Rookie Mock Draft Mashup: Merging the 2020 and 2021 Class

What if we could throw the historic class of 2020 in a blender with the class of 2021? What would it look like in our rookie drafts? The GoingFor2 team did just that. Twelve writers did a mock draft that included both last year’s class and this year’s class, and the results are quite interesting. Listed below of the drafters;

Round 1

1.01 RB Jonathan Taylor

JT was the 1.01 rookie last year for those who didn’t blink after the draft and is now a first-round startup pick in most formats. Wentz squares away the QB position (kinda/maybe?) without the colts parting with their first this year. Wentz vertical passing should allow colts to keep defenses honest and give JT more room to run upfront. JT truthers are full steam ahead on the hype train for a dominant year two.

1.02 RB Cam Akers

In Week 13, The Rams finally decided to give Akers the green light as the number one back after dealing with injuries earlier in his rookie season. In Week 14, he ran for 171 yards. Needless to say, Akers has a bright future in this league especially now with a veteran like Stafford under center. Akers is fast, patient, and accelerates through holes finding lanes to run. The Rams’ offense will look different in 2021, and McVey will make Akers the focal point taking pressure off Stafford. Akers has tremendous upside in 2021 and will be a Top 10 RB taken in fantasy drafts. 

1.03 RB Najee Harris

Easy choice for me here, as the top overall selection in 2021 falls to me at 1.03. He’s a massive running back at 6’2 and 229 pounds, with surprising athleticism for his size. He also has tremendous hands, which bode well for his receiving potential in the NFL. Harris projects as a player you can feature on every play regardless of down and distance. A true three-down workhorse. 

1.04 RB D’Andre Swift

It was a decision of Swift or Jefferson at this spot. With RB being shallower than WR Swift was the right decision. After his rookie season, I see Swift as the RB 2 or 3 from the 2020 draft class. Hopefully, with the new regime in Detroit, his stock will not go down.

1.05 WR Justin Jefferson

After the run on most, if not all, the RB1’s it came down to Justin Jefferson or JK Dobbins, and given Jefferson’s historic rookie year production it tilted the scale pretty easily in his direction. Justin Jefferson is a top 3-5 Dynasty WR today and to be able to get that type of value here felt like stealing. 

1.06 RB JK Dobbins

I was really hoping Justin Jefferson was going to fall one more spot, and make this pick a no-brainer, unfortunately, Miguel sniped me at 1.05. However, Dobbins isn’t a bad consolation prize as the clear-cut first option in the running game now that Mark Ingram is gone. Yes, Gus Edwards will likely hang around and be a nuisance, but not a big enough nuisance to keep Dobbins from flirting with top 12 value.

1.07 RB Antonio Gibson

If you know me, you know I think very highly of Antonio Gibson. As a rookie, it took a bit for Gibson to take over the majority timeshare in the backfield, but as the season progressed we saw how dominant he could be. I expect him to break 200 carries and 75 targets this season. I don’t believe the quarterback situation affecting Gibson’s ability to produce a top 12 season at the position.

1.08 RB Javonte Williams

I haven’t been afraid to say it since I started ranking NFL Draft prospects, Javonte Williams is my RB1. Its been years since I’ve liked as much of what I’ve seen out of a prospect. In 2020, while sharing a backfield with Michael Carter whom he split carries with, Williams still totaled 1,140 yards and scored 19 touchdowns on 157 carries. Carter had 156 carries for 1,245 yards and nine touchdowns, but Williams’ was a yards-after-contact monster. Per Pro Football Focus, Williams forced 85 missed tackles in 2020. 76 were as a runner and nine more as a receiver. He has true potential to be a three-down RB in the NFL.

1.09 WR CeeDee Lamb

In an offense that already had Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup as established weapons, Lamb wasted no time moving up to number two in the pecking order. He finished his rookie year with more targets, catches, and yards than Gallup. Andy Dalton played admirably down the stretch, but if you think his production is a shade of what Dak brings to the table, you’re sorely mistaken. Quarterback stability in year two, provided Dak returns to being Dak, should only see those numbers increase.

