The NFL Draft is fast approaching!
Dynasty managers are preparing for their Superflex Dynasty rookie drafts (speaking of, you should download our FREE Rookie Guide with 120+ prospect profiles) in order to get an understanding of who these prospects are and how we should value them.
With that in mind, here is our 3.0 edition of a Superflex rookie mock draft, this time spanning three rounds of a 12-team league.
Round 1
1.01 - Bijan Robinson (RB - Texas)
Robinson is not the clear-cut 1.01 in Superflex that he is in 1QB rookie drafts, so it's important to evaluate your roster. Ideally, you'd like to be able to compete for a title within one to three seasons where Robinson can be a major contributor while still on his rookie contract and in his absolute prime. If you earned the 1.01 because your roster is a mess and competing for a championship anytime soon looks dicey, then seeing what you can get for the 1.01 makes sense since some are likely to pay a hefty price in order to acquire the rights to be able to draft Robinson. Still, though, he's the selection here. Robinson is the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley. He's simply as close as they come to a cant-miss prospect. In three seasons at Texas, Robinson amassed 3,410 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns, 60 receptions, 805 receiving yards, and 8 receiving touchdowns. Weighing 215 pounds, Robinson has the size to be a workhorse at the next level. He proved he's a dual-threat player in college, and that's exactly how we should expect the team that drafts him in the first round to deploy him throughout his rookie contract. Robinson will be a game changer and in the conversation for the best running back in football the moment he steps on an NFL field.
1.02 - C.J. Stroud (QB - Ohio State)
Stroud and Bryce Young are both really strong quarterback prospects. It will be surprising if they don't go first and second in the NFL draft in some order. It's an ongoing struggle ranking these guys, but at this time, Stroud is the preference due to warranted concerns regarding Young's smaller height and weight holding up long-term. There are no size concerns with Stroud, who stands 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds. In two seasons as the starter at Ohio State, Stroud threw for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns in 25 games. He has strong arm talent that allows him to make every throw in the book. His accuracy and touch on deep balls consistently show up on film, and his accurate downfield sideline shots are reminiscent of Joe Burrow. Stroud has enough athleticism for his size to provide an extra element at the next level, specifically when creating and evading pressure within the pocket. And two indicators of good mental processing show up repeatedly when watching him: anticipatory throws and back shoulder throws all over the field, including deep down the field. The defense has to cover the entire field when trying to defend him, and that's exactly what we want in our quarterback.
1.03 - Bryce Young (QB - Alabama)
Young's height (5-foot-10) and weight (204 pounds) are both concerns, but that is only one part of the story. In two seasons as the starter at Alabama, Young threw for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns in 27 games. Young wasn't a dynamic runner in college. But he has that skill in his bag, and his athleticism shows up routinely on film within the pocket. Young can naturally easily evade pressure within the pocket, keeps his eyes downfield around pressure, and steps up in the pocket to keep the play alive. He has exciting arm talent, and multiple indicators of high-level mental processing consistently appear in his game: He knows where his check down is and throws to it to salvage a play often, makes anticipatory throws, processes through reads, and communicates with his offensive line pre-snap when it comes to protections. You'd be doing yourself a disservice when it comes to Young if you hyper-focus on his smaller frame. Outliers exist, and Young has the mind, athleticism, and arm talent to be one at the quarterback position.
1.04 - Anthony Richardson (QB - Florida)
Richardson isn't as polished of a passer as C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young, as he struggles with touch throws and being consistently accurate. These are legit concerns, but Richardson has the highest upside of any quarterback in this class if he can continue developing. And even if he doesn't, he still has the athleticism to pay off this cost while on his rookie contract. Richardson is 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds and tested out of this world at the combine. He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash (fourth-best among quarterbacks since 2003), posted a 40 1/2-inch vertical jump (best among quarterbacks since 2003), and logged a 10-foot-9 broad jump (best among quarterbacks since 2003). Simply put, Richardson is the most athletic quarterback in NFL history. Richardson offers things that can't be taught: Size, athleticism, and flick of the wrist deep arm talent. And after blowing up the combine, he's projected as a top-ten NFL draft pick. Richardson produced plenty on the ground in college, and his highlight tape in that area will make your jaw drop. Rushing production at quarterback is the cheat code, and Richardson will offer elite upside in that area from day one.
