By: Adam Hulse (@AdamHulseSports)

The entire month of August, as well as the beginning of September, is prime time for fantasy football drafts as the 2021 NFL season quickly approaches. Draft day is by far the most important day of the entire fantasy football season because it plays the biggest role in determining which teams will be competing for a championship. It’s very important to enter the draft with a clear strategy based on personal research and preparation of all the available options. It’s crucial to have some idea of both players to target as well as players to avoid. Based on their current ADP in redraft leagues, here are 3 WRs to avoid when it comes time to make a selection.

1. Kenny Golladay, New York Giants

For the first time in his career, Kenny Golladay hit the open free-agent market this offseason. Ultimately, he decided to leave the Detroit Lions and join the New York Giants for the 2021 NFL season. From his perspective as a professional and competitor, this is an excellent career move. He upgraded to a better team with more of a chance to win while also scoring himself a huge contract. On the other, from a fantasy football perspective, it hurts his projected production for a couple of reasons. He has downgraded from Matthew Stafford to Daniel Jones at quarterback, will now be in a run first style of offense, and will get less garbage time production than he did with the Lions who were often trailing big in games.

Besides the situational decline of changing teams, another red flag for Golladay was his injury-plagued 2020 season. He was only able to appear in five games and recorded 20 receptions on 32 targets for 338 yards and two touchdowns. The reason he was given such a big contract were his highly productive seasons in 2018 and 2019 where he eclipsed 100 targets and 1000 receiving yards in both years. All things considered with where he is now, it’s not likely that he will fully return to those totals this season. It’s also important to point out that last season the Giants ranked 29th in the NFL in passing offense at 189.1 yards per game while the Lions ranked 10th at 256.5 yards per game.

These are all signs that point to regression from Golladay in terms of fantasy production. He can still turn out to be a solid player for the Giants, and the true number one WR that they have been missing, but that does not mean it will translate to big fantasy points, especially with Saquon Barkley returning from injury and commanding a ton of touches. Golladay is a WR to avoid at his current ADP where there are other options in better situations with more upside. Some examples would be players like DJ Moore and Tyler Lockett.

2. Odell Beckham Jr, Cleveland Browns

The biggest concern for Odell Beckham Jr heading into the 2021NFL season is his recovery from ACL surgery. This is one of the most difficult injuries to bounce back from and WR is one of the most challenging positions to do it from. Health is always a major risk when it comes to fantasy football. In particular, it is a huge factor when looking at players with high ADP because that is the core of the team being constructed. Losing one of the first few drafted players on a particular team can derail an entire season. That’s not to say that Odell can’t fully bounce back, because he absolutely can, but it’s just always something to keep in mind on draft day.

The knee injury is not the only concern that comes with Odell and his high ADP. In the seven games that he did play in the 2020 season, he was not as productive as his usual self. He recorded 23 receptions on 43 targets for 319 yards and and 3 touchdowns. The target average is something to be aware of as it dipped from over 8 per game in 2019 to just about 6 per game in 2020. A big reason for this is the run heavy style of offense implemented by new head coach Kevin Stefanski. The Browns ranked third in the NFL last season in rushing offense at 148.4 yards per game which is a huge increase from their 118.8 rushing yards per game in 2019 before Stefanski arrived.

Considering the drastic change in offensive scheme, the deduction in targets per game, and the difficult injury situation all qualify Odell as a WR to avoid in fantasy drafts this season. He still may have a very productive season and could be a really nice pick up if he falls later in the draft, but given his current ADP there are safer options as well as ones with much more potential to possibly have huge years. Some of these types of WRs in this spot include Chase Claypool and Brandon Aiyuk.

3. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals

Now entering his sixth season with the Bengals, Tyler Boyd has been a very productive WR in recent years. He really broke out in in the 2018 season with 76 receptions on 108 targets for 1028 yards and seven touchdowns. He then followed that up in 2019 with another impressive season of 90 receptions on 148 targets for 1046 yards and five touchdowns. He then saw a slight dip in production in the 2020 season but still totaled a solid 79 receptions on 110 targets for 841 yards and four touchdowns. This is an excellent three year run that would usually make him a safe target in fantasy drafts, but there are some red flags.

The biggest concern for Boyd and his projected production is the fact that the Bengals used their first round draft pick on WR Ja’Marr Chase out of LSU, where he and QB Joe Burrow developed a special chemistry. He is expected to be featured heavily in this offense as a weapon of choice for Burrow. In addition to Chase is the break out rookie star from last season in WR Tee Higgins. He had one of the best rookie WR seasons in the NFL last year and his usage will almost definitely start to increase as he continues to grow as a player. Finally, star running back Joe Mixon was only able to play in six games last year so now that he is returning for the 2021 NFL season he will go back to getting a large number of touches as he usually does.

