The NFL draft has settled, free agency is largely complete, and we are inching closer to the 2020 NFL season. Now that a fresh crop of rookies has found homes in the NFL, it’s ONLY right we immediately examine their fantasy football outlooks!

Top 10 Fantasy Rookies for 2020

1. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs did not spend a 1st round pick on CEH for nothing, and he joins one of the most dynamic, and efficient offenses in the NFL. Andy Reid likely sees glimpses of Brian Westbrook in Edwards-Helaire and I expect him to be used similarly, which is great news for PPR players.

The main competition Edwards-Helaire will face for touches in KC is returning veteran, Damien Williams. Williams had a good close to 2019 and performed well during KC’s Super Bowl run, but there still isn’t any reason to think CEH won’t be competing for the starting job. There will be a “timeshare” throughout the early portion of the season, but I would anticipate Edwards-Helaire taking control of the backfield by the season’s mid-point.

2. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Taylor was an ultra-productive back at Wisconsin and lands with a reloaded Colts team. Headlined by offseason acquisition Phillip Rivers, the Colts have clearly placed an emphasis on improving their offense. Taylor figures to be the Colts’ primary ball carrier and receive the majority of goal-line carries. 

Marlon Mack will still receive touches, as the Colts have already stated Taylor and Mack will share the backfield. There should be plenty of work for both Taylor and Mack, especially with captain check down, Phillip Rivers, at the helm. Upgrade Taylor in standard formats and downgrade him slightly in PPR.

3. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Most armchair GMs had Jefferson penciled to the Eagles at pick 21. The Eagles passed on Jefferson, who was then selected by the Vikings with the very next pick, pick 22. Jefferson is placed in an excellent situation and is tasked to replace the production vacated by Stefan Diggs. He figures to be the team’s number 2 WR, and the third most critical offensive skill player behind Dalvin Cook and Adam Theilen.

The possession WR from LSU is most comfortable in the slot, but so is Theilen, and it will be interesting to monitor how Jefferson and Theilen are deployed in the Vikings offense. In a game that’s all about opportunity, it’s hard to have Jefferson outside the top 5 for 2020.

4. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

The explosive WR fell into the Cowboys laps at pick 17, and Dallas wasted no time making him their first-round selection. He joins an explosive offensive unit in Dallas and figures to be the team’s third WR.

Following a season in which Randall Cobb posted over 800+ receiving yards in a similar role, expect big things from Lamb in Dallas. He has a clear cut path to playing time and opportunities, and the talent to capitalize. 700-900+ receiving yards with 6-8 TDs seems more than reasonable for Lamb. He is one of the safest rookie fantasy options you’ll find. Expect Lamb to be a legitimate fantasy option week in and week out in 2020.

5. Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Todd Gurley is now an Atlanta Falcon, and a large piece of the offense needs to be replaced in Los Angeles. There is no clear lead back in Los Angeles, and Akers, the second-round pick from Florida State should have a chance to win the starting job outright.

The prospect of being the starting back in an efficient and high-volume offense such as the Rams is reason enough to be in the top 5. Akers was an excellent pass catcher at Florida State and tallied 69 career catches in three years. Expect Akers, at minimum, to have a role as a pass-catcher, but don’t be surprised to see him end the season as the Rams number 1 running back. Upgrade Akers in PPR.

6. DeAndre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

Swift is the latest back from the University of Georgia to be selected in the NFL draft and joins former collegiate foe, Kerryon Johnson in the backfield in Detroit. Swift was a dynamic player at Georgia and was utilized as both a runner and receiver.

Detroit should be planning to use him the same way, and in a make it or break it year for Coach Matt Patricia, all hands will be on deck. Expect Swift to have a role from the start as a pass catcher, and earn more and more carries as the season continues. He will prove too talented to keep off the field. Upgrade Swift in PPR and downgrade him in standard formats.

7. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Bronocs

The former Alabama WR might have a claim to be “best route runner in class” but was the second WR taken (from his own school!). Jeudy joins a totally reloaded offensive unit in Denver, and the Broncos look to be on the right path with QB Drew Lock. Jeudy should have a clear and defined role with the Broncos in 2020, but should be ranked lower than Jefferson and Lamb.

It’s hard to be entirely sold on Lock, and there are just as many mouths to feed in Denver (if not more) as there are in Dallas. Jeudy should have a role, but the entire operation in Denver is a bit suspect and there’s a lot left to be sorted out.

8. JK Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens always seem to draft well, and walked away with Dobbins late in the second round. The Ravens’ offensive Philosophy is pretty clear; mash the football with a slew of talented ball carriers repeatedly.

Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram should headline this attack, but expect Dobbins to be third in line for rushing touches and grab his fair share of receptions. Dobbins fits the Ravens’ mold and is likely seen as Ingram’s replacement further down the line. Dobbins is an elite handcuff, who may get enough week to week usage to have fantasy relevance regardless of Ingram’s availability. Dobbins upside coupled with being one of the leagues best handcuffs absolutely warrants a late-round pick in upcoming fantasy drafts.

9. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Oakland

World-class speed and the Oakland Raiders have always mixed, so we shouldn’t have been too shocked to see the Raiders make Ruggs III the first WR off the board with pick 12 in the 2020 NFL Draft. Ruggs III joins a Raiders team that looks to be headed in the right direction under GM Mike Manock, and Coach Jon Gruden.

His speed will open up the offense and create cleaner boxes for Josh Jacobs, and more space underneath for Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller. Expect Ruggs III impact to be felt more from a team level, than his individual statistics. Still, Ruggs III has game-breaking speed and legitimate skill at WR, so he is certainly worth a late-round draft pick. Just don’t bank on him being an every-week fantasy starter.

10. KeShawn Vaughn, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Let the hype begin! Vaughn joins a totally revamped Buccaneers offense headlined by offseason acquisition Tom Brady. Vaughn, a third-round pick coming from Vanderbilt University, is expected to compete with Ronald Jones Jr. for the Buccaneers starting RB job. Jones has been underwhelming thus far in his NFL career, and Vaughn injects new life into a pretty stagnant group.

It’s unclear how this timeshare will shake out, but Vaughn could earn the majority of backfield touches in what figures to be a high scoring and efficient offense. He is worth a late-round flier as roles become clearer throughout the early portion of the regular season.

Just missed the cut: Jalen Reagor (11), Tee Higgins (12), Bradon Aiyuk (13), Laviska Shenault (14), AJ Dillon (15).