Community 2020 Rookie Rankings

Community Rookie Rankings

Results of the polls are shared here in the form of these dynasty fantasy football community 2020 rookie rankings.

Round One

1.01 – CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE, RB KC

The first pick in most dynasty 1QB rookie drafts will usually come down to a choice between two top-tier players – Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jonathan Taylor. In a stacked draft class loaded with talent at both the RB and WR positions, an argument could be made for one of the top WR’s or perhaps a different RB. But the reality is, most people selecting first in their drafts will want to choose the most sure-thing pick available. CEH is certainly that. While not the greatest talent in the class, his landing spot perfectly suits his skill-set. In addition to being chosen first here in these Community 2020 Rookie Rankings, at the time of this writing CEH is also the first overall rookie in our Dynasty Rookie Rankings and in our Dynasty Rookie ADP. Read our Post-Draft Rookie Update of Clyde Edwards-Helaire for a deeper analysis.

1.02 – JONATHAN TAYLOR, RB IND

In a thoroughly unsurprising result, Taylor ran away with the voted for the 1.02 spot, securing over 76% of the votes. While there are many in the dynasty community who no longer view him as the rookie 1.01, he is still solidly in the discussion as a possible pick at the top of the draft, and clearly a near sure thing to be one of the two top picks in rookie dynasty drafts. Taylor will be running behind one the league’s best offensive lines and while he does have some issues to work on, he checks all the other boxes with ease. Expect Taylor to quickly assume the RB1 duties ahead of Marlon Mack and enjoy a productive season as a rookie. Be sure to check out our Pre-Draft Profile of Taylor to fully appreciate his skillset. A more thorough analysis of Taylor can be seen in his Post-Draft Rookie Update.

1.03 – JK DOBBINS, RB BAL

Selected as the third overall rookie draft pick by the dynasty community, Dobbins finds himself in an interesting situation. Short term, he is facing competition from veteran RB Mark Ingram who projects as the Ravens’ lead back. But looking at the long game, his future is bright. Ingram is a RB on the wrong side of 30, contending with a strained calf. Never an inspiring situation. The rest of the backfield, comprised of Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, pose little threat. JK Dobbins will emerge as the lead back in this dynamic Ravens offense, if not this year, then next. Until then, draft him with confidence near the top of your rookie draft. Then just sit back and enjoy watching some film on this dynamic, well-rounded future bell-cow fantasy stud. Find out more about Dobbins in his Post-Draft Rookie Profile.

1.04 – D’ANDRE SWIFT, RB DET

Swift comes off the board with the fourth overall pick on our community rookie rankings poll. A favorite of own Jeff Haverlack, who (at the time of this writing) has him ranked as the top overall rookie, Swift is a dynamic and versatile back. His landing spot in Detroit is not known for producing great running backs (an obvious exception will be noted). But Swift might be the best RB talent the Motor city has seen in recent years. Swift is capable of some highlight reel runs. He is elusive, can catch the ball well, and is devastating in space. While Detroit may not be the ideal spot, he has the skills to be a stud RB for years to come. You can find more great analysis of Swift in his Post-Draft Rookie Profile.

1.05 – CEEDEE LAMB, WR DAL

Currently ranked as the fifth overall rookie in our dynasty rookie rankings, Lamb lands in a somewhat crowded receiving corps in Dallas. But while he will face some competition out of the gate, Lamb could quickly become the Alpha WR. He has the talent to eclipse Gallup and Cooper, both of whom could be gone by 2020. While not a generational talent, he is a very solid, well-rounded, physical player who is one of the safest choices you can make in the early picks of a rookie draft. Read more about CeeDee Lamb in his Post-Draft Rookie Profile.

1.06 – CAM AKERS, RB LAR

In one of the closest finishes we have ever seen in these polls, Cam Akers narrowly beats out Jerry Jeudy for the 1.06 spot in our dynasty community rookie rankings. With over 3,000 votes cast, Akers beat Jeudy with 1,296 votes to 1,261. It’s easy to see why either these players would be a terrific pick at the 7th spot in a rookie (non superflex) draft. But focusing on Akers, he finds himself in a great spot with the Rams, who parted ways with Todd Gurley earlier this off-season. He will join Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown in what is now a crowded backfield. Akers has more talent than either of those two running backs, and should rise to the top of the depth chart. While he may not be a true three down workhorse, and does not have the college resume of the backs drafted ahead of him, Akers has the ability to grow into a lead back for the team and a RB1 in fantasy. This is reflected in the May dynasty startup ADP data where he is being selected 30th overall, just ahead of players like Kenny Golladay, Aaron Jones and Allen Robinson. A much deeper analysis of Akers can be found in his Post-Draft Rookie Profile.

