As the NFL Draft inches ever so much closer, we at Dynasty Sports Empire (DSE) thought it would be fun to put together our own mock draft with fantasy implications. Below you will find predictions for the NFL Draft Round 1 from two DSE analysts – Chris Zelaya and Mark DeCicco.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
C. Zelaya – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
This should be no surprise that Mark and I both think the Jags are going with Lawrence at #1. Outside of a “mediocre” (400 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) 2021 Sugar Bowl, Lawrence has been the consensus #1 pick for most, if not the entire season. While I don’t expect Lawrence to be an MVP candidate in his rookie year, he should get plenty of opportunities and post good stats. In First-Year Player Drafts (FYPD), Lawrence should be a top-5 pick.
M. DeCicco – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Lawrence is a franchise QB that falls into the lap of a team that arguably has never had a franchise QB. No brainer here.
2. New York Jets
C. Zelaya – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
With trade rumors swirling and the new head coach stating he feels that Sam Darnold is their franchise QB, the Jets are making this interesting this off-season. Whether or not Darnold gets traded, outside of the Jets acquiring Deshaun Watson from the Texans, Mark and I feel the Jets take Wilson with the second overall pick. Wilson does a lot of things well and had a breakout 2020 season. Should the Jets decide Darnold is their franchise QB, don’t be surprised to see the Jets either take an offensive lineman (OL) or trade back for more picks – lord knows the Jets need all the help they can get! I don’t see Wilson making an immediate impact for the Jets or your fantasy team. Still, given the position and need, I expect Wilson to be a late-first, early-second round FYPD selection in fantasy next season.
M. DeCicco – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
I am a HUGE Wilson fan. He reminds me a lot of Matthew Stafford, with the ability to throw from different arm angles and pinpoint accuracy. The key to Wilson landing here is possibly the Jets moving Darnold before the draft. If Darnold is still on the roster come draft time, this pick maybe someone like a Ja’Marr Chase or Sewell pick.
3. Miami Dolphins
C. Zelaya – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Dolphins seem primed to take a WR at #3, but as you can see, Mark and I can’t entirely agree with which WR they “Phins” will pick. Chase is the consensus #1 WR in this draft, but I’m betting on the Dolphins re-uniting Tua with his former teammate. Rumor has it DeVonta and Tua have spoken a few times over the last couple of weeks. Either way, Miami gets a much-needed boost to their WR core, and whichever WR is picked should instantly be a top-5 FYPD pick next season!
M. DeCicco – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
For me, Chase is the better Pro prospect. Better, thicker body than Smith. And people forget how good he was with Burrow throwing to him. Also, taking the year off didn’t hurt him one bit. He’s still the best talent at WR in this draft.
4. Atlanta Falcons
C. Zelaya – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Atlanta needs to start planning for the exit of “Matty Ice,” so why not start here and no by taking The Ohio State versatile QB in Justin Fields. Fields had a phenomenal Sugar Bowl where he outperformed Trevor Lawrence from start to finish. That being said, Fields wasn’t able to duplicate the performance against Alabama in the National Title Game; Alabama was simply a different machine – too strong, too fast for any college program. While, personally, I’m not sold on Fields being overly successful, especially in the Falcons system, he should get plenty of attention as a top-10 pick in fantasy.
M. DeCicco – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Fields reminds me a lot of Deshaun Watson. Watson had many doubters coming out of Clemson, and Fields falling to 4 is similar in that. In another year without Lawrence or Wilson, Fields is a #1 overall pick. I think he goes to the Falcons here and sits behind Ryan for a year. Does that hurt him in rookie Dynasty drafts? I think so, but if you can afford to “waste” a slot on your roster for Fields, you may reap the benefits in 2022 and beyond.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
C. Zelaya – Penei Sewell, OL, Oregon
The Bengals need OL help in the worst way, so it’s no surprise Mark and I went OL with this pick. As you can, we disagree with which OL the Bengals take, but that’s how we rank these big men. Either way, OL picks aren’t flashy but have a massive impact on the offense as a whole. This pick will help with Joe Burrows, Joe Mixon, and the entire Cincy offense for years to come!
