With the 2020 NFL Combine finished and college pro days beginning this week, we take a look at the top 50 dynasty prospects available in the 2020 NFL Draft with our post-NFL Combine dynasty rookie rankings. Although these rankings will significantly change after the 2020 NFL Draft, it’s never too early to get a heads up on your competition by looking at these rankings from a pure talent perspective.
The biggest risers in my post-NFL Combine 2020 dynasty rookie rankings are Jonathan Taylor, AJ Dillon, Denzel Mims, and Michael Pittman Jr. The biggest losers of the 2020 NFL Combine include Laviska Shenault, Thaddeus Moss, Bryan Edwards, and Antonio Golden-Gandy.
This edition of our post-NFL Combine dynasty rookie rankings features individual write-ups on the top 20 dynasty prospects available in the 2020 NFL Draft. I’ve also added third to fifth round projections as an early look ahead at the talent available in the late rounds of rookie drafts. For a look forward to next year’s class, you can also check out my way-too-early 2021 dynasty rookie rankings.
First Round Post-NFL Combine 2020 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
1) Jonathan Taylor (RB1 – Wisconsin)
In my pre-Combine 2020 Dynasty Rookie Rankings, I mentioned that “the 2020 NFL Combine presents the perfect opportunity for Taylor to put questions about his speed to rest.” After blazing through a running back best time of 4.39 in the 40-yard dash, I’d say those concerns were put to rest rather quickly.
With Taylor showing top-end speed in addition to his running prowess, the running back’s 2020 NFL Combine performance cemented his status as RB1 in the 2020 NFL Draft. While landing spot and draft capital are sure to alter these rankings dramatically, I can’t imagine many scenarios where Taylor drops past 1.03 of dynasty rookie drafts.
2) CeeDee Lamb (WR1 – Oklahoma)
Although Lamb wasn’t as fast as other wide receivers in attendance, the Oklahoma wide receiver showed more than enough to maintain his status as WR1 in both the 2020 NFL Draft and dynasty rookie rankings. Often compared to current Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers wide receivers Deandre Hopkins and Davante Adams, respectively, Lamb’s 4.5-second 40-yard dash time is actually superior to their times of 4.57 and 4.56 seconds.
Lamb looked quick and confident as he dominated position drills, including a near-flawless run through the gauntlet drill and an acrobatic, body-contorting catch in red-zone fade drills. After showing dominating run-after-catch ability in college football, Lamb will be one of the top dynasty wide receivers to own for years to come.
3) D’Andre Swift (RB2 – Georgia)
After running a solid 4.48 40-yard dash, it was a bit disappointing to see Swift decide to skip other tests including the three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. Known as one of the shiftiest running backs in the 2020 NFL Draft, Swift’s potential to dominate the three-cone was of particular interest to those of us in the dynasty football scouting community.
The Georgia running back looked smooth in running back drills while also displaying some of the most natural hands at the position. Swift’s versatility and three-down ability make him one of the most intriguing running backs in this class.
4) J.K. Dobbins (RB3 – Ohio State)
With Dobbins deciding to skip all drills at the 2020 NFL Combine, all eyes turn to Ohio State’s pro day on March 25th. With recency bias playing more of a role than we care to admit, Dobbins needs a tremendous showing to keep pace with Taylor and Swift in that vaunted Tier One running back group.
Dobbins is a silky smooth runner that fits best in a zone-blocking scheme that allows the running back to use his vision to find holes. With three-down ability as both a willing pass-blocker and experienced pass-catcher, Dobbins will be hard to take off the field in the NFL.
5) Jerry Jeudy (WR2 – Alabama)
After a tremendous college career in which he showed to be an excellent route-runner with the ability to make defenders miss in the open field, Jeudy did nothing to hurt his status as WR2 in the 2020 NFL Draft. Jeudy’s 4.45 40-yard dash finished as the 10th fastest time of all wide receivers in attendance, while the Alabama product also looked natural in both route-running and pass-catching drills.
