Two weeks ago I detailed my elaborate self-quarantine plans in the top 40 dynasty running backs post. Unfortunately, we’ve finally reached the tipping point here in the United States. Now I’m in day 3 of self-quarantine, doing my part to help “flatten the curve” and protect our healthcare system. But don’t even think about asking for any of my lotion stockpile, you should’ve taken heed to my warning two weeks back. I have countless hours of dynasty rosterbation ahead. On a related note, can someone please explain why people are buying up all the toilet paper, yet baby wipes are still fully stocked? Are people unfamiliar with the miracle of baby wipes? Anyway, while you’re bored in isolation, take a look at all of our dynasty and rookie rankings for 2020 fantasy football. I went over the top 20 dynasty wide receivers last week, now on to the top 40 dynasty wide receivers for 2020 PPR fantasy football:
Tier 6
21. Keenan Allen – My brain still tells me Allen’s injury prone. He’s played 16 games each of the last three season, stupid brain! Allen’s also only a few yards away from three consecutive 1,200 yard season. Rivers is now out of town but the jury’s still out on whether that’s a bad thing.
22. Calvin Ridley – I ranked Julio Jones #9 in the top 20 dynasty wide receivers. As long as Julio is down by the schoolyard, Ridley will continue to produce solid WR2 numbers.
23. Juju Smith-Schuster – You like JuJu a lot more than me, I get it. And maybe you’re right. But I wrote up my JuJu Smith-Schuster Dynasty Outlook back in January explaining this ranking. Can we still be friends with benefits?
24. Deebo Samuel – I love Deebo. Top notch name, plus a dynamic talent in both the pass and run game. He’d be a bit higher on the list if I didn’t think his upside is a little capped in the run first Shanahan offense.
25. Adam Thielen – I’ll be honest, I had a tough time ranking this whole group of twenty. I wouldn’t be surprised if any of these guys are top 20 receivers next year. When healthy, Thielen is great. It could be a perfect time for contenders to buy-low, just remember he tends to be an early season stud who fades in the second half. Try to capitalize on the sell window. UPDATE 3/16/20: Diggs has been traded to Buffalo. Thielen is set up for a 2020 monster season, there’s a good argument for him inside the dynasty top 20 now.
26. Terry McLaurin – I wrote about Chin Sack Terry in my Terry McLaurin Dynasty Outlook a few weeks back.
27. D.J. Chark – I’m a big fan of Charknado but he sputtered down the stretch in 2019 with zero touchdowns and only 212 receiving yards after week 11. Fortunately he has Uncle Rico Minshew at his service, ready to throw the pigskin over the mountain.
Tier 8
28. Justin Jefferson – Our boy Boof has a thing for Justin Jefferson. In his top 15 rookie wide receivers post combine, Boof moved Jefferson all the way up to his #2 receiver in this draft class saying, “…he showed up [to the combine] over a 26 BMI which was a nice surprise. Then he put on a show running a 4.43 for the scouts. That time put him on the map as one of the “biggest winners” in Indy and now it appears a first round pick is almost a lock. He checks all the metrics boxes and the film side compliments his versatility, citing that he can win from multiple positions and formations. We knew he was crafty and got open, but we know if needed he can take it to the house.” You might say it was Boof at first sight.UPDATE 4/27/20: J-Jeff was drafted in the first round by the Vikings. 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.
29. Jarvis Landry – I moved the Landryman up since my winter ranks. My concern was a lot of his production may have been due to OBJ drawing heavy coverage, but signs are starting to point to Beckham back in Cleveland in 2020. Landry is still only 26.
30. Jalen Reagor – Boof originally had Reagor ranked as his #2 rookie WR but moved him down to #4 after Jefferson’s great combine. Here’s what Boof had to say about Reagor, “After a spectacular sophomore season Reagor came crashing down in 2019 as the TCU offense took a step back as a whole. He still managed to have a 29% market share as a junior and had almost twice as many receiving yards as the next in line. He will impress in all the events and most people seem to be confident he’ll be off the board before the 3rd round. That combined with the bonus of punt return expertise make Reagor a tantalizing fantasy prospect.” Don’t get in the way of Boof when he’s boofing. UPDATE 4/27/20: Reagor was taken by the Eagles in the first round of the NFL Draft. He 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.
