You know that feeling when you’ve been on a week long drug bender and you’re finally coming down from the high? That’s how I feel today. And not just because of my week long drug bender. The 2020 NFL draft high has come and gone too. On the plus side, we now know what teams all of our shiny new rookies will be employed by, so we can stop guessing at that piece of the puzzle. Now we can start guessing at other pieces of the puzzle like the impact of COVID-19 on this rookieclass’s acclimation to their respective systems, what their immediate opportunity might look like and what Mike Vrabel’s sons are up to. Before the draft I gave you my pre-draft top 10 and top 20 rookies for 2020 dynasty leagues. Now here’s my updated top 10 rookies for 2020 PPR dynasty leagues:
Tier 1
1. Jonathan Taylor | RB | Colts | Round 2 Pick 41
Pre-Draft Rank: 1
Long-term Landing Spot Grade: B+
The Colts have one of the best offensive lines in the league and that won’t change anytime soon. Marlon Mack is a free-agent after this year, so expect this to be the JT show in no time. Only thing holding this back from an “A” grade is the QB situation with Rivers only signed to a one-year deal, but the Colts did find nice value when they grabbed Rivers’ potential successor, Jacob Eason, in round 4.
Short-term Landing Spot Grade: B+
Nothing against Mack, but the talent gap between he and Taylor is larger than the moat I dug around my house to protect myself from the coronavirus. I expect Taylor to grab the lead and run with it at some point in 2020 and will be ranking him aggressively in my 2020 fantasy football rankings.Â
Tier 2
2. J.K. Dobbins | RB | Ravens | Round 2 Pick 55
Pre-Draft Rank: 3
Long-term Landing Spot Grade: A+
The running back of the future in Lamar Jackson’s high powered offense is a beautiful thing. The threat of LJax’s run game opens up a lot of opportunities for his running back as seen by Mark Ingram’s career year in 2019, at age 30.
Short-term Landing Spot Grade: C+
Speaking of Mark Ingram, his presence limits Dobbins’ upside in 2020, barring injury. But the Ravens have the option to cut him loose prior to 2021 if they so choose. That’ll likely depend on Ingram’s health and performance this year.Â
3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | Chiefs | Round 1 Pick 32
Pre-Draft Rank: 10
Long-term Landing Spot Grade: A+
So Patrick Mahomes specifically requested the CEH pick? I wish he would’ve asked for his Uncle Benny or something. Anyway, it’s very encouraging for a guy who will be used heavily in the pass game. This high-powered offense is going to score a ton of points for years to come, Clyde included. There’s a legitimate argument for him at 1.01 in dynasty rookie drafts, especially if you feel like an immediate impact RB puts your team over the top in 2020.
Short-term Landing Spot Grade: A-
I’ve seen folks on Twitter projecting crazy workloads for Edwards-Helaire out of the gates–like 250+ carries. It’s certainly possible, but remember Kareem Hunt’s huge workload during his 2017 rookie season with the Chiefs came on the legs of a Spencer Ware preseason knee injury. I think Damien Willliams will still have a decent role in this offense in 2020, just my guess.
Tier 3
4. D’Andre Swift | RB | Lions | Round 2 Pick 35
Pre-Draft Rank: 2
Long-term Landing Spot Grade: C
Kerrrrrrryonnnnnnnn! Why universe?! First Kim Jong-Un died and now this, what next?! I guess it was the other way around. So I believed in Kerryon Johnson way more than the Lions (bad Donkey), as they ignored several other glaring needs to bring in another high-end RB. The silver lining for Swift (and Johnson) is that Johnson will be a free-agent in 2022, so this backfield could be all Swift in two years. Who’s ready to get burnt by another Lions running back? Time to quintuple down!
