Fantasy Relavant Rookies

The 2020 draft is soon approaching and with no sports for weeks because of coronavirus, there is nothing I'm looking forward to more. With all my free time, I've been reading up a lot on the incoming rookie class and while it is absolutely loaded with offensive line and defensive talent, there are a bunch of guys who have legitimate shots at being big time fantasy producers from day 1.

Joe Burrow put on a show against the star-studded Clemson defense en route to a National Championship.

Joe Burrow (QB LSU) - Joe Burrow is fresh off the single greatest season for a college quarterback. Although he is quite old for a rookie (at 23 years old, he's older than Lamar Jackson and Saquon Barkley), he looks completely ready for the pros. A lock since before the CFB playoffs, Burrow will take over the Bengals starting QB position from the moment his name is called. While rookie quarterbacks, especially non-runners, usually have mediocre to bad rookie seasons, Burrow has no shortage of talent and weapons (AJ Green, John Ross, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon) to potentially put up low end QB1 numbers next season.

Jonathan Taylor produced massive numbers for 3 years at Wisconsin that will likely continue in the NFL.

Jonathan Taylor (RB Wisconsin) - While rookie quarterbacks rarely have good seasons out of the gate, round 1 rookie running backs almost always product big numbers. Guys like Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, and Josh Jacobs all put up RB1 numbers in their rookie year and unless Taylor gets drafted into a crowded backfield, he has the best chance of any back in this draft class to join that list. The fact that he already has 926 college carries to his name hurts his long term value, but for next season, Taylor has the talent to light it up.

Jerry Jeudy's sweet route running and superior athleticism make him a can't miss receiver.

Jerry Jeudy (WR Alabama) - I'm always confused when I see Henry Ruggs III or CeeDee Lamb taken before Jeudy in a mock draft. Yes, Ruggs is really fast, but we all saw John Ross run a 4.22 and have 12 total yards (and a fumble) in his entire rookie season. Yes, CeeDee Lamb is a great athlete and route-runner, but he's nothing compared to Jeudy. Despite having 2 other round 1 wide receivers in Alabama with him, Jerry Jeudy repeatedly dusted corners with his freakish route running and put up huge numbers game after game. Already drawing comparisons to Odell Beckham Jr., anyone that gets Jeudy after the top 10 is stealing him. He's going to be a big time producer from day 1.

CeeDee Lamb made some incredible catches at Oklahoma and will be tasked to produce in the NFL from day 1.

CeeDee Lamb (WR Oklahoma) - CeeDee Lamb is not falling past pick 13, meaning that his most likely landing spots are the Jets, Raiders, and 49ers. Now, in my opinion, Lamb isn't at the same level as Jeudy, but if he lands at any of these spots, he will be expected to slot into the WR1 position. Each of these teams has a solid quarterback at the helm and where there are targets, fantasy value usually follows. It also helps that Lamb is a talented after-the-catch receiver and has the potential to put up DK Metcalf-like numbers.