Will the depth of the wide receiver group keep pushing the mediocre running back class down the draft board, thereby creating value? Will running back needy teams pass on the wide receivers in hopes they have identified the running back that will hit as a rookie? Let’s look at Superflex Rookie Mock Draft 5.0 to get some answers.
Pre NFL Draft Superflex Mock Draft 5.0 rolls along with Round 2. We find some great running back value in this round. Let’s dive into Round 2 of Superflex Mock Draft 5.0.
Check out Round 1 here.
2.01 Michael Penix Jr. 6’3″ 214lbs
Washington
I look at this one almost exactly the same as the 1.01. Don’t overthink this one. Michael Penix Jr. has a ton of buzz as a potential first-round pick in the upcoming draft. Sure, he is a bit older for a rookie prospect, but he offers elite arm talent and a fine overall resume. I will gladly take any quarterback selected in the first round of the NFL draft. The fact you can get one in the second round highlights just how loaded this class truly is.
2.02 Jaylen Wright, RB, 5’10” 210lbs
Tennessee
Jaylen Wright has inconsistent vision at times but does well finding the correct lane here, then getting small through the hole before showing off the burst and speed to take advantage of the stacked box to house this. pic.twitter.com/YICqsdSNGw
— Jeremy (@PopesFFH) April 14, 2024
The influx of running backs likely will start in Round 2, so taking the first one of this round makes sense at 2.02. Jaylen Wright has one of the higher ceilings out of the RB group this draft class, and his skill set sets him apart as one of the most pro-ready backs entering the league.
2.03 Troy Franklin, WR, 6’2″ 176lbs
Oregon
While not the most physical receiver, Troy Franklin gets lost in this class a little. He’s immensely talented and could be a WR1 for the team that drafts him. He’s fast, dangerous after the catch, and showcases different ways to beat defenders.
2.04 Jonathon Brooks, RB, 6’0″ 216
Texas
I’m beyond excited to get my #1-rated running back as the third taken in this mock draft. Jonathan Brooks has the ideal size for a running back at 6’0″ and 215 lbs. Coming off an ACL tear is a positive and negative. For some, that means Brooks is injury-prone. For others, that indicates his usage is low. Either way, he has elite speed and vision and can accelerate through holes to make big plays. He still has to grow as a pass protector and set up blocks, but his production at Texas speaks for itself. It was a tremendous value pick in round two of our mock.
2.05 Keon Coleman, WR, 6’3″ 213lbs
Florida State
Keon Coleman footwork
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) April 14, 2024
Similar to a drop step when sitting over the middle & facing the QB, Coleman turns/drops his upfield foot & gets his hips open as he looks the ball in. This allows him to get upfield & outside quickly to change the angle on the CB
pic.twitter.com/2OJSD9uEBo
We get Keon Coleman at the 2.05 selection. Depending on his landing spot, he is an excellent dynasty player to grab in the second round. He has the build to be an X receiver at the next level. He has great YAC ability that will be useful for a dynasty owner. Coleman doesn’t have top-end speed, but he can explode off the LOS to create separation.
2.06 Xavier Worthy, WR, 6’1″ 172lbs
Texas
To demonstrate the strength of this draft class, I drafted the fastest player in the history of the NFL Combine in the middle of the second round. That is crazy value. Xavier Worthy is not necessarily a fully developed wide receiver prospect, but he is so much more than “just” a speed guy. Look out if Worthy lands with a creative play caller who can scheme him open.
2.07 Ladd McConkey, WR, 6’0″ 186lbs
Georgia
The man gets open. Whether he is a first-round pick or early second, I will own a lot of McConkey shares, especially if he’s going here in the mid-second. He may not have the upside as a team’s #1 option, but he will be a PPR nightmare. He can run every route in the book and creates so much separation. There is a lot to love about Ladd McConkey.
2.08 Xavier Legette, WR, 6’1″ 221lbs
South Carolina
In the post-2020 and NIL era of college football, we need to be more forgiving of older prospects, and Xavier Legette is a premium example. Legette has been on fire since blowing up in South Carolina’s 2022 bowl game. He’s a high slot rate, high ADoT player who’s a legitimate YAC threat with good size and speed.
2.09 MarShawn Lloyd, RB, 5’9″ 220lbs
USC
RB, MarShawn Lloyd – USC
— Dave Heilman NFL (@DynastyDorks) April 21, 2024
Formal Visit Tracker#Buccaneers (Combine)#Eagles (Top30)#Saints (Top30)#Titans (Top30)
pic.twitter.com/AT2Vb19dzV
Marshawn Lloyd showed a lot of talent and promise during his college career. He has elite explosiveness and can break away with his long speed. He couldn’t show that as often as he would have liked last season because USC was always playing from behind. Throughout his career, Lloyd has demonstrated the burst and lateral moves needed in the NFL. He is a great pick here but would even go higher if he worked on his pass-blocking and vision.
2.10 Blake Corum, RB, 5’8″ 205lbs
Michigan
The hate for Blake Corum is getting a little too severe. Corum will get good draft capital, and picking him up this late in the second round is excellent value. Corum is a touchdown machine and adequate in the passing game. I compare his game to that of Doug Martin. I understand the concerns about his high workload and injury history, which could lower his production window. But what do we always say here at Dynasty Nerds? The running back position is fluid and has a 2-3 year window.
2.11 Ricky Pearsall, WR, 6’1″ 189
Florida
Though his film is impressive, Ricky Pearsall is known for being an analytics enthusiast’s dream. He ran a robust 4.41s 40 at the NFL Combine, with a particularly zesty 1.49s 10-yard split. Pearsall scores an eye-popping 9.91 RAS, ranking 31st out of 3,402 historically evaluated wideouts. Pearsall is bursting with athleticism and primed to make an immediate NFL impact. Snagging him at the end of the second round is a no-brainer.
2.12 Jermaine Burton, WR, 6’0″ 200
Alabama
So @dynastyrich has Jermaine Burton over Troy Franklin… Do you agree?
— Dynasty Nerds (@DynastyNerds) April 18, 2024
Full episode: https://t.co/WEDVPfXjQp pic.twitter.com/FwI6P4oFZz
Burton is the new ideal wide receiver size at 6’0″ 200. The wide receiver out of Alabama is a very good route runner and checks in with a 4.45 forty-yard time. Jermaine Burton tracks the ball very well and has strong hands to play physically with the defensive backs. Burton never had the blowup season that you want to see from a player, but there is some talent there.
