2020 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Consensus Second Round
Editor’s Note: These 2020 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings are just a starting point for your dynasty rookie draft! Make sure you’re ready for your dynasty league rookie draft by checking out our 2020 Rookie Draft Guide, which is now updated with post-draft profiles for all your favorite prospects, our current Dynasty Rookie Rankings and our convenient Rookie Draft Cheat Sheets. Looking to move or acquire some of those picks? Make sure you take a look at our new Dynasty Trade Analyzer to get maximum value. There are simply no better resources out there for dynasty fantasy football draft preparation.
Every draft has its own uniqueness. This year’s version promised some real talent at the running back and quarterback positions, but the depth and quality of this wide receiver class has been in the spotlight for months. In the end, a record 37 wide receivers were drafted, with a whopping 13 taken in the first two rounds. To put that into perspective, 20% of the picks in the first two rounds were wide receivers and that may honestly never happen again.
The depth and quality of this draft is perfect for dynasty leagues and now it’s time to break it down. Let’s continue to dig in to these early 2020 Dynasty Fantasy Football Consensus Rookie Rankings. If you missed round one, you can catch up here.
TIER THREE (CONT.)
The tiers and commentary I’ll make on this post are my own, comprised of my opinions. The rankings are based on our consensus rookie rankings. Tier three continues and consists of eight straight wide receivers and one running back. The group here joins Jalen Reagor, Justin Jefferson, Henry Ruggs, Tee Higgins, and Michael Pittman.
2.01 = Denzel Mims, WR NYJ
The Jets are in dire need of playmakers after losing Robby Anderson in free agency. When you look back, they really haven’t had a dominant receiver since the days of Brandon Marshall. Beyond that, you’re looking at players like Keyshawn Johnson, Santana Moss and Laveranues Coles. If New York really wants Sam Darnold to unlock his potential, they have to get him some bona fide weapons. Mims should step right in and see if he can fill that void across from the newly acquired (and still unproven) Breshad Perriman, with Jamison Crowder comfortably performing in the slot. He’s raw and needs some refinement, but Mims has some serious upside and could bring some much needed juice to the passing attack of the Jets. He has talent and opportunity – perfect for a second round rookie pick.
2.02 = Brandon Aiyuk, WR SF
The 49ers were really exposed for having a lack of front-end receiving talent when they were unable to keep up with the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. With Dante Pettis looking like a bust, San Francisco is hoping Aiyuk can form an explosive tandem with breakout star Deebo Samuel. Aiyuk is very dangerous in the open field and the 49ers will do everything they can to get him the ball in space. He was one of the fast risers in the draft and should fill the void left by the departure of what ended up being a one-year rental in Emmanuel Sanders as well. While he was the sixth receiver taken in the draft, it’s worth noting he still went with the 25th pick overall and seemingly has a very bright future, especially if he can leapfrog the unproven Jalen Hurd early on.
2.03 =Â Laviska Shenault, WR JAX
Shenault is the eighth receiver in this tier alone, but it would surprise nobody if he actually turns out to be the best or worst one in the end. The problem with Shenault is a maddening lack of consistency. Still, he’s a beast in the open field and has been flat-out dominant at times. The Jaguars hit the jackpot with DJ Chark and are clearly hoping Shenault can give them their best receiving duo since Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell. Shenault is a classic high ceiling and low floor prospect – perfect for a round two rookie pick.
2.04 = Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB TB
Clyde Edwards-Helaire likely gained the most value through the actual draft process, but Vaughn wasn’t far behind. With a new offense led by Tom Brady and weapons like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski to occupy the defense, Vaughn is in a great position for success. Ronald Jones has looked nothing like an NFL running back and this is a classic “opportunity over talent” selection in rookie drafts. While Vaughn is clearly no slouch, he also wasn’t looked at as a late first or early second round prospect a week ago. Still, Vaughn does have talent and the depth chart is wide open for him to take on a huge role early.
TIER FOUR
The next drop-off we see early on starts here. Still, there are some really solid prospects going at this point in the draft, including two very talented quarterbacks, some running backs with good future chances and even more receiving talent.
