LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire looks like a prime fit for the Kansas City Chiefs offense. I could say the same for Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk out in San Francisco. And Michael Pittman Jr. could post numbers in the Colts' system given his pro-ready traits.
Let's go back through the 2020 NFL draft class and focus on the rookies who are in a position -- based on scheme fit and opportunity -- to produce for your lineups this season. Here are the 15 players I'm putting on my fantasy radar.
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
Since 2018, Patrick Mahomes leads the NFL with 7.7 yards per attempt when targeting running backs and has a 16-0 touchdown-interception ratio, via ESPN Stats & Information. That's why I love the fit here for Edwards-Helaire, who caught 55 passes last season in LSU's pro route tree. He's a dynamic talent in the passing game, with the wiggle, shake and burst to separate from linebackers in coverage. And he can do work on the ground, too, with the contact balance and downhill juice to get to the second-level. Yes, Edwards-Helaire will share touches with Damien Williams in Kansas City, but the receiving traits put him in the RB2 range, with RB1 upside in the Chiefs' explosive offense.
WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
The run-after-the-catch traits are there, and so is the easy fit in Kyle Shanahan's offense. Aiyuk -- who averaged 10.32 yards after the catch in 2019 at Arizona State -- is explosive in the open field, with that sudden burst to separate on in-breakers. Remember, this is a heavy play-action (and RPO) system under Shanahan. Think of scripted concepts that create open windows for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who threw for 2,704 yards on passes inside the numbers in 2019 (No. 4 in the NFL). And that's exactly where Aiyuk can feast on slants, skinny posts and crossers. Plus, he will see some touches on jet sweeps, screens and reverses, too. Paired with Deebo Samuel in San Francisco, Aiyuk could emerge as WR3 as a rookie.
WR Henry Ruggs III, Las Vegas Raiders
Ruggs can fly. We know that from the tape and the 4.27 40 time. But don't sleep on his route running. There is detail here, proving that Ruggs is much more than just a "deep ball" guy. And in Jon Gruden's route tree, Ruggs is going to test all three-levels on the field. That means the shallows and slants underneath, the over routes, plus the schemed-up vertical shots that must become an element of the Las Vegas game plan this season. I like the fit here with Ruggs turning quick passes into chunk gains, where he can register more volume than you think in an offense that is desperate for speed and wide receiver production. At Alabama, Ruggs totaled 98 receptions, with 24 of those going for touchdowns. He's a high-end WR3 for me with legit explosive play ability.
QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
With the upper-tier traits I look for at the quarterback position -- movement skills, processing ability, prime ball location -- and the fit in Zac Taylor's offense, I expect Burrow to produce QB2 numbers as a rookie. In Cincinnati, where the Bengals added contested-catch star Tee Higgins to join a veteran cast of pass-catchers, Burrow is going to throw on rhythm in the play-action game to open coverage voids, target leveled reads in the middle of the field and use his ability to make second-reaction plays. He's a smart pick in 2QB leagues, and I believe he will have value in 12-team leagues over the second half of his rookie season.
RB D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
Swift was the top running back in this class based on what I saw on tape. He's a sudden mover in the run game, with the one-cut ability and downhill burst that reminds me of Minnesota's Dalvin Cook. Plus, he has the receiving traits of a three-down back with 4.48 speed. Swift will share time with Kerryon Johnson, who averaged just 3.6 yards per carry in 2019 and has played only 18 games in his first two pro seasons. With an anticipated committee approach early, Swift will start out as a flex, but his ceiling -- if the volume jumps -- is in the RB2 range. The Georgia product is high-upside player who averaged 6.9 scrimmage yards per touch over his past three college seasons -- best in the SEC.
WR Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
I saw Jeudy as the top wide receiver prospect in this class with pro-ready route-running traits. That's the sudden stop/start ability, and the separation speed to beat man-coverage. In 2019, Broncos wide receivers produced only nine receiving touchdowns (No. 30 in the NFL). Jeudy gives this offense a boost as a three-level threat opposite Courtland Sutton. I fully understand that we are betting on a second-year jump from quarterback Drew Lock here, but with the Broncos also drafting K.J. Hamler -- a slot target with blazing speed -- I think Denver is going to toss around the ball this year. Give me Juedy as a WR3, who could crack that back end of the WR2 ranks this year.
