Brad Evans’ favorite 2020 fantasy picks by round: Rounds 14 and later

“Trapped” on a sunny beach in a temperate climate relishing University of Illinois basketball/football championships whilst surrounded by puppies, shirtless cardboard cutouts of David Montgomery and with access to a limitless tequila tap. This is my ultimate dream scenario. Whether dwelling on fantasy whimsies or those in a makeshift reality, we all have dreams and aspirations, no matter how unattainable. Escaping to an alternate dimension, below are my favorite round-by-round picks, excluding Round 1, based on ADPs in 2020 fantasy football drafts: 

Also see: Favorite picks in Rounds 2-5 | Favorite picks in Rounds 6-9 | Favorite picks in Rounds 10-13

Round 14: Allen Lazard, WR, Green Bay Packers

(ADP: WR62, 155.0)

Someone other than Davante Adams, who’s your likely pacesetter in total targets, has to catch the damn ball in Green Bay. Why not Lazard? Sans Devin Funchess (opt out) and given the wild inconsistencies of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and tight end Jace Sternberger, the former Cyclone has the best chance to spin a destructive path through the competition. 

At the end of last season, Aaron Rodgers provided a glowing summation of Lazard’s down-the-stretch performance. For a QB who adheres to trust, his words may have foreshadowed positive gains to come for the young wideout. Remember, in 15 contests last fall, he strung together 35 receptions on 51 targets totaling 477 yards and three TDs. Uneventful, sure, but his 14.2-yard average depth of target and Rodgers’ 115.6 passer rating when targeted boost confidence.

With a clear opportunity path, it’s conceivable Lazard draws close to 20% of the target share. If he does acquire the WR2 upper hand, final numbers could climb into the range of 60-65 catches, 775-825 yards and 4-6 TDs. 

Round 15: Laviska Shenault, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

(WR66, 163.7)

Whether talking with the coaching staff, Gardner Minshew or local insiders, all spout the same effusive praise whenever Shenault’s name is mentioned. “Freak,” as his finely mustachioed QB described him, applies. The rookie’s precise route-running, multidimensionality and battering ram mentality after the catch (7.6 YAC/rec, No. 7 among FBS WRs in ‘19) are characteristics he routinely exhibited on Saturdays with Colorado. His strength and suddenness are already transitioning seamlessly to the next level. 

The Jaguars are the Burnett’s vodka of the NFL, a bottom-shelf team featuring many fantasy players who can be acquired on the cheap. Similar to a certain Jacksonville running back on this list, Shenault is sure to manufacture plenty of buzz. D.J. Chark is the unrivaled WR1, but the youngster is likely to become Minshew’s second favorite target. Given the elasticity of Doug Marrone’s defense, he’s a supreme late-draft target capable of totaling 750-850 yards with 4-6 TDs. 

Round 16: Joshua Kelley, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

(RB57, 168.0)

Reports of a jet-packed guy flying around Los Angeles International Airport instantly led Marvel fans to conclude a wannabe Tony Stark is aimlessly blasting about the night sky. Then again, it could be Kelley, a player who appears to be rocketing up the Chargers depth chart. With Justin Jackson indeterminably shelved by a foot injury, the rookie is setting up to be the between-the-tackles complement to Austin Ekeler Week 1 against the generous Cincinnati Bengals. 

According to The Athletic, Kelley is having quite possibly “the best training camp of any player on roster.” It’s possible he could carve out an 8- to 10-touch role from the get-go. His 18.3% missed tackle rate and 2.80 yards after contact per attempt running through friendly Pac-12 fronts last season wasn’t exciting. However, very productive on the surface totalling 2,200 yards and 24 TDs in his last two seasons for the Bruins, he’s flex interesting, to say the least, in challenging formats, especially with running QB Tyrod Taylor expected to man the helm for most of the season.

Round 17+: Devine Ozigbo, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

(RB66, 206.6)

(Read more: A Devine time looms in Jacksonville)

When the psychological impacts of the sixth IPA take hold, be sure to direct your wobbly head downward, stare at the cheat sheet and conclude now is the proper time to grab the likely RBBC chart-topper. Due to Ryquell Armstead’s prolonged camp absence and well-known struggles in pass protection, Ozigbo has a reasonable shot at 11-13 carries Week 1, provided the Jags defense doesn’t disintegrate in the first five minutes. 

The Nebraska product was a bulldozer at the collegiate level. He slammed his way to elite production among FBS backs rankings inside the top-six in YAC per attempt (4.1), positive play percentage (51.6%) and broken tackles per 100 touches (28). Also a suitable receiver out of the backfield, he, despite being undrafted, possesses a better than advertised skill set. Armstead, who notched unsavory marks in YAC per attempt (2.57) and missed tackle rate (10.2%) is your prototype J.A.G. (Just A Guy), which is obviously fitting. Meanwhile, Chris Thompson is nothing more than your classic third-down/change-of-pace option. 

Available for next to nothing, Ozigbo, who will soon cement his standing as the early-down and possible goal-line plow, is the Jacksonville RB to target.