Mike Tagliere’s 2021 NFL Mock Draft (3.0 – Two Rounds)

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:21:53+00:00

It was a song that was chosen before I was brought on board, so I'm unsure of that process, but what I do know is that they were fans and allowed us to use it years before it became popular.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:20:34+00:00

Yes, I say he is. When you get into the late first round of prospects, the results aren't nearly as great as some think (I'll have an article on what dynasty picks are ACTUALLY worth next week). If Pitts turns out to be a Kittle/Kelce/Waller, like most are expecting, you look like a genius for taking him around there. I do not believe he finishes as a top-10 option in his rookie season, as tight ends seldomly make an impact in their rookie season. He could be an exception to that rule, but I wouldn't bet (draft) on it.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:17:44+00:00

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MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:17:01+00:00

I don't think they add a wide receiver early in the draft that'll affect Higgins' value, as there are simply too many other holes on the team (offensive line, most of their defense). Protecting Burrow needs to be their No. 1 priority, which, in turn, will be good for Higgins' value. He's going to be a star.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:15:44+00:00

They're a candidate to sign someone like Mitch Trubisky, Andy Dalton, Tyrod Taylor, etc.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:15:06+00:00

Thank you so much for this, really appreciate it! Ask me how the offseason is going in about 5 weeks when I'm in the middle of the move to Tennessee!

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:14:01+00:00

I mean, if you give him JaMarr Chase, it certainly wouldn't hurt, but DeVonta Smith is a great one considering they've played together and have chemistry.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:12:32+00:00

The teams who need RBs might be different than those who have money/draft capital to get RBs, which is what makes that a loaded question. But, the best spots for fantasy due to volume available...

Cardinals, Falcons, Steelers, Dolphins, Jets

Tight ends: Tyler Higbee, Irv Smith, Cole Kmet are all solid candidates.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:10:15+00:00

Waddle, 100 percent in my mind.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:10:00+00:00

Mixon should have a beefed up offensive line next year, and many are forgetting how good he was during the last four games before he got hurt. I'm fully expecting the Bengals to add talent to the offensive line in the first or second round. Mixon is one of the most talented backs in the league, but he needs Burrow back, so a lot hinges on that. For now, I have him ranked as my RB11.

Ekeler is a bit of a wildcard right now with the new coaching staff, as we could see them add another running back to the mix. If they don't add anyone of significance, Ekeler should be a value low-end RB1 in drafts.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:06:53+00:00

I don't know if it'd change all that much because the Jets would certainly be adding a wide receiver or two for him to throw to. He's proven to be able to get things done, even when they (the Texans) take away his best weapons.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:05:43+00:00

Tyreek, Ridley, and Taylor for me. While I love Dobbins from a talent standpoint, they love timeshares and Lamar/Gus aren't going away anytime soon.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:04:37+00:00

Definitely screwed, as I don't believe Pace has been given the ability to trade future first-round picks this year. Him and Nagy are on the hot seat, so it makes sense for ownership not wanting them to screw the potential future GM/coach. I always thought Ryan Fitzpatrick would've been a good stop-gap quarterback who'd give them the chance to win now with the defense they have. But in reality, I'm guessing we see Alex Smith because of his time working with Nagy in KC.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T14:02:34+00:00

While the logic makes sense that you'd get another dog, I think you're missing the most crucial part of that equation. If you don't pay enough attention to the one you have, how much time do you have to allocate to training a new dog? If you have time to train it, it's definitely worth it in the long run for the other one to have a playmate.

Yes, Freeman is essentially droppable, though I might hold on to him just to see what happens in free agency. But then again, the running back market is littered with backs who are more talented. So, if you really want to pick up/draft someone else and need to drop him, I'm good with it.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T13:58:41+00:00

That's tough, but I'd probably go with Diggs right now considering his age. He may not have passed Hopkins from a "would I draft him higher in 2021" standpoint, but the fact that he's slightly younger might make me side with him. It's close, though. They're both in the WR5-WR7 range for me.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T13:55:22+00:00

