Welcome to the Fantasy Football Astronauts Live Draft Reactions
@NickSarnelli and @FF_Rish are breaking down the live Draft Day action as it unfolds. We're here to give you the immediate Fantasy Football impact of the NFL Draft.
This page will be updated as each fantasy relevant pick comes in (QB, WR, RB, TE) so make sure you refresh the feed regularly throughout the draft!
Joe Burrow, College- LSU
Round 1 Pick 1 Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals needed a fresh start. Quarterback Joe Burrow was the obvious choice for the first pick overall and should fit nicely in Cincinnati. The Bengals addressed their offensive line last year in the draft and have a great amount of weapons for Burrow. He projects to be a high end QB2 in year one as he learns the NFL playspeed. I am upgrading Joe Mixon and Tyler Boyd slightly due to a more efficient QB and offense in general. Joe is graded as a 0/5 injury risk due to a minimal injury history (For additional injury information, click here.) Burrow has one of the highest ceilings in this draft class and the Bengals are going to give him every opportunity to succeed.
(Credit: cincyjungle.com)
Projections: 3,780 yards passing, 24 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
Tua Tagovailoa, College- Alabama
Round 1 Pick 5 Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins locked down their franchise QB with Tua. Many analysts have him as their #1 QB in this draft class, so Miami got a steal at the 5th pick. Tua is surrounded with solid targets in Devante Parker, Preston Williams, and Mike Gesicki, although the running back position still needs to be addressed. I expect the Dolphins to solidify their offensive line and weapons throughout the rest of the draft. Tua is one of the new wave of dynasty QBs that will be a top 10 option after this season. I expect mid QB 2 numbers from him this season. I am interested to see which wide receiver he prefers as Williams and Parker play such different roles. Tua is graded a 2/5 injury risk after sustaining multiple injuries in college. He's an excellent dynasty asset and worth a top 3 pick in Rookie drafts. (For additional injury information, click here.)
Projections: 3,350 yards passing, 23 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
Justin Herbert, College: Oregeon
Round 1 pick 6 Los Angeles Chargers
With Philip Rivers leaving, it makes sense for the Chargers to draft Justin Herbert. He will be the future franchise quarterback for the organization, making him an excellent dynasty hold. The Chargers offense is loaded with talent with Keenan Allen, Mike Willaims, Hunter Henry, and Austin Eckler. Herbert may have to compete with Tyrod Taylor for a starting job. Head coach Anthony Lynn has gone on record stating that he is comfortable moving forward with Tyrod as the starter for this year, so it may be best for Herbert to redshirt his rookie season. If starting, Herbert has the potential to be a QB 2 with upside. Justin has a 1/5 injury risk, only having a broken collarbone in 2017 and a broken leg in 2014. (For additional injury information click here.)
(credit: Oregeonlive.com)
Projections: 2,150 passing, 12 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
Henry Ruggs III, College- Alabama
Round 1 Pick 12 Las Vegas Raiders
Speed kills and that's exactly what the Raiders got with their first pick. Ruggs scored on 25% of his touches at Alabama which is absolutely ridiculous. The big question is, do we have another John Ross? Or is Ruggs a different kind of animal? I personally think he compares very well to Johnny Knox. It's not often you find a WR that runs sub 4.3 and can win the deep ball. My only concern is his ability to beat press man. If teams can eliminate him in that way, this will have been a wasted pick. This is a boom or bust type guy, but considering the other receiving talent that the Raiders have, he should receive the volume. Ruggs is graded a 1/5 injury risk due to a series of minor injuries throughout his college career. (For additional injury information click here.) I project him finishing as a high end WR3 in 2020 with weeks of top 5 production.
Projections: 75 catches, 970 yards, 10 touchdowns
Jerry Jeudy, College: Alabama
Round 1 Pick 15 Denver Broncos
The Broncos selected Jerry Jeudy with the 15th pick in the NFL Draft and that is a dream scenario for fantasy owners. Jerry can play inside and outside but he was most effective in the slot. Some sports analysts had Jerry as the best receiver in the 2020 class. Jeudy is a route running technician and is the perfect compliment for Courtland Sutton. With the addition of Jeudy, Drew Lock now has a great core of young weapons around him. He should make an immediate impact in all fantasy leagues and should be viewed as a wide receiver 3 with week to week upside. Jeudy has had a knee injury in the past but the issue seems to be in the rear view mirror. (For additional injury information, click here.)
