The DFF Army got together again after the NFL Scouting Combine for its third analyst-only Rookie Mock Draft of the 2023 off-season. Here we randomly selected spots and ran the draft in a linear order; the settings are Superflex, TEP, and PPR. Hopefully, this can help give you an earlier sense of the players you should be considering at the top of your draft and the gems you will want to target later. Check out every selection below and each writer’s reasoning behind their pick.
1.01 – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Paul Patterson – @paul_dff
Bijan Robinson is the only legitimate selection at 1.01. If anyone has told you that Anthony Richardson, CJ Stroud, or Jaxon Smith-Njigba should even be considered with the first pick, please call the police. That person is a criminal, and they are trying to steal your future fantasy winnings.
If you want to trade the 1.01 for a proven elite QB like Trevor Lawrence or Lamar Jackson, you have my full endorsement. But Bijan is one of the best RB prospects we’ve seen in a long time and he’s already a borderline first-round startup pick. Selecting one of these rookie QBs ahead of him is just lighting value on fire.
1.02 – CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State University
Anthony Walesby – @DynastyPatrolHQ
@paul_dff made the correct pick in Bijan at 1.01, even in a Superflex. That allowed my QB of choice, CJ Stroud, to fall into my lap. Stroud’s ball placement is phenomenal and will see him excel at the next level. He’s a pure pocket passer the likes we haven’t seen from OSU. I project him going to whatever team trades up with Arizona at three to take the QB of their dreams.
1.03 – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Ben Winkler – @bwinknfl
Hey there, it’s me again, taking Anthony Richardson in a mock draft, again. What more do I need to say about my QB1 that hasn’t already been said? At this point, either you see it with Richardson, or you don’t — nothing wrong with that. Whether we’d like to admit it or not, there is no perfect quarterback prospect in this class, and each of them carries their own inherent risk- there’s a small one, a guy who’s been able to coast with elite weapons, and a guy with some footwork and processing concerns. Of those three, I’ll take the one with coachable flaws that has the pure untapped upside to be a top 5 signal-caller in the league, should he maximize his potential.
Richardson is not as raw as many people think, either. He’s flashed great touch at times and consistently makes high-level tight window throws, which require elite top-end accuracy, something Richardson possesses. If he can iron out the inconsistencies with his footwork that sometimes cause his throws to go haywire, there will be very little that opposing defenses can do to stop his combination of arm talent and athleticism. Richardson also has the lowest pressure-to-sack rate of any of the top QBs in this year’s class and is right next to Bryce Young as far as general pocket awareness and poise are concerned. Give me the high ceiling, high floor prospect, without any hesitation.
1.04 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Chris Miles – @ChrisMiles1017
Some may consider it a mistake to take a top WR prospect over a top QB prospect in a rookie draft. My opinion is that while Bryce Young is a very good prospect, JSN is an elite prospect and that was my deciding factor. I think these guys both have the upside to be picked in the 1.08-1.12 range in dynasty startups, but I think JSN has a higher chance to hit at an elite level and be placed there than Bryce Young does. So, when two assets have a similar ceiling I will take the one I am more sure of. All we need to do is look at who JSN was outplaying at college. Two of the current top 8 dynasty WRs, at the same time, on the same team! JSN is an elite-tier prospect and I want him everywhere possible.
1.05 – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Crazy Kirt – @crazy_kirt
Frankly, Bryce Young is a much better prospect than Trevor Lawrence. When comparing both men as college prospects, Young tops Lawrence in pre-snap, post-snap, pocket manipulation, throwing with anticipation, accuracy, lateral quickness, explosion/burst, decision-making, and handling pressure. Just imagine if a league allowed me to draft Trevor Lawrence at 1.05. Well, they just allowed drafting a QB with better skill than Mr. Lawrence.
Specifically, Bryce Young can provide a calming presence under duress. He can create when things break down, evidenced by his 95.7 QBR outside the pocket last season (third in the FBS), credited by ESPN.
