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Way Too Early Dynasty Mock Draft Analysis - Rounds 2-3

The Rotoballer fantasy football crew got together recently to run a mock dynasty startup draft. Here, I'll give some analysis of the second and third round selections. Make sure to check out yesterday's first-round recap as well.

The second and third rounds are, for me, the sweet spot where player values aren't quite as well defined as they are in the first round, but top-flight players are still available. Let's take a look at the selections, then I'll give some thoughts below the table.

Ed. Note: For continual coverage of NFL free agency news and its fantasy impact, keep tuned to RotoBaller!

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Rounds 2-3

For those keeping score at home, that's two tight ends, six running backs, and 16 wide receivers. The second round started with a big run. The first eight picks, and eight of the first nine, were receivers. Thereafter our selections were much more equitably split. Ten of the 16 WRs were the top target on their team last year. The rest are a mix of players in high volume offenses that can support multiple fantasy WRs (e.g. Davante Adams), and players expected to break out in 2017 (e.g. Corey Coleman). Five of the RBs were top 15 finishers last season, while one was a rookie. The TEs are two of the best, although both come with big injury concerns.

I really like the succession of T.Y. Hilton, Stefon Diggs, and Brandin Cooks. None fit the mold of a "traditional WR1," but all are real-life WR1s. I also liked getting Demaryius Thomas in the third round. He's gone over 220 PPR points in five straight seasons, including last year, when his quarterback situation was far from ideal. He's as close to a sure thing as there is.

Keep in mind this is subjective based on my perspective, and that I'm not privy to the overall strategy my colleagues employed. There are definitely arguments in favor of other players.

 

Best Picks

T.Y. Hilton (WR, IND) - Did you know Hilton has more 1,000-yard seasons (four) than either of the players taken ahead of him? Alshon Jeffery has just two, while Dez Bryant has three. Unlike the other two, Hilton has missed just two games in four seasons and is attached to Andrew Luck. He's as solid as they come, which is what you want in the early stages of any draft.

Davante Adams (WR, GB) - A top-10 WR a year ago, he lasted until WR 21 in our draft. He's still just 24 years old, has a great QB, and plays in an offense that can support multiple WRs. Speaking of those other WRs, Randall Cobb's performance has declined two straight years, Jeff Janis isn't happening, and Ty Montgomery switched positions. Adams should get all the work he can handle in 2017.

Doug Baldwin (WR, SEA) - He's older and has less of a draft pedigree than Adams, but there's no denying he's the top WR in Seattle. The Seahawks have been trending towards more passing volume, and there's not much threat behind Baldwin on the depth chart. Tyler Lockett's numbers were down before a major leg injury, and Jermaine Kearse is "just a guy." Baldwin may not score 14 TDs like he did in 2015, but coming off back-to-back 100 target / 1,000 yard seasons, he's a great pick at this part of the draft.

 

Biggest Reaches

I actually like all three of these players, just not at these prices.

Alshon Jeffery (WR, PHI) - Jeffery landed in Philadelphia where he'll arguably be the team's top WR and, if healthy, could earn a WR1 workload. The catch is that I'm not sure yet how good Carson Wentz is. I'm also not sure how healthy Jeffery will be. I think he can be very effective for the Eagles, I just think a few of the WRs taken later are more sure things.

Jordan Howard (RB, CHI) - Howard was insanely efficient (over five yards per carry) as a rookie, but efficiency isn't very sticky from year to year. It's reasonable to expect he'll be less efficent. The Bears may lose Jeffery and end up with a retread or rookie QB. That offense could be very bad, which means fewer drives, and fewer scoring opportunities. Add in the elevated positional injury risk, and I think safer options with similar upside can be found.

Dalvin Cook (RB, FA) - Without knowing how he tested (our draft was pre-combine) or where he'll play, I would go in a different direction. Not every great RB prospect is a hit. For every Ezekiel Elliott there's a Trent Richardson. Now that the combine has happened, and he tested poorly, there's a little more risk with this pick.

Look for the next segment of our dynasty draft recap tomorrow and stay tuned to RotoBaller for the rest of our mock recaps throughout the coming weeks!

