Introducing the 2020 Draft Class
Now that the 2019 NFL Draft has concluded, many dynasty leagues are conducting their rookie drafts. You may have heard a strategy to move back in the 2019 draft and acquire more 2020 draft picks. Why? Who are you moving back for? This is part two of a four-part series that takes a look at the 2020 draft class at the positions of QB, RB, WR and TE. In part three, let’s take a look at this spectacular 2020 wide receivers class.
Part Three: Wide Receivers
As the NFL continues to grow and evolve the passing game is more and more important and having multiple WRs on a team that can win 1 on 1’s and move the chains is vital to overall team success. This means the WR position isn’t an all or nothing spot in fantasy. Plenty of NFL teams can support multiple fantasy relevant WRs, so landing spot isn’t as important with WRs as it would be with a RB. As loaded as the RB class is, the WR class has equivalent star power, as I think there are some budding NFL stars amongst the following group of WRs.
Create Your Custom Player Rankings! – Click HERE!
1. Jerry Jeudy, Junior, Alabama
6-1, 192lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9881, No.3 WR in the 2017 class
Career stats: 23 games played, 82 receptions, 1,579 receiving yards, 16 receiving touchdowns, 19.3 yards per reception
Jerry Jeudy is my number one overall player in the 2020 class. After a quiet freshman year, Jeudy exploded in 2019, posting 68 catches for 1,315 yards and 14 TDs. He was the Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation’s best receiver. I have a hard time nailing down a true comparison for Jeudy, as he does everything well. He has shades of Odell Beckham Jr in his route running and ability to take any reception to the end zone. His body control reminds me of Santonio Holmes. He is not afraid to use his body and high point the ball like DeAndre Hopkins or Davante Adams. Jeudy is a special player. He has a chance to be the first repeat Biletnikoff winner since Justin Blackmon did it in 2010-2011. Jeudy will be the focal point of the Alabama offense in 2019. I expect him to be selected in the top-10 of the 2020 NFL draft, and is my 1.01 for any non-superflex dynasty rookie format.
2. Laviska Shenault Jr, Junior, Colorado
6-2, 225lbs
247 composite rank: 0.8701, No.73 WR in the 2017 class
Career stats: 16 games played, 93 receptions, 1,179 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns, 12.7 yards per reception
Laviska Shenault Jr flashed early in 2018 but had his season cut short due to injury. In the nine games that he appeared in, Shenault Jr was wildly efficient. He averaged 9.5 catches for 112 yards and .55 TDs. Shenault Jr brings size to the table at 225-pounds but can play much smaller (in a good way). Colorado utilizes Shenault Jr in the open field by scheming routes to get the ball into his hands and letting him use his vision and athleticism to create yards after the catch. Don’t let this fool you though, Shenault Jr can win with his size as well. He wins when the ball is in the air, routinely out jumping or out willing defensive backs to catch passes down the field. The combination of these skills will allow him to see position flexibility in the NFL. Shenault Jr will once again be the main man for the Buffs. He will flirt with 1,300 receiving yards.
3. Tyler Johnson, Senior, Minnesota
6-2, 200lbs
247 composite rank: 0.8643, No.33 WR in the 2016 class
Career stats: 30 games played, 127 receptions, 1,987 receiving yards, 20 receiving touchdowns, 15.6 yards per reception
Tyler Johnson will be a fast riser in the 2020 wide receivers class. After a productive 2018 season, I expected Johnson to enter the NFL Draft. Instead, Johnson heads back to Minnesota as the best player on the team, and the best draft eligible wide receiver in the Big Ten Conference. I had Johnson has my WR3 behind N’Keal Harry and Kelvin Harmon in the 2019 class until he announced his return to school in January. Johnson has alpha size, and possesses alpha traits as well. He will high point the ball and wins with his size. Johnson has put DeAndre Hopkins-esque catches and big plays on tape. He has flown under the radar due to the general lack of respect Minnesota football gets. After a year in which Johnson set the school record for receiving yards and touchdowns (1,169 and 12), as well as named first-team all-Big Ten, the cat is out of the bag. Johnson is for real and dynasty owners need to take note.
Get A Customized Podcast For Your Fantasy League! – Click HERE!
4. Tee Higgins, Junior, Clemson
6-4, 205lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9900, No.2 WR in the 2017 class
Career stats: 22 games played, 76 receptions, 1,281 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns, 16.9 yards per reception
This 2020 wide receivers class is phenomenal. So phenomenal that Tee Higgins is WR4. I could easily see Higgins climb as high as WR2. Shenault Jr, Johnson and Higgins are all very close at this point in time.
Higgins brings that classic alpha WR size to the table. He has freaky athleticism to put him in the conversation as a first round pick. Higgins has been a part of the high-flying Clemson Tigers offense for two seasons now, with 2018 being his first full season as a starter. Higgins made the most of it by posting 59 receptions for 936 yards and 12 touchdowns. While I would like to see his reception and yardage totals increase, it is important to note that the Clemson offense is loaded with talent. The offense includes my RB2 in 2020 (Travis Etienne), my QB1 in 2021 (Trevor Lawrence), and my WR2 in 2021 (Justyn Ross). All of this talent leads to wide point differentials and drives some of Higgins’ numbers down. In the two playoff games and conference title game, Higgins posted 10 catches for 170 yards and four TDs. Higgins projects as a red zone monster at the next level. He has also shown the ability to run nuanced routes with superior body control. Higgins has a very high ceiling if used correctly in the NFL.
5. Jalen Reagor, Junior, Texas Christian
5-11, 195lbs
247 composite rank: 0.9566, No.13 WR in the 2017 class
Career stats: 27 games played, 105 receptions, 1,637 receiving yards, 21 receiving touchdowns, 15.6 yards per reception
Another fast riser, Jalen Reagor is quietly shooting up boards heading into the 2019 season. Reagor wins with speed. Describing him as fast would be doing Reagor a disservice. He is a blistering receiver who can blow the top off a defense. He has the ability to create for himself in space, too. Reagor posted 72 catches for 1,061 yards, both of which were good for second all-time in TCU history. The TCU football website notes that Reagor gained a first down on 44 of his 72 receptions, proving he is much more than a one-trick pony. As he continues to develop, I expect Reagor to be used even more in the Horn Frogs’ offense. His totals could wind up being one of the best in the nation.
Names to keep an eye on:
Henry Ruggs III, Junior, Alabama*
CeeDee Lamb, Junior, Oklahoma
Tylan Wallace, Junior, Oklahoma State
Bryan Edwards, Senior, South Carolina
Kendrick Rogers, RS-Junior, Texas A&M
*Ruggs III is another fast riser. Don’t be surprised if he winds up in the top-five by season’s end.
