IFL | NFC Mock Draft Rounds 1 – 3 | International Fantasy League

With just a few days left until the IFL Draft event in Las Vegas we drop the final mock draft in the series.

First up is the NFC and we’ve gone three rounds deep with this one, who do you think has the best draft in this mock?

Here’s rounds one to three for the NFC.

ROUND 1

1.01 Saquon Barkley, Giants RB

Atlanta Falcons – Floyd

There’s no need to change the status quo with this pick. Barkley is the Michael Jordan of slam dunk 1.01 picks. I’m sure Flod’s price tag for the 1.01 is so extortionate that I doubt we see it moving out of Georgia any time soon. After picking up Kareem Hunt in the 2017 draft, Flod keeps building his offence with Barkley who is currently going top 10 in redraft leagues, along with Hunt. That’s a solid foundation for any IFL offence.

1.02 Rashaad Penny, Seahawks RB

San Francisco 49ers – Josh

I thought about Trumaine Edmunds here but let’s face it, IDP is just random so what’s the point. Three down backs are becoming harder and harder to find but unlike many NFL coaches, Pete Carroll was kind enough to make it crystal clear who the Seahawks feature back will be for the 2018 season. We’ve seen many teams turn around their offensive lines over the course of an off season, the Vikings were proof of that last season and I think Josh hopes the NFL Seahawks and IFL 49ers can build around Penny.

1.03 Derrius Guice, Redkins RB

Philadelphia Eagles – Chris

Marshawn Lynch is taking home a hefty salary from the Eagles payroll so they could do with a cheap running back to offset the cost. Guice will slot into the IFL Eagles starting line up from day one. The NFL 2nd round pick continues a run on running backs in the 1st round. His upside could be limited early on following Gruden’s comments about a two down role but he’s a very talented back with a solid QB.

1.04 Ronald Jones, Buccaneers RB

Atlanta Falcons – Floyd

The Falcons have seen the Bucs dismantling its roster and thinks his time is now. Chubb could turn out to be the better long term pick but Floyd might elect for instant production by selecting a back with very little competition. Nick Chubb is in play here but we may need to wait until 2019 to see what he’s really capable of. Ronald Jones joins Kareem Hunt and Saquon Barkley to create one of the most exciting backfields in the NFC.

1.05 Nick Chubb, Browns RB

Washington Redskins – Tiffany

Let’s hope new Washington GM, Tiffany doesn’t move this pick as hastily as she did the franchise’s 2019 1st. Certainly a franchise that should be building for the future, Nick Chubb is a player Washington can afford to wait on. With just Jay Ajayi as the team’s start-able running back it’s certainly a position that needs rebuilding, especially given the IFL’s scoring system.Washington will be hoping the NFL Browns turn to Chubb over Carlos Hyde sooner rather than later.

1.06 Sony Michel, Patriots RB

Arizona Cardinals – Jai

Last year Jai shrewdly picked up Alvin Kamara in the draft and this year he takes the player that’s drawn comparisons to the Saints running back. Sony Michel’s hype train slowed a little after he was picked in the 1st round of the NFL Draft by the Patriots. I find it hard to believe that Bill will not want to use his new toy on offence, especially given the high investment they put into the former Georgia running back. Whilst some may pass on Michel due to the way the Pats have used late round running backs in the past, Jai jumps at the chance to take him with the sixth overall pick.

1.07 Roquan Smith, Bears LB

Chicago Bears – Nic

This is the easiest pick of them all. It’s the perfect storm of need and team allegiance from the Bears GM, Nic. The NFL Bears’ first round pick, Roquan Smith is just sitting here waiting to be picked with the 7th overall pick. Nic could go with Edmunds as his top rookie LB given the situation in Buffalo but I think the King of the North makes the homer pick. Nic continues to strengthen what was already looking like an impressive roster. Some will argue he should go higher but given the depth at running back he will be forced down the board.

