The Undroppables 2021 Rookie Draft 2.0

We’re back with another Mock Draft! This time we shook things up by drafting rookies in the context of 1QB Dynasty Leagues instead of Superflex. Between the league format, younger players returning to college, and new players declaring, the value of many prospects changed significantly from our previous draft.

This draft took place from January 17th – 19th with members of The Undroppables team. Any new information from this week’s Senior Bowl practices had no impact on drafting decisions. Check out the picks each GM made and their reasoning for each below!

1QB Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft Order

Pick #1 – @JMan_FF
Pick #2 – @TheRealAdam_H
Pick #3 – @101chalk
Pick #4 – @Masterjune70
Pick #5 – @FF_Terminator
Pick #6 – @FantasyandSport
Pick #7 – @KL_Fantasy
Pick #8 – @AndrewMackens
Pick #9 – @fantasydukes
Pick #10 – @DynoGameTheory
Pick #11 – @BradWireFF
Pick #12 – @2on1FFB

Jump to the start of each round by clicking below:
– Round 1
– Round 2
– Round 3

Round 1

1.01 – Ja’Marr Chase – WR – LSU – Jr. – 6’0” 210

Since this draft was 1QB, this selection was easy. Chase IS THE WR1, and it’s not even close. I shun all individuals who mention Devonta Smith’s name first. Chase possesses speed, size, route running, and the ability to target each pass like a sniper looking through a scope. Chase is a guaranteed top-10 NFL draft pick, and current projections have him going to teams with solid QBs, giving him an even more significant boost to his fantasy value. –@JMan_FF

1.02 – Najee Harris – RB – Alabama – Sr. – 6’2” 230

Getting Harris at 1.02 in a non-superflex league was a little surprising. I was expecting Chase to be there, but when Justin snagged him my decision was easy. In 2020, there was only one running back in college football who can say he ranked top-2 in first downs created, yards AFTER contact, and carries of 10+ yards. You guessed it, that was Harris. As if that wasn’t enough, Harris ranked second on Alabama in receiving market share share (percentage of team’s receiving yards) only behind the eventual 2020 Heisman winner Devonta Smith. Najee is a complete running back and will be an exciting fantasy football asset. –@TheRealAdam_H

1.03 – Travis Etienne – RB – Clemson – Sr. – 5’10” 210

It is widely debated whether Etienne’s decision to stay in school another year cost him, as the Clemson back had an up and down 2020 college season. He enters the draft this year possessing a rare blend of size, explosiveness, vision, control, and contact balance. At 5’10” and 205 lbs, Etienne runs through arm tackles and can hit his top gear to make big time plays. My current RB2 of this class has flashed 3-down bell cow upside throughout a stellar college career, where he posted 4,952 rushing yards on 686 carries with 70 touchdowns. He also added 1,155 receiving yards on 102 receptions with eight touchdowns. Etienne can do it all and should be an instant contributor from day one. –@101chalk

1.04 – Kyle Pitts – TE – Florida – Jr. – 6’6” 240

No one in this draft is more dominant at his position than Pitts. His 770 yards in 2020 was 27th most in the nation at 17.9 yards per reception. Not bad for a tight end who only played 8 games. Calling him generational is using the term correctly. –@Masterjune70

1.05 – Javonte Williams – RB – North Carolina – Jr. – 5’10” 220

I was all set to select Kyle Pitts here and the newly-minted FF DEVYL sniped me. That’s okay, because Javonte Williams is nobody’s consolation prize. A relative unknown at the start of this past season, no one else made as much of his opportunity to play college ball this year than Williams. A big, physical runner who is more than adequate as a receiver and capable of ripping off chunk yardage. He has all the tools to become a highly successful RB1. –@FF_Terminator

1.06 – Devonta Smith – WR – Alabama – Sr. – 6’1” 175

Devonta Smith at the 1.06 was an easy selection for me in 1QB formats. Smith put together one of the most impressive collegiate WR seasons in recent memory, averaging over 140 receiving yards per game with nearly 2 all purpose TDs per game (1.85). Smith was the first WR to win the Heisman trophy since Desmond Howard in 1991, and getting him to fall to the mid-first round in 1QB leagues was a steal. –@FantasyandSport

