2020 Instant Analysis Dynasty Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Round One

Ken Kelly Posted On April 25, 2020

Editor’s Note: We’re constantly updating our Rookie Draft Guide as the NFL Draft unfolds, so be sure to follow along and read all the updated information.

Why waste any time, right?

As the third day of the NFL Draft continues to unfold, I was joined by our own Ryan McDowell and Ray Garvin as we performed a “Knee Jerk Reaction” instant analysis mock draft. The 2020 class is highlighted by some amazing and deep wide receiver talent and some running backs who promise to be difference makers in dynasty leagues. I’ll highlight each pick as we go and post each of the two rounds separately as we make picks based on our instant reaction to live and unfolding NFL Draft.

1.01 = Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB KC
Pre-Draft Rookie ADP = 7

No player vaulted up draft boards more than Edwards-Helaire, who hit the jackpot both by being selected as the top running back in the class and landing with the Kansas City Chiefs. I personally love productive SEC running backs and even though Edwards-Helaire doesn’t have prototypical size, he can do everything and Kansas City will know how to make use of his pass catching and running abilities. Andy Reid has historically made fantasy superstars out of the backfield and has publicly stated he believes Edwards-Helaire is better than former Eagle and dynasty fantasy football Hall of Famer Brian Westbrook. Check, please.

1.02 = Jonathan Taylor, RB IND
Pre-Draft Rookie ADP = 1

Taylor has been the consensus 1.01 for the past few months and he’s still clearly in the mix for that pick. He landed in a great spot for production and should relegate Marlon Mack to backup status in little time. Taylor is the best pure runner in the draft and simply has a dynamic skill set the Colts will love. When you put him behind a dominant offensive line, it’s the perfect mix for fantasy production. While he needs to work on his ball security and his passing game prowess, he could easily post top 20 numbers at the running back position next season and is one of the safest picks in rookie drafts this year.

1.03 = JK Dobbins, RB BAL
Pre-Draft Rookie ADP = 4

The top two picks in most drafts are likely going to be Taylor and Edwards-Helaire. However, you can make a strong case for Dobbins to make his way into the top two as well. The Ravens love to run the football and never expected Dobbins to fall to them in the draft, so they were forced to change course with the value he provided at that point in the draft. While Mark Ingram is going to be the presumptive starter next season and the Ravens have a loaded depth chart with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, Dobbins is destined to emerge as their running back of the future. While owners are going to need to exhibit patience, this pick could pay off big-time in a year or two. This is a perfect landing spot for the punishing runner.

1.04 = D’Andre Swift, RB DET
Pre-Draft Rookie ADP = 2

Dynasty owners have long memories and it’s going to be hard not to picture the ghosts of Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure, Kevin Jones, Kevin Smith, Ameer Abdullah and now Kerryon Johnson as highly touted Detroit running backs who failed miserably and ruined first round rookie draft choices. Those who take Swift have to just put all of that behind them and move forward. Swift is arguably the most talented of all the running backs in the class and he should fit in great with Matt Stafford and the Lions offense. If you pass on him because you just feel like Detroit is where running backs go to die, you run the risk of seeing him wipe out your dynasty team every Thanksgiving. Do you really want to risk that and ruin your pumpkin pie every year just because of the history of the position here?

1.05 = Cam Akers, RB LAR
Pre-Draft Rookie ADP = 6

I never really bought the idea the Rams were going to enter the season with Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown owning the backfield and that rang true as the Rams drafted the talented Akers out of Florida State. This is an exceptional fit for his skill set and Akers was once heralded as the best running back in this entire class. While it may take him some time to leapfrog Brown and Henderson, neither of those players have his ability and Akers could be the long-term answer for Todd Gurley in Los Angeles. Simply put, I love the fit here.

