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Hello everyone! I am so excited to be back here cooking up some hot football analysis with the freshest ingredients in the NFL. That’s right, we’re talking rookies just in time for your rookie drafts.
Today, we have the second round of our 10-team half-PPR Superflex mock draft. I have assigned pick ranges to these players as I understand team need is always a factor. These ranges will demonstrate the earliest I would take a player if I am desperate at the position and where I can’t see him dropping any farther. My name is Ellis Johnson and this is my sixth year writing NFL content with RotoBaller. I also contribute to FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings and create fantasy content on TikTok (@firesidefantasy_ffl).
Most of my dynasty fantasy football experience is in a 10-team, half-PPR, Superflex league. Although I have participated in others, this is my home league, and I have been very invested in their evaluations of players. As a result, I am approaching these evaluations with a personal lens as well as predicting how my league mates may draft. With that said, let’s start the second round!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Round 1
2.01 - Bo Nix (QB, DEN)
Range 1.09-2.02
My second potential surprise in this draft is Bo Nix. Firstly, I view Jonathon Brooks (my 1.10) and beyond as a tier drop. I also view Nix and Brooks to be by far the safest picks in this tier. J.J. Zachariason has an excellent breakdown of first-round rookie QBs holding value, even if they don’t produce their first season. Although I think Sean Payton is the perfect coach to get the most out of Nix from the start, it’s good to know that if you want to cash out after his first season, you likely can.
As for Nix’s age, I am not too concerned. Once again, I like to look 2-3 years away and with his age, he’ll still be a relatively young QB when that rolls around. It’s hard to find starting QBs this late in rookie drafts and that’s exactly why you can find value in drafting Nix.
Sean Peyton was EXTREMELY impressed with Bo Nix during their Pre Draft process pic.twitter.com/5iWybImAEJ
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) April 26, 2024
2.02 - Ladd McConkey (WR, LAC)
Range 1.09-2.04
This next tier of WRs is basically “dealer’s choice.” I believe these next prospects are a tier down from Worthy and Odunze; however, they are all very solid. I like Ladd McConkey the most as a prospect, plus his situation is very good. McConkey has elite route running and arguably the most efficient movements in this class. As Josh Norris likes to say: “There is no fat to his game.”
He is now linked to Justin Herbert and an excellent coaching staff. This might be the last time for a while that you can jump on the Chargers as they are primed to become a very successful team for years to come. Unfortunately for fantasy, this will probably be a result of running the ball more than any other team. However, Herbert will make it count when it's time to push the ball downfield.
I believe McConkey easily steps in as the top WR, ahead of Brampton, Ontario’s Joshua Palmer and first-round disappointment Quentin Johnston. Plus, they just signed D.J. Chark, which I believe is an indictment on how they view QJ.
Jim Harbaugh on Ladd McConkey #Chargers pic.twitter.com/0koJLrj6nY
— Chargers Country (@ChargersCountry) May 1, 2024
2.03 - Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, JAX)
Range: 1.09-2.04
I’ll be honest, I am very torn about Brian Thomas Jr. He is an absolute athletic specimen who ran a 4.33 40-yard dash time at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds. That’s scary and impressive. He also has first-round draft capital as the Jaguars selected him with the 23rd overall pick.
What I was worried about was his prospect profile going into the NFL Draft. I hate to say it, but his frequent use of body catches reminded me a lot of Quentin Johnston. However, his game is a lot more dynamic than last year’s disappointing first-round rookie WR.
Last season, he managed to lead the FBS in touchdowns with 17 and frequently won both down the field and contested catches (the latter being something Johnston never had success at). Thomas Jr. now finds himself in a loaded receiving room with target monsters Christian Kirk and Evan Engram, along with free-agent acquisition Gabriel Davis. It will be hard for him to consistently produce as a rookie; however, if he can step into the role we had hoped Calvin Ridley would succeed at, he could have a very bright future.
2.04 - Keon Coleman (WR, BUF)
Range: 1.09-2.05
If you have somehow missed the clips of Coleman’s interviews, please go watch them. This kid is an absolute character and is one of the easiest players in this draft to root for. Plus, Coleman finds himself in an excellent situation as the clear outside target for Josh Allen.
With the departure of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis, the situation couldn’t be much better. So, why do I have him at the 2.04? Although his situation is full steam ahead, he has some question marks as a prospect. For example, he tested slow at the NFL Combine; however, he has been praised for his in-game speed. He also struggles with creating separation but can make contested grabs.
I struggle to see him as the dominant top target for Allen, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they draft another WR in 2025. Coleman should have a great opportunity to prove himself this season, making him a rare second-round rookie pick with first-season fantasy potential.
2.05 - Michael Penix Jr. (QB, ATL)
Range: 2.01-2.10
Penix is in a fascinating situation, the eighth overall pick is now a Falcon after they signed Kirk Cousins to a very expensive contract. As a result, Penix Jr. is purely a future investment for both the Falcons and your fantasy team.
The negative case for Penix Jr. is that you have to hold him for most likely two years (at least) before you find out if he’ll be a successful NFL QB. Since I typically play dynasty in two-year windows, I find it hard to draft Penix higher than this. I was also one of those people who got burned by Trey Lance. Although Penix is a more complete prospect than Lance, you have to wait two years to find out if he is more similar to Lance or Jordan Love. That’s a scary gamble.
The positive case is that highly drafted young QBs who sit behind a veteran to start their careers have found a lot of success. Plus, he is the fourth top-eight-drafted skill position on this offense; Kyle Pitts was the fourth pick, while Drake London and Bijan Robinson were both the eighth pick. The Falcons are an up-and-coming team, and if Penix works out, they could be a good offense for a long time.