1.06 – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Billy Beaman – @WillieBeamanDFF
I couldn’t help myself. I’m not a big Jahmyr Gibbs fan, he’ll need first-round or early second-round draft capital to force me to select him here but until that happens I feel more comfortable with my WR2 in this class. Flowers is electric and maintains one of the highest “Dawg” ratings among his peers (trust me it’s a science). He has all the tools to succeed in the NFL and will very likely get first-round draft capital as well.
1.07 – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Paul Patterson – @paul_dff
There is a clear tier break after the top six rookies. There’s Bijan (duh), the three QBs, and then Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jahmyr Gibbs, in whichever order you prefer. So, imagine my surprise when Gibbs was still available at 1.07. I ran to the podium to make that selection.
I understand the size concerns, I really do. I just don’t care. Gibbs has the Alabama pedigree, 4.36 wheels, and one of the best-receiving profiles you’ll ever see. Trust me, he’s a lot closer to Jamaal Charles than James Cook.
1.08 – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Anthony Walesby – @DynastyPatrolHQ
I’ll be honest, I was pretty confident the guy I truly wanted to select here would come back around to me so I opted for this class’s far-and-away TE1 given the TE premium. Mayer is the complete package, he can block if needed but is also a complete boss in the passing game. Long ago I shied away from rookie TEs as if your name wasn’t Antonio Gates you struggled as a rookie, but we’ve seen plenty of rookie TEs have early success recently, it’s the dawn of a new day!
1.09 – Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
Ben Winkler – @bwinknfl
The 3-down bellcow is a rare fantasy commodity in the modern NFL, and Charbonnet is one of the few backs in this class with the profile to potentially land that type of role. While that is far from a guarantee, Charbonnet will still produce well in the type of timeshare that has become the standard for NFL backfields. I’ve projected Charbonnet to several teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills (both are lacking a dominant physical force on the ground), and think he’ll likely carve himself a solid role wherever he lands. Charbonnet is a capable receiver who is strong on the ground and gives me shades of Najee Harris and Nick Chubb. With the consensus tier break at 1.06, snagging this year’s RB3 at 1.09 is solid.
1.10 – Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Chris Miles – @ChrisMiles1017
Addison is my WR2 and I am both pleased and shocked to find him available here at 1.10. Addison boasts a pristine production profile and is also a guy we are likely to see be selected in the first round of the NFL draft. He is a player that can consistently get open and could provide value to your lineup as early as his rookie year. My only concern is his BMI but we have seen WRs getting small and we also just saw DeVonta Smith tear up the NFL at an even lower BMI.
1.11 – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
Crazy Kirt – @crazy_kirt
In a TE premium league, I’m drafted a Big Slot WR getting double the points in the TE slot.
When I see Kincaid play, I keep seeing Travis Kelce. Most would consider that blasphemous, but I can’t help it. Let’s remember it took four seasons before Kelce became a 1,000-yard receiver; and if you compare the two as college prospects, you will think Kincaid is superior.
Kincaid is a little small – at 240 lbs. – but he should be able to add extra pounds easily and still perform at an elite level. He needs to improve as a blocker, but he’s a willing blocker. While enhancing his blocking ability, Mr. Kinkaid will be a matchup nightmare as a big slot at the beginning of his career.
Tight ends are underrated and undervalued. In the past decade, only nine have played in the Super Bowl. We don’t pass on elite TEs in the NFL Draft or any Fantasy Draft. They are too valuable to an organization’s success, and your roster. Elite TEs in fantasy provide the most significant gap in points between all positions.
In 2022, Kincaid forced 16 missed tackles. That ranked 3rd out of 188 eligible TEs. He also ranked third in deep catches, sixth in deep yards, and ninth in contested catches, with the #1 receiving grade (91.8) and #2 overall grade (90.2) among TEs, per PFF.
1.12 – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Billy Beaman – @WillieBeamanDFF
Maybe I took Zay Flowers too high but the group let Johnston fall too low. 1.12 feels like a steal for a player with this kind of upside. He’s one of, if not, the only prototypical X wide receiver in the class. He posted a 4.5 40 which is impressive for a 6’2” 207 lbs. frame. Johnston certainly enters the league with some flaws including underwhelming hands and route running during his time at TCU. He possesses massive potential and is an easy pick at 1.12.
