Most of you reading this article are die hard fantasy football players and being a die hard requires drafting some rookies as sleepers, starters or future stars. Four leagues I play in have just drafts that require you pick only rookies and the rookie draft round table participants got together to do a 2 round mock draft. Hopefully with the selections and the commentary it may help you when selecting a rookie.
Participants
- Pro Football Focus – Jeff Ratcliffe
- Dynasty Football Warehouse – Dan Heins and Jeff Melbostad
- Dynasty League Football – Eric Dickens
- Fantasy Knuckleheads – Greg Brosh
- NFL Draft Geek - Nolan Vasan
- Second City Fanatics – Matt Lane
- IDP Manor – Gary Davenport
- Roto Rankings – Scott Whitfield
- Average Joe – Josh Hreha
- Fantasy Football Help Desk - Mike Novick
The draft was selected randomly as we continue to draft you can follow all the picks here:
1.01. Trent Richardson, RB, Browns
Dan Heins – Dynasty Football Warehouse – SWEET! 1st time I’ve been #1 this year even in a mock.(I guess that’s a good thing). I’ll take T-Rich all day here. Best RB prospect since AP and he is going to get the rock 20 times/game from game 1.
1.02. Andrew Luck, QB, Colts
Nolan Vasan – NFL Draft Geek – I select Andrew Luck QB Indianapolis Colts. It’s a tough call between Luck, and RG3, but Luck is just the safer pick. He’s got no weaknesses to his game, and for a bad team, Indy actually got him some decent weapons with Reggie Wayne, Fleener, Dwayne Allen, and T.Y Hilton. I don’t really think RG3 will be much of a runner at the next level, he’s a pocket passer. so that doesn’t really play into the pick. Also, I’m slightly concerned that RG3 might get hurt, as he already tore an ACL, and his playing style, combined with his slender frame, is just a small worry, just enough to make the pick Luck!
1.03. Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins
Jeff Ratcliffe – Pro Football Focus -I’m not a fan of draft spots that almost force me to pick a particular guy, and that’s exactly how I feel in this situation. The obvious pick is RG3 here. The shelf life of QBs is far longer than that of RBs, so in rookie drafts and dynasty startups, Luck and Griffin have added value. At the same time, I really like the talent in this draft at RB and WR, and would almost have been happier drafting later in the round. Regardless, Griffin has all of the tools to become an elite fantasy option, and that’s just too hard to pass up in this spot.
1.04. Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matt Lane – Second City Fanactics -This was a straight up flip between Martin and Blackmon but I believe Martin will be great from year 1 so i’m having to take him. I don’t think Blount will get much of a look in this year and should Martin hit the ground running there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be a top RB for 8-10 seasons. He’s no Trent Richardson but I like to take RBs early and I feel Martin offers too much short and long term value at this point to make me look elsewhere.
1.05. David Wilson, RB, New York Giants
Mike Novick – Fantasy Football Help Desk - Can Ahmad Bradshaw ever be healthy? Nope your right he can not. Wilson will be the man sooner rather than later. Teams do not waste first round picks on running backs nowadays with plans on waiting for a player to retire or fail. If Michael Floyd landed anywhere else with the exception of Detroit I would be taking him here. I still think he has a chance to be a factor in Arizona just not enough to go here.
1.06. Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Greg Brosh – Fantasyknuckleheads - Justin Blackmon may have been the best receiver to come out this year, but there is no doubt in my mind that Floyd will make an immediate impact in 2012. Floyd will not only play across from one of the best receivers in the game in Larry Fitzgerald, but Fitz’s mentoring will have an even bigger affect. Just ask guys like Dwayne Bowe and Sidney Rice, both of whom had strong seasons after attending Fitzgerald’s Summer Camp.
1.07. Justin Blackmon, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Eric Dickens – Dynasty League Football - Fairly easy pick here. Since its dynasty, I’m looking past the QB issues there & focusing on his talent instead. I’m not sold on his upside being that of a WR1, but I think he has an extremely high floor and is a safe pick at this point in the draft.
1.08. Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans
Jeff Melbostad – Dynasty Football Warehouse - The best value left on the board right now in my opinion. Wright is a dynamic playmaker who will find a way to make plays in this league. While he doesn’t have prototypical size I think he has the talent to be a very good #2 option across from Kenny Britt. He should aid in Locker’s development at QB by giving him a playmaker who, if you get him the ball in space, is a threat to take it to the house. The #3 WR on my board.
1.09. Stephen Hill, WR, New York Jets
Josh Hreha – Average Joe - Hill has everything you want in a WR, Size, Speed and great hands. While he is raw, he is the best pure talent at the position, and has fallen into a great spot, where he has a chance to start from day 1. He should be a red-zone target right away, and when he develops, has the most upside of any WR in this draft. Big play ability, and could end up being a game changer at his position.
1.10. Coby Fleener, TE, Indianapolis Colts
Scott Whitfield – Roto Rankings – I’m tempted to dig further in my ranks and take Isaiah Pead as the heir apparent in St. Louis. However we are entering the era of the tight end in the NFL and this years consensus #1 TE is still on the board. If guys like Jimmy Graham & Rob Gronkowski are garnering late first, early second consideration then for me; I don’t have any qualms about taking Fleener here. The tiebreaker over Pead is the chemistry Fleener and Luck are bringing with them from Stanford. I can set it and forget it with Fleener.
1.11.Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears
Tim Stafford – Dynasty League Football – I’ve preaching two things lately: 1) the bottom of the first is where the value lies, 2) Jeffery may well be the top scoring rookie WR. His weight and pre-draft behaviors bug me, but that’s why he fell to me here. His situation and raw ability should have him ahead of Wright, who will be a slot receiver ultimately, and Hill, who is in a terrible offense. I applaud the pick of Fleener one ahead of me. He’s the opposite of Jeffery – safe with limited upside. I would have surely taken him here, but such is life.
