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[Dynasty] 2020 NFL Draft Class (1 Viewer)

Jets signed fourth-round RB Lamical Perine to a four-year contract. 

Perine (5'11/216) led Florida in rushing his final three seasons despite never reaching 140 carries. While he tested as an average Joe across the board at Indy's Combine, PFF charted Perine with just one drop on 55 targets in 2019, which were inexplicably 14 more than his previous three years combined. Those proven receiving chops combined with Perine's burning desire to pass-block could land him a third-down role ahead of Josh Adams or Trenton Cannon. Unfortunately, he'll only be serviceable for fantasy if he can cut into Le'Veon Bell's role on third down. Considering coach Adam Gase's clear antipathy for Bell, it's not outside the realm of possibility. 

Jul 9, 2020, 2:44 PM ET
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Fantasy Football 2020: Updated Rankings and Rookie Prospects to Target Early

Excerpt:

Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Opportunity is the biggest factor to consider when examining rookies and their starting potential. Talent is obviously what will allow them to produce, but if they can't get on to the field, then talent is largely irrelevant.

This is why Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Cam Akers is worth targeting earlier than most rookies. He'll be running behind an inconsistent offensive line—L.A. averaged just 3.7 yards per carry last season—but he should have the inside track toward the starting job.

When the Rams released Todd Gurley earlier this offseason, it opened the door for backs like Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson. However, Akers has more upside than either of these veterans, and he is the best-built of the three to be an every-down back.

The 5'10", 217-pound back racked up 1,144 rushing yards, 226 receiving yards and 18 total touchdowns for Florida State last season. These aren't wholly unrealistic numbers for Akers as a rookie—provided the line can perform better than it did a year ago.

According to FantasyPros, Akers currently has an average draft position (ADP) of 88th overall. It's worth taking a flier on Akers a couple of rounds higher than that ADP would suggest.

D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

Like Akers, Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift is worth targeting because of his opportunity. Unlike rookie runners Clyde Edwards-Helaire, J.K. Dobbins and Jonathan Taylor—who will split time with Damian Williams, Mark Ingram and Marlon Mack, respectively—Swift might already be penciled in as the starter.

The Georgia product will compete with the oft-injured Kerryon Johnson for the starting role in Detroit, and given Johnson history—he's missed 14 games in two seasons—the Lions could be quick to lean on Swift as their primary ball-carrier.

The 5'9", 215-pound Swift well-suited for a prominent role.

"Tempo and decisiveness are his calling cards, making him a highly talented inside/outside zone runner," NFL Media's Lance Zierlein wrote before the draft. "He's a cerebral runner who understands block timing and uses quick-cut agility and rare spatial awareness to read and react to defenses beyond the second level."

Last season, Swift amassed 1,049 rushing yards, 297 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns for the Bulldogs. His ADP of 75—per FantasyPros—is also a bit low, and it should be safe to target Swift in the fifth or sixth round in most formats.

Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Last year, we saw rookie wide receivers make an immediate impact on the NFL and in fantasy. Guys like Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf made the transition from college to the pros look easy, and if all goes well, Viking wideout Justin Jefferson will do the same.

Now, Jefferson isn't as safe a bet as Akers and Swift, but he does have a prime opportunity to be a big-time player in PPR formats. The Vikings traded away Stefon Diggs, leaving Adam Thielen, Tajae Sharpe and Olabisi Johnson as the only real challengers to Jefferson for playing time.

Johnson and Sharpe combined for just 623 receiving yards last season (Sharpe with the Tennessee Titans). Thielen dealt with a hamstring injury and finished with just 418 receiving yards.

While Thielen will likely be Kirk Cousins' No. 1 target if healthy, Jefferson could quickly claim the No 2 role. That could lead to plenty of targets, even in a run-heavy offense, and Jefferson has proved that he can turn targets into big plays.

Last season, Jefferson caught 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns.

The LSU product currently has an ADP of 138, according to FantayPros. It's worth taking a chance on him before Round 10.
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Vikings signed seventh-round QB Nate Stanley to a four-year contract.

He's the first Vikings rookie to sign a contract. Stanley (6'4/235) made 39 consecutive starts in Iowa's I-formation offense, finishing with a 27-12 record as only the second three-year captain in school history. The Hawkeyes' offense relies on quick throws and intelligent opportunities downfield, but Stanley's career average depth of completion (6.4) emphasizes his reluctance to take shots. Having said that, tight windows don’t intimidate him, and his concentration inexplicably increased on third and fourth downs (70-for-121, 57.9 percent). With a spotty track record of overthrowing his teammates by 15-plus yards at times, Stanley projects as a late-round developmental project whose ceiling is that of a career backup's. The current No. 2 quarterback for the Vikings is Sean Mannion, so Stanley has a chance.

SOURCE: Vikings on Twitter

Jul 13, 2020, 3:10 PM ET
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As a Colts fan I am so excited to see what Taylor and Pittman do.  I believe Mack and Taylor may cancel each other out in fantasy, but Pittman will matter a lot in 2020 if there is a 2020.

 
JohnnyU said:
Some of those listed isn't really going out on a limb, but the one who intrigues me the most is McFarland.  I suspect this is the last year in Pittsburgh for Conner. 
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He should be a cheap buy-low but it sounds like Conner is going to be the lead this year. 

I kinda like James but if I get the chance I'll double-down if I can get a bargain on McFarland.

 
Bracie Smathers said:
He should be a cheap buy-low but it sounds like Conner is going to be the lead this year. 

I kinda like James but if I get the chance I'll double-down if I can get a bargain on McFarland.
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I didn't get him cheap, but I still like the deal.  I gave Hunt and got McFarland and a 2nd rd pick.  With Hunt behind Chubb and always a threat to screw up again, I felt it's worth the risk.  I feel that in two years McFarland will lead that backfield.  I could be wrong and some don't consider him a workhorse type of back, but I like his skills.

 
Texans signed fifth-round WR Isaiah Coulter to a four-year contract. 

Coulter's 4.45 40-speed helped him blaze FCS competition with ease at Rhode Island, but his 72/1,039/8 receiving as a true junior still takes precedence amongst small school wideouts. As The Athletic's Dane Brugler notes, Coulter also stepped up to the plate with 9/152/0 against Virginia Tech, 2/53/1 against Ohio, and 10/156/1 versus UConn in his three career games in FBS play. His athletic profile left a lot to be desired outside of straight-line speed, but Coulter did enough at Rhode Island to fight his way in front of scouts. The rest of his career will come to the coaching staff(s) that choose to develop him. With the Texans' receiver corps amongst the deepest in the league, the practice squad could be Coulter's 2020 home. 

SOURCE: Tom Pelissero on Twitter 

Jul 21, 2020, 5:29 PM ET
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Ravens signed third-round WR Devin Duvernay to a four-year contract.

Duvernay (5’10/200) totaled 70/1,082/7 receiving through his first three years with the Longhorns before being moved exclusively into the slot (97.4%) and walking away with the most productive season (106/1,386/9) of his college career. A former state-champion sprinter, Duvernay wins with 4.39 speed and short-area burst (1.51-second three-cone) near the line of scrimmage. He also finished with the second-most first downs (68) and only three drops among FBS receivers in 2019, partially because the program simplified his touches with 42 screen plays. Duvernay will need to improve his releases against man coverage before stepping foot on the boundary in the NFL, but his 93rd-percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism should at the very least make him a candidate for manufactured touches from the slot with the Ravens. It's an ideal fit as he'll only have Willie Snead to compete with for that role behind Marquise Brown.

Jul 22, 2020, 3:11 PM ET
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Titans signed third-round RB Darrynton Evans to a four-year contract. 

Expected to be Derrick Henry's backup in Tennessee's run-heavy offense, Evans could be one of fantasy football's most sought after waiver wire claims if Henry misses time in 2020. He also profiles as a sensible late-round target for Zero RB drafters. Evans (5’10/203) evolved from being a pure home-run hitter to a three-down player in his two seasons as Appalachian State's starter, rushing for 179/1,187/7 and 6.6 yards per carry as a sophomore before setting career-highs in rushing yards (1,480), touchdowns (18), and receptions (21) last year. 

