So long, 2020 NFL draft. It's time to start thinking about your fantasy football season and which rookies could make an instant impact to help you win your league. Yes, several first-round picks will be guaranteed starters come Week 1, but the best teams find multiple starters throughout their class.
Let's evaluate the rookies from each day of the draft who will make an early impact. This is more about having a clear role than coming in and dominating.
Here are 15 rookies selected in Rounds 1-7 who will have an immediate impact:
More NFL draft coverage:
Grades: Kiper on all 32 teams
Day 2 recap: Picks I liked
Round 1 winners, questions
Kiper's top 300 rankings
Instant-impact rookies from Round 1
These are five fits I liked from Day 1 of the draft:
Chase Young, DE, Washington Redskins
Pick: No. 2
OK, let's start with an easy one. Pass-rushers have a great chance to make an early impact. Just last season, rookie edge rushers Josh Allen and Maxx Crosby topped 10 sacks, Nick Bosa had nine (and four more in the playoffs), and Young's new teammate Montez Sweat had seven. Washington's front seven is loaded with former first-rounders, but the defense ranked 26th in the league in pressure percentage last season (26%), and it struggled to get to quarterbacks on third down. Expect Young to rotate at defensive end with Sweat and veteran Ryan Kerrigan.
My top-ranked prospect overall since last September, Young dominated for the Buckeyes last season, with 16.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He has a unique blend of size (6-foot-5, 264 pounds), athleticism and veteran technique, and he could get double-digit sacks in his first season. I love the fit in Washington, where new coach Ron Rivera and coordinator Jack Del Rio take over a talented defense.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: No. 32
