Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our Cheat Sheet Creator – which allows you to combine rankings from 100+ experts into one cheat sheet – to our Draft Assistant – that optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.

Which rookies drafted on Day 2 have the best chance to be a fantasy football star in their debut season? This piece grades the fantasy outlook for every quarterback and skill position player taken Friday night.

View Rookie Rankings for Fantasy Football  

Round 2 Grades

Cincinnati Bengals: WR Tee Higgins, Clemson, No. 33 overall
Meet your new weapon, Joe Burrow. And meet the potential heir to A.J. Green, Cincinnati. Higgins is one of the best athletes in this draft class.

The Higgins-Burrow connection is the future, but Higgins probably won’t have a huge role in his rookie season. He could be third in the pecking order at wide receiver behind A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd. However, with Green’s tenure in Cincinnati likely to end after the 2020 season, the Bengals could be compelled to give Higgins more snaps. Plus, we all know Green isn’t the model of durability.

Higgins is likely no more than a late-round flier in redraft leagues at the moment. But his standing on the depth chart is worth monitoring throughout training camp. There’s upside here.

Grade: B-

Indianapolis Colts: WR Michael Pittman Jr., USC, No. 34 overall
Philip Rivers gets a darn good secondary receiver in Pittman. The USC receiver won’t wow you with his athleticism, but he has impressive size, incredible hands and a knack for getting open.

Pittman could have a similar role to what Mike Williams had for Rivers in Los Angeles and shouldn’t have much resistance on the depth chart – his primary competition for playing time will be Zach Pascal and Parris Campbell, a 2019 second-rounder.

T.Y. Hilton will be the primary target, but Pittman could settle in as a reliable No. 2 for Rivers with red-zone upside. He could be worth consideration at the very end of drafts and could have some touchdown upside.

Grade: B

Detroit Lions: RB D’Andre Swift, Georgia, No. 35 overall
Who’s ready for a talented, but confusing timeshare in Detroit? Swift joins Kerryon Johnson to make up a potentially strong one-two punch in the Motor City. However, this isn’t an awesome landing spot for fantasy purposes. Swift has three-down back ability but lacks explosiveness and home-run speed.

The biggest question is how the Lions sort this timeshare. This feels like it will be close to a 50/50 split, but there’s too much uncertainty to make Swift anything more than a late-round handcuff despite his talent.

Grade: C+

Indianapolis Colts: RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin, No. 41 overall
How about another confounding tailback timeshare? Taylor is one of the most productive college running backs ever and he now shares the backfield with Marlon Mack, a top 20 fantasy running back last season.

Once again, this is the worst-case fantasy scenario for one of the top running backs in the draft. Taylor and Mack will likely split carries, with Mack getting the majority of the work. Even worse, Taylor caught only 25 balls for Wisconsin last season, which means he likely won’t factor in on third down. The good news is Taylor will have plenty of room to run behind the Colts offensive line. But volume will be an enormous issue if Mack stays healthy.

So while Clyde Edwards-Helaire has ridiculous upside in Kansas City, Taylor and Swift are no more than handcuff options with injury upside late in redraft leagues.

Grade: C+

Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado, No. 42 overall
Minshew Mania gets a new weapon in Shenault, a speedy receiver who would’ve likely been picked earlier if not for a core muscle injury that sidelined him during the NFL Combine.

Shenault is another impressive athlete who has electrifying run-after-catch abilities. He joins a Jaguars receiving group that’s led by DJ Chark and features Dede Westbrook and newly-signed tight end Tyler Eifert.

Shenault brings an explosive element and could start the season in the slot. However, he only should be considered in deeper redraft formats. Chark will still be the top dog in Jacksonville, and Minshew still has a lot to prove after a mixed rookie season.

Grade: C+

Chicago Bears: TE Cole Kmet, Notre Dame, No. 43 overall
Kmet becomes Chicago’s 28th tight end on the roster. OK, that’s an exaggeration, they only have 10 tight ends on their current roster. I’m not joking… Of those 10 tight ends, the one who matters to Kmet is Jimmy Graham, whom the Bears signed to a two-year, $16 million deal this offseason.