1.12.Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos
Gary Davenport – IDP Manor – Since I’m drafting on the back of the turn I guess my imaginary team was the non-existent champion, which means I don’t have any glaring “needs” and can take a best player available approach. Not only does Hillman fit that bill here, but he’s a Willis McGahee injury away from being Denver’s lead back and a good fit in the Broncos’ offense. Given the fact that I hoard running backs like Rosie O’Donell hoards cupcakes I’d be very happy to get Hillman at the end of the first given where he landed and what he’s capable of.
2.01.Rueben Randle, WR, New York Giants
Gary Davenport – IDP Manor – Writing this literally a few hours after the announcement that Hakeem Nicks broke his foot this may seem like a pick borne of circumstance, but I already liked Randle’s combination so far as talent and landing spot. Nicks has had a series of lower leg injuries, and both he and Victor Cruz are going to be looking for big contracts soon. At worst Randle’s learning curve is shortened some this summer and he produces nominal fantasy numbers from the slot in 2012. At best Nicks’ injury lingers and I just got an instant fantasy WR2. Either way I like his prospects in New York over the next few years, and that’s about as far out as I look even in dynasty leagues.
2.02.Brian Quick, WR, St. Louis Rams
Tim Stafford – Dynasty League Football – Pure upside pick here and I’m fine with that in the second round. I believe people have far too high of expectations for Quick as a rookie. The smart move might be to pass on him and then try to steal him via trade from an impatient owner around week ten. But he’s good value here and I’ll take him. Plenty of good players still on the board. This is a deep, deep draft class.
2.03.Isaiah Pead, RB, St. Louis Rams
Scott Whitfield – Roto Rankings – After considering the Cincinnati product at 1.10 I’m happy to still get him here. Brian Quick’s selection ahead at 2.02 validates the value of playing along side Sam Bradford accompanied by a Jeff Fisher defense. Word is Fisher sees alot of CJ2K in Pead who was also once billed as a change of pace back initially but is now thriving in a leading role. Steven Jackson has more carries than any active back so the moniker “change of pace” could turn to more at a moments notice. Regardless of production this year, getting in on the ground floor with Pead is great value for me at this point in the draft.
2.04.Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins
Josh Hreha – Average Joe – Despite landing in a crowded backfield, Miller will have plenty of opportunities to shine right out of the gate. He has exceptional hands, and will immediately see time not only in the return game, and as a change of pace back, but in the slot as well. He will have plenty of opportunities to touch the football, in addition to knowing he is an injury away to Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas (which is as likely as Terrell Suggs tearing his Achilles in offseason workouts) to being the lead dog there. Plenty of upside here, and with his dynamic skill set, he will be a viable part of this offense not only now, but for years to come.
2.05. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Bengals
Jeff Melbostad – Dynasty Football Warehouse – Sanu is a big strong receiver who can make plays with his impressive combination of physicality and hands. There’s opportunity for someone to step in as the WR2 in Cinci and, despite the Marvin Jones love being spread by my fellow DFW peers (ahem… Dan), I think Sanu is that guy. We’ll just need to see if Dalton can support two viable fantasy producers just yet.
2.06. Marvin Jones, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Eric Dickens – Dynasty League Football - Count me in the camp that believes Jones will eventually win the WR2 spot opposite AJ Green. I think he’s one of the top route-runners from the rookie crop and has great hands. I like Sanu’s skill set much more from an NFL perspective than a fantasy football perspective. Jones is the more talented WR in my opinion.
2.07. Bernard Pierce, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Greg Brosh – Fantasyknuckleheads – Having to pick this deep is rough, especially when you figure most of the guys left are valued as nothing more than No. 3 options on their teams’ depth charts. I am sure a few guys picked either after me or not picked at all will make a name for themselves in training camp. But anyways, I opted to go with Pierce because he not only has the inside track at the backup job behind Ray Rice, but he could have even more value if Rice decides to holdout because of his contract situation. A battering ram, Pierce could be a worthy option in touchdown-heavy leagues. A 6’0′ / 218 pound thumper is going to be tough to stop on the one-yeard line
2.08. Brandon Weeden, QB, Browns
Mike Novick Fantasy Football Help Desk – The Browns need to win now or else Holmgrens job will be in jeopardy next year. This kid being almost over the hill is a risk for dynasty options BUT could be a very nice QB for the next few years. The Browns can not afford a bust and Weeden fits this offense.
2.10. Ryan Broyles, WR, Lions
2.11. Robert Turbin- RB Seattle Seahawks
Nolan Vasan – NFL Draft Geek- In the NFL, we all know that it only takes a simple injury to a starting running back for a backup to immediately become “The Man”. Robert Turbin was picked up as a steal in the draft, and immediately becomes the backup. He’s almost an identical player to Marshawn Lynch, but is Lynch really the player we saw last year? And even if he still plays well, a simple injury leads to Turbin immediately getting 15-20 touches a game. Turbin also is a good receiver, and a power back, which will lead to goalline carries for him
2.12. Ryan Tannenhill- QB Miami Dolphins
Dan Heins – Dynasty Football Warehouse – With the 24th overall pick I will take a project. 2 weeks ago Tannenhill was going in the late 1st round in a lot of mocks, but now it is looking like he will most likey have to work into that starting position or Matt Moore will have to get “booed” out of it. One way or the other, Tannenhill will see the field this year. He isn’t working with much so by the time he gets in there, they better have found some options for him. If I make this pick, then I make it for 2013 realistically. He’s headed to the taxi squad for 2012.
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