Rookie Mock Draft: Superflex Edition
Rookie Mock Draft: Superflex Edition
With six QBs going in the 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft, how will our superflex rookie drafts be affected?
Rookie drafts are rolling as we enter the back half of May, and for many of you, those are superflex drafts. The NFL gave us a whopping SIX 1st-round QBs in this year’s draft, which makes our rookie drafts all the more intriguing.
To see where the top players land in this format, we assembled an all-star team of drafters for a 3-round, SF, PPR, full IDP rookie mock draft (no trades).
Here was the lineup:
Mike Woellert, The IDP Show
Kyle Bellefeuil, Footballguys
Axton Harding, IDP+
Jeff Pomazal, The IDP Show
Evan Ringler, The IDP Show
Steve Falco, Front Office Pros
Each drafter made two selections per round in this linear format (meaning Mike picked at 1.07 after selecting at 1.01). With that said, let’s get to the draft!
1.01: Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
Mike: I’m approaching this superflex draft assuming I need or want a quarterback. So, I will go ahead and take the best QB, Caleb Williams, off the board.
1.02: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
Kyle: I'm going to take Marvin Harrison Jr. There's not much analysis to add that people haven't already heard. He checks all the boxes. He has WR1 potential and NFL bloodlines. Just click the button and watch him perform.
1.03: Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
Axton: Much like Mike, I'm assuming I need a quarterback here. Coming off a Heisman Trophy year, Jayden Daniels is the pick here. He is likely to get the starting nod and has weapons around him. I think he has the most upside of the quarterbacks left. I like JJ McCarthy and the opportunity he has, but it's a bit early for that pick. Jayden Daniels can compensate with his legs and playmaking ability.
1.04: Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Jeff: Like Axton said, it's a bit early to take McCarthy or Maye at this point, especially with Malik Nabers available. I know this year might not be optimal for him in terms of pass-catching, especially with “Janiel Dones” as Nabers called him. However, I think 2025 will be the season they have a quarterback for him. I can be patient.
1.05: Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Evan: This is a tough spot with the two QBs and Rome Odunze. I like Maye’s upside more than McCarthy’s, although he is riskier because of the situation. I'll take a swing on Maye's upside. As a quarterback, he'll maintain value, which is important.
1.06: Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
Steve: Evan, thank you for that pick. I was going to have quite the problem, but now I'm running to the podium to draft Rome Odunze. Considering the QB hit rate, only a few of these guys are going to make it. So, I'll go with a sure thing in Odunze.
1.07: Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Mike: I was hoping Steve wasn't going to make that pick because I wanted to stack Caleb with Rome. At this spot, if it were a TE premium, I might consider Brock Bowers. However, I'm looking at a combination of factors. With the situation involving Rashee Rice and having Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback, I'm going to take Xavier Worthy, who has a chance to play right away.
1.08: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Kyle: I'm going with a homer pick and taking JJ McCarthy, who landed in Minnesota with Kevin O’Connell. At Michigan, we saw seen glimpses of McCarthy’s potential despite their run-heavy attack, but he does need to sit and develop. Thankfully, the Vikings have Sam Darnold. I’m glad McCarthy has a coach like O’Connell, and it doesn't hurt to have Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.
1.09: Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills
Axton: I'm going with Keon Coleman. Of the wide receivers left, you want to pick someone with a great quarterback, and Josh Allen is one of the best. There are plenty of vacated targets in Buffalo, so I imagine Coleman will be targeted early and often.
1.10: Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Jeff: I’m delighted to take Bowers here. I think he offers a lot of upside, similar to Malik Nabers, even if 2024 might not be the best. With everything we've heard about Bowers, even if just half of it is true, we're in for a real treat. Since TE is a shallow position, getting an elite player like him sets your team up for a long time.
1.11: Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Evan: This is another tough spot for me. I have two wide receivers I like here, but I'll go with McConkey over Brian Thomas Jr. I believe McConkey should see somewhere between 120-140 targets in year one. He's a good player in a good spot.
1.12: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers
Steve: Evan, thank you yet again for not sniping me. I could draft Thomas here, but I'm going with the running back, Jonathan Brooks. I think he's the clear RB1.
2.01: Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Mike: Looking at the options available, there are many directions to go. I'm not considering defense yet. I always try to secure a running back early. I slightly prefer Trey Benson over Blake Corum, so Benson is my pick here.
2.02: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Kyle: I'm willing to take a shot on Thomas here. He was a 1st-round pick, 23rd overall, and had a big year at LSU. He and Nabers both had impressive seasons, forming a big and dynamic combo. Thomas can stretch the field and is a red zone threat. Trevor Lawrence should appreciate his new weapon. I'm happy to land him here.
2.03: Roman Wilson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Axton: I’ll go with someone who has a better chance of giving me year one production: Roman Wilson. It might be a little early; I know a lot of people are into Ricky Pearsall, Troy Franklin, and other WRs in this tier. With Diontae Johnson gone, they need someone to fill that void. I don't see George Pickens as a clear-cut WR1. He's a big-play guy who will score touchdowns, but I don't necessarily see him as a target hog. So I think there's a lot of opportunity in that Pittsburgh offense, especially if Russell Wilson or Justin Fields are an upgrade over Kenny Pickett.
2.04: Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos
Jeff: I’m going to pull a hammy from sprinting to the podium so much, but I’m doing it again here with Bo Nix still available. In a superflex format, this is a steal. He’ll be QB1 from day one. I don't think Stidham has any shot at that job. That offense is tailor-made for him and he reunites with Franklin, which can’t hurt.
2.05: Michael Penix, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Evan: It was a shocking pick by the Falcons and I didn't love it, but in superflex formats, Penix is a pretty good option here. He’s (likely) not going to go out on the field and struggle in year one, which is nice because he'll maintain value. I look at him like a future 1st-round pick that's in your back pocket. He may not help your team for the first couple of years, but he's a good place to store value, in my opinion.
