First-year players can be such a gamble in fantasy football. However, there are a few in 2020 that could help bring your team a championship.
With the NFL draft in the books, let’s turn our attention to the draft that matters to you and your pocketbook: The Fantasy Football draft. While players like Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley are sure bets and will probably go number one and number two respectfully, where does this year’s rookie class land in the world of fantasy football? Here are a few guys that could make some noise and help your team win a championship.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire – RB, Chiefs
Even though he was the last pick in the first round, he was the first RB selected. The RB position is usually the premier scoring position in fantasy football, especially if that RB can catch too. That’s exactly what Edwards-Helaire brings to the Chiefs, a dual-threat that can wreak havoc in space. After having 55 receptions last season at LSU and then being put in Andy Reid’s offense, expect CEH to do damage in PPR leagues.
Jonathan Taylor – RB, Colts
Unlike Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jonathan Taylor could be the Colts feature back in week one. He has a much higher upside than last year’s starter Marlon Mack and he has better hands as well. New QB Phillip Rivers may look to check the ball down more to the Wisconsin standout to avoid the costly interceptions that he threw in L.A. Also if Taylor does get the bulk of the carries, he’ll be running behind a stellar offensive line.
CeeDee Lamb – WR, Cowboys
On paper, Dallas should win the Super Bowl every year. Every year they have tremendous talent and that is no different this year with the addition of Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb. Throw him in with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, and then it becomes a numbers game. Defenses can’t cover everybody, so the rookie might get a lot of 1-on-1 coverages. With Lamb’s speed, that could add up to a bunch of fantasy points in 2020.
Albert Okwuegbunam – TE, Broncos
The AFC West has become a copy-cat division. The Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers all want what the Chiefs have offensively. One of the things that the Chiefs have offensively is a game-changing TE in Travis Kelce. In the fourth round of the NFL draft, the Denver Broncos selected TE Albert Okwuegbunam out of Missouri. Now, Albert O. isn’t expected to take off right away for the Broncos, especially behind Noah Fant in the depth chart. However, he is an athletic freak at 6-foot-5, 258 pounds and runs a 4.49 40-yard dash. He is a big target that could be a threat in the red zone. Also, Albert O. reunites with his college QB Drew Lock. The TE was one of Lock’s favorite targets at Missouri.
Joe Burrow – QB, Bengals
Rookie QBs don’t usually show a ton of fantasy value in their first year, but Joe Burrow has a decent shot to buck that trend in 2020. Burrow joins the Bengals with some solid weapons in Tyler Boyd, A.J. Green, and Joe Mixon, so the potential is there for him to be successful. At LSU, the Burrow became the only player in SEC history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 TDs in a season. Another thing to consider with Burrow is that he will likely be playing from behind in the majority of his games in 2020. That should lead to a ton of passing.