1.07 – Rashod Bateman – WR – Minnesota – Jr. – 6’2” 210

Rashod Bateman is one of my favorite WR prospects in the draft, and I think he’ll be slightly underrated throughout the draft process due to his opt-out in 2020. As a sophomore with Minnesota in 2019, Bateman amassed a 60 reception, 1,219 yard, 11 touchdown stat line. He only played 5 games in 2020 before opting out, but he played well, as he averaged 7 receptions and 94 yards per game. Bateman profiles as an alpha receiver at the next level who combines excellent ball skills with strong route running all in a well-built 6’1” frame. –@KL_Fantasy

1.08 – Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson – Jr. – 6’6” 220

In the first round of a rookie draft, it’s easy for prospects to gain hype, jump off the page, and get drafted at a higher ADP than their true range of outcomes. There are plenty of prospects that could receive this treatment in the coming months, but Trevor Lawrence is not one of these players. Since his debut as the starter for Clemson, Lawrence has been one of the most talked about and highly touted college quarterbacks of this generation. He seemingly has no question marks, and has drawn comparisons to Andrew Luck. With luxury draft capital in a vacuum, give me the player that’s projected to be a staple of the NFL for years to come, and a player you can build your team around in both real life and in fantasy. –@AndrewMackens

1.09 – Rondale Moore – WR – Purdue – Jr. – 5’9” 180

I could not pass up the opportunity to select my favorite college football player in recent years, and from my alma mater no less. I got the chance to watch Rondale Moore play up close and personal his freshman year, and he was indescribably good. I’ll try though… extremely strong lower body, excellent speed, great vision, great hands, great ball tracking… you get the point. I think he’ll eventually regain that form after a short junior season in which he returned from an injury that derailed his sophomore year. Moore’s ceiling is sky high. –@fantasydukes

1.10 – Jaylen Waddle – WR- Alabama – Jr. – 5’10” 185

With this pick, I felt like Waddle was the last elite prospect available. While I have some questions about Waddle, it’s really easy to jump to best-case scenario with him. He’s lightning fast and was absolutely dominating in 2020 before he got hurt. Give me the upside at pick 1.10. –@DynoGameTheory

1.11 – Tylan Wallace – WR – Oklahoma State – Sr. – 6’0” 190

Tylan Wallace was a Sophomore breakout at age 19 with a dominant season in 2018, and is now coming off two shortened years with his ACL tear in 2019 and the COVID year in 2020. His 2nd year recovered from that ACL tear will be his NFL rookie season. Wallace is very good at the catch point and even better afterwards. Dude will be a playmaker in the NFL. He should easily be a Day 2 pick in the NFL Draft. –@BradWireFF

1.12 – Terrace Marshall Jr. – WR – LSU – Jr. – 6’3” 205

Here’s another great WR to come out of LSU. Plus, he’s more OBJ than Jarvis Landry. Marshall is a big-play WR that excels at making tough catches in the end zone. He wasn’t a high volume WR even with Burrow in 2019, which makes him a polarizing prospect because he was playing second fiddle to Justin Jefferson. In 2020, he surpassed his 2019 output in fewer games and with a less-than-stellar QB, suggesting he was ready for a big-time breakout with a full season. Still, you can’t knock 23 TDs in 2 years from a WR. His rookie draft position at the end of the 1st Round seems perfect to me. –@2on1FFB

Round 2

2.01 – Amon-Ra St. Brown – WR – USC – Jr. – 6’1” 195

What if I told you, you could draft Justin Jefferson in the 2nd round of your rookie drafts? Would that be something of interest to you? Because that’s who Amon-Ra St. Brown can be. Both St. Brown and Jefferson have similar profiles. Slot-type receivers with size, length, and speed. They’re both excellent run-after-catchers with explosive wheels, helping to separate from any DB. In 2019, Jefferson as a Junior collected 111 receptions for 1,540 yards and 18 TDs, good for 13.9 YPR. St. Brown hit 13.5 YPR on just 77 receptions and six TDs as a Sophomore. The difference was QB play. Jefferson had Joe Burrow, (5,600 yards & 60TDs) while St. Brown had Kedon Slovis (3,500 yards and 30 TDs) –@JMan_FF

