Christmas Island’s Mock Draft 1.0

WR Ja’Marr Chase could be a sure-thing wide receiver who makes an immediate impact.

The following mock draft was conducted and written by Christmas Island.

Round 1

1.01 Switzerland Squirrels — WR1 Ja’Marr Chase, CINI love Ja’Marr Chase. He reminds me of a slimmer AJ Brown, and I think he will be an every week starter this season earlier than later. I worry slightly about his ceiling competing for targets with Tee Higgins, but I believe in Chase’s talent and this Bengals offense. He is in his own tier among wide receivers in this class. In most rookie drafts, I would advocate going with running back at the top of the first, but I am not overly impressed with this RB class nor their landing spots. The Squirrels get a no-doubter with their 1st pick here.

1.02 Nagasaki Kamikazes — RB1 Najee Harris, PITNagasaki lands the guy that is the safest bet to provide the most fantasy points off the bat for a team looking to push for a championship. Najee should be the starter off the bat, and with the Steeler’s wide receivers, the offense should sustain drives and give Najee plenty of rushing opportunities behind that rough offensive line. I worry about Najee’s age in a dynasty setting, but Nagasaki lands a very safe player when looking at a 2–3-year window.

1.03 Nagasaki Kamikazes — TE1 Kyle Pitts, ATLPitts can easily be ranked as a top 3-4 dynasty tight end without ever even playing an NFL down. I love the landing spot in Atlanta, and if Julio isn’t there this year or next, then projected targets for Pitts should skyrocket. He is one of if not the greatest TE prospect of all time. This could be seen as a luxury pick but locking up an elite TE for little money allows a manager a ton of flexibility to create a championship team.

1.04 Bangkok Blitz — RB2 Travis Etienne, JAXThis is a tough pick to have. After the top 3, I think Etienne has the best chance of being a home run pick. He is a play maker than can be a three-down back if the opportunity is given. I only worry about him having a low floor with James Robinson existing in the same backfield. Every year, it is getting harder to find a true work horse running back, but I think Etienne’s ability to take it to the house on any run or catch is what gives him the edge over Javonte. Bangkok already has the best backfield of the MFFL, but with Chase and Pitts gone, either a trade down or taking one of the Big 3 RBs seems like the smartest option.

1.05 Russia Renegades — RB3 Javonte Williams, DENI wouldn’t blame anybody for taking Javonte before Etienne. He is another guy with a three down back profile. However, he will have a hard time beating out a healthy Melvin Gordon for touches, and the current QB situation in Denver won’t cultivate a fantasy friendly offense. If Melvin Gordon gets injured though? All wheels up. Even if Javonte struggles in a shared backfield this year, he could be a star if Melvin Gordon lands somewhere else next offseason. Russia adds another great RB to their cabal.

1.06 Ecuador Ewoks — WR2 Devonta Smith, PHIThe Slim Reaper is just plain good at football. I am not worried about his weight because he has already proven he is an outlier. He is instantly the WR1 on the Eagles, and I think you can easily project 100+ targets for Smith in an offense hungry for an elite WR. I see shades of Justin Jefferson, and I believe that Jalen Hurts will have a significant 2nd year improvement. Ecuador should be either trading down to get more assets or begin building a team around a cornerstone pick like Smith here.

1.07 Ukraine Grainers — WR3 Jaylen Waddle, MIAHere, I am betting on the talent of Waddle to bloom even while competing for targets with Fuller and Parker. Long-term, Waddle is going to be a great fantasy asset, but I worry that 2021 might be tough year for a breakout unless Tua takes a gigantic leap. Waddle looks like a better, more productive version of Ruggs. Ukraine will courageously pick the fastest receiver in the draft for the third year in a row, but this time, I think he hits the walk off home run instead of striking out.

1.08 Ukraine Grainers — WR4 Rondale Moore, ARIUkraine might be looking for running backs, but there is nothing wrong with having the deepest wide receiver crew in the league. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am ready to watch the cutest connection in the NFL on Sundays between two of the shortest guys at their positions. Rondale might be the most fun guy to watch in this class once he has the ball in his hands. His height might give you pause, but his obvious talent and wonderful landing spot should erase all doubts.