1.08 Royce Freeman, Broncos RB

Green Bay Packers – Barry

In a league with running back premium scoring, the zero RB approach is not a sound strategy for building your offence. For Green Bay, now is the time for GM Barry to start building a running back core with Alex Collins as the sole back on his roster. Pre-draft Kerryon Johnson and Royce Freeman were a toss up at this position. Fast forward to May and Freeman’s landing spot in Denver is widely considered the much better spot. The running backs are drying up quick.

1.09 Kerryon Johnson, Lions RB

Detroit Lions – Nate

The last of the top tier running backs come off the board at 9th overall as Nate finally finds another running back to take the spot in the locker room he had reserved for Todd Gurley. It’s a bit of a step down from the no.1 scoring player from last season but Johnson could have some useful weeks for Nate. Whilst the NFL Lions might not be considered as the best landing spot, I think there were far worse ones in the NFL. Nate needs to load up on young talent and he’ll be hoping Kerryon Johnson will be one of the good ones from the 2018 class.

1.10 Trumaine Edmunds, Bills LB

Los Angeles Rams – Andrew

Linebacker was an area of need for GM Andrew, even before that Brady trade. So, seeing arguably the top linebacker from this class still left on the board I expect the Rams to run to the podium to get the pick in. Pre-draft my main concern with Edmunds was where a team might play him due to his insane upside as a player both on the inside and on the outside rushing the passer. The Bills situation is much like Penny’s in Seattle, perfect. Not only has he landed on a team which should have its defence on the field a lot but the coaches have already come out and anointed him as the starting middle linebacker.

1.11 Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys LB

Detroit Lions – Nate

Nate is fully aware of the value of linebackers in the IFL and with the top running backs already off the board I think he goes with his favourite linebacker prospect here. LVE was the Cowboys first round pick and given the injury woes of former 2nd round pick, Jaylon Smith and the increasing time on the sidelines for ageing linebacker, Sean Lee this could be a prime spot for IDP production. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see LVE slotted into a three down role early given his special ability in coverage.

1.12 Rashaan Evans, Titans LB

Carolina Panthers – Nils

The run on IDP finishes with the former Crimson Tide linebacker, Rashaan Evans as he’s drafted by the IFL Panthers. Some will be screaming why would you pick Evans over the top WR on the board in DJ Moore. My reasoning is Nils has a desperate (and I mean desperate) need at linebacker with just edge rusher, Dee Ford and the soon to be retired Ryan Shazier. Receiver has been a notoriously hard position to hit on in recent years and Evans might be viewed as more of a sure thing. Evans to the Panthers but there’s still plenty of work to be done with that linebacking group.

1.13 DJ Moore, Panthers WR

Green Bay Packers – Barry

DJ Moore will go much higher than this in any other dynasty rookie draft but there’s still the stink around rookie wide receivers. The Packers may even attempt to trade up early on to secure another running back but in this scenario Moore is best player available. With $21m invested in current NFL free agent, Dez Bryant, the Packers need to balance the books on offence and Moore could definite be a starter week 1 for Green Bay. Especially if Dez ends up in a less that ample situation.

1.14 Calvin Ridley, Falcons WR

Seattle Seahawks – Will

With the likes of Josh Gordon, Kelvin Benjamin and Josh Doctson as the lead receivers on the Seahawks roster the position is far from secure. The best players available right now are receivers so this will come down to personal taste. Calvin Ridley was the number one receiver for many analysts throughout the draft process and despite losing out on the first receiver picked accolade he still went in the first round to the Falcons. Christian Kirk, Courtland Sutton and even Kalen Ballage could be in the mix but I think Seattle goes with Ridley with the 14th overall pick.

1.15 Courtland Sutton, Broncos WR

San Francisco 49ers – Josh

IDP is random, no way Josh goes IDP. Courtland Sutton is a slam dunk top 10 pick in most dynasty rookie draft but not the IFL where running backs and linebackers rule the roost. However, what this does create is a huge value opportunity for GMs with picks at the back end of the first round. Sutton was one of the premier red zone receivers available in the NFL draft and whilst the Broncos might not be the ideal landing spot on the face of it, it could pay dividends in years to come. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are approaching the twilight of their careers, no doubt the main motivation behind Denver making the pick of Sutton in the second round.