M. DeCicco – Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
As much as sitting out 2020 didn’t hurt Ja’Marr Chase; I think the opposite happened for Sewell. Slater is a stud at tackle and gives the Bengals much-needed protection for their franchise QB moving forward. Keeping Burrow upright is key to him being a QB1 for the next 10 years.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
C. Zelaya – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota St.
With trade rumors swirling that Wentz is getting trading any day, my pick of Trey Lance may be a bust unless the birds get Nick Foles in return for Wentz. I’m not convinced the Eagles are in love with Hurts, or Foles, so them picking a QB here wouldn’t completely surprise me. However, Mark’s selection is also very viable. The birds do need help on their OL, and Sewell would make an immediate impact. Should Philly pick Lance, I don’t expect him to start until mid or late 2021, making him a 2nd round fantasy pick. If they go Sewell, whichever QB/RB combo the birds start should benefit from the big man bolstering their o-line.
M. DeCicco – Penei Sewell, OL, Oregon
So much for Sewell falling a ton because he didn’t play in 2020. But I don’t have him as the #1 OT taken in the draft. I think the Eagles need to rebuild their OL, and Sewell provides Orlando Pace/Jonathan Ogden type that they can plug and play and not need to worry about him for 12-15 years. This helps Hurts, Sanders, and Co a ton fantasy-wise.
7. Detroit Lions
C. Zelaya – Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
I’m in the camp of thinking Detroit needs a serious upgrade at OL. Mark believes the Lions need a LB. The truth is we’re both right, but which need will their GM focus on first? If I’m right, this pick helps Goff and company immediately. If Mark is right, expect Parsons to go late 2nd, early 3rd in your FYPD next season. Parsons will be an impact LB and see plenty of snaps.
M. DeCicco – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
I think if Chase were to fall to the Lions here, they would take him in a heartbeat, mostly to replace their current WRs who are expected to leave. Parsons provides new HC Dan Campbell a ridiculous athletic LB to build their offense around. I think it’s safe to project Parsons as a Devin White type LB, and it helps Parsons that White just got finished having one of the better postseasons for a LB. I would project him to be the first defensive player off the board in a rookie draft in 2021.
8. Carolina Panthers
C. Zelaya – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Carolina has many holes to fill, but with either selection, they are fixing an issue. If the Panthers go QB, Mac Jones threw for 4500 yards, 47 TDs, and only 4 INTs in 2020. Granted, Alabamas offense had a ton more weapons than the Panthers do, but Mac is a prototypical pocket passer with a big arm and should go top-10 in your FYPD next season. Should the Panthers go Surtain, they get a physical, smart and fast corner who can match up with just about any WR. I expect Surtain to be a 2nd round FYPD selection next season.
M. DeCicco – Patrick Surtain II, DB, Alabama
As Chris said, Carolina has a lot of holes to fill. I think Mac Jones is a fit, but a bit too early at 8 for the Panthers to take him here. I also think that Surtain is the best cover corner in this draft, and the NFC South has 5 Pro Bowl WRs that someone will need to cover. Surtain is probably a late 2nd rounder in rookie drafts.
9. Denver Broncos
C. Zelaya – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Denver is an interesting situation. They need help on both sides of the ball, and while I think Mark’s pick makes a lot of sense and certainly fills a need, I already have Lance being drafted by the Eagles. If I’m right about Lance, Farley is a beast in the secondary and immediately impacts the Bronco’s defense. Expect Farley to go early 2nd round in your FYPD and Lance to go mid to late 2nd round.
M. DeCicco – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
With John Elway out of making all of the Broncos calls, they can look to a QB that isn’t 6 foot 6 or taller. Elway had a thing for tall QBs, and Lance doesn’t fit that description. I am not completely sold on Lance (I’d rather take Mac Jones), but I think the Broncos take a flier on the North Dakota State passer. Lance is a 2nd rounder for your rookie draft plans.
10. Dallas Cowboys
C. Zelaya – Kwity Paye, DL, Michigan
Dallas has plenty of defensive concerns, so whether they go DL or CB, the boys will find themselves with one less hole. I have Paye ranked as my highest DL in this draft, slightly ahead of Barmore. That being said, expect Paye to go late 4th round FYPD with the possibility of going undrafted. DL position, in DSE scoring, are far from barn burners.
M. DeCicco – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
The Cowboys were hoping that Surtain would fall to them here at 10, and since he isn’t there, Farley is the next best thing. The Cowboys need help everywhere on defense, and Farley is a good talent to build on. Like Surtain, Farley is probably a late 2nd, early 3rd rounder in rookie drafts for 2021.
11. New York Giants
C. Zelaya – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The G-Men will certainly pick an offensive playmaker with the eleventh overall pick, but as you can see, Mark and I can’t entirely agree with the selection. Kyle Pitts is going to be a beast in the NFL and fills a much-needed hole on the Giants’ offense. Smith, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, will be an immediate upgrade for New York at the WR spot. Either way, expect both guys to go in the top-5 of your FYPD next season.