WR Michael Pittman, Jr., Indianapolis Colts
One of my favorite picks in the draft, Pittman has the pro frame (6-foot-4, 223 pounds), route-running chops and the physical-play style to work the middle of the field or track the ball on deep shots. With new quarterback Philip Rivers, Pittman will see the rock on 50/50 throws downfield, and the Colts can utilize his run-after-the-catch ability on crossers. If Pittman can win the No. 2 role opposite veteran T.Y. Hilton, the volume will be there in a system that fits his pro-ready traits. He will have a WR3/flex ceiling as a rook.
WR Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles' coach Doug Pederson is going to find ways to get Reagor the ball. We know that. The TCU product can stretch the field vertically and he will see more slot targets as a pro. Plus, he also will get touches on jet sweeps and screens. Reagor will bring much-needed explosive play juice to Philly, where the Eagles' wide receivers averaged a league-worst 6.46 yards per target in 2019. He's a high-ceiling WR3 who could push his way into the lower-tier WR2 mix by midseason.
RB Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams
With Todd Gurley now in Atlanta, the door is open for Akers to challenge for that No.1 role in L.A. I simply look at the FSU product as a "professional runner," given his balance, power and vision. He's a fit for the Rams' zone-run schemes, and I like his upside as a receiving target in Sean McVay's offense. He can be a productive, three-down back at the pro level. If Akers earns that top spot in the rotation over Darrell Henderson and Malcom Brown, he will be in a position to produce RB2/flex numbers for an offense that needs run-game production.
TE Devin Asiasi, New England Patriots
After miserable tight end production in New England during the 2019 season -- 37 receptions, 419 yards, two touchdowns -- the Patriots drafted both Asiasi out of UCLA and Virginia Tech's Dalton Keene. I'm going to focus on Asiasi here as a go-to play-action target in the New England system on seams and crossers. Asiasi has the body control at 6-3, 257 pounds, plus the route-running traits, to develop into a middle of the field target as a rookie. There is upside here given the anticipated usage of the tight end position with quarterback Jarrett Stidham taking over for Tom Brady in New England. That's why I see Asiasi as a midtier TE2 during his first pro season.
WR Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
With the Vikings trading away Stefon Diggs, Jefferson -- who caught 100 passes out of the slot last season at LSU -- now steps in to a volume role opposite Adam Thielen in the Vikings' play-action-heavy passing game. He ran a pro route tree at LSU, and his ability to win inside the numbers is a boost for the Vikings, who posted a league-low 58 slot receptions in 2019. Plus, the Vikings will scheme-up Jefferson on deep overs and crossers off play-action. He's a high-floor prospect for me, and he could jump into the WR2 ranks later in his rookie season.
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
You couldn't pick a better scheme fit for Taylor when looking at the run-game structure behind one of the NFL's top offensive lines in Indianapolis. The Wisconsin product has the physical makeup, speed and high-level running traits to produce in this system. Plus, Taylor has some home run ability, too. He produced 12 games of more than 200 yards rushing at Wisconsin, the most in FBS history. But does he see consistent volume with Marlon Mack still in the mix? I think Taylor is a much better fit as a first/second down runner for the Colts. And if he can lock down that role, then give me Taylor as a RB2/flex with a higher-ceiling in non-PPR leagues.
WR CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys' three wide receiver sets look pretty salty right now with Lamb joining Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. And that's where I see Lamb getting the majority of his volume as a rook. The former Sooners star has top-tier run-after-the-catch ability, where he forced 32 missed tackles last season at Oklahoma. Get him the ball on crossers, in-breakers and screens. And with the ball skills to make plays down the field, he can be a vertical option for Dak Prescott. In 2019, Cowboys wide receivers produced 54 receptions of 20 yards or more (No. 2 in the NFL). Lamb -- who also has the ability to play in the slot -- starts out as an upside WR3 for me in an offense that will score points.
RB J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
Love the fit for Dobbins in Baltimore's run-heavy system. Just get him the ball on inside zone. The contact balance is there, so is the downhill juice to find daylight. However, the volume won't be there immediately. In an offense that is designed around QB runs with Lamar Jackson, plus a loaded running back room that features Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, can we count on Dobbins seeing consistent carries week-to-week? Right now, I would put Dobbins down as a flex option given the committee approach in Baltimore.
The Jets signed Breshad Perriman after Robby Anderson left via free agency, and Jamison Crowder should line up in the slot again. But I look at Mims as an ascending talent, a scheme-specific route runner as a rookie who could develop quickly into a boundary target for quarterback Sam Darnold. Mims has the 6-3 frame, 4.38 speed and physical play traits to compete for the ball on verticals, run the deep overs and produce underneath on slants/screens. Plus, the red zone ability pops on his college tape. He's a high-ceiling, low-floor WR3 target in the Jets rhythmic passing system.