1.05 - Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR - Ohio State)
As a true sophomore, Smith-Njigba averaged 4.01 yards per route run and caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards. All three of those marks were better than teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, who were not only selected within the first 11 picks of last year's draft but also lived up to the hype in their rookie seasons. A hamstring injury limited Smith-Njigba to only three games in 2022, but don't let that cause you to forget what he did the year before. A knock on Smith-Njigba is he was mainly a slot wide receiver in college (83% of his routes came from the slot), which could limit his upside in the NFL. But again, let's remember he shared the same field with Wilson and Olave, two bona fide elite outside wide receivers. Ohio State had to find a way to get all three players on the field at the same time, and that could've played a role in Smith-Njigba's high slot rate. It wasn't that long ago that Justin Jefferson was similarly knocked coming out of college for playing a lot out of the slot at LSU. Whoops! And Smith-Njigba had an incredible combine performance, posting a 3.93 20-yard-shuttle (Fourth best among wide receivers since 2007) and a 6.57 3-cone-drill (12th best among wide receivers since 2007).
1.06 - Jahmyr Gibbs (RB - Alabama)
Gibbs is an Alvin Kamara clone stylistically, but it is important to note his profile comes with more risk since he weighed in at the combine at 199 pounds compared to Kamara's 214 pounds. Still, his versatile, dual-threat skill set fits perfectly in today's NFL. He's a natural receiver, as evidenced by his 103 catches for 1,212 receiving yards and 8 receiving touchdowns in just three collegiate seasons. After two solid years at Georgia Tech, Gibbs transferred to Alabama and wasted no time putting his talents on display in the SEC. Gibbs ran for 926 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns and caught 44 passes for 444 receiving yards and 3 scores in 2022. Gibbs has good footwork, sticks his foot in the ground and goes, is shifty, has good contact balance, is dangerous when he gets to the edge, and is a big play threat every time he touches the ball. He projects to be drafted no later than day two of the NFL draft and will make an immediate impact in Dynasty, especially in PPR leagues.
1.07 - Jordan Addison (WR - USC)
Addison is Mr. Reliable. He can do everything. In his two seasons at Pittsburgh and his junior year at USC, Addison was deployed all over the field. He offers versatility and is a very good route runner. As a true freshman, Addison impressively caught 60 passes for 666 yards and 4 touchdowns. He followed that up with a dominating sophomore campaign in which he caught 100 passes for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns. Addison then transferred to USC, and while his junior season wasn't as impressive statistically, he was still featured heavily in the Trojans' offense. Addison is a polished player ready to seamlessly transition to an NFL offense and strikes me as a player that offers both a high floor and a high ceiling. Addison should be a PPR cheat code. Now, there is a red flag that must be mentioned: Addison is only 5-foot-11 and 173 pounds. His weight is a concern. But the league is trending toward lighter receivers, and DeVonta Smith is an example of a player around the same weight currently producing strong numbers in the pros. Don't overthink this one.
1.08 - Quentin Johnston (WR - TCU)
Johnston is a total freak. It's as if he was built in a lab to create the ideal X wide receiver on the outside. A few decades ago, Johnston's height (6-foot-2) was exactly what teams were looking for in a number-one wide receiver. Things have certainly changed over the years as the ability to create separation and get open, no matter the height, has become more and more important. But that doesn't diminish Johnston's outlook because he offers a unique combination of height and speed. Johnston averaged 19 yards per reception on 115 collegiate catches. He's a big play waiting to happen on every down as he offers exciting yards after the catch ability, including a devastating spin move for a player his size and impressive ball tracking deep down the field. It would be a shock if Johnston weren't selected in the first round by a team looking to facilitate their future passing game around this unicorn of a talent.
1.09 - Zay Flowers (WR - Boston College)
Flowers is essentially a Brandin Cooks clone. He's fun to watch as his speed and quickness allow him to consistently get open, which is exactly what teams covet in today's NFL. He offers versatility for an NFL offense as he was utilized both outside and in the slot at Boston College. For a smaller player (5-foot-9), Flowers plays very tough and tracks the ball well down the field. A projected first-round pick in the NFL draft, Flowers will bring big play potential to an NFL offense. He recorded five or more receptions on targets 20-plus yards downfield in all four collegiate seasons. And while he did return for his senior year, which can sometimes be considered a slight negative, it's important to note Flowers caught 56 passes for 892 yards and 9 touchdowns as a true sophomore back in 2020. He's been good for a long time, and we didn't need his senior-year production to tell us that.
