Fantasy Football

The looming departures of Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson make Mecole Hardman a salary cap beneficiary in a pivotal make-or-break third season. Yes, he had an 8.1-percent (No. 9 among qualified wide receivers) Drop Rate. Does it matter? No. Watkins and Robinson dropped a lower percentage of their targets and Patrick Mahomes continued to go back to Hardman, who drew a 13.4-percent (No. 54) Hog Rate while Watkins (10.8-percent) and Robinson (8.8-percent) finished outside the top-80.

With the Eagles $51 million over the cap, it’s time for them to move on from the veteran receiver duo of DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery. Jalen Reagor’s 13.4 (No. 20) Average Target Distance mark and 15 (No. 40) Deep Targets revealed that he will be utilized in high-efficiency fantasy point scoring areas. Improved quarterback play would go a long way towards helping him achieve a breakout season.

In two postseason contests, Cam Akers averaged an impressive 22.1 Fantasy Points per Game. He caught all three of his targets for an explosive 51 receiving yards and finished with two rushing touchdowns. But the main takeaway to file in our minds heading into the offseason is that he had become the workhorse in the backfield by season’s end. Across the final four regular season games and both playoff matchups, Akers totaled 132 carries, 561 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.

Depending on where Leonard Fournette lands, keep in mind that he’ll turn 26 years old heading into the 2021 season. Although he finished 2020 with a +5.9 (No. 24 among qualified running backs) Production Premium, he only totaled 130 (No. 47) Yards Created and a 15.8-percent (No. 53) Juke Rate. We’re riding high on the Playoff Lenny postseason hype, but he’s more of a sell high in dynasty leagues.

Donald Parham isn’t on everyone’s radar. Though his Snap Share increased late in the season, he never once eclipsed four targets in 2020. With Hunter Henry likely out of the picture, L.A. may opt to draft a tight end or add one in free agency. Even so, Parham has a legit shot at the starter spot in a best-case scenario and would make for good depth in the worst case. Either way, the man needs to be rostered in dynasty leagues.

Despite being the fourth or fifth receiving option on a team that averaged 32.9 (No. 29) Pass Plays per Game, Harrison Bryant had some impressive metrics. He averaged 8.7 (No. 7 among qualified tight ends) yards of Average Target Distance and drew five (No. 20) five Deep Targets. Furthermore, he posted a, 88.9-percent (No. 11) True Catch Rate. He’s sure to have a breakout sophomore campaign if given the snaps to operate.

Tyler Boyd being available as my first WR in the seventh round validated my decision to go ZeroWR. Diontae Johnson also proved vital for the first few weeks before I became trigger-happy and swapped him for Chase Claypool after the rookie’s 40-burger in Week 5. Miles Sanders going into one of my IR slots to start the year allowed me to pick up Robby Anderson to tie the WR core together for the year, though leaving his 20-plus points on the bench almost cost me a Week 1 victory.

My 11th-round selection of Cam Newton ensured that I wouldn’t be locked into starting him all season and could play waivers as needed, even in a 14-team league since not many teams rostered backups with the shallow benches. The QB Frankenstein of players I started at least once: Newton, Gardner Minshew, Teddy Bridgewater, Tom Brady, Taysom Hill and Jalen Hurts. The Hurts pickup proved particularly vital, as he single-handedly lifted me to victory in the semifinals.

For those who missed his productive moments during the 2020 season, Marquez Callaway should not be wasting away on waivers. He played well during Michael Thomas’ absence, including an eight-catch, 75-yard performance in Week 7 against Carolina. Michael Thomas has been making enemies in his own locker room; not even his future in New Orleans is secure. When 2021 plays out, it’s possible Callaway is a very important piece to this Saints offense.

Entering his third season in the NFL, and under coach Frank Reich, Ashton Dulin can take advantage of the looming vacancies at the wide receiver position in Indianapolis. Between his workout metrics, highlighted by a stellar 60.9-percent (99th-percentile among qualified wide receivers) College Dominator Rating and near-perfect 18.3 (99th-percentile) Breakout Age, it’s easy to see how his talent can carry him to relevancy in the near future.

With Mark Ingram out and Gus Edwards a restricted free agent, there’s a solid chance Justice Hill ends up the No. 2 in Baltimore behind starter J.K. Dobbins in 2021. With an elite 4.40 (97th-percentile among qualified running backs) 40-yard Dash and 133.0 (95th-percentile) Burst Score, Hill has the tools to be a great piece to the offense, even as the No. 2 back.

Though he wasn’t invited to the Combine and his player profile lacks workout metrics, Xavier Jones’ college production is noticeable. His 28.6-percent (63rd-percentile) College Dominator Rating is solid, while his 9.6-percent (71st-percentile) College Target Share is excellent. With Malcolm Brown a free agent, the Rams will rely on Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers to lead the backfield. Don’t count out Jones making some noise in 2021 as well.

A torn Achilles tendon and Jonathan Taylor’s emergence have stifled Marlon Mack’s fantasy future. Mack’s fantasy potential has become an afterthought with Taylor ascending to excellence. There is plenty of unknown surrounding a player set to hit free agency who will return from a serious lower-body injury, but he checks the boxes a dynasty asset should have.

Mack is still only about to enter his age-25 season. Being injured in Week 1, he will have a calendar year to recover and get back to his 4.50 (77th-percentile among qualified running backs) 40-yard Dash form. His 103.9 (75th-percentile) Speed Score and 122.9 (72nd-percentile) Burst Score were just indicators for his big play ability. Taking a chance on running backs coming off lower-body injuries is risky, but his talent makes it worth the risk in dynasty.

Christian Kirk spent Week 17 on the reserve/COVID-19 list. This closed out a pedestrian season for the third year receiver. He surpassed 100 yards just once this season (Week 9), and had nine games with 50 receiving yards or less. He saw a Slot Rate of only 11.4-percent this year, a third of his 2019 usage. A potential Larry Fitzgerald retirement may help the Cardinals move Kirk back inside more.

With Hunter Henry on the reserve/COVID-19 list for the final two weeks of the season, XFL standout Donald Parham was handed increased opportunity. Logging Snap Shares of 84.9-percent and 57.6-percent in Weeks 16 and 17, The 6-8, 240-pound XFL standout produced a serviceable five receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. With Henry set to test free agency in 2021, the 23-year-old Parham makes for a decent bench stash.

With Jamaal Williams out and Aaron Jones hindered by a hip issue, A.J. Dillon got his chance to show what he’s capable of. He saw a season high 58.1-percent Snap Share and rushed 21 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 16 win against the Titans. With Williams and Jones scheduled for free agency this offseason, Dillon becomes an intriguing dynasty asset moving towards the NFL playoffs and offseason.

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire shelved due to a leg and hip injury, veteran Le’Veon Bell was not the answer for the Kansas City Chiefs running game. Bell has been an underwhelming addition to the Chiefs roster, topping out at 64 yards (Week 15) and 53.2-percent of snaps (Week 13). He has scored just one touchdown. He slides eight spots to move down from RB33 to RB41.

Welcome to the Tier 1 receiver group, Stefon Diggs. He, Davante Adams, and Tyreek Hill are the only receivers to average 20-plus PPR fantasy points per game in 2020. Every other receiver listed banked at least 16-plus PPR fantasy points.

Christian McCaffrey was good when he played, but he only played three games. He’s still the top fantasy back for us. Many an offseason debate will question if Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara, or Derrick Henry should be ranked No. 2. Each back averaged 20-plus PPR fantasy points per game. After that, insert your preference here.