We’ve received a lot of comments about adding more dynasty content, and I’m happy to oblige.
But the challenge I see with Dynasty coverage is knowing when to draw the line in terms of the prospects we cover. To truly cover the NFL and it’s players for the deepest of dynasty leagues, a fantasy analyst is going to waste a lot of time, perhaps up to 80% of his or her time, covering players who’ll never make it in the NFL. This is especially the case in the off-season when NFL rosters are set at 90 players, though 35 of them will be cut. That is why hardcore dynasty coverage, especially now that this includes “Devy Leagues,” where people can draft college players, is really a niche thing in fantasy football analysis. And we’re not a niche site when it comes to fantasy football.
As I hope you can tell from the content here, we know what we’re doing; and if there’s a young player who should be on the radar, he will be 99% of the time. But in many cases with young players, especially the low-end and undrafted rookies, it’s impossible to know how the player will handle himself and potentially find a roster spot until the pads come on in August (or at least until he starts working out with his team post-draft, which is not possible in 2020). Still, I’m happy to dig deep now to try to help fantasy players out, and I believe the players I’ve covered below constitute “digging deep” for even dynasty leagues because their redraft ADPs this year are all 175+.
I do have a hard time speculating on players who are great unknowns and could be out of the league a few minutes after I complete this article, so while I think most or all of the names below are viable for this article, hardcore dynasty people may want me to dig even deeper. But this is about as deep as I’ll go (sorry).
Before I get into my list, for reference sake, here are a bunch of notable lower-end names I viewed as too obvious for those digging deep into the player pool for dynasty leagues: Devin Duverney (WR, Bal), Dawson Knox (TE, Buf), Albert Okwuegbunam (TE, Den), Jace Sternberger (TE, GB), Jacob Eason (QB, Ind), Joshua Kelley (RB. LAC), Damien Harris (RB, NE), John Hightower (WR, Phi), Deejay Dallas (RB, Sea), Jalen Hurd (WR, SF), and Steve Sims (WR, Was).
Quarterbacks
Mitchell Trubisky (Chi) - He will always have limitations, but there’s still a speck of optimism with Trubisky. It’ll be tough for him to stave off former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, and the competition won’t help his ball location issues. But Trubisky was top-12 in FPG in 2018 and Foles has failed in three NFL cities (KC, Stl, and Jac) with only one strong season on his resume. This is not Joe Montana Trubisky is competing against. I’d guess Trubisky gets the first crack at the job, since it would be easy to pull the plug and give up on him if he fails than being forced to go back to Trubisky if Foles flops. And they do have a really nice schedule to open the season (Lions, Giants, Falcons, Colts). We should get clear indications in camp if he’s progressing (we heard how he wasn’t progressing last summer), and unlike last year, HC Matt Nagy will actually play his starters in the preseason, which should help. I don’t think he will ever be considered a good passer, but I still believe he can be a good fantasy QB -- provided he runs more and if Nagy and the coaching staff can regain their 2018 mojo in terms of designing and calling plays, which I expect.
Jacoby Brissett (Ind) - Brissett is on the fringe between being a viable NFL starter or just a good backup, and if we go by Indy’s move at the position this year, it appears they believe the latter is true. They signed him to a 2-year contract days after Andrew Luck retired in 2019 with a plan to evaluate him those two seasons. He got off to a great start last year with 14 TD passes his first six games - and then he tossed only 4 TD passes in his final nine games. He suffered a knee injury in Week 9, which hurt his accuracy, but the Colts added veteran Philip Rivers, who may play more than one season with them. They also drafted a good prospect in Jacob Eason in the fourth round. That means Brissett is likely gone in 2021 as an UFA, and while he may not have any suitors willing to hand him a starting gig, he can at least pick and choose his new home, which could net him one more chance to start.
Nick Mullens (SF) - Mullens, who signed his RFA tender in May, is set to become an UFA in 2021, so he could certainly be on the move to a new team with a starting opportunity next year. Mullens didn’t throw a pass in 2019, but he started eight games in 2018 and averaged an impressive 285 passing yards per game. He handled himself well in the pocket and was decisive, efficient, and consistently accurate. He was helped by Kyle Shanahan’s scheme and ability to draw up positive plays, but Mullens really did look the part of a viable NFL starter back in ‘18, so he has a chance.
