The 2020 NFL draft shifted the dynamics for fantasy football in the coming season.
It appears a number of teams are resorting to committees at running back, which should make the position just as complicated as ever for consistent production. Gone are the days when we can trust Lions running back Kerryon Johnson and Colts running back Marlon Mack.
Meanwhile, most teams have also made sure they have at least three receivers of starting caliber. That could complicate the value the second and third receiver on a team’s depth chart, because it will be hard to determine which players will boast the best production over a season (and a week). The Cowboys are the best example, with receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and the 2020 17th-overall pick, CeeDee Lamb.
Let’s dive into the winners and losers in fantasy football from the draft.
Winner: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs
No rookie landed in a better spot. Andy Reid believes Edwards-Helaire is the second coming of Brian Westbrook — but better. At least, that’s what ESPN analysts said on the draft broadcast. That means we can expect major production and volume from Edwards-Helaire in both the passing and running game. He will sneak into the second round of drafts this year.
Loser: Kerryon Johnson, RB, Lions
His first season in the NFL was an impressive one, even if he only played 10 games. He looked like he could be a feature back in Detroit’s offense as a runner and pass-catcher. But he got hurt again in 2019, and it seems the Lions are intent upon decreasing Johnson’s workload after they drafted former Georgia running back D’Andre Swift at 35th overall, the second running back off the board. No player lost more ground in fantasy than Johnson during the NFL draft.
Winner: Henry Ruggs, WR, Raiders
Ruggs’ situation in Las Vegas is almost as good as Helaire-Edwards’ in Kansas City. Ruggs joins an offense that badly needs talent at receiver alongside veteran Tyrell Williams, who put up WR2 numbers when he was the top option in the passing offense. The Raiders’ incoming class of rookies includes three receivers. Still Ruggs is the top of the whole 2020 class of wideouts, at 12th overall, and he should get major volume in Las Vegas.
Loser: Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys
Dallas had little intention of drafting a receiver in the first round, but one of the draft’s finest prospects — who just so happened to play receiver — fell to the Cowboys at 17th overall. In an impressive draft class, they landed CeeDee Lamb, which may have pushed Gallup to third on the depth chart after his breakout season (66 catches, 1,107 yards, 6TDs). Maybe Dak Prescott and the Cowboys can support three fantasy-relevant receivers. But the Lamb selection didn’t help Gallup.
Winner: Cam Akers, RB, Rams
Serving as the lead back for the Rams worked out for Todd Gurley. Now that Gurley is in Atlanta, Akers is in line to take over every down at running back in L.A.’s offense. Even if he’s in a timeshare, his production should be impressive and, so long as he’s not a bust, he should be fantasy relevant. It’s always a good thing for an offensive player to land with Sean McVay, who makes the most of talent.
Loser: Darrell Henderson, RB, Rams
Well, OK. So I did the whole: McVay-can-get-the-most-out-of-anyone routine right before I brought up Henderson. He had a very rough rookie season after going in the third round out of the 2019 draft. He seemed like he was in line to be RB1 in the post-Gurley era. Not anymore. Not after the team added Akers, a back with clear three-down potential.
Winner: Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
With Stefon Diggs leaving, Jefferson is a natural fit in the slot for Minnesota. Jefferson is a pro-ready prospect with NFL speed and production. Maybe he’s not the most talented prospect in this draft class, but he’s likely to have the most production among rookie receivers.
Loser: Devin Singletary, RB, Bills
The arrival of Zack Moss, a power back who could take over some early-down and redzone work in Buffalo, is bad news for Singletary. I still think he’ll get solid work, particularly after his impressive finish to the 2019 season. It’s just a little concerning for Singletary that the Bills were so willing to add talent at the position in the third round.
Loser: Darren Waller, TE, Raiders
As mentioned, Las Vegas added three receivers in the first three rounds of this year’s draft. Maybe Waller didn’t get competition at his position, but he’s probably not going to get as many targets.
Loser: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos
He was the second receiver off the board, but he landed in an offense with quarterback Drew Lock. I’m not exactly a believer in the young signal-caller’s talents. (Neither is For The Win’s Steven Ruiz.) What’s more, Lock will have mouths to feed: Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, Jeudy and 2020 second-round pick, K.J. Hamler.
Winner: Adam Trautman, TE, Saints
New Orleans treats their tight ends well, though Trautman, a 2020 third-rounder, clearly needs to develop before he’ll contribute — which is common for most tight ends, particularly for one coming from a low level of competition at Dayton. But Trautman could ascend to the top tight ends spot in the Saints’ offense, which is a good spot for a fantasy producer.
Loser: Marlon Mack, RB, Colts
The arrival of Jonathan Taylor, a 2020 second-round pick out of Wisconsin, could quickly spell the end of Mack’s surprisingly impressive run as Indianapolis’ feature back. With almost 2,000 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns over the last two years, Mack seemed like a good bet to be another strong fantasy performer in 2020. But with Williams in the mix, Mack’s standing is in trouble.
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