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Fantasy Football 2020: Latest Draft Rankings and PPR Sleepers to Watch
May 30, 2020
There are many different ways to play fantasy football, and each comes with its own nuances and unique tricks for finding value.
In points-per-reception leagues (PPR) for example, high-volume pass-catchers can be terrific flex options late in the draft. For example, if a running back only averages eight to 112 touches per game, he isn't likely to be a coveted draft target. However, if four to five of those touches are receptions, he suddenly becomes a viable flex option or streamer. A 30- or 40-yard outing could quickly become a nine-to-10-point week for fantasy managers thanks to added PPR points.
Here, we'll examine some potential 2020 fantasy sleepers based primarily on their PPR value. First, though, an updated look at the PPR draft rankings.
2020 Fantasy Top 50, PPR
1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
2. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
3. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
4. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
5. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers
6. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
7. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
8. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals
9. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons
10. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
11. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
12. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
13. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
14. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
15. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
16. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
17. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
18. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
19. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions
21. Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys
22. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
23. DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers
24. Kenyan Drake, RB, Arizona Cardinals
25. Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns
26. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
27. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
28. Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
29. Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
30. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
31. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns
32. Todd Gurley, RB, Atlanta Falcons
33. Allen Robinson II, WR, Chicago Bears
34. A.J. Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans
35. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
36. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
37. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
38. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks
39. DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins
40. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
41. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
42. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
43. Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
44. DJ Chark Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
45. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
46. Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
47. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
48. Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams
49. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
50. David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears
Hayden Hurst, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Were he still with the Baltimore Ravens, tight end Hayden Hurst would have little fantasy value aside from being a handcuff for standout Mark Andrews. However, Hurts was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason, where he will replace Pro Bowler Austin Hooper.
This is important because the vacuum created by Hooper's free-agent departure should open up opportunities for Hurst. Last season, Hooper caught 75 passes for 787 yards and six touchdowns. Even if Hurst doesn't do as much with his catches, production in the 75-catch range will make him a starting-caliber tight end.
Of course, Hurst's yardage and touchdown totals could also be impressive. The 2018 first-round pick has already been building chemistry with quarterback Matt Ryan.
"That's really going to pay off in training camp," he said, per ESPN's Vaughn McClure.
Hurst holds an average draft position (ADP) of 163, according to FantasyPros.
Duke Johnson Jr., RB, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans traded away star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, meaning there will be targets to go around. While quarterback Deshaun Watson will look to get the ball to new additions Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb, he'll miss the security of having a reliable receiver like Hopkins.
This could lead to more check-down throws from Watson and more opportunities for pass-catching back Duke Johnson Jr. Last season, Johnson caught 44 passes for 410 yards and three touchdowns while splitting time with Carlos Hyde. This was on top of 410 rushing yards and two more scores.
While the Texans did acquire running back David Johnson as part of the Hopkins deal, there's no guarantee that he will be the same workhorse running back that he once was. Yes, this is a player who once had 2,000 combined rushing and receiving yards, but that was back in 2016.
Last season, David Johnson averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. If he doesn't pan out as Houston's lead back, Duke Johnson will see an expanded role.
Duke Johnson's current ADP is 139.
Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears
Apparently, the emergence of Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery has caused fantasy managers to sour on receiving back Tarik Cohen. Though he caught a whopping 79 passes for 456 yards and three scores last season, Cohen has an ADP of just 144.
Yes, Montgomery is likely to be the lead back in 2020, and Cohen may see another subpar year in rushing—he had just 213 yards last season. However, any back who averages five receptions per game is going to hold PPR value.
Cohen is worth picking up higher than his 144 ADP might suggest. In addition to being a viable flex streamer, he also provides immense value as a handcuff to Montgomery. He can be started in a pinch and will gain immense trade value if Montgomery goes down with a significant injury.
If you draft Montgomery early, then Cohen is a no-brainer pick late.