Fantasy Value if Jets and Patriots Draft WR in Round 1

Fantasy Football CeeDee Lamb
Oct 27, 2018; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (2) runs for a touchdown past Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Kevion McGee (14) during the second half at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no doubt that the 2020 NFL Draft class features a plethora of quality wide receiver options. It’s one of the best classes at that position in recent memory, and fantasy football players are champing at the bit to get their hands on a few of them for the upcoming season or in dynasty leagues.

It’s possible as many as 6-8 WRs could come of the board on Night 1 of the draft. If that happens, a couple teams will be taking a receiver that we didn’t expect.

For example, in Frankie Taddeo’s latest mock draft for Sports Illustrated, he has the New York Jets passing on an offensive tackle and taking Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb as the top WR off the board. Here’s what he had to say about that:

According to my sources, in this scenario the Jets could grab the rumored No. 1 wideout on their board in CeeDee Lamb. After losing Robby Anderson to Carolina, the Jets select the 6-foot-2, 198-pound star who instantly becomes the best receiver on their roster.

If that happens, Lamb becomes a very intriguing WR4 option for fantasy, hanging just inside the Top 40 WRs. There will be some competition for targets from the recently-signed Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder, but Lamb will have a chance to emerge as Sam Darnold’s go-to option in the second half of the season.

The other surprise from Taddeo’s mock was the New England Patriots taking a wide receiver at pick No. 23, Denzel Mims out of Baylor. Here’s what he had to say about that selection:

Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, and N’Keal Harry are a solid wide receiver trio. However, Edelman will be 33 years old in 2020, Sanu is coming off of offseason ankle surgery and Harry still needs time to develop. Mims has been rising up draft boards after scoring 28 touchdowns in three seasons. Mims is a 6-foot-3 target who ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and has all the makings of a diamond in the rough.

Given the Patriots’ quarterback situation and other WRs already on the team, it’s hard to imagine Mims making much of a fantasy impact in Year 1. However, his strong run blocking skills could get him on the field a lot as a rookie. Still, he’s a WR6 at best, or better yet, a last-round flier.

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