1.16 Darius Leonard, Colts LB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Luke

The linebacker situation in Tampa is far from stable. Sean Lee is arguably the best of the bunch and given his long list of injury woes I would be looking to add some fresh blood to the position. Darius Leonard is a real post draft riser after landing in Indianapolis, which is desperately short of linebackers. Leonard is a little undersized but hugely productive at the college level and the senior bowl which bodes well. Five linebackers go in the first round.

ROUND 2

2.01 Christian Kirk, Cardinals WR

Detroit Lions – Nate

It’s very rare you will see a draft where Kirk will fall this far but off the back of the news about his arrest a few months ago and the run on linebackers he’s sitting here at 17 overall. After snaring a running back and a linebacker in the first round Nate comes back at the top of the second to secure a decent receiver prospect. Nate will be hoping the charges against Kirk fizzle out like a Reuben Foster court case but don’t be surprised if we potentially see an early season ban if the charges stick.

2.02 Kalen Ballage, Dolphins RB

Arizona Cardinals – Jai

Is this early? Yes it is but hear me out first. When Kerryon Johnson went off the board he was the last of the highly drafted running backs to go. After that the running back position is murky and in a running back premium league the knock on effect is guys like Ballage get over drafted. That said, there’s plenty of opportunity for Ballage to come to the fore in Miami but it will be a very messy situation early on with Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake competing for touches. Jai will be hoping Ballage can justify his decision at the 2.02.

2.03 Derwin James, Chargers S

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Luke

GM Luke will be investing heavily into his defence this off season and in Derwin James he sees a potential star at the safety position. Malcolm Jenkins is beginning to fade and it’s likely Sean Davis sees a heavy hit to his production with the move to free safety. The strong safety position in Gus Bradley’s defence was hugely productive for Jonathan Cyprien and could be the same for Derwin James too.

2.04 Marcus Davenport, Saints DE

Seattle Seahawks – Will

Since the Broncos picked up Bradley Chubb and moved him to OLB it’s left the DE class as thin as a wafer. The Seahawks desperately need help at DE and Davenport is raw but carries huge upside in IDP. It’s a no brainer pick for GM Will at a position we’ve already seen players go for $20m+ this off season.

2.05 James Washington, Steelers WR

Washington Redskins – Tiffany

Washington is playing the long game as they rebuild and for GM Tiffany Washington is just the type of player she’ll be targeting. The Steelers have a good eye for a receiver and Tiffany will be hoping they’ve hit on another. It might not be until his second season that we see production but I doubt Washington will be looking to compete in 2018.

2.06 Michael Gallup, Cowboys WR

Philadelphia Eagles – Chris

Michael Gallup is one of those players we see each year when their landing spot puts them on everyones shortlist of targets. The former Michigan wideout was very productive during his collegiate career yet he was certainly an under the radar prospects coming into the NFL. We all know what’s transpired since that time with Dez flying the nest and Gallup being drafted by the Cowboys in the third round. Gallup is well positioned to be 2018’s top scoring rookie receiver if the opportunity is as good in reality as it looks on paper. He could sneak into the first round.

2.07 Anthony Miller, Bears WR

Carolina Panthers – Nils

The Bears were obviously very high on Anthony Miller after they traded up to snare the former Memphis receiver in the second round. Miller won multiple fans during the draft process, including everyone’s favourite, Mel Kiper Jnr and new Bears coach, Matt Nagy already seems to be a huge fan of his new toy on offence. With so many new pieces on offence for the Bears it will be interesting to watch who will gain the trust of second year QB, Mitch Trubisky.

2.08 Mike Gesecki, Dolphins TE

San Francisco 49ers – Josh

When everyone tuned into Penn State games, it was usually to watch Saquon Barkley but one player, Mike Gesecki started to accumulate a lot of fans for his dynamic play at tight end. Gesecki made scouts and draft analysts stand up with his hugely impressive combine performance, which helped must have helped persuade the Dolphins front office to take him in the second round. The IFL 49ers just need to accumulate talent and Gesecki certainly has that.

