One bold 2020 fantasy football prediction for five NFL rookies
Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be a top-five fantasy player
Dalton Del Don: He’s an exciting talent with excellent receiving skills who’s in a terrific situation as feature back in arguably the league's best offense. CEH won't need 300 touches to score 15 touchdowns in this system with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes on his side, as Damien Williams has been a top-three fantasy RB in points per game when he’s played at least half the snaps since joining KC. Edwards-Helaire is a top-five player on my board.
Joe Burrow finishes as a top-10 fantasy QB
Andy Behrens: I feel pretty good about this one. I’d give him a very good chance to break the rookie passing yardage and touchdown records, too. He was a sneaky-good rushing QB at LSU, a trait that isn’t really accounted for in his average draft position (119.9). Burrow is surrounded by exceptional weapons in Cincinnati, and he just delivered a flawless season in the SEC. I have few doubts about his pro potential. He’s one of the main reasons you can wait until the late rounds at quarterback, if you don’t grab one of the elites at the top of your draft.
CeeDee Lamb will be 2020’s best rookie WR
Scott Pianowski: Lamb not only will be the best rookie wideout this year, but he will be a top-10 fantasy receiver in one season before his second contract. He’s not the fastest receiver in the class, but he’s an advanced route runner and especially dangerous after the catch. It obviously helps that Lamb starts his career tied to Dak Prescott, a star quarterback.
Michael Pittman will lead Colts WRs in TDs
Liz Loza: According to reports from training camp, the former Trojan’s toughness after the catch, as well as his ability to win in contested situations, have been on full display during practice. Getting reps with the ones, he’s been working on his timing with Philip Rivers and is likely to emerge as a Mike Williams-like RZ target for the veteran QB.
With Zach Pascal already nursing a hamstring injury and Parris Campbell (whose rookie campaign was limited to just seven games as a result of numerous injuries) concussed, Pittman could see meaningful snaps as early as Week 1. He’s on track to emerge as the team’s No. 2 (behind T.Y. Hilton, who hasn’t surpassed 7 TDs since 2014). And even if he doesn’t draw ALL of the looks, he’s likely to receive the bulk of the high-value opportunities due to his specific skillset and role on the offense.
Laviska Shenault exceeds all expectations
Matt Harmon: Shenault will score more (rushing/receiving) touchdowns than D.J. Chark and will have more catches than Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs. I’m really not trying to tell you to not draft Chark or be down on these Alabama receivers. All this is meant to do is build your enthusiasm for Shenault. What the Jaguars have been trying to do with Dede Westbrook as a speed slot receiver, Shenault can do that but as a suped-up version. He’s a playmaker as a runner and after the catch specialist. He could make a ton of big plays as the Jaguars designed touches guy on a pass-heavy offense under Jay Gruden. Gardner Minshew was a short-area passer as a rookie and that lines up with Shenault’s skill set right now.