Second Round Post-NFL Combine 2020 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
11) Jalen Reagor (WR6 – TCU)
Reagor entered the 2020 NFL Combine with expectations of challenging Ruggs as the fastest wide receiver in the draft, but the TCU standout ran a slower-than-expected 4.47-second 40-yard dash. Even though he was surprisingly only the 15th fastest wide receiver in attendance at the NFL Combine, Reagor showed his explosiveness elsewhere, including a 42-inch vertical jump (#2 WR), 138-inch broad jump (#2), and 17 bench reps (#7).
12) Henry Ruggs III (WR7 – Alabama)
One of the most polarizing players in the 2020 NFL Draft, Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III put his rare speed on display with a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Ruggs is an athletic freak that also posted a 42-inch vertical jump (#2 WR) and a 131-inch broad jump (#4) before pulling out of the event with a minor injury.
With Ruggs unable to partake in wide receiver drills at the combine, Alabama’s pro day on March 24th is crucial for the speedster to show his growth as a receiver. Also, his inability to top 750 receiving yards in any collegiate season has created debates about his value between film watchers and the analytics crowd. Overall, they’ve thus far been great content to ingest in a slow off-season. Ruggs’ lack of college production is sure to be a topic of conversation leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft.
Only thing I’ll say about this debate: I think Ruggs is an exciting talent and a great addition to any team. His 4.27 speed is rare even by NFL standards, and that automatically makes him an asset. However, I also understand why those in the fantasy community are lower on Ruggs than NFL people as we’re looking for catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns more than actual impact on the field.
13) Laviska Shenault (WR8 – Colorado)
One of the biggest losers of the NFL Combine, Shenault ran an ill-advised 4.58-second 40-yard dash while battling a core muscle injury. Instead of having surgery right away, Shenault decided to fight through the injury only to see his stock plummet because of that decision.
With Shenault looking at a six-to-eight week recovery time, don’t be surprised if the Colorado WR falls even further as the 2020 NFL Draft approaches. Shenault entered the 2020 NFL Combine with question marks about his route-tree and injury history, and yet another injury prevented him from showing any improvement in that area.
14) KJ Hamler (WR9 – Penn State)
One of my favorite prospects to watch in college football last season, Penn State’s KJ Hamler, faces durability questions after measuring in at a sub-5’9″ and 178 pounds. We all knew Hamler was small in stature, but seeing those numbers instantly raised flags across the league.
Another presumed candidate to challenge Ruggs’ 4.28 40-yard dash time, Hamler instead decided to sit out all drills at the NFL Combine. Instead of participating in combine drills, Hamler instead chose to work out for NFL evaluators at Penn State’s pro day on March 17th.
15) Brandon Aiyuk (WR10 – Arizona State)
After bursting onto the scene last season at Arizona State, Aiyuk has shown the athletic ability to be more than just a one-year wonder. Aiyuk ran a faster-than-expected 4.5 in the 40-yard dash while also testing well with a 40-inch vertical jump (#5 WR) and 128-inch broad jump (#6) at the combine.
Aiyuk spent time in JUCO before transferring to Arizona State, so naturally, the wide receiver is a little raw as a route-runner. Even with that known, there’s more than enough positive traits to work with and mold.
16) Michael Pittman Jr. (WR11 – USC)
Pittman Jr. joins Jefferson and Mims as big-bodied wide receivers that aced questions about their speed and ability to separate at the next level. Pittman Jr. running a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at 6’4″, 223 pounds solidified his spot as a second-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
It also doesn’t hurt that Pittman Jr. has NFL bloodlines. The majority of us ancient football fans grew up watching Michael Pittman Sr.’s hard-nosed running in Arizona and Tampa Bay, and now we’re writing about his son. Life comes at you fast, youngsters. Enjoy your youth and your hair while you have it.
17) Joe Burrow (QB1 – LSU)
The top quarterback on the board, LSU’s Joe Burrow, is the only player on this list that we can comfortably assume landing spot. Barring the Miami Dolphins or some other teams giving up all of their assets for the number one overall pick, Burrow is destined for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Burrow has the daunting task of trying to transform the Cincinnati Bengals from the NFL’s worst to a contender, but at least he’ll have plenty of help at the skill-positions. Joe Mixon is one of the most talented running backs in the NFL, while slot-specialist Tyler Boyd has shown to be one of the most reliable safety-blankets in football.
The often-injured A.J. Green, likely to be franchise-tagged this off-season, provides Burrow with one of the best wide receivers in all of football when healthy. Unfortunately for Green, his youthful days have been few and far between over the past couple of seasons. The Bengals need to surround Burrow with a competent offensive line, or he’ll never have a chance to be Cincinnati’s savior.
18) Tua Tagovailoa (QB2 – Alabama)
Tua Tagovailoa’s pre-draft process is heating up after reportedly being cleared for “light football-related drills — such as dropping back and throwing and low-impact running — in preparation for the 2020 NFL Draft in April, according to a Monday report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and Tagovailoa’s doctor, Lyle Cain.”
With Tagovailoa’s workout at Alabama set for April 9th, the Crimson Tide quarterback has a full month to show he’s healthy and improving. At this point, it would be shocking if Tagovailoa isn’t a top-three pick depending on what the Washington Redskins decide to do. The Redskins very much hold the cards in the 2020 NFL Draft with the impending decision to trade down or stay pat and take EDGE Chase Young or Tagovailoa as their QB of the future.
19) Zack Moss (RB6 – Utah)
Utah running back Zack Moss entered the 2020 NFL Combine with questions about his speed and medical history. Moss blaming his disappointing 4.65 40-yard dash time on a lingering hamstring injury did nothing to dispute those questions.
With Utah’s pro day set for March 26th, Moss has less than a month to get healthy and improve his discouraging time from the combine. While Moss showed tremendous elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability on film, it’s hard to get behind a back running in the 4.6’s. An improvement in the 40-yard dash is crucial to Moss’ fantasy football stock moving forward.
20) AJ Dillon (RB7 – Boston College)
The biggest riser in my post-NFL Combine 2020 dynasty rookie rankings, Boston College running back AJ Dillon jumps 20 spots after a sensational NFL Combine performance. I admittedly watched very little Boston College football outside of their contests against Clemson. Still, I never in a million years expected Dillon to do so well in the athletic testing at the combine.
After weighing in at an RB-high of 247 pounds, Dillon proceeded to demolish athletic testing with a 4.53 40-yard dash (#10 RB), 41-inch vertical jump (#1), 131-inch broad jump (#1), 7.19 three-cone (#10), and 23 bench reps (#5). While there are concerns about Dillon’s hands and ability to stay on the field for all three-downs, Dillon has the strength and athletic profile to be more than a grinder in the NFL.