2.02 – Kenneth Gainwell – RB – Memphis – RS So. – 5’11” 190

I know there aren’t many successful RBs in the NFL who weigh under 200lbs. Then again, there aren’t many players who relegate Antonio Gibson to a backup roll. As a sophomore, the Memphis coaching staff was so impressed with Gainwell that they made Antonio Gibson a WR. Gainwell opted out of the 2020 season, so many have forgotten how electric he was in 2019. That season, Gainwell rushed for over 1,400 yards (top 10 among Power Five RBs) and led Memphis in target share, ahead of the aforementioned Gibson. Maybe taking Gainwell early in the second is a risk, but I am always looking for young RB talent on my Dynasty rosters. –@TheRealAdam_H

2.03 – Justin Fields – QB – Ohio State – Jr. – 6’3” 228

Even in a 1QB league, locking in young franchise QBs makes building a dynasty team that much easier. Fields is projected as a franchise cornerstone who will be making waves for years to come. With the Konami Code and his ability to shred defenses from the pocket, Fields is locked in as the 2nd-best QB in this class. Throughout three years in college, Fields passed for over 5,700 yards (9.2 Y/A), 67 touchdowns, and only 9 interceptions. Unless he lands on a team that will not take advantage of his strengths and versatility, Fields should develop nicely into a strong NFL QB. –@101chalk

2.04 – Trey Sermon – RB – Ohio State – Sr. – 6’1” 215

Sermon has been on a rollercoaster ride as of late. Before 2020, he was lost in the running back shuffle. He rose to relevancy after a 2020 late-season surge. Then an injury in the National Championship game has soured many people again. Not me. It’s not a significant setback, and the tape and analytics both show that this player is talented. Sermon has the size & ability to be a future bell cow. –@Masterjune70

2.05 – Pat Freiermuth – TE – Penn State – Jr. – 6’5” 258

Sniped by the DEVYL again! I was all set to select Trey Sermon here, but it might have worked out in my favor, because no matter how far the NFL trends into the modern age, there will always be a need for tight ends. An animal in any run-blocking scheme, Freiermuth’s value will be in his versatility in the passing game and the mismatches he’ll win in coverage. He’s a Gronk-like specimen who could sneak into the first round and make an instant impact at the next level. –@FF_Terminator

2.06 – Kadarius Toney – WR – Florida – Sr. – 6’0” 195

Kadarius Toney out of Florida is a versatile, shifty receiver that can be lined up all over the field, taking snaps from the slot and the backfield. Toney had 984 receiving yards this season in 11 games, adding on 161 rushing yards and 11 all purpose touchdowns. Toney’s unique skillset makes him an intriguing prospect for both fantasy and the NFL, and this makes his landing spot and draft capital pretty important to his early opportunity. Still, at the 2.06 in 1QB leagues, I think that taking a shot here is justified, especially since landing spot matters so much for RBs, making running backs in the second round of rookie drafts especially risky before the NFL draft. –@FantasyandSport

2.07 – Sage Surratt – WR – Wake Forest – Jr. – 6’3” 215

Tommy Mo (@2on1FFB) really put me onto Surratt during the Undroppables Mock Draft 1.0, and I’ve only been even more impressed once I started digging into Surratt myself. Surratt caught 66 passes for 1,001 yards and 11 TDs in 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season. Surratt isn’t the fastest prospect, but he is a pretty big WR at 6’2” and 215 lbs. He leverages that frame incredibly well in contested catch situations, and he’ll do nicely beating corners to the ball in the NFL. –@KL_Fantasy

2.08 – Seth Williams – WR – Auburn – Jr. – 6’3” 211

I like Seth Williams in this spot for a lot of the same reasons Kyle liked Surratt a pick prior. Williams is a big-bodied receiver who high-points balls left and right. He’s a matchup nightmare for undersized DBs, and the fact he produced in the SEC means a lot to me. Between his size, college dominator rating, and breakout age, Williams hits most of the traits necessary to be a top-24 Dynasty WR. –@AndrewMackens