1.09 Jamaica Jerks — WR5 Rashod Bateman, BALI don’t care what any of you haters think, Rashod Bateman should either stay the same or move up in your rankings after landing on the Ravens. His biggest competition for targets is Mark Andrews. Lamar Jackson is a good QB, and the Ravens are a smart team. They will find ways to get the ball into Bateman’s talented hands. I think we should be careful to not point to the Ravens run heavy offense as a sign of what is to come. It is tough to pass a lot when your top target is a tight end. I love Bateman, and I think he is a value pick at 1.09 for Jamaica’s strong WR crew.

1.10 Russia Renegades — WR6 Elijah Moore, NYJRussia now lands a solid WR at the back end of the 1st round with this pick. I believe he is an NFL ready playmaker with a lot of talent. He has solid draft capital and must only hurdle an aging Crowder and disappointing Mims for WR1 status on a Jets team looking to turn things around. I do worry about having to catch passes from a rookie QB in 2021, but I think Moore will be simply fine in future seasons.

1.11 Nagasaki Kamikazes — WR7 Terrace Marshall, CARNagasaki misses the best LSU WR in this class, but Terrace Marshall is no slouch. He was able to be productive while competing for targets with the best rookie WR last year and my 1.01 this year. I like his profile and think he can be a monster in the right offense. I believe Terrace will be a great pick for 2022+ if not for a 2021 championship run.

1.12 San Juan Scorpions — QB1 Trevor Lawrence, JAXThis is a fair spot to draft a QB that has been called the greatest prospect since Andrew Luck. Trevor Lawrence has been the 1.01 in the NFL draft since his Freshman season at Clemson. He is a winner that will easily replace Josh Allen or give San Juan a valuable trading piece to get an elite veteran at running back or wide receiver. He has big arm and good legs, and he is easily the safest pick here. I wouldn’t have a problem if he was taken earlier in this draft either.

Round 2

2.01 Wake Island Wookiees — QB2 Justin Fields, CHISometimes, you can have your cake and eat it too. The Wookies land their equivalent of Luke Skywalker. He is the chosen one that will finally bring balance to the force/Chicago. The Wookies get their own franchise QB with Daniel Jones still having a lot to prove to New York and Wake Island. Wake Island would be smart to possibly trade out of this position to other hungry Bears fans.

2.02 Bangkok Blitz — QB3 Trey Lance, SFTrey Lance has a cannon and a ton of athleticism. Bangkok can probably land great receivers in free agency, and the flex options through the rest of the draft carry a ton of risk. Lance could be a nice stash while rostering Dak and Rodgers, but Bangkok could use those pieces to make a trade for other flex players.

2.03 Jamaica Jerks — RB4 Trey Sermon, SFTrey Lance’s new running back is the next guy off the board to a Jamaica team that could use some running backs. The 49ers backfield is famous for being unpredictable week to week. I think it is a good landing spot for Sermon. Shanahan loves his zone running scheme and Sermon could have huge holes when he’s on the field if defenses have to worry about containing Trey Lance too.

2.04 Russia Renegades — WR8 Kadarius Toney, NYGI generally don’t trust receivers that only shine in their senior year in college, but Kadarius looks like a talented guy and has a cool name. The Giants need an explosive receiver, and Slayton and Shepard aren’t stiff competition for targets. He needs to develop some route running skills, but he has the draft capital and should see the field immediately. Russia gets another young WR at a value here.

2.05 Jamaica Jerks — RB5 Michael Carter, NYJCarter has to only compete against La”Mical Perine, Ty Johnson, Tevin Coleman, and Josh Adams. So, he looks like he has a decent chance at getting most of the touches in this LaFleur zone running scheme. His size and college workload are red flags for me, but he is agile, sturdy, and has some decent receiving skills. Jamaica takes a swing at landing the possible starting running back on an improving Jets offense.

2.06 Ukraine Grainers — QB4 Zach Wilson, NYJUkraine goes with the safest option here and picks up a rookie QB with a lot of the same qualities you see in the other 3 rookie QBs that went before him, a big arm and loves to scramble. Ukraine already has great QB depth, but with Watson’s off the field issues, Stafford’s health, and Hurts possibly not being the starter after this year, grabbing a rookie QB might not be a dumb move here. None of the flex prospects after this pick are that exciting or solid anyways.

