The much anticipated NFL Draft is now a thing of the past, and rookie draft season is in full swing. For most fantasy players, their draft is the best part of the season. If you aren’t prepared, this enjoyable experience can quickly become overwhelming. There is no truer time than in rookie drafts, where many fantasy managers are unfamiliar with a large portion of the rookie pool. A View to a Pick is here to help you by guiding you through a typical 3-round Rookie Draft to see which players they chose and what some pivot options could be.
So, let’s look at A View to a Pick (1.07). Below is the Sleeper Draft Board from our mock draft featuring Aaron St. Denis, Jeremy Shulman, SC Romero, and Jesse Moeller. The was a superflex, tight-end premium draft.
Rookie Pick 1.07
Jesse Selects Drake Maye Jr, Quarterback, North Carolina.
At the beginning of the 2023 season, Maye was considered the second-best quarterback in the rookie class and a lock to be a top-three pick in rookie drafts. However, due to his landing spot and lackluster junior season, he has been pushed to the 1.06-1.08 rookie picks. My suggestion is to leave the fuss about Maye to your leaguemates and instead focus on drafting the quarterback who can serve as a foundation asset for your dynasty team.
The 1.07 pick may seem like a missed opportunity for the elite prospects, but that’s not the case. Holding onto the pick and waiting for your choice of players like Rome Odunze, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, or Brock Bowers is wise for your dynasty team’s future success. Sit and wait for whoever falls to the pick and confidently draft them.
Superflex Trade Targets
QB- Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (5,555)
RB- Jonathon Taylor, Colts (5,675)
WR- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (5,734)
TE- Trey McBride, Cardinals (5,180)
Superflex Rookie Pivots
QB- J.J. McCarthy, Vikings
RB- Jonathon Brooks, Panthers
WR- Rome Odunze, Bears
TE- Brock Bowers, Raiders
All player values according to Keep Trade Cut.
Rookie Pick 2.07
Jesse Selects Ricky Pearsall, Wide Receiver, University of Florida.
I can’t remember the last time I saw a rookie with as good of a discount as Ricky Pearsall. He was lucky enough to go to one of the best landing spots a player could hope for. However, there’s one problem- Pearsall is buried behind Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey. But don’t let that discourage you- take advantage of this opportunity and select Pearsall. It will only be a matter of time before he becomes an impact player for the 49ers.
Ricky Pearsall is a versatile player with an incredible skill set, playing for one of the most brilliant offensive minds in football. He has the ability to win at all three field levels, and can also line up at any of the three wide receiver positions. With such diverse abilities, it’s easy to see how Pearsall could become a highly impactful fantasy player. All it takes is a little patience and a draft for the 2025 football season and beyond.
Superflex Trade Targets
QB- Kirk Cousins, Falcons (3,623)
RB- D’Andre Swift, Bears (3,613)
WR- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (3,612)
TE- George Kittle, 49ers (3.449)
Superflex Rookie Pivots
QB- Michael Penix Jr, Falcons
RB- Trey Benson, Cardinals
WR- Xavier Legette, Panthers
TE- Ben Sinnott, Commanders
Rookie Pick 3.07
Jesse Selects Jaylen Wright, Running Back, University of Tennessee.
The third round of rookie drafts this year brings to the forefront the depth of the class. At Tennessee, Wright was a highly efficient player with limited touches. It’s fitting that he lands in Miami, which is the perfect place to see that kind of usage translate into fantasy relevance. However, with Achane and Mostert back in the fold, it may take some time for Wright to carve out a role in the 2024 offense. Wright is one of the youngest players in the rookie class, so you can afford to play the waiting game with him. Miami has long-term plans to play him alongside Achane in 2025 and beyond.
We often discuss the low success rates of third-round picks in rookie drafts. However, Wright is a player worth taking a gamble on. He has the potential to make a significant impact for fantasy football teams with just one carry per week. Additionally, he landed in an offense that led the league in rushing in 2023, which makes his upside even more appealing. Although he may have limited playing time, his potential is quite high. We are confident that Wright has the skill set to succeed in his role and we believe he ended up in the perfect spot to flourish in fantasy football.
Superflex Trade Targets
QB- Daniel Jones, Giants (2,917)
RB- Aaron Jones, Vikings (2,911)
WR- Jahan Dotson, Commanders (2,983)
TE- Pat Freirmuth, Steelers (2,928)
Superflex Rookie Pivots
QB- Spencer Rattler, Saints
RB- Marshawn Lloyd, Packers
WR- Troy Franklin, Broncos
TE- Ben Sinnott, Commanders
If you enjoyed A View to a Pick, check out our full Rookie Consensus Rankings, check out of Rankings Page.
