2017 Dynasty Mock 1.0

Is it too late now to say sorry? I am well aware that many of you have, from time to time, checked in hoping for a new blog post only to be left with disappointment and a betrayal of trust. The fault was entirely mine as I chose to pursue other interests in my free time. That changes today. But before we get into why you're really here, I just want to say I'm sorry for leaving you and I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me.

Ok, with that out of the way let's get mocking!  

(1.1) Size Does Matter
Leonard Fournette - LSU

He doesn't sit atop my big board (hint, it's the next guy taken) but that won't stop Smarty from grabbing Fournette with the first pick of the 2017 draft. Smarty does have a strong stable of Running Backs already on his roster but after the travesty that was Laquon Treadwell last year, he needs to take the best available player here. Forunette is already getting compared to the likes of Bo Jackson and Eric Dickerson. I believe if he ends up with Carolina he will live up to his billing as a "once in a generation player" in that offensive scheme.

(1.2) Gold Standard
Dalvin Cook - FSU
Cook is the perfect player for the style of football being played right now and I personally believe he has the highest potential (should he land on the right team). He's a complete 3-down back who is just as deadly catching the ball as pounding it. He's very much in the mold of another FSU RB who has carried fantasy football teams for the past two seasons. There are some character concerns, a domestic charge (not caught on video), and past shoulder injuries that will get triple checked at the combine but Cook still has a chance to be the first RB selected on draft day. If Carolina goes with Fournette, other ideal spots would be with the Bucs, Colts or Eagles.  

(1.3) Above Average Joes
Mike Williams - Clemson
This was a tough selection. There aren't any glaring holes on the roster that need to be addressed. You can never have too many RBs, but after Cook and Fournette, more questions are raised among the remaining ball carriers. An argument can be made for Christian McCaffrey here (a lot depends on where he lands) but I don't see the Joe's passing up a top pass-catcher. Williams possesses a unique size/speed skill-set and also has the stronger resume against top competition. If he lands with the Cardinals or Eagles he becomes a front-runner for OROY.      

(1.4) "Garbage Emoji"
Christian McCaffrey - Stanford
Keegan is probably hoping for WRs to blow up the combine and land in very enticing situations. That way there could be a slim (very slim) chance that either Fournette or Cook falls to him at 1.4. Now Keegan has several picks to address needs so he can do his best and try to manipulate the draft into his favor which is why I think he will select McCaffrey. One, he's a bigger need for his roster. Two, he's going to find multiple ways to contribute regardless of team. The easy comparison would be Danny Woodhead (... because he's white and catches a ton of passes) but I see him more along the lines of a better Gio Bernard. He's not just a pass catching 3rd down specialist, he can grind out yards between the tackles too... and very effectively. I've seen other analysts compare him to Tiki Barber, but no matter who you see him as, the guy will put up fantasy points. Like Cook, if he lands in Indy, Philly, or Tampa his stock will jump immensely.  

(1.5) I Vincitori
Corey Davis - Western Michigan
Just call Nine Four Zero, Fifty-Five Forty-Four!!! I've been waiting to write that for the last two years . The Running Back position should be serviceable for now, but Alex needs to find a true number one wideout. I love Doug Baldwin but until Seattle's offensive system changes, it's going to be impossible to predict the breakout 2+ touchdown games for the man with a boulder of disrespect on his shoulder. Davis is in that top tier for receivers in this draft and as long as his ankle repair doesn't linger into OTAs and training camp he should be able to produce right away. John Ross III could be a possibility (especially if he lands with Tampa or Philly) but you can't teach size, which makes Davis a little more intriguing as a prospect. The Eagles, Titans, or Cardinals would be good landing spots.

(1.6) "Garbage Emoji"
D'Onta Foreman - Texas
Keegan was probably hoping to see Corey Davis fall to this spot (which is a possiblity) but will go ahead and add another Running Back to the squad. Foreman was a 2000 yard rusher last year (yes, in the Big XII... I'm aware) and while he doesn't have the wiggle or top flight speed, he is a bruiser who rarely lost yardage and was a proven converter. He's going to score touchdowns and reminds me a lot of Michael Turner. The NFL has become an RBBC league and with his first two picks Keegan has formed a potentially potent committee.