2.01 – Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Paul Patterson – @paul_dff
After the NFL Draft, there will probably be an RB I prefer at this spot, but it’s just too hard to predict which prospects will get that precious Day Two draft capital. As it stands, I’m happy to take Josh Downs here. I’m not sure he has high-end fantasy upside, but he feels like an extremely safe selection. He’s well-liked by the film community, and his production profile is reminiscent of Elijah Moore in a good way.
2.02 – Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Anthony Walesby – @DynastyPatrolHQ
As predicted, the guy I wanted at 1.08 fell to me here at 2.02. Boutte slots in as my rookie WR3 only behind JSN and Addy. The talent level has always been there with this guy and he comes from the WRU that is LSU. A god-awful Combine performance coupled with sub-par production last year at LSU where Boutte didn’t even look like the best WR on his team has tanked his value. However, I’m willing to give him a pass on last year’s production as it’s been reported now that he was playing hurt. The character concerns exist as supposedly he wanted to go back to LSU for his senior season and they asked him not to because of off-the-field concerns. However, his draft capital could easily dispel those worries.
2.03 – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Ben Winkler – @bwinknfl
Value trumps team need in this scenario, as despite already having an uber-talented rookie QB on this roster, my league-mates here have made the mistake of letting me snag another “ceiling is the roof” prospect. Levis has been subjected to the classic Justin Herbert treatment this draft process, and thanks to the New York Jets, perpetually discrediting his arm talent because he can make impressive throws. Levis is not the Zach Wilson clone some people make him out to be a lot bigger, a lot stronger, and didn’t play at BYU. I do have concerns about Levis’s poise in the pocket, but the arm talent is there. He’s far from a sure shot, I won’t deny that, but this is just way too much upside for me to let slide into the mid-second.
2.04 – Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse
Chris Miles – @ChrisMiles1017
This seems to be a bit high for most people right now, but Tucker is my RB4 of the class so I am happy to secure him here. Whether Tucker stays my RB4 or not will be entirely dependent on draft capital. If it goes as I expect and he is selected on Day 2, he will remain here. But, there have been some rumors about him dropping into Day 3 and if that happens I will need to drop Tucker as well. For now, he profiles as a potential three-down back with great receiving upside and that seems like a fantastic way to spend an early second-round pick.
2.05 – Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas
Crazy Kirt – @crazy_kirt
Depending on the day, Roschon Johnson is my third-ranked rookie RB this year. Mr. Johnson was playing behind a generational talent RB, Bijan Robinson, in college which is a gift and a curse. He has limited wear and tear to his body entering the NFL Draft but his draft value is limited because he has limited film to review.
However, when he was on the field, he did everything at an exceptional level; run blocking, pass blocking, pass-catching, and running the ball. Since 2021, Mr. Johnson ranked first in Missed Tackles Forced per Attempt among FBS RBs. Additionally, Mr. Johnson averaged 4.28 yards after contact per rush. Mr. Robinson averaged 4.17 yards after contact per rush.
Mr. Johnson has checked all the boxes to become a three-down back in the NFL.
2.06 – Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
Billy Beaman – @WillieBeamanDFF
I love getting Bigsby in the middle of the second round. While he’s one of the more well-rounded running backs I question whether he can be a three-down back. I’d like to see a more dynamic player but personally find him to lack lateral quickness and is more of a one-cut-and-go kind of player. He can make the first defender miss with ease but he lacks something at the second level at times. He’s a bruiser will more than enough size and physicality to carve out a role in the NFL but draft capital will tell us a lot. I will say, the scheme at Auburn was atrocious so maybe some of what I didn’t like on film was related to a poor surrounding cast and having to do most of it all on his own.
2.07 – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Paul Patterson – @paul_dff
I’m not the biggest Jalin Hyatt fan in the world, but apparently, I’m the biggest Jalin Hyatt fan in this mock draft. He may have some limitations to his game, but there’s no way an early declare with his production profile and expected draft capital should be available this late. He was easily the best player available, and I’d expect his ADP to land closer to the 2.01 or 2.02 range in post-NFL Draft rookie drafts.