2.06: Junior Colson, LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Steve: Somebody had to do it. I'm going to take the first IDP here in linebacker Junior Colson. He landed in a dream spot partnering back with Jim Harbaugh as well as the defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter, which tells me he’ll probably get the green dot.
2.07: Jermaine Burton, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Mike: I'm going with a player I've grown to like in Jermaine Burton. He’s got an elite QB in Joe Burrow and could see the field early with Tyler Boyd in Tennessee now.
2.08: MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay Packers
Kyle: Another homer pick, so sue me! Lloyd fits well into the Packers’ scheme, has bursts of speed, and offers catching upside. With concerns about AJ Dillon’s performance, Lloyd could see some action in year one, and with an out in Josh Jacobs’ contract in 2025, Lloyd represents a cheaper option down the road for Green Bay.
2.09: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts
Axton: I'll take the top edge rusher, Laiatu Latu, given that we're in the second or third tier of wide receivers and the top running backs are off the board. Joining the stout Indianapolis defensive line, he'll have opportunities to make an immediate impact and should thrive under Gus Bradly. I’m expecting a strong rookie year.
2.10: Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers
Jeff: I’ll scoop up the value here. With Bryce Young’s success likely reliant on the passing game, Leguette's across-the-middle mentality and ability to gain tough yards make him an appealing target. Being compared to Deebo Samuel adds to his upside, making him a compelling pick as a 1st-round WR at the end of round two.
2.11: Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Evan: Corum is a solid, well-rounded running back who coaches will appreciate. The LA running back situation is promising, as they consistently feed their RB1. I don't see Kyren Williams as significantly better than Corum, who could see goal-line work in a strong offense in year one. And if Williams goes down, the upside is huge.
2.12: Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Steve: I’m considering IDP here, but with mostly offensive picks so far, there will be plenty of IDP available later, so I'll grab Pearsall. Though the situation may not seem ideal now, if reports are true about Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk leaving soon, Pearsall could step in. I believe he's at the end of a tier and worth the pick.
3.01: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Green Bay Packers
Mike: I'll pass on Dallas Turner here for a couple reasons. First, due to his likely designation as an LB on most platforms. Second, he’s got some competition there in Minnesota with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel coming over in free agency. Instead, I'll opt for Edgerrin Cooper, who I believe will see significant snaps and has potential for big plays. I like solidifying my linebacker position here.
3.02: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings
Kyle: Since Mike betrayed me and went with Cooper, I'll take Turner. Despite the LB designation (which will hopefully change), I believe he's super talented and will thrive under Brian Flores’ aggressive scheme. He may start in a rotational role, but I expect him to become a key part of the defense, especially in big-play scoring formats.
3.03: Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos
Axton: Assuming I need offensive depth, I'm selecting Troy Franklin. He joins a wide receiver room led by a college quarterback with whom he already has chemistry. With a new coach like Sean Payton aiming to revitalize the offense, Franklin has significant upside if he and Bo Nix can maintain their college chemistry.
3.04: Jared Verse, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams
Jeff: I’ll go to the IDP well here with Verse. Nobody can replace Aaron Donald alone, but the additions of Verse and Braden Fiske to go along with Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Michael Hoecht should create a formidable front. Given the draft capital, the open snaps, and the other talent there, I expect Verse to play a ton in year one.
3.05: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, New England Patriots
Evan: I’ll take Polk, an early 2nd-round pick by the Patriots, and stack him with Maye. I didn't expect Polk to go that early in the draft, but he lands in a promising spot. With the potential to be their number one target in year one, he's a solid pick.
3.06: Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins
Steve: In this tough spot, I'm prioritizing need and upside over the best player available by taking a chance on Jaylen Wright, Miami’s newest speedster. Given the offense, it seems like a gamble worth making. It’s a crowded backfield in theory but Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane aren’t locked-in superstars by any means.
3.07: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Mike: With my roster needs in mind and having gone wide receiver-heavy in the first two rounds, I'll opt for the best player available. While Spencer Rattler may be the top QB on the board, I'm set at quarterback. Therefore, I'm selecting Adonai Mitchell, considering I can address IDPs in the next round.
3.08: Malachi Corley, WR, New York Jets
Kyle: Shout out to the BG boys, I'm going with WKU alumni Malachi Corley. He's a weapon in terms of yards after catch and electric with the ball. With potential targets in an offense led by Aaron Rodgers and surrounded by other talented receivers like Garrett Wilson and (maybe?) Mike Williams, Corley could thrive in the slot role.
3.09: Cedric Gray, LB, Tennessee Titans
Axton: I'm bolstering my IDP here with Gray, who could claim the LB1 role in Tennessee in 2025 (if not sooner). It’s just Kenneth Murray and Jack Gibbens there, so the team needs a solid LB presence. Will it be either of the veterans? I don’t know, which makes it a good bet here to pick Gray and see what happens.
3.10: Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills
Jeff: Davis offers considerable upside, especially in a strong offense led by Josh Allen with a weak RB depth chart. He could carve out a significant role this season.
3.11: Byron Murphy II, IDL, Seattle Seahawks
Evan: I'll jump on the “homer pick” bandwagon by taking Murphy here. He's a super athlete and boasts impressive PFF numbers. The Seahawks lack an elite presence on the defensive line. Murphy could reach that level given his talent and situation.
3.12: Payton Wilson, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Steve: I’ll roll the dice on Wilson despite his ACL situation. The Steelers’ LB depth chart is soft behind Patrick Queen, who could be gone as early as 2025. Wilson is another freak athlete with good instincts. He’s worth the shot here.
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