Running Backs
Justice Hill (Bal) - He’s only a role player due to his lack of size, and there’s not a lot of production to be had here in 2020 and likely beyond with J.K. Dobbins set to take over for Mark Ingram in 2021 (Ravens have an out on Ingram’s contract after ‘20). While there won’t be a large role for Hill in the coming seasons, he’s signed through 2022, and his lateral agility and quickness, as well as his upside in the passing game, should start showing up soon; and he did show flashes of being a dangerous change-of-pace back the tail end of 2019.
Devine Ozigbo (Jac) - Ozigbo never had more than 155 carries in four years at Nebraska, but he turned 155 handoffs into 1082 yards rushing his final season in 2018, good for 7.0 YPC. He was undrafted in 2019, but did stand out for the Saints in the preseason with 21/92 and 9/61 receiving with a TD. He was also cut, but quickly signed by the Jags, who finally played him in Week 17 with solid results (9/27 rushing and 3/32 on 5 targets). The Jags did not pick up the fifth-year option on Leonard Fournette and they tried to trade him this off-season. Nobody wanted him, but Leonard is on his way out, no later than 2021 (and still possibly in 2020 if there are more problems). If Fournette is on the roster, Ozigbo probably needs Chris Thompson to get hurt to make the team, but that’s not too much to ask, so Ozigbo has got a shot. The team is high on him and he could wind up being a contributor in the run/pass game who gets 8-10 touches per game. Also, and this is borderline shocking: our Greg Cosell told me when he watched his tape, Ozigbo reminded him of Todd Gurley when Gurley was in his prime.
Raymond Calais (TB) - He’s not an accomplished receiver, but he showed good hands in college and he’s an explosive home run hitter with upside in the return game, which will probably land him a roster spot, perhaps over 2019 training camp hero Dare Ogunbowale. Calais is a smaller back, but he does run hard inside and he ran with physical toughness. It’s his speed that stands out right now, and HC Bruce Arians even called him a smaller, faster version of David Johnson. Arians once told me Andre Ellington could line up and play WR for his Cardinals, and he caught a solid 46 balls for the Cards that year in only 12 games. He said the same thing about Calais, so Arians isn’t concerned that he caught only 17 balls in four college seasons. Pass protection could be an issue, but Calais isn’t a finesse player per se. He could carve out a decent role as a changeup and space player on the Bucs.
Eno Benjamin (Ari) - A player who reminded our Greg Cosell of Devin Singletary, Cosell wrote pre-draft that “he would transition best in an offense that features a higher percentage of shotgun, allowing him to run versus lighter boxes with more space to react and create with his shifty running style and strong finishing traits.” And he landed in that spot with the Cardinals, who will spread the field with 3-4 WR sets. There’s a local connection, as Benjamin went to Arizona State, but he was also recruited by Cards HC Kilff Kingsbury at Texas Tech and he’s good friends with WR Christian Kirk. Benjamin may not be big, but he runs with urgency and determination, and his contact balance is strong. Perhaps his best quality as he transitions to the pros is his receiving, and he was featured at times in the ASU pass game and he ran various route concepts. Benjamin surprisingly dropped to the 7th round, and may have been better off returning for his senior season under Herm Edwards, but he looks like a lock to be the #3 for the Cardinals. Kenyan Drake is only signed through 2020 and Chase Edmonds through 2021, so Benjamin could be in line for a solid complementary role in 1-2 years. For what it’s worth, he was probably my favorite interview at the combine this year, and I had about 30 of them.
Scottie Phillips (Hou) - Since David Johnson has fallen off a cliff the last two seasons, this guy’s worth a look if there’s nothing but skank in your league. Phillips was undrafted, but so were Buddy Howell and Karan Higdon, the two players Philips will have to beat out for the #3 RB job. If Johnson gets hurt or simply can’t be used because he’s so bad, it’s doubtful the team would look to feature Duke Johnson as a runner, so Phillips could be the guy they look at. He’s got a hard-nosed running style and a compact, stocky frame that allows him to break tackles, and he does have some long speed. Higdon just doesn’t move well enough and Howell is a special team’s guy, so Phillips is worth a flyer if you dig really, really deep.
Jason Huntley (Det) - The Lions backfield is a bit of a quagmire, per usual, but we know that D’Andre Swift, the 35th pick of the draft, will be a big factor. We also know that Kerryon Johnson is under contract through 2021, but Johnson’s role on the team is in question with Bo Scarbrough being a guy they like a lot. They also have Ty Johnson, who is versatile with some size, but who underwhelmed last year. Huntley is only a 5th round pick out of New Mexico State, a program that has never produced a good NFL RB. But Huntley has a real chance to make the team because of his speed (4.37 40), return ability (5 TDs in college on kickoffs), and versatility (126 catches his last three seasons with 7 TDs). There won’t be much upside unless something happens to Swift, but Huntley is a viable name to pick up now if you’re looking for a RB who has a chance.
