayDozier)
Rationale: College Dominator Rating hero.

5.02 – Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame

Analyst: Dan Turner (@eagledanff)
Rationale: The next Taysom Hill?

5.03 – Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma

Analyst: Jaylan Glenn (@JayyyG_FF)
Rationale: Bruising back who moves well for his size and can also catch passes if he gets an opportunity to prove himself.

5.04 – Marlon Williams, WR, UCF

Analyst: Joshua Benjamin (@bizzer619)
Rationale: Williams will be limited to the “BIG Slot” wherever he lands. He may not have a great Breakout Age, and it looks like his splits won’t compare to the others in this class. However, he’s built like a running back and is excellent with the ball in his hands. Considering the talent left, I’m comfortable taking a stand on him here until we see where he lands.

5.05 – Chris Evans, RB, Michigan

Analyst: Ray Marzarella (@rayraymarz)
Rationale: I will end my draft with a run on Michigan players. In a class that’s more top-heavy at RB than it is deep, I’m taking a guy who has the size we want, the athleticism we want, and who would be much higher regarded had his college career not been Jim Harbaugh-ed.

5.06 – Mike Strachan, WR, Charleston

Analyst: Andrew Quinn (@_coachquinn)
Rationale: I’ve been a Strachan truther all offseason, and I am pumped to see him fall to me in the final round. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up as a UDFA, but he has some enormous upside.

5.07 – Tre McKitty, TE, Georgia

Analyst: Chris LeMeilleur (@thistimearound)
Rationale: I’ll take a flier at a more shallow position here than chase empty dreams with these remaining WRs and RBs.

5.08 – Noah Gray, TE, Duke

Analyst: Cody Carpentier (@CarpentierNFL)
Rationale: 4.57 unofficial and 35-inch vertical for a tight end is enough for me in the fifth round. Gray was solid at Duke and had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.

5.09 – C.J. Marable, RB, Coastal Carolina

Analyst: Neil Dutton (@ndutton13)
Rationale: Marable is unlikely to become much of anything in the NFL, but his profile as a pass-catching back gives him something to hang his hat on. For a fifth-round pick, why not?

5.10 – Spencer Brown, RB, UAB

Analyst: Nick Tabs (@ntabs33)
Rationale: Late round dart throw, maybe he can stick on a roster as the goal line back.

5.11 – Trey Ragas, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette

Analyst: Will Barrett (@Will_Barrett1)

5.12 – Warren Jackson, WR, Colorado State

Analyst: Theo Gremminger (@TheOGfantasy)
Rationale: I will take a chance on the 6-6 WR becoming a red zone factor. Sat out 2020, but was highly productive in 2019.

Round 5 Takeaways

Ray G has been flexing Chris Evans since mid-January, and I for one had to wait on testing results before I trusted him. The results came back and Evans showed out, boasting a 94th-percentile Burst Score and 92nd-percentile Agility Score along with a solid 4.57 40-yard-Dash. There is a reason the man, the myth, the legend Ray Marzarella drafted Evans at the 5.05. He reads/edits every article, listens to everyone and focuses on the right details. Ray KNOWS things (editors note: aww, thank you Cody).

To finish off the first 2 QB Mock from the Underworld, it was similar to the last five mock drafts. Find your favorite sleeper and if you aren’t sniped by one of the other 11 analysts, draft him. Ian Book made an appearance in Round 5, when Dan Turner grabbed the Notre Dame QB. Book is currently a projected Round 7/UDFA in the NFL Draft.

Conclusion

The more you draft, the more you learn. Finding the pockets to pick in is extremely important in rookie drafts. If I don’t like a group of players that are going between the 2.06 and 3.10, then I am trading back or trying to get in front of the group. Everybody has a tactic, using it on draft day is always tough, so take part in as many mock drafts as you can, go in with a plan, and stick to it. Happy Drafting.

Stay tuned for more rookie mock drafts from the Underworld between now and June 1st.