1.10 - Zach Charbonnet (RB - UCLA)
Charbonnet has some Nick Chubb to his game, and they have very similar heights and weights, with Charbonnet being 6-foot-0 and 214 pounds. Charbonnet has exciting athleticism for a player as big, physical, and tough as he is. He's decisive as he gets north and south quickly, breaks tackles, and also has the ability to make defenders miss (impressive stutter steps in the open field). Charbonnet produced as a true freshman at Michigan back in 2019, running for 726 yards and 11 touchdowns, but it wasn't until he transferred to UCLA in 2021 that his collegiate career took off. In his junior and senior seasons at UCLA, Charbonnet totaled 2,496 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns, 61 receptions, and 518 receiving yards. Charbonnet doesn't profile as a receiving back, but those 61 catches in two years help his case of being a workhorse/250+ touch player in the NFL, which is absolutely in his range of outcomes.
1.11 - Hendon Hooker (QB - Tennessee)
Hooker is already 25 years old, and his rookie season is likely going to be a redshirt year after he tore his ACL in November. Still, there's a lot to like, and whichever team drafts him in the first or second round should have him penciled in as their starter in 2024. Hooker didn't shine until he transferred from Virginia Tech to Tennessee after three seasons, but it all fell into place quickly after that. In his two years at Tennessee, Hooker threw for 58 touchdown passes compared to only 5 interceptions and ran for another 1,046 yards and 10 scores. Hooker is an athletic dual-threat who brings a dynamic aspect to the run game with his ability to be elusive in space and make defenders miss. He has prototypical size at 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds and a strong arm that puts it out there downfield on go balls for his receivers to go get it. But what really stands out in film is Hooker's consistent, confident, and calm footwork. He remains in control which allows him to utilize his athleticism and quick sudden movements to escape pressure within the pocket and/or keep his eyes downfield and go through his reads. Hooker is a unique prospect with a boom-bust profile, especially thanks to Tennessee's offense routinely creating wide-open receivers, making it more difficult to evaluate the quarterback. But Hooker's upside in Superflex is worth the investment toward the end of the first round of drafts.
1.12 - Will Levis (QB - Kentucky)
Levis has prototypical size at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, has a strong arm, offers rushing ability, and is projected to be a first-round pick or a second-round pick at the latest. Yet this could just be the next example of the NFL valuing a quarterback more than they should based on tools alone. Levis will be 24 years old as a rookie, yet he is a raw prospect despite his age. Levis struggles with consistently going through his reads, accuracy, and touch passes. These are crucial aspects of the quarterback position that remain question marks, making Levis a projection at the next level. And while Levis does offer dual-threat rushing upside, he's not a dynamic runner. Instead, he uses his big frame to get north and south and run tough. That's certainly a valuable tool, but it's not the same as being dynamic and having the ability to make defenders miss. Still, despite the concerns, Levis is worth the investment at the end of the first round in Superflex rookie drafts. It's important to think in probabilities, and even if Levis' chances of hitting his ceiling or even remaining a starter in the NFL for three or more seasons are lower than other prospects, that doesn't mean he can't get there. And if he does, you'll have a valuable asset on your hands. And even if he doesn't, you'll still have a window to sell him just like Zach Wilson managers had last offseason despite his poor rookie campaign.
Round 2
2.01 - Kendre Miller (RB - TCU)
Miller has some Arian Foster and Aaron Jones to his game. He has exciting speed and burst for a player weighing 215 pounds. He's a big play waiting to happen once he gets to the edge and is slippery, with defenders struggling to bring him down. Miller is coming off of a monster junior season at TCU, where he carried the load, rushing 224 times for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns and adding 16 receptions for 116 yards. Miller wasn't as involved in the passing game at TCU as we would've liked (only 29 catches in three seasons), but he's capable in that area and has the potential to be a workhorse in the NFL.
2.02 - Jalin Hyatt (WR - Tennessee)
NFL passing offenses need speed to force the defense to cover the entire field and to increase their playmaking ability. Hyatt has blazing speed and put it on display at the combine, running a 4.4 40-yard dash. Hyatt has the height (6-foot-0) to go with his wheels and put five touchdowns on tape in one game against Alabama of all teams last season. That performance was part of his junior campaign that finished with 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns with a yards-per-catch average of 18.9. Hyatt is projected as a locked-in first-round NFL draft pick due to his size and speed combination that can't be taught.
