College Football Draft Kit: Industry Mock Draft Musings

College Football Draft Kit: Industry Mock Draft Musings

This article is part of our College Football Draft Kit series.

Earlier this month, I participated in an industry mock with 11 other college fantasy football experts. It was a two-quarterback format featuring 16 rounds and every team had to draft a kicker and a defense. Below are the results of the draft with some commentary and rants interspersed throughout.

RoundPickOv PickPosLast NameFirstDrafter
111QBKingD'EriqZach Hall
122QBHurtsJalenMark R. Lindquist
133WRMooreRondaleJustin Heiesey
144RBTaylorJonathanCFB Winning Edge
155RBEtienneTravisBlase Sinopoli
166QBEhlingerSamJohn Laub
177RBBenjaminEnoMike Bainbridge
188RBMossZackJoe DiSalvo
199WRShenault Jr.LaviskaScott Bogman
11010QBRourkeNathanJohn McKechnie
11111QBMartinezAdrianJosh Chevalier
11212RBTaylor Jr.PatrickNathan Marchese
2113RBKelleyJoshuaNathan Marchese
2214WRWallaceTylanJosh Chevalier
2315QBPerkinsBryceJohn McKechnie
2416RBWarren IIMichaelScott Bogman
2517RBWashingtonJuwanJoe DiSalvo
2618QBFieldsJustinMike Bainbridge
2719QBTagovailoaTuaJohn Laub
2820WRProcheJamesBlase Sinopoli
2921RBDillonAJCFB Winning Edge
21022WRJeudyJerryJustin Heiesey
21123QBGubrudGageMark R. Lindquist
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Earlier this month, I participated in an industry mock with 11 other college fantasy football experts. It was a two-quarterback format featuring 16 rounds and every team had to draft a kicker and a defense. Below are the results of the draft with some commentary and rants interspersed throughout.

RoundPickOv PickPosLast NameFirstDrafter
111QBKingD'EriqZach Hall
122QBHurtsJalenMark R. Lindquist
133WRMooreRondaleJustin Heiesey
144RBTaylorJonathanCFB Winning Edge
155RBEtienneTravisBlase Sinopoli
166QBEhlingerSamJohn Laub
177RBBenjaminEnoMike Bainbridge
188RBMossZackJoe DiSalvo
199WRShenault Jr.LaviskaScott Bogman
11010QBRourkeNathanJohn McKechnie
11111QBMartinezAdrianJosh Chevalier
11212RBTaylor Jr.PatrickNathan Marchese
2113RBKelleyJoshuaNathan Marchese
2214WRWallaceTylanJosh Chevalier
2315QBPerkinsBryceJohn McKechnie
2416RBWarren IIMichaelScott Bogman
2517RBWashingtonJuwanJoe DiSalvo
2618QBFieldsJustinMike Bainbridge
2719QBTagovailoaTuaJohn Laub
2820WRProcheJamesBlase Sinopoli
2921RBDillonAJCFB Winning Edge
21022WRJeudyJerryJustin Heiesey
21123QBGubrudGageMark R. Lindquist
21224RBBorghiMaxZach Hall

Being that this was my first mock of draft season, I had no idea what to expect picking from the 10 spot. I anticipated quarterback to fly off the board early, leaving me with plenty of stud running backs to choose from with my first pick. Clearly I misread the room and had to pivot. 

Going with Rourke at 10 felt like a rock-solid first pick; his production has been both explosive and consistent since taking over in 2017, posting back-to-back 38-touchdown seasons. Ohio has to retool a lot of its offense, both along the line and at the skill positions, but Rourke is steady enough to guide the Bobcats through those possible growing pains. I hoped that one of Adrian Martinez or Patrick Taylor Jr. would be there for my next pick, but obviously Nathan Marchese and I have similar taste. With that, Bryce Perkins was my next pick. 

