The 2020 NFL Draft is in the books. We can now start looking forward to the season (knock on wood). And you know what that means? Fantasy football! Since it is never too early to start practicing mock drafts (and just because they are fun), let’s take a look at what the first round of a 10 player PPR fantasy league might look like. This is your 2020 fantasy football mock draft!

Pick One: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

If you have the fortune of having the first pick in a fantasy draft, look no further than Christian McCaffrey. He is a player that can do it all- run, catch and score touchdowns. Just look at his 2019, 287 carries for 1,387 yards and a staggering 15 rushing touchdowns. But that’s not all, he also caught 116 passes for 1,005 yards and an additional 4 TDs. Please notice the yards as he became only the third player in NFL history to rush and receive for at least 1,000 yards each in the same season.

Add it all up and he is clearly the number one pick, especially in PPR leagues, where his catches set him far above any other running back. Additionally, he has been in the league for three seasons now and has avoided the injury bug. Best of all, his stats have improved each season in rushing (435-1,098-1,387) and receiving yards (651-867-1,005). Just set it and forget it. Remember, no applause necessary, just throw money.

Pick Two: Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

Usually, running backs are the way to go in the first round of a fantasy draft. Not this year and not when there is the chance of drafting a special player like Michael Thomas, however. With the exception of CMC above, Thomas turned in the greatest season by any NFL player last year. Don’t believe me? The stats don’t lie- 149 catches for 1,725 yards and 9 TDs. The catches set a single-season NFL record. He averaged over nine receptions and 100 yards a game, and he did that with QB Drew Brees missing five games. That’s elite production, folks. If I have the second pick, I say thank you, and select Thomas, whether in a fantasy football mock draft or especially the real thing.

Pick Three: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

This is where things can get tricky. Is the pick Ezekiel Elliott or Barkley? If your answer is Barkley, I have no argument, peace be with you, but for me, the pick is Elliott. The reason is simple- consistency. When the bell rings, Elliott is on the field. Except for when he was suspended in his second season, Elliott has been available in every game the Cowboys have played that matters. Those bumpy, early days of behavioral problems are a distant memory. In addition, there are no hold out worries this season, something that caused him to fall in a lot of drafts a year ago.

Need a player who can carry the football? How does 301 rushes for 1,357 yards and 12 TDs sound? In his three full seasons, Elliott has averaged 1,474 yards on the ground and won two rushing titles. He is in his prime and Dallas has him involved in the passing game (54-420-2 last season). Some might be scared because new head coach Mike McCarthy wasn’t known for his running schemes while in Green Bay. Don’t be. McCarthy has never had a back like Elliott and the Cowboy offense looks explosive. Take him and enjoy the ride.

Pick Four: Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

If the person with the third pick followed my advice and selected Elliott, have no fear, for Saquon Barkley is here. He had a season filled with injury a year ago, but hope springs eternal with someone as talented as Barkley. Even while missing three games, Barkley rushed 261 times for 1,003 yards and six TDs. He also caught 52 passes for 438 yards and two additional TDs.

True, those numbers were down from the season before, but he is entering only his third pro campaign, and health couldn’t be an issue two years in a row, can it? For reference, look what Barkley did as a rookie: 1,307 yards rushing, 11 TDs and an insane 91 catches for four more scores. Quarterback Daniel Jones will improve in his second season and the Giants have added some offense. Thus, Barkley should benefit, and you will too, in your fantasy football mock draft and when draft day comes.

Pick Five: Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

The narrative really changed for Dalvin Cook last season. He has always been enormously talented but injury-prone. He put that behind him in a big way a year ago and was easily the Vikings offensive MVP. His 1,135 yards rushing didn’t tell near the story of his season. Simply put, Cook found the end zone with 13 rushing TDs. He was also heavily involved in the passing game, catching 53 passes for 519 more yards. He gained a lot of confidence last season and he looks for even bigger things in 2020. Draft him with confidence.

