Fantasy: Ideal landing spots for top WR, TE prospects

Justin Boone

from on 2020-04-22 19:19 (#52H4N)

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We're in the final stretch before the NFL draft begins Thursday night, and the news cycle is flooded with enough rumors and smoke screens to exhaust even the most hardcore football fans.

So, let's step away from the flurry of reports and dream up the ideal fantasy landing spots for this year's top prospects.

The intention here isn't to predict exactly which team will draft each player. Instead, we're forecasting where the incoming rookies would ideally land to maximize their fantasy value while accounting for talent, opportunity, and where teams are picking.

Prospect Fantasy Outlooks

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CeeDee Lamb - Cardinals

The Cardinals would be wise to address their offensive line in the first round, but quarterback Kyler Murray has been pushing for Arizona to draft his former college teammate, who's also my top-ranked wideout in this class. Surrounding Murray with as much talent as possible has been the Cardinals' No. 1 priority this offseason and a DeAndre Hopkins-Lamb tandem would give him one of the best receiving duos in the league. With rumors that Christian Kirk is on the trading block and Larry Fitzgerald not far from retirement, Lamb ending up in Arizona isn't that outlandish. In Kliff Kingsbury's high-volume passing attack, Lamb could easily be a fantasy WR2 with the potential to pass Hopkins on the depth chart within a couple years.

Jerry Jeudy - Jets

Even the most vocal Robby Anderson supporters can admit Sam Darnold's receiving weapons have been underwhelming through his first two NFL campaigns. The Jets have some nice pieces in place with a reliable slot man in Jamison Crowder, a speedster on the outside in Breshad Perriman, and a promising tight end in Chris Herndon, but Jeudy would give Darnold a true No. 1 option. With route-running skills that are already prepared for the pros, Jeudy would slide into my 2020 rankings as a top-24 WR if Gang Green pulls the trigger on him in Round 1.

Justin Jefferson - 49ers

Deebo Samuel had an outstanding rookie year and deserved more credit for the 49ers reaching Super Bowl LIV. However, with Emmanuel Sanders leaving in free agency, San Francisco needs to find a new running mate to pair with Samuel. Jefferson was as sure-handed as any receiver in the NCAA last season, hauling in 111 receptions (91% catch rate) while scoring 18 touchdowns. His size-speed combo makes him an intriguing big-slot prospect in Kyle Shanahan's offense. Depending on his landing spot, Jefferson could have an instant impact as a top-30 fantasy receiver in PPR formats.

Henry Ruggs III - Raiders

The Raiders have a vacancy atop the receiving depth chart and could offer Ruggs the opportunity to become their version of Tyreek Hill. Though Ruggs doesn't come with all the tools of Lamb or Jeudy, he's more than just a field-stretcher with 4.27-second 40-yard speed that would make Al Davis proud. Ruggs can line up at multiple positions, makes great adjustments to the ball, and is tough enough to battle defenders on contested catches. If he finds a team willing to use him as one of its primary pass-catchers, top-20 fantasy numbers are not out of the question even in his debut campaign.

Denzel Mims - Chiefs

The current arms race in the NFL focuses on speed, something the Chiefs took advantage of en route to a title. There have been reports that Kansas City would be willing to move up to draft Ruggs if he slides, but several scenarios have to play out before that could happen. Meanwhile, Mims comes with just as much upside but a bigger frame at 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds - an element the Chiefs' WR room is lacking. The added size didn't slow him down at the combine; he posted one of the best speed scores thanks to a 4.38-second 40-yard time, which somehow would only make him the third-fastest receiver on the Chiefs behind Hill and Mecole Hardman. Though volume could be an issue for Mims early on, anyone catching passes from Patrick Mahomes has a chance to maximize their value.

Tee Higgins - Colts

Injuries to Eric Ebron and Devin Funchess robbed the Colts of two of their big-bodied pass-catching threats in 2019, and now both players are employed by different clubs. Tight end Jack Doyle is still around, but he'll be 30 when the season kicks off. Higgins would give Indy size on the outside, pairing well with smaller, faster playmakers like T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell. He'd also help ease Philip Rivers' transition to the Colts' offense, providing him with another 6-foot-4 Clemson receiver to throw to like he had with the Chargers' Mike Williams. If Higgins ever becomes a fantasy starter, it'll be the same way Williams did - with an elevated touchdown total.

Laviska Shenault Jr. - Packers

Aaron Rodgers needs playmakers, and right now, the Packers have only two skill-position players he can trust in Davante Adams and Aaron Jones. Devin Funchess, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and sophomore tight end Jace Sternberger are all role players who can provide depth, so Green Bay needs to invest in someone with a higher ceiling. Shenault is a physical freak and an explosive talent whose stock is being held down by durability concerns. Matt LaFleur will be able to capitalize on Shenault's versatility as a receiver and a runner, getting him added touches on handoffs and short passes. If he stays healthy, Shenault could be the steal of this draft in real life and fantasy.

Other options

Michael Pittman Jr. - Patriots
Jalen Reagor - Eagles
Brandon Aiyuk - Broncos
Antonio Gandy-Golden - Bills
KJ Hamler - Lions
Devin Duvernay - Steelers
Tyler Johnson - Vikings

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Hunter Bryant - Patriots

As we've discussed numerous times in the lead-up to the draft, this isn't an exciting crop of tight ends from a fantasy perspective. We might have to wait a couple years before anyone in this class gets on the radar in redraft leagues, but Bryant has the best chance to make an early impact if he goes to a tight end-needy team like the Patriots. New England failed to find a replacement for Rob Gronkowski last season, so expect the Patriots to actively try to solve that problem in the draft or via trade. Though Bryant is nothing like Gronk, he's a receiving weapon who can be a matchup problem for defenses. His best possible outcome is developing into a Jordan Reed type, putting him on the map as a potential top-15 fantasy tight end if/when he earns a starting role at the next level.

Other options

Cole Kmet - Redskins
Albert Okwuegbunam - Cardinals
Harrison Bryant - Panthers
Brycen Hopkins - Bears
Adam Trautman - Giants
Jacob Breeland - Colts

Prospect Fantasy Outlooks

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