Socrates once said, “True knowledge exists in knowing you know nothing.” But if I know that I know nothing then isn’t that knowing something? What then? I’m already confused! What we can all agree on, based on my #9 ranking of Kerryon Johnson in my top 20 dynasty running backs, is that I’m a huge idiot AND I know nothing. Unless of course Kerryon happens to be a 22 year old fantasy RB1 this season. Then I’m just a regular size idiot because Juju Smith-Schuster has been omitted from my top 20 dynasty wide receivers. If somehow you resisted the urge to throw your computer against the wall in outrage at this news, then use that computer to take a look at the rest of our dynasty and rookie rankings for 2020 fantasy football. Anyway, here’s my top 20 wide receivers for 2020 PPR dynasty football:
Tier 1
1. Michael Thomas – Thomas now has three 100+ reception seasons and a 92 catch season in his first four years as a professional. There’s no more stable asset in all of dynasty football.
Tier 2
2. DeAndre Hopkins – The presence of DeShaun Watson in Houston gives Hopkins a legitimate case for the number one spot against Thomas. Watson’s rookie deal is up after the 2022 season but all signs point to an eventual extension. UPDATE 3/16/20: Hopkins was just traded to the Arizona Cardinals. I gave you my thoughts on that blockbuster deal here. Short term its a slight downgrade for Hopkins fantasy value but he remains my #2 dynasty receiver.
3. Tyreek Hill – This is a new tier. It goes from here to Cooper. I call this tier, “Coulda Been A Contender.” All of these stud receivers have #1 overall WR upside. There’s an argument for Tyreek in the top tier, especially with Mahomes slinging the rock. I dock him just a smidgen for character concerns.
4. Davante Adams – Might be a little buy-low window here after Adams battled turf toe all year and caught only 5 touchdowns after catching 12, 10 and 13 over the previous three seasons. A-A-Ron is under contract for 4 more seasons and he loves to target Davante.
5. Chris Godwin – The GodWiener came out of his shell in 2019 for 1,300 yards and 9 touchdowns. He’s only 24 this year, but note 2021 free agency is looming. UPDATE 3/20/20: With Brady’s arrival Godwin may naturally slide into more of the Edelman role. I think it’s still a slight downgrade in the short term, but not enough to move him for the purposes of my dynasty rankings.
6. Mike Evans – Six NFL seasons, six 1,000 yard receiving seasons. How’s that for consistency? Cross your fingers Jameis resigns, then eat your fingers. UPDATE 3/20/20: Tom Brady just signed with the Bucs. It’s strange to think that Brady is actually a fantasy downgrade from Jameis for this loaded receiver core but at this stage the GOAT is more game manager than gunslinger. That said, I’m only moving Evans down on spot, fading Brady has never been the most profitable endeavor.
7. Odell Beckham Jr – Another potential buy-low candidate after battling thru a painful sports hernia injury all season. Beckham only turns 27 this year and it sounds like he’ll remain in Cleveland at least one more year, so hopefully Baker drinks a little less beer this offseason.
Tier 3
8. Amari Cooper – This ranking assumes Cooper and Prescott will both be in Dallas longterm. It’s no guarantee, but I think Jerry finds a way to make it happen with the new CBA. Since landing in Jerryland, Amari has posted a per game average of 5.28 receptions and 76 yards with 14 touchdowns in 25 games.
9. Julio Jones – Julio’s getting up there in age, turning 31 this year, but his health and consistency over the past 6 years has been nothing short of incredible. His six year average is now 15.33 games played, 103 receptions and 1,565 yards. I wanted to dock him more since he’s practically a boomer, but kept moving him back up to this area.
Tier 4
10. Kenny Golladay – This is a new tier. It goes from here to Brown. I call this tier, “Too Sexy, Too Sexy!” Babytron flies under the radar a bit up in Detroit but he’s now posted back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and he caught 11 touchdowns in 2019. Kenny G’s tunes are about to go mainstream.
11. D.J. Moore – Even with Kyle Allen at the helm for most of the year, Moore broke out for 1,175 yards and 4 touchdowns, really coming on strong in the second half. He’ll only be 23 this year, just imagine if he gets the real Cam back or another good QB.
