With the majority of tier-one free agents already signed and the NFL Draft less than a month away, we turn our attention to the 2020 NFL Draft with our post-free agency Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft. While there are still a handful of impactful skill-position players available on the free agency market, the majority of team needs will get filled during the NFL Draft.
One major difference between this mock draft and previous ones is we’re taking landing spots into consideration using the ground-breaking PFN Mock Draft Simulator. While there are plenty of draft simulators out there, Pro Football Network offers the only free simulator with trades.
Along with User/CPU trades, the PFN Mock Draft Simulator is also the first simulator with CPU/CPU trades and the ability to trade future draft capital. We saw both of these on display in the first trade of our simulated 2020 NFL Draft with the Miami Dolphins flipping #5 overall and their 2021 first-round draft pick to Detroit to secure quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at #3 overall.
Regardless of whether you use this simulator to mock draft as your favorite NFL franchise or to look at possible scenarios for upcoming rookie dynasty prospects, the PFN Mock Draft Simulator is an extremely useful tool leading up to April’s 2020 NFL Draft and beyond. Before we get into our projected two-round dynasty rookie mock draft, take a look at the projected landing spots of top quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends according to one version of the PFN Mock Draft Simulator.
Landing spots according to PFN Mock Draft Simulator
Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow (Bengals), Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins), Justin Herbert (Jaguars), Jordan Love (Patriots), Jake Fromm (Raiders), Jalen Hurts (Chargers), Jacob Eason (Lions)
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift (Chiefs), J.K. Dobbins (Buccaneers), Jonathan Taylor (Dolphins), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Texans), Cam Akers (Titans), Eno Benjamin (Texans), Anthony McFarland (Patriots), Antonio Gibson (Ravens), Joshua Kelley (Steelers), AJ Dillon (Chiefs), Ke’Shawn Vaughn (Buccaneers), Zack Moss (Bengals), Lamical Perine (49ers)
Wide Receivers
CeeDee Lamb (Jaguars), Henry Ruggs (49ers), Jerry Jeudy (Raiders), Justin Jefferson (Eagles), Denzel Mims (Seahawks), Jalen Reagor (Ravens), KJ Hamler (Bengals), Laviska Shenault (Browns), Michael Pittman Jr. (Falcons), Lynn Bowden (Steelers), Gabriel Davis (Vikings), Tee Higgins (Broncos), Bryan Edwards (Colts), Donovan Peoples-Jones (Cowboys), Brandon Aiyuk (Texans), Van Jefferson (Packers), K.J. Hill (Chiefs), Collin Johnson (Patriots), Devin Duvernay (Cardinals), Tyler Johson (Jaguars), Antonio Gandy-Golden (Dolphins)
Tight Ends
Brycen Hopkins (Panthers), Harrison Bryant (Patriots), Adam Trautman (Saints), Cole Kmet (Browns), Hunter Bryant (Steelers), Thaddeus Moss (49ers), Devin Asiasi (Chargers)
Post-Free Agency 2020 Rookie Mock Draft Round One
1.01 D’Andre Swift (RB1 – Kansas City Chiefs)
After landing with the defending Super Bowl Champions in our PFN Mock Draft Simulation, the shifty running back out of Georgia jumps up to number one overall in our 2020 dynasty rookie mock draft. An explosive three-down running back like D’Andre Swift would take the Chiefs offense to another level.
1.02 Jonathan Taylor (RB2 – Miami Dolphins)
After jumping up to RB1 in the majority of 2020 dynasty rookie rankings after a terrific 2020 NFL Combine, Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor takes a small step back thanks to Swift’s superior landing spot. Even though Taylor doesn’t get the “Chiefs boost” that Swift gets, the talented running back still lands on a Dolphins franchise in desperate need of a starting running back.