Short-term Landing Spot Grade: D
This is clearly not a great situation for Swift in 2020/2021 as he’ll be in a committee with Kerryon who does all the same things well. That said, maybe the Kerryon haters will be proven right and Johnson will be so limp that Swift takes the reins immediately.Â
5. Jerry Jeudy | WR | Broncos | Round 1 Pick 15
Pre-Draft Rank: 4
Long-term Landing Spot Grade: B+
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.
Short-term Landing Spot Grade: B+
I don’t expect Jeudy will have much difficulty beating out DaeSean Hamiliton as Denver’s #2 wide out in his rookie season. If Lock takes another step forward, a top 30 fantasy WR season is very possible in 2020 and there’s upside for more.
6. CeeDee Lamb | WR | Cowboys | Round 1 Pick 17
Pre-Draft Rank: 5
Long-term Landing Spot Grade: B+
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.
Short-term Landing Spot Grade: C-
Targets could be tough to come by out of the gates, but at least Lamb landed on a good team with a quality QB. And injury to Gallup or Amari and I’ll be cookin’ Lamb.
7. Cam Akers | RB | Rams | Round 2 Pick 52
Pre-Draft Rank: 7
Long-term Landing Spot Grade: A-
Sean McVay’s offense took a step back in 2019, but I trust him to right the ship. Todd Gurley is now out of the picture, leaving 2019 3rd rounder Darrell Henderson as the main competition for touches. Henderson is under contract thru 2022, and while he didn’t have a great rookie showing he also wasn’t given a ton of opportunity. But drafting Akers in the mid-2nd round wasn’t exactly a vote of confidence in Hendy either.Â
Short-term Landing Spot Grade: B+
I was all aboard the Henderson bandwagon last spring after the Rams traded up for him. I’m not giving up on the kid yet, but can’t say I’d be surprised if Akers takes this job and runs with it. There’s an argument for him up in tier 2.
Tier 4
8. Ke’Shawn Vaughn | RB | Buccaneers |Round  3 Pick 76
Pre-Draft Rank: 19
Long-term Landing Spot Grade: B
There’s some uncertainty in Tampa once the Tom Brady era ends. Which might be as soon as 2021 or might be as late as 2300, who knows. On the plus side, Bruce Arians isn’t afraid to use a bellcow and has no allegiance to Ronald Jones who was drafted by the previous regime.
Short-term Landing Spot Grade: B+
I’m expecting Vaughn to take the pirate by the balls at some point in 2020. Anyone claiming Brady didn’t have a say in this year’s draft picks seems naive. The Bucs are going to score a lot of points too, I’ll be targeting Vaughn even in redraft leagues.
9. Justin Jefferson | WR | Vikings | Round 1 Pick 22
Pre-Draft Rank: 8
Long-term Landing Spot Grade: B+
I love Jefferson in Minnesota. Cousins is under contract for three more years and Diggs is now out of the picture. Jefferson brings great versatility and speed which will play well with Thielen drawing heavy attention from defenders. Unfortunately, the defensive attention will likely key in on Jefferson before too long.Â
Short-term Landing Spot Grade: A-Â
I don’t see Jefferson having much trouble immediately beating out Tajae Sharpe and Olabisi Johnson for targets. Cousins will get him the rock early and often, as long as it isn’t a prime-time game.
10. Jalen Reagor | WR | Eagles | Round 1 Pick 21
Pre-Draft Rank: 12
Long-term Landing Spot Grade: A
Reagor was one of the big winners of day one, landing on a team with a good offense, young quarterback and immediate need at wide receiver. He’s an explosive deep threat with elite speed. It’ll be great for him to mature in the same locker room as DeSean Jackson for a couple years.Â
Short-term Landing Spot Grade: B+
I flip flopped on the short term grade here, initially grading it as an ‘A’. As I said above, the need is there but then again DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffrey, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Miles Sanders and even J.J. Arcega-Whiteside are all still in the mix . . . for now. Breaking news: DJax and Alshon both just pulled all four of their hamstrings while watching Tiger King together. Odds are Reagor sees plenty of action in 2020.
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