Mock draft Monday

By: Josh Frey-Sam

Something I’ve noticed through two mock drafts is that the receiver position is shaky after the first round.

Of course, there’s always going to be guys who overperform and surprise, leading people like me to face-palm while wondering, ‘How did we not see that coming?’

On the surface, it just doesn’t look all that appealing, which is something we haven’t said in quite some time.

The consensus top tiers are some order of Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua, Malik Nabres and Nico Collins.

After that, there are question marks.

Does Amon-Ra maintain his incredibly high floor without Ben Johnson calling plays?

Does Ladd McConkey have the upside you want in a second-round pick?

Is Tyreek Hill over the hump?

Can JSN repeat what he did last season with a new quarterback and in an entirely new offence?

Mike Evans should continue to be consistent, but is he really worth a second-round pick?

The list goes on. And while I’m already compiling a list of sleepers for this season, my early takeaway is this: you’re better off drafting your WR1 in the first round.

It goes without saying that there are exceptions to this (Saquon, Bijan, and Gibbs), but today, as I drafted at the 1.09 in a half-PPR, it was clear who my first-round pick should be.

Take a look at my draft, then scroll for a quick breakdown.

*I considered Brock Bowers for a split second, but Nico was the easy pick. He offers the floor of a first-rounder and the ceiling of a league-winner.

*I would’ve loved for Bowers to fall to me, but no dice. The running back position is deep enough that you can wait to address that position. Point and case, I grab Jacobs, last year’s RB5, in the second round. His floor is so good, and his touchdown opportunities should keep him in the top-five conversation.

*I double down at RB with Jeanty, who would make for a fantastic RB2.

*DK was really the only appealing option to me in the fourth round. I like him this season, regardless of who’s throwing him the ball. He should be peppered with targets.

*Is Sam LaPorta primed for a bounce-back campaign in a new offence?

*Baker falling to me was amazing. Kyler would be the only other consideration at QB here, but otherwise it’s a clear fall off at the position, which is why I made Bake the pick.

*The last time D’Andre Swift and Ben Johnson were paired together, Swift caught 62 passes, on top of his rushing duties. For a seventh-round pick, Swift is a steal this season.

*I end up with TreVeyon Henderson and Tet McMillan for the second straight draft, and I also go with another rookie in Quinshon Judkins. As I said previously, I’m not looking at the floor, at this point in the draft. I’m chasing high ceilings, and all of those rookies have it in their respective offences.

*Don’t sleep on Ricky Pearsall in the middle of your drafts. We don’t know when Brandon Aiyuk will return, and despite the presence of CMC, Kittle and Jawaun Jennings, there could be a juicy opportunity for Pearsall.

*I end with Justin Fields again. His fantasy upside is just too great to ignore. I don’t care if he sits on my bench; he has top-10 upside at the position because of his legs. It also helps that early reports of him in a Jets uniform are promising.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh