Although we do not yet know which teams the rookies entering the NFL in 2020 will be playing for, doing creating rankings for dynasty leagues now is still quite useful. Doing so gives us a baseline, apart from landing spot, for the relative potential and upside of these players.
If, for example, we have a particular player as a highly-rated, first-round talent in this mock draft, we must be careful not to bump him up our board too far if he lands in what is perceived as an excellent landing spot. For example, last year many had N’Keal Harry as a B or C player entering the NFL Draft, yet many bumped him way up their boards when he was drafted by the Patriots. Conversely, A.J. Brown was knocked way back to the end of the first round of most rookie drafts because he landed on the Titans, but that looks to have been a mistake. How each player will pan out long-term is still certainly unknown, but such large shifts based on landing spots are one of the primary reasons players get both over-drafted and under-drafted.
Below you’ll find my top 36 rookie players entering the NFL in the form of a mock draft. These are the players I see making a huge fantasy impact. The rankings are based on what these players have shown on tape, what was seen and learned from the combine, and how their skills and athletic talent translate to the NFL level.
Let’s check out Round 1:
Round 1
1.1 – Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor – Taylor is a unique blend of speed, power, and vision. He is not exactly Saquon or Gurley, but he has elements of both in his game. I believe he will have an immediate impact and will start for whatever team drafts him from Week 1.
1.2 – Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb – Lamb has a bit of DeAndre Hopkins to his game, but he actually looks to be a more explosive and sudden as an athlete. Both have ridiculous leaping ability and great hands. Lamb is a cornerstone piece for your dynasty team.
1.3 – Georgia RB DeAndre Swift – Swift is smaller than Taylor but has excellent quickness and long speed, to go along with great balance. His NFL coaches will work on him to bounce it outside less, but that is nitpicking, as he is ready and able to be a three-down back right away.
1.4 – LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire – CEH looks like Ray Rice, with a short and stout frame. He also is excellent at catching the ball and is extremely sudden, both traits Rice also had. If his coaching staff trusts him in pass protection, which is his only real weakness on tape, he could be a three-down threat soon.
1.5 – Baylor WR Denzel Mims – Mims was in my top-five wide receivers entering the combine. As I watched his tape I was blown away by his combination of speed, size, leaping ability, and overall athleticism. Then he proved it in a bigger way than I imagined in Indianapolis with an excellent performance in drills and workouts.
1.6 – Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy – Jeudy is a phenomenal route runner, and is excellent at finding space after he catches the ball with his quickness and start-stop ability. He also had good long speed at the Combine (4.45 40-yard dash). The biggest knock on him is that he’s under 200 pounds and doesn’t play that physically, but that hasn’t stopped players like Odell Beckham from thriving.
1.7 – Florida State RB Cam Akers – Akers is difficult to pin down because he played on a poor Florida St. offense, but he looks to be an athletic freak. He also looks to have good burst, balance, and vision on runs where it’s possible to evaluate him. If he lands in the right spot and gets a chance to carry the load, he could become an NFL stud.
1.8 – TCU WR Jalen Reagor – Speaking of athletic freaks, Reagor is another one. His Combine numbers as a whole were ridiculous, and many thought he’d be faster than his 4.47 based on what they saw on tape. He has Tyreek Hill-upside if he ends up with a top quarterback.
1.9 – Arizona State RB Eno Benjamin – He reminds me of Devin Singletary. He doesn’t look the biggest or the fastest, but he is a smart runner and takes what is there. He has great balance and vision and runs with a rugged, “I will win” mentality.
1.10 – Vanderbilt RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Vaughn and Benjamin are very close for me, and fairly similar prospects. Vaughn also has a rugged running style, with good vision and balance. He is not as fluid when he must change directions, but still has a ton of potential to be a three-down back.
1.11 – Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk – Aiyuk popped on film for his combination of short-area quickness and long speed. He also showed the ability to play both out wide and in the slot, and seems to be a perfect fit for today’s NFL. I think he has an immense upside in fantasy football.
1.12 – Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden – This guy ran a 4.6 at the Combine, so many will think he is not that athletic. Nothing could be more incorrect; he is an incredibly well-rounded athlete who is quick and extremely physical after the catch. He also has the ridiculous body control to go get jump balls. He could become a top NFL receiver.
That first-round shows how stocked this draft is with top running back and wide receiver talent. It included five receivers and seven backs. We will see our first quarterback and tight end in round 2.