Introducing The 2020 TE Draft Class
Now that the 2019 NFL Draft has concluded, dynasty leagues are conducting their rookie drafts. You may have heard a strategy to move back in the 2019 draft to acquire more 2020 picks. Why? Who are you moving back for? This is the final part of a four-part series that takes a look at the 2020 draft class at the positions of QB, RB, WR and TE. Let’s finish this with a look at the 2020 TE draft class.
The tight end position has evolved tremendously in just the last 10 seasons. Gone are the days of mostly blocking tight ends who were largely a safety valve for QBs. In today’s NFL we see size/weight/speed freaks like David Njoku, Noah Fant, and O.J. Howard. We also have the elite receiving threats who could easily double as WRs like Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz and Evan Engram. In real football, a well rounded TE can open up an offense in both the run and the pass game. But this is fantasy football–we want to see targets, receptions, yards and TDs.
The 2019 NFL Draft saw two TEs selected in the first round. Iowa teammates T.J. Hockenson went No.8 overall to Detroit and Fant at No.20 to Denver. The 2020 class lacks the superstar power of Hockenson and Fant, but overall it will provide capable starters for NFL teams. Some teams that could be in the market for a game-changing TE in 2020 are Dallas, New England, New Orleans, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Seattle and Washington.
1. Albert Okwuegbunam, RS-Junior, Missouri
6-5, 255lbs
247 composite rank: 0.8609, #30 TE in the 2016 class
Career stats: 18 games played, 72 receptions, 881 receiving yards, 17 receiving touchdowns, 12.2 yards per reception
Big Albert Okwuegbunam headlines the 2020 draft TE class with his incredible blend of size, speed, and athletic ability. Okwuegbunam was second team All-SEC during his RS-Freshman year, as well as to the All-SEC Freshman team during the same season. He continued this growth into the 2018 season, when he was named a John Mackey Award Finalist before his season was cut short after nine games due to injury.
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Okwuegbunam had some significant draft hype surrounding his name as a potential 2019 early entrant but decided to go back to school for his RS-Junior season. He doesn’t have to worry about fending off Hockenson or Fant for the number one spot in the 2020 class, and the addition of transfer QB Kelly Bryant from Clemson should provide a minimal dip in talent from former Tiger QB and second round pick of the Denver Broncos, Drew Lock. I expect Okwuegbunam to have a monster 2019 and make a push to be a first round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
2. Jared Pinkney, RS-Senior , Vanderbilt
6-4, 260lbs
247 composite rank: 0.8286, #180 WR in the 2015 class
Career stats: 31 games played, 94 receptions, 1,327 receiving yards, 12 receiving TDs, 14.1 yards per reception
Jared Pinkney is the biggest threat to Okwuegbunam’s claim for the top TE in the 2020 class. Pinkney is also a superb athlete who landed himself on the AP All-SEC second team in 2018, as well as a spot on the John Mackey Award watch list. Heading into 2019, Pinkney has garnered preseason First Team All-American TE honors by Sporting News.
Pinkney is able to use his big frame to create mismatches in the passing game, whether it be on a slower LB or a smaller DB. Pinkney posted 50 catches in 13 games, which shows me that he can put himself into the “PPR machine” type of TE that is coveted by fantasy owners. As a former high school WR, Pinkney flashed excellent hands and body control that allows him to have extreme PPR potential. Pinkney could play his way into a late first round consideration, but I would expect him to be selected in round two.
Mitchell Wilcox, RS-Senior, South Florida
6-5, 245lbs
247 composite rank: 0.8264, #54 TE in the 2015 class
Career stats: 28 games played, 72 receptions, 976 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns, 13.6 yards per reception
South Florida will draw many scouts to the area on Saturday’s this fall. One they will have their eyes on is TE Mitchell Wilcox. The RS-Senior has been pegged by Hall of Fame scout Gil Brandt as the No.4 TE in the 2020 class, due in part to being placed on the John Mackey Award watch list in both 2017 and 2018. Wilcox already holds the USF record for receiving yards by a TE in a career, as well as the single season record for receptions and yardage by a TE. These records were good enough to put Wilcox on the American Athletic Conference’s First-Team in 2018.
In addition to these elite receiving numbers, Wilcox excels as a blocker. This blocking ability should get him on the field early in his NFL career. Getting on the field is the first step in earning volume in the passing game. Wilcox might be the most well-rounded TE in this class, and I expect him to be a day two selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Grant Calcaterra, Junior, Oklahoma
6-4, 233lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9131, #6 TE in the 2017 class
Career stats: 17 games played, 36 receptions, 558 receiving yards, nine receiving touchdowns, 15.5 yards per reception
Grant Calcaterra is a prime example of a move TE. Calcaterra won’t be known for being at the end of the line, paving the way for runners to gain yardage. Instead, he will be utilized more as a WR and will cause mismatches in the slot. Calcaterra was a First Team All-Big 12 player in 2018.. What stands out about Calcaterra is his understanding of defenses. He is a smart player and takes what the defense gives him while making himself available for his QB.
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The departure of Heisman Trophy winner and number one overall pick Kyler Murray would normally cripple an offense, but the Sooners reloaded with the transfer of former Alabama QB Jalen Hurts. While there will be a dip in efficiency, Hurts is a darn good QB and Calcaterra should be provided with plenty of volume in 2019. Calcaterra will have to test extremely fast to be considered an early day two prospect, but I wouldn’t expect his skill set to slide much past the middle of the third round.
Jake Breeland, RS-Senior, Oregon
6-5, 248lbs
247 composite rank: 0.8600, #22 TE in the 2015 class
Career stats: 24 games played, 48 receptions, 820 receiving yards, 7 receiving touchdowns, 17.1 yards per reception
Jake Breeland is an important piece of the Duck’s offense who had a disappointing 2018 season. The hype train was full speed ahead after an impressive 2017 campaign that saw Breeland score five TDs, tying him for the PAC-12 lead amongst TEs. The 2018 campaign was not nearly as effective from a TD standpoint, but Breeland saw an uptick in receptions as well as yardage. The TD numbers should come back up, and elite QB prospect Justin Herbert spurning the NFL to return to school should help Breeland’s production as well. Breeland should be a third or fourth round NFL Draft pick.
Names to watch:
Colby Parkinson, Junior, Stanford
Jared Rice, Senior, Fresno State