2.09 Hayden Hurst, Baltimore TE

Los Angeles Rams – Andrew

Tight ends go back to back with the Ravens’ first round pick, Hayden Hurst going to the IFL Rams with the 25th overall. He’s an older prospect and with the overhaul we’ve seen at the Ravens receiving position that offence is wide open for receptions. Rams GM Andrew needs some offensive depth and Hurst has a wide open spot at the Ravens that it might pay off big for him.

2.10 Nyheim Hines, Colts RB

Carolina Panthers – Nils

All the top tier running backs have dried up by this point in the draft but Nyheim Hines is a back that is certainly worth a role of the dice later in the second round. The NFL Colts backfield is a mess but one which could provide enough opportunities for a player like Hines to be a fifth starter. Nils is desperately lacking talent on his roster so he’ll be hoping Hines can hold some value either as a flip candidate or as a starter.

2.11 Fred Warner, 49ers LB

Carolina Panthers – Nils

As Nils begins to try and restock his roster with talent, linebacker is certainly a position he’ll want to load up on. Fred Warner finds himself in an interesting spot at the 49ers. His only competition at the WLB position is Malcolm Smith who’s been less than reliable during his time in the Bay Area. The 49ers other top linebacker is the very volatile Reuben Foster, who, whether he gets off this time or not, I doubt this is his last run in with the law. This should create a situation for Warner to significant snaps and is worth a role of the dice late in the second round.

2.12 Dante Pettis, 49ers WR

Carolina Panthers – Nils

Pettis was somewhat of a surprise where he was selected by the 49ers. They must have really liked him though to trade up for him. Pettis will no doubt play the slot role for the 49ers, which could be a very productive role if Jimmy Garoppolo likes his slot receivers as much as his former mentor, Tom Brady. Pettis didn’t wow people during the draft process but the landing spot is one of the best available and makes him an easy pick at the 2.12.

2.13 DJ Chark, Jaguars LSU

Washington Redskins – Tiffany

Unlike Dante Pettis, DJ Chark was one of stars of the draft process, putting up an insanely quick 40 time. His landing spot is a difficult situation to fathom. Out goes their best receiver, Allen Robinson and what is left is a cast of characters including: Donte Moncrief, alongside Marqise Lee and Keelan Cole. Chark didn’t exactly tear it up at college but he has some tantalising physical traits that make him a name to watch.

2.14 Josh Rosen, Cardinals QB

Carolina Panthers – Nils

I could be way out here and the QBs could end up going a lot higher but given where the highly drafted NFL QBs went in last year’s draft, I think end of the 2nd and the 3rd round seem right. Rosen is the prospect with the easiest path to starting snaps due to the injury history of the current default QB, Sam Bradford. He could become a weekly starter by mid season and with the Panthers current QB, Kirk Cousins only on a one year deal, Rosen could be the Panthers QB of the future.

2.15 Tre’Quan Smith, Saints, WR

Carolina Panthers – Nils

The Saints is a sneaky good landing spot with an opportunity for a wide receiver to really establish themselves as a the WR2 on the roster. From a production standpoint, Smith completed his college career with a first-team all-conference campaign, racking up 1,171 yards and 13 touchdowns. With Drew Brees as his QB, Smith could be very useful to a fantasy GM and the IFL Panthers definitely need pieces.

2.16 Malik Jefferson, Bengals LB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Luke

Malik could be one of the most talented players in the whole of the draft class. At times during his Texas A&M career he looked like a potential Butkus Award winner but he struggled with consistency. In the NFL draft he dropped to round 3 where the Bengals picked him up. On the face of it this may look like a bad landing spot. However, given the troubles of WLB, Vontaze Burfict has had over the years they may be an opportunity for Jefferson to take that spot maybe as early as 2019.

ROUND 3

3.01 Jerome Baker, Dolphins LB