{"id":112976,"date":"2021-05-10T07:00:02","date_gmt":"2021-05-10T11:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=112976"},"modified":"2021-05-30T13:44:35","modified_gmt":"2021-05-30T17:44:35","slug":"10-bold-2021-fantasy-football-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/05\/10\/10-bold-2021-fantasy-football-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Bold 2021 Fantasy Football Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The NFL Draft is complete. Full attention can now be diverted towards the upcoming 2021 Fantasy Football season. After reviewing all the rosters moves from free agency, and additions from last weekend, here are ten bold 2021 fantasy football predictions that have a path to reality.<\/p>\n<h2>10 Bold Fantasy Football Predictions for the 2021 Season<\/h2>\n<h4>10.\u00a0 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MixoJo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Mixon<\/a> finishes as the overall RB1<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Mixon truthers have been burned before, but everything lines up for a career season for the fifth-year running back. The Cincinnati depth chart is as shallow as ever after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buccaneers.com\/news\/running-back-giovani-bernard-signs-tampa-bay-2021-free-agency\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Giovani Bernard signed with Tampa Bay.<\/a> Mixon only played in six games last year, battling through chest, shin, and foot sprains. But the versatile 24-year old back still managed 3.5 receptions on 4.3 targets per game and had the second-highest opportunity share of any running back when healthy. Every report coming out of Cincinnati is pointing to a great season for Mixon.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Bengals OC Brian Callahan: Joe Mixon shouldn&#39;t come off the field. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GSRdAM4ED6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/GSRdAM4ED6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ProFootballTalk\/status\/1389970478501138432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 5, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Notably, there has not been a repeat overall PPR RB1 in consecutive seasons since <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HolmPr00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Priest Holmes<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in 2002 and 2003. This means it is not <em>likely<\/em> that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HenrDe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derrick Henry<\/a> again finishes atop the fantasy running back leaderboard. Even with strong competition from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CookDa01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dalvin Cook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/K\/KamaAl00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alvin Kamara<\/a>, and a full healthy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McCaCh01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christian McCaffrey<\/a>, Mixon has the perfect trifecta of talent, system, and limited competition for the overall RB1 campaign.<\/p>\n<h4>9.\u00a0 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=override,BrowAJ00&amp;search=A.J.+Brown&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A.J. Brown<\/a> finishes as the overall WR1<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Tennessee has the second-most vacated targets from the 2020 season, and plans to compensate with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/ReynJo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Reynolds<\/a> (113 career receptions), fourth-round rookie Dez Fitzpatrick, and 2020 UDFA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WestNi00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Westbrook-Ikhine<\/a>. Translation?\u00a0 The only thing standing between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=override,BrowAJ00&amp;search=A.J.+Brown&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A.J. Brown<\/a> and the overall WR1 season is health.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A.J. Brown in six career games with more than eight targets:<\/p>\n<p>10 rec-151 yards-1 TD<br \/>8-114-1<br \/>7-112-1<br \/>4-101-1<br \/>6-83-1<br \/>7-82-1<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Ihartitz\/status\/1389623787214278659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 4, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Brown ranked fifth last year with 15.2 fantasy points per game in half-point PPR scoring. He missed two games with a bone bruise, but still finished fifth among all wide receivers with 11 total touchdowns. Brown has seen his targets increase from 5.2 to 7.6 per game over his first two NFL seasons. The Titans are a run-first offense, but imagine their passing attack if <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HenrDe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derrick Henry<\/a> sees just slight negative regression? Brown could easily approach 140 targets, which combined with his efficiency would place him atop the overall WR1 conversation.<\/p>\n<p>8.\u00a0 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/E\/EdwaCl00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clyde Edwards-Helaire<\/a> is a Top 5 Overall RB:<\/strong> This one is obvious. Edwards-Helaire is the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/04\/25\/buy-clyde-edwards-helaire-in-fantasy-football\/\" target=\"_self\">quintessential post-hype sleeper<\/a> after what many fantasy gamers perceive as a disappointing rookie season. In actuality, all that was missing was touchdown production.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/RandleRant\/status\/1386148316040376321?s=20<\/p>\n<p>Running behind an injured and underproducing offensive line, Edwards-Helaire tallied 1100 total yards and 36 receptions despite enduing only a 60 percent Snap Share (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.playerprofiler.com\/nfl\/clyde-edwards-helaire\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PlayerProfiler<\/a>). The explosive rookie also missed three games as a result of high ankle and hip strains. Edwards-Helaire had four games of RB1 performances including the overall RB2 game in Week 11 against the Raiders. With a completely revamped and improved offensive line, the second-year former LSU star will be in the catbird seat behind All-Pro quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MahoPa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Mahomes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>7.