1.06 = CeeDee Lamb, WR DAL
Pre-Draft ADP = 3

Despite the first five picks in this draft being running backs, there’s little doubt this class is going to be remembered by the depth and quality of the wide receivers. Mid-first round picks this season look like a goldmine for dynasty teams looking for receiving talent and our first mock draft has Lamb taken first as the inevitable receiver run starts. There’s no denying his ability as he’s simply electric in the open field. The landing spot is curious as he’ll slide into the slot in between Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup and fight for targets early on in his career. However, it’s unlikely the Cowboys are going to be able to keep all three of those players long-term and Lamb is going to special.

1.07 = Jerry Jeudy, WR DEN
Pre-Draft ADP = 5

The unquestioned best route runner in the class, Jeudy likely has the highest floor of any prospect in this rookie class. He should help the Broncos immediately and form one of the best 1-2 punches in the league with emerging star Courtland Sutton. It would have been great to see Jeudy go to a team where he could emerge as the unquestioned WR1, but this is still a good fit. The Broncos have hitched their wagon to Drew Lock and gave him some serious weapons to use. Jeudy is going to be a safe pick in the middle of round one all Spring.

1.08 = Jalen Reagor, WR PHI
Pre-Draft ADP = 8

Beauty is going to be in the eye of the beholder this year and owners are going to really need to weigh talent against situation for a lot of these receivers. Reagor seemingly has both and landed in a great spot with the Eagles. With Alshon Jeffery’s status up in the air and DeSean Jackson aging, the Eagles are desperate for help at receiver. After all, they ended the season peppering Greg Ward with double digit targets at the end of last season and JJ Arcega-Whiteside has been a bust so far. Reagor is going to have a great shot at both short and long-term production.

1.09 = Justin Jefferson, WR MIN
Pre-Draft ADP = 9

I really believe Jeudy and Lamb are going to be the first two receivers off the board in most rookie drafts and the debate between Reagor, Jefferson, Henry Ruggs, Michael Pittman and Tee Higgins is going to rage all Spring and Summer long. I love this landing spot for Jefferson and he steps into the shoes of Stefon Diggs ready to produce right away. He was ultra-productive at LSU and should flourish with the Vikings. Jefferson will be a personal target of mine in rookie drafts late in the first round as I like him the most in the second tier of receivers after Jeudy and Lamb.

1.10 = Henry Ruggs III, WR LV
Pre-Draft ADP = 10

I expected to turn on the news and see Al Davis rise from the grave with a cell phone after the Raiders selected Ruggs as the first wideout off the board in the NFL Draft. A classic size / speed freak if there ever was one, Ruggs just fits the Raiders culture. He ends up being the fifth receiver taken in our mock draft here, however, mostly because of the risk involved with him. Ruggs could have the highest ceiling of any receiver in this class, but the low floor is also apparent. With the Raiders adding three receivers in the first two rounds and doubt about Derek Carr‘s ability to get him the ball, Ruggs is sure to be the Pepto Bismol pick towards the end of round one. Feel lucky?

1.11 = Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB TB
Pre-Draft ADP = 19

Along with Edwards-Helaire, Vaughn is the other major riser in this draft class. Ronald Jones just isn’t an NFL-caliber starting running back and Vaughn landed in a golden situation with Tom Brady and the new-look Bucs. With Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski all needing to be covered, there’s just no way for defenses to stack the box against Tampa Bay. You’re always wary when a player jumps this many spots because of their situation, but it’s hard to argue against Vaughn being a late first or early second round pick this year even though he projects mostly as a two-down running back. The early career scoring potential alone is likely worth the pick here.

1.12 = Tee Higgins, WR CIN
Pre-Draft ADP = 12

Higgins is going to be stuck behind the likes of AJ Green and Tyler Boyd early in his career, but it’s clear this is now going to be Green’s last season with the Bengals as he plays out the year on the franchise tag. With John Ross always injured, the Bengals were clearly in the market to add another young weapon for new franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. In virtually any other year, Higgins would be a mid-first round pick in rookie drafts, so he could represent some great value for owners who are patient and wait for Green to depart.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK