With the acceleration of the football draft season, we’ve combined a meeting of 12 analyst groups and veteran players looking to see what kind of team they can build in a point-per-reception format.
Where are the values to have? The sections to avoid? The end-of-round gems that would possibly be the last piece of a championship puzzle?
Discover… one turn at a time. And if you need to see our most recent overview, you can do so by clicking here.
1.01: Christian McCaffrey, RB, CAR
1.02: Barkley Saquon, RB, NYG
1.03: Elliott Ezekiel, RB, DAL
1.04: Alvin Kamara, RB, NOS
1.05: Michael Thomas, WR, NOS
1.06: Dalvin Cook, RB, MIN
1.07: Davante Adams, WR, GBP
1.08: Derrick Henry, RB, TEN
1.09: Aaron Jones, RB, GBP
1.10: Joe Mixon, RB, CIN
1.11: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, KCC
1.12: Miles Sanders, RB, PHI
In numbers
The first circular doesn’t have many surprises, and this was no exception. The draft began with the first five non-unusual maximum picks of 2020, and the first inning included 10 ball carriers and a pair of open receivers.
The first also included rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who reached first after veteran Damien Williams withdrew from the 2020 season.
My choice
Even in a season in which the Bengals won only two games and struggled to attack, Joe Mixon in the 12 most sensitive in some scoring systems. With a better kickback game under Joe Burrow and an offensive line ahead in 2020, Mixon is expected to finish well in the 10 most sensitive this year.
2.01: Drake from Kenya, RB, ARZ
2.02: Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC
2.03: Nick Chubb, RB, CLE
2.04: Travis Kelce, TE, KCC
2.05: Josh Jacobs, RB, LVR
2.06: Julio Jones, WR, ATL
2.07: Tyreek Hill, WR, KCC
2.08: Todd Gurley, RB, ATL
2.09: Chris Godwin, WR, TBB
2.10: Patrick Mahomes, QB, KCC
2.11: George Kittle, TE, SFO
2.12: Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL
Still No Surprises
Just as with the first round, Round 2 went as one would expect. The running back position continued to be hit pretty hard, with a few wide receivers and a couple of tight ends and quarterbacks joining them.
If you want one of this year’s elite tight ends (George Kittle or Travis Kelce) or one of the “big two” signal-callers (Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson), expect them to come off the board by the conclusion of Round 2.
My Pick
I think drafting Nick Chubb in the first round is a mistake, but he was a top-10 running back in most scoring systems last year and should easily at least post RB2 production this season. Plus, there may be a little bet-hedging in this regard coming up later.
3.01: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, ARZ
3.02: Allen Robinson, WR, CHI
3.03: Leonard Fournette, RB, JAX
3.04: Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND
3.05: James Conner, RB, PIT
3.06: Mike Evans, WR, TBB
3.07: Le’Veon Bell, RB, NYJ
3.08: DJ Moore, WR, CAR
3.09: Mark Ingram, RB, BAL
3.10: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, CLE
3.11: Juju Smith-Schuster, WR, PIT
3.12: Kenny Golladay, WR, DET
First Real Reach
According to the average draft position data at Fantasy Football Calculator, rookie running back Jonathan Taylor is coming off draft boards early in Round 4—the 39th overall pick, to be exact.
Taylor is an immensely talented player who was one of college football’s most productive runners ever, but taking him a full round earlier than his ADP is a reach—especially in a season where offseason practices have been nonexistent.
My Pick
Ransacking the AFC North (and building quite the bye-week dilemma in the process) wasn’t my plan going into this draft. But Odell Beckham Jr. was my highest-ranked wide receiver at this point, so three straight picks from the state of Ohio it is.
O-H!
4.01: Calvin Ridley, WR, ATL
4.02: Adam Thielen, WR, MIN
4.03: David Johnson, RB, HOU
4.04: Amari Cooper, WR, DAL
4.05: A.J. Brown, WR, TEN
4.06: Chris Carson, RB, SEA
4.07: Mark Andrews, TE, BAL
4.08: Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR
4.09: Melvin Gordon, RB, DEN
4.10: Robert Woods, WR, LAR
4.11: Dak Prescott, QB, DAL
4.12: Keenan Allen, WR, LAC
WR Run Rolls On
There’s a trend that has developed in most PPR drafts in 2020. Over the first two rounds, running backs reign supreme. Then the script flips, and the wide receivers get hit hard over the next two or three rounds.
That was the case here. In Round 4, seven wideouts came off the board for the second straight round.
My Pick
Houston Texans head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien made a sizable investment in David Johnson when he dealt DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona to get him. So long as he’s healthy, the touches will be there in 2020, and as recently as two years ago Johnson was a top-10 PPR back.