Perkins feels a tad underrated heading into this year. He lost a Swiss Army Knife in Olamide Zacchaeus, who was an incredible source for easy completions. Jordan Ellis is also gone, but with Virginia's lack of proven talent at running back, more of the run game focus could be shifted to Perkins. A season with 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards is in the ballpark for him. 

After leaving the first two rounds without a running back, I knew I had to attack that position with at least one of my next two picks.

RoundPickOv. PickPOSLast NameFirst NameDrafter
3125RBVaughnKe'ShawnZach Hall
3226RBSwiftD'AndreMark R. Lindquist
3327RBTorreyDeAndreJustin Heiesey
3428QBTateKhalilCFB Winning Edge
3529QBAhlersHoltonBlase Sinopoli
3630RBAhmedSalvonJohn Laub
3731WRByrd IICedricMike Bainbridge
3832WRGandy-GoldenAntonioJoe DiSalvo
3933WRStevensonMarquezScott Bogman
31034WRReagorJalenJohn McKechnie
31135RBHubbardChubaJosh Chevalier
31236QBSandersSpencerNathan Marchese
4137WRLambCeeDeeNathan Marchese
4238QBMcDonaldColeJosh Chevalier
4339RBRountree IIILarryJohn McKechnie
4440QBEvansCalebScott Bogman
4541RBHillKylinJoe DiSalvo
4642RBVerdellCJMike Bainbridge
4743WRRossJustynJohn Laub
4844QBLoveJordanBlase Sinopoli
4945WRJohnsonTylerCFB Winning Edge
41046RBBellamyLeVanteJustin Heiesey
41147WRLipscombKalijaMark R. Lindquist
41248WRSpielmanJDZach Hall

Larry Rountree is someone whose ADP I expect to rise as draft season progresses. He checks in with my fourth-highest rushing yardage projection with 1,388 yards thanks to standout talent coupled with a lack of competition for carries. He's someone I'm betting on this year, and in a mock this early where ADP isn't close to being established, Rountree is a player I wanted to plant a flag on.

Looking elsewhere from this cluster of picks, I really liked the Spencer Sanders, Kylin Hill, Tyler Johnson, and JD Spielman selections.

Holton Ahlers is the most polarizing player for me in this range. He had a dominant stretch last season, as shown below, but so much of that production was volume-driven. 

In other words, Ahlers benefited from an ECU system that ran 84.0 plays per game, ranking 3rd in FBS. His YPA (6.9) and completion percentage (50.6) were mediocre marks, and the coaching change for East Carolina could prove problematic for Ahlers. Mike Houston comes to ECU from James Madison in the FCS ranks, where his Dukes ran just 68.4 plays per game in 2018. Even if East Carolina's plays per game doesn't plummet all the way to that mark, any sort of significant drop-off in play count could crater Ahler's fantasy value if he doesn't make major improvements. 

RoundPickOv. PickPOSLast NameFirst NameDrafter
5149WRBusseyJr.Zach Hall
5250WRCoxieDamonteMark R. Lindquist
5351RBLeMayBennyJustin Heiesey
5452QBFineMasonCFB Winning Edge
5553RBCronkriteJordanBlase Sinopoli
5654WRJohnsonCollinJohn Laub
5755QBMondKellenMike Bainbridge
5856TEBryantHunterJoe DiSalvo
5957RBHarrisNajeeScott Bogman
51058RBKobackBryantJohn McKechnie
51159WRJacksonWarrenJosh Chevalier
51260QBLawrenceTrevorNathan Marchese
6161TEParkinsonColbyNathan Marchese
6262WRTerryTamorrionJosh Chevalier
6363WRHigginsTeeJohn McKechnie
6464RBDobbinsJ.K.Scott Bogman
6565QBDeVitoTommyJoe DiSalvo
6666RBCorbinJashaunMike Bainbridge
6767RBJeffersonJermarJohn Laub
6868WRHillK.J.Blase Sinopoli
6969RBTaylorJ.J.CFB Winning Edge
61070TEPinkneyJaredJustin Heiesey
61171RBBrightGeroldMark R. Lindquist
61272RBBrownSpencerZach Hall

I knew I was going to go running back and receiver with this pair of picks but wasn't sure who I was specifically going to target. Koback seemed like a safe bet at this stage after looking at what else was available at the position. From Week 6 onward, Koback averaged 85.7 rushing yards and 1.3 rushing scores per game, and that was while Toledo was mixing in two other running backs. Art Thompkins is on Connecticut's Football Team* now, so that's one less player to drain carries from Koback. In leagues with all FBS teams, Koback is someone I'll continue to target in this range. 

