DLF’s Dynasty Predictions: Fantasy Rookie of the Year

Another off-season is drawing to a close, and real-deal football is almost here. To say a lot has changed since the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV back in February would be like saying Patrick Mahomes signed a good contract. The dude just signed an extension worth half a billion dollars. But all the ups and downs of 2020 won’t stop us from rolling out DLF’s 2020 Fantasy Predictions.

As we do every year, we have several different articles for you in the following categories:

• Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year
• Best Dynasty Sell
• Best Dynasty Buy
• Fantasy Sleeper
• Bust of the Year
• Sleeper Rookie of the Year (outside our top 24)
• Fantasy Rookie of the Year
• Fantasy MVP

We’re down to our final two articles in the series, and for today we’ll get in our picks for Fantasy Rookie of the Year.

Jalen Reagor, WR PHI

This year’s rookie drafts were very top-heavy, so we have lots of great options to choose from. Jalen Reagor landed in arguably the best spot among rookie receivers with very little standing in his way on the depth chart. Alshon Jeffery is already on the PUP, Marquise Goodwin has opted out, and DeSean Jackson is old and injury-prone, there is no reason Reagor won’t be their top wide receiver in 2020. – John Di Bari

Jonathan Taylor, RB IND

This may be a hot take considering Clyde Edwards-Helaire gets drafted higher. From a dynasty perspective, Taylor’s situation is elite, his floor is Ezekiel Elliott and he is likely to be valued in the same range next year. The buying window is closing fast. – Scott Connor

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC

Four weeks before the NFL draft I gave Edwards-Helaire high praise and called him the 1.01 pick if the landing spot was right. I’m not going to back down from that statement now that he’s with the best quarterback in the NFL. – Mike Havens

Cam Akers, RB LAR

He should immediately lead the Rams backfield in touches and dominate by the end of the season. The offensive line remains suspect, but Akers should be playing in plenty of high-scoring games. – Jeremy Schwob

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC

The lead running back in an Andy Reid offense – one that just so happens to be the best in the NFL? Yes please, give me that rookie running back. CEH should smash. – Shane Manila

Joe Burrow, QB CIN

Burrow will see opportunity right out of the gate for the Bengals. Cincinnati figures to have a poor defense again this season and the game script could call for lots of passing attempts. Tons of talented pass catchers and what should be an improved offensive line will only help the youngster shine in year one. – James Koutoulas

Joe Burrow, QB CIN (SF) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC

In superflex formats, I’ll say Burrow. Think he’s in a great position to produce immediately at a high level. If not SF, I think I have to go with Edwards-Helaire. I think the community is a bit too high on him, but can’t argue with the offense he finds himself in. – Bobby Koch

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC

As much as I want to say Jalen Reagor here, Edwards-Helaire is the right talent on the right team for fantasy production this season. A dual-threat back in one of the more explosive offenses in the league? Yes sir/madam, sign me up! CEH fits the offense and they obviously saw enough of a need at the position to select him in the first round. He should have a solid role early and often. – John Hesterman

Jalen Reagor, WR PHI

Had Reagor played at Alabama or Clemson with competent quarterback play, he would have easily been the first receiver off the board in April’s draft. Of all the rookie wideouts, he has the clearest path for consistent targets in 2020 as only banged-up veterans (DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery) and unproven youngsters (JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Greg Ward) stand in his way. – Josh Brickner

Jonathan Taylor, RB IND

Taylor is a hard-nosed runner who will complement Philip Rivers and the Colts passing game nicely. I don’t expect it to take long for him to push Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines aside. Furthermore, Taylor should push for double-digit touchdowns as a rookie as the clear goal-line back. People may regret taking Edwards-Helaire over him a year from now. – Eric Olinger

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, KC

I’m going to go chalk on this one. The situation is just too perfect to ignore, and for 2020 CEH is the most likely rookie to put up the most fantasy points. His ADP is rising but there is a very good chance he finishes as a top-ten RB, especially in points per reception formats. – Alfred Fernandez

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, KC

I think anyone would be fooling themselves if they didn’t pick Edwards-Helaire here. In one of the best potential situations of a rookie in recent years, CEH is in an incredible spot to be wildly productive, on a team that will be on the national stage often. While I think he would have been a bit deeper down rookie drafts and redraft leagues if he went to nearly any other team, the fit is too perfect to pass up. – Adam Tzikas

Cam Akers, RB LAR

Sure CEH may outproduce him this year, but you have to pay a heckuva lot more for CEH than you do Akers so I am going to go with the guy that is still attainable. Cam Akers is playing in an offense that is one year removed from having ELITE fantasy production at the RB position. Akers enters his rookie year as both the best runner and receiver in his backfield. Akers is going to be the rookie of the year. – Drew Osinchuk

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, KC

It’s a three-man race between Joe Burrow, Jonathan Taylor, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire and the nod goes to Clyde for me. He is sliding into the highest-scoring offense in the NFL and fits what they do seamlessly. Catching 60 passes and racking up 1,500 total yards is within the realm of what CEH could do as a rookie. – Dwight Peebles

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, KC

There is little that can stop him from being a straight stud in 2020. – Jeff Smith

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, KC

I tried to think of someone different for the sake of an argument, but I can’t. The perfect running back for an Andy Reid system, I am all aboard the CEH train for 2020 and beyond.- Addison Hayes

Cam Akers, RB LAR

While it is tempting to pencil Clyde Edwards-Helaire into this spot, I think that’s just too easy and straightforward. For my pivot, I believe Cam Akers has both the opportunity and skill set to post the biggest season out of this year’s rookie class. With Todd Gurley moving on to Atlanta, there is very little standing between Akers and a bellcow role. Yes, that includes both Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown. – The FFGhost

Cam Akers, RB LAR

Two years ago the Rams had an amazing offensive line. Last year it was dreadful. If they can meet somewhere in the middle, Akers will thrive in this Sean McVay offense. – Adam Wilde

Jonathan Taylor, RB IND

I know the Clyde Edwards-Helaire train is more than full this year, and as the consensus 1.01 on perhaps the best offense in football, I get it. But I just like Taylor’s overall profile that much better. Taylor has top five ability regardless of where he landed, and he landed in a pretty decent situation himself. And no, Marlon Mack does not scare me. – Ryan Finley

There you have it. Who do you like for the Fantasy Rookie of the Year? Are you all in on CEH or do you have a different favorite? Comment below!