\u00a0 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GordMe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Melvin Gordon<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JacoJo01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Jacobs<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GaskMy00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Myles Gaskin<\/a> will all fail to finish as a PPR RB1<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Last season, <strong>J.J. Zachariason<\/strong> outlined <a href=\"https:\/\/www.numberfire.com\/nfl\/news\/32021\/how-to-find-breakout-running-backs-in-fantasy-football\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">several trends that can\u00a0help identify breakout running backs<\/a> in fantasy football. One of the most important is to identify ambiguous team backfields. He correctly identified that the overwhelming majority of breakouts came from players who were not the first running back drafted on their own team. Focusing on this season, Denver, Las Vegas, and Miami are teams with tenuous RB1s.<\/p>\n<p>The Broncos may be monetarily invested in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GordMe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Melvin Gordon<\/strong><\/a>, but their actions in the NFL Draft illuminate some doubt in his production.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Denver Broncos trade up to the 35th overall pick of the NFL Draft to select former <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/tarheelfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TarHeelFootball<\/a> running back Javonte Williams.<\/p>\n<p>This is the highest a UNC running back has been picked in the NFL draft since Ethan Horton went 15th overall to the Chiefs in 1985.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Pat James (@patjames24) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/patjames24\/status\/1388275311717011461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Miami was likely sniped by Denver for Williams, leaving 2019 seventh-round pick <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GaskMy00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Myles Gaskin<\/a> <\/strong>as their leading rusher.\u00a0The Raiders signed veteran <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DrakKe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kenyan Drake<\/a><\/strong> to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cardinals\/news\/former-cardinals-rb-kenyan-drake-signs-with-las-vegas-raiders\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">two-year, $11 million<\/a> contract despite continuing to announce support for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JacoJo01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Jacobs<\/a><\/strong>. All three of these backfields are more crowded than most realize, providing extreme value for zero RB enthusiasts to pounce.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>6.\u00a0 Kyle Pitts will finish outside the Top 10 PPR Fantasy Tight Ends<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Per Underdog ADP, Kyle Pitts is the current overall TE5. This is very optimistic given the lack of fantasy production for first year tight ends.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Pitts is a unicorn for a variety of reasons, which is why he was also the first TE *ever* to become a top-five pick.<\/p>\n<p>But only two rookie TEs have surpassed 700 yards in this century (Shockey 2002, Engram 2017).\u00a0Obviously a developmental curve that should be factored in. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Rs1BLMgAUQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/Rs1BLMgAUQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; John Daigle (@notJDaigle) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/notJDaigle\/status\/1389246294565195779?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 3, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Over the last two seasons, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JoneJu02.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Julio Jones<\/a> <\/strong>and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RidlCa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calvin Ridley<\/a><\/strong> have accounted for 465 targets out of Atlanta&#8217;s 1312 pass attempts. That translates to 35.4 percent of all targets, despite Jones missing eight games and Ridley missing four games due to injury. Barring an injury to either of these elite wide receivers, Pitts is unlikely to match his ADP value. In 2020, the PPR overall TE5 was Detroit&#8217;s<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HockTJ00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">T.J. Hockenson<\/a><\/strong>, who turned 101 targets into 67 receptions, 751 yards, and six touchdowns. Not only will Pitts need to greatly improve on his blocking, but he also will be competing for targets with former first-round pick <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HursHa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hayden Hurst<\/a>.<\/strong> The Falcons declined to pick-up the fifth-year option on Hurst, meaning he will be playing for a contract in 2021. Pitts dynasty value is off the charts. However, in redraft leagues he is being overdrafted.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BrowMa04.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marquise Brown<\/a> Will Finish With Less Than 50 Receptions:<\/strong> One of the most unrecognized disappointments in fantasy football last year was Baltimore&#8217;s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BrowMa04.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marquise Brown<\/a><\/strong>. Remember all the reports touting how great Brown&#8217;s rookie season was <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/report-marquise-brown-offseason-surgery-161217478.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">despite playing with a screw in his foot<\/a>? Brown entered the 2020 season completely healthy and with almost no competition for wide receiver targets. The result was a full 16 games of underwhelming production. Brown managed just one overall WR2 performance in the first<em> ten<\/em> games of the Ravens season. He was able to salvage mediocre fantasy totals by catching 15 passes with three touchdowns over the last three games.<\/p>\n<p>Brown&#8217;s season totals of 99 targets (35th), 58 receptions (42nd), and 769 receiving yards (40th) are unlikely to be reached with Baltimore influx of wideout competition. The Ravens signed veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WatkSa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sammy Watkins<\/a> to one-year, $5 million contract with an additional $5 million signing bonus. Next, they spend a first-round pick on Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman. At 6-foot, 190 lbs, Bateman was a mega-producer in college with an 18.8 (94th percentile) Breakout Age per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.playerprofiler.com\/nfl\/rashod-bateman\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PlayerProfiler.<\/a> Finally, they added fourth-round pick Tylan Wallace of Oklahoma State, who tallied 86 receptions, 1491 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns as a just a sophomore. Combine the crowded depth chart with an offense that passed just 44.9 percent of the time (last in the NFL) in 2020, and it&#8217;s clear Brown is trending downward as an offensive weapon in Baltimore.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>5.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DarnSa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Darnold<\/a> Will Finish as a QB1:<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>There are few remaining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/D\/DarnSa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Darnold<\/a> believers. This author is one of them. This single quote may have unfairly destroyed faith in the NFL potential of the 23-year old signal-caller.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Sam Darnold is mic\u2019d up and he came to the sidelines and said, \u201cI\u2019m seeing ghosts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>(Via <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/espn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@ESPN<\/a>) <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9MoM6Rkmo5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/9MoM6Rkmo5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RochieWBZ\/status\/1186455154024951808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 22, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Now free from the toxic hands of former Jets head coach <strong>Adam Gase<\/strong>, Darnold has landed in an ideal place to resurrect his promising career. The Panthers <a href=\"https:\/\/pantherswire.usatoday.com\/2021\/04\/05\/panthers-picking-up-sam-darnolds-fifth-year-option\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">picked up his fifth-year option,<\/a> traded away <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BridTe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Teddy Bridgewater<\/a>,<\/strong> and declined to select a quarterback in the NFL Draft, firmly declaring their support for Darnold as their QB1. Carolina has surrounded Darnold with the following offensive weaponry:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An elite running back (<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McCaCh01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christian McCaffrey<\/a><\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li>A 24-year old wideout with over 2300 receiving yards the past two seasons (<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=MoorD.00,MoorDJ99&amp;search=D.J.+Moore&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">D.J. Moore<\/a><\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li>A 6-foot-3 former New York teammate with 4.41 speed, who tallied 102 receptions, 1521 yards, and 11 touchdowns during Darnold&#8217;s first two NFL seasons (<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AndeRo04.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robby Anderson<\/a><\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li>Reliable veteran free agent wideout (<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MoorDa03.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Moore<\/a><\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li>Explosive college wide receiver with 23 touchdowns in just 19 games the past two years at LSU (Terrace Marshall)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Quarterbacks have changed teams and fulfilled prior expectations, such as <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/TannRy00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Tannehill<\/a> <\/strong>with Tennessee. Darnold is more than capable of a Top 12 overall fantasy finish, and is currently an absurd value as the QB25 on <a href=\"https:\/\/underdogfantasy.com\/rankings\/NFL\/87a5caba-d5d7-46d9-a798-018d7c116213\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">UnderdogFantasy ADP<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>4.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LambCe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CeeDee Lamb<\/a> Will Finish as a WR1<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The return of quarterback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PresDa01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dak Prescott<\/a> <\/strong>should elevate the Dallas offense to one of the best in the NFL. Before his gruesome ankle injury, Prescott guided the Cowboys to an average of 32.6 points over their first five games. This included three top-five overall fantasy QB performances, including the the overall QB1 performance twice. This could translate to a breakout sophomore season for slot receiver <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LambCe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CeeDee Lamb<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lamb produced 29 receptions and 433 receiving yards over those first five games of his rookie season. That projects to 92.8 receptions and 1384 receiving yards in a full 16-game season with Prescott. While team WR1 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CoopAm00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Amari Cooper<\/a><\/strong> remains inconsistent against opposing top cornerbacks, Lamb&#8217;s target share in the short to intermediate remains secure. While the Cowboys spent their first six draft picks on defense, their efficiency is still very suspect. Dallas is still likely to be involved in many high-scoring games. Currently, Lamb is going behind Cooper and outside the overall Top 12 WRs. If the Cowboys repeat their first overall ranking in pass plays per game, and Prescott stays healthy, Lamb is a safe bet to dramatically improve on his 13.1 (35th-best) fantasy points per game.