2.03 - Devon Achane (RB - Texas A&M)
Achane measured 5-foot-9 and only weighed 188 pounds at the combine, so the odds of him being given a workhorse role in the NFL and then being able to hold up with that big workload, are low. But Achane will be able to create his own luck in the league because he holds a very valuable trump card: speed. Achane ran a blazing 4.32 40-yard dash at the combine, which wasn't a surprise as Achane is also a track star. Per Pro Football Focus, as a sophomore on Texas A&M's track team, he ran a 10.14-second 100-meter dash, the tenth-fastest time in program history. That speed consistently shows up in Achane's film, as does toughness you wouldn't expect from a smaller back. Achane is a versatile dual-threat who caught 60 passes over his final two collegiate seasons. Look for Achane to see the field right away, as he should be part of a committee as a rookie. The impressive highlights he generates with his rookie playing time will maintain - or even increase - his dynasty value, so even if you have long-term concerns about his durability, there should be plenty of opportunities to hop off the Achane train without losing value.
2.04 - Michael Mayer (TE - Notre Dame)
The tight end position in all fantasy formats just isn't that impressive, and Mayer is the kind of player that can quickly become a difference-maker at the position. He was incredibly productive all three years at Notre Dame, posting lines of 42-450-2 as a freshman, 71-840-7 as a sophomore, and 67-809-9 as a junior and ending his career as Notre Dame's all-time receptions leader by a tight end. And Mayer offers versatility in how his production can help an NFL offense. At 6-foot-4.5 and 249 pounds, he can play in-line as he holds up well as a run blocker, and tons of his receiving stats were accumulated while lined up in the slot. He's a complete tight end that should nevre have to leave the field, and that offers versatility for the offense's scheme and play calling, which is exactly what NFL teams are looking for. Expect Mayer, who provides a huge catch radius, to be drafted early in the NFL Draft.
2.05 - Dalton Kincaid (TE - Utah)
Kincaid is an older prospect who will turn 24 in October. But producing as an older prospect in college isn't as much of a concern at the tight-end position since the transition to the pros is tough for younger prospects, and there are so few difference makers at the position we're looking for anyone who could be one. Kincaid certainly looks like he's up for the task after producing a 70-890-8 line last year. In fact, he caught a total of 16 touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons. Kincaid amassed tons of experience and production lined up in the slot as Utah essentially utilized him as a receiver. That's exactly what we want to see in fantasy. A back injury suffered late in 2022 has kept Kincaid from working out during the draft process, but his film speaks volumes. Kincaid is great at making contested catches and reminds some of George Kittle when it comes to athleticism. Plus, Kincaid measured in at the combine with longer arm length and wingspan and larger hand size than Michael Mayer.
2.06 - Josh Downs (WR - North Carolina)
Downs caught 195 passes for 2,364 yards and 19 touchdowns between his sophomore and junior seasons, and he enters the NFL Draft as an early declare. Downs stands about 5-foot-10, is a good route runner, and has a compact and strong body and legs. Downs offers versatility as he played inside and outside in college, although it is important to note just 136 of his 756 offensive snaps in 2022 came on the outside. Downs has great ball tracking as he goes up and lets defenders know the ball in the air is his. That likely played a role in North Carolina's trust in Downs in the red zone and the end zone as they continually peppered Downs with targets in the most important areas. Downs consistently won when given those chances, which is a good sign for his success at the next level.
2.07 - A.T. Perry (WR - Wake Forest)
Perry redshirted in 2018, so he was a fifth-year senior in 2022 and will turn 24 in October. It's a red flag almost all of his production came in his final two seasons when he was 21-23 years old. Still, those final two years shouldn't be ignored, as Perry amassed 152 receptions for 2,389 yards and 26 touchdowns over that time. Perry is discount Quentin Johnston in this class, meaning he's an X wide receiver on the outside that can be had more affordably by a team in the NFL Draft and by us in our dynasty rookie drafts. Perry is taller than Johnston (6-foot-3.5 compared to 6-foot-2.6), and they both have the exact same wingspan (81.625). It's exciting Perry ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the combine, and his athleticism, flexibility, and separation all consistently show up on film. These traits are impressive in a player of Perry's size, and the cherry on top is the large catch radius he presents for his quarterback. Perry's draft capital is still a question mark that could alter this ranking, but I'm bullish he will be selected on day two.