If your team is in a complete rebuild, he may be an excellent pick. However, if you're a contender, selecting Penix is a lot like the Falcons signing Cousins and drafting Penix. Is it worth passing over a player who can immediately help win a championship for a guy who won’t sniff the field for two years? Probably not.
2.06 - Xavier Legette (WR, CAR)
Range: 2.04-2.10
One of the most interesting rookies of the last few decades has to be Legette. If you are unaware, Legette did not crack 200 receiving yards in any of his first four college seasons. He then exploded for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Arguably the most head-scratching, yet impressive part is last season didn’t look like a fluke. Running crisp routes and making contested catches with ease, it’s hard to poke a hole in his production. The Panthers then traded into the first round to secure him. Although this is the second time in two years that the Panthers have said they were unreasonably high on a player, this is a different regime than the one that selected Jonathan Mingo in the second round in 2023.
Even if you question Legette’s turnaround, you can’t question his athleticism. At 6-foot-1 and 221 pounds, he ran a blistering 4.39 40-yard dash and had a 40-inch vertical jump. He now finds himself as part of a revamped Panthers offense that brought in Diontae Johnson and beefed up their offensive line. It’s a risky pick, but Legette has all the traits to develop into a dominant NFL WR.
2.07 - Ricky Pearsall (WR, SF)
Range: 2.03-2.08
Pearsall became the darling of many draft analysts in the month leading up to the draft. However, I don’t believe I saw anyone who had him going in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Pearsall is a great all-around receiver who runs crisp routes, rarely drops passes, and can block. As a result, it’s no surprise the 49ers were excited to get him in the first. As for fantasy, a lot of his evaluation has to do with your opinion of Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. These players were rumored to be on the trade block going into the draft, yet both remain on the team.
If the receiving room opens up, there will be plenty of opportunity for Pearsall. Over the last three years, we have seen two receivers, a tight end, and a running back all be relevant for fantasy. There is a world where Pearsall steps into one of the receiver roles; however, it’s no guarantee.
On the negative side, Pearsall never had more than five touchdowns in a season throughout his five-year college career. If he doesn’t become a touchdown threat, it will be hard for him to find top-24 value in an offense loaded with weapons. In the end, I can easily see the path that could get him drafted at the top of the second. However, I can also see a world that justifies him falling behind the names I’ve listed above.
2.08 - Adonai Mitchell (WR, IND)
Range: 2.05-2.10
In the drafts I’ve seen, this range is on the high end for the exceptionally athletic WR out of Texas. Because of his 6-foot-2 height and 205-pound frame, his 4.34-second 40-yard dash can be viewed as more impressive than his record-breaking ex-teammate Xavier Worthy.
Unfortunately, his landing spot can be viewed as a negative. Anthony Richardson is an exceptional player who has injury and accuracy concerns. However, he has a cannon of an arm and we have seen him throw an excellent deep ball. The good news is that Mitchell should immediately compete (and I believe overcome) Alec Pierce as this team’s second outside WR. With Michael Pittman Jr. as the primary option and Josh Downs playing in the slot, Mitchell should be on the field more often than not.
Mitchell is an excellent athletic prospect but his fantasy value will be directly related to how you view Richardson as a passer. If you think Richardson can support multiple weapons, I can see someone taking Mitchell as early as the 2.05.
2.09 - Jaylen Wright (RB, MIA)
Range: 2.04-3.01
I’ll be honest, I am shocked that Wright seems to be slipping in drafts. I believe the recipe for elite fantasy RB production is clear. Much like the next player (Trey Benson), he awaits behind an aging back who has recently succeeded in their current role. The only difference is that we saw Raheem Mostert have an incredible 21 touchdowns last season. It’s hard to say that Wright will have a 21-touchdown season, but the fact that the offense is good enough for Mostert to do it is fantasy gold.
Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the fantasy breakout De'Von Achane. Although I love how electric Achane is, I think his first season made it clear that he is not a volume-based player. After suffering multiple injuries in his limited touches, I believe the Dolphins will want to use him more as a chess piece than an every-down back. Wright enters the league over 20 pounds heavier and two inches taller than Achane.
Not only is he bigger than Achane, but he is almost identical to Mostert when he came out of college. Wright is the same height and five pounds heavier than the veteran, and both ran a blistering 4.38 40-yard dash. The excitement might be with Achane, but don’t let that push Wright too far down your draft boards.
Dolphins are drafting Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright
Miami adds 4.38 speed to the roster 😎 pic.twitter.com/qGGiUOaHjh
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 27, 2024
2.10 - Trey Benson (RB, ARI)
Range: 2.05-3.01
At the start of the third round, the Cardinals selected their RB for the future in Trey Benson. Coming out of Florida State University, Benson had some very impressive games in their 13-1 season.
Benson is a solid zone runner and I believe an underrated pass-catcher. The only issue for fantasy is that James Conner is in his way for at least this season. Conner, who is 29 years old, is entering the final year of his contract. The good news for Benson is that we’ve seen Conner consistently produce as a top-15 running back when healthy in this offense.
With the depth chart posing little threat to Benson, it all comes down to whether he can produce at the NFL level. Conner usually misses a few games each season, which means we could very well have that question answered this season. If you liked Benson as a prospect (like I do), then I think he is a good value in the middle-to-late second round.
Thank you for checking out the second round of my rookie mock draft! I have the first round published and will release the third round soon!
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