With the first of the two major offseason events now settled, it’s time to assess the fantasy football landscape following the changes wrought by free agency. That means it’s time for another dynasty mock draft. This mock will be for a 1QB, non-TE premium PPR dynasty startup. For those interested in Superflex, keep an eye out for future mocks — I promise a Superflex one is coming.
Who Should You Draft in Rounds 1 and 2 of Dynasty Mock Drafts?
1.01) Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Even in a down year, Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase, QB Joe Burrow’s No. 1 receiver, still managed to average 16.4 fantasy points per game. Chase dealt with a banged-up Burrow, Jake Browning at QB, and then got hurt himself. It was just a rough season for the Bengals.
Joe Burrow DEEP SHOT to Ja’Marr Chase 🤯
Buckle up 🍿
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 12, 2023
Now, everyone is healthy. Chase is merely 24 years old. We know he’s immensely talented, and we can project him to remain in a good situation for the majority of his career. He has taken over the No. 1 spot in dynasty.
1.02) Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson is entering his fifth season but is still just 25 years old. Although he dealt with a nagging hamstring strain last season, he still managed 1,000 receiving yards even though he was limited to just 10 games.
The dynamic WR averaged 20.2 fantasy points per game last season. He has another 6-9 years atop the position. The only reason he’s fallen behind Chase is due to his uncertain quarterback situation. With Kirk Cousins gone, it may be a couple of years before Jefferson has the QB play necessary to propel him to legendary seasons.
1.03) CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb continues to improve every year of his career. Pick any stat you want, and it’s increased each season of Lamb’s career. Targets, receptions, yards, touchdowns, and most importantly, fantasy points per game. He’s gotten better every season.
The annual progression from Lamb is likely over after averaging 23.7 fantasy points per game and finishing as the overall WR1 last year. But we don’t need him to get better anymore. He just needs to be this guy every year. At 25 years old, he should remain atop the WR ranks for as long as Jefferson and Chase.
1.04) Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
You can definitely justify taking a running back here if you’d like. The running back position is just in a tough spot right now. Plus, given the shelf life of the position, Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is going to remain a high-end fantasy asset longer than any of the top backs. He’s just a safer pick.
While St. Brown is unlikely ever to be a 23-points-per-game type of receiver, he has an incredibly high floor. St. Brown averaged 20.7 points per game last season, continuing his annual improvement that’s occurred every year he’s been in the league.
St. Brown’s target share was a healthy 30.2% target share last season. Most encouraging was his downfield usage. By no means was he a young DeSean Jackson, but St. Brown’s total air yards increased from 905 to 1,301, demonstrating an improved ability to stretch the field.
If St. Brown can add that to his game, then my statement about his capped upside will no longer be true. He’s only 24 years old.
1.05) Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, TBD
The surest of things at the wide receiver position since Calvin Johnson, Hall of Fame WR Marvin Harrison’s son is all that and the proverbial bag of chips.
Marvin Harrison Jr. has been NFL-ready for two years now. With over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in each of his final two seasons at Ohio State, Harrison is poised to take the NFL by storm.
The landing spot will matter in the short term. But as a 22-year-old rookie, Harrison should be a fantasy WR1 very early in his career, possibly as soon as this year. It would not surprise me at all if he were the overall No. 1 player in dynasty at this time next year.
1.06) Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Again, you can consider running backs. I’m just not there yet. Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua went from an afterthought third- or fourth-round dynasty rookie draft pick to a borderline top-five dynasty asset after one season.
Given his prospect profile and draft capital, there’s reason to be skeptical. But I completely buy-in.
MORE: Dynasty Rookie Rankings 2024
Nacua broke the rookie record for receptions and yards, catching 105 passes for 1,486 yards. He averaged 17.6 fantasy points per game. This was as a fifth-round rookie.
Nacua will be 23 years old next season. I do think QB Matthew Stafford matters. After all, he is the WR kingmaker. But Nacua isn’t purely a product of Stafford. The man is an immense talent and worthy of being your dynasty team’s top player.
1.07) Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
I’ve officially moved Bijan Robinson to No. 1 overall at the running back position. All things considered, 14.5 fantasy points per game with Arthur Smith irrationally limiting Robinson to a 47% carry share is pretty impressive.
The talent for Robinson was on full display as a rookie. Now, he has a new coaching staff and a massive upgrade at quarterback in Kirk Cousins. He has 25 fantasy points per game upside and is only 22 years old.
1.08) Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Let’s double up at running back with another young talent. New York Jets RB Breece Hall may have slipped behind Robinson, but he’s far from a consolation prize.
After his rookie season was cut short due to a torn ACL, Hall returned the very next season to average 17.1 fantasy points. He did this despite not being anywhere near 100 percent for about half the season.
BREECE. HALL. SEE YA LATER ✌️ pic.twitter.com/0S0ZLL0d9o
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 23, 2022
Hall is two years removed from the injury. He will get QB Aaron Rodgers back. At just 23 years old with a three-down skill set, Hall’s first 20 points per game season could be this year.