2.08 - Tank Bigsby (RB - Auburn)
Bigsby measured 6-foot-0 and weighed 210 pounds at the combine, a frame that should translate to the pros, as should his game. He's appropriately called Tank as he plays a physical style, running through defenders when he has to. Coaches at the next level are sure to love his toughness, but that's not all Bigsby has to offer. He repeatedly put impressive cuts and jukes in the open field on film as he has good vision and decisiveness that allow him to plant his foot in the ground and explode upfield. Auburn utilized Bigbsy on outside runs, and he proved he's capable of getting to the edge and hitting home runs. A jack of all trades, but master of none player, Bigsby does everything well without possessing any elite strengths. Still, if he lands in the right situation with a coach that enjoys utilizing his versatile skill set (62 catches in three seasons at Auburn), Bigsby being a feature back for an NFL team and seeing 250+ touches a season is within his range of outcomes.
2.09 - Sean Tucker (RB - Syracuse)
Volume is the name of the game at the running back position. We want players who have proven they can handle a large workload and/or project to potentially earn such a role in the NFL. Tucker checks those boxes as he amassed 653 touches in three seasons at Syracuse, and he's a dual-threat who caught 64 passes over that time period. Tucker's film is reminiscent of Austin Ekeler. The two players are both 5-foot-9, while Tucker is actually a bit heavier at 207 pounds. His speed and quickness are consistently on display, and his film proves he has the ability to get to the edge at the next level. Tucker will be an exciting contingency play should he be drafted behind a workhorse and a fun player to monitor for year one playing time should he be drafted to a team with an ambiguous backfield. The upside with Tucker, though, is that he ultimately becomes a starting dual-threat back in the NFL, and even if the odds are stacked against him, the back half of the second round is a good time to invest in his potential.
2.10 - Tyjae Spears (RB - Tulane)
Spears is 5-foot-10 and 201 pounds. That's plenty big enough to earn a role in an NFL backfield, which he should do right away as a rookie. Spears needs to be in a committee from day one if the team that drafts him realizes what they have. Spears is shifty, quick, fast, and electric, but he also has a compact body that allows him to break tackles and stay on his feet. He's decisive, sticks his foot in the ground and goes, and has an extra gear once he gets in the open field. And it appears Spears, who only caught 48 passes in four collegiate seasons, was underutilized as a receiver while at Tulane after he made one of the nastiest juke moves I've ever seen while at the Senior Bowl on his way to being named Practice Player of the Week. You can't teach that change of direction, and it's something all NFL teams should covet.
2.11 - Roschon Johnson (RB - Texas)
Johnson is a fun prospect. As a true freshman in 2019, he earned 146 touches, including 23 receptions, and turned them into 807 total yards and 8 touchdowns. His following three seasons weren't as impressive from a production standpoint, but there was this little factor during that time, which was he was sharing a backfield with one Bijan Robinson. Proven production is nice to see in a running back's profile, but no one can fault Johnson for being the second fiddle to the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley. Johnson has prototypical size for the position at 6-foot-0 and 219 pounds, and his play consistently pops off the film for a player of his size. Johnson plays fast and shows his athleticism by hurdling defenders. He also plays tough and runs through contact repeatedly. Due to playing behind Robinson, Johnson is a mystery box of sorts, but perhaps he's a really good player in his own right that can handle a large workload but won't find his ideal situation until he's on an NFL team.
2.12 - Israel Abanikanda (RB - Pittsburgh)
One of the youngest players in the draft, Abanikanda won't turn 21 years old until October. There is still plenty of room for growth within his game which is exciting considering he led Pittsburgh in rushing yards as a sophomore and then broke out in a major way as a junior last season, rushing 239 times for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 12 receptions for 146 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. Abanikanda is a no-nonsense runner who gets north and south quickly and has the size and speed to be a workhorse in the league. Abanikanda was 5-foot-11 and 216 pounds at the combine. He then blew up his pro day, running an unofficial 4.41 40-yard dash and posting a 41-inch vertical and a 128-inch broad. That speed consistently shows up in Abanikanda's film, making him an exciting starting running back option in 2024 and beyond.
Round 3
3.01 - Marvin Mims (WR - Oklahoma)
Mims is 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds, so he is on the lighter end. But as discussed above in the Jordan Addison section, that's not necessarily a detriment in today's NFL. Mims is a fast receiver (4.38 40-yard dash) who produced all three seasons at Oklahoma. He posted lines of 37-610-9 as a freshman, 32-705-5 as a sophomore, and 54-1083-6 as a junior. He won deep on the outside and vertical from the slot and converted many deep targets into receptions with great ability at the catch point down the field. Mims profiles as a boom-bust vertical weapon that can take the top off of a defense, at least early on, evidenced by his 22 yards per reception as a sophomore and 20.1 yards per catch as a junior. If he lands in the right offense with the right quarterback, he'll likely make enough highlight plays down the field to increase his value early in his career.