Also consider:
Trayveon Williams (Cin) - I think he’s a JAG, but we could have a Joe Mixon contract issue
JaMycal Hasty (SF) - Merely a role player, but he’s got talent and versatility
Wide Receivers
Miles Boykin (Bal) - I love Marquise Brown this year and in general, but he and rookie Devin Duvernay have been stealing all the hype for 2020 when some should be going to Boykin, who like Brown, is entering his second season. Boykin was considered a raw prospect last year, but he scored a TD on 26% of his catches (3 TDs), and it was a good sign the team didn’t add a veteran wideout in free agency. They did draft Duvernay in the 3rd and the solid James Proche in the 6th, but Duverney should man the slot, and it’s going to be tough for either rookie to step in and contribute given the circumstances this year. That means things are setting up well for Boykin, as they look to continue to expand the passing game for Lamar Jackson. It’s still a low-volume passing game, so Boykin doesn’t have a ton of upside, but the Ravens did throw 36 TD passes last year, and with Boykin’s size, he has the potential to haul in 6-7 a year these next couple of seasons if things fall right.
Russel Gage (Atl) - Gage finished strong for the Falcons last year after they traded Mohamed Sanu, and there’s optimism with the coaching staff as he enters 2020. Gage over the final nine weeks had 66 targets with 45/402/1 with a solid 68% catch rate. He averaged a terrible 9.1 YPR, but they like his speed, polished route-running, and ability to make tough catches. We have him catching over 60 balls this year, so he’s a good add right now in smaller dynasty leagues.
Isaiah Coulter (Hou) - Merely a 5th round pick out of Rhode Island, Coulter is a prospect who a few scouts I talked with at the combine felt was a great sleeper in this deep WR class. His level of competition was not great, but according to our guy Greg Cosell, his 2019 tape consistently featured a desirable WR profile of size/speed/athletic ability/hands/body control. He’s not a stud, and he needs to polish up his route-running and work on beating quality man coverage, but Coulter if he develops could be their X receiver of the future. The Texans are loaded right now with Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, Brandin Cooks, and Randall Cobb, but they could be without Fuller, Stills, and Cook as early as next season, due to pending free agency and a potential out on Cooks’ contract after this season.
Gabriel Davis (Buf) - Our insider Adam Caplan has told us the Bills are very high on Davis and the plan is for him to be their backup X receiver behind John Brown this year. Brown is under contract through 2021, but he’s already 30 and not exactly a guy I feel good about the next 2-3 years. Bills GM Brandon Beane became enamored with Davis at the combine and was actually relieved Davis didn’t surprise with a great 40 time (4.54) because he feels his play speed is a big positive for Davis. They also wanted to add some size to their WR corps, and in Davis they have a 6’3 physical receiver who can sit for 1-2 years and learn from Brown and Stefon Diggs. Davis may not be explosive enough to be a big-time player, but he has “solid” written all over him.
Auden Tate (Cin) - Tate is already cozying up to new QB Joe Burrow in the virtual off-season, and he should have an advantage over rookie Tee Higgins, who might find it tough to crack the starting lineup in 2020, given the unusual offseason, and given how well Tate showed in 2019. Tate had only 40 catches on 78 targets last year, but over 40% of his balls were deemed uncatchable. They tried to get the 6’5 Tate the ball in the red area last year, and he looked good, but he scored only 1 TD, so he’s not a name people are focusing on. But as an RFA in 2021, it’s possible he merits a strong offer from another club next season. If not, he’ll be an UFA in 2022, and he’s talented enough to get himself a starting gig on a team looking for size at the position.
Quintez Cephus (Det) - His 40-yard time at the Combine (4.73) raised a major red flag, but Cephus did improve that time at his pro day, running a 4.6, which is very similar to what Jarvis Landry did back in 2013. Although he’s bigger, Cephus compares to Landry with a strong work ethic and great toughness. And according to our Greg Cosell, Cephus’ tape showed a receiver who had “more than enough route quickness and physicality to create needed separation on short to intermediate routes and build-up speed on vertical routes.” Cephus’ strong hands and consistent ability to make tough and contested catches also help offset his lack of quick-twitchiness. And for what it’s worth, Detroit’s #1 pick, CB Jeff Okudah, said Cephus was the best receiver he went against in college, which is high praise. It’s not clear what his role will be long-term and whether they’ll want to play him outside or as a big slot, but he’s definitely worth a stash with Marvin Jones’ contract up after this season.
Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler (Ari) - I’m still surprised by how well rookie Kyler Murray did for fantasy last year with minimal contributions from these two rookies, as well as rookie KeeSean Johnson. I was underwhelmed with all three guys, and they’re all behind DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, and Christian Kirk, of course, in 2020. At least Fitzgerald is likely to call it a career soon, perhaps after 2020. Isabella is a similar player to Kirk, which may hurt the second-year player’s chances, but he’s still a dynamic weapon who can play inside or outside. His rookie season was worrisome, since he barely got onto the field, but he’s worth a shot based on talent alone. As for Butler, he has great size and he can run for a big man, and HC Kliff Kingsbury has not given up on him after he missed his entire rookie season after breaking his hand in the preseason. Butler is healthy now and should get a chance to contribute as a rotational player this year. Expectations have to be minimal for both players, at least for now, but both are desirable back-of-the-roster guys based on talent and their appealing situation on the pass-oriented Cardinals.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (Cle) - Our guy Greg Cosell didn’t love DPJ, who Cosell said “lacks natural quickness and needed play speed to work consistently on the outside in the NFL.” That’s not great, but Cosell also added that Peoples-Jones “has strong hands, a wide catch radius, and the size and physicality to work effectively in contested situations and that is conducive to being a slot receiver in the NFL.” The Browns have Jarvis Landry, who is under contract for three more seasons, but DPJ could develop into their long-term Landry replacement, and he could find a role as a movement receiver or even a gadget player, and he does have some burst and return ability to his game. A top college recruit back in 2017, DPJ’s career at Michigan was hurt by the team’s poor QB play, so we also don’t exactly know how good he may be. He’s only a 6th round pick, but the Browns are devoid of long-term talent on the roster, so Peoples-Jones stands as a potential riser in 1-3 years.
Kelvin Harmon (Was) - As much as I love Antonio Gandy-Golden as a prospect, he’s really behind the 8-ball in terms of picking up the offense and working with QB Dwayne Haskins, so it might not be until late in the season before he’s ready to contribute. Slot receiver Steven Sims finished strong last year and has “taken a big jump” this off-season, according to fellow wideout Terry McClaurin, and he’s a better dynasty dart throw than Harmon, yet he’s also much less likely to be available right now in your league. Harmon had a good career at NC State, but he was only a sixth-round pick in 2019, likely due to his lack of speed. Yet he could still be a good possession type who finds ways to make big plays, and he is a very good red-zone threat. Harmon was a non-factor until just after the midway point in the season, but after their bye week in Week 10, with Paul Richardson out, Harmon averaged 5 targets and 41 yards a game and he emerged as one of Haskins’ favorite targets. Haskins and Harmon have been working out this off-season since February, and according to McClaurin, Harmon’s speed has improved as the wideout has been focusing on improving his play speed through footwork to get in and out of his breaks better. His chemistry with Haskins is reportedly excellent, so I’d bet on Harmon being a starter entering the season, so he’s a good pickup now for depth.
Jauan Jennings (SF) - Jennings is a guy who may have been lost in the shuffle while being a part of what should be a historic WR class in 2020. Our Greg Cosell really liked how physical and competitive he was both as a route runner and running after the catch, and he saw a lot of mental toughness in his tape. Jennings profiles as a big slot receiver who can work effectively in the short to intermediate middle of the field and gain yards after the catch, often by breaking tackles (he led this year’s WR class in forced missed tackles, per PFF). And it’s pretty obvious that Kyle Shanahan covets receivers who can gain YAC. The 49ers have also been looking for more size and toughness in their receiving corps, and Jennings can definitely give them that. Jennings will have to compete with Jalen Hurd and others to make this roster, and he’s no lock as only a 7th round pick. But with some of the strongest hands in this class and a ranking of fourth in this draft class in yards-per-route-run (per PFF), Jennings is a viable stash to round out your WR group.
Quez Watkins (Phi) - The Eagles suddenly have a crowded receiving corps, but we can’t count on veterans Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson for more than another 1-2 seasons, and Watkins has the juice they lacked last year at receiver. He’s not as good of a prospect as fellow rookie John Hightower, but Hightower is likely owned in most larger dynasty leagues, whereas Watkins is probably on your WW. He’s a long, thin prospect, so he might never be a high-volume weapon, and he may struggle to gain free access off the line if he’s not utilized properly (multiple receiver shits, motions, etc). But Watkins showed athletic and explosive traits on tape, and he is competitive attacking the ball in the air on vertical routes. With some experience and polish, he may have a chance here as a third wideout with speed and a vertical dimension.
KJ Hill (LAC) - I’m still surprised how Ohio State’s all-time reception leader (201) lasted until the 7th round, but I guess smaller slot guys are a dime a dozen these days in the NFL. Yet Hill knows how to get open, and he catches mostly everything thrown his way. The Bolts are very thin at the position behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, so Hill could very well win the #3 job and push Allen outside in 3-WR sets. Fifth-round pick Joe Reed is also in the mix and has more upside, but he might be more of a gadget player/returner than a guy we can count on for receptions. Long-term, Hill could be their volume receiver in the middle of the field, so he’s worth a look on the low end.
Damiere Byrd (NE) - I’ve been eye-balling Byrd for a couple of months as a deep sleeper and I’ve mentioned him several times on my SXM radio show. But isolating him was merely a guess based on his surprising showing in Arizona last year, and, more importantly, his speed, which stands out on this team. I got confirmation on 6/11 that I was onto something, as the great Patriot reporter Mike Reiss told me that Byrd’s speed and return ability make him the top wideout to watch here after the top-3 guys (Edelman, Harry, and Sanu) and that they view him as an upgrade to Philip Dorsett, a former #1 pick who was pretty decent in New England.
Alex Erickson (Cin) - Although he’ll be 28 in the fall, the Bengals have loved this guy for years, and he’s answered the bell whenever he’s been asked to contribute: his numbers have risen in each of his four seasons with 6, 12, 20, and 42 catches in his four NFL campaigns. He can play inside or outside, and it’s possible the Bengals look to move him in a trade at some point this year, since he’s in the final year of his contract and likely moving on after 2020. If he went to a good offense in need of his services, I’d bet he would surprise you with his production.
Trent Taylor (SF) - He’s your classic small, white, slot receiver, but he’s also been coached up by the great Wes Welker, and as I’ve mentioned many times to anyone who’ll listen, HC Kyle Shanahan told me in February that Taylor was their best player in camp last year before getting injured. He’s a long-shot to do much the next 2-3 years, but for 2020, he’s a viable guy to grab off the WW if he’s sitting there collecting dust.
Also considered:
Dante Pettis (SF) - In case he’s traded or cut
Darnell Mooney (Chi) - Could be their #3 WR soon
Tight Ends
Josh Oliver (Jac) - He won’t be available in many dynasty leagues, but he’s still a guy who’s been completely off the radar, yet could quickly emerge. He’s got giant hands, is a really good athlete, and he has the ability to develop into a 3-down player, since he’s a willing blocker. He wasn’t considered anything close to a finished product coming out of college, and he will need to continue to work on his route-running, but this late bloomer has the potential to emerge quickly as their primary pass catching TE. He made good progress early last summer before injuries took him out, even showing chemistry early with QB Gardner Minshew, so he’s a great deep sleeper in redraft leagues this summer and a must-add in most dynasty leagues.
Harrison Bryant (Cle) - I’ve been on this guy since former NFL OC Charlie Weis texted me unsolicited and recommended that I get squarely in Bryant’s corner. Charlie’s son (Charlie Jr.) coached him last year at Florida Atlantic, and when I pressed Charlie (senior) on why he liked Bryant so much, Charlie responded with “ball skills, route running, and position alignment flexibility.” Our Greg Cosell had questions about his ability to separate against man coverage when he's detached, but Greg also saw deceptive quickness when he studied his tape and even said that there were a couple of receptions last year in which Bryant looked like George Kittle run-after-catch, and that’s the potential that I saw when I watched him. Bryant will definitely need some time to develop, but time is on his side, since David Njoku is likely gone after 2020. Austin Hooper did sign a 4-year deal this off-season, which means Bryant isn’t a lock. But in my experience, guys like Bryant find a way to get onto the field. Until proven otherwise, I believe he will be the TE to own in Cleveland in 2-3 years.
Also considered:
Jordan Akins (Hou) - Darren Fells is just a guy, and Akins emerged a little late
Hunter Bryant (Det)
