Early 2020 Round 1 Dynasty Rookie Draft

I’ll admit it. I have a problem.

I can’t get enough of NFL Draft chatter and tape evaluations of incoming draft prospects.

Over recent years, my attention would normally turn towards the NFL Draft once the NFL regular season ended. However, this season my preparation has started much earlier than that.

If you have been following my work here at The Fantasy Footballers for a while now, you know that I wrote a series back in June highlighting the top players in the 2020 Draft class to watch this College Football season.

Well, we’re now over halfway through that College Football season and we’re starting to have some idea on who the “cream of the crop” is in this incoming 2020 class. Getting a head start on who these prospects are is essential for any Dynasty player, especially as you consider trading draft picks. It’s important to have some idea on who that draft pick could turn out to be…

Luckily, I’m not the only person who has a problem and can’t get enough of the NFL Draft. I threw the “Tape Talk” signal up in the sky and a group of amazing Devy/Dynasty/College Football analysts gathered here to go through a Mock 2020 Round 1 Rookie Draft.

This will most definitely change come next April as players end up in different landing spots, but this should give you a look at who the top prospects are and who you could end up with at your pick.

Let’s jump right in.

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2020 1.01 – D’Andre Swift – Georgia Bulldogs, RB

“This running back class is incredible. Despite really being tempted by the likes of Taylor and Etienne, I think Swift is the clear pick here. He is incredible between the tackles, a true weapon in the passing game and beats defenders with power, speed and agility. He also displays his “dead leg” juke move on several occasions and defenders are always falling all over themselves attempting to stay with him. The nice part about selecting Swift at 1.01 is I believe he is almost completely landing spot proof. Wherever he goes, he will make an impact on day 1.” -Garret Price (@DynastyPrice)

D'Andre Swift (@DAndreSwift ) has the ability to make a Safety's soul leave his body, I swear. pic.twitter.com/9ExDdUzfuD

— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) June 10, 2019

2020 1.02 – Jerry Jeudy – Alabama Crimson Tide, WR

“This Alabama receiving core as a whole is outstanding. But Jeudy in particular really pops off the screen. He’s an unbelievable route runner and has extremely solid hands. The way he moves in the open field makes him tough to cover and even harder to corral and bring down. He’s very fluid and shifty in his movements. His projected ceiling at the next level is exceedingly high and you could even justify taking him as the number one overall pick in dynasty rookie drafts.” – Zack Thomas (@NFL_Zack)

2020 1.03 – Jonathan Taylor – Wisconsin Badgers, RB

“Taylor is the best pure runner in this class. At 5’11” 220, Taylor has shown the ability to handle a complete workload from his freshman season until now. The biggest knock on Taylor was his lack of receiving production. The rumors swirled about him working on this aspect of his game over the summer and the rumors were true. Taylor has already topped his career season-high in receptions and has three touchdowns through the air. Swift is extremely talented but don’t be shocked to hear Taylor’s named called first in the 2020 NFL Draft.” – Ray Garvin (@RayGQue)

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The best way to ‘see’ what a RB sees or doesn’t see, is the All-22 film angle

I tweeted this a couple months ago but Wisconsin RB, Jonathan Taylor is SPECIAL

Vision | Lateral Quickness | Burst | Long Speed

Him running is a thing of beauty. #Devy #DDP pic.twitter.com/eyfP6VUfBy

— Ray G 🏁 (@RayGQue) October 5, 2019

2020 1.04 – Henry Ruggs – Alabama Crimson Tide, WR

“My number two WR coming into the CFB season, Ruggs has exceeded expectations to this point. He’s a speedster that will most likely run in the 4.2’s at the Combine, but also is a dynamic route runner with great receiving ability. He’s lethal after the catch and also excels at tracking the ball while it’s in the air. Jeudy gets more of the buzz (rightfully so), but you shouldn’t view Ruggs as some sort of consolation prize at this point of the draft. He’s fun to watch.” – Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

2020 1.05 – Travis Etienne – Clemson Tigers, RB

“Currently ranked as my 3rd running back in this class, Etienne has the breakaway speed that is rarely seen with running backs of this caliber. He is the fastest of the three top-tier running backs. At Clemson, he has shown the ability to run between the tackles as well as outside, where he uses his speed to get the corner. He has a bit of work to do on his pass catching ability, but he has shown progress, which makes me very happy to take him 5th overall.” -Kane Fossell (@DFF_Kane)

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Well….see you later Travis Etienne! 😤pic.twitter.com/eZLR72dI2g

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 30, 2019

2020 1.06 – Ceedee Lamb – Oklahoma Sooners, WR

“Lamb possesses a trio of traits that make him my favorite wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft. He has great athleticism, which allows him to be a lethal yards after catch (YAC) threat and make highlight reel catches he has no business hauling in. Lamb has great contested catch ability. He plays bigger than his 6’2” 189 pound frame suggests. He boxes out defenders, is not afraid to play physical, and has some of the stickiest hands in this draft class. Lamb is a nuanced route runner that demonstrates the ability to execute the entire route tree. He is particularly effective when running comeback routes, slants, and corners but has the speed to burn secondaries on fly routes as well. Buried amongst the hype of Alabama wideouts, Lamb will provide the best fantasy football value for players who can draft him outside of the top five picks in 2020.” -Matt Hicks (@TheFF_Educator)