M. DeCicco – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
I’m not fond of DeVonta Smith at all in the NFL. I may be way off, but I think he’s a slower John Ross. He barely weighs 100 lbs and really benefited by being on an offense where there were so many weapons. In August, Smith wasn’t even the best WR on his team. That said, I think a team will fall in love with what he did last fall and take him early. He’s a 1st round player for FYPDs in 2021.
12. San Francisco 49ers
C. Zelaya – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Yes, the Niners need OT help, but they also won’t pass on Chase if he’s still on the board at #12. Big games are won in the trenches, and the 49ers have to address their offensive line – among other things. Should San Francisco go OT with this pick, their RB committee should sleep a bit easier knowing next season they may have holes to run through.
M. DeCicco – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Maybe the reason why Jimmy Garrappolo is always hurt is that the Niners haven’t done a great job in protecting him? Cosmi solves that problem. An upright QB means that players like Deebo and Aiyuk get more chances to be the playmakers they are.
13. San Diego Chargers
C. Zelaya – Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
One way or another, the Chargers are using this selection to upgrade their DL. I have Paye going earlier in this draft; otherwise, I would agree with Mark and slot him in right here. As previously mentioned, DL isn’t the highest point scorers in DSE formats, so I don’t expect either player to put up “must-have” points, but either may be worth a late round flier.
M. DeCicco – Kwity Paye, DL, Michigan
Pretty amazing what drafting a franchise QB does to a team. Now that the QB position is solved for the Bolts, they can focus on the other side of the ball. In comes Paye to help solidify a line that needs help. Paye is a 3rd or 4th rounder for FYPD in 2021.
14. Minnesota Vikings
C. Zelaya – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn St
Minnesota can very easily go either direction with this pick. Darrisaw would greatly help Cook and Cousins production, whereas Parsons would be joining a defense that will be getting back Daniel Hunter next season. Should Parsons be the selection, I expect to see him go mid to late 2nd round in your FYPD.
M. DeCicco – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
As you can tell, I am a big fan of building the OL, and all else falls in like Darrisaw helps out at a position where the Vikings seem like they always are looking for help. Cook and Cousins get a boost with this pick.
15. New England Patriots
C. Zelaya – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
If Pitts is still on the board right here, I 100% agree with Mark that Pitts will be their choice. However, I don’t see Pitts falling this far, which is why I’m picking Waddle, who may be the best WR coming out of Alabama this year – injuries aside, of course. Depending on who New England has at QB, Waddle could very well be a first-round pick in your FYPD.
M. DeCicco – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
I’ll admit, I may have found a way for Pitts to land here. I think he provides Belichick the playmaking TE he hasn’t had since Gronk and Hernandez. He immediately becomes the Pats’ #1 target for whomever they have at QB. Pitts going to the Pats puts him in round 1for FYPDs.
16. Arizona Cardinals
C. Zelaya – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Arizona will most likely use this pick to bolster their defense. Should Surtain still be available, I think he slots in very nicely for the Cardinals. However, Owusu-Koramoah may well be the best fit for a Cardinal linebacker crew that struggled last season. Expect Owusu-Koramoah to go in the 2nd round of your FYPD.
M. DeCicco – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
I have been begging for the Cardinals to take care of their OL issues for years, but no one here is worth taking. So, I think JOK is the best player available and in a position of need. Expect to spend a 2nd rounder on him in FYPDs.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
C. Zelaya – Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
Vera-Tucker would be a substantial addition to the Raiders OL, which had issues last year. Barmore, if still available, would be a hard-to-pass option for Las Vegas. It will be interesting to see who is still on the board for the Raiders at pick #17 but in either case, expect the Raiders to pick a big man to bolster one of their lines.
M. DeCicco – Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC
I think that the Raiders are at their best when they run the ball with Jacobs. Giving him a road grader in Vera-Tucker, also while protecting Carr (assuming he’s still there in 2021), is not a sexy pick but a needed one.
18. Miami Dolphins
C. Zelaya – Christian Darrisaw, OL, Virginia Tech
With the Dolphins’ second pick in this round, I feel they will continue to improve their OL to give added security to their young QB and RB. However, Mark feels the Dolphins will address their RB issue altogether; however, I wouldn’t be surprised if Miami does go RB with this pick. Should Etienne be their pick, he could go late first to early second round in your FYPD.
