Jonathan Taylor Headlines The Rookies Who Are Future Cornerstones Of Dynasty Contenders
When building a dynasty team, we’re looking to get top-tier talent that is young. That’s why getting the right rookies is key to building a dominant dynasty team. This year’s draft class is full of potential stars and I’m here to point you in the right direction.
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Currently, I have Jonathan Taylor ranked as my dynasty RB5 overall behind McCaffrey, Zeke, Saquon, and Kamara. He was more productive in college than Herschel Walker and was one of the best athletes at the combine this season. His perceived lack of receiving talent is what people use to devalue him, but he had a higher target share in college that Zeke, Melvin Gordon, and D’Andre Swift. You can’t say this is due to scheme because Wisconsin never utilized their running-backs in the passing game enough. James White only had a marginally higher target share at Wisconsin.
Taylor is going from Wisconsin, with one of the best offensive lines in college, to the Colts, who have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Quenton Nelson will be paving paths for Taylor for the entirety of his career. Jonathan Taylor is a dynasty cornerstone piece. He is the type of prospect who will be in the top four overall running backs year after year, like Saquon and Zeke, who are his pro comparisons.
Michael Pittman Jr, WR, Indianapolis Colts
The best receivers in the NFL don’t have to run a 4.3 to be dominant. Michael Thomas and Hopkins are great examples of this. They’re extremely physical against cornerbacks and talented pass catchers that create separation through route-running and using their bodies. Pittman did the exact same in college, and even embarrassed Utah, going for 200-plus receiving yards against a defense that had multiple starters enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
Related | Player Preview: Michael Pittman Jr.
As a WR2 behind TY Hilton for the next few years, Pittman will have time to develop into a star. With a high floor and an even higher ceiling, my pre-draft comparisons to Michael Thomas are looking more likely. Take him at his ADP and you won’t be disappointed. Plus he runs one of the prettiest out routes I’ve ever seen a big receiver run.
Denzel Mims, WR, New York Jets
In a previous article, I detailed why Mims is the next great WR1. He has all of the physical traits and ball skills to succeed in the league. He also has a young quarterback to grow with, and very little competition apart from career journeymen. Sam Darnold will love using his speedy receiver’s huge catch radius deep downfield, and his explosiveness in the red zone.
Related | Why Denzel Mims Is The Next Great WR1 In The NFL
The Jets offense is at an inflection point. Le’Veon Bell isn’t producing. Darnold is going through growing pains. Apart from Mims, there are only a few other decent pass catchers. I’m expecting a Terry McLaurin type season in 2020, followed by consistent WR1 level seasons for the next decade. In a class full of great receivers, Mims could be the best.
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
If you have decent quarterbacks and can afford to let Love sit on your bench for the next two years, then you will be in a perfect situation to reap the rewards. Love has all of the talent and is currently studying behind Aaron Rodgers, one of the most talented passers of all time.
The vet, Aaron Rodgers, showing the rook, Jordan Love, how it's done #Packers pic.twitter.com/QfqvqqAOVv
— John Doran (@JohnDoranTV) August 20, 2020
The last time the Packers took a quarterback when they already had a great one, it turned out pretty damn good. Similar to how Rodgers was, Love is raw and his footwork needs work. However, whenever Rodgers moves on, the torch will be passed to Love who I believe will be the best quarterback in this draft, like how Patrick Mahomes was the best in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Fast. Explosive. Tall. Strong. Chase Claypool is a freak athlete that is built like a tight-end but runs like a deep threat. He has the speed to take the top off the defense, and the build to survive working over the middle. The Steelers have a decent receiving core, and a group of former second-round picks who all deserve targets in 2020. However, Claypool is going to assert his dominance. Apart from Juju and Claypool, no other receiver brings the same kind of athleticism.
In any other year, when you post Calvin Johnson-like numbers at the combine, and that talent paired with a huge senior season where you have 1000-plus yards and 13 touchdowns, you are in contention for the first receiver drafted. In the 2020 Draft, there was so many studs that Claypool fell to the second round. Don’t make the same mistake general managers made. Draft Claypool before he becomes the focal point of the Steelers’ offense.