12. Courtland Sutton– Drew Lock’s first five starts were encouraging last year and he targeted Sutton heavily in those five games to the tune of 40 targets. The 24 year old Sutton has the size and skill to become an elite WR1.
13. D.K. Metcalf – D.K. and D.T. sitting in a tree . . . it’s true, I love Metcalf. He’s an absolute freak and came on strong down the stretch culminating in his 7 catch, 160 yard, 1 touchdown playoff performance in Philadelphia. So much culmination.
14. A.J. Brown – Deciding between Metcalf and Brown is like deciding between pizza or ice cream. Can’t I just have both? Brown is the pizza, he hit the spot first with four monster games down the stretch in 2019. But right now I have a taste for ice cream.
Tier 5
15. Cooper Kupp – Jared Goff’s favorite target is a PPR stud and he’s finally getting the mainstream respect he deserves. Only concern is his pending 2021 free-agency, but odds are the Rams lock him up long-term. UPDATE 4/10/20: Brandin Cooks was just dealt to the Texans for a 2nd round pick. I don’t think Cooks was impacting Kupp’s target share all that much but I moved him up ahead of Lockett and Diggs.
16. Stefon Diggs – He never seems to stay healthy for a full season, but also never seems to miss more than a couple games. He’s been a frustrating boom or bust play but maybe this is the year Diggs really breaks out at age 27. The talent is undeniable. UPDATE 3/16/20: Diggs was shipped out to Buffalo in exchange for four draft picks. I gave you my thoughts on that deal here. I think a change of scenery could be just want the doctor ordered so I’m moving Diggs up three spots.
17. Jerry Jeudy – B_Don gave you his Jerry Jeudy 2020 NFL draft preview a few weeks back. There’s a great divide in the fantasy community. Jeudy or Lamb? I have them close enough that it’ll likely come down to landing spot for me. Regardless, expect both to have very fruitful careers. UPDATE 4/27/20: Jeudy has been drafted in the first round by the Broncos. The only question in Denver at this point is whether or not Drew Lock is the real deal. I think he is the real deal. As far as Jeudy’s concerned, there will be lots of competition for targets with Sutton and Fant, but Judge Jerry might just be the most talented of the group.
18. CeeDee Lamb – Alfred aka Boof wrote this about Lamb when he ranked him #1 in his pre-combine rookie WR rankings, “Likely to show up 6’2″ and 195 pounds, his body type is rarely seen in an elite NFL wideout. That’s not to say he can’t be awesome, but like with many prospects, there are warts. In the end, his spectacular production and high draft status ensure he’ll be a top pick for rookie drafts as well. I don’t feel the need to “zig” here, and will fall in line with many other rankers with Lamb as my WR1.” Lamb remained #1 in Boof’s post-combine rookie WR rankings as well. UPDATE 4/27/20: Lamb has been drafted in the first round by the Cowboys. The fantasy world’s initial reaction to Lamb in Dallas was negative since there’s already two good receivers demanding targets down in Jerryland. But it should remain a great offense for years to come and Gallup will be a free-agent after 2021. Lamb could leap Amari as the #1 option in the Cowboy’s passing game by year two, I’m buying.
19. Tyler Lockett– Thru nine weeks Lockett was on pace for 105 catches for 1,360 yards and 10 touchdowns before being derailed by a leg injury in week 10. That would’ve put him at 3rd in the league in yardage and tied for 2nd in touchdowns.
20. Allen Robinson – Readers last week convinced me I’ve snubbed ARob. I have some sick Bears fan anti-Bear bias going on. So much self-loathing, so much self-lotioning. Robinson was WR8 in PPR last year in a weak Bears offense and he’s only 26 this coming season. He deserved a spot in the top 20 dynasty wide receivers, I’ll remedy my many errors in the next update of the overall top 2oo. UPDATE 4/27/20: Bumping Robinson up one spot, but also moving him into the tier above. He still has his work cut out for him chasing Trubisky and/or Foles’ errant throws around.