The official tight end run began in earnest during this stage of the draft, and after Jared Pinkney came off the board, I knew I was probably going to be waiting awhile and stocking up on other positions while the rest of the upper echelon tight ends were snatched up. 

RoundPickOv. PickPOSLast NameFirst NameDrafter
7173WRStokesKeylonZach Hall
7274WRHardyAdrianMark R. Lindquist
7375WRWardJoJoJustin Heiesey
7476RBAkersCamCFB Winning Edge
7577RBBowserIsaiahBlase Sinopoli
7678RBEvansDarryntonJohn Laub
7779WRSt. BrownAmon-RaMike Bainbridge
7880WRLeeTyJoe DiSalvo
7981QBThomasZacScott Bogman
71082WRRobersonReggieJohn McKechnie
71183RBPhillipsScottieJosh Chevalier
71284WRMimsDenzelNathan Marchese
8185RBIngramKeaontayNathan Marchese
8286RBRoseAsimJosh Chevalier
8387RBEmery Jr.JohnJohn McKechnie
8488WREskridgeD'WayneScott Bogman
8589WRHarrisTajJoe DiSalvo
8690QBBarrettWoodyMike Bainbridge
8791TEOkwuegbunamAlbertJohn Laub
8892WRSuttonCoreyBlase Sinopoli
8993WREdwardsBryanCFB Winning Edge
81094QBNewmanJamieJustin Heiesey
81195TECalcaterraGrantMark R. Lindquist
81296RBBrooksKennedyZach Hall

This was probably my favorite two-round turn in the draft. In Roberson I was locking in a high target share of one of the nation's most pass-happy offenses. Improved quarterback play could unlock another level for Roberson alongside James Proche.

Emery was another statement pick. LSU only returns one other running back with significant experience, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and he's a marginal talent. Edwards-Helaire, a former three-star recruit, averaged just 4.5 YPC last year. Yes, YPC is a noisy stat and 4.5 was actually better than Nick Brossette's 4.3 mark, but my belief is that Emery can come in and produce far better numbers right away. LSU has national title aspirations, and if Emery is as advertised, it won't be shy about using him as the starter over a less talented but more experienced player like Edwards-Helaire.

RoundPickOv. PickPOSLast NameFirst NameDrafter
9197QBBryantKellyZach Hall
9298WRReedJaydenMark R. Lindquist
9399RBMitchellElijahJustin Heiesey
94100TEJordanBrevinCFB Winning Edge
95101TEFreiermuthPatBlase Sinopoli
96102WRRuggs IIIHenryJohn Laub
97103WRBakerKawaanMike Bainbridge
98104RBVan BurenAndrewJoe DiSalvo
99105WRVasherT.J.Scott Bogman
910106RBSladeRickyJohn McKechnie
911107RBMcCraeGregJosh Chevalier
912108WRWilliamsSethNathan Marchese
101109QBCorralMattNathan Marchese
102110RBArmstrongJafarJosh Chevalier
103111WRDavisGabrielJohn McKechnie
104112WRMartinDavontaveanScott Bogman
105113WRCorbinKeithJoe DiSalvo
106114RBMurrayMarcelMike Bainbridge
107115RBScottStevieJohn Laub
108116WRMannixMcLaneBlase Sinopoli
109117QBFranksFeleipeCFB Winning Edge
1010118QBBowmanAlanJustin Heiesey
1011119RBCorbinReggieMark R. Lindquist
1012120WRFfrenchMauriceZach Hall

Ricky Slade is a player I've had on my radar since his days as a recruit. The combination of Miles Sanders and Trace McSorley led to a limited rushing sample for Slade as a freshman, but it was promising nonetheless as he racked up six touchdowns on 45 carries and averaged 5.7 YPC. Now that the runway is clear for Slade, he projects for a major workload that will enable him to showcase his five-star caliber talent. 