(1.7) For Narnia
Joe Mixon - Oklahoma
Joe Mixon very well could go undrafted, but that doesn't mean he won't be picked up by a team and contribute. The video of him beating a young woman is disgusting and will hinder his draft capital but look at Tyreek Hill. When a player has an unparalleled skill-set, they get second chances. Mixon has homerun ability every time he touches the ball. He's similar to Le'Veon Bell in that he can dominate a stat sheet in receiving and rushing yards. The off the field issues put him on a short leash so any slip up and he'll be another Josh Gordon or Martavis Bryant: immensely talented, but can't get out of his own way. The Narnian's need to hit big on this pick and there 's few players who offer this much upside at this point in the draft.    

(1.8) "Garbage Emoji"
John Ross III - Washington
Think DeSean Jackson but Ross III actually knows how to run an effective route-tree. Ross III has been laser timed at running a 4.3 forty yard dash so he definitely plays the role of blowing the top off of defenses. He does have a small frame and a slight injury concern but when healthy was a true difference maker on offense and as a special teams phenom. His size makes you believe he'd be best utilized as a slot specialist but at UW he had success as both an outside and slot receiver. As a die hard Husky fan I'm incredibly biased here, but with the right QB, Ross III's smarts and hands could put up numbers that rival his NFL comp's rookie season (62 receptions, 912 rec yards 4 total tds or 10.7 ppw AVG)

(1.9) Tom-a-Hank
Jeremy McNichols - Boise State
This one was simple. If he's still there, Brady will select McNichols within 10 seconds of Keegan's pick. Boise State has developed a strong track record with RB's. Brady would know, he's got the last one already on his roster. Yes, Doug Martin has had only two season's of note (his stellar rookie campaign and 2015 resurgence) in a 5 year career of frustration, but when he has still shown what he can do when healthy and motivated. Back to McNichols. He's a scoring machine who can beat you between the tackles as well as in the screen game and by sneaking into the flat. The knock against him is that it's been against (perceived) zero-competition because of the league Boise plays in. That being said, Dougie and Ajayi also played in the MWC so I think we can expect the skills to translate into production.          

(1.10) Gold Standard
OJ Howard - Alabama
I'm not going to mock trades, but that's what's probably going to happen here. After grabbing Cook (or possibly Fournette) Gold Standard doesn't need to make this pick and will probably look to get another first round pick in 2018 (he's gotten used to have multiples after all...). However, if Jonathan decides to stay put he could look to grab the TE in the best situation. Kelce is a stud but has shown to be brittle and having a good fall back option wouldn't hurt. Howard was under utilized at Alabama but still managed to shine in two national championship performances. Njoku and Engram are right there but one hasn't played much football and the other is more of a move TE. Howard has the size to be an effective blocker and the speed to be a huge mismatch. The only issue with TE's is that they typically don't burst onto the scene and contribute day one. Gold Standard has the capital to be patient.

(1.11) Above Average Joes
Alvin Kamara - Tennessee
Kamara is this year's Kenneth Dixon. Someone who has gotten plenty of buzz and will probably find themselves in a decent position to either start in the backfield or push the incumbent for touches. His story is a lot like Isaiah Crowell, a top recruit who found himself in an FCS school and was given a second chance by an SEC contender. He has potential to be a 3-down RB and is an effective receiver to boot. People are going to point to the crazy stat of 23 touchdowns on only 284 touches as a Volunteer but he's never carried the ball more than 20 times in a game and has a history of knee injuries. Scouts still love his upside and given the right situation, he could jump up fantasy draft boards.  

(1.12) "Garbage Emoji"
Donnel Pumphrey - SDSU (the other one)
He was a Heisman darkhorse and finished the season as the NCAA's career rushing champion, but Donnel Pumphrey still can't get any respect. He's been told he's too small and will probably have to fight for a role on special teams and 3rd downs to actually break onto the 53 man roster. I don't buy that one bit. Darren Sproles, Russell Wilson, Wayne Chrebet... or maybe Steve Smith is a better reference. They were all discredited because of their size, not their talent and production. Pumphrey probably won't be given the bell-cow moniker on day one by any team, but like McCaffrey he's a very good fit for today's NFL and will find ways top contribute with the 10-15 touches he's given. I wouldn't be surprised either if the chip on his shoulder pushed him to perform and force out an already established RB. I think the upside is worth the selection. Also, let's not forget about the last great RB who came from SDSU, that would be Marshall Faulk.    




And there you go! Stay tuned for more updates and mocks as we get closer to draft day!