Kmet’s arrival makes the Graham signing even more questionable, especially because Kmet possesses a similar skillset to Graham as a pure pass catcher. The Bears could use plenty of two tight end sets to get both on the field at the same time, but that doesn’t make this an ideal fantasy situation for the Notre Dame product.

Tight ends historically struggle during their rookie season, and Kmet most likely won’t be the exception. He’s only draftable in deeper redraft leagues.

Grade: C-

Denver Broncos: WR KJ Hamler, Penn State, No. 46 overall
Apparently Jerry Jeudy wasn’t enough firepower for the Broncos, who took the Penn State speedster with their second pick in the 2020 draft. Hamler is a nice fit for Denver as an explosive slot receiver who can take the top off defenses alongside Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Drew Lock might not have any excuses with all of the weapons John Elway has given him.

While Hamler should have a unique niche in Denver’s offense, this still isn’t a great fantasy fit with a first-round receiver in the fold. And let’s not forget that Sutton is coming off of a breakout campaign. The Broncos have a ton of intriguing pass catchers on their roster, but Hamler’s fantasy value is probably on the lower end. He should only be considered in the deepest of redraft leagues.

Grade: C

Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Chase Claypool, Notre Dame, No. 49 overall
Claypool is a fascinating prospect. He can stretch the field at 6-foot-4, 238 pounds, has great range and could serve as a reliable red-zone option for Ben Roethlisberger.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is the clear No. 1 receiver in the Steel City, but he’s in a contract year and coming off of an injury-plagued campaign. Underneath Smith-Schuster are Diontae Johnson, who led the team in catches last season, and deep threat James Washington.

Pittsburgh’s offense isn’t nearly as good as it’s been in years past, but Claypool could end up being a deep sleeper in redraft leagues if Roethlisberger stays healthy.

Grade: B-

Los Angeles Rams: RB Cam Akers, Florida State, No. 52 overall
Could Akers be the heir to Todd Gurley? He certainly has the talent. Akers is a fantastic runner who needs to improve his vision. He also dealt with miserable blocking in front of him at Florida State.

The Rams will have quite the competition at running back with Akers, 2019 third-round pick Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown all vying for starting duties. The Los Angeles offensive line regressed badly last season and hasn’t gotten much better during the offseason.

Akers’ fantasy value in 2020 won’t be determined until after the preseason. But on the surface, he has a chance to play plenty of snaps for a good offense and will be worth drafting in fantasy leagues if he wins the starting job in camp.

Grade: C+ 

Philadelphia Eagles: QB Jalen Hurts, Alabama, No. 52 overall
Could Jalen Hurts be Philadelphia’s version of Taysom Hill? That’s the only way I can rationalize one of the most shocking picks in this year’s draft.

The instant reaction is that Hurts was drafted to eventually replace Carson Wentz. That’s just not the case. Hurts is nowhere near the talent Wentz is. However, Hurts is a competent passer with excellent athleticism and could succeed running some gadgetry for the Eagles next season. Hurts could add a different dimension to Philadelphia’s offense while giving Wentz a few plays off per game, something that’s important for the injury-prone quarterback.

Unfortunately, Hurts likely won’t get enough snaps to be a real fantasy factor. In fact, he’ll probably be a headache for Wentz owners next season. Don’t draft him unless you have a crystal ball and know Wentz will get hurt again.

Grade: D-

Baltimore Ravens: RB J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State, No. 55 overall
Maybe the Ravens will run out of the wishbone formation to mess with opposing defenses. Imagine Lamar Jackson, Dobbins, Mark Ingram, and Gus Edwards coming at you in the triple option?

Dobbins is a talented running back who should’ve been drafted earlier than 55th overall. He’s elusive in the open field and is also a very good pass protector. He could become Baltimore’s lead back of the future but is stuck in a crowded backfield that includes Ingram, Edwards, and Justice Hill.

This pick is a tremendous value for Baltimore, but it’s hard to see Dobbins having a large role in 2020. It doesn’t help that he wasn’t a factor in the passing game at Ohio State. He’s a worthwhile handcuff with upside late in redraft leagues and will provide much more value in dynasty formats, especially since Ingram is 30 and could be cut with minimal dead cap in 2021.

Grade: C+

Los Angeles Rams: WR Van Jefferson, Florida, No. 57 overall
The Rams used the draft pick they acquired in the Brandin Cooks trade to draft an outstanding route runner in Jefferson. The Florida product could slot right in as the No. 3 receiver in Sean McVay’s option, assuming he beats out Josh Reynolds on the depth chart. Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Tyler Higbee will see the majority of Jared Goff’s targets, but Jefferson could be a worthwhile addition if either of the top two receivers goes down. Otherwise, he’s probably not worth drafting in most redraft leagues.

Grade: C- 

New York Jets: WR Denzel Mims, Baylor, No. 59 overall
Sam Darnold should be a happy camper. The Jets gave him a blindside protector in Mekhi Becton and a new weapon who has the largest catch radius in the draft.

Mims has an enticing blend of speed and size. He’s 6-foot-3, 207 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. Even better, Mims joins arguably the worst receiving group in the league. The top of the Jets receiving depth chart includes Breshad Perriman, Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson, Vyncint Smith, and Quincy Enunwa. That’s not great.

Despite this incredible opportunity for targets, Mims needs some seasoning. If Darnold takes the next step in 2020, Mims could benefit greatly if he develops quickly. There’s a ton of upside here, but it could take time. Mims should be primarily a deep sleeper in redraft leagues, but his development in training camp is worth monitoring. The opportunity will be there if he’s ready.

Grade: B-

Green Bay Packers: RB AJ Dillon, Boston College, No. 62 overall
The Packers are having an interesting draft, aren’t they? Dillon is a big man at 247 pounds. Don’t let his weight fool you though, Dillon hits the hole hard and is faster than his size would indicate.

Dillon provides depth behind Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, who are both entering contract years. The Boston College product could have a larger role in 2021, but will likely have to fight for playing time as a rookie. Unless you’re in a deep format, he’s not worth drafting.

Grade: D

Round 3 Grades

Washington Redskins: WR Antonio Gibson, Memphis, No. 66 overall
Gibson is a versatile weapon who’s played both wide receiver and running back. He’s not a pure receiver, but is plenty explosive and can line up all over the field. Gibson feels more like a gadget weapon than a consistent producer. Plus, Terry McLaurin is still the guy. Washington doesn’t have much depth at receiver, but Gibson likely isn’t worth much consideration in fantasy drafts.

Grade: D+

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt, No. 76 overall
Vaughn is a solid prospect and a good enough athlete to bust a big run when he has a seam. He’s also a very good pass protector, something Ronald Jones is not. That could lead to more snaps in his rookie season.

It’s hard to imagine Vaughn overtaking Jones as the bell cow back immediately. However, the door is open for Vaughn to emerge as a factor for what should be an elite offense. He could be a valuable handcuff and sleeper pick in fantasy drafts.

Grade: B

Las Vegas Raiders: WR Lynn Bowden Jr., Kentucky, No. 80 overall AND WR Bryan Edwards, South Carolina, No. 81 overall
The Raiders took wide receivers back-to-back, so I’m talking about them in the same blurb.

Bowden is a dynamic prospect who actually played quarterback for a desperate Kentucky team last season. He’s a versatile athlete who Jon Gruden can get creative with in offensive sets. He likely will work out of the slot in the NFL.

The Raiders then added a tall, possession receiver in Edwards. He has a similar skillset to Tyrell Williams, who was hampered by a foot injury last season.

Las Vegas clearly wants to go with a youth movement at wideout, as these two receivers join first-round pick Henry Ruggs III in their revamped offense. Bowden and Edwards both should see the field during their rookie seasons, but it’s hard to expect much of a fantasy impact from either of them. Training camp will sort out this crowded receiving group.

