2020 NFL Draft Rookie QB Landing Spots (Fantasy Football)
Hopefully, your digital NFL Draft experience on Thursday night was rewarding although we didn’t see quite the number of trades we all hoped for. The Bengals, Dolphins, Chargers, and surprisingly the Packers all took signal-callers in the first round. It got even stranger as the Eagles went in on Jalen Hurts in the 2nd round despite throwing a pile of cash at Carson Wentz recently.
Let’s dive into their prospect profiles and give a quick take on their fantasy outlook in dynasty and their range of outcomes for the next few years.
Editor’s Note: For more on the 2020 rookie class, check out all of our 2020 NFL Draft content and listen to the Fantasy Footballers podcast for this week’s Rookie Preview show where the Footballers breakdown each position heading into the draft.
Round 1
Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1, Pick 1
Well… we all knew this was coming. Many people have speculated whether Burrow was just a one year wonder but he will be given the keys to the franchise in Cincinnati for good reason. I highlighted Burrow’s draft profile a couple of weeks ago but his decision-making ability and accuracy are off the charts. For a rookie QB, he steps into an encouraging offensive situation that has viable offensive weapons in RB Joe Mixon and WRs A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd. Burrow could certainly have fantasy relevance in his rookie year if he sees enough passing volume. The rookie mistakes will come but Burrow has the cold-blooded, killing nature you want in your QB.
Fantasy Outlook: He’s in the conversation as the 1.01 in rookie Superflex drafts and should have moments as a viable streamer in 2020. He’s a top-10 fantasy QB in the making with 30 passing TDs on the table annually.
Tua Tagovailoa – Miami Dolphins
Round 1, Pick 5
Miami had been linked with Tua for a while but there was so much smoke and mirrors related to his medical reports and talk of Justin Herbert moving ahead of him. The left-handed Alabama QB was awesome when he was on the field totaling 87 TDs and only 11 INTs in his college career. He’s elite as a playmaker but his playing style has led to multiple injuries over the last few years. Tua could essentially have a “redshirt” year behind Ryan Fitzpatrick the way the Chiefs brought along Patrick Mahomes slowly in his first year. The WR group is adequate with a reborn DeVante Parker, a promising possession receiver in Preston Williams, and a potential third-year breakout TE in Mike Gesicki.
Fantasy Outlook: In dynasty leagues, he’s a late 1st round pick due to his immense upside. Who knows when he’ll make his debut but perhaps Tua could make some noise at the end of the 2020 season… or if Fitzpatrick is benched by Week 4. He has the chance to be a fantasy star if his body holds up. Add in three or four rushing TDs and he has top-5 upside at the position down the road.
Justin Herbert – Los Angeles Chargers
Round 1, Pick 6
After losing their franchise icon Philip Rivers, it made sense for the Chargers to grab a QB with their early 1st round pick. In Herbert’s Rookie Profile, I raised a number of red flags; most notably, his accuracy is alarming despite the fact he had low aDOT throws. Accuracy skill that seems to be hard to reinvent at the next level. His combination of size (6’6″) and speed (4.7 40-time) is impressive and has the athleticism to run when he needs to. He steps into arguably the best offensive situation for a rookie with dependable possession receiver Keenan Allen, deep threat Mike Williams, red zone tight-end Hunter Henry and check-down specialist Austin Ekeler available.
Fantasy Outlook: Herbert should be able to beat out veteran Tyrod Taylor for the starting job but I would be afraid to see eye-popping fantasy numbers in Year One. In rookie drafts, he certainly deserves to be the 3rd QB off the board in the mid-to-late second round. If things break right in Los Angeles, he can be a QB1 in the near future… or a complete bust.
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Jordan Love– Green Bay Packers
Round 1, Pick 26
Sometimes sports is just pure poetry. Finding himself in the same exact situation as Aaron Rodgers in 2005, Love will have the chance to wait on the bench behind a living legend. He has elite arm strength and the ability to throw on the run but took a major step back in his decision-making in his 2019 season leading the FBS with 17 INTs. In his rookie draft profile, I noted that he needs time to develop so Green Bay is a great landing spot. Love has some work to do but the way he moves outside the pocket and his effortless “flicks” reminds me of another late-first round QB the Packers have on their roster.