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>3.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HigbTy00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyler Higbee<\/a> Will Finish as a Top 5 TE<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>In the realm of bold fantasy football predictions, this has a very good chance of happening. The Rams upgraded their quarterback from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GoffJa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jared Goff<\/a><\/strong> to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/StafMa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matthew Stafford<\/a>,<\/strong> raising the fantasy value at every offensive skill position. Los Angeles also saw 26-year old tight end <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/E\/EverGe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Gerald Everett<\/strong><\/a> sign with Seattle, vacating 61 targets and 41 receptions from the 2020 season. Many people forget just how productive Higbee was without Everett in three game sample size:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Remember those three games Tyler Higbee played in 2019 without Gerald Everett? That was something&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ttOi9Qz484\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/ttOi9Qz484<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; John Paulsen (@4for4_John) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/4for4_John\/status\/1389716812309270530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 4, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Higbee is currently the TE10 in ADP, getting drafted behind Washington&#8217;s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/ThomLo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Logan Thomas<\/a>.<\/strong> If you are looking for a productive tight end, with increased volume, a quarterback upgrade, in an explosive offense, give <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HigbTy00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyler Higbee<\/a> <\/strong>a long look.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>3.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/TagoTu00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tua Tagovailoa<\/a> Will Finish as a QB1<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Fantasy drafters were drooling over the pro potential of former Alabama quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/TagoTu00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Tua Tagovailoa<\/strong><\/a> just a short time ago. He produced 48 total touchdowns, 3966 passing yards, and a 69 percent completion percentage as a sophomore en route to a runner-up finish for the Heisman Trophy. His college career ended in 2019 with a gruesome hip injury. Experts pondered where he would land in the 2020 NFL Draft. Tagovailoa was selected fifth-overall by Miami and battled through his rookie season to post two 300-plus yard passing games in the Dolphins final four contests.<\/p>\n<p>The Dolphins now provided Tagovailoa with a litany of weapons upgrades, including former Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle. A dynamic speedster, Waddle produced 45 receptions and seven receiving touchdowns during his 2018 freshman season with Tagovailoa. Miami also signed veteran <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/F\/FullWi01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Will Fuller<\/a><\/strong> (suspended one more game), who caught eight touchdowns from Weeks 3-12. Along with returning wideouts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/ParkDe01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DeVante Parker<\/a> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WillPr01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Preston Williams<\/a><\/strong>, as well as athletic tight end<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GesiMi00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Gesicki<\/a><\/strong>, the Dolphins will have one of the most talented receiving rosters in the AFC. I&#8217;m buying into Tua&#8217;s talent behind an improved offensive line with an influx of passing game weaponry.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>2.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PrinBy00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Byron Pringle<\/a> Will Finish as a WR2<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>This is a bet against <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HardMe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mecole Hardman<\/a><\/strong>. As the Chiefs 2019 second-round pick from Georgia, Hardman has done little more than become an occasional deep ball option for quarterback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MahoPa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Mahomes<\/a><\/strong>. Suppose the 5-foot-10, 187 lb Hardman cannot ascend to the WR2 role?<\/p>\n<p>The Kansas City coaching staff has repeatedly praised Pringle this off-season, indicating a huge opportunity for an increased role. The Chiefs signed Pringle to a $2.13 million free agent tender, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/sports\/nfl\/kansas-city-chiefs\/article251046669.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GM Brett Veach has gone on record<\/a> about how much confidence the team has in the 27-year old wideout. There is currently a chasm of difference between the ADPs of Hardman (124.8) and Pringle (213.5).\u00a0 Kansas City ranked third in the NFL with 630 pass attempts last season, and the departure of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WatkSa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sammy Watkins<\/a><\/strong> provides a huge opportunity for someone to ascend in this offense. The bigger, stronger, and more experienced Pringle is more likely to grab that coveted role.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>1.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McLaTe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Terry McLaurin<\/a> Will Finish as a Top 5 WR<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Fitzmagic meet F1. New quarterback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/F\/FitzRy00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Fitzpatrick<\/a><\/strong> has a long history of enhancing the fantasy production of his top wide receiver. McLaurin already had a dramatic increase in production during his sophomore season despite terribl