With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine taking center stage this week, we take a look at the top dynasty fantasy football targets at each position. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends begin the on-field workouts on Thursday afternoon while running backs take their turn on Friday.
While the results of the 2020 NFL Combine shouldn’t be too influential in determining a players’ worth, there’s no denying it’s a significant factor when looking for top dynasty fantasy football targets. Plenty of prospects have gone on to have successful careers in the National Football League despite poor NFL Combine performances. Still, the yearly event is also an opportunity for prospects to prove their worth while temporarily silencing their critics.
Without further ado, I give you the top dynasty football targets to keep an eye on during this week’s NFL Scouting Combine. I’ve included my top five at each position according to my latest 2020 dynasty rookie rankings plus a look at the top headlines heading into the on-field work. Make sure to continue to visit our NFL Combine Rumors page for the latest news and rumors from around the league. PFN Draft Analyst and Insider Tony Pauline and PFN NFL Insider Benjamin Allbright are in Indianapolis and will be sharing all of the latest buzz.
Quarterbacks
Top Five
1) Joe Burrow, LSU
2) Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
3) Justin Herbert, Oregon
4) Jordan Love, Utah State
5) Jacob Eason, Washington
With top quarterback prospects Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa sitting out the 2020 NFL Combine, all eyes will be on Oregon’s Justin Herbert and Utah State’s Jordan Love as the top available prospects doing on-field work.
Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts needs a strong throwing performance on Thursday to quiet critics that continue to ask if he’d be willing to switch to another position. The Alabama transfer made it clear in NFL Combine interviews that he sees himself as a quarterback.
Sitting Out
Joe Burrow (all drills)
Tua Tagovailoa (all drills)
Running Backs
Top Five
1) D’Andre Swift, Georgia
2) J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
3) Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
4) Cam Akers, Florida State
5) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
After weighing in at 226 pounds at the NFL Combine, Wisconsin workhorse running back, Jonathan Taylor has the opportunity to jump up to RB1 with an above-average time in the 40-yard dash. If Taylor runs a sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash, he’ll cement his status as one of the top dynasty targets at the NFL Combine. The Combine also presents another opportunity for Taylor to display his continued improvement in the passing game.
Boston College running back A.J. Dillon weighed in at 247 pounds at the Combine, so the 40-yard dash and agility tests will be crucial for his stock. While it’s true that current Tennessee Titans’ running back Derrick Henry also weighed in at 247 pounds at the Combine, there’s a significant difference between the running backs on film.
Florida State running back Cam Akers, one of the most athletic running backs in attendance, is very likely to dominate the NFL Combine. Akers has tested exceptionally well at both the 40-yard dash and the high jump at previous events, while the running back also possesses natural hands out of the backfield.
After weighing in at 195 pounds at the 2020 Senior Bowl, Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin jumped up to 207 pounds in his weigh-in. While it remains to be seen if that growth is all water-weight or actual playing weight, Benjamin will see his stock skyrocket with good speed scores with the increased mass.
Sitting Out
N/A
Wide Receivers
Top Five
1) CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
2) Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
3) Tee Higgins, Clemson
4) Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado
5) Jalen Reagor, TCU
With Penn State’s KJ Hamler opting to wait until the Nittany Lions’ pro-day to run the 40-yard dash, the title of the fastest wide receiver at the NFL Combine will likely come down to Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III vs. TCU’s Jalen Reagor. With both receivers expected to run sub-4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash, John Ross’ record of 4.22 seconds could be in serious jeopardy of being broken.
With big-bodied receivers needing to show the ability to separate at the next level, the 40-yard dash isn’t just for the speedsters. The 40-yard dash also gives prospects like Tee Higgins, Denzel Mims, Michael Pittman Jr., and Antonio Gandy-Golden the opportunity to show they’re more than just prototypical jump-ball receivers.
After announcing he’ll miss the NFL Combine and possibly the Gamecocks’ Pro-Day with a broken foot, South Carolina’s Bryan Edwards is in serious jeopardy of tumbling down draft boards. Edwards is one of my favorite sleepers in the 2020 NFL Draft, but his stock will undoubtedly plummet if he’s unable to train or show-off his skills before the draft.
Sitting Out
Bryan Edwards (all drills)
Tyler Johnson (40-yard dash)
KJ Hamler (40-yard dash)
Lynn Bowden (all drills)
Tight Ends
Top Five
1) Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
2) Hunter Bryant, Washington
3) Adam Trautman, Dayton
4) Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
5) Thaddeus Moss, LSU
Every season we watch as top pass-catching prospects like Brycen Hopkins and Hunter Bryant see an increase in value after dominating NFL Combine drills. Both “move” tight ends have the speed and athletic traits to dominate the “underwear Olympics.” While both players might have deficiencies as blockers, their game-changing ability as pass-catchers makes them the top dynasty tight end targets at the NFL Combine.
Citing LSU’s long National Championship winning season, tight end Thaddeus Moss announced his decision to not participate in on-field work at the NFL Combine.
Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool weighed in at 238 pounds, leading to increased chatter about the former Fighting Irish standout making the transition to tight end in the National Football League. If Claypool officially makes the switch, he instantly becomes one of the most intriguing tight-end prospects available in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Sitting Out
Thaddeus Moss (all drills)
Sean McKeon (40-yard dash)
Jordan Woodson is a writer for PFN covering dynasty fantasy football. Follow him on Twitter @Jordan_Woodson.