2.08 – Zach Evans, RB, Ole Miss
Anthony Walesby – @DynastyPatrolHQ
My rookie RB3 near the end of the second round feels like incredible value. Evans was long viewed as a top RB in this class. His tape is special, a one-cut-and-go monster. He does poorly at the underwear Olympics and all of a sudden he’s a Dynasty Twitter pariah. Buy the dip and get a big discount on this future stud.
2.09 – Kendre Miller, RB, TCU
Ben Winkler – @bwinknfl
This is sort of a weird range to be picking in this mock, especially with some guys going at the top of the 2nd who I expected to be picked much later (I’m looking at you, Kayshon Boutte, and Roschon Johnson). Nevertheless, I’m not going to complain about snagging a potential 3-down back in Miller, who was an elite producer at TCU and is arguably the most physically imposing back in this entire class. My RB4 in the class is an easy pick at the back of the 2nd.
2.10 – Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
Chris Miles – @ChrisMiles1017
Here in the late second I took a guy that I feel has a good shot to be a day two pick, at least a better shot than most of the players taken after him. This plus Mims being a top-six WR in my current model makes him an easy grab at 2.10 as the WR8 off the board. Mims has a very nice production profile and he is also liked by quite a few film guys, as well as reception perception. Mims is a high-upside player for me because in college he played slot, which means he could earn high volume, but also went deep a lot. This combination of volume and explosiveness is coveted in fantasy football.
2.11 – Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Crazy Kirt – @crazy_kirt
Tyjae Spears is Brian Westbrook reincarnated. The right team needs to draft Mr. Spears for him to become fantasy relevant. He’s an undersized RB which usually means a team will automatically pigeonhole him to being a 3rd down/Receiving back. When in reality, Mr. Spears is another RB that can do it all. He was a more than serviceable pass and run blocker. More importantly, he’s one of the most dynamic RBs between the tackles. We need a coaching staff to look past his size and see him for the outstanding individual that he is.
Senior Bowl practices allowed him to show off his special traits. He accumulated the most rushing yards from scrimmage on the week of the Senior Bowl. Lastly, he was voted as Senior Bowl’s Practice Player-of-the-Week.
2.12 – Devon Achane, RB, Texas A.M.
Billy Beaman – @WillieBeamanDFF
Are we really letting Achane fall to the end of the second due to his size? Size is a real thing and can prevent running backs from reaching elite levels but Achane shows good enough ability to make it at the next level. He’s a better in-between-the-tackles runner than he gets credit for and is absolutely dynamic with the ball in his hands. I’m not reaching for him but at this rate, he’s going to be a steal.
3.01 – Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Paul Patterson – @paul_dff
Darnell Washington was an easy click at this point in the draft. He’s a monster of a man at 6’7” and 264 lbs., and his 4.64 40-yard dash gives him a 96th-percentile weight-adjusted speed score. Washington has also been consistently mocked in the first round of the NFL Draft. If that comes to fruition, I would expect his rookie ADP to rise tremendously.
The concern with Washington is that he is known more for his blocking than his receiving ability. He was not productive as a receiver playing behind Brock Bowers at Georgia, which makes his prospect profile a little unconventional compared to other successful fantasy tight ends. However, at such a low cost, I’m more than happy to take a swing on a player with unteachable athletic gifts at a position of scarcity.
3.02 – Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Anthony Walesby – @DynastyPatrolHQ
Hendon Hooker is my third-ranked QB in this rookie class as I’m not a believer in Anthony Richardson or Will Levis so he was the easy selection here at the top of the third round. I know he’s already 25 years old but he looked stellar last year. Hooker was likely the Heisman front-runner before suffering the ACL injury. The Tennessee offense runs a simplistic one read and go system, but Hooker excelled in it and I think his skill set can translate over to the NFL given his success.
3.03 – Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh
Ben Winkler – @bwinknfl
Unfortunately, Izzy’s Pro Day has turned him from a solid sleeper pick into a general consensus prospect in the RB4-9 range. Fortunately, he’s sitting here for the taking at the top of the 3rd. Izzy is yet another potential three-down profile, with elite size at 5’11″ 215 lbs., and great overall athleticism. His long speed and burst pop on film and project him well in a zone running scheme at the NFL level, which is becoming increasingly popular. Following a stellar breakout season, I’m in on the hype around Israel Abanikanda. Pending hopeful Day 2 draft capital, he won’t be available here in most leagues.