2.07 Russia Renegades — WR9 Dyami Brown, WASRussia takes a swing at a big-play WR who could be the third option on a Washington team that spent 3rd round draft capital on him. They should be slinging the ball around if Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting, but I don’t see him outplaying Curtis Samuel and Terry McLaurin for targets anytime soon.

2.08 Egypt Pharaohs — WR10 Amari Rodgers, GBHere is another guy that didn’t really have a breakout until his senior year, but Green Bay is a nice landing spot for any receiver as long as Aaron Rodgers sticks around. Amari could see some nice usage in the slot.

2.09 Egypt Pharaohs — WR11 Nico Collins, HOUNico Collins is one of the few big bodied elite athletic WRs in this class. I like his chances at becoming the 3rd if not 2nd receiving option in Houston. He doesn’t have amazing production numbers, but he rounds out a nice pairing of two high upside WR picks in a row for Egypt.

2.10 San Juan Scorpions — TE2 Pat Freiermuth, PITFreiermuth isn’t Kyle Pitts, but he has good draft capital and route running. Big Ben might quickly turn him into his favorite check down option. San Juan has two tight ends that are still on the Eagles, and Freiermuth is a guy that should play a lot of downs beginning in his rookie year.

2.11 Christmas Island Crabs — TE3 Hunter Long, MIAI like Hunter Long’s profile, but he will start the year behind Gesicki. Christmas Island doesn’t need starters for 2021 anyways, and Hunter Long has enough college production, draft capital, and NFL skills to be a safe gamble at future fantasy production once he has the TE position to himself in Miami.

2.12 Christmas Island Crabs — WR12 Amon-Ra St. Brown, DETThe first day 3 receiver lands on an MFFL team. Amon-Ra has a cool name, bad draft capital, but could honestly find himself with the easiest path to targets out of all the NFL rookies. He is another guy with no exceptional talent in one area, but he does everything well. I expected him to be drafted on day 2 in the NFL and could see him being a fantasy contributor for years if not a star.

Round 3

3.01 Russia Renegades — WR13 D’Wayne Eskridge, SEANot sure if the Eskridge pick was to make up for landing DK Metcalf two years ago, but woof. I digress. Eskridge has a ton of upside for a Russia team that can throw caution to the wind on this pick. Eskridge has draft capital, near-elite speed, and was a YAC monster in college even if I hate his production.

3.02 Nagasaki Kamikazes — QB5 Mac Jones, NESomebody has to draft him, and it is the third round. I don’t know what else you want from me here.

3.03 Ecuador Ewoks — WR14 Anthony Schwartz, CLEI love his youth, draft capital, and blazing speed. He doesn’t have amazing production numbers, but he has Day 2 draft capital after only 3 years in college. Not many players left that offer as much upside as Schwartz.

3.04 Jamaica Jerks — RB6 Rhamondre Stevenson , NEPretty murky backfield in NE. He is a big agile back with competent if not great receiving production. 4th round draft capital is not great, but he could see some money touches near the goal line.

3.05 Turkey Jerky — RB7 Elijah Mitchell, SFHe has a shot to be in the mix of that SF zone running game in 2021 and even more so 2022 on. He has a great physical and production profile but bad draft capital.

3.06 Jamaica Jerks — WR15 Tylan Wallace, BALI like his production profile a lot, but he did not test well athletically at all. He could be better than his draft capital suggests if his athletic numbers were hampered by an earlier ACL tear. I just do not trust guys who don’t declare early, are Day 3 picks, and aren’t athletic.

3.07 Ukraine Grainers — RB8 Kenny Gainwell , PHII hate this landing spot for Gainwell, who is possibly the best receiving back in this class. I think he could see fantasy success in the same way as Nyheim Hines and Dion Lewis.

3.08 Ecuador Ewoks — RB9 Chuba Hubbard , CARHe should be backing up Christian McCaffrey in 2021 and beyond. He has a great physical profile, and he looked like a Day 2 pick in the 2020 draft before he decided to go back to college. He didn’t have the best last season in college, but he could be very valuable if he is ever called to start by the Panthers.

