The NFL Combine is in the rearview mirror. It was a mixed bag, with some of the top players opting to not even be measured, let alone participate in the testing and positional drills. The franchise tag period has ended as well, with just two offensive skill position players being tagged. This sets up for free agency to shape many teams’ approach to the draft. Speaking of drafts, the Dynasty Nerds team is back with Superflex Rookie Mock 4.0.
Let’s dig into Round 1.
Superflex Rookie Mock Draft 4.0 – Round 1
1.01 Caleb Williams, QB, 6’1″ 218lbs
USC
Despite not participating in the drills at Indy, Caleb Williams was one of the big winners of the event. There were some questions about his size heading into the combine. Well, he put those concerns to bed, measuring in at 6’1. His tape is phenomenal, his size is good, and there really is no question as to who should be drafted #1 in either the NFL or your Superflex drafts. Don’t overthink this one; take Caleb at the top.
1.02 Drake Maye, QB, 6’4″ 223lbs
North Carolina
Drake Maye throwing the football vs Georgia Tech in 2023 season. This kid may have a future. pic.twitter.com/ZvXLVIGqq0
— Nik Athans (@NewEnglandNik) February 29, 2024
Drake Maye is a big, mobile quarterback who can make all the NFL throws. In college, he completed 65% of his passes, with a 4/1 TD/int ratio. He added over 1200 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. He has to eliminate some of the inconsistencies in his game, but the tools are there to be a high-end pro.
1.03 Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, 6’3″ 202lbs
OSU
What’s left to say about Marvin Harrison Jr. at this point? Where he goes in your draft may vary, as there is a strong case to take him 1.01. QB-needy teams may go after the QBs in this class, leaving Harrison Jr. to drop slightly. I believe Marvin Harrison Jr is the best overall fantasy player in this draft and the most bust-proof. I don’t think anyone is complaining about getting him at 1.03.
1.04 Jayden Daniels, QB, 6’3″ 185lbs
LSU
With the combine now concluded, some people will label Jayden Daniels as a “faller” due to not participating or even coming in for measurements. Ignore them. It’s early March. LSU’s Pro Day is later this month, and that’s when Daniels will firmly entrench himself as a top-flight NFL and fantasy quarterback. A little birdie tells me our own Rich Dotson will be saying some glowing things about Daniels on our upcoming rookie breakdown.
1.05 Malik Nabers, WR, 6’0″ 200lbs
LSU
Imagine the Falcons drafted Malik Nabers lol
— Damski 🫶🏽 (@Damski32) February 28, 2024
pic.twitter.com/6KLBKDLEuq
Nabers continues to be the best 1.05 pick in rookie drafts right now. Malik Nabers is the top receiver on many scouts boards, and there is good reason. Nabers offers the complete package of at receiver. He has the explosiveness, acceleration, and strength that shows in his elite traits. He will make many fantasy owners happy with his yards after the catch ability. He is an elite route runner, and he is going to shine in the NFL.
1.06 Rome Odunze, WR, 6’3″ 212lbs
Washington
Rome Odunze showed at the combine why he is arguably the #2 WR. He put up a 4.4 forty yards dash and a 4.03 short shuttle. He has a rare combination of long speed and quickness. His draft capital will be top 10, and he will be a #1 target in his rookie season. Right now, he’s well above Brock Bowers at 1.06.
1.07 Brock Bowers, TE, 6’4″ 243lbs
Georgia
Brock Bowers is a beast! He was a highly productive college player at Georgia. In my opinion, Bowers is the best tight end prospect since I’ve been following the draft closely (2017-ish). He has a legitimate chance to unseat Sam LaPorta as TE1 before we know it.
1.08 Brian Thomas Jr., WR, 6’3″ 209lbs
LSU
Brian Thomas Jr is the total package.
— Ben Cummins (@BenCumminsFF) February 29, 2024
-Size
-Speed
-Athletic
-Fluid
-YAC
-Gets open and creates separation
-Good route runner
-2023 deep catches 15 (T3rd)
-2023 deep yards 670 (2nd)
He’s going to destroy the NFL Combine
pic.twitter.com/FDNkk8dRhk
Thomas was perhaps the biggest winner of the combine, and I would love to add him here once the perceived top 7 are off the board. His unique combination of size and speed will be fantasy gold in the NFL, and whether he ends up as the WR1 on a team or a high-end WR2, he will help your teams right out of the gate. Depending on their respective landing spots, I might even consider taking him over Odunze, so I would be ecstatic to get him at the 1.08 in Superflex drafts.
@mastapj
1.09 Xavier Worthy, WR, 5’11” 165lbs
Texas
Xavier Worthy has garnered significant attention after his record-setting 4.21 second, 40-yard dash. It’s bittersweet as I was higher than consensus on him going into the combine, and now he’s garnering more attention from the fantasy community than ever. He has a phenomenal production profile, breaking out immediately as a true freshman and continuing through year 3. While his weight is a bit of a concern, there’s a chance he cut weight to improve his 40 time, but even if he slots in as an elite WR2, his fantasy production should be solid with explosive upside.
1.10 JJ McCarthy, QB, 6’3″ 219lbs
Michigan
There is a steady drumbeat increasing that JJ McCarthy will be a top-twelve pick, and the tools are there – or at least they have been in flashes. In a situation where he can sit and learn for at least a year, McCarthy could grow into a quality NFL quarterback.
1.11 Troy Franklin, WR, 6’2″ 176lbs
Oregon
Future Kansas City Chief Troy Franklin is my WR4 in this 2024 class pic.twitter.com/w4gjiymRtp
— David Mendelson (@DMendy02) February 21, 2024
Troy Franklin has been mocked in the first round of most mock drafts thus far in the rookie cycle. At Oregon, he showed he had a good release. He has great speed, and that speed showed that at the combine. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash and was the fifth-best WR with a 6.9-second 3-cone drill. This, along with his overall athletic profile, makes him a strong candidate to be a first-round NFL draft pick. If that happens, he will be a first-round pick in most rookie drafts.
1.12 Adonai Mitchell, WR, 6’2″ 205lbs
Texas
With three NFL Combine driving up interest in the QB position, talent like Adonai Mitchell should fall near the end of the first round in your Superflex drafts. While overshadowed by Xavier Worthy’s blazing 40-yard dash, Mitchell tested incredibly well, which should make him a first-round selection in April’s NFL Draft.