3.04 – Chase Brown, RB, Illinois
Chris Miles – @ChrisMiles1017
Chase Brown weighed in at the combine at 5’10” and 209 lbs. which is just enough to be considered a workhorse size. But his real selling point is his athleticism, scoring a 9.81 RAS, Brown is an elite athlete. Honestly, there are only three main things you need to be a productive NFL RB; Draft Capital, size, and athleticism. If Chase Brown manages to go day two he will have a trifecta, plus an added sprinkle of over 10% best season reception share in college. If Brown goes on day two his value should rise, if it doesn’t I will be drafting a lot of him.
3.05 – Nathaniel Dell, WR, Houston
Crazy Kirt – @crazy_kirt
Don’t let his size fool you. Nathaniel Dell will beat man coverage every single time. He ranked third in beating man coverage with an 89.6 PFF grade, only 2.5 grading points away from number one, Josh Downs. Mr. Dell has a unique route-running style that will keep CBs guessing. During the Senior Bowl, Mr. Dell showed off his exceptional route running skills. It led to Mr. Dell being one of two WRs to receive multiple Senior Bowl Practice Player-of-the-Week votes.
3.06 – Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
Billy Beaman – @WillieBeamanDFF
Cedric Tillman became an afterthought due to injury and the Jalen Hyatt hype. Tillman actually possesses the prototypical size and traits to play the X receiver for an NFL team but because Hyatt runs fast and produced in Tillman’s absence he gained all the momentum. That said, don’t sleep on Tillman who shows above-average route running technique, great hands, and more YAC ability than you’d expect for a 6’3” 215 lbs. wide receiver.
3.07 – Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern
Paul Patterson – @paul_dff
At this point in rookie drafts, I’m really only looking at RBs. Fantasy superstars are rarely found in this range, but you can often find players like Khalil Herbert, Chuba Hubbard, or Isiah Pacheco who provide pockets of startable production. Of the remaining RB prospects, Evan Hull is my favorite by far. He’s likely to be a late Day 3 pick, but he has the size, athleticism, and receiving profile to provide massive fantasy upside if he is ever thrust into a starting role.
3.08 – DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
Anthony Walesby – @DynastyPatrolHQ
McBride isn’t hyper-talented but is a solid between-the-tackles thumper and I think if he lands well he can actually have sustained success in the league as a Marlon Mack/James Robinson type player. He averaged a stellar 7.4 YPC last season at UAB while amassing 1,713 yards on the ground. At a listed 5’11”, 216 lbs. McBride is built like a true bell cow back. That all felt like a good value here at pick 3.08 given the talent that remained.
3.09 – Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
Ben Winkler – @bwinknfl
Another guy I seem to be walking away from every mock draft with, Hutchinson profiles as a true X receiver, of which there are very few in this draft class. Team 1.09 is STACKED with running back talent at this point, already boasting a rock-solid duo of Charbonnet and Miller. While Hutchinson doesn’t have an elite ceiling, I do see him easily sliding into a high-volume low-upside role where he can provide some deep value as a team’s real-life third option. I see shades of Isaiah Hodgins in his game- both smooth route runners and reliable catchers, without elite athletic profiles. This feels like a safe, solid pick to make in the back of the third.
3.10 – Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State
Chris Miles – @ChrisMiles1017
Deuce Vaugh is tiny. At 5’05” and 179 lbs. he is the smallest RB in the class. But he comes with his own gifts, one of them being a best-season 24% reception share, and a surprising best-season rushing TD share of 62.9%. Those are the high-value touches that we desperately want our backs earning. The hope with this pick is that if Vaughn was able to do this at a super-elite level in college. Maybe he can do it at a very good level in the NFL. He doesn’t need to get carries between the twenties to be a relevant fantasy asset, just get him the ball near the goal line and in passing scenarios.