1.09) Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
Now, we’re doubling up on Jets! In another world, Garrett Wilson might already have two WR1 seasons to his name. After all, he’s averaged WR1 numbers in games where Zach Wilson wasn’t his quarterback. The receptions and yardage have actually been there, though. What he’s missing is touchdowns.
The good news is Wilson will be just 24 years old next season. We’ve seen enough to know he’s a special talent. He’s going to get better quarterback play.
Wilson averaged 12.5 points per game last season, which obviously isn’t great. But he did so with three total touchdowns. If he scored 10 times, he would’ve been a WR1. Within the next few years, Wilson should put together multiple 100-reception, 1,400-yard seasons.
1.10) Malik Nabers, WR, TBD
Yes. Your eyes do not deceive you. Two of the top-10 players in dynasty have never played a down in the NFL. Malik Nabers is almost as much of a sure thing as Harrison.
Nabers had a 1,000-yard season at LSU before the age of 20. He caught 89 passes for 1,568 yards and 14 touchdowns in his junior year. He will be 21 years old as a rookie and has immediate WR1 upside. It would not be a total shock if he outproduced Harrison. Nabers is that good.
1.11) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
From a pure talent standpoint, there’s an argument that Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs is the best running back in the NFL. Of course, raw talent doesn’t dictate fantasy points.
On the one hand, Gibbs is poised to remain in a timeshare with David Montgomery. He’s probably never going to be a three-down back.
MORE: Dynasty Rookie Draft Strategies
On the other hand, Gibbs averaged 16.1 fantasy points per game, finishing as the overall RB8, despite acting as Montgomery’s pure backup for the first month of the season.
Gibbs has 4.36 speed, an elite pass-catching profile, and is just 22 years old. The Lions boast one of the better offenses in the league. He doesn’t need heavy volume, but he should at least see more work than he did last season. And Montgomery won’t be there forever.
1.12) Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
Age matters in dynasty. But age is often overvalued, especially in startups. At 29 years old, Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill just had the best season of his career. If it hadn’t been for a late-season ankle sprain, Hill would have finished as the overall WR1. Even so, he still averaged a career-best 23.5 fantasy points per game.
There are only a handful of players capable of producing like Hill, and there are exactly zero players that are truly like him. He’s one of one and already a surefire top-10 WR in NFL history.
At 30 years old, Hill obviously is nearing the end of his career. But that doesn’t mean fantasy managers should prioritize younger, non-elite players over what could be 2-3 more years of elite Hill.
2.01) Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
You definitely don’t want to draft San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey because he’s “injury prone.” In seven NFL seasons, McCaffrey has proven he just can’t stay on the field by playing … Oh. Hmm. Apparently, he’s played a full season five times, including the past two years. Interesting.
Until McCaffrey starts to decline, it’s hard to imagine anyone unseating McCaffrey as the annual best running back in fantasy. The only reason he’s this low in dynasty startups is because he’ll be 28 years old going into next season.
McCaffrey just averaged 24.5 fantasy points, finishing as fantasy football’s top option at the RB position. Even if he only has two elite years left (I think he can do this for another 3-4), that production is league-winning. He’s still worth this pick.
2.02) Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
I was ready to be out on Drake London. He was my guy each of the past two seasons and has finished outside the top 40 both times. Yet, here we are drafting London as if he’s already a locked-in WR1.
DRAKE LONDON, SHEESH 😤#DirtyBirds
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 15, 2023
It may be just one game, but London’s 10-catch, 172-yard outing in Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a performance for the ages. That’s the type of upside London possesses. With Zac Robinson running the Falcons offense and Kirk Cousins signed for the next four years, I am willing to pay up for a 23-year-old mega talent at wide receiver.
2.03) A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
I am never going to be excited about drafting Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown. He’s clearly very good at football, but he is not an alpha in the same way as guys like Jefferson, Chase, and Lamb. Brown also lacks 20-points-per-game upside.
Brown did average 17.0 fantasy points last season, but the bulk of his production came over an elite seven-week stretch. Otherwise, he was more like a fantasy WR3.
It’s ironic that Brown finds himself on a great offense but one that isn’t conducive to him posting elite fantasy numbers. Brown is fine. He’s good. But this is a very reluctant selection of a 27-year-old WR from whom we’ve likely already seen his best season.
2.04) Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
I was hoping for a bigger step forward from New Orleans Saints WR Chris Olave last season. But at least we got a step forward. We saw enough to believe Olave has WR1 upside.
Derek Carr was a big part of the problem last season, missing Olave on several wide-open long touchdowns. But as we’ve seen with other receivers, it can get far worse than Carr. By sheer variance, things should get better. Plus, Olave continues to get better.
At worst, Olave should consistently be around 13-15 points per game. At 24 years old, there’s plenty of time for Olave’s situation to get even better. He’s a very safe pick.