The arrival of Chase, the break out of Higgins, and the return of Mixon are three things that create a recipe for a possible huge let down season for Boyd. The Bengals are not exactly a high-powered offense, at least not yet, and there just may be too many mouths to feed to justifiably carve out a huge role for Boyd. It is highly unlikely that he would be featured more than Chase or Higgins and this offense is probably not anywhere near the level that is good enough to fully support three WRs from a fantasy football perspective. Rather than Boyd, there are much better options with similar ADP who are in better offensive situations with more upside and likelihood for a higher usage rate. Some candidates here include Antonio Brown and Jerry Jeudy.

The post 3 WRs to Avoid in Fantasy Football Redraft appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The dynasty fantasy football season is heating up as the early August Hall of Fame game nears. Dynasty gurus are starting to be bolder with their push for a more competitive starting lineup. 

It’s important to be up to date with the players that may be under the radar, yet possess the ability to propel your team to championship royalty. It’s factual that the running back position is prioritized and it carries the most weight on one’s team. Although, it’s important to master the understanding of the talent at other positions like QB, or WR. 

In this debacle, the wideout spot will be dissected. We’re going to go through WR profiles that are slowly rising through the cracks and yield the ability to rise up in big moments of the fantasy season. Let’s begin. 

• Tee Higgins

Everybody in the football world is talking about the high draft pick Ja’Marr Chase replacing the franchise legend AJ Green. Of course, the LSU connection will come to life with Chase and Burrow. Nonetheless, the hype surrounding the LSU rookie is shadowing the ability that the Bengals second-year player Tee Higgins carries. 

Even though Joe Burrow missed six games, Higgins still vastly outperformed the likes of Michael Pittman Jr, Henry Ruggs, and Jalen Reagor (67-908-6).

• Pittman: 40-503-3
• Reagor: 31-396-1
• Ruggs: 26-452-2

Expect a healthy Burrow, who was “second in passing attempts” prior to his injury, to unleash an improved Higgins in many shootout contests next season. The 22-year-old flat out has lots of skill and a freakish ceiling.

• John Brown

The new Raiders deep threat is still going strong at this stage in his career. Brown just recorded a career 1,000+ yard receiving season in 2019. Everybody loves to talk about the “first round” WR Henry Ruggs taking the next step without Gregg Williams giving a boost, but I fully expect another veteran wideout wearing #15 (Nelson Agholor being the former) in LV to outperform Ruggs. 

Carr threw the most 20+ yard passes since 2017 last season and I expect the well-established wideout that Carr already loves to be the reliable number one wideout throughout the 2021 season. Brown may be 31 years old, but speed demon Ted Ginn Jr. just retired at the age of 36 and Desean Jackson appears to be strong (when healthy) at age 34. 

• Tre’Quan Smith

Tre’Quan Smith was seriously underrated even before Michael Thomas’s injury. The Saints All Pro punt returner Deonte Harris seemed to be nearly in the same conversation as the former UCF wideout. 

I loved Smith to follow in the footsteps of UDFA Lance Moore, who recorded a 1,000-yard season in New Orleans, to step up in the absence of former Saints number two WR Emmanual Sanders. Now that MT is on the sideline for at least the beginning of the 2021 season, there is no reason to not fully expect Smith to be a go-to target and big body red zone threat. 

The comparison of Lance Moore can step aside, while Smith can now be seen as the next “Marques Colston”.  Expect the Saints wideout that often had 10+ pt showcases in PPR to be a very reliable weapon going into his fourth season.

The post Dynasty: 3 WRs to trade for appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By Zach Attack @FFChalupaBatman

The NFL is a young man’s game if you do not play quarterback.  However, you can usually find value in some older players late in your draft.  When playing re-draft you only have to focus on this season, so if the player is good and is playing this season then who cares if he retires after the season.  There are not too many WRs in the league at least 33 years old, but here are three plus an honorable mention, that you should consider drafting in your re-draft league.

*ADPs from fantasyfootballcalculator.com from 16,015 mock drafts from 2/10/21-4/25/21 for PPR

1. Antonio Brown (TB) ”“ will be 33 on 7/10/21 ”“ current ADP 9.02 (WR41)

There is a lot of risk with Antonio Brown because he could potentially face another suspension due to ongoing legal issues, and he’s had quite a bit of questionable behavior the last few years.  In the 9^th round, you are not really drafting a starting WR and he could be your WR4 that could score WR2 numbers.  There is an obvious risk, but the price is not too high and the value could be incredible.  There is no question that he was a dominant top WR while he played for the Pittsburgh Steeler through the 2018 season.  He even scored, a career-high, 15 TDs in 2018 when he was 30 years old.  There was a lot of drama in the offseason then he played one week for the New England Patriots in 2019 then he was suspended for the first 8 games of the 2020 season before playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 32 years old.

In those 8 games, Brown played 323 out of 521 snaps (62%).  In the lineup, Antonio Brown was the WR3 behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin by snap count for all 8 weeks, except Week 17 when Mike Evans was injured after only playing 11 snaps.  In Week 17, Brown played 84% of the snaps and had his best stat line with the Bucs: 11 receptions, 15 targets, 138 yards, and 2 TDs for 36.8 fantasy points (14.6 fantasy points/game in 2020).  He also finished hot in the last three weeks of the season scoring all 4 TDs those weeks: 1 TD Week 15 (47% of snaps), 1 TD Week 16 (60%), and 2 TDs Week 17 (84%).  Brown became more comfortable in the offense those last few weeks of the season after being away from football for 1.5 seasons.  He had his 2^nd highest career catch %, 72.6%.  Evans and Godwin are still on the roster, but both have injury concerns and Brown showed in the last few games that he can score with WR3 snaps.  I would not reach for Antonio Brown in my draft, but he will be a value as your WR4.  Also, if he starts off the season hot then he could be a great trade piece because of his name value in redraft.

2. A.J. Green (ARI) ”“ will be 33 on 7/31/21 ”“ 14.06 (87)

At that draft cost, A.J. Green is basically “free” in redraft leagues.  Green signed with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, and 2020 was a year to forget after playing in all 16 games but did not play well at all.  Green missed the entire 2019 season after being injured during the preseason and missed the 2nd half of 2018 due to injury.  It has been a while, but Green finished as the WR10 in 2017 after playing all 16 games.  It is hard to use stats to justify A.J. Green being on this list, but there is a narrative.  Green did not seem happy in Cincinnati the last few years due to contract disputes and multiple injuries.  A change in scenery playing with a young, high potential QB and opposite DeAndre Hopkins.  He should not face double coverage with Hopkins on the field, and he hasn’t looked dangerous enough the last few seasons to warrant it.  Green could be a complete dud again in 2021, but you are drafting him at the end of your draft so worst case he looks terrible in the first couple weeks and you drop him.  There is still the possibility he will have good weeks from time to time and be a WR3/4 to help to cover your starters’ bye weeks or a flex spot.  There is no risk at the draft cost so give A.J. Green a shot at the end of your draft then worst case you drop him after the first week or two if he looks washed.

3. Emmanuel Sanders (BUF) ”“ 34 years old ”“ 14.05 (84)

Emmanuel Sanders played for the New Orleans Saints in 2020, and two teams in 2019 (Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers).  He signed for the Buffalo Bills for the 2021 season, and will most likely play behind Cole Beasley in the slot.  Sanders does not have speed anymore, but he is still a route running technician and can get open.  Even in Sanders’s limited work last year and on an offense with QB changes, he still averaged 4.4 receptions per game and 51.9 yards per game.  He averaged 11.8 points per game last season, which was WR41.   I do not expect there to be much volume for Sanders, which is not ideal for fantasy football but he is a dart throw at the end of your draft on a great passing offense.  Just like with A.J. Green, Sanders has no risk and minimal cost to select at the end of your draft and you can cut him within the first couple of weeks if he does not see enough targets in his new offense.

HM.  DeSean Jackson (LAR) ”“ 34 years old ”“ 13.04 (67)

DeSean Jackson signed with the Los Angeles Rams for the 2021 season, and Matthew Stafford will be his new QB.  Jackson may be getting up there in age for a WR, but he still has speed.  He is probably the 4^th WR on the depth chart behind Woods, Kupp, and Jefferson.  Jackson has never been a volume WR in his career.  He only needs one deep shot to make his week with the long TD reception.  He has had a lot of injuries the last few years, which has limited his playing time.  However, in 2018 Week 1 he scored 31.6 points with 2 TDs and in 2019 Week 1 he scored 35.4 points with 2 TDs, so maybe you hit some magic in Week 1 and if not drop him.  Again, no risk and lost draft cost.

The post Fantasy: 3 WRs over the age of 33 to target in re-draft appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By Jesse Moeller (Twitter: @JMoeller05)

What makes a “Sleeper” in fantasy football? Is it someone who you think is undervalued compared to the ADP? How about a young player who will take off in 2021? There are numerous terms we all use to describe them in fantasy football circles. Breakout candidates usually go hand in hand with the term sleeper. They both serve the purpose of illuminating a player who we view as a steal at the current ADP.

I will list players in different categories who will give you production that exceeds the ADP.