2.05 = Bryan Edwards, WR LV
The Raiders were rumored to be unhappy with their receiving corps and it’s fair to say that was true after they drafted three of them with their first four picks in the draft. Edwards will push Tyrell Williams from the start and looks like a solid playmaker for the Raiders to build on beside Henry Ruggs. While he was a third round pick this year, he would have likely been a second rounder in just about any other year. Edwards is a solid route runner and is used to solid competition, making him more pro ready than a lot of other receivers in this class. Simply put, it looks like he has a really bright future.
2.06 = Joe Burrow, QB CIN
After rolling with Andy Dalton for the past nine years (yes, nine), it was time for a change in Cincinnati. Enter Burrow, who had arguably the greatest season in college football history with 5,671 passing yards, 60 touchdowns and just six interceptions en route to a National Championship and Heisman trophy while at LSU. Burrow is clearly the future for the Bengals and is poised to be a QB1 in year one with the likes of AJ Green, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins to throw to. The quarterback position is obviously watered down in 1QB leagues, but Burrow is as safe a prospect we’ve seen in some time.
2.07 = Antonio Gibson, RB/WR WAS
Gibson is the epitome of a swiss army knife and can play just about any position. He played primarily as a wide receiver last season, but the Redskins officially drafted him as a running back and reportedly plan to use him in a variety of different ways. Washington has an unsettled depth chart at both wide receiver and running back, so this was just about the best possible landing spot for Gibson. It’s fair to wonder just what his statistical output is going to look like, but he just oozes talent and Washington may not be able to count on the combination of Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson for too much longer.
2.08 = Tua Tagovailoa, QB MIA
In reality, there’s no prospect in the entire draft with the upside of Tua. In fantasy, his value is obviously capped by the position he plays. However, if the injury woes are behind him, a dynasty team could have their QB1 for the next decade as a “set it and forget it” option in their lineups. Miami needs to add more playmakers on offense and it’s likely Tagovailoa sits most of the season, but few quarterbacks we’ve ever seen can throw the ball like he can – he’s a worthy investment here in the second round.
2.09 = Zack Moss, RB BUF
Moss landed in a great situation with the Bills. While Buffalo has Devin Singletary to carry most of the load, Moss should fit in well as a short yardage or goal line back at the very least this upcoming season. His skill set fits what Buffalo wants to do and his power and burst lends itself well to cold weather football. Singletary is still somewhat unproven and Moss will at the very least be one of the more valuable handcuffs in dynasty leagues next season, with room to grow.
2.10 = Darrynton Evans, RB TEN
The Titans soured on Dion Lewis last season and while Derrick Henry is going to get the lion’s share of the carries, Evans is a more than capable replacement for Lewis. Henry is on the franchise tag and it’s difficult to predict exactly what his future may be as well. Even though Evans is a relative unknown commodity, he could have some standalone value as a pass catcher this season and even more moving forward – perfect for a late second round selection.
2.11 = AJ Dillon, RB GB
The Packers inexplicably punted on the wide receiver position and instead used one of their picks on Dillon. Aaron Jones led the league in touchdowns last season, but Green Bay just seems unlikely to commit to him long-term. With Jones, Jamaal Williams, Dexter Williams and now Dillon in the backfield, it’s anyone’s guess where they turn after next season. Green Bay has been notoriously stubborn to give a second contract to a running back and this move seems to signal that’s where this may be headed with Jones in the near future. Dillon could work his way into carries this year as the Packers want to reportedly run the ball more. He could also be the lead back in the future. He could also be a total bust or depth player. Who knows!?! At this point in the second round, it’s worth a pick to see what happens in Titletown.
2.12 = Chase Claypool, WR PIT
The Steelers have long been known for their mastery in drafting and developing wide receivers. However, their last few haven’t worked out as planned. However, Claypool is just the second wide receiver to run a sub 4.45 in the 40 and measure in at 6’4″ with a weight of 235 pounds or more. The other was Calvin Johnson, so that at least should raise some eyebrows. JuJu Smith Schuster has dealt with injuries and is in a contract year. While Diontae Johnson and James Washington have shown flashes, it doesn’t look like either could be a real replacement as a WR1. Claypool is unlikely to be that as well, but with a pick at this point in a rookie draft, it’s worth finding out.
Thanks for checking our round two 2020 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings. Please stay tuned for the final round and check out all of our other terrific resources for preparing you for you dynasty rookie drafts!
2020 Rookie Rankings
2020 Rookie Draft Guide
2020 Rookie Draft Cheat Sheets
Dynasty Trade Analyzer
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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