3.02 - Trey Palmer (WR - Nebraska)
Palmer produced sparingly at LSU his first three seasons, but after transferring to Nebraska for his senior year, he caught 71 passes for 1,043 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2022. That season was extremely impressive as he averaged 3.26 yards per route run, third among all Power 5 wide receivers. And he just ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine. That speed was evident on film as Palmer won deep down the field, both outside and from the slot. He was mostly a slot receiver at Nebraska, but his elite speed could allow him to be more versatile at the next level. Still, if he remains mostly a slot receiver, his speed and athleticism will allow him to bring a dynamic element to that position. And there's also a nuance to his route running that is reminiscent of a younger Keenan Allen. Palmer also had success both as a kick and punt returner, returning one of each to the house while at LSU. Palmer is a player to be above market on to make sure you land him in your rookie drafts.
3.03 - Chase Brown (RB - Illinois)
Brown played at Western Michigan during his first year of college before transferring to Illinois for his final four seasons. He proved he's plenty capable of handling a large workload in 2022 when he turned 355 touches, including 27 receptions, into 1,883 total yards and 13 touchdowns. Brown's 329 carries led all Power 5 backs, and his 83 forced missed tackles ranked second behind only Bijan Robinson. Brown's film was impressive. He plays tough and physical but is also shifty and is able to stick his foot in the ground and go. Brown has a similar rushing style to early career Phillip Lindsay yet is the bigger (5-foot-9.5 and 209 pounds) and more athletic version. Brown ran a solid 4.43 40-yard dash and posted a 40-inch vertical and a 127-inch broad.
3.04 - Evan Hull (RB - Northwestern)
Hull has the size and skill set to be a workhorse in the right situation, which will make him one of the most fun backups in the league for fantasy. He measured 5-foot-10 and weighed 209 pounds at the combine and is just a solid player overall. Hull also possesses an important trump card - he's a certified pass-catcher. Hull caught 88 passes over his final two seasons at Northwestern and sent himself off in fashion with 55 receptions for 546 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns in his senior year. Add in Hull's athleticism as he tested well at the combine, running a 4.47 40-yard dash, 4.38 Shuttle, 6.9 3-cone, and posting a 37-inch vertical and a 123-inch broad and you have a player that could surprise as a dual-threat and increase his dynasty value if given the chance.
3.05 - Tyler Scott (WR - Cincinnati)
Scott is yet another small receiver in a class full of them. He measures 5-foot-10 and weighs 177 pounds. But his speed and athleticism help him stand out. At the combine, Scott ran a 4.44 40-yard dash and posted a 39.5-inch vertical and a 133-inch broad. But he also reportedly posted a blazing 4.32 40-yard dash at Cincinnati’s Pro Day. And he was able to turn his abilities into big play production in college, averaging 17.3 yards per reception as a sophomore and 16.6 yards per catch as a junior. Scott enters the draft as an underclassman after catching 54 passes for 899 yards and 9 touchdowns as a true junior. There's enough here to be excited about Scott at this range of the draft, especially since Scott's speed and vertical game project to translate well to the next level.
3.06 - Darnell Washington (TE - Georgia)
Washington wasn't particularly productive in college (only 45 career receptions), but that's not nearly as large of a red flag for tight ends compared to wide receivers since it's such a unique position in terms of responsibilities, development, and how each individual coach and program utilize it. And it's important to note Washington shared time the past two seasons with Brock Bowers, who projects as a first-round pick in 2024. Washington is a straight-up freak in the best ways possible. He stands 6-foot-6.5 and weighs 264 pounds. At those measurables at the combine, Washington ran a 4.64 40-yard dash and a 4.08 Shuttle and posted a 31-inch vertical and a 122-inch broad. Simply put, a man this large shouldn't be this athletic. He showed his ability for playmaking, albeit in a small sample size, averaging 17.2 yards per catch over the course of his college career. And he'll instantly be one of the best blockers at the position from day one. Washington offers versatility for his offense's scheme and play-calling, and he possesses the athletic ability and a humongous catch radius to make big plays when his name is called. Taking on a shot here in hopes of Washington developing into a more integral part of a passing offense makes sense.
