It’s that time again. Dynasty rookie FEVER SZN is HERE! The NFL Draft will come and go before we know it, and rookie drafts will start flying daily. Before you dive head first into our Draft Simulator and run 3,000 rookie drafts in preparation, please read up on this talented prospect class as I roll through my quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end positional primers.
Motrin and Tylenol can’t quell this fever. The only medicine is more rookie mock drafts.
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers: WR | QB | RB | TE
- 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
- 2024 Draft Scouting Reports
2024 Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice
Brock Bowers (Georgia )
Stats:
- 2023 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 2nd
- PFF receiving grade: 6th
- 2022 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 3rd
- PFF receiving grade: 3rd
- 2021 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 3rd
- PFF receiving grade: 3rd
Scouting report:
- Bowers is an agile steamroller. He’s incredibly hard to bring down. Georgia utilized him in motion with screens a ton, and for good reason. It was free yards essentially each play as the first defender usually tasked with bringing down Bowers failed at their assignment. He was second among all tight ends in missed tackles forced in 2023. He sheds defenders with ease in the open field with a combination of strong legs and upper body strength.
- Bowers was utilized all over the formation. Out wide (running go routes). In-line or in the slot where he was too quick for linebackers to hang with him and too physical for nickels to have a chance at shutting him down. In motion, he mauled opponents with screen targets. Bowers flashes good body control with solid adjustments to back-shoulder throws and targets outside of his frame.
- He has exceptional change of direction and bend. He can beat zone coverage sitting down in between defenders or excel against man coverage. Since 2021, among all tight ends with at least 25 man coverage targets, he ranks 12th in Yards per route run, immediately ahead of Michael Mayer. His hands are as good as they come, with only a 4.4% drop rate in college (eight drops across three seasons).
- As a blocker, Bowers is able to hold his patch of grass in pass protection. His functional play strength translates. He has a good initial punch with strong hands. He wasn’t tasked with being isolated on blitzing linebackers, corners, or edges. On many plays, Bowers was asked to help seal the edge. He is a tenacious run blocker that can clear a path. He’s not an elite blocker, but he should be able to play every down in the NFL with the ability to become one of the best blockers in the league if it all gels.
Player Comp: George Kittle
Brevyn Spann-Ford (Minnesota )
Stats:
- 2023 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 104th
- PFF receiving grade: 135th
- 2022 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 6th
- PFF receiving grade: 7th
- 2021 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 17th
- PFF receiving grade: 24th
Scouting report:
- He was a much-improved blocker from 2021 to 2023. He still has a propensity to drop his eyes and look lax when chipping, but his first punch and anchor improved. He can drive defenders back and hold his area well when locked in. Blocking is how he will make his mark in the NFL.
- Spann-Ford will be an inline tight end in the NFL and an underneath receiving option. He can be utilized against zone coverage, but he doesn’t have the juice or route-running chops to beat man coverage or win on the perimeter. He rounds his routes and isn’t crisp or sudden out of his breaks. He is a station-to-station receiving option. Across 95 collegiate receptions, he only forced 11 missed tackles.
Player Comp: Darren Fells
A.J. Barner (Michigan )
Stats:
- 2023 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 79th
- PFF receiving grade: 45th
- 2022 (minimum 20 targets)
- Yards per route run: 139th
- PFF receiving grade: 114th
Scouting report:
- Tenacious run blocker. His hands are like vice grips. Once Barner has you in his grasp, good luck getting out. He can plow the road as a run blocker. Michigan used him as a puller at times to lead the way. His blocking contributions will define his NFL career.
- Barner is a tertiary option only for the passing game. He will leak out or run shallow crossers and out routes. With only 4.2 yards after the catch per reception and 0.99 YPRR in college, he won’t be a priority option in any passing game. A catch and fall down receiver.
Player Comp: Antony Auclair
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