1.07 – JERRY JEUDY, WR DEN

Hellooooo, Jerry! Given the tight race at the 1.06 spot between Jerry Jeudy and Cam Akers, it’s no surprise that Jeudy runs away with the voting at the 1.07 spot. It’s possible to look at these results and conclude there is a natural tier here, seven picks into a rookie non-superflex draft. Juedy consistently appears in the 6th or 7th spot on our rookie rankings and rookie ADP data, so this is where we’d expect him to go. Even this deep into round one though, Jeudy could still be one of the safest picks in the entire draft. A precise route runner, student of the game and highly productive player against the best cornerbacks in the country, Jeudy should create a big upgrade for young quarterback Drew Lock and make a seriously lethal set of receivers with Sutton. Jeudy is a perfect selection for WR needy teams who want to mitigate risk with their rookie picks, while still enjoying significant potential upside. Be sure to check out our recent Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update on Jerry Jeudy for a thorough analysis on this promising young player.

1.08 – JALEN REAGOR, WR PHI

A favorite rookie target of DLF’s Ray Garvin, Ray has Reagor ranked as his top rookie WR and explains why in this video segment. Reagor certainly landed in a great situation in Philadelphia, where he will not face much competition. With an aging DeSean Jackson and always banged up Alshon Jeffery on top of the depth chart, Reagor could be a great fit for Carson Wentz and this offense. After all, Jackson and Jeffery won’t be around for long and the rest of the depth chart is filled with the likes of Greg Ward, Robert Davis and Deontay Burnett. Reagor should slide right in to early playing time and while dynasty owners may have to exhibit some short-term patience, his future is bright and he should be a first round rookie selection in dynasty drafts. Dig into Reagors Post-Draft Rookie Profile for a deeper look at his college production and overall profile.

1.09 – JUSTIN JEFFERSON, WR MIN

Jefferson wins handily at the 1.09 spot. The uber-productive Jefferson lands in a great spot here with the Vikings. After a season where he posted 111 catches and 1,540 receiving yards against elite competition in the SEC, Jefferson may be the most pro ready receiver in this draft. This is a solid spot for him and should solidify him as a mid-to-late first round selection in dynasty rookie drafts. Jefferson may not have the ceiling of some other elite wide receiver prospects in this class, but his floor seems as safe as anyone at the position this season. Be sure to catch our complete post-draft rookie analysis of Jefferson for a much deeper look at this exciting player.

1.10 – KE’SHAWN VAUGHN, RB TB

It what amounts to the first major ‘upset’ in the outcome of these dynasty community 2020 rookie rankings, Ke’Shawn Vaughn wins out at the 1.10 spot. Vaughn is presently ranked 17th overall in our dynasty rookie rankings, but interestingly is coming in at 11th in our MyFantasyLeague driven MFL Rookie ADP for May (looking specifically at 1QB, 12 Team no IDP leagues). This suggests the overall dynasty community may be a little higher on Vaughn than are our rankers. Vaughn is mostly a two down player but should represent an upgrade over the ineffective tandem of Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber. Tampa was bound to add a runner and most thought they’d target one of the bigger names in the draft. Instead, they dealt with other needs and went with Vaughn later on. This is going to be an explosive offense and Vaughn will be far from the focal point of a defense, making him a very interesting pick in rookie drafts.

1.11 – HENRY RUGGS III, WR LVR

Ruggs comes off the board at the 1.11 spot in the draft. Pretty consistent with where he’s been going in the rankings and ADP. It’s fitting the Raiders selected the first receiver in the draft with as much as that franchise has valued them historically. It’s also fitting they take Ruggs, who is a big play waiting to happen. With a depth chart featuring Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, and Nelson Agholor, the path to quick playing time is there for Ruggs and he should fit in seamlessly. The Raiders are notorious for taking fast wide receivers and they just nabbed one who runs a 4.27 40. There are questions with Ruggs as he just didn’t produce amazing numbers. However, he is a serious athlete and he should move into the back-end of the first round of dynasty drafts. Let’s just hope his athleticism rises above his lack of production. He could be really special or the next DeSean Jackson.

1.12 – LAVISKA SHENAULT, WR JAC

We wrap up round one with a very interesting selection. Shenault currently occupies the 15th overall spot in our dynasty rookie rankings, and was, over the month of May, being selected 18th overall in non IDP, PPR 1QB rookie drafts in MFL (per our MFL ADP tool). So, it’s tough to judge if this pick is an anomaly, or a reflection of some sudden increase in perceived value. The Jaguars are an intriguing landing spot. While Jacksonville DJ Chark emerged as a game breaking receiver last season, they also saw Dede Westbrook take a step back. As such, they took Shenault in the second round of the NFL Draft to pair with Chark and Westbrook, hoping for at least two of them to play at a consistently high level. Shenault is a tough, physical player but one who is also a bit of an enigma. The talent is there, but the production just hasn’t always matched. But is he really a more intriguing, valuable dynasty asset than some of the other similar WR’s being selected in this range?