M. DeCicco – Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
I believe that RBs shouldn’t be taken in the first round. That said, I think the Dolphins need a playmaker at the position, and Etienne fits in nicely with other offensive weapons, including Chase earlier in round 1. I think Etienne is a top 3 pick in FYPDs.
19. Washington Football Team
C. Zelaya – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
If I didn’t have Jones going to Carolina earlier, I would again agree with Mark right here about Washington picking a QB. However, as it stands, I think the Football Team rolls with Alex Smith one more year and, instead, opts to bolster the OL.
M. DeCicco – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
This is right around the right spot for Mac Jones. Mac reminds me a little bit of Daniel Jones. Nothing flashy, but accurate and will need some time to develop. Jones probably sits around the end of the 2nd round in rookie drafts.
20. Chicago Bears
C. Zelaya – Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama
Chicago, Chicago, Chicago… Da Bears, coaching staff and GM, need to do something before they are both fired. The Mitch experiment failed. It’s also very apparent this GM makes terrible decisions when it comes to drafting players. So, while I do think the Bears could use Waddle if only to replace the departing Robinson, I don’t believe he’ll be available. For me, the smart move would be to draft an OL to help whoever Da Bears have under center, but really who knows what this GM will do?
M. DeCicco – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
I think Waddle has the biggest upside of the WRs going early in this draft. If he doesn’t get hurt, it may be him holding up the Heisman instead of his teammate, and he probably is a top 10 pick. He did come back for the national championship game but was nothing more than a decoy. Waddle provides the Bears with a WR and a returner; both are very valuable in DSE leagues. I think Waddle is a top 10 FYPD pick.
21. Indianapolis Colts
C. Zelaya – Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
The Colts will first need to address their QB issue, but neither Mark nor I see that happening in this draft. Instead, I went the route of picking up an offensive playmaker in Toney, whereas Mark went with a solid CB pick in Horn. Either way, outside of the QB issue, the Colts can go in a few different directions depending on what players are still on the board. Toney and Horn could both be a sneaky late second to early third-round selections in your FYPD.
M. DeCicco – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Nothing sexy here. I think the Colts continue to bolster their defense, and the weakest spot on their defense is at CB. Horn is probably going to be picked in the 3rd round come rookie draft time.
22. Tennessee Titans
C. Zelaya – Jaelan Phillips, DL, Miami
Mark and I both feel the Titans will pick someone to help with their DL. This selection will come down to who the Titans are higher on and, of course, who is still available. Neither player will be lighting up your DSE team weak-to-weak but may be worth a late fourth-round flier.
M. DeCicco – Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
The Titans need to put more pressure on QBs, and Ossai provides a good pick here out of Texas. Again, not the sexiest pick, and you’ll be lucky to see Ossai taken in the 4th round in rookie drafts.
23. New York Jets
C. Zelaya – Azeez Ojulari, LB, Georgia
Here is another example of where Mark and I both feel the Jets use this pick to improve the LB core; it becomes a simple matter of ranking and availability. Expect either player to be a solid second-round pick for your FYPD as the Jets defense should see a nice boost next season with their new head coach at the helm.
M. DeCicco – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
I think Collins provides new HC Robert Selah a solid playmaking LB for his defense. From what I have seen from Collins, he may have the ability to really produce above his draft grade. I think Collins is a late 2nd round pick come this summer.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
C. Zelaya – Teven Jenkins, OL, Oklahoma St
Again, Mark and I agree on how Marks’ Steelers – yes, he’s a Steelers fan – will be utilizing this pick. Either selection helps fill a need for an OL that needs improvement. Neither player here will help your fantasy team directly, but, as I’ve previously stated, battles and big-games are won in the trenches, and this pick will certainly help there.
M. DeCicco – Jaylen Mayfield, OL, Michigan
Yeah, I am a Steelers fan. And as a Steelers fan, I am fully aware of the aging of their offensive line. Even if Big Ben comes back only for another year, they will need to solidify the OL, and I think Mayfield is the best guy on the board. There are other sexier options here, but this is a need for the black and gold.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
C. Zelaya – Jackson Carman, OL, Clemson
Jacksonville, after selecting Trevor Lawrence at #1, will use this pick to bolster their OL and protect their new young QB. This pick will simply come to down how their new coach ranks the remaining OL on the board.
M. DeCicco – Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama
Many teams do wrong take a QB and then try to surround him with skill players and ignore the need to protect him (see Luck, Stafford). I think Leatherwood is the best OL available at this point.