3.11 – Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
Crazy Kirt – @crazy_kirt
If you don’t count Mr. Kincaid, Sam LaPorta would be the one with the special ability to create yards after the catch. He moves as if he was NFL WR, specifically, he has a rare spin move for a TE. Furthermore, his acceleration/burst is one of a kind. Mr. LaPorta’s blocking ability is more than serviceable to keep him on the field and produce in the receiving game.
Since 2021, Mr. LaPorta is only behind the two stud TEs, Mr. Kincaid and Michael Mayer, in PFF Receiving Grade vs. Single and Zone coverage. Overall, Mr. LaPorta is a solid TE candidate to become featured in the passing game. This year the TE class is strong and we are taking advantage of it. Too easy.
3.12 – Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan St
Billy Beaman – @WillieBeamanDFF
Someone cuff me because Jayden Reed at the end of the third is simply criminal. One of the better producers in his class for the lack of size, Reed does a lot to impress on the film. Shot out of a canon at release, he shows great speed through the route and impressive body control. He’s an above-average route runner with great ball skills. The lack of size will limit his usage at the next level but he could be a productive slot target in the right situation. His value would balloon if he were to end up in, say, Buffalo…
4.01 – Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
Paul Patterson – @paul_dff
Okay, so I’m breaking my own rule here by selecting a WR. However, I expect the draft will shake up ADP quite a bit and I’ll be right back to the RB well. As it stands, Trey Palmer is a decent prospect who at least has an outside shot at round-three draft capital. He struggled to produce early in his college career at LSU, but he broke out in a big way in 2022 after transferring to Nebraska. He was also one of the fastest players at the combine, running a 4.33 forty-yard dash.
4.02 – Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State
Anthony Walesby – @DynastyPatrolHQ
I’m not going to lie – Musgrave goes against the usual mold of incoming rookies that I go after. I usually look for good film coupled with good college production, focusing on certain statistical categories. Having had nearly his entire 2022 college season cut short due to a knee injury and producing only 22 Rec for 304 yards and one TD in 2021 Musgrave hasn’t had the chance to show a ton. Now let’s talk about the good: Musgrave is 6’6” 253 lbs., and ran a 4.61 40-yard dash. He started the 2022 college football season on a tear and I believe he has the overall build and athleticism to succeed in a big way if given the opportunity.
4.03 – A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest
Ben Winkler – @bwinknfl
With team 1.03 now loaded at QB and having a solid young piece at RB in Abanikanda, I decided to go with a potential NFL X receiver for similar reasons to my prior Xavier Hutchinson pick. Perry is one of the few other big-bodied receivers in this class and is an elite athlete for his size, running a faster 40 time than supposed “speedster” Tank Dell (sorry for the stray brother). Perry’s a solid upside pick here in the fourth to round out an absolutely stacked draft class.
4.04 – Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
Chris Miles – @ChrisMiles1017
My quarterback model does not care about age, therefore Bennett looks awfully good in it. This is a guy that I think should be valued similarly to Sam Howell coming out last year. Howell had an ADP of 30 overall, or 3.06, and that was with him being a fifth-round NFL pick! As long as Bennett gets drafted early on Day 3 I think he should be an early 4th in rookie drafts at minimum. We know how the NFL loves proven winners at the QB position, whether that’s correct or not I can’t say, but Bennett is a winner and the NFL admires that.
4.05 – Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
Crazy Kirt – @crazy_kirt
Mingo’s success relies on being physical and isn’t the route running specialist like Mr. Dell. This is why Mingo has yet to generate much buzz during the NFL Lying…I mean the NFL Draft season. Separation is the essential WR skill to dominate in the NFL, so I get it. I’m betting on him being the exception to the norm, meaning he will create enough separation to be a practical NFL WR.
When watching Mingo’s tape, I kept saying he moves like another Ole Miss WR – A.J. Brown. I’m not saying he is A.J. Brown. He moves similarly to AJB; he plays through contact, runs routes, and catches. Those attributes look like A.J. Brown. This is why I use the word “Stylistic” when comparing players. Greg Cosell is the one that made this wording famous.
Speaking of Greg Cosell, he mentioned the NFL circles had moved Mingo up their draft boards. He had these conversations during the Combine, which makes perfect sense because he crushed the Combine athletic testing.
