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Writer's pictureMichael Scarn

The 32 Most Interesting Fantasy Football Players in 2020

We love a good comeback story in this blog, so be prepared to see some recognizable names. Without further ado, here are the most interesting fantasy football players for the 2020 NFL season:


AFC SOUTH

Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson, QB

- This is the easiest choice for us. The 2019 league MVP and the highest point-getter in fantasy last season? Along with those accolades, “Action Jackson” was a first-team All-Pro, five-time Player of the Week, he led the league in passing touchdowns (36), and finished sixth in rushing yards (1,206). A very impressive year for the former Heisman Trophy winner from Louisville. The only question mark about his game are his issues with holding onto the ball as he led the NFL with 12 fumbles. Nonetheless, Jackson is fun to watch and will once again baffle us with his footwork and ball-carrier vision. Every football fan outside of Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Cincinnati hopes to see a superhero-esque season out of Lamar again in 2020.


Cincinnati Bengals

AJ Green, WR / Joe Burrow, QB

- AJ missed the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury and was inactive each week. From 2011 to 2013, Green caught more passes (260) than any other player in NFL history during their first three seasons until Jarvis Landry (CLE) beat the record soon after. AJ has had six seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards. Hopefully AJ returns to his top-tier prominence after the injury and is named to his eigth Pro Bowl.

- Best college quarterback season ever? "Jeaux Burreaux" finished his senior season at LSU with every accolade imaginable: Heisman, Davey O'Brien, National Championship, first overall pick. He threw for over 5,600 yards and had 60 touchdowns. Let's hope his passer rating record of 202.0 translates into NFL success.


Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield, QB

- Cleveland has once again brought in offensive pieces for Baker to play around with, but last year's statistical performance was everything short of stellar. He placed second in the interceptions arena with 21. Although he had over 3,800 yards, he only had 22 touchdowns. Head coach and offensive play-caller Freddie Kitchens is gone, thank their Lord and Savior, Paul Brown. In the draft, the Browns selected Alabama lineman Jedrick Wills Jr. to help protect the former Heisman winner. We're hoping he has more dangerous Sunday afternoons under ex-Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger, QB

- “Big Ben” is one of those quiet fantasy cornerstones like Philip Rivers (see Indianapolis Colts). He’s been the primary starting quarterback for Pittsburgh since he was drafted in 2004, winning the Super Bowl. “Big Ben” is a six-time Pro Bowler and 4,000-yard passer. In 2018, he led the league with over 5,100 yards, 675 attempts, and 16 picks. The Steelers quarterback play was brutal after losing Roethlisberger to an injury. "Duck" Hodges and Cuck Boy Jr. (Mason Rudolph) were not and are not the answer. With a talented receiving core headed by JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington, "Big Ben" should have a nice comeback season, improving on the 8-8 record they pulled out of their behinds in 2019.

 

AFC SOUTH


Houston Texans

David Johnson, RB

- It's the year of the comeback. Johnson lost his job after injury in Arizona and was traded away. After an elite season in 2016 with 1,200 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, Johnson has failed to maintain that level of production. Now, it's time to start anew with Houston. He's in position to be the starter, so it could be interesting if he takes charge.


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Side note: David Johnson was included in (arguably) the most violent trade-rape in the history of our esteemed Threat Level: Midnight Fantasy Football League.


Austin B. received David Johnson, Nelson Agholor (eight touchdowns in 2017), and a fourth round pick in the 2017 Rookie Draft (turned out to be Josh Reynolds).

Austin H. received Corey Coleman (released more times than a small-mouth bass at Gun Lake), Leonte Carroo (hasn’t played since 2018), and Kenjon Barner (100 total rushes for 416 yards / used primarily as a return-man).


Austin B. then beat Austin H. in the league championship in 2016 where Johnson ran for 95 yards and three touchdowns.

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Indianapolis Colts

Philip Rivers, QB - The second installment of old face, new place, comes to Indianapolis by way of Los Angeles. Philip has been a solid rock in fantasy football since 200, when he took over for Drew Brees. He's thrown for over 4,000 yards in 11 of 14 years starting at quarterback for the Chargers and looking for his eighth straight. Finally behind a top-rated offensive line, Philip's nine kids hope to have an active dad once he retires.