5.01: Devin Singletary, RB, BUF
5.02: Cam Akers, RB, LAR
5.03: Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA
5.04: Russell Wilson, QB, SEA
5.05: Tyler Boyd, WR, CIN
5.06: DeVante Parker, WR, MiA
5.07: Zach Ertz, TE, PHI
5.08: DJ Chark, WR, JAX
5.09: Raheem Mostert, RB, SFO
5.10: Kareem Hunt, RB, CLE
5.11: Deshaun Watson, QB, HOU
5.12: Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS
QB Quandary
We’ve already shown that the elite fantasy quarterbacks are gone by the end of Round 2. If that price point is too rich for your blood but you still covet a high-end weekly starter, then be ready to pounce in Round 5.
In this draft, Dak Prescott went in Round 4. But by the end of the fifth, he had been joined by Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson.
The top five are gone in five.
My Pick
Using a fifth-round pick on a handcuff is the kind of move that can sink a team, but that’s what’s necessary to land Kareem Hunt, who has standalone flex value and would have top-10 fantasy upside were something to happen to Nick Chubb.
Sometimes insurance is expensive.
6.01: DK Metcalf, WR, SEA
6.02: Stefon Diggs, WR, BUF
6.03: Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN
6.04: Julian Edelman, WR, NEP
6:05 a.m.: David Montgomery, RB, CHI
6.06: T.Y. Hilton, WR, IND
6.07: Brown Marquise, WR, BAL
6.08: Derrius Guice, RB, N/A
6.09: A.J. Green, WR, CIN
6.10: James White, RB, NEP
6.11: Andre Swift, RB, DET
6.12: Ronald Jones, RB, TBB
Things happen
The draft took a late position last week, before Washington offensive lineman Derrius Guice was arrested and released through the team. However, here’s a lesson.
Fantasy championships are won on draft day. The above thing you write, chances are that an injury or other circumstance will make a hole in your list before week 1.
All you can do is follow the exemption thread as much as possible.
My choice
Since I only had one receiver open after five rounds and the tightest quarterbacks and quarterbacks are all in Gonesville, a hole is a simple call here. Courtland Sutton is among ppR’s 20 most sensitive receivers in 2019 and is expected to gain advantages from the upgrade of young quarterback Drew Lock.
7.01: Darren Waller, TE, LVR
7.02: Michael Gallup, WR, DAL
7.03: Brandin Cooks, WR, HOU
7.04: Evan Engram, TE, NYG
7.05: Matt Ryan, QB, ATL
7.06: Tarik Cohen, RB, CHI
7.07: Jarvis Landry, WR, CLE
7.08: Jared Cook, TE, NOS
7.09: Kyler Murray, QB, ARZ
7.10: Tyler Higbee, TE, LAR
7.11: J.K. Dobbins, RB, BAL
7.12: Will Fuller, WR, HOU
Tight ends arrive
Positional careers are a frustrating truth of life in fantasy drafts. The only thing worse to see your next target being shot through the manager is to look at your plan B in the position you follow. Follow your plan C.
That’s what happened with the closed wings in the seventh circular of this draft. Starting with Darren Waller to open the circular, 4 of the next 10 selections were closed wings, which put a significant tooth in the group of reliable weekly headlines.
My choice
The last player of this race in closed wings has been selected through you. If Jarvis Landry had been there, he could have played on closed wings for one more lap. But Tyler Higbee finished eighth on PPR issues in position last year, and the Rams are expected to run a pair of tight innings this season.
8.01: Marlon Mack, RB, IND
8.02: Christian Kirk, WR, ARZ
8.03: Jordan Howard, RB, MIA
8.04: Phillip Lindsay, RB, DEN
8.05 am: Marvin Jones, WR, DET
8.06: Diontae Johnson, WR, PIT
8.07: Drew Brees, QB, NOS
8:08 a.m.: Jamison Crowder, WR, New York
8.09: Sterling Shepard, WR, NYG
8.10: Rob Gronkowski, TE, TBB
8.11: Scott Boston, RB, PHI
8.12: CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL
Twenty questions … RB Edition
Given the strength with which the ball carrier’s position is hit at first, it is unexpected that during the time it goes so far, ball carriers are asking questions.
Of the 4 ball carriers won in the eighth round, two passed 1,000 yards for their respective groups in 2019. However, you can’t imagine any kind of safe bet to bring your background to the touch in 2020. There can be a significant price with those speculative halves. or an equally significant disappointment.
My choice
Jordan Howard’s only year with the Eagles was a disappointment, and the fifth-year veteran is rarely very important in the air game. But before last year, he had had three consecutive years with at least 1,000 total yards in Chicago, and the 25-year-old is a smart bet to at least handle the first paintings and on the line of purpose with his third team.