The Supreme Being

(A Player Drafted WR20 or later will finish as a top 12 WR)

Kenny Golladay (ADP: WR20)

Golladay could not have asked for a better situation to walk into in 2021. The Giants’ offense was in desperate need of an Alpha wide receiver. Golladay is more than capable of filling that role. As you can see from the tweet above, Golladay specializes in winning contested catches. He is the best wide receiver in the NFL at this. He gets paired up with a DGAF quarterback (Think of Brett Favre if you are unsure what it means) in Daniel Jones, who has never been afraid to throw it up to this playmaker.

Even with the Giants linked to drafting a rookie wide receiver in the upcoming NFL draft, I do not see it having much impact on Golladay’s role and workload for the upcoming season. Look at the current roster. There is no competition for the X receiver role in that offense. The Giants have desperately been missing this type of talent the last few seasons.

Golladay battled injuries that cut the season short, as he only finished five games. He was one pace for another 60 reception 1,000 yards season. Where Golladay can genuinely be a boom for fantasy managers is his ability to generate touchdowns. He led the league in receiving touchdowns in 2019 with 11 and will be amongst the leaders in 2021.

Draft Golladay with confidence, as he will produce some of the best numbers in the league in 2021.

Boy Wonder

(1st or 2nd Year Player Going as WR 30 or Later)

Tee Higgins (ADP: WR31)

A player who fell to the second round of the NFL draft and rookie drafts last year due to his poor measurables immediately paid dividends for those fantasy managers who selected Higgins. He pushed A.J. Green aside and took ahold of the Bengals’ alpha role in the second half of the season. Higgins was 28th in the NFL in targets, and amongst rookies, he was 5th. That number will only go up in his second season.

Countless rumors are floating around that the Bengals draft Ja’Marr Chase as the 5th pick in the upcoming NFL draft. (it’s bananas, right?) which can seem like a worry for Higgins moving forward. It is not something that should worry managers. There are still plenty of vacated targets available (195 available, to be exact) in that offense for 2021. Say Chase comes in and puts up a Jeffersonesque 125 targets; there is still room for him to expand on his role in the offense.

Even after Burrow’s injury in week 11, Higgins still received a minimum of 5 targets each game while averaging 7.2 targets per game. He managed to produce with Brandon Allen as his quarterback. You better believe he will put up spectacular numbers with Burrow in 2021. Use the discounted ADP to your advantage this season. Grab Higgins in the 6th or 7th round of your drafts, and enjoy the elite wide receiver production.

Triumphant Return

(Player coming off of injured season will finish as a top 24 WR)

Courtland Sutton (ADP: WR 34)

It was a lost season for Sutton in 2020. He tore his ACL and was out for the season in week 2, which was incredibly disappointing for a player coming off of 1,112 yards, 72 receptions on 126 targets with a massive 26.1% target share.

With how much talent the Denver offense has, it is a pick your poison for defenders. Who do you try and take away? The Alpha X receiver in Sutton, the route running savant in Jeudy, or the explosive athletic tight end in Fant? No matter what defenses do, they will be in trouble against this high-powered attack. Each player has a distinctive role in this offense for the 2021 season.

Getting Sutton back healthy will help the team move the other wide receivers back to more comfortable positions. Sutton is a matchup problem that should thrive even with the less than ideal quarterbacks on the Broncos roster. Sutton put up the massive statistics while having a Catchable Target Cate and Target Quality Rating ranked 65th or below in 2019.

Sutton can be top 24 W.R. this upcoming season, and getting the alpha of a receiving game in the 8th round is the value that I will not be able to pass on. Take it and run to the bank!

Mr. Irrelevant

(Player going in the 14th Round or Later will finish as a Top 36 WR)

Nelson Agholor (ADP: WR 80)

Before last season, Agholor considered a first-round bust due to his inconsistent play in Philadelphia the previous five seasons. In 2020 it all came together for Agholor. He led the Las Vegas wide receivers in targets, yards, and touchdowns to the tune of 48 receptions for 896 yards and eight touchdowns.

This team drafted both Henry Ruggs and Braylon Edwards in the first three rounds of the NFL draft, and those two combined for a worse season than Agholor. It was one of the more surprising things of the 2020 season, as Agholor and Waller were a fantastic 1-2 punch down the Raiders stretch.

Nelson Agholor was the best big-play wide receiver in the league last year. The tweet above shows how much of a problem he was on deep vertical passes the previous year. Agholor finished second in the league in yards per reception at 18.7 along 4.64 yards after contact on each reception. Every time he touched the ball, it was a big play for the offense.

His production led to a two-year 22 million dollar contract with the Patriots. He is locked into the number one receiver in New England for this upcoming season, as he should give you some boom weeks in 2021 with his signature ability. Considering he is free in redraft, grab him with one of your last picks and enjoy the flex production he will provide for your team.

The post Fantasy Football: 2021 Wide Receiver Sleepers appeared first on Pro Football Mania.