Welcome to 1QB Mock Draft version 4.0. The post-declaration edition. We know who will be in the draft and who isn’t. Blake Corum and Rome Odunze reduce the early-round depth, but there is a lot of talent in the second and third tiers of the running back and wide receiver positions.
We saw some veteran quarterbacks experience declines in production. Does the combination of veteran fades and a shallow rookie quarterback class push the quarterbacks up in 1QB drafts?
Let’s have a look.
1QB Rookie Mock Draft 4.0 – Round 1
1.01 Bijan Robinson, RB, 6’0″ 220
Texas
No drama here at the top, as Bijan remains king of the rookie board. He has a rare combination of lateral explosiveness, power, and receiving prowess rarely seen. I am among many that have him rated as the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley. Bijan is the prototype of the next-generation running back. Those lucky enough to be in a position to draft Robinson at the 1.01 should realize that instant year-to-year production is never a guarantee. Even if it was, your dynasty team might be more than one top-tier running back from truly contending. Evaluating the player here is pretty straightforward. Bijan is as can’t miss as the NFL will offer. However, honestly assessing your league standing will be more critical this off-season. A franchise-changing draft haul may await those willing to explore every avenue with this asset. – @DynastyOasis
1.02 Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, 5’11” 201
Alabama
Bijan may be a generational talent, but Jahmyr Gibbs isn’t a bad consolation prize for 1.02 owners. The true junior completed a great season at Alabama after his first two years at Georgia Tech. His game has shades of Alvin Kamara to it, and I can easily see him providing that role to his NFL squad. There are rumors that he has been told he will be a first-rounder in the 2023 NFL draft, which would lock him in for a workload in Week 1 of the 2023 season. Draft him here and plug him straight into your RB2 slot. – @DanT_NFL
1.03 Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, 6’0″ 197
Ohio State University
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is my number three non-quarterback, so It only makes sense to take him at the 1.03 in a 1QB draft. Smith-Njigba, unfortunately, had an injury-riddled 2022 season but had an incredible sophomore season. It’s hard to argue against a 95-1606-9 season while playing alongside Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. This level of production next to two NFL stars warrants Smith-Njigba of the WR1 spot in this year’s draft. – @SteveBradshawFF
1.04 Quentin Johnston, WR, 6’4″ 193
TCU
At 6′ 4″, Quentin Johnston towers over the other receivers in this class. When it comes to size, speed, and production, he checks almost all of the analytical boxes you look for in a top-end receiver. If his expected first-round draft capital comes to fruition, it will solidify him as a top rookie pick. His biggest faults are a limited route tree and a less-than-enthusiastic acting job on run plays. Neither of those is a significant concern for his NFL production. Both figuratively and literally, his ceiling will be high. – @MonCalFF
1.05 Jordan Addison, WR, 6’0″ 175
USC
Jordan Addison rippin' Cobra Corner-Post. No mercy pic.twitter.com/edkoMr4pjw
— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) January 16, 2023
Getting a former Biletnikoff winner with the fifth pick in the first round isn’t too shabby. Addison may be a bit undersized, but he more than makes up for it with his superb route running. JSN is the WR1 of this class, but Addison isn’t too far behind. It’s too early to pick any more running backs until we get NFL draft capital, so Addison is an easy choice. – @noahrwright
1.06 Kayshon Boutte, WR, 6’0″ 190
LSU
A year ago, Boutte was locked in as the WR1 of this class. A year of injuries and quarterback turnover at LSU has left him in the dust in terms of media attention for the receivers of this class. Furthermore, there have also been rumors of character concerns during his time in school, pushing him further down draft boards. But Boutte has an excellent skill set and is one of this class’s biggest boom/bust cases. I will be nervously drafting him in the back half of the first round in most of my leagues. – @domffl
1.07 Bryce Young, QB, 6’0″ 194
Alabama
Bryce Young should go to Houston, be the opening day starting quarterback, and be reunited with his favorite 2021 target, John Metchie III. I am comfortable reaching at this slot for the former Heisman Trophy winner as he is the best and safest prospect remaining on my board. Size concerns are valid. Bama did well to roll him out of the pocket where Young could see the whole field. It allowed him to extend plays and run when needed, where he excels as more than only a pocket passer. – @SportsGuyScott
1.08 Tank Bigsby, RB, 6’0″ 208
Auburn
I enjoyed Tank Bigsby’s film! A talented scheme versatile running back.
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) January 16, 2023
He brings toughness, physicality, and big play potential. #DamesDudes pic.twitter.com/bDzAgKX9UQ
I’m going to excuse Tank Bigbsy 2022 due to the effects of playing for an awful Auburn team. Despite that, Bigbsby still had 10 touchdowns, 30 receptions, and over 1,000 combined yards with a 5.4 ypc. He’s got solid burst, speed, and excellent agility. I’m pumped for his NFL career and really happy to get him at RB3 overall. – @DarthDbacks
1.09 Sean Tucker, RB, 5’10” 205
Syracuse
Another mock draft, another fake Sean Tucker share. What can I say? He’s my guy. Tucker boasts ideal size, explosive athleticism, excellent vision, and a 3-down skill set. He presents massive upside here at the back of the first round. He’s a powerful north-south runner with a knack for finding the cutback lane and exploding upfield. He consistently runs through arm tackles and finishes runs moving forward. He needs to work on his pass-pro, and he’s not the most creative second-level runner, but he’s an excellent running back prospect. I’m thrilled to get him here at 1.09. – @Devy2DynastyFR
1.10 Kendre Miller, RB, 6’0″ 206
TCU
This year’s class is all about the running back position. Towards that end, I am happy to land Miller with this pick. He is a dynamic runner whose size/speed combination in the running game helped propel TCU to a National Championship birth. While not a prolific pass catcher, he also showed well in the passing game—a quality player at 1.10. – @ReflipeWThenuz
1.11 Zach Charbonnet, RB, 6’1″ 220
UCLA
Charbonnet is the type of running back I’m taking a shot on in the back half of the first round. He is a powerful runner that runs angrily, breaks tackles, and gets a lot of yards after contact. Given his size and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, Charbonnet profiles as a running back with the potential to be a fantasy difference-maker early in his career. Now we are hoping for an NFL team to take him in the first three rounds of the NFL draft, and that will cement his profile as a possible fantasy stud. – @_jasonstein
1.12 Eric Gray, RB, 5’9″ 206
Oklahoma
I think #OU RB Eric Gray has a little D'Andre Swift to him
— Cory P. (@FF_Guitarist) January 19, 2023
– Suddenness/nasty dead leg
– Wins in space (58 MTF)
– Explosive (5th most 15+ yd rushes in class)
– Receiving (almost 100 career rec)
– Improved play strength (3.43 YAC/A)
..& even added weight (205->210)#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/gm6rjNBbAK
In the late first round, there are a lot of options for the running back position. I expect Gray to rise up the rankings as we work through the pre-draft process. Gray was explosive in 2022, with 43 runs of at least 10 yards and 14 of at least 20 yards. An excellent pass catcher, Gray caught 33 passes in 2022 and 99 passes in his career. – @Culture_Coach
Thanks for checking out the mock draft. Hit the writer’s link in the write ups to get more detailed info about their pick. HERE is the Superflex version.
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