Jonathan Taylor and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are the clear top 2 prospects in this year's YFFL Draft, but who will go #1 overall? Steve runs down his predictions from 1-16 in this year's annual Mock Draft.
1. Merry Men (via Brothers)
RB Jonathan Taylor IND / Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC
The Merry Men were very fortunate to have Tevin Coleman turn into the #1 pick in a great 2020 draft class. The only problem is who to take with so many great players. Jonathan Taylor went into the NFL draft as the favorite to be the top pick in all dynasty drafts and landed in a great spot with the Colts. It was quite surprising when the Chiefs closed out the first round with the diminutive Edwards-Helaire, hand picked by Mahomes and Reid to become their lead back. The landing spot quickly vaulted CEH to the top spot in most people's rankings. The battle rages on for the Merry Men as they still haven't decided who to go with. Take CEH in the best offense in football with a coach that consistently churns out top fantasy RBs or take the superior prospect in Taylor? CEH probably gets the edge due to the fact he could cancel out some of Mahomes when the Merry Men and Buddies meet head-to-head.
2. Big Boys
RB Jonathan Taylor IND / Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC
The Big Boys are in a great spot as they get to let the Merry Men do all the second guessing about which player is the best long term prospect and then walk away with an incredible player and never have to wonder if they took the right guy. With the predicted success of Kyler Murray this coming year and adding one of these two players to the roster, the Big Boys are ready to compete for division titles once again in a loaded NFC East.
3. Dragons
RB J.K. Dobbins BAL
A case could probably be made that J.K. Dobbins will be the best player in this draft. He comes from an Ohio State offense that is the exact same as the one he steps into in Baltimore. He may have to wait a year until Mark Ingram leaves town, but he is poised to be the lead rusher in one of the most run heavy attacks in the league playing along side a QB who opens huge rushing lanes for you. Dobbins is just what this Dragons team needs.
4. Eaters
QB Joe Burrow CIN
Joe Burrow is a very confusing prospect for me. He gets run out of Ohio State by Dwayne Haskins, is average his first year starting at LSU, then torches the SEC with 60 TDS and 6 picks while leading the greatest offense in college history as an old 23 versus 20 and 21 year olds. I tend to think he is the guy who we saw last year: cocky and cool in the pocket, delivering strikes from all over the field. He steps into a nice spot in Cincinnati with a great supporting cast and the Eaters finally have the QB to lead them the next 15 years. I also wouldn't be surprised if they got some calls from others looking to move up to this spot to get Burrow.
5. Beans
RB D'Andre Swift DET
The Beans are steamed as they just miss on the QB upgrade they need to make. Sansone has soured on Cousins and doesn't trust Tua enough to stay healthy to make it two QBs in a row. With all that being the case, the Beans select Swift of the Lions. Everyone is probably pretty down on him for the landing spot, but it's actually better than you think. Swift was one of the best RBs in the country and if he had been taken by Kansas City, he would have been the top pick in this draft. If Ronald Jones breaks out this year and pairs with Swift, the Beans might be able to make some noise this season.
6. Dragons (via Llamas, Buddies, Mallards)
RB Cam Akers LAR
The Dragons cash in one of the most coveted assets in the YFFL - the Llamas 2020 1st Round draft pick. Akers spent years running behind one of the worst offensive lines in the country and is now prepared to do the same in the NFL. He is a great talent and landing him to pair with J.K .Dobbins gives the Dragons the complete makeover that they need.
7. Orangutangs
WR CeeDee Lamb DAL
Is there a more chalk pick in this draft than the 'Tangs taking Lamb to pair with Prescott??
8. Merry Men (via Huskers)
WR Jerry Jeudy DEN
There's a well defined line in this draft that is drawn after the 8th pick. The Merry Men are happy to land anyone who falls to this spot and are pumped to land a WR that helps give their WR corps some depth. Jeudy is a technician running routes and was often seen running wide open while at Alabama. There are shades of Reggie Wayne here. He should be an instant NFL success.
9. Cuban Refugees
QB Tua Tagovailoa MIA
While the Refugees have a good fantasy QB in Josh Allen, it never hurts to add another one. Tua has a long injury history with some ankle sprains and a broken hip. However, all indications are that he is healthy and his pinpoint accuracy and great touch have been on full display in camp. The Refugees could choose to take one of the WRs from the next tier but I think they have a good group already in house.
10. Merry Men
WR Justin Jefferson MIN
The Merry Men continue to add some depth behind Golladay and Gallup as they take the 3rd LSU player to go in our top ten. That team could have gone toe to toe with some of those Jimmy Johnson teams from "The U". If Tua makes it past the Refugees, look for the Merry Men to pounce on him to inject some youth into the position.
11. Bear
RB Zack Moss BUF
I don't think anyone cares who the Bear take with their draft pick. What the whole league is wondering is who they will be starting at QB this season. Newton and Brady have been teammates for 10 years now and are two of the best fantasy QBs to do it. Does Bri stay loyal to the Patriots or does he stay loyal TB12??
12. White Guys
WR Jalen Reagor PHI
Reagor is the easy pick as the White Guys look to cancel out Wentz when they go head-to-head. Reagor has terrible college stats, but that is way more a product of some of the worst QB play in the country. Watch some tape - I'm not even sure 50% of his targets were catchable. Reagor has the looks of the next Antonio Brown.
13. Market Thugs
WR Henry Ruggs LV
The Thugs nab the 1st WR off the board in the NFL draft as Bobby looks to get some talent on a roster that played way over their heads a year ago before cooling off. Ruggs is Tyreek Hill fast and just needs Carr to be able to get him the ball - he scored on an amazing 25% of his college catches. I could also see Denzel Mims being the pick to stack with Darnold.
14. Orangutangs (via Chickens)
RB AJ Dillon GB
The 'Tangs take the likely last first round RB as they grab the guy who looks like he has fire hydrants for legs in AJ Dillon. The days of Aaron Jones scoring 19 TDs in a season are over.
15. Eaters (via Mallards)
WR Brandon Aiyuk SF
The Eaters grab the surprise NFL first round pick Aiyuk with the 15th pick. Aiyuk is a YAC monster who should fit into what the SF offense likes to do best: get the ball out in space and let the WRs do the work. Aiyuk only had one year of college production so that could be a little worrisome.
16. Buddies
WR Bryan Edwards LV
The champion Buddies close out the first round by taking one of the fastest risers of the summer in Edwards out of South Carolina. Edwards has been a beast all camp and has already earned a starting spot. He plays very similar to Devante Adams and will add some good depth to a team that only kept two WRs.