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Ranking the Most Promising Dynasty Fantasy Football Prospects: NFL Draft Day 1 and 2 Recap

Which rookies from days 1 and 2 will make the biggest dynasty fantasy football impact? @TheSmingDynasty provides rankings and analysis.
ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 23: Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) scrambles for a first down during the game between the University of Michigan Wolverines versus the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday September 23, 2023 at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire)

dynasty fantasy football rookie rankings
Photo Courtesy of Steven King/Icon Sportswire

The NFL draft is finally upon us. After months of anticipation, we finally know where these prospects will call home this fall. The draft’s first two days can be a grind, watching and waiting for each name to be called. Today is all about the reaction. So, grab a few bottles of water, take some Ibuprofen, and stretch it out. Let’s discuss the first two days of the NFL draft and how it relates to dynasty fantasy football rookie rankings.

What follows are my rankings in a typical Superflex, PPR / Tight End Premium league.

Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings – ROUND ONE

DRAFT SLOTNAMEPOSTEAMANALYSIS
1.01Caleb WilliamsQBBearsRegarding the Caleb vs Marvin at 1.01 debate:

For Caleb Williams to return value, he can fall into a range of outcomes, from Patrick Mahomes to Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert. Caleb Williams will be throwing to one of the best sets of receivers in the entire NFL.

For Marvin Harrison Jr. to be as valuable, the only outcome is for him to become the next Justin Jefferson.

Could he? Sure. Is it guaranteed? No. Take Caleb Williams.
1.02Jayden DanielsQBCommandersNow, if you want to debate Harrison over Jayden Daniels, I’m willing to listen.
1.03Marvin HarrisonWRCardinalsGet ready for years of hearing Scott Hanson saying “JJ to JJ!” on your Red Zone broadcasts.

The rumored Vikings landing spot for McCarthy came true, so he is the solidified fourth spot in Superflex for me. I trust Kevin O’Connell’s offensive mind to turn a collegiate winner into an NFL winner. Between Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, and T.J. Hockenson, JJ McCarthy will also be a fantasy winner.
1.04JJ McCarthyQBVikingsGet ready for years of hearing Scott Hanson saying “JJ to JJ!” on your Red Zone broadcasts.

The rumored Vikings landing spot for McCarthy came true, so he is the solidified fourth spot in Superflex for me. I trust the offensive mind of Kevin O’Connell to turn a collegiate winner into an NFL winner. Between Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, and T.J. Hockenson, JJ McCarthy will also be a fantasy winner.
1.05Malik NabersWRGiantsThis pick is more an indictment of Drake Maye’s landing spot than it is about my feelings on Nabers.

Honestly, count me in on Daniel Jones to Malik Nabers. I think the explosive Nabers is a great fit in New York, and I’m excited to see him flourish under Brian DaBoll.
1.06Drake MayeQBPatriotsI wasn’t big on Drake Maye going into the draft, and now couple that with the landing spot in New England? Bonus points for not being a fan of Ja’Lynn Polk, either? Count me out. If I miss out on him, so be it. In an actual draft, I’d rather trade down and get one of the next few players than pick Maye here.
1.07Bo NixQBBroncosThe Nerds team has done monthly rookie mock drafts leading up to this weekend, and back in February, I took Bo Nix at 1.09, saying:

I’m not sure everyone’s ready to have this conversation, but Nix is consistently popping up in the first round of recent NFL mock drafts. If that’s the case, he will be a first-round pick in rookie Superflex drafts.

And here we are. I like Nix, and I really like Nix with Sean Payton.
1.08Brock BowersTERaidersThis might seem too low on Brock Bowers, but I realistically don’t know which player in the top seven I’d drop below him.
1.09Rome OdunzeWRBearsUltimately, Odunze and Bowers always belonged here in the middle of the first round, but now we know their landing spots. I love Odunze, but the reality is that he’s behind two of the best wide receivers in the NFL. If you draft him, you hold him until he’s the man. His value likely won’t be this high again for at least another year. See also: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
1.10Xavier WorthyWRChiefsAnd now, the rest of the draft.

“Chiefs WR to the moon!” is in full effect here. Once the top nine (top eight plus Nix, I suppose) are taken, I think Worthy is deserving of going next. It’s hard to argue the speed, hard to argue the profile, hard to argue the landing spot. The Chiefs traded up to get him, so let’s trust Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.
1.11Michael PenixQBFalconsOne of the most-discussed early first-round picks in a long time, we can at least agree that Michael Penix landed in a great spot with great weapons… if only you remove Kirk Cousins from the equation.