Projections: 77 catches, 890 yards, 7 touchdowns
CeeDee Lamb, College: Oklahoma
Round 1 Pick 17 Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb to the Cowboys is a Fantasy Football nightmare. Gallup, Amari, and CeeDee cannot all flourish. CeeDee possesses the talent to be a top 10 WR in the NFL, he is bogged down with excellent receivers around him and only so many targets between them. I am very saddened by this pick because I had high hopes for Lamb. The positive in all of this is that it will push his value down immensely. You will likely be able to get Lamb at the back end of the first round in Rookie drafts now which is an absolute steal. His injury risk is a 1/5 due to one concussion in college. (For additional injury information, click here.)
Projections: 50 catches, 550 yards yards, 4 touchdowns
Jalen Reagor, College: TCU
Round 1 Pick 21 Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia was in need of a wide receiver and they got themselves a good one. Reagor runs crisp routes to create separation and has blazing speed. He will make an immediate impact for the Eagles and would most likely be a week to week wide receiver 3 with upside. Reagor’s speed is no joke and is going to be a nightmare matchup for opposing defensive backs. Jalen was clocked at 22.6 mph last year on a play, which is 0.3 mph faster than any play in the NFL in 2019. Jalen is most lethal after the catch and has the quick twitch ability to generate explosive plays. He has no injury history.
Projections: 67 catches, 790 yards, 4 touchdowns
Justin Jefferson, College: LSU
Round 1 Pick 22 Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson to the Vikings is a natural fit. He fills the need they had after the Stefon Diggs trade. While we haven’t fully seen what Jefferson can do as an outside WR, he should have plenty of volume come his way. He will be among my top rookie WRs for the 2020 season if not the rookie WR1. He has a ceiling inside the top 20 with a floor no lower than WR 30. In dynasty, being linked to Kirk Cousins is always a plus. He is solidly inside my top 5 dynasty WRs. His injury risk is 0/5 having only had a minor ankle injury this past season. (For additional injury information, click here.)
Projections: 85 catches, 1030 yards yards, 6 touchdowns
Brandon Aiyuk, College: Arizona State
Round 1 Pick 25 San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco traded up to get Brandon Aiyuk. Brandon is in a great situation in San Francisco being paired up with offensive genius Kyle Shanahan. Aiyuk has a great combination of athleticism and speed and will be a pain for opposing defensive backs. Shanahan is also notorious for peppering the “X” receiver with targets. Aiyuk fits the criteria to be the “X” wide receiver in that offense and should see the field early on. Aiyuk should be viewed as a wide receiver 3 to start, but that could change moving forward.
Projections: 73 catches, 905 yards, 5 touchdowns
Jordan Love, College: Utah State
Round 1 Pick 26 Green Bay Packers
Does the drafting of Jordan Love mark the end of an era for Aaron Rodgers? Love is seen as a developmental prospect, so sitting behind Rodgers for a few years will be beneficial, but this is a terrible omen for A-Rod. I don’t expect Love to play much at all as a rookie or even in year 2, but come year 3 we may be having different conversations. I personally think Love will bust in the end so I am avoiding him in all formats. Dynasty he’s worth a late round flier, but in redraft leagues he’s better off left on waivers. His injury risk is 0/5 having not sustained any major injuries in college. (For additional injury information, click here.)
Projections: None
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, College: LSU
Round 1 Pick 32 Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City takes Clyde Edwards-Helaire to finish off the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. The Chiefs, who already have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, just added some more dynamite to their team. Helaire may be a smaller running back but don't let his size fool you. He has a rare combination of speed and shiftytness to routinely make defenders miss and create big plays. Clyde is looking like a RB 2 to start the year. He is already the best pass catching running back in Kansas City and should immediately contribute to their offense.
Projections: 550 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, 45 receptions, 490 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