1.03 J.K. Dobbins (RB3 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Even after deciding to skip agility and on-field drills at the 2020 NFL Combine, former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins is the second running back off the board in this particular mock draft. Dobbins would easily jump ahead of the replaceable Ronald Jones as RB1 in Tampa. Dobbins – Tom Brady – Mike Evans – Chris Godwin – O.J. Howard – Cameron Brate is a dangerous offense on paper.
1.04 CeeDee Lamb (WR1 – Jacksonville Jaguars)
If Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb ends up in Jacksonville with fellow wide receivers D.J. Chark and Dede Westbrook, some in the fantasy industry will drop Lamb because of the crowded depth chart ahead of him. Not me. Lamb joining the Jaguars wide receiver corps would be more detrimental to Chark and Westbrook’s stock than his own. You also have to like Lamb’s landing spot here as the Jaguars were able to draft a free-falling Justin Herbert at #20 overall.
1.05 Jerry Jeudy (WR2 – Las Vegas Raiders)
A year after the failed Antonio Brown experiment, the Las Vegas Raiders finally have their WR1 according to this particular PFN Mock Draft Simulator. Jeudy would instantly jump to the top of the depth chart in Las Vegas and he would be a great complement to big-bodied outside receiver Tyrell Williams and second-year slot specialist Hunter Renfrow.
1.06 Justin Jefferson (WR3 – Philadelphia Eagles)
After landing with the WR-needy Philadelphia Eagles, former LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson jumps into the top half of round one. With the Eagles looking to surround Carson Wentz with offensive weapons, they take the versatile wide receiver with experience outside and in the slot.
1.07 Henry Ruggs (WR4 – San Francisco 49ers)
My biggest fear is that Henry Ruggs is more of an impactful NFL wide receiver than a weekly consistent fantasy football producer, but you can’t argue with the landing spot in this scenario. While Ruggs would be fighting all-world tight end George Kittle and second-year wide receiver Deebo Samuel for targets, Ruggs could excel in Kyle Shanahan’s creative offense. Shanahan would have a field-day scheming open his array of offensive weapons.
1.08 Cam Akers (RB4 – Tennessee Titans)
This is a less than ideal year-one spot for the former Florida State running back. With 2019 rushing-champion Derrick Henry playing on the franchise tag, Akers would find himself in the same “wait and see” mode as 2019 draftees Darrell Henderson and Tony Pollard. There’s also the chance that the Titans and Henry come to terms on a long-term contract agreement that would cap Akers fantasy ceiling.
1.09 Denzel Mims (WR5 – Seattle Seahawks)
With D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett seemingly locked into their roles in Seattle’s offense, Mims might struggle for consistent year-one targets. Although Brian Schottenheimer loves his running game, he’d have to let Russell Wilson air it out more with that trio of wide receivers.
1.10 Jalen Reagor (WR6 – Baltimore Ravens)
Although some might scoff at the landing spot, I would love to see Reagor’s potential fit in the Baltimore offense. Adding Reagor’s speed and elite route-running ability to pair with 2019 first-round pick Marquise Brown could take the Ravens offense to another level. After a lackluster showing by their receiving corps in the 2019 NFL Playoffs, it’s clear the Ravens are in desperate need of another weapon for Lamar Jackson to reach his full potential.
1.11 Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB5 – Houston Texans)
Another less-than-ideal landing spot finds LSU pass-catching extraordinaire joining the crowded Texans’ backfield. While Houston is in need of a young back, Edwards-Helaire would fight for year-one snaps with veterans David Johnson and Duke Johnson already on the roster. To further muddle the backfield, this mock draft simulation also has the Texans drafting Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin in the fourth round.
1.12 Tee Higgins (WR7 – Denver Broncos)
After skipping the 2020 NFL Combine drills then jumping an unimpressive 31-inch vertical jump at Clemson’s Pro Day, Tee Higgins dropped to #59 overall in this simulation. Even with the free-fall, Higgins remains a fringe first-round prospect thanks to a great landing spot. Even though most people expect the Broncos to add a speed receiver to complement Courtland Sutton, adding Higgins would give Denver two “X-Receiver” types to build their offense around.