Elijah Mitchell, Pat Freiermuth, Jafar Armstrong, and Alan Bowman were my other favorite players to go in this range.

RoundPickOv. PickPOSLast NameFirstDrafter
111121RBWhitlowJaTarviousZach Hall
112122WROsbornK.J.Mark R. Lindquist
113123WRMerrittKirkJustin Heiesey
114124WRCraig-MyersNateCFB Winning Edge
115125QBRogersArmaniBlase Sinopoli
116126WRHazeltonDamonJohn Laub
117127WRHamlerKJMike Bainbridge
118128QBPurdyBrockJoe DiSalvo
119129RBPattersonJaretScott Bogman
1110130WRHollomanJeremiahJohn McKechnie
1111131QBMack Jr.DarrielJosh Chevalier
1112132RBMcFarland Jr.AnthonyNathan Marchese
121133WRMooreElijahNathan Marchese
122134QBWimbushBrandonJosh Chevalier
123135RBJacksonDeonJohn McKechnie
124136RBRagasTreyScott Bogman
125137WRSt. FelixRandallJoe DiSalvo
126138TEFergusonJakeMike Bainbridge
127139WREmezieEmekaJohn Laub
128140WRPittman Jr.MichaelBlase Sinopoli
129141QBPerryMalcolmCFB Winning Edge
1210142WRClaypoolChaseJustin Heiesey
1211143QBCostelloK.J.Mark R. Lindquist
1212144WRWatkinsQuezZach Hall

In fairness to my first pick here, this draft took place a few days before Holloman was dismissed from the team. 

My other pick, Deon Jackson, is someone to keep on sleeper lists this offseason. He quietly enjoyed a breakout last season, racking up 1,100 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns. He showed natural ability as a pass catcher, hauling in 26 of 35 targets for 253 yards and two of his touchdowns. A healthy Brittain Brown will challenge for carries of course, but Jackson projects as the leader in this backfield and will be one of my favorite late round targets all draft season.

Two receivers stood out from this cluster of picks and those selections deserve some praise. CFB Winning Edge going after Nate Craig-Myers is an upside play that could change the shape of leagues if it pays off right. The former No.6 receiver in his recruiting class never really got off the ground at Auburn. He'll have a chance to follow in the footsteps of recent second-chance success stories like Michael Gallup and Preston Williams in Fort Collins. He's got the talent and he'll have the opportunity to post major production, even if he doesn't quite reach the levels that his predecessors did. 

The other receiver who caught my eye in this cluster is Emeka Emezie out of North Carolina State. Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers stole most of the headlines out of Raleigh last season, and with good reason, but Emezie was a steady force in his role, too. He caught 47 of 70 targets (67.1 percent) for 580 yards (8.29 YPT) and five scores. The runway is clear for him to take on the top target share and it wouldn't shock me to see him push for close to 30 percent of the 'Pack's targets. At 6-foot-3, 210, Emezie has the frame and talent to do a lot with that level of volume. Love the pick there at 139 overall.