9.01: Zack Moss, RB, BUF
9.02: Emmanuel Sanders, WR, NOS
9.03: Sony Michel, RB, NEP
9.04: Kerryon Johnson, RB, DET
9:05 a.m.: Mike Gesicki, TE, MIA
9.06: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, TBB
9.07: Tom Brady, QB, TBB
9.08: Josh Allen, QB, BUF
9.09: Golden Tate, WR, NYG
9:10 a.m.: Darius Slayton, WR, NYG
9.11: Hayden Hurst, TE, ATL
9.12: Matt Breida, RB, MIA
Sweet Spot QB
The quarterbacks in this draft didn’t come off the board like an avalanche. It was more like a net: there was only one circular in which more than two signals were drafted, and that didn’t take place until the shot was almost over.
That said, when Josh Allen decided on 9.08, he scored the 10th player taken in the position. If you’re a fantasy cartoonist with aversion to threats you don’t need to play downtown, expect to have a quarterback covered by the end of this round.
My choice
Darius Slayton is rarely very close to something in a more messy pass-catching frame than it seems, however, he showed some tempting benefits last year and a relationship with quarterback Daniel Jones. It is a midrange variety forged as a third start or intensity addition.
10.01: Carson Wentz, QB, PHI
10.02: T.J. Hockenson, TE, DET
10.03: Samuel Deebo, WR, OFS
10.04: Tony Pollard, RB, DAL
10.05 a.m.: Latavius Murray, RB, NOS
10.06: Jerry Jeudy, WR, DEN
10.07: Aaron Rodgers, QB, GBP
10.08: Henry Ruggs III, WR, LVR
10.09: Mecole Hardman, WR, KCC
10:10 a.m.: John Brown, WR, BUF
10.11: Alexander Mattison, RB, MIN
10.12: Jalen Reagor, WR, PHI
Serving youth
Double-digit towers are full of divergent strategies. Some to reserve brokers. Others prefer to raise the intensity to veterans. Others to young people and benefits.
It’s the last technique that makes the most sense, and that’s what the 10 series won here. It was decided by half a dozen open receivers in this round, and only one (John Brown) has more than a year of experience in the NFL.
Don’t waste your interim capital on homeless veterans. They’re not going to win you a league. If a young man bursts into the prominence of fantasy, however, fine.
My choice
After breaking his foot in the off-season, Deebo Samuel’s prestige in Week 1 is uncertain. But given the way he played well in the playoffs and in the playoffs last year, getting a number one hole as overdue in the draft can be a steal.
11.01: Tevin Coleman, RB, SFO
11.02: Sammy Watkins, WR, KCC
11.03: Mike Williams, WR, LAC
11.04: Darrell Henderson, RB, LAR
11.05 a.m.: Austin Hooper, TE, CLE
11.06: Daniel Jones, QB, NYG
11.07: Henry Hunter, TE, LAC
11.08: Preston Williams, WR, MIA
11.09: Robby Anderson, WR, VOITURE
11:10 am: Matthew Stafford, QB, DET
11.11: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SFO
11.12: Noah Fant, TE, DEN
12.01: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT
12.02: DeAndre Washington, RB, KCC
12.03: Jack Doyle, TE, IND
12.04: Jonnu Smith, TE, DIX
12.05pm: Antonio Gibson, RB, WAS
12.06: Duke Johnson, RB, HOU
12.07: Justin Jackson, RB, LAC
12.08: Baker Mayfield, QB, CLE
12.09: Pittsburgh Steelers Defense/Special Teams
12:10 pm: Jamaal Williams, RB, GBP
12.11: Irv Smith Jr., TE, MIN
12/12: Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI
13.01: Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN
13.02: Joe Burrow, QB, CIN
13.03: Baltimore Ravens Defense / Special Teams
13.04: Justin Tucker, PK, BAL
1:05 p.m.: Anthony Miller, WR, CHI
13.06: Nyheim Hines, RB, IND
13.07: Adrian Peterson, RB, WAS
13.08: Dawson Knox, TE, BUF
13.09: Jared Goff, QB, LAR
13.10: 00: Allen Lazard, WR, GBP
13.11: Chase Edmonds, RB, ARZ
13.12: San Francisco Defense 49ers / Special Teams
Sleeper Alert, Part 1
In 2019, Joe Burrow recorded arguably the most productive season ever seen of a quarterback, a season that earned him the first Bengals pick.
It’s a rarity for a rookie quarterback to do what Kyler Murray did and make a fantastic breakthrough, but Burrow has the skill and cast in Queen City to do it two years in a row, as long as the Bengals’ offensive line resists.
My decisions
Matthew Stafford on his way to throwing about 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns last year before injuring his back, numbers that would have placed him in the five widest quarterbacks. Jack Doyle is expected to serve as a smart backing for Tyler Higbee in the tight finish, and Allen Lazard has reached the final stretch as the Packers’ second open receiver in 2019.