26. Cleveland Browns
C. Zelaya – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Cleveland surprised a lot of teams this year, but they are still the Browns, right? Maybe so, but my Browns – yes, I’m a Browns fan – have seemingly turned the page. I would love to see the Browns use this pick to grab Collins and help their LB crew but seeing them add Rousseau to play alongside Garrett would be just as fun! Collins could be a sneaky third-round pick in your FYPD.
M. DeCicco – Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Rousseau going opposite side of Myles Garrett is a nightmare for other teams. I think this may be a real sleeper pick IDP-wise. Probably looking at a late 2nd for Rousseau in FYPD.
27. Baltimore Ravens
C. Zelaya – Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Look at that, not since the fourth overall pick have Mark, and I agree on the same player we feel a team will take, but low and behold, we both picked Marshall here for the Ravens. Baltimore NEEDS a deep threat WR for their offense, and Marshall just maybe that guy. Should the Ravens pick Marshall, I expect him to be a last first to early second-round selection in your FYPD.
M. DeCicco – Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
As Chris said, the Ravens need another weapon for Lamar Jackson. And Marshall is the best WR available at this point. I am sure they will try to find a way to move him to Tight End. But, if they don’t, he’s a late 1st early 2nd rounder for rookie drafts.
28. New Orleans Saints
C. Zelaya – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Saints’ top priority will be to address their QB situation but not with this pick. Here is a case where Mark and I both feel the Saints will go defense just at different roles. As with all selections late in the first round, this will come down to availability.
M. DeCicco – Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
No need to address the QB position when you (probably) will have the most exciting player in the NFL at QB. Phillips is a need for the defense, who showed that they need to put pressure on the QB this past season to succeed. You are probably ok to spend a late 3rd, early 4th on Phillips in FYPDs.
29. Green Bay Packers
C. Zelaya – Carlos Basham Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
I know a few Packer fans who would LOVE to see Green Bay pick a WR here and, as such, may be salivating over Mark’s selection of Bateman. However, while I agree with the need, I feel the Packers will go defense and take Bashman. Bateman, running opposite of Adams, would be a dream for Rodgers and fans alike. Basham was a next-level big-play guy in college and could immediately impact the Packers’ defense. Expect either selection to be a sneak second-round selection in your FYPD.
M. DeCicco – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Much like the Ravens, the Packers absolutely need to address the WR position. Batemen might be a sleeper WR pick if you can grab him early 2nd; that’s fantastic value. OL is also a position of need here, but that’s no fun.
30. Buffalo Bills
C. Zelaya – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
For me, Najee Harris may be the best RB in his class, and if Buffalo does pick him here at #30, he very well could go in the top-5 of your FYPD; my BOLD prediction for this mock draft. Eichenberg would be a solid pick for the Bills and would certainly help keep Allen from having to run.
M. DeCicco – Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
Protect your young franchise QB, and all will be well. Drafting the OT from Notre Dame will go a long way in doing so. I think Harris is a real possibility here and would be a great fit as well.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
C. Zelaya – Wyatt Davis, OL, Ohio St
After watching the Chiefs struggled in the last game of the season, I couldn’t help but pick an OL for this selection. Yes, I realize the Chiefs were down three key players, but at the same time, Davis can easily slot in and play when injuries happen. That being said, the Chiefs also struggled at getting pressure opponent QB’s all season, so Barmore, if available, also makes sense.
M. DeCicco – Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
As the Super Bowl showed, the Chiefs have work to do on both lines. I think they can’t pass on a talent like Barmore, who would pare well with Chris Jones and provide some major pressure up the middle on opposing offenses.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
C. Zelaya – Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn St
Mark and I both agree the Bucs will most likely pick an EDGE rusher with this pick. Either player may not start right away for the defending champs, but both should get plenty of opportunities in the Todd Bowles defense. I expect either player to go late third to early fourth in your FYPD next season.
M. DeCicco – Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
This pick is mostly around the assumption that the Bucs won’t keep and pay Shaq Barrett, leaving a gaping hole at EDGE. Ojulari is a good replacement, and like Chris said, probably a late 3rd or early 4th in the rookie drafts.
As we get closer to the NFL Draft, Mark and I will update our selections and re-publish this article. We both look forward to comments, questions, or criticisms you may have! Please reach out to either of both of us on Twitter at the following:
C. Zelaya – @DrunkenAngelz
M. DeCicco – @MarkSDeCicco