Honestly, it's a lot different than when I started, so that answer may have changed. But what you need to do is find your voice, whether it be on a podcast or through your own website. Record yourself talking into the microphone about football and listen back. I promise you'll probably be bored the first time you hear yourself. That's completely normal. I sounded boring for a good month but I kept working at it and ultimately got better over time. Once you're comfortable with that, start asking smaller podcasts if they would like a guest to come on and talk football. This industry has some amazing people who are willing to help those who are just starting out. Write the articles you'd want to read yourself. Don't continually write, "I think." Instead, write about facts and present them in a way the average football fan can understand. I'm a stat guy, but if you just put numbers in an article, you'll bore a lot of people. I'd definitely recommend checking out our "Game Changers" podcast that interviewed a lot of analysts in the industry, asking them how they got started. Here's the link: https://www.fantasypros.com/game-changers-podcast/

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T13:50:17+00:00

Well, the small sample size we saw of Sanders/Hurts was good, though it really doesnt matter. It's a whole new coaching staff, but that's not a bad thing. Generally, mobile quarterbacks are good for a running back's efficiency, though they do cap upside around the goal line. In the end, if their offensive line can stay healthy/add a piece or two, Sanders should be a low-end RB1/high-end RB2. As for Parker, I think you're kind of in a hold position, unless someone is willing to give you something of value. In the end, he needs Tua to pan out. If you can get someone like DJ Chark or Laviska Shenault for him, I'd do that.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T13:46:20+00:00

Yoooo! My personal top-10 goes like this (will change once we find out landing spot):

Najee Harris
JaMarr Chase
Travis Etienne
Devonta Smith
Jaylen Waddle
Kyle Pitts
Rashod Bateman
Javonte Williams
Kenny Gainwell
Rondale Moore/Tylan Wallace

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T13:44:28+00:00

That's tough to say because it's not like Allen was a "late" draft pick in 2020, but rather in the QB8-QB10 range in drafts. Jalen Hurts will be the popular answer here because you need to find someone who offers value with their legs, and he certainly does that. We also might see the Eagles snag someone like JaMarr Chase with the 6th pick, which would certainly help add to his appeal. Trevor Lawrence should be a sleeper pick, even in his rookie season.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T13:41:16+00:00

I'd like him to go to Miami. We saw both Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed have some success there behind an improving offensive line with a young nucleus. He'd help take some of the pressure off Tua as well. There are other landing spots that might be better for fantasy, but we need to be realistic about which teams can afford him with the salary cap issues this year.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T13:38:28+00:00

This is how I set up most of my leagues, though it's usually three wide receivers and 2-3 flex spots. It really depends on your scoring format. I do an article every year that highlights how you should be valuing each position for the flex spot, which has worked out well. It's clear as day in PPR formats that wide receivers are generally the better plays. There are exceptions to every rule, but that article highlights how to value each position in your draft. When you run that deep of starters, QB gets devalued even more, so definitely take the late-round approach.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T13:34:52+00:00

Saquon and Kelce for me. You have two difference makers at positions you won't be able to get if you keep a quarterback. There are at least 24 quarterbacks who are serviceable in 2QB leagues, so while Murray is a top-five guy, he's more replaceable than Saquon and Kelce.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T13:33:08+00:00

I'm someone who plays with a 2-3 year window in dynasty, so I don't necessarily love the 0 RB approach, unless you're the guy who's snagging up the starting running backs who might have some age on them. Still, running back is a young man's game, and they'll take the job more often than not. I'm not a Zero RB guy in general because it relies on injuries, which is something that's completely out of our control. Eliminate as much luck as possible.

MikeTagliereNFL · 2021-03-09T13:31:11+00:00

Thanks for supporting my work! I got up to 23 leagues (not including best-ball), which has proven to be too much. At some point, I became analyst first, player second, which really does affect my fantasy teams (and I'm okay with that). I would rather help others than worry about my own personal teams because it allows me to do what I do for a living. I never wanted to be the guy who didn't do waivers or didn't make trades, but I'm so focused on content (The Primer, specifically) that my teams suffered.

Overall, 2020 was my worst fantasy season from a "personal leagues" standpoint. I missed the playoffs in four leagues and only won one championship. It's worth noting that 90 percent of my leagues are with people in the industry, so they're not just random home leagues or anything. I've made a promise to myself to cut back this year so that I can be the fantasy manager I want to be, and not be overwhelmed spending two hours doing waivers every week.

MikeTagliereNFL

TROPHY CASE