Hot on the heels of Round 1, the Dynasty Nerds team is back with Round 2 of 1QB mock draft version 1.0. Does the perceived weak running back class move quarterbacks up the draft board? Read on and find out.
Let’s dig into the first rookie mock of the season.
1QB Rookie Mock Draft 1.0 – Round 2
2.01 Devontez Walker, WR, 6’3″ 200
North Carolina
Tez Walker adjusts to the under thrown ball and makes a tough reception here. pic.twitter.com/G3Y9qIYJih
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) January 6, 2024
The story of Walker will dominate the headlines of ESPN’s draft coverage. A breakout star at Kent State, he intended to transfer to the University of North Carolina for a step up in competition and to be closer to an ailing family member. The NCAA denied this transfer because Walker transferred once after a canceled COVID season. Regardless of backstory, Walker looks fantastic on the field and will quickly rise up draft boards during the pre-draft process. This wide receiver class is one of the deepest in the past decade, and you will find producers well into the second round.
2.02 Jayden Daniels, QB, 6’4″ 210
LSU
I rushed to the podium to make this pick when I saw Daniels still on the board. My QB2 in the draft and the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner has immense upside. If he lands with the right coaching staff to utilize his talents correctly, we are looking at the next Lamar Jackson, who is my player comparison. But Daniels is a better passer coming out of college than Lamar was.
2.03 Jonathan Brooks, RB, 6’0″ 207
Texas
Prior to his knee injury, Brooks was squarely in the conversation as the top RB in the class. He is dynamic as both a rusher and receiver. I am willing to gamble on the talent and trust a team will invest in his long-term future. In the second round, it’s all about the upside, and he offers more than any running back on the board.
2.04 Adonai Mitchell, WR, 6’4″ 196
Texas
At 6-4, 195, Mitchell is a fluid route runner with reliable hands. Only 1 drop (90 targets) on the season and 81.8% of his catches went for a first down or a TD this year (7th-best in the FBS).pic.twitter.com/SfV2i4UiMF https://t.co/7piv0IpQ2M
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 9, 2024
Mitchell transferred from Georgia to Texas and took off. He is a true X receiver and could be featured as a team’s best receiver. He checks a lot of boxes as a receiver. Great hands. Athleticism. Solid route runner. Speed (should run a 4.4 or less). He reminds me of Tee Higgins. His landing spot—Kansas City???—could cause an epic rookie draft stock rise.
2.05 Blake Corum, RB, 5’8″ 209
Michigan
Corum is one year removed from a torn ACL. In that year, he has proven he can be an NFL running back. Yes, he will be landing spot dependent, but he is with the risk at this point. Corum will be a change of pace back and could easily work himself into a flex play or RB2 in his rookie season.
2.06 Will Shipley, RB, 5’10” 195
Clemson
Shipley will be a scary pick for some in rookie drafts, and the landing spot will ultimately decide his true value. His dual-threat ability is enough to earn a larger workload as a rookie compared to most before potentially being the guy for a team in 2025.
2.07 Drake Maye, QB, 6’4″ 230
North Carolina
After a season of scrambling for the last healthy quarterback standing, I think there’s something to be said about pushing some of the quarterbacks up in a 1QB format a bit moreso than we’d normally recommend taking them. Maye fits the bill. He has the size, arm strength, and athleticism to make him a star in the NFL. There are a few skill players I’m missing out on by making this pick, but I think the class is deep enough to find decent players at other positions later into the third round.
2.08 Malachi Corley, WR, 5’11” 210
Western Kentucky
This my guy reminds me of deebo Samuel, a dawg after the catch and powerful & getting slept on 👀
— 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘢 ϟ (@mairslme_) January 4, 2024
– Yac king himself 👑 looks like a good option for a wr 3 #cfb #NCAA #nfldraft #nflcombine #malachicorley #nfl #eagles #deebosamuel pic.twitter.com/Lhe4i2tVeh
I was hoping for Mitchell here, but I’ll settle for Corley. I have a soft spot for wide receivers who are bullies on the field, and Corley certainly fits that mold. The physicality he plays with on every snap makes me love him. He is a late breakout from a small school, so this is undoubtedly a risky pick. But the same could have been said about Rashee Rice in the 2023 class. Very few receivers are as dynamic with the ball as this YAC monster. Corley is a player to watch at the Senior Bowl, where he has the opportunity to seriously boost his draft stock.
2.09 Bucky Irving, RB, 5’10” 195
Oregon
Running backs that have proven receiving workloads have typically caught the eyes of NFL teams in the pre-draft process, and Oregon’s Bucky Irving should experience that same process before April. While this running back class lacks a clear top option, options like Irving in the second round help provide much-needed depth and upside to help round out your roster. Irving’s junior season at Oregon had some ups and downs, as he produced five 100-yard rushing games and 13 total touchdowns. But seven games of four-plus receptions helps Irving showcase his receiving abilities, and he could be in line as one of the next options to bring a Devon Achane-like skill set to the NFL.
2.10 Braelon Allen, RB, 6’2″ 245
Wisconsin
Allen has his detractors, but in standard format, getting him at 2.10 as RB7 off the board feels like great value. Running backs that are 6’2″ and 245 lbs. with a productive prospect profile like Allen has at just 19 (Soon to be 20) years old don’t exactly grow on trees. He feels very safe for good draft capital this spring.
2.11 Audric Estime, RB, 5’11” 233
Notre Dame
Top running backs in career RB Dom before 2023:
— Corbin (@corbin_young21) January 6, 2024
1) Carson Steele
2) Re'Mahn Davis
3) Rasheen Ali
4) TreVeyon Henderson
5) Roman Hemby
6) Blake Watson
7) Jo'quavious Marks
2023 RB Dom:
1) Davis
2) Cody Schrader
3) Frank Gore Jr.
4) Ali👀
5) Watson👀
6) Audric Estimé
7) Devin Neal pic.twitter.com/ycKSsc6gSW
Surprisingly limber and agile for a prototypically-sized bruising runner, Estime is quickly becoming a favorite of mine in the 2024 class. The rushing touchdown single-season record holder for the Irish, Estime excels in early down and short-yardage situations. Combined with soft hands, Estime has 10+ touchdowns and 30+ catch single season upside in the right situation.
2.12 Michael Penix Jr, QB, 6’3″ 213
Washington
Taking Penix may not be the most popular pick, but there aren’t many options left. He doesn’t have a ton of rushing upside, but I’m banking on him turning into a Tua Tagovailoa-type player. Although Penix may not be great outside the pocket or when moved off his spot, he’s very dangerous if you surround him with weapons.
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2 Responses
Could y’all do a third-round mock as well? I usually wouldn’t ask for one, but I feel like this class is so deep that it might warrant a projection for it if you guys have time for it. Thanks for all y’all do.
We’ll dig a little deeper as we get a little closer to the draft.