1.10 WR Tee Higgins

After putting up a goose egg Week 1, Tee Higgins scored double-digit fantasy points in 10 of his remaining 14 games, including five games of 18 points or more. His production took a hit with Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury (dropping from 14.7 ppg to 10.6 ppg), but Burrow is expected to fully recover and return in 2021. There are few prospects from either class that offers as safe of a floor yet sky-high ceiling as Higgins. 

1.11 WR Ja’Marr Chase

The former Biletnikoff winner took the 2020 season off to prepare for the draft which gave people memory loss on what a great prospect he is. On an LSU team with rookie superstar Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr chase was the star of the show. Putting up gaudy numbers 1780 yards,20 TDs and 21 yards per reception he was unstoppable. Chase has the skillset to step in week one as a team’s top receiving option and make it to the fantasy top ten sooner rather than later. 

1.12 RB Travis Etienne

With Travis Etienne, you’re getting a back with Pro-bowl caliber upside, but with a noticeably low floor. When you draft him, you have to understand the large gaps that come with his game, and with that is the patience in rostering a potentially volatile early-career asset. 
Etienne is one of the best accelerators of all-time at the position, and this shining trait will show up at the NFL level, but the question is… when? How long are we going to have to wait for the game to slow down for the dynamic, Etienne? Those are the questions that we don’t have the answers to and have to be okay with when we draft a player with the ceiling & floor of a back with his distinct skillset.

Round 2

2.01 WR Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk put together several solid weeks during the 2nd half of the 2020 season and looks to have the tools of a future WR 1. Assuming Aiyuk has a better QB than Mullen throwing him the ball in 2021 and he takes a step forward Aiyuk can be just that (a WR 1). 49ers were without several offense studs in 2020, so it will interesting to see the target share for Aiyuk with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle presumably healthy for the 2021 campaign.

2.02 RB James Robinson

Robinson was a waiver wire dream in 2020. He was an undrafted rookie who became only the 4th in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards. He finished with 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns with another three receiving TDs. We expect Trevor Lawrence to be the new Jags QB, and he is a mobile guy, but I don’ think that will hinder Robinson’s 2021 stats. I actually think that he will become the undisputed workhorse of the offense and help Lawrence slid into a more productive role by taking some pressure off the rookie QB. I project Robinson to not last long on boards in 2021 fantasy drafts, and he will produce for dynasty for years to come. 

2.03 QB Trevor Lawrence

Taking this QB talent feels like a steal. His ball placement is consistent at all levels of the field and he has the arm strength to make every throw, even when off platform. Lawrence feels the rush coming while in the pocket, as his radar is first class. He will make the correct call more times than not to keep the play alive. He always keeps his eyes downfield, even when scrambling, as he patiently waits for his routes to develop. A great get and future QB1.

2.04 RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire

This was a tough pick but I had to go with CEH. Edwards didn’t have the greatest rookie year for being the 1.01 in most rookie drafts. But we have to remember he was only that high of a pick because of landing spot. This pick is on the belief that he will improve his pass-catching numbers this upcoming season. In dynasty but him low if you can.

2.05 TE Kyle Pitts

My initial thought here was to select Justin Herbert – who went with the very next pick – even though it’s 1QB this is crazy value for a difference-making QB. However, an Elite TE is equally as valuable and there’s only one guy over the last two years who looks the part and that is Kyle Pitts. Due to the law of scarcity, I had to go Pitts here. It also helped knowing I could likely land one of Wilson, Fields, Hurts or Tua in the next round which was a risk I was willing to take. 

2.06 QB Justin Herbert

Sniped once again by Miguel, I really wanted to get Pitts at this spot. The second-round, however, is a great spot to land Justin Herbert. If this were a real fantasy team, I have my starting quarterback for at least a decade.