Fantasy Outlook: He’s obviously off the radar in redraft leagues but in dynasty, he could be a steal if he dips into the mid-to-late 3rd round. If you can wait two or so years, Love isn’t a bad dart throw if things go his way.
Round 2
Jalen Hurts– Philadelphia Eagles
Round 2, Pick 21 (53rd overall pick)
In another QB shocker, the Eagles drafted the insanely productive Hurts despite locking up Carson Wentz to a contract extension this past season. Eagles GM Howie Roseman came out and said they have full confidence in Wentz but drafted Hurts for his potential and that they don’t really like the term “backup” given their need in the past for Nick Foles to step in. Regardless of the way you spin this, the Eagles are taking the Patriots approach of drafting a young, talented QB who will either step in for injuries or be eventually used as trade bait ala Jimmy Garoppolo. His production at Alabama and Oklahoma speaks for itself although he struggled with accuracy on intermediate to deep throws. But it’s the ground game that makes him a fantasy cheat code.
Fantasy Outlook: Hurts opens up an intriguing dynasty conversation: if Wentz is injured, he could legitimately be a valuable fantasy asset immediately given his rushing. Between Jordan Love and Hurts, there is a discussion to be had for the 4th QB off the board in rookie drafts. If you want upside, Hurts is your man. But also expect to possibly get zero return for the first few years.
Round 3
No QBs were selected in the 3rd round of the NFL draft.
Round 4
Jacob Eason– Indianapolis Colts
Round 4, Pick 16 (122nd overall pick)
The 6’6″ Eason has the size scouts would’ve drooled over ten years ago but he’s basically a statue in the pocket. However, with a rocket arm, Eason is a great prospect to invest in and wait in the wings behind Philip Rivers for at least a year. He lands with a QB guru in Frank Reich so hopefully, he does turn into a viable NFL starter.
Fantasy Outlook: Eason is a late-round dynasty add in the 4th/5th rounds of rookie drafts.
James Morgan– New York Jets
Round 4, Pick 19 (125th overall pick)
Morgan went through the draft process with some definite truthers touting him as a sleeper. The Florida International signal-caller is a developmental project behind franchise QB Sam Darnold.
Fantasy Outlook: None.
Round 5
Jake Fromm– Buffalo Bills
Round 5, Pick 22 (167th overall pick)
Fromm slipped farther than any of us would’ve thought after starting the last three years at Georgia including some big-time games against high-caliber opponents. He’s a fairly accurate QB with a below-average arm, the exact opposite of Bills starter Josh Allen.
Fantasy Outlook: He’s a dart throw at the end of rookie drafts if you believe in the talent.
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Round 6
Jake Luton– Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 6, Pick 10 (189th overall pick)
The Jaguars held to their word not using high draft capital on a QB and entrusting this team to Gardner Minshew. If things falter with Minshew, Luton looks like he’ll be the next man up from Oregon State. He’s a big QB (6’6″) who was efficient last year totaling 28 passing TDs and three INTs.
Fantasy Outlook: None.
Round 7
Cole McDonald– Tennessee Titans
Round 7, Pick 10 (224th overall pick)
McDonald looks like a wild man with his awesome dreadlocks coming from Hawaii. He’ll backup Ryan Tannehill for now and compete with 2018 7th round pick Logan Woodside.
Fantasy Outlook: None.
Ben DiNucci– Dallas Cowboys
Round 7, Pick 17 (231st overall pick)
Now that is a fun Italian name to say: DiNucci…
Fantasy Outlook: None.
Tommy Stevens– New Orleans Saints
Round 7, Pick 26 (240th overall pick)
Stevens is a depth piece after Teddy Bridgewater moved on this offseason. He started his career at Penn State before transferring to Mississippi State. He does have some upside as a runner but he’ll be third on the depth chart behind Drew Brees and Taysom Hill.
Fantasy Outlook: None.
Nate Stanley– Minnesota Vikings
Round 7, Pick 30 (244th overall pick)
Stanley was a three-year starter at Iowa, throwing for the 2nd most TD passes in the college’s history. He’ll compete with Sean Mannion for the backup job behind Kirk Cousins.
Fantasy Outlook: None.