Wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons unsuccessfully reaches for a reception against the defense of the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
It’s about that time of year again! Football season is officially underway with the preseason kicking off this week, and that also means fantasy football draft season is finally here. This was one of the wildest NFL offseasons in recent memory, which will make for an awesome season that I am beyond hyped for. Every year I like to make a list of players I think are overrated and underrated, as well as my favorite new rookies ready to make an impact right away. With that being said, here are ten hot takes I have for the 2021 fantasy football season!
Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford will be a top 5 fantasy quarterback in Los Angeles.
With all the weapons surrounding Stafford in his change of scenery, I see him having a monster season. Stafford is a huge upgrade over Jared Goff, so the Los Angeles offense is poised for a big year. I see Stafford going off assuming he can stay healthy, putting an end to doubts that his ceiling is a barely top 10 quarterback.
Jameis Winston will have a comeback season and finish as a top 12 quarterback in fantasy points.
After sitting a year behind Brees, Jameis Winston is poised to take over for a new era in New Orleans football. He is much more talented than Taysom Hill and there really should be no doubts that he will be the starter next season. I think he will put up solid numbers next season and finish as a top 12 quarterback. I believe sitting for a year will improve his leadership abilities and decision making tremendously. While I think interceptions may still be a slight issue, I do think they will be reduced significantly. I think him throwing for 28 touchdowns and 19 interceptions next season is a realistic expectation.
Assuming he isn’t traded to Houston, Jalen Hurts will become a star this season and finish as a top 12 quarterback in fantasy.
There are rumors swirling that the Texans may trade Deshaun Watson to the Eagles. If that happens, Jalen Hurts will likely be sent to Houston, and this prediction can be thrown out. However, I believe Watson’s off the field issues will hold up any potential deal, and this will give Jalen Hurts the ability to shine in Philly. He is an elite rushing threat which will make him a QB1 in fantasy alone, and I think the addition of DeVonta Smith will improve the offense significantly. Hurts and Smith played together in college so they should have chemistry right off the bat. With a full season and a new coaching scheme, I think Jalen Hurts will be an elite quarterback option in fantasy and will improve his throwing significantly.
Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliott will not crack the top 12 running backs in fantasy points.
I believe last season was the beginning of Zeke’s decline and that he is past his peak. Zeke had a down season last year where he failed to crack 1000 rushing yards and had issues with fumbling. Dak Prescott going down with a season ending injury did not help matters, and neither did the constant injuries to the offensive line. However, Zeke and the offensive line are one year older and the members of the line are no longer in their primes. Zeke also lacked some of that explosiveness last season that he had in his first five seasons. I think Zeke will be burnt out from the excessive amount of carries early in his career and will not live up to the hype of a bounce back season this year. I also think Dak and the Cowboys will try to transition to more of a pass first offense with a healthy Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb going into his second year.
Michael Carter will make a huge impact for a talent depleted Jets backfield, and will be the top rookie running back in fantasy points.
This is probably the boldest prediction I have this season. But, I am confident in my stance that Michael Carter will be the top rookie running back this season. The Jets are very depleted in offensive talent, and the Jets backfield currently consists of Carter, Tevin Coleman, La’Mical Perine, and Ty Johnson. Not exactly inspiring. Carter should quickly rise to the top of this depth chart since he is the most talented of the group, and in a season where rookie Zach Wilson may have some growing pains, I expect Zach Wilson to give Michael Carter plenty of opportunities in the red zone. Michael Carter can become a Brian Westbrook type running back for the Jets and I expect a big rookie campaign out of him. Other than the Steelers and Najee Harris, he is the only other rookie running back that can immediately contribute which is why I am so high on him this season.
Clyde Edwards Helaire will not live up to his average draft pick of 26th.
CEH is valued way too high in fantasy once again. I think last season was a good indicator that the Chiefs are the new Patriots when it comes to fantasy football. They spread the ball out too much for one running back to be an every week fantasy stud. No way I’m touching CEH at that asking price. There are much better options available at that draft pick such as J.K. Dobbins, Josh Jacobs, Chris Carson and others.
Wide Receivers
Calvin Ridley will be a top 5 receiver this season.
After all the speculation, Julio Jones is finally out of Atlanta as they prepare for a new era in Falcons football. Calvin Ridley has shown flashes of greatness, and with Julio gone, it is Ridley’s time to shine. I think he will go crazy as the number one receiver and establish himself as a top five receiver in the entire league. I expect Ridley to take on a very prominent role in Arthur Smith’s new offense, and the rewards will be phenomenal for fantasy football owners.
Laviska Shenault will be a top 15 receiver in fantasy under Urban Meyer’s offense.
Laviska Shenault is poised for a breakout season under new coach Urban Meyer’s offense. In a new era of Jacksonville football, Urban Meyer is going to deploy an offense that gives Trevor Lawrence the best chance to step in and immediately tear the league up. Shenault is an explosive receiver who caught 73.4% of his targets with a revolving door of quarterbacks last season. He should have a big season if he takes on the slot receiver role in Jacksonville, he can quickly become Trevor Lawrence’s favorite target.
Chris Godwin will finish outside the top 20 receivers in fantasy points.
There’s a reason Godwin hasn’t been locked up long term yet. Brady does not prefer to throw to Godwin, and they simply just did not want to lose him for nothing, so they franchise tagged him. However, assuming they are unable to trade him away, I do not see a huge season out of Godwin. I personally think he is kind of a one year wonder, and I believe he will be phased out of the offense this season. I think Antonio Brown will have a larger role with a full offseason of working with Brady, and I think he will take a large share of Godwin’s touches. Mike Evans is established as the number one, and I think Godwin and Antonio Brown will be 2A and 2B. I think Antonio Brown and Brady’s chemistry will grow as the season goes on, which will end up phasing Godwin out since there are only so many touches to go around.
Tight Ends
Irv Smith will have a breakout season replacing Kyle Rudolph in Minnesota and become a top 5 tight end this fantasy season.
The Vikings finally cut ties with Kyle Rudolph this offseason, indicating plans to make the offense younger. They drafted Irv Smith 50th overall in 2019, so they have been prepared for Rudolph’s eventual departure. Irv was slowly phased into the offense at the end of last season taking over Rudolph’s role in the red zone, and I predict he will have a similar role this season. I don’t predict insane numbers, but with how thin the tight end position is in fantasy, I think he can finish with around 700 yards and 7 touchdowns, which will be enough to finish top 5.
What are your predictions for fantasy football this season? Let me know in the comments.