2.09 – Chuba Hubbard – RB – Oklahoma State – Sr. – 5’11” 200

Chuba Hubbard was a name people were putting very high on their lists after the 2019 season. This year we saw him struggle a little though, namely in pass coverage, which could definitely be an issue in the NFL. He might not be the multidimensional, 3-down RB we hoped for, but his vision and speed in the right offense could give him a role that is good for fantasy. –@fantasydukes

2.10 – Michael Carter – RB North Carolina – Sr. – 5’8″ 199

I had a very difficult time deciding who to take with this selection: Dyami Brown, Tamorrion Terry and Rhamondre Stevenson were all on my radar. Michael Carter is an explosive, elusive and versatile back who has Miles Sanders-type upside, but he’s no sure bet. –@DynoGameTheory

2.11 – Dyami Brown – WR – North Carolina – Jr. – 6’1” 185

Brown will likely be a vertical threat/burner type in the NFL. He’s great at the catch point, plus he has the feet and burst to get off the line. –@BradWireFF

2.12 – Trey Lance – QB – North Dakota State – Jr. – 6’4” 225

Trey Lance sitting out 2020 did little to hurt his draft stock, as maybe only Zach Wilson comes close to surpassing Lance as the QB3 of this draft class. Lance’s release is quick and he has a strong arm, throwing beautiful spirals on his deep pass. He moves well in the pocket, (good feet and pocket awareness) and will turn on the jets when needed. He only played one year in 2019, throwing for 28 TDs and 0 INTs, and can be a little inconsistent at times in his throws, making him a project QB. When you’re drafting Lance in dynasty leagues, don’t plan for him to start right away. But, depending on landing spot, he may get the Jalen Hurts treatment and get some late season playing time. –@2on1FFB

Round 3

3.01 – Zach Wilson – QB – BYU – Jr. – 6’3” 210

Zach Wilson is a guaranteed first-round selection in 2021 for both NFL and Superflex teams. So getting him in the 3rd round is an absolute steal! Wilson reminds me a lot of Justin Herbert: arm strength, accuracy, and a perfect pair of wheels. The only “knock” on him will be the level of competition he faced. Wilson showed excellent progression through his collegiate career, increasing his completion %, yards per attempt, and touchdown numbers from his Sophomore to Junior years. The only primary concern now is his landing spot. If selected in the top-10, it will likely be places like Atlanta, Carolina, or Detroit, all premium landing spots. However, if he falls to New England, Chicago, or Las Vegas, we might need to tamper immediate expectations. –@JMan_FF

3.02 – Brevin Jordan – TE – Miami – Jr. – 6’3” 240

In the year of Kyle Pitts, all other college TEs seem inferior. Jordan may not be the most complete TE, which could result in him being drafted after other TE prospects. On tape, Jordan looks like the type of athletic prototype that excels in the NFL, therefore his pro day will be vital. If he tests well, he could be a great value later in rookie drafts, where other fantasy managers will look at the TE position as Pitts or bust. –@TheRealAdam_H

3.03 – Tamorrion Terry – WR- FSU – Jr. – 6’4” 210

Much of what I like about Tamorrion Terry is also what terrifies me as it reminds me of mega bust Hakeem Butler. Terry boasts size and big play abilities including high pointing the ball in contested catch situations. But Terry’s consistency, concentration and problems with drops makes me a risky proposition. Given the lack of high ceiling options this late in the rookie draft, I’ll take my chances that Terry can develop into a better route runner who gets past his concentration issues. –@101chalk

3.04 – Elijah Moore – WR – Ole Miss – Jr. – 5’9” 185

Moore is a tenacious, dominant, and versatile player who plays “huge” despite his 5’8″ 185-lb frame. He was only behind Devonta Smith in the entire nation for most receptions and yards in 2020. He’s the next Ole Miss WR ready to make a splash in the NFL, following in the footsteps of A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf. –@Masterjune70

3.05 – Jaret Patterson – RB – Buffalo – Jr. – 5’9” 195

Under-recruited. Undersized. Undroppable. The best player you’ve never heard of, Patterson is a bowling ball who ran roughshod over the Mid-American conference. Every run is spent the way he’s spent his whole life, fighting for everything. Every yard. He displays tremendous contact balance and is shifty enough in space to break away from defenders. This is a stacked class, but Patterson should find his way into the fourth round where he’ll be a factor in someone’s running back room instantly. –@FF_Terminator