2.05) Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
After careful consideration, I’ve decided to move Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen ahead of Patrick Mahomes in dynasty. While Mahomes will undoubtedly play longer than Allen, the latter is still just 28 years old. He’s got at least five years left.
MORE: Dynasty Fantasy Football Startup Draft Strategies
Even though Mahomes likely has 10+, Allen has averaged at least 24.2 fantasy points per game for four consecutive seasons. He’s the best QB in fantasy.
2.06) Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Last season, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes averaged 18.4 fantasy points per game. It was the worst season of his career by far. He was also playing with the worst group of pass catchers of his career.
Mahomes is still a wizard. He’s the best quarterback ever to play, and I will continue to say that every time I can.
Rashee Rice looks like a reliable option for the foreseeable future. Now, the team has added WR Marquise Brown. While Brown is only around for one year guaranteed, I expect the Chiefs to ensure Mahomes actually has two NFL-caliber receivers going forward.
If we see Mahomes return to his elite ways this season, dynasty managers may end up wondering why we ever moved him out of the No. 1 spot.
2.07) Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
It feels wrong to say that it’s a bit risky to take a 25-year-old RB with only one elite season under his belt in the second round of a dynasty startup. That’s the unfortunate state of running backs in the NFL.
Jonathan Taylor rebounded from a disappointing 2022 campaign to average a respectable 15.6 fantasy points per game. At this spot, fantasy managers can live with that, but we’d certainly like another couple of 20-points-per-game seasons.
2.08) Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
It’s fair to say Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle is coming off a down year. Yet, he still topped 1,000 yards receiving and averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game, finishing as the WR21.
Tua Tagovailoa with a 💣 to Jaylen Waddle 🔥#FinsUp | #NFLpic.twitter.com/gM6AJPNgoU
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 17, 2023
Waddle is 25 years old and plays in an elite offense. He’s two, maybe three years away from being firmly in his prime and operating as his team’s primary WR1. He has a quarterback capable of getting him the ball. I’m expecting a big-time bounce-back year from Waddle in 2024, which will make this pick look like quite the value.
2.09) De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins RB De’Von Achane is similar to Gibbs in that he’s never going to be a three-down back but also doesn’t really need to.
Achane averaged 17.3 fantasy points per game as a rookie on just 11.8 touches per game. He plays on one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, and his backfield mate is going to be 32 years old next season. Achane is going to see more work. At 22 years old, he can be a fantasy RB1 for the next five years.
2.10) Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is so much better than he gets credit for, likely because he plays in an offense with so many other elite players that he can’t really stand out.
Aiyuk is an elite route runner and a sneaky good downfield threat. He just came off a season where he was second in the league in yards per target at 12.8.
Aiyuk averaged 15.6 fantasy points per game, finishing as the WR16. There’s still room to grow for the 26-year-old WR tethered to a solid young quarterback in one of the league’s best offenses.
2.11) Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
There’s so much like to like about Michael Pittman Jr. He just averaged 15.6 fantasy points per game on a 30.5% target share while playing with a backup quarterback. He’s 26 years old and just got a well-deserved mega extension.
Pittman is a true target hog and one with minimal target competition. He’s also insulated from an Anthony Richardson injury with Joe Flacco as the backup. I think we’re in store for several more big seasons from Pittman.
2.12) Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
We have a new dynasty TE1. Sam LaPorta averaged 14.1 fantasy points per game last season. It was the greatest fantasy season by a rookie tight end of all time. The scariest part is he’s nowhere near as good as he will be at his peak. It would be very surprising if last year ends up being LaPorta’s best season.
At 6’3″, 245 pounds, LaPorta is going to remain a top end-zone target for QB Jared Goff for years to come. Touchdowns are everything in fantasy football, and LaPorta should score a whole lot of them. He can be your fantasy TE1 for the next decade.
2024 Dynasty Mock Draft | Rounds 3-6
3.01) Rome Odunze, WR, TBD
3.02) Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
3.03) DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
3.04) Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
3.05) Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
3.06) Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
3.07) Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
3.08) Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
3.09) DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
3.10) Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
3.11) Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
3.12) DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
4.01) Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans
4.02) Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
4.03) Brock Bowers, TE, TBD
4.04) Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
4.05) Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
4.06) Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
4.07) Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4.08) Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
4.09) Brian Thomas, WR, TBD
4.10) Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
4.11) Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
4.12) Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
START TRADING: Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Value Chart
5.01) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
5.02) Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers
5.03) Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
5.04) Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
5.05) C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
5.06) Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
5.07) Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns
5.08) Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5.09) Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
5.10) James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
5.11) D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears
5.12) Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos
6.01) Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
6.02) Xavier Worthy, WR, TBD
6.03) Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
6.04) Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
6.05) Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
6.06) T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings
6.07) Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills
6.08) Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
6.09) Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
6.10) Hollywood Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
6.11) Diontae Johnson, WR, Carolina Panthers
6.12) Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams