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Our writers got together to mock the first round of a dynasty rookie draft. This is for a 12-team, PPR, 1QB dynasty fantasy football league. They each provide a pick along with their reasoning for the selection.
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Pick 1.01 – Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)
It’s all about volume in a 1QB league and Taylor has the best opportunity to get it. His situation is better than the RBs in this rookie class. Coming into Frank Reich’s offense behind the best O-Line in the NFL is a major bonus. He may give way to Marlon Mack at times but he’s a proven stud who can pile up carries and yards.
– Josh Dalley (@JoshDalley72)
Pick 1.02 – Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB – KC)
The leader in broken tackle rate of the 2020 class at 34% and a dream landing spot with the Chiefs, Edwards-Helaire is a lock for a top-2 selection in rookie drafts. He has the top receiving prowess among the big five which will blend seamlessly into Andy Reid’s offense as he steps into a large, immediate role. Andy Reid was quoted calling him Brian Westbrook, but better. The hearts for eyes emoji emotion should overwhelm you if you have a chance to acquire him in your rookie draft.
– David Zach (@DavidZach16)
Pick 1.03 – J.K. Dobbins (RB – BAL)
I’ll take J.K. Dobbins at third overall. This isn’t a win-now pick, but it’s one of the smartest grabs in dynasty this season. The Ravens are the league’s best rushing attack, and they should continue to be into the foreseeable future. While Dobbins will have to share the workload with Mark Ingram next season, the Ravens handed backups Gus Edwards and Justice Hill a combined 213 carries last year, and Dobbins should take over some of that work. After this year, Dobbins has the blocking support and the college stats that suggest he’ll be a success in the NFL. While he won’t be a year-one RB1, you’re just not going to find a running back with Dobbins’ long-term upside any later in this draft class.
– Isaiah Sirois (@is_sirois)
Pick 1.04 – D’Andre Swift (RB – DET)
Swift likely starts his rookie season in a timeshare with the incumbent, Kerryon Johnson. However, Swift’s quickness, incredible vision and reliable pass-catching ability give him a shot at becoming Detroit’s three-down back of the future. I admit, patience might be needed during Year 1, Then again, Johnson’s durability issues (14 games missed in two seasons) could give Swift an unexpected opportunity to seize the starting job in 2020. While the top receivers are still on the board, I’d rather take a chance on a rookie who could become a coveted workhorse down the road.
– Matt Barbato (@RealMattBarbato)
Pick 1.05 – Jerry Jeudy (WR – DEN)
With four straight running backs going off the board before my pick, I decided to go with Jerry Jeudy and bank on his potential as a WR1. I considered Rams running back Cam Akers with this pick in order to score a rookie running back in a favorable situation, but Judy’s ceiling was too great to pass on with the fifth overall pick.
– Mike Maher (@MikeMaher)
Pick 1.06 – Cam Akers (RB – LAR)
Akers is my rookie RB2 so getting him in the middle of the first round represents solid value here. A former #1 recruit coming out of high school, Akers tallied over 3300 total yards in carrying a Florida State offense that was mostly a dumpster fire during his time in Tallahassee. Akers is a slick combination of power and speed (4.47 forty) with great vision who should thrive in the Rams outside zone run offense. Even assuming a timeshare in the early portion of 2020, Akers is still primed to be a highly productive back who will contribute in the passing game. Sign me up.
– Jason Kamlowsky (@JasonKamlowsky)
Pick 1.07 – CeeDee Lamb (WR – DAL)
Lamb is a supremely talented wide receiver with no glaring weaknesses. There was a strong class of instant-impact running backs this year, but I’m happy to have a number one receiver at this point in the draft. While it may take him a couple of years to deliver WR1 stats, Lamb should be a productive player from the first snap. In three years at Oklahoma, Lamb gained 3292 yards while scoring 32 touchdowns on a 173 receptions. Watching him play gives you a real sense of his ability to break tackles, and maximize each play. There are some players that are just fun to watch, and having that type of player deliver elite production is a bonus. There is a quarterback in Dallas who needs a contract, and a few mouths to feed, but Lamb should be someone who gives my team an edge at wide receiver for the next 10 years.
– Sheldon Curtis (@sheldon_curtis)
Pick 1.08 – Ke’Shawn Vaughn (RB – TB)
The eighth-spot is where things will change in drafts most likely. The top seven will most likely go in some order with the “Big Five” running backs most likely garnering the most attention. Although Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa are enticing quarterback prospects, it is too early in my opinion to go in that direction. I did consider a wide receiver with the upside of Jalen Reagor and the seemingly safety net of Justin Jefferson but realize that the running back position dries up quickly. Ke’Shawn Vaughn was a top-seven back before the draft and now has usurped Zack Moss due to landing spot. There is a fear that Ronald Jones II is not surrendering his lead status but Jones isn’t an Arians pick. Vaughn brings the Dalvin Cook size and versatility. He can run in between the tackles, is quick enough to move outside and has good enough receiving chops to be a complete weapon. He’s an above-average athlete and his production profile is off the charts. The only possible red flags of choosing him this early in his age (almost 23 years old) and the fact he wasn’t drafted until the third round. Remember Arians did draft David Johnson around that time and was not afraid to use him as a primary back. Other than that, all systems are go for Ke’Shawn Vaughn on a Tampa Bay offense that is potentially lethal.
– Marc Mathyk (@masterjune70)
Pick 1.09 – Jalen Reagor (WR – PHI)
Reagor has the best combination of talent and situation coming out of the NFL Draft. His speed (don’t buy into the 4.47 at the Combine) is one thing the Eagles offense was desperately in need of. No one on the Eagles roster, minus a healthy DeSean Jackson, can do the things that Reagor does on the field. Speaking of Jackson I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the 2020 season will be his age 34 season and he hasn’t played more than 12 games since 2017. Carson Wentz has an excellent deep ball and will finally have a receiver that allows him to utilize it. Reagor isn’t just a deep threat though, he’s good route runner and can pile up YAC and be a target in goal to go situations. Look for the Eagles to take advantage of his rushing ability as well. Reagor 9.3 yards per his 35 college rushing attempts. Doug Pederson loves to innovate and he’ll make sure to manufacture touches for Reagor on bubble screens and jet sweeps. To top it all off Reagor was an excellent punt returner in college and will take over that role for the Eagles providing you fantasy points if your leagues count return yards.
– Shane Manila (ShaneIsTheWorst)
Pick 1.10 – Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN)
Jefferson steps into a great spot in Minnesota with the recent departure of Stefon Diggs. He will be the WR2 in that offense from day one and should see plenty of targets in 2020. My only concern when it comes to Jefferson is the Vikings run-heavy attack. That being said, there should still be enough targets to to around to make both Jefferson and Adam Thielen fantasy relevant in 2020, especially in PPR leagues. What I like most about Jefferson and his landing spot is that there is an immediate need and being a slot receiver will only help his chances of staying consistent. That’s not something you can say for most rookies.
– Eli Berkovits (@PTTF_Eli)
Pick 1.11 – Henry Ruggs III (WR – LV)
The first wide receiver off the board in the NFL Draft, Ruggs enters the NFL as one of the fastest players in the league — as he was clocked at 4.27 40-yard dash at the Combine. His speed is not the only skill that he brings to the table however, as Ruggs as also a highly-skilled route runner and has excellent hands. The concerns with Ruggs are apparent, as he struggled against physical corners at the college level and lacked the elite-level production of his peers within the top of the draft class. Along with that, Ruggs in a situation in Oakland with a quarterback in Derek Carr who does not push the ball downfield very often, nor does his backup Marcus Mariota. Ruggs’ skill is undeniable though and while it may not be his rookie season where he makes a huge impact, his value at the end of the first round here is far too great to pass up.
– Brian Rzeppa (@brianrzeppa)
Pick 1.12 – Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
Tee Higgins was one of the most underrated prospects in this 2020 receiver class and paired with Joe Burrow is his best-case scenario. Higgins was a dominant deep threat at Clemson posting PFF deep grades of 94.5 on passes past 20 yards. With Andy Dalton being cut, Burrow is the starter, and he had the clear-cut best deep arm of the 2020 class. Burrow had a 99.3 PFF grade on passes 20 yards or more, and Higgins walks into a receiving corps of Tyler Boyd, A.J. Green, and John Ross III. He may not put up the numbers Henry Ruggs or CeeDee Lamb put up in year one, but Higgins overtime can put up better red zone numbers, yards per catch, and ultimately touchdowns. It was hard passing on Burrow here, but Higgins will be his No. 1 and could blossom learning under Green as one of the league’s deadliest deep threats.
– Vaughn Dalzell (@VaughnDalzell)
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