Jacksonville Jaguars

Gardner Minshew, QB

- Mullets, mustaches, mini jorts, Minshew. The Uncle Rico-esque gunslinger had 3,200 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and single-digit interceptions in 14 games started. Now with a solid rookie season under his belt, the Washington State Cougar and former East Carolina Pirate will be looking forward to starting for the entire season. Jacksonville will still end up being 6-10 or worse.



Tennessee Titans

Ryan Tannehill, QB

- We administrators were back and forth between Tannehill and rushing champ Derrick Henry, but Tannehill won out. Similar to Minshew, Tannehill took over at the end of the season. Fortunately for Tannehill, the Titans rode his coattails into the playoffs, defeating the Patriots. Tannehill qualified for the league lead with a 117.5 passer rating. His years in Miami weren't kind to him, but this past season in Tennessee proved he was ready for the big stage as the most efficient quarterback in the league. Beside him are two young bucks on the outside in AJ Brown and Corey Davis, and the reigning rushing champ Derrick "Tractorcito" Henry. 2020 could be another breakout season, vaulting him into the top-12 fantasy quarterback conversation.

 

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

Stefon Diggs, WR

- In Minnesota, Diggs had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2018 and 2019. He was sharing catches with Adam Thielen. Diggs and quarterback Kirk Cousins had some falling out, Diggs wanted the ball more, and the Vikings shipped him off to Buffalo. Now Diggs has a chance to become a true number one option. Not only that, but Buffalo has a great defense Josh Allen will have loads of fun chucking the ball to the Maryland native. Allen was quoted as saying, "I'm on cloud nine."


Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa, QB

- The second quarterback chosen in the 2020 draft, Tua has won at every stage, just like Burrow. In 2017, Tua filled in for an injured Jalen Hurts in the national championship and, as a true freshman, led them to victory. In 2018, Alabama fell short at the end to Clemson, but Too threw for almost 4,000 yards and 43 touchdowns in 15 games. He was on pace for another great season until he dislocated his hip mid-game. It was tough to see him out for the end of 2019. He had 33 touchdowns in nine games. Tua is one of the most efficient college quarterbacks ever and his athleticism, arm talent, poise, and leadership will translate to being successful in the NFL. The only question mark is his durability. He’s had a few ankle issues and obviously the hip surgery, but he's got plenty of young talent to throw to. Miami is still going to be bottom of the barrel come August even with someone with talent like Tagovailoa.


New England Patriots

The Quarterback Situation

- Oh, woe is Boston! With Tom Terrific leaving for Tampa Bay, the six-time Super Bowl champions will have to find a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2000. After recently signing Brian Hoyer back, and having youngster Jarrett Stidham on the roster already, the Pats are in for an interesting season under center. The 23-year-old Auburn product Stidham threw four total passes last year (one was a touchdown, one was an interception). Quite the opposite, 35-year-old journeyman Hoyer is on his third stint with New England, with a 82.5 career passer rating (league average is around 88). Neither have much of a resumé to compare to what Brady gave to New England for the last 20 years, even combined. However, New England has been linked to free agents Andy Dalton (formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals) and Cam Newton (formerly of the Carolina Panthers). Belichick will have to pull some magic out for the Pats to return to their former glory.


New York Jets

Le'Veon Bell, RB

- In Pittsburgh, Bell was one of the hottest commodities, especially because of his ball-carrier vision and route-running. In five seasons in Pittsburgh, he ran for 1,000 yards three times, was a Pro-Bowler three times, and a first-team All-Pro twice. Now, he's in New York, and coming off of a down year (in comparison to his previous seasons in Pittsburgh). The Jets should be forcing the ball through Le'Veon with all this money they're throwing at him. Hopefully Sam Darnold throws him the ball, too. Three seasons Roethlisberger targeted Bell over 90 times (2014, 2016, 2017).

 

AFC WEST


Denver Broncos

Courtland Sutton, WR

- Sutton is lined up for a nice encore in year three after being named to his first Pro Bowl. The SMU product had a breakout 2019 campaign with 72 catches, 1,100 yards, and six touchdowns. Sutton finished 17th in ESPN's positional rankings. A revamp at the quarterback position with Drew Lock brings hope to the Broncos fans, who are looking to crawl out of the AFC West this season. They've made some improvements on defense and drafted Alabama's Jerry Jeudy and Penn State's KJ Hamler to complement Sutton on the outside. Lock will have some fun throwing to Denver’s potential number-one option, Sutton, in 2020.


Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes, QB

- The 2019 Super Bowl champion and MVP, Patty Mahomes, will once again prove he is the best quarterback in the league. Mahomes will be pushing 5,000 passing yards again in 2020 if he doesn't get hurt like he did last season on a quarterback sneak. Arrowhead will be rocking as it usually does due to the offensive firepower Mahomes will have to play around with: five-time Pro Bowl invitee tight end Travis Kelce, wide receivers Tyreek Hill (four seasons, four Pro Bowls, 32 touchdowns, 281 receptions), Sammy Watkins (injury-prone but had 600 yards last season), and Mecole Hardman (2019 Pro Bowler with 20.7 yards per catch), and running backs Damien Williams (at least one touchdown in every playoff game) and recently drafted Clyde Edwards-Helaire out of LSU. The Chiefs will once again be in the hunt for a championship, led by their fearless, voice-crackful leader, Mahomes.


Las Vegas Raiders

Darren Waller, TE

- A hero on Hard Knocks, Darren Waller exploded onto the scene through our HBO subscriptions and into our hearts. A sixth-round draft pick in 2015, the six-foot-six tight end hauled in 90 catches for over 1,000 yards. He could burst forth once more into the top-five fantasy tight end list in 2020. That is, of course, if one of Coach Gruden’s quarterbacks can get him the ball.


Los Angeles Chargers

Mike Williams, WR

- Mike Williams is a part of the wide receiver factory called "Clemson University." Notable members of the pass-catching factory are Sammy Watkins (2014, KC), DeAndre Hopkins (2013, HOU), Deon Cain (2018, IND), and Hunter Renfrow (2019, LV). In the last eight drafts, there has been 10 Clemson receivers drafted. Williams was considered one of the best to come out of CU. At least Texans’ quarterback and former Clemson teammate Deshaun Watson thinks so. Last season, Williams surpassed 1,000 yards and led the league in yards per catch. Unfortunately, Williams won't have his trusty Charger quarterback, Philip Rivers in 2020. We'll see what Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert will do for him. Fortunately, Mike Will is a young receiver on pace to become a perennial Pro Bowl candidate.

 

NFC NORTH


Chicago Bears

Anthony Miller, WR

- I know what you're thinking. But, he didn't even start the majority of the season! Well, yeah, but he put together an excellent second year, being targeted 85 times. Not only that, he played in every game and was involved in over 60% of the Bears’ offensive snaps. With Mitch Trubisky possibly being replaced with Nick Foles, expect the Memphis product to improve on his lowly two touchdown receptions in 2019.


Detroit Lions

TJ Hockenson, TE

- Hock came out of Iowa, drafted in the first round, to the sorry Detroit Lions. Poor guy, going to the worst NFL franchise. However, he is the most interesting fantasy player on the team. We all know Matt Stafford will be throwing for over 4,000 yards, but Hockenson could be a nice sleeper for Matty Ice to throw to this season. Hopefully, he stays healthy enough to prove this prediction correct. Hock was on pace for a top-15 tight end ranking.


Green Bay Packers

Aaron Jones, RB

- After a 19 touchdown season, Aaron Jones is poised for another solid year. Finally, Rodgers has a decent running back to hand-off to. He also caught 49 passes and three touchdowns from Rodgers. Jones started for the Pack for one year and he's ready for another Aaron Rodgers family get-together. Of course, Rodgers hates his family, so Jones will have to do.


Minnesota Vikings

Adam Thielen, WR

- The NCAA Division-II Minnesota State product is a great story: goes undrafted in 2014, signs with the Vikings, claws his way to recognition in 2016, and has started every game he’s been active. With 113 receptions and 1,300 yards in 2018, Thielen was poised for another stellar season in 2019, but was shut down with injury with only 30 catches and six touchdowns. It cut him short of a third straight 1,000-yard season, but Thielen will finally be the true number-one option for Kirk Cousins after Stefon Diggs (see Buffalo Bills) was traded to Buffalo. He will have to fend off some double-coverages or over-hangs. To counter Thielen's possession type, they drafted LSU's Justin Jefferson to be the deep threat. Dalvin Cook on the inside should keep the defense honest, though. Thielen’s got the talent, the hands, and the route-running ability to make 2020 a year to remember.


 

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

Todd Gurley, RB

- Traded to the Falcons from the Rams thi offseason, Gurley is looking to go back to his 2017 and 2018 production. Gurley is only 25 and in the prime years of his career as a running back. He's struggled to keep his knees healthy after tearing his ACL in college. However, Gurley had a decent season in 2019 with 14 total touchdowns and 1,000 total yards. It seems productive, but it doesn't match up to his lucrative, second-highest running back salary in the league. We'll see if Matt Ryan and the Dirty Birds can ignite something inside of him.


Carolina Panthers

Christian McCaffrey, RB

- Run CMC has taken the league by storm, once again with a historical season in 2019. McCaffrey became only the third player ever to run for 1,000 yards and receive 1,000 yards. The only other backs to do so are Roger Craig (49ers, 1985) and Marshall Faulk (Rams, 1999). McCaffrey was blasted with touches last season and will be expected to be touching the ball nearly every play he is out on the field. Newly signed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has stepped into another lovely running back situation on his second team. Look for McCaffrey to exceed 1,000 rushing and maybe, once again, 1,000 receiving. He is easily a top-2 pick in fantasy this year.


New Orleans Saints

Wide Receivers other than Mike Thomas

- Mike Thomas is one of the best receivers in the NFL today, breaking Marvin Harrison's record for catches in a season with 149. However, the question still remains: who will be the second option for Drew Brees? As tough as Thomas is to cover, “Can't Guard Mike” can't shoulder the team again in 2020 with almost 200 targets. The Saints signed Emmanuel Sanders in free agency this offseason and have the elder statesman Ted Ginn Jr., a few solid tight ends, and youngster Tre'Quan Smith, but will it be enough for Brees and the Saints to make a deep push into the playoffs?


Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady, QB

- Tom Terrific becomes Tampa Tom. The greatest quarterback of all time has left Gillette Stadium and all bandwagon Pats fans in his rearview mirror for a new chapter in his life. With two top-seven fantasy receivers in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, Brady has deadly weapons to slash into the NFC South and the entire league. It brings back memories of 2007, when Brady and Randy Moss lit up the scoreboards and record books (4,800 passing yards and 50 touchdowns). Or maybe even 2011, when Tom threw for 5,200 and 39. He is 43 years old, that we can see. The difference now is that the G.O.A.T. has Evans and Godwin. The Bucs line has some holes and the defense has something left to desire, but Tom has brought excitement back into the Bay.

 

NFC EAST


Dallas Cowboys

Michael Gallup, WR

- Gallup was Dak Prescott's second target in 2019. He had over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. Gallup impressively increased his catch rate by 10% in his second season. To top it all off, Gallup finished sixth in receiving yards per game and seventh in yards per reception. With Amari Cooper getting a massive new contract extension, Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb being drafted to America's Team, Ezekiel Elliott being a major threat in the run game, and one of the league's best offensive lines, look for Gallup to have another breakout season.


New York Giants

Darius Slayton, WR

- A touchdown magnet Slayton was a popular waiver wire last season. Most fantasy owners did not have him on their rosters. A diamond in the rough, to be sure. He had a very promising start to his career with 2019 rookie “Danny Dimes” Jones at quarterback. Slayton had eight touchdowns and over 700 yards, only starting eight games. In 2020, Slayton might be looked at as a solid WR3 in 10 or 12-man leagues. It seems the Georgia native’s game can only get better.


Philadelphia Eagles

A Target For Carson Wentz

- Carson Wentz has begged for the Eagles to find someone for him to throw to other than Zach Ertz (135 targets, 900 yards, six touchdowns) and Alshon “Glass Bones and Paper Skin” Jeffery who only played 10 games. The Eagles were forced to dive real deep into their practice squad, using nine different wide receivers. Pretty much everyone on the Eagles receiver depth chart was hurt at some point. Backup tight end Dallas Goedert was a nice find for them catching 58 passes for five touchdowns. Greg Ward played seven games, JJ Arcega-Whiteside was targeted 26 times in 16 games, and both DeSean Jackson and Jordan Matthews were hurt early on. The Eagles decided to draft three wideouts including using their first-round pick on Jalen Reagor from TCU, and he may end up being the most targeted one they have. Or, maybe Jeffery will rise to his 2013 and 2014 Pro Bowl-like self again.


Washington Redskins

Derrius Guice, RB

- We've missed out on Guice's rookie season after an ACL injury, but he is raring to go in his sophomore campaign. The Redskins need someone other than Terry McLaurin and Chase Young to be exciting, or they'll probably lose their fanbase’s interest. Well, maybe that’s drastic, but their front office is awful and they’re probably going to stink again. The former second-rounder Guice should provide some interesting storylines, though.

 

NFC WEST


Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray, QB

- Murray is the only athlete to be drafted in the first round of both the NFL draft and the MLB draft. The Oklahoma University outfielder/quarterback gave up $10 million guaranteed in order to play football. The Oakland Athletics were not appreciative of him entering the NFL draft after he won the Heisman trophy in 2018. The Cardinals, however, loved that move and picked him first overall. Standing below six-foot, Kyler then proved the doubters wrong and completed 64.4% of his passes, was top-10 in completions and attempts, and threw for 3,700 yards with 20 touchdowns. Murray was a dual-threat, too, rushing for over 500 yard and four touchdowns. Murray ended up being named Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Cardinals offensive line struggled, giving up the most sacks in the league, but Murray stayed strong and hung in there, standing as the eighth top fantasy quarterback of 2019. Look for Kyler Murray and weapons around him to have 20/20 vision this season.


Los Angeles Rams

The Running Back situation

- With Todd Gurley being cut by the Rams, someone will have to step up into his shoes. The likelihoods of either second-year Darrell Henderson from Memphis or five-year Ram veteran Malcolm Brown starting is very close to being equal. To top it all off, the Rams drafted Cam Akers from Florida State in the second round. Starting with Henderson, he rushed for 147 yards on 39 carries. On the other side of the scales, there’s Brown. Last season, he rushed for an average of 3.7 yards per carry with five touchdowns. Brown doubled Henderson’s carries in 2019. Both backs were not usually on the field for passing situations, however. Akers broke Dalvin Cook's rookie rushing record at Florida State and holds a pair of 1,000-yard rushing seasons to his collegiate career. He has good size, great speed, and good patience. As of right now, the Rams are in a tough spot, choosing where they go in the backfield.


San Francisco 49ers

The Running Back situation

- When the Niners went 12-2 against NFC opponents last year, the conference prayed to the football gods and pleaded with them to bring Cerberus back to the depths of Bill Romanowski’s lair. The prayers ended up not working out. San Fran ran for 2,300 total yards, led by the three-headed monster of Raheem Mostert, Matt Breida, and Tevin Coleman. Any one of these backs could break out in a game as all of them gained over 500 rushing yards. Breida is gone (headed to Miami) and Mostert is the favorite to start as he shined in the playoffs averaging 6.3 yards per carry and five touchdowns in three games. Next, Coleman was the primary third-down back, receiving the most passes. All used fairly equally in 2019. Again, Mostert is the favorite to win the starting job, but both he and Coleman should be playable in deep leagues, no matter who starts.



Seattle Seahawks

DK Metcalf, WR

- DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf was viewed as slow, big-bodied, and a possible mid-late round pick until he lit up the combine. At six-feet-four and 228 lbs, he ran a 4.33s 40-yard dash, had a 40.5-inch vertical, and an 11-foot broad jump. He immediately skyrocketed up draft boards and was selected in the 2nd round to the Seahawks. DK was an exciting prospect and was exciting on the field, yielding 58 catches for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. Quarterback Russell Wilson’s primary receiver was Tyler Lockett, but be sure to keep an eye out for Metcalf to surprise his fantasy owners in 2020.

 

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