Round Two

2.01 – BRANDON AIYUK, WR SF

We begin round two of our community poll driven rookie draft rankings with the selection of Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers invested a first round pick in the Arizona State WR, looking to fill a hole left by the departed Emmanuel Sanders. That draft capital combined with the opportunity in San Francisco indicates strong potential upside. Aiyuk may take a few years to fully develop (true with most rookie WR’s), but the his long term prospects are encouraging. Check out the full post-draft rookie update for Brandon Aiyuk here.

2.02 – DENZEL MIMS, WR NYJ

There is a clear cohort of WRs in this part of the draft who all bring a similar value proposition to a rookie dynasty draft. Mims is solidly in this mix. He is a high upside, low floor type of boom or bust player. His athletic profile is intriguing, his landing spot is devoid of any real competition, but he is clearly a raw WR and will take some time to develop. Our May Dynasty ADP has him in the same neighborhood as Christian Kirk, Michal Pittman, Marquise Brown and Michael Gallup – all WR’s I would take over Mims in a heartbeat. But it’s hard to deny his talent and upside, so at the 14th pick in a rookie draft, you can’t be faulted for swinging for the fences. Want a much smarter and more in-depth look at Mims than mine? Read our post-draft rookie profile on Denzel Mims.

2.03 – TEE HIGGINS, WR CIN

Selected 15th overall in our community poll, Higgins would be a tremendous value pick at this point in any rookie draft. Currently ranked 10th overall in our dynasty rookie rankings and 12th overall in our MFL rookie draft ADP. Higgins was selected with the first pick in the second round of the NFL draft. He’s in line to eventually secure a leading WR role once AJ Green moves on. He should form a solid WR duo with Tyler Boyd. Patience will be required as he adjusts to the NFL game, but that patience should pay off handsomely, especially for a mid second-round rookie pick. Get a much deeper look at Higgins in his post-draft rookie update.

2.04 – MICHAEL PITTMAN, WR IND

Another excellent value at this point in a rookie draft. Pittman lands in a plumb spot with the inside track to a starting gig. He’ll have an improving offense surrounding him and a veteran QB in Philip Rivers slinging the ball. Pittman may not be the fastest receiver in the draft, but he’s a physical, gifted receiver who can win contested passes and was very productive at USC. Be sure to get the whole scoop by reading Pittman’s post draft rookie update.

2.05 – TUA TAGOLVAILOA, QB MIA

Seventeen picks in to our community rookie rankings poll, the first QB comes off the board. In these polls Tua has recently been tracking ahead of fellow top rookie QB Joe Burrow. However our overall rookie rankings, rookie QB rankings, and most importantly the MFL rookie ADP all have Borrow going ahead of Tagolvailoa. Of course, in a 2QB or superflex league, Tua is almost certain to be a top 5 selection. A case could be made for either. Tuae is an exceptional passer with great mobility and is a natural leader. But his history of injuries make him a high risk, high reward player. As the fifth overall pick by the Dolphins, he will be given every opportunity to succeed, though he will likely be sitting behind Fitzpatrick for his first year. If he remains healthy, and is not rushed into a starting role, he may very well end up being the most successful NFL QB of this class. Read the full post-draft rookie recap for Tua for a much deeper look at this exciting young QB.

2.06 – ANTONIO GIBSON, RB WAS

One of the most interesting players in this year’s draft, Gibson was taken early in the third round by the Washington Redskins and actually announced as a running back, not a receiver. Gibson is truly a hybrid player who can play running back or wide receiver. He’s a legitimate home run hitter and threat to score every time he touches the ball. He needs time to refine his game as he’s still raw and a true one-year wonder. If he can find himself a position in the NFL, he has electric playmaking ability. Gibson is a sleeper in this year’s draft as a ton of receivers are going to go ahead of him in rookie drafts. If you look for high upside, low floor players, this could be your guy. The Redskins aren’t exactly loaded with playmakers and Gibson will get his chance early. Be sure to read the full post-draft rookie update on Gibson.