- Mingo’s Combine Numbers (RAS Score)
- 40-yard dash – 4.46 (83rd Percentile)
- 10-yard split – 1.54 (87th Percentile)
- Vertical – 39.5″ (94th Percentile)
- Bench Press – 22 Reps (97th Percentile)
The speed numbers are elite when he weighed in at 220 lbs. Mr. Mingo can generate a lot of force when CBs try to press him at the line of the scrimmage.
4.06 – Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati
Billy Beaman – @WillieBeamanDFF
I can’t believe I let Parker Washington fall below this pick but I do love me some Tyler Scott. Scott ran a 4.32 40 at his pro-day showing his elite speed which also pops on the film. He’s a dynamic player both before and after the catch. He led the FBS with six TDs of 20+ yards and it makes sense because he can really pull away from defenders once securing the pass. I think he’s a bit raw but shows better fundamentals than other scouts and I can see his game translating well in the NFL. Let’s hope he ends up on a team with a strong wide receiver coach who can elevate his skill set.
4.07 – Parker Washington, WR, Penn State
Paul Patterson – @paul_dff
Here I am, drafting another WR in the fourth round like an absolute fraud. Parker Washington was once considered a top prospect in this draft class, but he has since fallen out of favor with the fantasy community and, seemingly, the NFL. After a freshman breakout, he really failed to take his game to the next level leaving him with a 31st-percentile Dominator Rating and 55th-percentile college target share. He also has an unconventional size for a WR at 5’10” and 204 lbs. However, his early production should still count for something and DFF’s own Billy Beaman believes that some of Washington’s skills could translate well to the NFL.
4.08 – Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland
Anthony Walesby – @DynastyPatrolHQ
Similar to my Kayshon Boutte pick, this pick here for my last selection of the draft is more about the player profile and what I think Rakim Jarrett could become in the league with some refinement to his game. Jarrett needs to refine his route running and work on his concentration to truly excel in the league, but given his player profile, athleticism, and foot quickness I believe he can make it happen.
4.09 – Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
Ben Winkler – @bwinknfl
Okay, I admit, this is a PURE combine/Relative Athletic Score (RAS) pick. But, if you’re gonna make that kind of pick, Kuntz is absolutely the guy to go with. This is not a typo: Zack Kuntz has the highest RAS of all 1,104 TEs with a RAS from 1987 to 2023. At 6’7″ 255lbs. and being able to move the way he can move, I think the odds that Zack Kuntz turns into a startable tight end in the NFL are pretty solid, and that’s about as much as I can ask for out of the 4.09.
4.10 – Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia
Chris Miles – @ChrisMiles1017
This is going to sound weird, but I am not very high on Kenny McIntosh. I would say I am low. However, my general process leads me to believe even most day-three RBs are much better bets than most day-three WRs so I will always lean toward that position group. I took McIntosh because he was previously talked about as a Day 2 NFL draft pick. And if somehow that miraculously still happens or he goes to a good landing spot I could hopefully trade him away for one or two-thirds. He does have decent size and good receiving numbers, but he is not a player that I would be looking to hold.
4.11 – Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
Crazy Kirt – @crazy_kirt
Most NFL draft experts have Tucker Kraft ranked as the top TE. Additionally, it will be hard for GMs not to perform Helmet Scouting. Dallas Goedert is arguably a top 5 TE in the NFL and went to South Dakota State. We can expect several GMs to fall in love with Tucker Kraft because they confuse him with his South Dakota State brother, Dallas Goedert. The “Living in the Future” team can easily see this happening. The opportunity to become a featured TE and his elite TE physical attributes make it too good to pass up as a late-round flyer.
4.12 – Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
Billy Beaman – @WillieBeamanDFF
If you know me at all then you knew this would be my selection. Everyone is insane for letting this kid fall into the fourth, but that’s ok, the draft will fix this entirely. Can easily see him going in the fourth round of the real NFL Draft or even earlier. One of the best route runners in the class, without question. He’s quick off the line and knows how to deceive defenders with route technique before the catch. He’s quick off-release and all of this shows in his athletic testing at the combine. He posted a 4.43 40-yard dash and a 6.84 three-cone, both incredibly good times. The dynast community can keep sleeping so I can have more shares!
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