The League Winners move on to Round 2 in their latest Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft.
The NFL Combine is underway, and what better way to celebrate than continuing with our 2023 dynasty rookie mock draft. The 1st Round saw plenty of big names get taken off the board. Let’s take a look at which players heard their names called in Round 2.
As a reminder, for the purpose of this exercise, our staff drafted based on Superflex settings for a 12-team league.
2023 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft – Round 2
2.01 – Zach Evans, RB, Mississippi (Jesse Moeller)
For fantasy managers chasing pure traits, Zach Evans has them in spades. He’s the ultimate question mark in this mock draft. The things he can do on a football field have you loving and hating him as a prospect. In one play, he rips off a 65-yard house call, and on the next play, Evans misses a hole and runs into a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. The talents leaps out at you, and the question is whether or not Evans will be able to put it all together. At pick 2.01, I am more than happy to take that risk.
2.02 – Josh Downs, WR, UNC (Anthony Walesby)
Taking Josh Downs at 2.02 was more of a default pick based on how this 2023 mock draft fell than anything else. Let me explain. I was expecting to take my RB3 Zach Evans here, but as often happens in a mock draft – and regular drafts alike – he was taken right in front of me. That left me re-analyzing the board of guys left, versus my current dynasty rookie ranks.
I already drafted CJ Stroud, and it felt too early to draft Hendon Hooker given his advanced age and injury issues. I also passed at RB because although I like the group of guys still available, they’re all in the same tier for me. Kendre Miller was my favorite, but I didn’t feel like he’s distinguished enough from the rest of the RBs left to pull the trigger. Then, we come to the WRs.
In the end it came down to Jalin Hyatt or Josh Downs. Hyatt, the fly route, speed guy with a huge ceiling and low floor. If he goes to the right situation, he could be the next Tyreek Hill. Downs is the opposite – a polished route runner with great foot work that can catch anything. I went with the safer prospect in Downs mainly because we are pre-NFL draft. And like I said; to me, Hyatt is landing spot dependent, Downs is not.
Josh Downs will shake you out your shoes😳 pic.twitter.com/CG3jjorbih
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 22, 2023
2.03 – Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse (Hunter Greene)
Sean Tucker is the classic ground and pound back with pass-catching upside. The 3-year college starter put up a total of 3,182 rushing yards on 589 carries, 622 receiving yards on 64 receptions, and total of 31 touchdowns. With his unofficial height and weight being 5’10” and 210lbs, Tucker is built a lot like Ken Walker III. I’m taking that potential upside and rolling with it in this 2023 mock draft.
2.04 – Kendre Miller, RB, TCU (Joe O’Leary)
What Kendre Miller offers in terms of skillset and overall array of tools at 6’0, 220lbs and just 20 years old is a separator for me. His lateral movement and spatial awareness with change of direction capacity is just different for his size.
Coming off 1500 total yards and 17 touchdowns as a Junior with a career 6.7 yards per carry; If Miller commands day two draft capital he will be going even higher than 2.04 in a rookie mock draft.
2.05 – Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M (Jeremy Shulman)
According to multiple outlets, Devon Achane is 5’9”, 185. I think I speak for many when I say that we hope he’s grown a little in preparation for the NFL Combine. Even with the bigger-bodied Tank Bigsby and Roschon Johnson still available – along with the TE of my choice – I took the upside swing on the speedy Achane, who has proven he can do it all against SEC defenses.
With Isaiah Spiller gone and the offense leaning on him, Achane was his typical, shifty self for a team who’s lone bright spot was upsetting LSU late in the season. He looked phenomenal on tape. And, with better blocking, Achane should be a solid pro with exceptional speed. The only question is, how much volume will he see in the NFL?
Achane proved he can play, but he’s likely too small for an NFL team to grant him a workhorse role. However, the league seems more comfortable splitting work between two or even three RBs. I like Achane to maintain a high-profile, pass-catching role for an NFL team. Given his talent, he’s sure to force his way onto the field and into the scheme. That could garner him weekly RB2 usage in the right situation, especially with his ability to create big plays and find the end zone.
2.06 – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame (Thomas Christopher)
After missing out on Downs and Kendre Miller, I went with the next best player on my big board. Even without this 2023 mock draft using a TE premium, Mayer is the choice for me here. To me, he’s the TE1 and no, it’s not close. Mayer is NFL-ready and while he could struggle in his rookie season like most tight ends, I’m expecting him to pay huge dividends for my fantasy team in years to come.
Michael Mayer has some already calling him “Mini Gronk.” A versatile route runner, Mayer is a punishing blocker with soft hands who can line up all over the field. #2023NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/T1QVi3lOlZ
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) March 1, 2023
2.07 – Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee (Tim Riley)
2.08 – Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn (Joe Arledge)
The more mock drafts I do, the more I realize how much talent the second round has in this year’s rookie draft. The value of this year’s draft is the depth of running backs and tight ends that you can get late.
With my second-round pick, I selected Tank Bigsby out of Auburn. Bigsby was incredible during his Freshman year at Auburn. He won SEC Freshman of the Year and seemed to be unstoppable to start his career.
That said, after his Freshman year, Bigsby seemingly regressed. It was the offensive scheme that head coach Bryan Harsin ran, the putrid offensive line play, or the emergence of Jarquez Hunter. Consequently, we saw how Bigbsy could create for himself if the blocking broke down. I’m betting on that potential going forward selecting Bigsby here in this mock draft.
Tank Bigsby ain't just a tank…
Had 3 Alabama defenders in the backfield before he was handed the ball 😳 pic.twitter.com/i23tevMzlR
— Peter Bartausky (@PeterBartausky) February 22, 2023
2.09 – Rashee Rice, WR, SMU (Pru Patel)
At 2.09, Rashee Rice was the pick. What Rice brings to the game is physicality at the WR position. He needs work on his route tree, but no one is going to mistake Rice for Jefferson or Stefon Diggs. I believe Rice will be successful with a team that already has an alpha WR – such as the Raiders, Seahawks, or the Bills. He showcases WR2 attributes with great run-blocking, catching a quick slant and making the first defender miss and providing a screen game to an offense that lacks it. Due to all of these factors, Rice can see the field sooner than later earning valuable snaps. Rice’s alpha mentality reminds me of Steve Smith. He has the mental effort and the qualities to be a successful WR2 for any team.
Rashee Rice | WR | SMU
One of the best WR prospects at the catch point and winning leverage mid-route. He consistently sets up defenders to put them on his back, locates the ball, and attacks it at the highest point.
Skill set is wild for a 6' 200lb WR. pic.twitter.com/ClxW4SJvi5
— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) February 16, 2023
2.10 – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah (Calvin Kirton)
Dalton Kincaid fell to me, just as I hoped. Based on my player evaluations, I’m walking away with two potential studs in the first two rounds. This 2023 mock draft is going very well.
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 3rd in deep catches, 6th in deep yards, 9th in contested catches, with the #1 receiving grade (91.8) and #2 overall grade (90.2) among TEs, per PFF.
2.11 – Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas (Aaron St. Denis)
2.12 – Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State (Joe Padilla)
Deuce Vaughn is a back who can get involved on the ground or through the air, having almost 5,000 scrimmage yards and 43 touchdowns through his three years at Kansas State. Vaughn’s size may some questions, but the All-American has impressive burst to fit through the smallest of gaps to break off a big run. His time being a three-down back is probably over, but has the receiving upside attached to his ability to sneak past defenders for big gains. Choosing Vaughn compares to buying into a similar situation as D’andre Swift, without the inconsistency in his vision.