RoundPickOv. PickPOSLast NameFirst NameDrafter
131145QBCalvertStephenZach Hall
132146WRHodginsIsaiahMark R. Lindquist
133147QBBarnettBlakeJustin Heiesey
134148WRCoveyBritainCFB Winning Edge
135149RBHuntleyJasonBlase Sinopoli
136150RBCharbonnetZachJohn Laub
137151QBBlackmanJamesMike Bainbridge
138152WRBowdenLynnJoe DiSalvo
139153QBHerbertJustinScott Bogman
1310154QBGatewoodJoeyJohn McKechnie
1311155DSTAlabamaAlaJosh Chevalier
1312156RBFeasterTavienNathan Marchese
141157DSTClemsonClemNathan Marchese
142158WRStovallMelquiseJosh Chevalier
143159DSTCaliforniaCalJohn McKechnie
144160TEHopkinsBrycenScott Bogman
145161RBValladayXazavianJoe DiSalvo
146162WRDoubsRomeoMike Bainbridge
147163QBRidderDesmondJohn Laub
148164RBSmithB.J.Blase Sinopoli
149165QBMontezStevenCFB Winning Edge
1410166RBSermonTreyJustin Heiesey
1411167DSTMichiganMichMark R. Lindquist
1412168TEBryantHarrisonZach Hall

If this weren't an industry mock, I might not have gone for my third quarterback here. But in the interest of planting a flag, I wanted to get it out there that I am a Joey Gatewood believer. He's huge—6-foot-5 and 233 pounds to be exact—with athleticism and a cannon arm to match. Gatewood was rated the No.1 athlete in the 2018 recruiting class and having a year under his belt in Auburn's system helps his understanding of the system and his position-specific skills.

Speaking of the system, Gus Malzahn taking back over as the play-caller makes me bullish on Auburn's offense as a whole. Gatewood have to win the job over early enrollee five-star freshman Bo Nix, but if he pulls it off, he'll be positioned to be the best quarterback Auburn has had for fantasy purposes since the Nick Marshall era.

Cal was my choice for defense. The Justin Wilcox era in Berkeley looks a lot different than what we've come to expect from the Golden Bears as defense rules the day. They return 78 percent of their defensive production from a 2018 team that forced the sixth-most turnovers in FBS (28). As long as the offense doesn't constantly go three-and-out or put the defense in short field situations, California will be a strong team defense option once again.

RoundPickOv. PickPOSLast NameFirst NameDrafter
151169DSTMississippi StateMisStZach Hall
152170RBWhiteZamirMark R. Lindquist
153171KPotterB.T.Justin Heiesey
154172DSTUtahUtahCFB Winning Edge
155173DSTAppalachian StateAppBlase Sinopoli
156174KSzmytAndreJohn Laub
157175DSTMichigan StateMSUMike Bainbridge
158176WRKnoxTreyJoe DiSalvo
159177KDickerCameronScott Bogman
1510178KBlankenshipRodrigoJohn McKechnie
1511179TEMalloryWillJosh Chevalier
1512180WRGrimesTrevonNathan Marchese
161181KAmmendolaMattNathan Marchese
162182KPattersonRileyJosh Chevalier
163183TETuckerCarlJohn McKechnie
164184DSTTexasTexScott Bogman
165185WRShakirKhalilJoe DiSalvo
166186KMcCannTuckerMike Bainbridge
167187DSTGeorgiaUGAJohn Laub
168188KEberleDominikBlase Sinopoli
169189KReichardWillCFB Winning Edge
1610190DSTFresno StateFresJustin Heisey
1611191KDunnChristopherMark R. Lindquist
1612192KZervosLouieZach Hall

There was a reason why I waiting until my last pick to fill tight end. I thought hard about going with Harrison Bryant out of FAU but went after Cal instead, and of course I got burned as he was off the board by my next pick. So why Tucker? For one, he might be the most talented pass-catcher that North Carolina returns this season. He ranked in fifth in yards per target among tight ends with at least 20 targets last season (12.0) and his career catch rate sits at a strong 77.5. His role in the offense should expand as the team's second-leading returning pass-catcher and if I'm wrong, it's not a huge deal. He was my last pick and the difference between TE10 and TE20 last year was just 14.9 points in standard scoring.

And of course I had to nab Georgia's Rodrigo Blankenship as my kicker. He is our No.2 ranked kicker and he also made my All-Name Team for kickers, a massive achievement.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John McKechnie
John is the 2016 and 2021 FSWA College Writer of the Year winner. He is a Maryland native and graduate of the University of Georgia. He's been writing for RotoWire since 2014.
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