SOURCE: Tennessee Titans 

Jul 22, 2020, 4:14 PM ET
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Faust said:
Titans signed third-round RB Darrynton Evans to a four-year contract. 

Expected to be Derrick Henry's backup in Tennessee's run-heavy offense, Evans could be one of fantasy football's most sought after waiver wire claims if Henry misses time in 2020. He also profiles as a sensible late-round target for Zero RB drafters. Evans (5’10/203) evolved from being a pure home-run hitter to a three-down player in his two seasons as Appalachian State's starter, rushing for 179/1,187/7 and 6.6 yards per carry as a sophomore before setting career-highs in rushing yards (1,480), touchdowns (18), and receptions (21) last year. 

SOURCE: Tennessee Titans 

Jul 22, 2020, 4:14 PM ET
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I believe he's a must handcuff for Henry owners in leagues with at least 24 or greater roster spots.

 
Sixth-round WR James Proche is expected to be the Ravens' kick returner.

With De'Anthony Thomas sitting out the season, Proche should take over as the primary return man. He ran slower than expected at the Combine (4.6 forty) but averaged a career-best 9.6 yards per return at SMU in 2019. Proche isn’t going to contribute on offense, but a strong training camp should lock him into a roster spot.

RELATED: 

De'Anthony Thomas

SOURCE: Jamison Hensley on Twitter

Jul 31, 2020, 7:27 PM ET
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Faust said:
When to expect rookie running backs like Jonathan Taylor, D'Andre Swift and Cam Akers to break out in fantasy football
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2020 is confusing given the covid stuff, so it's hard to say when one of these RBs will break out.  If I had to choose one it could be Akers, but the Rams coach loves his RBBC.  Mack isn't going to disappear anytime in 2020 barring injury.  Swift on the other hand only has to beat out Johnson, which shouldn't be much of a problem.  Swift does seem to get dinged up a lot however, and the coaches might want to limit his workload. 

 
JohnnyU said:
2020 is confusing given the covid stuff, so it's hard to say when one of these RBs will break out.  If I had to choose one it could be Akers, but the Rams coach loves his RBBC.  Mack isn't going to disappear anytime in 2020 barring injury.  Swift on the other hand only has to beat out Johnson, which shouldn't be much of a problem.  Swift does seem to get dinged up a lot however, and the coaches might want to limit his workload. 
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CEH aside, I’d say Akers or Swift have the best shot. Akers seems to be on the more dynamic offense (potential at least), and the least competition. Henderson and Brown are awful 

 
I-ROK said:
CEH aside, I’d say Akers or Swift have the best shot. Akers seems to be on the more dynamic offense (potential at least), and the least competition. Henderson and Brown are awful 
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You can't say Henderson is awful, because he hasn't really had enough carries.  I swear I watched one game when Henderson came in and looked like he was shot out of cannon.  Brown is what he is, but you can't label Henderson yet.

 
JohnnyU said:
Swift on the other hand only has to beat out Johnson, which shouldn't be much of a problem.  Swift does seem to get dinged up a lot however, and the coaches might want to limit his workload. 
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Waldman thinks Johnson is better than Swift. I personally see a competent back in Johnson, provided he can stay healthy. If he does, that has RBBC written all over it. Worse than in Indy with Mack going nowhere in 2020.  

 
JohnnyU said:
You can't say Henderson is awful, because he hasn't really had enough carries.  I swear I watched one game when Henderson came in and looked like he was shot out of cannon.  Brown is what he is, but you can't label Henderson yet.
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Fair. 
 

That whole offense is in disarray. It seems like Henderson was drafted to be in an offense that has since changed a lot. I’m not sure his skill set fits. Neither Brown or Henderson seem like complete backs. So I think drafting Akers makes sense. It surprises me that they took Akers over Dobbins. I happen to be very high on Dobbins and I’m a little puzzled why he slipped so far, however I’m not paid to scout college athletes :)  

 
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