Merry Christmas, #NerdHerd. As we wrap up the fantasy semi-finals, we bring you Rookie Mock Draft 3.0. We have bowl season and declarations to keep track of. The first round is shaping up to add some nice pieces to your fantasy rosters. To no one’s surprise, Bijan is still checking in at 1.01. Let’s check out the rest of Round 1.

1QB Rookie Mock Draft 3.0 – Round 1

1.01 Bijan Robinson, RB, 6’0″ 215

University of Texas

This one is pretty easy, don’t overthink it. Take the generational talent that is Bijan Robinson. Please don’t take the CEH equivalent instead.- @Carl_VagleFF

1.02 Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, 5’11” 200

Alabama

Gibbs is one of the most explosive players in the 2023 draft. He has the frame to put on a few pounds and maintain his burst. Gibbs is a great pass-catching back as well. Look for him to take on an Austin Ekeler/Alvin Kamara role in the NFL. – @Culture_Coach

1.03 Zach Evans, RB, 6’0″ 215

Ole Miss

Zach Evans is my RB3 in this class, and I am happy to get him here at 1.03. Going into the 2022 college football season, this pick would have easily been a wide receiver. However, this receiver class has fallen off a bit, so it is all running backs at the top for me. Evans spent two years at TCU before transferring to Ole Miss. He excelled at Ole Miss his junior year, accumulating almost 1000 yards from scrimmage while ranking top-twenty in the nation in yards per carry. Zach Evans will be a difference-maker for his NFL team and your dynasty squad. – @DanT_NFL

1.04 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, 6’0″ 198

OSU

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been a name that everyone has different opinions on. After nursing a hamstring injury for most of the season, JSN is still considered to be at least WR2 on most big boards. I fully agree that JSN deserves to be ranked here and should be the first receiver off the board in your rookie draft. In a healthy 2021 season, JSN was the leading receiver for an Ohio State offense that featured Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Don’t let the hamstring injury scare you, lock in the best receiving prospect in this class as your WR1. – @FF_TJHernandez

1.05 Sean Tucker, RB, 5’10” 205

Syracuse

It seems like I end up with Sean Tucker in every mock draft I participate in, and I know why. It’s because I’m much higher than the consensus on him. A proven bellcow, Tucker has the size to handle a beating at the next level but also the explosiveness to make your jaw drop and some receiving chops too. His upside is tremendous, and playing at Syracuse has made him an underrated prospect. – @devy2dynastyFR

1.06 Quentin Johnston, 6’4″ 215

TCU

Quentin Johnston is a dominant outside X who can serve as the primary receiver in an NFL offense. With so many smaller recruits coming out at the wide receiver position, it is nice to see an old-school big-bodied receiver. Most of these smaller guys win with route running and speed. Johnston has the skills to win in these ways and the size to win over the top on 50/50 balls. He will be a first-round NFL draft pick, a day-one producer, and a steal here at the 1.06. – @kielpro88

1.07 Jordan Addison, WR, 6’0″ 174

USC

Addison might be a lighter wide receiver, but NFL teams have been more open to drafting those types in recent years, and as it stands, he’s expected to be a day-one pick by most sources. He hits a lot of metric thresholds you like to see in prospects, including breakout age, peak dominator, and YPTPA, and his ability to reach for the ball and slip out of tackles both stand out on film. At 1.07, no prospect will be flawless, but I like both his floor and ceiling. – @MonCalFF

1.08 Tank Bigsby 6’0″ 208

Auburn

Tank Bigsby has been one of my favorite college running backs since he arrived at Auburn. He has the perfect combination of size and speed to make an impact at the NFL level. While some will ding his down numbers in his final season, I see it as a blessing. It means less wear and tear on the player, leading to him slipping in this draft. – @ReflipeWThenuz

1.09 Josh Downs, WR, 5’10” 180

North Carolina

Downs is a bit on the small side, but that doesn’t worry me. He’s performed excellently and would normally be a first-round talent if not for the insane amount of extremely talented running backs and wide receivers in this year’s draft. Downs has back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons and has scored 19 touchdowns in that time. He’s a proven receiver that just needs good draft capital to be a steal here. I love his potential and prefer a receiver versus a relatively risky running back here. In the right system, he could be the top running back in the class when the dust settles. – @DarthDbacks

1.10 Zach Charbonnet, RB, 6’1″ 220

UCLA

Bruising and relentless, there are few runners in college football more entertaining to watch than Charbonnet. Second amongst power-5 runners in yards per carry, Charbonnet bulls over and sprints by PAC-12 defenders routinely. Lacking upper-level twitch and short-area quickness, Charbonnet is decently maneuverable in open space and is an excellent pass catcher and protector. He can handle 250+ touches as a rookie, making him a tremendous late first-round draft and flip-for-profit RB. The athletic indicators won’t wow scouts, but similar to Brian Robinson a year ago, the preparedness for the NFL game will. – @DynastyOasis

1.11 Kendre Miller, RB 6’0″ 206

TCU

As per usual for this time of year, mocks are starting to thin out as guys return to school. Still, Kendre is a first-rounder in this format- that’ll be a consensus view in a few months. He’s got workhorse size, good tape, plenty of athleticism, a solid production profile, and excellent peripherals. If you can buy him now in devy at any discount, you should buy while you can. – @ekballer

1.12 Devon Achane, RB 5’9″ 185

Texas A&M

I love the wide receiver depth still available, but I wanted to grab my top running back left – EK stole my dude. Achane has proven he can handle a three-down workload despite not having the requisite size and might be the fastest running back in the lot. Gimme Achane! – @ffpeebleschamp

That closes out Round 1. Who was a reach? Who was a value? Let us know what you think. Round 2 will be out later this week.

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