The bargain players… some are going to be absolutely awful to own, but each have a pedigree to perform. There are 19 players and while some of them have a fair good chance, some have absolutely no chance – looking at you Todd Gurley.
Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars
Leonard Fournette was a League Winner in 2019, but will need to beat Ronald Jones, Giovani Bernard, Ke’Shawn Vaughn for the lead back role. The chances are slim but when picking in the 90s, everyone is a risk and he is one of the best gambles there.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Browns
Landry is the other WR for the Browns in a run-run-pass offence which limits their chances. He was a League Winner though in 2017, but has been consistently scoring high points. He is super consistent, but may not have the upside of others that you want to draft. Therefore he has fallen for me.
James Conner, RB, Cardinals
The Cardinals RB room is interesting, most are Conner or Edmunds and yet I’m neither. Kyler Murray is the first reason for this, mobile QBs steal valuable rushing yards, receiving targets and most importantly TDs. The second reason for this is the confusion behind each person’s role. That said, I’m still higher on Conner than ADP is, meaning that I may have a couple pieces of him in different leagues.
Will Fuller, WR, Dolphins
Will Fuller is criminally underrated even though he performed so well last year (one game off League Winner status). Fuller has always been talented but struggled with injuries and while that is a risk, at his ADP of #93 that is no risk at all. Get him when you can knowing he will shine* (*when not injured).
Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys
The highlights of the Cowboys maybe Dak, Zeke, Lamb and Cooper, but don’t forget Michael Gallup. Gallup is a talent in his own right and will be paid heavily going into the 2022 Free Agency. Gallup has fantasy pedigree in his own right 164.4 points and 11 League Winner Score in 2020. He’s probably more of a bestball own, but if you have to start lots of players, then he is a primary target.
Antonio Brown, WR, Buccaneers
Antonio Brown, probably the best WR in the league in the early 2010s, but is now couple years away from being that player. Godwin and Evans will be the WR1 and WR2 for the Bucs, but if one misses time, then Brown will slot in like nothing has changed.
Kenyan Drake, RB, Raiders
Kenyan Drake’s role for the raiders is strange, they are paying him so much and yet he Jacobs is expected to be the RB1. Something doesn’t add up here. I’m presuming its just bad FO work and Drake will be the 3rd down back. He’s worth a gamble though if he has a bigger role.
Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys
Continuing the Cowboys theme, Pollard is the best back the Cowboys have and therefore if Zeke misses time, then Pollard is a RB1. No one knows how often that will happen, but if it does then Pollard is one of the best assets to own. The best handcuff in the game.
Corey Davis, WR, Jets
Corey Davis is the final player that I am putting my complete faith in – maybe rightly or wrongly. Davis is the likely WR1 for the Jets in 2021 because while I love Elijah Moore, the Jets went out of their way to give Davis a 3 year $37.5mil contract. Davis as an ADP of #110 and is the best bargain in fantasy at the moment.
Marvin Jones, WR, Jaguars
Marvin Jones has been criminally underrated as a fantasy player for a while now, but moves to the Jaguars fighting for the WR1 role in this new looking offence. Normally I wouldn’t be so high on him with Kenny Golladay as his former partner in crime, he now only has Shenault and Chark to outplay.
Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles
Zach Ertz will require a trade to reach his full potential and that trade is meant to have happened the last couple seasons – it won’t. Goedart is the main TE for the Eagles and will get the majority of the snaps. Ertz was a League Winner in 2018 and close in 2019 though so he has the pedigree if he can get the targets.
Tarik Cohen, RB, Bears
Tarik Cohen was a League Winner in 2018, but is a pure receiving back in the NFL when injuries don’t occur. His role will likely already be reduced by David Montgomery’s breakout year. That said, the receiving game gives him a high ceiling and just needs the carries now.
Phillip Lindsay, RB, Texans
Lindsay and the Texans RB committee is an interesting challenge. The rushing ability of Tyrod Taylor means that the opportunities for receptions will be limited and that’s before you mention that the Texans have David Johnson, Mark Ingram and Rex Burkhead as the other competition. My take is to Avoid, Avoid, Avoid, Avoid.
James White, RB, Patriots
James White is another RB in a committee that is uncertain. White will be the lead receiving back for the Patriots and if Mac Jones plays often, will be targeted a lot. The Patriots have 4 new receivers + White for 3rd downs (Agholor, Bourne, Henry and Smith) which should be advantageous.
Jamison Crowder, WR, Jets
Crowder has the pedigree but nothing will happen with him. Rookie Elijah Moore and big FA signing Corey Davis will be the guys for the team. That said, he is established in the team meaning that it should help. I just don’t see him having a big enough role in the team.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Bills
The Bills have the 6th best WR in the league (Stefon Diggs) but no one else on that offence. Sanders should be able to walk into the team as the clear WR2. The big question is about can the Bills offence have 2 fantasy viable WRs or not. If they can, Sanders will be that guy everyone wished they owned.
Darius Slayton, WR, Giants
Slayton was meant to breakout last year and while he got close, he never did. Can he actually do it now? I think he can. People are worried (rightly) about Kenny Golladay but it could easily go all wrong for the former Lions WR. He’s had injury issues in the past and already having them in preseason. If Golladay goes down, Slayton is a must own.
Jeff Wilson, RB, 49ers
Jeff Wilson is the forgotten man in the 49ers backfield but he produced when he had the chances last year. He’s coming off a big injury and the 49ers invested in 2 rookies (Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell) which means the faith is clearly not there. Wilson is more of a best ball pick than a redraft pick.
Todd Gurley, RB, Ravens
Todd Gurley, only a couple years ago from one of the best fantasy performances ever, is now undrafted in most leagues. His name is still there as it was only a couple years ago, but it is over for the former Rams RB.