Following in the footsteps of so many great Alabama wide receivers, Jeudy enters the NFL with similar skills and pedigree as former Crimson Tide standouts Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley. While there is some thought that speedster and fellow Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III could get drafted before Jeudy, it’s hard to imagine anyone jumping him in my dynasty rookie rankings regardless of draft capital.
6) Cam Akers (RB4 – Florida State)
After finally breaking the shackles known as the Florida State offensive line, Akers seems destined to be a more productive running back in the NFL than he ever was in college. That’s saying something for a running back that topped 1,000 rushing yards twice in three seasons behind one of the worst offensive lines ever put together.
Akers predictably lit up the 2020 NFL Combine with a 4.47-second 40-yard dash (#5 RB), 35.5-inch vertical jump (#14), 122-inch broad jump (#14), and 20 bench reps (#9). Akers also looked natural in both running and passing drills as he made his case for Tier One running back status. While I’m not quite ready to put Akers in the same class as Taylor, Swift, and Dobbins, I’m willing to announce that I have the former Florida State running back closer to RB3 than he is to RB5 on my big board. Akers is that good.
7) Tee Higgins (WR3 – Clemson)
The rangy wide receiver from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, takes center stage at Clemson’s pro day on March 12th after deciding to sit out all drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. With fellow big-bodied wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Denzel Mims running excellent 40-yard dash times at the NFL Combine, a disappointing time for Higgins on Thursday could be the final nail in his status as WR3 in the 2020 NFL Draft.
While it’s certainly understandable to drop Higgins below both Jefferson and Mims like PFN’s Tommy Garrett did in his Post-Combine SuperFlex Rookie Mock Draft, I still have Higgins slightly ahead by the tiniest of margins. A 40-yard dash time in the 4.5’s should be more than enough to keep Higgins in that late first, early second-round range.
8) Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB5 – LSU)
After measuring in at 5’7″ and running a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, those unaware of Edwards-Helaire’s playing-style immediately dropped the LSU running back in their rankings. Those smart enough to keep watching NFL Combine drills saw what the majority of us saw on film. While CEH lacks ideal long-speed at the position, he has tremendous quickness in and out of breaks while having some of the most accomplished hands in this year’s running back class.
Even with Edwards-Helaire looking like a potential asset in the passing game, the question marks about his size and downright atrocious display of pass-blocking drops the LSU running back a full tier below Akers, in my opinion. While often compared to Brian Westbrook and Devonta Freeman, the comparison I’m starting to get on-board with is current Los Angeles Chargers’ running back Austin Ekeler. Even while struggling as an inside runner and pass-blocker, Ekeler has found his niche as an elite pass-catching back.
9) Justin Jefferson (WR4 – LSU)
Jefferson followed up his 1,540-yard, 18-touchdown season for the National Championship-winning LSU Tigers with a dominating NFL Combine performance. After posting an impressive 4.43 40-yard dash and 37.5-inch vertical jump, Jefferson jumped into the back half of Round One consideration.
With Jefferson currently projected in the 20-30 range in most NFL mock drafts, Jefferson could see his stock skyrocket even further if drafted into an elite situation. In our latest NFL Mock Drafts, PFN’s Brad Kelly has Jefferson landing with the home-state New Orleans Saints at #24 overall, while PFN’s Andrew DiCecco has Jefferson going #21 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles. Either one of those scenarios would likely push Jefferson towards the first-half of future 2020 dynasty rookie drafts.
10) Denzel Mims (WR5 – Baylor)
Entering the NFL Combine at 6’3″ and 207 pounds, Mims faced questions about his long-speed and ability to separate at the next level. The former Baylor wide receiver more than shattered expectations with a shocking 4.38 40-yard dash, the third fastest of any wide receiver in attendance.
As shocking as his 40-yard dash was, Mims’ 6.66-second three-cone (#1 WR), 131-inch broad jump (#4 WR), and 38.5-inch vertical jump (#8 WR) were just as impressive for the 6’3″ wide receiver. Mims’ unique combination of speed and wide catch radius has the wide receiver rising up draft boards everywhere.