3.09 Egypt Pharaohs — TE4 Tommy Tremble , CARI really like his chances of getting on the field with already being an elite run blocker and nice draft capital. He is intelligent, young, and athletic. I would not blink if someone took him earlier than this. He just must hurdle a so far unimpressive Ian Thomas and Dan Arnold.

3.10 Christmas Island Crabs — RB10 Chris Evans, CINHe doesn’t have the best production numbers, but he has an elite athletic profile. He should be the RB2 on this Bengals offense. Plus, points for being captain America.

3.11 Bangkok Blitz — WR16 Tutu Atwell , LARHow did this guy get drafted before Terrace Marshall? How? I just see Taylor Gabriel when I look at Tutu. I have not been his weight since I was 14. I just do not get what the Rams are doing. At some point, the draft capital can get these guys on the field though. He could still land as the third receiver in three wide receiver sets.

3.12 Nagasaki Kamikazes — TE5 Brevin Jordan , HOUHe either needs to improve his run blocking to become a three down player or be amazing in the receiving game to get a ton of playing time despite his current weakness at run blocking. He is young and has amazing YAC talent.

Round 4

4.01 Wake Island Wookiees — RB11 Jermar Jefferson, DETI was surprised to see Jefferson fall all the way to the 7th round. He might be slightly smaller and unathletic for what you want to see in a fantasy RB prospect, but he has good production numbers early in his collegiate career before an injury saw him lose touches his sophomore year.

4.02 Switzerland Squirrels — WR17 Josh Palmer , LACThe only guy on Day 2 that made me say “who?” I don’t know about 2021, but he could see significant targets on a WR needy team in the future. Justin Herbert looks like he could probably turn anybody into viable fantasy asset at this point. I don’t like much about Josh Palmer outside of his draft capital and landing spot.

4.03 Ecuador Ewoks — TE6 Tre McKitty, LACThe Josh Palmer of tight ends. He has good draft capital and bad production numbers. He is a long shot at being an elite fantasy tight end.

4.04 Bangkok Blitz — WR18 Jaelon Darden, TBA day 3 pick made by a team with a crowded wide receiver room. Darden is undersized and had decent production in his last two years of college, but he isn’t likely to be a fantasy stud any time soon.

4.05 Jamaica Jerks — QB6 Kellen Mond, MINLots of comps to Jalen Hurts and his situation last year being drafted by the Eagles. Could possibly push to be a starter in the next two years.

4.06 Turkey Jerky — QB7 Kyle Trask, TBPurely long-term stash. He won’t be starting on a championship Bucs team with Tom Brady still at the helm in 2021, but he could be a starter in a future year with the draft capital invested in him.

4.07 Egypt Pharaohs — WR19 Simi Fehoko, DALHe’s an older rookie and will be the WR4 on this Cowboys team, but he is an early declare and has some nice final season production stats and an elite physical profile.

4.08 Ukraine Grainers — RB12 Kene Nwangwu, MINAn Iowa state running back with blazing speed, 4th round draft capital, and return specialist talents.

4.09 Christmas Island Crabs — WR20 Seth Williams, DENRound 6 draft pick that many thought would go round 3 or 4. He produced early, declared early, and he is a big bodied WR. I do worry he’s buried on the Broncos, but he could emerge as a regular contributor when some of the veteran receivers leave Denver in the next year.

4.10 Russia Renegades — RB13 Javian Hawkins, ATLHe is a speedy and undersized running back with some talent, but he went undrafted. I don’t see him becoming this year’s James Robinson, but he’s worth a dart throw this late.

4.11 Nagasaki Kamikazes — WR21 Dez Fitzpatrick, TENHe could see work in 3 wide receiver sets in 2021, but Titans are still a run first offense. Dez never blew up in college and is old for a rookie.

4.12 San Juan Scorpions — WR22 Ihmir Smith-Marsette, MINHe could be the WR3 on the Vikings passing attack. He is versatile and has a lot of speed, but not many 5th round receivers end up being valuable fantasy assets.