Pick Six: Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

Speaking of injury concerns, Alvin Kamara has some of his own. He missed two contests last season and his game came nowhere near his 2018. That was especially true in the touchdown department as he went from 18 to six. But as with Barkley, the injury bug shouldn’t bite him two seasons in a row. If he comes anywhere close to his 2018 totals of 883 rushing and 709 passing yards, he will be huge in fantasy. His ceiling is as high as anyone’s and if he reaches that ceiling, you can be sure that you will be giddy with happiness, in a fantasy football mock draft, the real thing and when the season is over.

Pick Seven: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Everyone is still trying to get their heads around the Houston Texans trading DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals. It didn’t make sense then and it still doesn’t today. At any rate, that has nothing to do with his worthiness in fantasy for this upcoming season. Be assured, Hopkins is fantasy worthy in every possible way. His 104 receptions were third in the NFL, his 1165 yards were 11th and he scored seven touchdowns. Those stats really don’t indicate just how huge Hopkins showed up in the big games, both in real life and fantasy. He had 120 yards receiving against Denver and 119 against Tennessee, which just happened to coincide with the fantasy semi and championship rounds a year ago.

While almost any quarterback throwing him the ball would be a downgrade from Deshaun Watson, don’t overlook what Kyler Murray brings to the table. He had 3,722 passing yards and 22 TDs as a rookie and those numbers will only improve, especially with an elite WR on his side. Arizona looks to have a much stronger offense this season and there can be no doubt that Hopkins will be a huge part of that. He was my first-round pick a year ago and there would be no hesitation at this point in the draft this season.

Pick Eight: Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers

Davante Adams played in only 12 games last season as he had injury problems of his own. His numbers of 83 catches for 997 yards and five TDs were way down from the previous year. The injuries and getting used to head coach Matt LaFleur took its toll both on Adams and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers still managed to throw for 4,002 yards with 26 TDs and only four interceptions. It is the expectation that Rodgers will be extra motivated next season after the Packers used their first-round pick on Utah State QB Jordan Love. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of wide receiver weapons in Green Bay, which means that Adams will have the ball throw his way. A LOT. Look to select Adams with the thought of receiving a big return similar to his 2018- 111-1,386-13.

Pick Nine: Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Just as the sun rises in the east, so Julio Jones shows up and plays every season. See if these stats look familiar: 99 catches for 1,394 yards and six touchdowns. Atlanta’s offense ranked fifth in the NFL in total offense a year ago, so it is obvious that they know what to do with the football. Until further notice, look for Jones to continue to rack up the catching stats. The only reason why he isn’t higher on this list is a curious lack of TD catches- 17 the last three years. For whatever reason, Jones has never been a big TD receiver. Other than that, though, when you look up the word consistency, Jones’ picture is right there.

Pick Ten: Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Trust when I say that there is no chance that Chris Godwin will be available in the fifth round of fantasy drafts this season, as was the case last year. 86 catches for 1,333 yards and nine TDs has a way of doing that, and Godwin generated those stats in just 14 games. Now comes the real reason for optimism- he will have the GOAT, Tom Brady, throwing him the football next season. There will be no chance of the offense turning over the football 30+ times, which will lead to more opportunities to generate stats.

The fact that Brady doesn’t have the arm strength he once did will have no effect on Godwin. That seems like it might be an issue for his fellow wideout Mike Evans, who averaged 17.3 yards per catch with former quarterback Jameis Winston throwing the football. Brady will set up quick and get the ball out quick, which will benefit Godwin’s game. Tampa’s offense looks to be in take-off mode next season and Godwin and the fortunate individual that drafts him will be primary beneficiaries.

Thanks for taking the ride with me into this first fantasy football mock draft. Please feel free to make a comment about the selections and their order. I welcome any and all input. Let the debate begin! The selections will be updated as the season gets closer and more information becomes available. Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and make sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest NFL and sports news!