It’s time for 1QB Mock Draft 2.0. The 2024 running back class is a conundrum. With the changing tides at the running back position in the NFL and the new NIL deals in college, the waters are murky at best. The team dives into the mock and gives some direction as to where the running back values may lie.
1QB Rookie Mock Draft 2.0 – Round 1
1.01 Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, 6’3″ 202
OSU
People should be, and are, talking about Marvin Harrison Jr. the way we talked about past prospects such as Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, and Jonathan Taylor. These are all players who can come in as rookies and immediately finish as top-fourteen options at their respective positions for fantasy football purposes. Marvin Harrison Jr will immediately be the top-target option on his team. Now the question is, is that team going to be the New England Patriots, the Arizona Cardinals, or someone else who trades up. Because his floor in the NFL Draft is pick four. Don’t overthink it in 1QB.
@DanT_NFL
1.02 Malik Nabers, WR, 6’1″ 200
LSU
Malik Nabers parlayed true freshman production into a sophomore 1000-yard season and topped it off with a massive junior season totaling 89/1569/14. He boasts a complete package of raw explosiveness and effortless acceleration. Nabers is in line to be a top ten pick this spring and have an immediate impact from day one. With the click of a button your dynasty roster just got better.
@TheHQNerd
1.03 Rome Odunze, WR, 6’3″ 200
Washington
Cementing himself as the WR3 off the board, I believe Rome Odunze is the final receiver prospect in the “NFL Ready” tier. The main knock on him coming into this past year? Lack of contested catches. Well, we sure aren’t talking about that anymore:
College Football Leader in Contested Catches this season:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 6, 2024
🟣 Rome Odunze, Washington: 20 pic.twitter.com/dYIvGe0Tc7
As you watch his film, you immediately notice his route-running is as smooth as silk, almost Keenan Allen-esque. When you pair that with reliable hands (98.9% Catch Rate per PlayerProfiler) and great body control with his 6’3”, 215 lb frame, Rome Odunze is a complete prospect.
@Dynasty_Welsh
1.04 Brock Bowers, TE, 6’4″ 240
Georgia
This rookie class is ridiculous. The fact that you can get Brock Bowers, a generational tight end prospect, at 1.04 in 1QB leagues and 1.07 in SF is testament to this class’ strength. Bowers is the perfect tight end. He has reliable hands to move the chains, and excellent speed after the catch.
@imbobbybish
1.05 Troy Franklin, WR, 6’2″ 170
Oregon
Troy Franklin is a very intriguing prospect. He has elite speed and is a good route runner. This combined with overall athleticism, helps him him get good separation from defensive backs. He will need to use his separation to be successful in the league because he needs to improve greatly on contested catch opportunities. Franklin will more than likely keep rising on NFL draft boards. He could be a late day one early day to prospect which will make him a mid-first round pick in 1QB leagues.
@dropthemikeFF
1.06 Caleb Williams, QB, 6’1″ 216
USC
It will be interesting in a 1QB league when to take the first quarterback off the board. At the 1.06, it’s about the right time to take Caleb Williams off the board. He will likely be the first pick in the NFL draft. He has all the tools to be an elite quarterback at the NFL level. He has the arm talent to make every throw and doesn’t struggle under pressure. He also has a rushing ability to his game that will give him a top-five quarterback upside one day in the NFL. There are only eight or so truly elite quarterbacks in fantasy, and Williams could join them soon.
@coachstevenp
1.07 Brian Thomas Jr., WR, 6’5″ 198
LSU
Another day, another Brian Thomas Jr big play.
— Snoog’s Dynasty Society (@FFSnoog) January 23, 2024
This time it comes from his yards after catch skills and ability to make defenders miss.
Turns a 1st down into a 60+ yard TD making two defenders miss horrifically 💨 pic.twitter.com/Owts1jqeXw
While overshadowed by fellow LSU teammate Malik Nabers, it is safe to say that Brian Thomas Jr. deserves a spot in the first round of your rookie draft. Being 6’4 affords Thomas a few luxuries that not many other receivers in this class can boast, as he is a matchup nightmare, especially with his route running and verticality.
@MJohrendt23
1.08 Jonathon Brooks, RB, 6’0″ 199
Texas
At this point in the draft, I am going to take a swing at my favorite running back in the class. Sure, he will be coming off of a late season knee injury, but he is currently only 20 years old and checks all the boxes you want for a quality fantasy RB. I am going to gamble on a team betting on his upside and taking him around the second and third round turn.
@ReflipeWThenuz
1.09 Braelon Allen, RB, 6’2″ 238
Wisconsin
Braelon Allen is a mountain of a man, and he’s stacked up a mountain of stats in his three years as the Badger’s primary running back: 3494 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns, a solid 5.9 Y/A. NFL teams are going to be attracted to Allen’s size and athleticism, but I do have some concern. His data profile isn’t bad, but it also doesn’t offer anything to separate him from the pack: his 99.2 elusive rating and 49 MTF are 76th and 35th in CFB. Add in 4 fumbles this year and the grumbling of some film-grinders & I’m left with a player that may slide down my board.
@ekballer
1.10 Trey Benson, RB, 6’0″ 223
FSU
Getting back into the tape and loved seeing this from Trey Benson – who was trending to be a top three back in the class before 2023.
— Dwight Peebles (@FFPeeblesChamp) January 5, 2024
I love his vision and an uncanny knack for getting 'skinny' through holes. He could be a massive value in rookie drafts! pic.twitter.com/0FzD1c6ZKC
The community needs to stop overthinking this one. Sure, there are more flashy and dynamic backs in what appears to be a depressed 2024 running back class. However, the search for the next elite back has seemingly caused many to overlook the one consistently NFL-quality back in the class. Trey Benson does everything you need a starting RB to do. Trey can be his own blocker, routinely finding extra yardage after first contact, and has enough lateral explosiveness and speed to create chunk plays. Vastly improved as a receiver in 2023, Trey is my bet for RB1 coming out of the NFL Draft.
@DynastyOasis
1.11 Jayden Daniels, QB, 6’4″ 210
LSU
Guys like Jayden Daniels are hit or miss. But his running ability and the fact that he will have a long leash as a first rounder make it worth the risk.
Ryan Wilhelm
1.12 Keon Coleman, WR, 6’4″ 215
FSU
Keon Coleman has prototypical size but also has substantial speed and quickness. After the catch he is very elusive, which is unusual for a wide receiver his size. Add in the fact that he’s only 20 years old and you could have a stud at wide receiver for the next decade. The rich keep getting richer here at 1.12!
@JohnnyBGoodeDFF
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