Therein lies the issue.

Like Odunze, if you take Penix, you’re holding him until he’s the man. How patient are you willing to be? Jobs are on the line, so he’s going to get a chance. When will it come?
1.12Keon ColemanWRBillsIt’s worth taking a shot on a good profile who landed with a great quarterback. I’m not the biggest fan, but someone has to catch the ball in Buffalo. Between Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir, they have enough little guys. They need another big body besides Dalton Kincaid.
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 02: South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) during the Duke's Mayo Classic college football game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the South Carolina Gamecocks on September 2, 2023 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.  (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire)
Photo Courtesy of John Byrum/Icon Sportswire

ROUND TWO

DRAFT SLOTNAMEPOSTEAMANALYSIS
2.01Ladd McConkeyWRChargersPerfect landing spot. Great match with Justin Herbert. Will the volume come? Was the lack of production due to being in Georgia, or was it something more?
2.02Ricky PearsallWRNinersAnother great landing spot, but it’s Saturday, and Deebo and Aiyuk are still on the team. We always have trouble figuring out who to start in San Francisco. Will Pearsall prove to be as frustrating?
2.03Jonathon BrooksRBPanthersWhen he’s healthy, he should be the RB1 on Bryce Young’s Panthers. It will matter, but the question is how much? Their offense is going to have to show significant improvement for me to care about their starting running back.
2.04Trey BensonRBCardinalsI like the next several wide receivers below, but each of them has question marks. Each of them might be tough to consistently trust in your lineups.

James Conner is not long for the Cards’ roster, and so when Trey Benson takes over, this pick in the early second will likely prove cheap to get the starting running back on a good offense.
2.05Adonai MitchellWRColtsHe paired up with Jayden Daniels for the next four years, and only the 33-year-old Zach Ertz stood in his way.
2.06Brian ThomasWRJaguarsI’m probably lower on Brian Thomas than most. What does Brian Thomas do that Gabe Davis doesn’t? And Evan Engram? Zay Jones? Parker Washington? Christian Kirk? They all feel very same-ish to me, so I’ll let the confusing situation slide to someone else.
2.07Malachi CorleyRBJets“The YAC God!”

Likely better for the Jets than your dynasty lineup on a week-to-week basis.
2.08Ben SinnottTECommandersHe will be paired up with Jayden Daniels for the next four years, and only the 33-year-old Zach Ertz stood in his way.
2.09Jermaine BurtonWRBengalsPossibly a year away (or even less?) from being the WR2 in Joe Burrow’s explosive offense across from Ja’Marr Chase.
2.10Xavier LegetteWRPanthersThis far down for a wide receiver taken in the first round? Yes. I wasn’t a big fan of Legette coming into the draft, and I’m not a fan of Bryce Young. I’m sure others will take him before I would ever get him here, but I am okay with that.
2.11Roman WilsonWRSteelersI don’t want to bank on the overblown myth that the Steelers are great at drafting wide receivers. Roman Wilson is a very willing run blocker, and for his fantasy value, I worry that will be his primary role in their new offense. He will probably be “fine” in this offense, but another player who shouldn’t be very high in your dynasty fantasy football rookie rankings.
2.12Blake CorumRBRamsBlake Corum will come into value if Kyren Williams gets hurt, and that’s all I have to say about Blake Corum.
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: USC Trojans running back MarShawn Lloyd (0) runs the ball for a gain during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans on November 18, 2023, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire)
Photo Courtesy of Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire

THE REST

Marshawn LloydRBPackers
Luke McCaffreyWRCommanders
Ja’Lynn PolkWRPatriots
Jalen McMillanWRBuccaneers
Tip ReimanTECards

I liked Lloyd coming into the draft, but he is now landlocked on the Packers’ offense behind Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon. Same story with McMillan behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Trey Palmer. Reiman will enjoy watching Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison, Jr. score fantasy points, something he won’t be doing himself. Luke McCaffrey is a good replacement for Curtis Samuel on the Commanders, and I am simply not high on Ja’Lynn Polk. With a Nerd Score just clearing 70, neither are Garret and Jared.

Day 1 and 2 Dynasty Rookie Rankings – IN CLOSING

What did I get right in my dynasty fantasy football rookie rankings? What do you disagree with? Let me know in the comments. Best of luck in your upcoming rookie drafts!

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