-2020 NFL Schedule -Strength of Schedule
MOCK DRAFT
Ask the Commish.Com 2020 Draft Kit
Since Week 14 of the 2018 season, Derrick Henry has been arguably the best running back in football. While his lack of involvement in the passing game is a frustration to PPR managers, his rushing totals and his touchdown production is enough to make you forget it. Henry averaged better than 100 yards and a score per game in 2019, and only had three games all season where he didn't produce one or the other. He is a talented back locked into a monster workload on a run-first team with a good offensive line and defense. The only thing you have to fear is how he'll hold up after more than 400 touches (including the playoffs) last year. He's a first-round pick in non-PPR and a second-round option in PPR.
Ezekiel Elliott is again among the top Fantasy running backs coming into the season, and he's worth drafting as a top-five overall selection in all leagues. Elliott could go as high as No. 2 overall behind Christian McCaffrey, but he's also in the mix for the No. 2 spot with Saquon Barkley, as well as Michael Thomas in PPR. No matter where you get Elliott in Round 1, you are likely getting a star. In 2019, he averaged 18.6 PPR points per game, and he scored at least 19 points in seven outings. He does have some potential wear-and-tear issues with at least 350 total touches in consecutive seasons, and the loss of center Travis Frederick won't help. But Elliott now has back-to-back seasons with at least 54 catches, and he's the definition of a workhorse for the Cowboys. He also has a direct handcuff in Tony Pollard, who is worth drafting with a late-round pick for insurance.
Alvin Kamara is a sure-fire first-round pick in any format. In PPR one could justify taking him as early as second overall based on his career efficiency and 2019 workload. Kamara's 16-game pace was for 288 touches, which would project to 1,750 total yards and 14 touchdowns at his career rates. The only problem with that math is that Kamara's yards per touch have gone down every year and his career rate is still impacted by an outlandish 2017. His touchdowns should bounce back in 2020, and if he stays healthy he should be a top-three back in PPR.
Christian McCaffrey is the consensus No. 1 pick in any format, and unlike past years it's hard to find anyone to argue with that. McCaffrey is a workhorse in the truest sense, but even stands above other workhorses because a higher percentage of his work comes in the passing game. His 142 targets led the Panthers (for the second straight year) and no other running back averaged more than one carry per game. He thoroughly dominates touches on his own team and does so while averaging nearly 6 yards per touch. Barring an injury it's hard to envision how anyone scores more Fantasy points in 2020 than McCaffrey.
Most Fantasy managers will draft Dalvin Cook with a top-five overall pick without a second thought. And why not?! He was second among rushers in PPR Fantasy points per game (20.0) with 15-plus PPR points in 11 of 14 outings. He also averaged a best-among-RBs 118.1 total yards per game and had the fifth-most total yards at his position despite missing two matchups. Injury concerns are still valid since he missed parts of 2017 and 2018 with significant issues, but that's honestly the only drawback to Cook. One way to protect yourself: draft real-life backup Alexander Mattison with a pick after 85th overall and lock up this valuable backfield. That's the kind of winning plan a Fantasy manager drafting somewhere between second and fifth overall should consider.
Saquon Barkley enters this season again as one of the top Fantasy running backs and players overall, and he's worth drafting as high as No. 2 behind Christian McCaffrey in all leagues. Barkley had a rough 2019, based on lofty expectations, for most of the year, mostly due to an ankle injury that knocked him out for three games and likely lingered longer than that. But he closed the season on a high note, averaging 31.0 PPR points per game over his final three outings, and hopefully that carries over to this year. Barkley has proven in two seasons to be a three-down running back, and he's averaged 70-plus catches in his career. He should thrive with Jason Garrett as the new OC for the Giants and again should be among the best Fantasy players in all formats.