2020 1.07 – Laviska Shenault – Colorado Buffaloes, WR

“Shenault is the typical 6’2”, 220lb big bodied wide receiver that NFL teams fawn over. He had a breakout sophomore season last year with 86 receptions for 1,011 rec yards and 6 TDs amounting to a 33.6% Rec yards market share and 31.6% TD market share for Colorado. His age 19 breakout bodes well for his fantasy future in terms of age adjusted market share data as well. In 2019, Shenault isn’t quite hitting his pre season projection he accumulated from his big 2018 season and is battling with Tony Brown and KD Nixon for WR supremacy at Colorado. This likely gives fantasy gamers some pause. With that said, the kid is an absolute play maker every time he touches the ball. He’s physical at the catch point, has rare blend of size, speed, and athleticism, and has the versatility to lineup anywhere on the field. His skill set, albeit somewhat raw, will give NFL teams plenty to get excited about. With that said, if he lands in the right situation with a good QB and supporting cast, Shenault will vastly exceed this number 7 pick. ” -Jesse Reeves (@JesseReevesFF)

2020 1.08 – Cam Akers – Florida State Seminoles, RB

“I’m surprised I could grab a guy that can do it all from the running back position here at eight. Despite having a terrible offensive line at Florida St., Akers still has 115 carries for 582 yards, seven touchdowns; 15 receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns through five games. Many people were down on him after a rough 2018, but most of that can be attributed to a poor surrounding cast. So far in 2019, he’s shown us the talent we all fell in love with during his freshman year. His ability to make people miss, catch the ball out of the backfield, and run in-between the tackles makes him a great three-down prospect for the next level. In one of the deepest rookie classes in quite some time, Akers will be a great “get” at this spot in the draft for dynasty teams that consider themselves contenders. He may be able to come in and play right away, depending on his landing spot. Either way, I expect him to touch the ball 8-10 times a game during his rookie year. He’s ready to play now.” – Jared Wackerly (@JaredWackerlyFF)

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Some high level running by Cam Akers in week 2. He looks nothing like the 2018 version of himself.

From a TALENT standpoint, I do not believe there’s a more talented RB in the 2020 class. A lot of season left, excited for him. #devy

+ Power
+ Speed
+ Agility
+ Receiving pic.twitter.com/rGw4raTJF3

— Ray G 🏁 (@RayGQue) September 9, 2019

2020 1.09 – Tylan Wallace – Oklahoma State, WR

“After finishing up my breakdown of him on The Dynasty Draft Room, Tylan Wallace immediately jumped up my draft board. His ability to go up and high point the ball with unbelievable body control is outstanding. He has tremendously strong hands, and he’s a very smart route runner. Not only does he have really loose hips and quick feet to burn any defender, but he also has the smarts to improvise and find the soft spot in the defense for his quarterback. He’s going to be a tremendous weapon at the next level.” –Zack Thomas (@NFL_Zack)

2020 1.10 – Chuba Hubbard – Oklahoma State Cowboys, RB

“Chuba is a redshirt sophomore, and there’s an even greater chance that he decides to stay in school for another year, but if he doesn’t, he will be a first round lock in rookie draft next spring. The 6’1” 207 pound runner has elite speed. This is not hyperbole, Hubbard has been clocked running a 10.5 100m dash time, in high school. He currently leads the NCAA in rushing by a large margin. He backed up Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill last season and flashed. The backfield is his this year and he’s soaring. He has also displayed proficiency in the passing game catching over 20 balls last season. Hubbard is a special talent at the running back position and deserves to be selected here, if not sooner.” Ray Garvin (@RayGQue)

2020 1.11 – Tee Higgins – Clemson Tigers, WR

“Higgins is a 6’4/210 receiver who excels when the ball is in the air. He’s obviously a threat in the Red Zone because of his size, but he gives you contested catch ability at all levels of the field. He has underrated speed and is able to stretch the field and keep defenses on their heels. At this spot in the draft, Higgins is a great pick due to the upside that he possesses if paired with a QB that is able to air it out. He’s a big play threat every time he’s on the field.” -Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL)

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Trevor Lawrence to Tee Higgins. A beautiful thing to watch. pic.twitter.com/9YzwhQT5xH

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 30, 2019

2020 1.12 – Tyler Johnson – Minnesota Golden Gophers, WR

“If you have spent time watching Tyler Johnson, you have noticed that he doesn’t have the Supreme athleticism like some of the other guys in this draft, but he makes up for it in supreme route running. His ability to sink his hips on a dime as well as his agility moving in and out of his breaks makes him an exciting player to draft. He has had an issue with drops early in his career, but that shouldn’t stop you from taking one of the safest floors you can in a receiver.” -Kane Fossell (@DFF_Kane)