Fantasy Football: Winners and losers from the 2020 NFL Draft
Winner: Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Let’s face it, Philip Rivers hasn’t really been fantasy-relevant for a few seasons now — and that was even while playing with a great supporting cast. But 2019 was a low point for the unorthodox gunslinger, finishing the season averaging a paltry 14.2 fantasy points per game.
While the change of scenery and reuniting with Frank Reich is big for Rivers, the 2020 draft will help as well. The Colts used two premium second-round selections to help their new veteran quarterback. Former USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. provides a big, physical presence that should complement T.Y. Hilton. Indianapolis also drafted running back Jonathan Taylor, who is a downhill runner with incredible power, speed and vision. He’ll now balance the offense between one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.
The last time the attack was this balanced in Indy, Andrew Luck was the QB5 in fantasy football. I’m not saying history will repeat itself with Rivers but it’s a smart bet that he’ll finish above his current ADP of QB22.
Loser: Aaron Rodgers, QB/Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
Not a good time to be a guy named Aaron in the Land of Cheese. Just ask Aaron Rodgers. Even though there were still plenty of talented pass catchers available, the Packers spurned the future Hall of Famer by moving up in the first round to select Jordan Love as his heir.
As for star rusher Aaron Jones, he took his sucker punch in the second round when the Packers drafted running back A.J. Dillon. The Boston College bruiser draws close comparison to Titans back Derrick Henry, which creates a compelling storyline to follow as Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was the offensive coordinator in Tennessee during Henry’s breakout 2018 season.
Jones is also set to become a free agent in 2021. At a time in NFL history where more and more teams are experiencing severe buyer’s remorse after signing running backs to large contract extensions, the Packers may have tipped their hand. Is the writing is on the wall for fantasy football’s 2019 touchdown king?