2020 Draft First Look: Top 12 – Part 2
Just a few days ago I posted my top six would-be rookies for the 2020 draft class. I strongly suggest reading part one here.
Reposting the introduction from Part 1, lets quickly revisit a bit about the upcoming class.
2020 Draft Class
I can’t remember a draft class so anticipated as is the 2020 class. Quite simply put, it’s got something for everyone. Looking for a running back? There appears to be tremendous depth and talent. Need a wide receiver? There’s arguably as many marquee names here as well. Have a deficit at quarterback and need developmental talent? Whether you play in super-flex (2QB) or a single-starter league, 2020 has intriguing talent at the position with multiple names who have the look of franchise players. Even the tight end position is shaping up well.
We all know that drafted situation is going to greatly impact the post-draft rankings but that in and of itself presents great opportunity as fantasy coaches often overweight starting situation over player talent. For those of you drafting at the end of the first round, it’s an ideal situation.
While we don’t yet know who may be returning to school, foregoing the 2020 draft altogether, it’s still easy to forecast this upcoming year as a bumper crop of intriguing talent making for a very deep fantasy draft. Keep it tuned to DLF as we go beneath the surface and read the fantasy tea leaves to help you make educated choices as the regular season ends and the off-season begins.
Top Six
Before getting into the second set of players, here’s a quick review my top six that I have already covered:
Jerry Jeudy, WR Alabama
D’Andre Swift, RB Georgia
Travis Etienne, RB Clemson
Jonathan Taylor, RB Wisconsin
CeeDee Lamb, WR Oklahoma
Laviska Shenault, WR Colorado
Looking at these players and referencing what I’ve already seen on tape, it’s very easy to get excited. I’m willing to go out on a limb and say that regardless of each player’s eventual drafted situation, the talent level is such that I have few concerns that a poor drafted situation is ultimately going to torpedo long term potential. We all know a poor team can impact near-term performance of highly drafted skill position players and 2020 will be no exception, but this class is so talented that I expect all these players to have fine careers when looking back from the future.
Just as exciting are the next six players to round out the fantasy first round. Most leagues are made up of 12 teams with the best teams picking near the end of each round. A deep draft class serves strong teams very well. Should you have a competitive team, don’t blindly trade out of that first round selection as you will have an opportunity to add an exciting rookie to your squad in 2020 when, in most years, you’d be looking at poor odds at turning your late-round selection into a fantasy-relevant player. In fact, many championship caliber fantasy coaches routinely sell their first round draft picks in order to add current-year production, myself being one. That is often a strong play to be made but early indications suggest 2020 may be one of those years to challenge that strategy.
One last time, however. It’s very early in the process for ranking the incoming rookies. Much can happen and official weights and measurements, injury and players returning to school will shape this draft over the next few months and following the NFL Combine. Many variables are in play and it’s a fluid situation until we reach the NFL Draft.
So, that said, lets move on to the players.
Top 12 (Part 2)
7. J.K. Dobbins, RB Ohio State
5’10/217 Lbs.
Junior
A prolific runner for Ohio State three years in a row, eclipsing 1,000 yards in all three years and now with a total of 28 touchdowns on the ground and five more as a receiver. Dobbins looks the part of an NFL runner and does share some characteristics to that of former OSU great, Ezekiel Elliott, though not the the same physical presence.
Dobbins brings an NFL skill set to the table with each carry and shows plus-level ability both as a runner and a receiver, meaning that he carries three-down potential at the next level. Compact and powerful, Dobbins is a fluid runner possessing satisfactory lateral agility who excels running well above his hips with tremendous leg strength, burst and drive to power through trailing tacklers or those taking inferior angles. He’s patient approaching the line of the scrimmage and does a fine job of waiting for his opportunity before sticking a foot in the ground and accelerating into space. Once to the second level, he has plenty of speed, especially when combined with his strength to take it the distance.
Like most rookie running backs, he has work to do in pass protection but, overall, is well rounded without glaring deficits.
J.K. Dobbins could easily be the top back in this class and would present a tremendous opportunity for fantasy coaches in the second half of the first round of rookie drafts.
