Draft or Trade? 1-Round Pre-Combine Rookie Mock with Heath Cummings
Jeff Blaylock and Heath Cummings conduct a 1-round rookie mock draft with a twist. Instead of simply alternating picks, Heath is on the clock for each one and has the option of taking a player or trading it away.
“It's five players you're really excited to draft, three players you're kind of excited to draft, and then you just start shooting for upside.”
With the NFL Combine just days away, dynasty rookie values are about to shift.
In Episode 25 of Dynasty Compass, Jeff Blaylock is joined by Heath Cummings for a full 1-round rookie mock draft — but instead of simply selecting players, each pick is evaluated through a strategic lens:
Should you draft the rookie, or trade the pick?
This conversation goes beyond rankings and into roster direction, tier breaks, and timing — helping dynasty managers navigate one of the most volatile windows of the offseason.
Key Takeaways
Not every 1st-round rookie pick should be used on a rookie.
This year's first round looks like it has three value cliffs.
Tier breaks matter more than individual rankings.
Team direction (contender vs. rebuilder) changes the “Draft or Trade” answer.
Chase upside with late first-rounders.
Moving up in this draft will cost you.
Timestamps
00:00 – Why a Pre-Combine Mock Matters
01:27 – How This Year’s Class Compares to Other Recent Classes
03:36 – Draft or Trade? The Strategic Framework
07:31 – Picks 1.01 & 1.02
12:55 – Heath Trades Pick 1.03
14:11 – Picks 1.04 & 1.05
17:42 – Heath Trades Pick 1.06
21:10 – Picks 1.07 & 1.08
24:50 – Jeff, Please Want Pick 1.09
28:32 – Picks 1.10 & 1.11
32:31 – Pick 12
38:13 – Price to Move Up
41:40 – Heath Consoles Dynasty Managers Holding 1.09-1.12
Related Links & Tools
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Episode 12 – Draft Picks: The Currency of Dynasty
Episode 21 – Scouting Rookie RBs with Dave Kluge
Episode 22 – Scouting Rookie QBs & TEs with Mike Kashuba
Episode 23 – Scouting Rookie WRs with Jeff Bell