Grades: C

Buffalo Bills: RB Zack Moss, Utah, No. 86 overall
Moss is a bruising, blue-collar tailback who is a perfect fit in Buffalo’s run game as a complement to Devin Singletary. This will likely be Singletary’s backfield, with Moss factoring in on short-distance situations. He also has soft hands and could be a factor in the passing game.

Moss will have a role in Buffalo, but it likely won’t be worth more than handcuff consideration in fantasy drafts.

Grade: C

New England Patriots: TE Devin Asiasi, UCLA, No. 91 overall
The Patriots need all the playmakers they can get, particularly at tight end. The depth chart currently consists of Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo, making Asiasi quite possibly the best tight end on the roster already.

The UCLA product has good size and athleticism for the position. Given his standing on the depth chart, he could see instant playing time. Sadly, it won’t be Tom Brady throwing to him in Foxborough. Instead, it’ll likely be the unknown Jarrett Stidham. The Pats also drafted a tight end later in the third round, which muddles Asiasi’s fantasy outlook.

Asiasi is only worth a look in deeper leagues as a sleeper in 2020.

Grade: C

Baltimore Ravens: WR Devin Duvernay, Texas, No. 92 overall
Duvernay gives Lamar Jackson another fast receiver to throw to down the middle of the field. The former track star ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and adds more depth to a lackluster group of receivers outside of Marquise Brown.

Duvernay has a chance to start immediately in the slot for Baltimore. But owning any Ravens pass catchers outside of Brown and tight end Mark Andrews might be a risky proposition. Jackson should take another step forward as a passer, but this offense will still be predicated on a power rushing attack and passes to the tight ends.

All that being said, Duvernay is worth keeping an eye on as training camp begins. He could play his way into being a late-round flier in redraft leagues.

Grade: C+ 

Tennessee Titans: RB Darrynton Evans, Appalachian State, No. 93 overall
Evans is the lightning to Derrick Henry’s thunder and could serve as a suitable replacement for Dion Lewis as Tennessee’s third-down tailback. But don’t expect anything close to a timeshare. Evans will likely spell Henry only in third-down situations. He also has experience lining up at receiver.

Evans could merit more value in deep PPR leagues if Tennessee’s offense shows more potency through the air. But unless you’re a cautious Henry owner, he probably doesn’t merit any consideration in redraft leagues.

Grade: D+

Green Bay Packers: TE Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati, No. 94 overall
Breaking news: the Packers have given Aaron Rodgers another weapon. The only issue is it’s in the form of a 6-foot-2 tight end. Despite his smaller stature, Deguara fits what Green Bay is looking for at tight end. He can stretch the seam vertically and is a reliable pass-catching tight end.

Deguara will have to contend with Marcedes Lewis, who is somehow still in the league, as well as Jace Sternberger for Aaron Rodgers’ attention. Expect Deguara to be the latest in a messy tight end situation that has no clear starter at the moment. Only consider him if you’re absolutely desperate in deep redraft leagues this season.

Grade: C-

New England Patriots: TE Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech, No. 101 overall
The Patriots used two consecutive picks on tight ends, and they even traded up to get Keene. New England might be interested in Keene’s versatility, as he can also serve as an H-back or fullback at 6-foot-4, 253 pounds.

I’d expect Keene to be the No. 2 tight end behind the more natural Asiasi to start the year. He’s undraftable in all formats until we see more in training camp.

Grade: C-

New Orleans Saints: TE Adam Trautman, Dayton, No. 105 overall
The Saints might’ve gotten a steal in Trautman, who was passed over several times during Round 3. He’s a 6-foot-5, 255 pound prospect who has surprising athleticism and is a strong blocker. Trautman could be utilized often in two tight end sets, but will most likely play second fiddle to Jared Cook as a rookie.

Trautman isn’t draftable in most redraft formats, barring an unexpected injury to Cook. But he could be worth more consideration in dynasty leagues as the potential tight end of the future.

Grade: C- 

Complete early mock drafts using our free draft simulator

Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | TuneIn | RSS

Matt Barbato is a correspondent with FantasyPros. For more from Matt, follow him @RealMattBarbato.