8. Tee Higgins, WR Clemson
6’4/215 Lbs.
Junior
Higgins seems to be a bit of a mystery in scouting-land right now and I appear to be higher on him than most, though he is rising. On some reports, you won’t find him in the top-ten prospective rookie receivers and in others, you’ll find him in the top three or four. At the heart of this mystery is the fact he has yet to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving but has a chance with three games remaining in 2019.
While I can’t place Higgins above Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy or Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, he’s in the mix for WR3 against Colorado’s Laviska Shenault, number six overall in my top-12. Higgins is a long receiver with tremendous, reliable, hands. I’ve witnessed only one drop over his years at Clemson. He’s a natural hand-snatcher whether ‘posting up’ smaller cornerbacks or on the move, and rarely does he double-catch or struggle completing the reception. One of his strengths is securing the reception anywhere near his frame. If an incoming ball exists anywhere near his frame or within the reach of his long arms, bet on Higgins to bring it in. He possesses enough speed to get over the top of a secondary but does much of his damage on deep slant and post routes.
I do have concerns with his strength and footwork off the line of scrimmage but his dynamic and instincts as a receiver can’t be taught, footwork and technique can. He’s added weight in his junior season and should be a starter on the outside without question at the next level.
Higgins won’t receive many accolades as a Clemson receiver and due to his light statistical production, again a product of Clemson, but his competition has been top-notch, his NFL size is unquestionable and his skill-set translates to the next level very well. I won’t be surprised to see Higgins drop to the bottom of the fantasy first round in rookie drafts considering the talent present, presenting a tremendous opportunity given the cost.
9. Najee Harris, RB Alabama
6’2/230 Lbs.
Junior
A top recruit out of Antioch High School, Harris has shared the backfield with multiple high-profile backs but this could work in his favor for the next level.
2019 has seen Harris’ largest workload of his collegiate career and he remains a 6+ ypc. average runner. Never a high production back due to his shared-load, some question his ability at the NFL level but he carries fantastic size with speed to match and should be coveted in rounds two or three during the NFL Draft. His hands are better than his production would show and while he needs work in pass protection, his 6’2/230 lbs. frame should perform well once technique is learned. While not used much as a receiver in his first two years, his junior seen has seen 19 receptions, 215 yards and five touchdowns with three games remaining.
While Harris does possess the athleticism and quickness rare for a back of his size, he still often relies on that size and can be impatient at the line of scrimmage. He also doesn’t seem to have anything other than a pedestrian level of vision which could be improved with better patience allowing blocks to form in front of him. While somewhat raw, his size and dynamic will be too intriguing for him not to be selected highly in the NFL draft and he should remain in the mix for top-12 in fantasy.
10. Chuba Hubbard, RB Oklahoma State
6’1/207 Lbs.
Sophomore (eligible)
Hubbard is a redshirt sophomore and eligible for the 2020 draft. Many still aren’t ranking him due to the belief he is not yet eligible. He most certainly is.
He’s leading college football in rushing and continues to churn out yards on the ground, eclipsing 100 yards in every game but one in 2019. He’s surpassed 200 yards rushing four times this season. In only his second year as a starter, Hubbard has exploded on the scene with 18 touchdowns with two games remaining, the last being a good test against Oklahoma on 11/30.
There is little questioning Hubbard’s patience and ability to attack the hole when it develops. He’s able to get skinny through small seams and possesses enough speed to get through the line of scrimmage, or to the corner, and to the second level quickly. He has yet to be tested significantly as a receiver, having secured only nine receptions in 2019 though he did pull in 22 receptions in 2018.
On the downside, while listed at 207 lbs., I’ll be surprised if he tips the scales at that weight. He’s thinly built and doesn’t appear to have a frame to carry much more weight but this will be more evident at the NFL Combine should he declare as eligible as I expect he will. Returning to school could be in his best interest given this year’s loaded class and one more year to add to his resume’ and physique. He does possess the ability to break tackles but I question his ability to do so at the next level due to his thinner lower body. Pass protection is a significant concern but is common with running backs early in their NFL career. I find myself recalling many of the same issues and scouting notes to that of former NFL runner, DeMarco Murray, who turned out to be extremely productive for a period of time.
There’s no questioning Hubbards dominance and production in 2019. Drafted situation is going to be key in where he is selected in fantasy and he’s going to carry a high beta (risk) factor but with tremendous upside.
11. Henry Ruggs III, WR Alabama
6’0/190 Lbs.
Junior
Yet another Alabama talent at receiver, Ruggs III will be a hot name heading into the 2020 NFL Draft. Possessing blazing speed, teams on the hunt for the next Tyreek Hill and Marquise Brown will look to Ruggs to add that dynamic out of the slot. It’s been said he could post a 40-time in the 4.2 range. Rarely do predictions of that nature hold up but one only need watch Ruggs’ tape to be impressed. I think he’s more likely to be in the 4.33 range but tape speed and timed speed often are very different. Still a very significant time, either way.
At 6’0/190 lbs., Ruggs is the smallest receiver on this list but what he lacks for in size, he makes up for in receiving ability, though he hasn’t produced eye-popping stats in his three years at Alabama. Sharing the field with so many other talented players, statistical production often isn’t off-the-charts for Tide players. It would be a mistake to call Ruggs a small receiver in play-style. He has shown the ability to complete impressive catches, has significant leaping ability and shows route maturity not typical with many smaller players at the position. In the open field, he has the speed dynamic you’d expect and carries that “it” factor I like to see.
In my top rankings, you’ll rarely see “smaller” receivers or backs grace the top spots in my list. To do so, the player has to transcend his size in some fashion to make me a believer. While I still have a lot of tape review left to perform and the work is only beginning, I’m confident that Ruggs is going to remain on this list as we near the NFL Combine.
12. Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR Liberty
6’4/220 Lbs.
Senior
It wouldn’t seem right now having “AGG” on a top-12 list. He’s a bit of an enigma in that he plays for Liberty and, thus, won’t have the resume against bigger schools that I like to see. Nothing prepares receivers for the jump to the next level like playing next level cornerbacks. Much like other smaller school receivers such as Courtland Sutton (SMU) and Corey Davis (Western Michigan), domination is a must but does not guarantee success at the next level.
Next in that vein in my book is Antonio Gandy-Golden who, at 6’4/200 lbs. is as physically imposing as they come. He possesses as natural and confident hands as you will find at the position and he effortlessly elevates and/or extends to secure the reception. It’s nice to see a receiver play to his size, matching his ability with his physical presence. A senior with only two years of stats, AGG posted a 71/1,037/10 line in 2018 and thus far in 2019 has a 64/1,244/8 line showing that 2018 was no fluke. Competition has been soft and there’s no skirting that fact, but Gandy-Golden possesses a skill-set which can transcend his small-school statistics. With the ball in his hands, he’s a force and his lower body strength creates havoc for trailing defenders.
Off the line, he shows quick feet and decent hands. His, already-mentioned, hands and vertical ability are without question and his hand-eye coordination allows for some very impressive receptions away from his frame. Speed may be a concern here and I’ll be excited to see what he runs. Tape review shows he often can’t seem to gain separation from defensive backs and has to rely on outworking his competition for the reception, a nice skill to have but lack of speed will lower his draft stock, much like it did for the aforementioned Courtland Sutton. Many large receivers with high-ceiling dynamic and plus-level hands fail to find success at the next level. I’ll be looking for a drafted situation into a good scheme with a veteran quarterback to help kick-start his development.
Summary
I hope you’ve enjoyed this two-part series covering my top-12 rookie players for 2020. Much work remains and there’s little doubt wrenches will be thrown in the works as players decide to return to school, the injury bug bites or character concerns emerge. Stick with us here on DLF as we pull back the covers on 2020!
Are there players you are watching or do you disagree with my list? Let me know in the comments below.
Follow Jeff on Twitter:Â @DLF_Jeff
You can find Jeff on Twitter at @dlf_jeff
- Lineup Advice: Wrap-up, Thank You and Goodbye (TTFN) - January 1, 2024
- Lineup Advice: Week 17 – Championship Edition - December 26, 2023
- Lineup Advice: Week 16 – The “What is” Edition - December 19, 2023