31. Robert Woods – Bob Woods was tickled by the regression fairies in 2019, falling from seven touchdowns back down to only two. Expect a rebound for the 28 year old in 2020. UPDATE 4/10/20: Brandin Cooks was just dealt to the Texans for a 2nd round pick. I wasn’t high on Cooks but this clears the way for even more consistent production for Kupp and Woods.
32. Marquise Brown – Hollywood’s star is shining brighter than cousin Antonio these days, but he’s still a tough one to rank. He’s only 22 and already flashed big upside in an electric offense. He’s also had issues staying healthy and might end up a career boom or bust fantasy option.
33. Denzel Mims – A darling of the combine, Mims impressed in every drill including his sparkling 4.38 forty time. He likely locked up at least a 2nd round pick for himself come draft day. Mims the word on Denzel. UPDATE 4/27/20: Mims was selected in the 2nd round by the Jets. I really thought at least one team would think highly enough of Mims for him to go day one. Maybe this ends up being the steal of the draft for the Jets or maybe Mims just isn’t as good as I think. On the plus side, I like Sam Darnold’s chances of taking a step forward in 2020 and beyond. It’s just hard to get too excited about any of the pieces in an Adam Gase system, but then again maybe the madman Gase won’t be around too much longer.
34. Henry Ruggs III – I recapped our industry dynasty rookie mock draft last week. Ruggs was selected at pick 1.06 ahead of CeeDee Lamb. Here were my thoughts on Ruggs, “This guy is fast; 4.27 forty-time fast. It’s hard not to compare him to John Ross III: both 5’11” tall, both 188 lbs, both lightning fast, both the third of their name, both prefer their cucumbers pickled. Sure, maybe Ruggs lands in a much better spot than Ross and maybe he’s able to stay healthy too. Maybe he even turns into a superstar. But I’m taking CeeDee Lamb over Ruggs everyday and twice on Quarantine Easter.” UPDATE 4/27/20: Ruggs was drafted in the 1st round by the Raiders. I’m sure I’ll continue to take some heat on Ruggs, some people love him even more than I love Kerryon. I get it, he’s really really fast and could be the next Tyreek Hill. Unfortunately, as I’ve said before, I think he’s more one-dimensional than Tyreek, and Derek Carr isn’t quite Patrick Mahomes. On the other hand the competition for targets in Vegas isn’t super impressive unless you’re impressed by how much Hunter Renfrow is able to get out of his 40-year old dad bod—who am I kidding, it’s very impressive.
Tier 9
35. Mike Williams – We don’t know who the new Chargers quarterback will be in 2020 but we do know he’ll have a prettier throwing motion than Philly Rivers. Williams has easy WR1 upside and he’s still only 25 this year.UPDATE 4/27/20: The Chargers took Justin Herbert with the 6th overall pick in the draft but Tyrod Taylor will get the first crack at the starting gig in 2020. I still love Williams’ upside but not a fan of this near-term QB situation.
36. T.Y. Hilton – Up until 2018, T.Y. had only missed two games in his entire career. Now he’s 30 and has missed 8 games the past two seasons. There’s still upside, but health has become a major concern and he no longer has an elite QB. UPDATE 3/23/20: Philip Rivers has signed with the Colts and will be shot putting the ball Hilton’s way in 2020. Tough to be too excited about Rivers but he’s an upgrade over Brissett nonetheless. Moving T.Y. up three spots.
37. Tyler Boyd – A lot of people will have Boyd a bit higher with Joe Burrow likely coming into town. While he finished the season strong, much of his production the past two seasons has come due to shear volume with A.J. Green and even Auden Tate on the shelf. I’m not fully on board the Boyd train yet.
38. A.J. Green – I really expected A.J. Green to leave Cincy, but it now sounds like there’s a decent chance he’s back. Wherever he’s at, he should be fresh after a full year’s vacation!
Tier 10
39. DeVante Parker – I wrote about how I used to like to play with fire and meth in my DeVante Parker Dynasty Outlook back in early February.
40. Christian Kirk – I expected a bigger step forward from Captain Kirk last year. Maybe I was a year early, a lot will depend on the sophomore growth of Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense as a whole. UPDATE 3/16/20: The arrival of DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona clouds Kirk’s outlook slightly. While he’ll still have a significant role, it’s become a crowded receiving room with Larry Legend back, Andy Isabella on the rise and KeeSean Johnson lurking too. Moving Kirk down 5 spots.
Be safe out there folks!