14.01: Blake Jarwin, TE, DAL
14.02: Antonio Brown, WR, FA
14.03: Cam Newton, QB, NEP
14.04: Randall Cobb, WR, HOU
2:05 p.m.: Harrison Butker, PK, KCC
14.06: Ryan Tannehill, QB, TEN
14.07: DeSean Jackson, WR, PHI
14.08: Corey Davis, WR, TEN
14.09: Kirk Cousins, QB, MIN
14.10: Minshew Gardner, QB, JAX
14.11: New Orleans Saints Defense/Special Teams
14.12: Chicago Bears Defense / Special Teams
15.01: Philip Rivers, QB, IND
15.02: Parris Campbell, WR, IND
15.03: Ian Thomas, TE, VOITURE
15.04: Renfrow Hunter, WR, LVR
3:05 p.m.: Younghoe Koo, PK, ATL
15.06: Wil Lutz, PK, NOS
15.07: New England Patriots Defense / Special Teams
15.08: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, VOITURE
15.09: Buffalo Bills Defense / Special Teams
15.10 Kansas City Chiefs Defense / Special Teams
15.11: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense / Special Teams
15.12: Darrynton Evans, RB, TEN
16.01: Ka’imi Fairbairn, PK, HOU
16.02: Robbie Gould, PK, OFS
16.03: Greg Zuerlein, PK, DAL
16.04: Jake Elliott, PK, PHI
4:05 p.m.: Philadelphia Eagles Defense / Special Teams
16.06: Jason Myers, PK, SEA
16.07: Defense of Los Angeles Rams / Special Teams
16.08: Jaylen Samuels, RB, PIT
16.09: Matt Prater, PK, DET
16:30h: Dan Bailey, PK, MIN
16.11: Josh Lambo, PK, JAX
16.12: Mason Crosby, PK, GBP
Antonio Brown’s Enigma
We now know that Antonio Brown will miss at least the first eight games of the 2020 season due to a suspension. We know who, if any, will send a signal to the 32-year-old receiver.
This raises the question: Is Brown’s value an option and, if so, when?
In a league with a shallow bench like this, employing a selection on a player who will miss at least part of the normal season is probably not a good idea. When weeks of rest and injuries arrive, you’ll want this list.
That said, a selection in the 14th round would probably not break his fantastic team, and if a list crisis occurs, he can still eliminate Brown. The forward-looking gain is really tempting, we’re unlikely to see it.
My decisions
Cam Newton’s last two seasons were not good, however, in 2017, only one quarterback had more fantasy points. The Chiefs have been discreetly in the 10 most sensible of fantasy defense over the more than two seasons, thanks in component to the offensive that has led the parties to the conflict to take dangers to keep up. Greg Zuerlein is a kicker.
Was it too sneaky? It’s sneaky.
Attack player
Matthew Stafford, DET (11.10), Cam Newton, NEP (14.03)
Since this duo missed 22 games last year, there is more than a small threat related to Stafford and Newton. But if the couple can be healthy, there is also a bullish potential.
Running back
Joe Mixon, CIN (1.10), Nick Chubb, CLE (2.03), David Johnson, RB, HOU (4.03), Kareem Hunt, CLE (5.10), Jordan Howard, MIA (8.03)
After spending five of my first 8 possible options on half races, it would be better to do my team’s strength. Mixon and Chubb have a merit in the 10 most sensible. Johnson deserves to at least offer my team a flexible opener. And Hunt and Howard provide a decent measure of depth.
Wide receivers
Odell Beckham Jr., CLE (3.10), Courtland Sutton, DEN (6.03), Darius Slayton, NYG (9.10), Deebo Samuel, SFO (10.03), Allen Lazard, GBP (13.10)
With so much investment in the ball carrier position, it’s no wonder that my intensity as an open receiver is rarely the right one, nor is it at all for one of my teams. That said, if Beckham recovers in 2020 and Slayton or Samuel advance as a third starter, it could be a better than average unit.
Tight ends
Tyler Higbee, LAR (7.10), Jack Doyle, IND (12.03)
Higbee and Doyle probably won’t fight for the five most sensitive closed wings, but they don’t have to. If Higbee backs up last season’s TE8 finale, he’ll be fine.
Kicker/Defense
Greg Zuerlein, DAL (16.03), Kansas City Chiefs (15.10)
Snark aside, Zuerlein has a fantastic production trajectory and will be the kick for the team that led the NFL in general offense in 2019.La Kansas City’s year 1 tilt with Houston rarely very ideal, but after that, the Chiefs traveled to Los Angeles to take over the Tyrod Taylor loaders.
Unless otherwise stated, ADP data is courtesy of Fantasy Football Calculator. Unless otherwise noted, FFToday provides sophisticated scoring knowledge.