2.07 WR Chase Claypool

At the time of the draft, JuJu Smith-Schuster was expected to test free agency, but now he has expressed desires to stay in Pittsburgh. Claypool scored 11 touchdowns last season and that is expected to decline. But good news, he has earned a significant amount of playing time headed into next season and could easily overtake Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson for the most targets. 

2.08 QB Joe Burrow

I feel as though a lot of people have forgotten how good of a quarterback Joe Burrow really is. Many analysts are ranking him as the fourth-best QB in the AFC North. Before going down with a knee injury, Burrow was showing that he was one of the best intermediate passers in the league. If he can return healthy, clean up his deep ball, and Cinncinati can add someone to stretch the field alongside Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, the Burrow may prove to be a top-10 QB in the NFL.

2.09 RB A.J. Dillon

AJ Dillon’s legs are massive. That doesn’t have much to do with Fantasy, but they’re still worth noting. On a more Fantasy-relevant note, both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are free agents this offseason. The Packers drafted Dillon reasonably high last year, and both Jones and Williams would command a much steeper price tag should they come back. I’m banking on at least one of them saying “see ya later” to Wisconsin, opening the door for a heavy workload for Dillon. Even if one of them does return, Green Bay has consistently produced multiple relevant running backs the past few years. 

2.10 WR Devonta Smith

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is in the conversation for the best receiver of the 2021 class and will likely be drafted into an offense desperate for a playmaker. DeVonta Smith has great hands, is an excellent route runner, and had a 2020 season for the ages (117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 receiving touchdowns).

The main concerns with Smith are his weight (175 lb) and age (22), with his breakout not coming until his senior season. Smith is someone I was not expecting to fall this far, and I think could be the steal of this draft. I feel the age and weight concerns are overhyped and Smith has the potential to eventually be a WR1. I would have taken him over any player drafted before him in the second round not named Kyle Pitts.

2.11 WR Rashod Bateman

The Gophers receiver has everything you look for in an Alpha receiver. Possessing speed and size Bateman can work all areas of the field and be successful. With a little less hype than expected at this point in the draft, Rashod Bateman has the potential to be a top wr1 or wr2 at a value. 

2.12 QB Justin Fields

Justin Fields would likely have been the QB1 in last year’s class, and many of the classes before. The size, rushing upside, and arm talent jump out at you when you watch him play. You want Quarterback’s that have a solid rushing floor in Dynasty, Field’s gives you that on top of being a high upside passer as well. 

Round 3

3.01 WR Jalen Reagor

An Elite WR prospect who had about as bad of a rookie situation as it gets. Between injuries and the Eagle’s inadequacies last year, Reagor didn’t produce all that much. He still showed flashes of greatness despite that situation. If the Eagles gain stability under a new coaching staff this offseason, you can bet Reagor will be a star and one of Hurt’s favorite targets. 

3.02 WR Jalen Waddle

After choosing two 2020 rookies for my team, I opted for a 2021 rookie in WR Waddle. Waddle is a dynamic player that can be placed into varying positions on the field and still produce. In the 2020 season with Alabama, he was injured and that has made him fall in some draft circles, but he is not to be overlooked. Even buried on the depth chart behind other phenomenal receivers at Bama, he still put up 848 yards on 48 receptions as a true Freshman, and his Sophomore year he was used on special teams showing his versatility. Waddle is dangerous in the open field and runs routes very effectively making it hard for corners to defend. Given the right team and right coach, Waddle can become a top-tier wide receiver with his explosiveness and yards after the catch. I am very excited he fell to me in the 3rd round.

3.03 Michael Pittman Jr.

Pittman was a great find for the Colts in the second round in 2020. Pittman’s size, route running, and reliable hands make him a prototypical WR1. The Colts showed confidence in the WR by targeting him 10 times in the playoff loss to the Bills. He could use that as a springboard to great heights in 2021. New QB Carson Wentz should target Pittman early and often, and allow him to be a force in PPR leagues. 

