Fantasy Football: Post NFL Draft dynasty rookie wide receiver rankings
2020 Rookie Wide Receiver Rankings – Tier 1
1. Justin Jefferson, LSU – Vikings (1.22)
6’1” 202lbs, 4.43 40yd
Jefferson put up huge numbers on Joe Brady’s record setting LSU offense last year. Even with the emergence of Ja’Marr Chase, Jefferson commanded 21 percent of the team target share. He amassed 1500 yards and over 100 receptions, ushered by Joe Burrow’s accurate arm. He has a similar production profile as the other top prospects in this class and he goes to a tremendous situation. He will be the number one slot WR in Minnesota with Adam Thielen serving the X role.
2. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma – Cowboys (1.17)
6’2” 198lbs, 4.50 40yd
Lamb can line up anywhere on the field. He played X and slot at Oklahoma and he projects to be a workhorse. His comparable players are DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins for a reason. He commanded 20+ percent of the teams target share in his final 2 seasons, and was used on offense and special teams. The Cowboys will have to be creative getting him the ball this year. With Elliott, Cooper, and Gallup serving in defined roles, the addition of CeeDee is exciting for Dallas, but gives me pause for his fantasy success. Another reason he is not my top ranked WR is the fact that CeeDee is not built like Hopkins and Watkins. He will have to gain bulk to be the bully WR we loved from Oklahoma, and we do not know what effect that will have on his explosiveness.
3. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama – Broncos (1.15)
6’1” 193lbs, 4.45 40yd
Scouts praise Jeudy for his highly polished route running. He was productive at Alabama, but he did not command the trarget share of an elite producer. Jeudy has NFL speed and agility, but his slight stature places him with comparable NFLers such as Santonio Holmes and Gregg Jennings. That does not inspire much confidence. Many compare him to Amari Cooper, but Amari was more dominant at Alabama and did so at a younger age. Jeudy enters an intriguing situation. I have no faith in Drew Lock, and Jeudy will have to compete for targets with Sutton, Hamler, Fant and Gordon. He knows how to get open and is athletic, so he still possesses upside.
4. Jalen Reagor, TCU – Eagles (1.21)
5’11” 206lbs, 4.47 40yd
Reagor commanded a significant target share in his freshman season at TCU, and an early breakout is correlated with success at the next level. A few interesting stats assigned to Reagor include: he was targeted 283 times in his three-year college career and only finished with 148 receptions, his production dipped by almost 50% in his final (junior) season, and his 3 cone drill and 20-yard shuttle disappointingly rank in the bottom fourth of WR data. Reagor was rumored to compete with Henry Ruggs III for the low-40 time at the combine. That did not happen. 4.47 is still good, and couple that with a 42 inch vertical and you have an explosive rookie wide receiver prospect. I will note that he ran an unofficial 4.22 at his pro day. Reagor is the WR that the Eagles wanted, as they drafted him over Jefferson. He will fit in nicely beside Ertz and Jeffery. Carson Werntz will love his new toys.
5. Denzel Mims, Baylor – Jets (2.27)
6’3” 207lbs, 4.38 40yd
Mims is how you would build a wide receiver prospect in a lab. The guy is carved out of granite. He’s long, has great top end speed, he’s agile, and he’s explosive. He is DK Metcalf, but more dominant at the college level. He commanded a target share of over 20 percent during his final 3 seasons at Baylor, and finished his career with 30 touchdowns and close to 3,000 yards despite inconsistent/atrocious quarterback play. Mims is a freak, and I comp him to a leaner Andre Johnson. I love the situation, where Mims looks to slot in to the number one wide receiver role. Gunslinger Sam Darnold is the perfect pairing for a bully wide receiver.
6. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama – Raiders (1.12)
5’11” 188lbs, 4.27 40yd
Ruggs is a track star with hops and huge hands. He is John Ross with more hops and less drops. DeSean Jackson with less baggage. NFL teams love the ability to keep teams honest with a field stretcher. Having the fastest guy on the field is more important to real football than fantasy though, and limits where you should select Ruggs in rookie drafts. He will earn a role in Las Vegas as a contributor on offense and special teams. Oakland fortified their pass catchers through the draft, so Ruggs will also be competing for targets with Edwards and Bowden Jr in addition to Williams and Waller.
7. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State – 49ers (1.25)
6’0” 205, 4.50 40yd
Aiyuk is a polarizing prospect. My issue with Aiyuk is that he was only productive in his second season at Arizona State, after attending Junior College out of high school. He also received a medical red flag at the Senior Bowl. Aiyuk is a polished athlete, showcasing a 40 inch vertical along with 4.5 speed. However, his route running is sub-par. The 49ers obviously believe in Aiyuk more than I do, after trading up for Aiyuk. I just don’t see a dominant fantasy profile. Aiyuk will be a great addition to that roster, but through special teams contributions and as a gadget player until he can solidify a larger role.