2.07 – BRYAN EDWARDS, WR LVR

Edwards ended up being the 16th wide receiver taken and third taken by the Raiders in the 2020 NFL Draft. The position was incredibly deep this season, but that still has to be a huge disappointment for Edwards. Still, he’ll have a chance to eventually prove his worth as he joins Henry Ruggs III and Lynn Bowden in a re-shaped receiving corps. He has to stay healthy and is a long-term project, but he’s still worthy of a rookie pick in the late second or third round. The full Bryan Edwards rookie post-draft update is well worth a read.

2.08 – CHASE CLAYPOOL, WR PIT

The Steelers are notorious for finding pass catching gems and obviously liked what they saw with Claypool, as they made him their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, at #49 overall. He’s a bit of a late bloomer, but the metrics are there. Since 2003, Claypool is the second wide receiver who measured in at 6’4″ and 235 or more to run a sub-4.45 40. The other? Calvin Johnson. The Steelers have JuJu Smith-Schuster and perhaps James Washington entrenched in the lineup, but the rest of the depth chart features players like Diontae Johnson, Deon Cain, Ryan Switzer and Amara Darboh – not exactly star-studded. Claypool is a project who could play receiver or tight end, but the Steelers liked him enough to take the chance on him developing.

2.09 – ANTHONY MCFARLAND, RB PIT

A second consecutive Steeler is selected with the 21st overall pick. McFarland was scooped up by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. It’s a good landing spot for McFarland, who has battled injuries and has very little experience. The Steelers surprisingly didn’t address the position in the first three rounds, instead deciding to go with the duo of James Conner and Jaylen Samuels next season. McFarland has real talent, though. If and when Conner gets injured (a near certainty), a door could be opened for him to have some short-term value. You can catch his entire post-draft rookie update here.

2.10 – DARRYNTON EVANS, RB TEN

Coming off the board as the 22nd over selection in our reader poll, Evans was selected by the Titans in the third round of the NFL Draft. The small school prospect should help fill the void left by the departed Dion Lewis and be a change of pace out of the backfield for workhorse Derrick Henry. There’s some appeal here with Evans and he was one of the draft fast risers. With Henry on the franchise tag, this backfield isn’t set in stone for the long-term. While it’s unlikely Evans turns out to be more than a third down or change of pace back in the NFL, he’s worthy of a pick in this spot in dynasty rookie drafts. Be sure to catch our complete post-draft rookie summery on Evans.

2.11 – AJ DILLON, RB GBP

Squeaking by with a narrow victory, AJ Dillon lands at the 23rd overall pick, right in line with our current rookie rankings and a value compared to the current live MFL ADP data. AJ Dillon was a total workhorse for Boston College and should be a nice weapon for the Green Bay offense. The Packers are notorious for using multiple running backs and he should help form a nice 1-2 punch with Aaron Jones. Jones is going into a contract year and even though he led the league in touchdowns, he’s only signed for one more season and a mere $735,000. If the Packers like what they see out of Dillon this season, he could be the future workhorse in the backfield if the Packers decide they don’t want to shell out big money to Jones. Read more about Dillon in his post-draft rookie update.

2.12 – DEVIN DUVERNAY, WR BAL

Rounding out the second round we have a player whose value has been rising in recent weeks. Duvernay was drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2020 draft. He’s fast off of the line and brings yet another speedy WR skillset to the team, but his after-the-catch ability has drawn some Golden Tate comparisons. He will likely see the field this season and a Ravens beat writer even predicts he’ll start at WR. But there are going to be a lot of mouths to feed in Baltimore this year, and playing time could present a challenge. Long term though, his upside is intriguing, especially at the end of the second round. Get our full take on Devin in his post draft rookie update.

Round Three

3.01 – KJ HAMLER, WR DEN

Leading off the selections in round three, KJ Hamler is a serious speed threat. He was taken a little higher (#46 overall) than most would have expected, so he’s in line for early opportunities in Denver. The Broncos now have a young receiving corps of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler to surround Drew Lock. Hamler is going to struggle for targets in this offense, which will limit his overall upside. Get a full read on Hamler in his post-draft rookie profile.

3.02 – JOE BURROW, QB CIN

Twenty six picks in, Joe Burrow finally comes off the board. Obviously this would be a very different story for a superlflex league where he is typically going in the top two or three picks, if not first overall. Yet even in a 1QB league this is significantly later than you would expect to see him fall in a typical rookie draft. If you look at our recent Live MFL Rookie ADP data (drawn from real-world 1QB dynasty league drafts) Burrow is being picked in the vicinity of the 11th overall pick, and usually no later than the 20th overall pick. So yeah – this is not indicative of where he would typically be selected. But then, that’s how drafts go sometimes, right? Every now and then, a player who should not be dropping, does. It’s up to you to see that opportunity, and take advantage! Oh, also… Joe Burrow is pretty good.