3.04 WR Rondale Moore

Rondale Moore in the right offensive scheme is going to be a good receiver for years to come. There were a couple of players I was considering but the upside of Moore was hard to pass up at this point. In the modern NFL with teams wanting to get their players the ball in space Moore is the perfect type. He is a smaller type receiver but for him that won’t be an issue with his speed and pass-catching skills.

3.05 QB Zach Wilson

My Pitts over Herbert gamble paid off. Even though I missed out on Justin Herbert I knew one of the Quarterbacks would fall to me and sure enough one of the tier 1 talents in this draft was left for the taking. I really like Wilson, I think he should be in the conversation for QB1 in this draft along with Lawrence and Fields so given how early Lawrence went this is a steal if, like me, you value them equally. Wilson is dynamic, has a cannon for an arm and plays with the type of flair you see from Rodgers, Stafford and Mahomes. He’s the ideal QB for the modern age. 

3.06 WR Jerry Jeudy

Jeudy was largely considered a fantasy bust in his rookie season, but that perception is completely false. He actually had a pretty good rookie season when you consider who he had throwing him the ball. If you compare his rookie numbers to that of DK Metcalf’s rookie numbers, outside of the TDs, they are very similar. Metcalf had future HoF’er Russell Wilson to throw him the ball, Jeudy had a converted wide receiver throwing him the ball (or not throwing him the ball) at one point this season.

3.07 WR Darnell Mooney

The Chicago Bears are most likely going to need to replace 102 receptions, 1,250 yards, and 6 TD’s from Allen Robinson II. Add in a new quarterback and what better place to look than an explosive second-year receiver in Darnell Mooney. He had an impressive rookie season considering the attention Robinson receives and the lack of quality quarterback play. Mooney is a speedster that would beat defensive backs regularly but poor throws would diminish his opportunities. 

3.08 WR Denzel Mims

Denzel Mims is entering his second season at the professional level, but it will be his first season playing under the new New York Jets’ head coach, Robert Salah. At this time it’s unknown if Sam Darnold will still be the starting quarterback for the team, as the NYJ also possesses the No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. Whether is Darnold, Zach Wilson of BYU or Justin Fileds of OSU, the traits Mims’ brings to the table will not change. He is a young, aggressive, physical kid who runs routes well and is also good at blocking. If the Jets can add some weapons to play alongside Mims, we may seem he hit his true potential in 2021.

3.09 QB Jalen Hurts

QBs with a rushing floor are QBs who win fantasy seasons. Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Kyler Murray have taken over in recent years, and it’s not surprising when you look at the numbers they put up on the ground. In Weeks 14 to 17, Hurts averaged 10.3 points per game running the football. As he becomes a more accomplished passer, those stats will come as well. Piling a confident passer’s numbers on top of an already high floor is music to my ears. 

3.10 WR Laviska Shenault Jr.

I am a proud member of the Laviska Shenault fan club, and cannot wait to see what he’s able to do with a competent quarterback and coaching staff. Shenault led all rookie wide receivers in missed tackles forced, and his ability to play all over the field has me excited that new Head Coach Urban Meyer will use him similarly to how he used Percy Harvin at the Univesity of Florida.

While I don’t think Shenault will ever wind up as a WR1, high-end WR2 is possible if Trevor Lawrence is the generational prospect we all think he is and Shenault can stay healthy. 

3.11 WR Terrace Marshall

LSU has put out a ton of receiving talent in the last half-decade or so and Terrace Marshall should add to that. At 6’3″ 201 Marshall is a big-bodied receiver who knows how to throw around his size. Marshall has the ability to be a true red-zone threat for a team which gives him instant value and if he is able to hone it he could become much more. 

3.12 WR Tylan Wallace

Wallace has quickly become the forgotten man of this class at the position that has high upside players such as Waddle & Moore. What he offers to an offense is huge upside as an outside threat, that can develop into a wide receiver one of an NFL offense if everything shakes his way. He’s one of the most talented receivers in the class at the catch point and is a top-shelf talent as an in-air athlete. You’ll be getting him at a large injury discount because of the ACL, and it’s a discount I am definitely taking at his current cost. 

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