Postseason NFL Mock Draft: What It Means for Fantasy Football
The NFL playoffs are in full swing, as we’re less than a month from seeing which team will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Las Vegas. However, that doesn’t mean it’s too early to look ahead to the 2024 NFL draft! In fact, Luke Easterling has already taken a crack at predicting the first round of what will be another highly anticipated event.
With several strong quarterback and wide receiver prospects on the board, I decided to take a look at what Easterling’s picks would mean from a fantasy football perspective. With more rookies coming into the NFL and making an immediate impact, fantasy managers need to keep closer tabs on the next generation of potential superstars.
With that said, here’s how I see some of Easterling’s offensive skill position picks panning out in the world of fantasy football. We’ll start off in the Windy City!
If the Bears draft USC’s Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick, it will have fantasy implications for two quarterbacks, since it likely means Justin Fields will be on the move.
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1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The Bears’ decision to draft Williams would have major fantasy implications, as it would presumably involve a Justin Fields trade. It would also make the quarterback position deeper, as Williams would warrant a late-round pick in re-drafts while Fields would likely remain a top-12 option no matter where he lands. Williams, who some would compare to Patrick Mahomes, is considered by many a can’t-miss prospect.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
This move would be a major coincidence, as one North Carolina quarterback (Maye) would replace another (Sam Howell). Maye is a big field general (6’5”, 220 pounds) who possesses a big arm with the ability to run, too. In fact, he rushed for over 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns in his final two years with the Tar Heels. That would make Maye a potential deep sleeper in the majority of fantasy re-drafts.
3. New England Patriots: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR. Ohio State
Harrison, the son of former fantasy superstar Marvin Harrison, figures to make an immediate impact. He’s 6’4” with tremendous ball skills and he should be a true No. 1 at the NFL level. I don’t love the fantasy fit in New England, because the team’s current quarterback situation is a mess, but the Patriots have a need for an alpha receiver and Harrison’s talent would make him at least a top-60 pick in most re-drafts.
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5. Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Nabers could be the next LSU wideout to shine in the NFL. He posted 89 catches for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns during his final season with the Tigers, showcasing his ability to play both on the perimeter and in the slot. Nabers’s fantasy appeal in re-drafts would be limited unless the Chargers part ways with Keenan Allen, but his dynasty league appeal with a stud quarterback like Justin Herbert is pretty obvious.
6. New York Giants: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
This move would mean the end of the Daniel Jones era in New York. Daniels has the versatile skill set that fantasy managers love, as he had a 72.2 completion percentage with 40 touchdown passes and just four picks in his final year with the Tigers. Maybe more impressive, Daniels also rushed for over 1,200 yards and 21 touchdowns in his final 26 starts. He’s a bit slight of frame at 185 pounds and could have injury issues due to his style of play, but Daniels has real upside from a fantasy perspective.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
The Falcons are in desperate need of a quarterback and Penix will likely be the best option on the board at No. 8. He had an up-and-down career between Indiana and Washington, suffering multiple torn ACLs before becoming a real star in his final two years with the Huskies. While he isn’t much of a runner, Penix is a strong-armed passer who could create a heck of a young core in Atlanta with Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts in the pass attack. That would be a fun offense to watch.
Washington big-play receiver Rome Adunze would form a dangerous 1-2 punch in New Yowk with Garrett Wilson.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports
10. New York Jets: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Odunze has good size at 6’4” and 215 pounds, which helped him become a contested-catch monster for Penix. With that said, he’d be the No. 2 wideout at best in the Jets pass attack with Garrett Wilson already in the alpha role and Allen Lazard under contract. On a positive note, the rookie would be catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. Still, I see Odunze having a limited ceiling in this rookie scenario.
12. Denver Broncos: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Broncos have much bigger needs, so this would be one of those picks where Bowers is the best player on their board. A star in his collegiate career, he scored 26 touchdowns in three years with Georgia. He has impressive hands and unique skills after the catch, and we all know how much coach Sean Payton liked to use Jimmy Graham and his tight ends in New Orleans. After what Sam LaPorta did as a rookie for Detroit, Bowers would be well worth a look in the later rounds of almost all re-drafts.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
The Colts will have to decide on the future of Michael Pittman Jr., who will be a free agent, during the offseason. Chances are good that he’ll be retained via extension or tag, however, so Coleman would have some trouble making an immediate impact. Remember, the Colts still have Alec Pierce as well. I like this move for Anthony Richardson, who would get a new offensive toy in this scenario, but Coleman would have a low ceiling in re-drafts if the team does in fact retain Pittman for 2024.
*27. Arizona Cardinals: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Easterling has Arizona going offensive line with the No. 4 pick. The Cardinals would love to get Harrison at No. 4 (and in reality, they might if the Patriots take a quarterback at No. 3), but in this mock they land Mitchell with the pick they get from the Texans. Arizona badly needs an alpha wideout, especially with Marquise Brown slated to become a free agent, so it could be a nice landing spot for the Texas wide receiver. He’s 6’4” and can get vertical with his long speed. His 2023 totals indicate he’s ready to make the leap to the pros. If the Cardinals let Brown walk during the offseason, Mitchell could have re-draft value starting alongside Michael Wilson.
*28. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Rashee Rice developed into a great fantasy option down the stretch of his rookie season, but the Chiefs still need more weapons in their passing attack. Whether that means drafting a rookie like Legette or signing a veteran remains to be seen, but anyone with upside catching passes from Patrick Mahomes is going to be on fantasy radars. It’s not a guarantee for success (see Skyy Moore), but Legette would have some late-round re-draft value if he does in fact land in Kansas City’s offense.
*29. Buffalo Bills: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Thomas is another in a long line of LSU wide receivers who will enter the NFL with high expectations. He broke out in 2023, posting 1,177 yards with a solid 17 touchdowns and an impressive 17.3 yards-per-catch average. The Bills could let free-agent-to-be Gabe Davis walk in the offseason, leaving a hole that the 6’4”, 196-pound Thomas could fill out of the gate. In Buffalo and assuming Davis is allowed to walk, Thomas would have some late-round fantasy value.
*Draft position to be determined by playoff results
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