 

More 2017 Mock Drafts & Analysis




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

MLB

Orioles-Tigers Game Postponed on Saturday
RJ Harvey

to be Relegated to Third-Down Role After Rookie RB Addition?
Baker Mayfield

A Lot of Uncertainty Surrounding Baker Mayfield Going into Fourth Year in Tampa
Brian Robinson Jr.

a Must-Have Handcuff in Dynasty Leagues?
Sam LaPorta

Could be Excellent Buy-Low Candidate for Risk-Tolerant Managers
Jordyn Tyson

on a "Maintenance Plan" During Offseason Workouts
Kenneth Walker III

One of Dynasty's Biggest Risers for 2026
D'Andre Swift

an Underappreciated Dynasty Buy Candidate
Ray Davis

Still a Dynasty Stash Despite a Lack of Standalone Value
Travis Kelce

Now a Low-Cost Dynasty Rental
DJ Moore

a Reasonable Buy Candidate Now That Dynasty Market Has Cooled
MLB

Rays-Yankees Postponed on Saturday
Devin Vassell

Posts 20 Points in Game 3 Loss
De'Aaron Fox

Struggles From Deep in Friday's Loss
Victor Wembanyama

Held to Four Rebounds in Game 3 Loss
Jaylin Williams

Catches Fire From Deep Friday
Jared McCain

Drops Playoff-High 24 Points in Game 3
Nazem Kadri

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Guides Thunder to 2-1 Series Lead
Ajay Mitchell

Does Not Return in Game 3 Win
Ross Colton

Nets Lone Avalanche Goal Friday Night
Rasmus Andersson

Extends Assist Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Focuses on Playmaking in Friday's Win
Jack Eichel

Enjoys Multi-Point Outing in Game 2 Win Friday
Ivan Barbashev

Amasses Three Points as Golden Knights Grab 2-0 Series Lead
Jordan James

Most Likely to be 49ers' RB2 in 2026
Mickey Moniak

Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Rudy Gobert

Earns Eighth All-Defensive First-Team Selection
Victor Wembanyama

Headlines 2025-26 All-Defensive First Team
Ajay Mitchell

Starting Game 3 Against Spurs
Dylan Harper

Available for Game 3 Against Thunder
De'Aaron Fox

Returns to Action Friday
Jalen Williams

Won't Play Friday Night
Derrick Henry

Remains in RB1 Discussion
Ladd McConkey

is Solid Buy-Low Candidate
Ryan Flournoy

an Intriguing Dynasty Stash Option
Jalen Nailor

is Expected to Have Larger Role in Las Vegas
Frederik Andersen

Hurricanes Keep Faith in Frederik Andersen
Devon Levi

Attracting Interest From Senators
Jacoby Brissett

Cardinals Not Close to a Reworked Deal
Scott Wedgewood

Starting Game 2 Against Golden Knights
Ben Hutton

Scratched for Game 2 Against Avalanche
Mark Stone

Won't Play Friday
Jackson Merrill

has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
Cale Makar

Remains Out Friday
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Looking to Take Sophomore Leap
CFB

Jadan Baugh Primed to Lead Florida Offense in 2026
CFB

LSU Hires Ed Orgeron As Special Assistant
NFL

Evan Stewart Pushing Oregon Receiving Corps
CFB

North Carolina and South Carolina Cancel Home-And-Home Series
CFB

Confidence High in Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Friday
New York Giants

Giants, GM Joe Schoen Agree on a Multi-Year Extension
Andrew Thomas

Giants Managing Multiple Injuries for Andrew Thomas
Cam Ward

Loses 10 Pounds in the Offseason
Trevor Story

has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
Roman Anthony

Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
Tucker Kraft

a Top Trade Target in Dynasty Leagues?
Evan Mobley

Fills the Box Score in Game 2 Loss
James Harden

Held to Two Assists Thursday
Donovan Mitchell

Leads Cavaliers in Scoring in Game 2 Defeat
Karl-Anthony Towns

Records Double-Double in Game 2 Win
Sebastian Aho

Picks Up an Assist in Series-Opening Loss
Mikal Bridges

Adds 19 Points as Knicks Grab 2-0 Lead
Jalen Brunson

Hands Out 14 Assists in Game 2 Win
Seth Jarvis

Needs 33 Seconds to Score in Game 1 Loss
Josh Hart

Erupts for Playoff Career-High 26 Points in Game 2
Jaccob Slavin

Struggles in Game 1 Against Canadiens
Jakub Dobes

Sharp in Game 1 Victory
Cole Caufield

Bags Two Points in Impressive Road Win
Juraj Slafkovsky

Opens Conference Finals With Three-Point Performance
Nick Suzuki

Notches Three Assists in Game 1 Win Over Hurricanes
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Jrue Holiday

Wants to Stay in Portland
Alex Tuch

Hopes to Remain in Buffalo
Sidney Crosby

Wants to Play for "as Many Years as Possible"
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF