For most, the 2019 NFL fantasy football season has come to a disappointing end. If you are no longer in the playoffs, it is time to set your attention on one thing and one thing only, the 2020 season. For those of us that are in a dynasty football league, the most important time of the year begins now. We need to plan for the future and decide who will be on our teams for next season. Whether you are in a full rebuild or trying to improve in some positions, here is a list of some lesser-known 2020 NFL Dynasty keepers and targets for you to focus on.
Now Available: 2020 Dynasty Rookie Rankings!
2020 NFL Dynasty Keepers: Wide Receivers
Hakeem Butler, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals offense is one that everyone needs to get a piece of. Albeit not the most successful this past season, it continues to ameliorate every single week. They currently rank 15th in offensive efficiency and are one of the fastest to the ball. The air raid offense that Kliff Kingsbury has implemented has definitely caused problems for some defenses.
Quarterback Kyler Murray will be entering his second season in 2020, and the offense is designed around him throwing the ball. Next season, this offense could look very different. We would have to assume that Larry Fitzgerald will likely retire, leaving a huge hole in the passing game. The perfect person to help with that hole? Hakeem Butler.
Butler’s name might not be known to the casual NFL fan. Since being drafted last year, Butler has been on IR and hasn’t played a single game this season. The fact that he isn’t as big a name as some of the other guys on this list means that he should be available in most dynasty leagues! Butler was drafted with the first pick of the 4th round in this past draft by the Cardinals. He stands at 6’5”, weighs 227lbs and runs a 4.4 40. He is an absolute beast. Before being drafted, his route running skills were being compared to that of A.J. Green. Imagine a talent like Green combined with the offensive firepower of Murray!
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos
Another name not a lot of fantasy players know of, but Tim Patrick is one of few stellar 2020 NFL dynasty keepers. Again, another player who missed quite a bit of time in 2019 because of an injury, Patrick recently returned from a ten game absence. There is a common belief that the Broncos offense is nothing special and lacking big play ability. That is no longer the case with Drew Lock manning the helm.
Lock has looked good since taking over at quarterback, and he has proven that he is not afraid to air it out. Patrick could be a huge recipient of some of the Lock’s big play ability. Upon his return, he slid into the WR2 role with ease and hauled in 6 catches for 77 yards. His connection with Lock will only get better over the offseason, and the two could put up big numbers in 2020.
Laviska Shenault, Rookie coming from Colorado Buffs
Laviska Shenault will be coming into the 2020 NFL Draft with his stock nosediving.Two years ago, he was one of the best wide receivers in college football. However, this past year, the Colorado offense completely changed and Shenault has struggled because of it.
Last season, Colorado routinely peppered Shenault with short targets near the line of scrimmage to take advantage of his yards after catch ability. Shenault finished his sophomore campaign with over 1,100 total yards and 11 touchdowns, but that number has dropped to 644 yards and five total touchdowns so far this season.
2020 NFL First Round Mock Draft: Where will Tua and Burrow end up?
Because of that, he will be a complete steal for whatever team drafts him this year. He is a complete talent and has his skillset has often been compared to that of Julio Jones. No matter where you are drafting in your dynasty league, try to grab Shenault. I believe he will be an immediate impact player on any team he goes to. My ideal landing spot for him would be with the Dallas Cowboys. If they do move on from Amari Cooper, he could slide in and be a WR1 if needed.
2020 NFL Dynasty Keepers: Running backs
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns made waves signing controversial running back Kareem Hunt. He was suspended for the beginning of the season. Upon his return, he has actually looked really efficient. He is on a one year deal with the Browns and is likely playing as an audition for his next team.
Whatever team he does go to will be getting a running back who once had these stats: 1,772 total yards and 11 total TDs. Those were the numbers Hunt put up in 2017. He played 11 games in 2018 and his stat line was 1,202 total yards and 14 total TDs.
Hunt hasn’t had enormous stats so far this year but is playing as the second option behind Nick Chubb. He has, however, proven that he can also be an effective weapon in the passing game. The Browns have been using him as more of a slot receiver and he has performed well.
Hunt will likely get another shot at being the starting running back somewhere next season. Look at a team short on backfield depth to bring him in. Some options I can see might be the Washington Redskins or maybe even a return to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ronald Jones III, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ronald Jones has had an up and down career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has gone from backup to starter and back again. Clearly, Bruce Arians will likely want to move in a different direction next season. That means Jones could be on the market and he has the talent to succeed on a different team.
In college as a freshman in 2015, Jones played 14 games with 987 rushing yards, 39 receiving yards, and 9 total touchdowns. As a junior in 2017, he played 13 games with 1,550 rushing yards, 165 receiving yards, and 20 total touchdowns. After his junior year, Jones decided to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL.
He has shown moments where he has shined, especially in college. If he falls onto a team where he can be the featured back, with a good offensive line, maybe he can actually put up the same numbers that he did in college! Plus, he is only 22 years old.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are cruising to another playoff appearance and look like the team to beat in the AFC. They have moved to a run focused offense and have found great success with their complementary of backs and Lamar Jackson. Mixed in with these backs is Justice Hill.
He is currently behind Mark Ingram on the depth chart but has continued to prove that he has a place on this team. He gets quite a few red zone looks, which is always a plus when your team is in the redzone often. With a team that leans on their rushing attack, Hill is an absolute must for 2020 NFL dynasty keepers.
Tune in next week where we will continue our 2020 NFL Dynasty Keepers series, looking specifically at tight ends and quarterbacks.