3.07 - Sam LaPorta (TE - Iowa)
LaPorta went to the right school for helmet scouts as Iowa tight ends George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and Noah Fant have all recently found success in the league. LaPorta has made a good case for us to expect him to follow suit. He was the focal point of the passing game as he led Iowa in receptions in each of the past three seasons, and he posted solid numbers as both a junior (53-670-3) and a senior (58-657-1). And at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, LaPorta had a good combine running a 4.59 40-yard dash, 4.25 Shuttle, 6.91 3-cone, and posting a 35-inch vertical and a 123-inch broad. LaPorta was used out wide and in the slot, at times, which shows the versatility he'll offer to an NFL offense. He has a chance to develop into a nice pass-catching pro, and that would make him important for fantasy considering the wasteland that is the position.
3.08 - Xavier Hutchinson (WR - Iowa State)
Hutchinson played two years of junior college before arriving at Iowa State and compiling 254 catches for 2,929 yards and 15 touchdowns as a Cyclone. He was productive all three seasons posting 64-771-4 in 2020, 83-987-5 in 2021, and 107-1,171-6 in 2022. And Hutchinson offers some size in a receiver class lacking just that. At the combine, he measured 6-foot-2 and 203 pounds and posted respectable numbers: 4.53 40-yard dash, 4.35 Shuttle, 6.91 3-cone, and 36-inch vertical and a 123-inch broad. The main disappointing data point was his 116-inch broad, only two inches longer than 6-foot-6 quarterback Tanner McKee. Still, athleticism shows on tape, and Hutchinson is able to use his bigger frame to high-point the ball and catch it in the air. He has some experience and production lining up in the slot as well. Impressively, Hutchinson ranked fourth out of 1,046 receivers in PFF receiving grade last season, just one spot behind the consensus top 2024 pick Marvin Harrison Jr.
3.09 - Puka Nacua (WR - BYU)
Nacua did little two years at Washington but then transferred to BYU, and his career took off as a junior and senior. He had solid production in both seasons, with 43-805-6 in 2021 and 48-625-5 in 2022. Nacua has size at 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds and is just a solid receiver that coaches are likely to love. He's crafty and a technician with his feet, knowing how to get both feet down in bounds on the sideline. Plus, he offers inside and outside versatility as he racked up experience and production in both areas while at BYU. Impressively, Nacua ranked second out of 1,046 receivers in PFF receiving grade last season, one spot ahead of the consensus top 2024 pick Marvin Harrison Jr.
3.10 - Rashee Rice (WR - SMU)
Rice is 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds, and he posted an impressive 41-inch vertical and a 128-inch broad at the combine. He finished his four-year SMU career with 233 receptions for 3,111 yards and 25 touchdowns. Notably, he improved in every single season going from 25-403-1 to 48-683-5 to 64-670-9 to 96-1355-10. He ranked tenth out of 1,046 receivers in PFF receiving grade last season and shows athleticism, quickness, toughness, and good body control in the air while going for jump balls.
3.11 - Nathaniel Dell (WR - Houston)
Nathaniel Dell posted 90-1,329-12 as a junior and 109-1398-17 as a senior in 2022. He also had punt- and kick-return success at Houston, returning a punt for a touchdown just last season. Shocker: here's another small receiver in this class as Dell stands 5-foot-8 and weighs just 165 pounds. But he's reminiscent of DeSean Jackson, who weighed just 175 pounds. Dell is quick and fast, which allows him to get open and produce impressive YAC consistently. He displayed consistent ball-tracking ability, which helps explain why Houston went his way a ton in the end zone and inside the five-yard line. He ranked 13th out of 1,046 receivers in PFF receiving grade last season. Dell would be an outlier, but he's a fun one to take a chance on at the end of the third round.
3.12 - Cedric Tillman (WR - Tennessee)
Tillman is an interesting case as it seems the NFL likes him, which could result in day two draft capital. If that happens, he'll almost certainly rise up my ranks. But for now, he remains here due to producing very little outside of one electric season in 2021 where he caught 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. That year was great. But it was also Tillman's fourth in college, and he'll be 23 years old as a rookie. Still, Tillman offers size at 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds and has good, strong hands that allow him to win contested catches. Tillman also has some gamer in him as he showed up big in important spots in 2021 against Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee's bowl game.