3.06 – Rhamondre Stevenson – RB – Oklahoma – Sr. – 6’0″ 246

Rhamondre Stevenson out of Oklahoma put together a productive (shortened) season this year, gaining 665 rushing yards and 211 receiving yards in 6 games, adding on seven touchdowns. Stevenson’s strong, dense frame at 6’0 246 lbs lends itself well to short-yardage success, with enough athleticism to be used as an all-around rusher. Stevenson’s receiving work, while not extensive, still demonstrates potential for growth, offering upside that’s difficult to find this late in a rookie draft. Pre-NFL Draft, outside of the top running backs I like to wait and take WRs since their success is more independent of landing spot in my opinion, but at this stage of the draft Stevenson is a solid pick. –@FantasyandSport

3.07 – Nico Collins – WR – Michigan – Sr. – 6’4″ 215

In order to keep with the theme of my draft, I added yet another big-bodied, opted-out WR in the third round. Collins is a big play threat at 6’4” and possesses excellent speed for his size, (supposedly running a 4.45 40 earlier this year) but Michigan’s woes at the QB position led to Collins not producing the same numbers as many other WRs in this class. He profiles as a starter who can make big plays, but still needs to flesh out his game. However, he has the athletic profile to become one of the NFL’s elite. –@KL_Fantasy

3.08 – Kylin Hill – RB – Mississippi State – Sr. – 5’11” 210

With my last pick in the draft and no running back taken as of yet, I wanted to take a shot on someone at the position, and Hill fit the bill in a few different ways. His size is solid, he looks shifty from what I’ve seen of his tape so far, and he ended his college career with 5.6 yards per carry. Where Hill lands in the NFL draft and in what round he’s drafted will tell a lot in terms of whether this is a worthwhile value pick. –@AndrewMackens

3.09 – Javian Hawkins – RB – Louisville – RS So. – 5’9” 195

When you think about the modern NFL, you can easily picture a role for Javian Hawkins. He is a smaller guy, but has excellent speed and quickness with great balance. He’s had a lot of work already as a receiver out of the backfield at the college level and would likely earn a role in that capacity in the NFL. Teams are always looking for guys that can provide versatility and get downfield quick, and Hawkins fits the bill. –@fantasydukes

3.10 – Jermar Jefferson – Oregon State – Jr. – 5’10” 217

Jermar Jefferson possesses prototypical size for an NFL running back. He averaged 98 rushing yards and 5.4 yards per carry over his first two seasons at Oregon St. In a shortened 2020 season as a junior, he was up to 143 yards per game on 6.5 YPC. Jermar could shoot up draft boards if he gets some NFL draft capital. –@DynoGameTheory

3.11 – Damonte Coxie – WR – Memphis – Sr. – 6’3″ 200

Coxie is 6’3″ and should come in around or above 200lbs. He’s not the fastest guy, but he has great feet and shows good blocking ability which will get him on the field. His body control, ability to find zones, and create extra yards after catch/contact will keep him on the field. I don’t normally do comps, but I see a bit of Alshon Jeffery in his game. –@BradWireFF

3.12 – Marquez Stevenson – WR – Houston – Sr. – 6’0″ 190

When it comes to speed and taking a slant routes to the house, Stevenson reminds me of Henry Ruggs: get the ball in his hands and watch him let loose on the defense. He did suffer a season-long ACL injury in 2017, and then hurt his ankle in 2020, so injuries will be a concern. But if he’s fully healthy, he’s a burner. Stevenson is possibly one of the fastest guys in the draft, and he’ll need to showcase that talent at his pro day without a regular NFL Combine this year. As the last pick in this mock draft, and a potential 4th round pick in upcoming rookie drafts, he’s worth a stash on a taxi squad, but he’ll have the opportunity to contribute early on special teams. –@2on1FFB

For questions and comments on our rookie draft 2.0, hit us up on Twitter at any of the accounts above and @TheUndroppables. Be sure to check out our SuperFlex Dynasty rookie mock draft as well, and STAY TUNED for more rookie and Dynasty content all offseason!