2021 Fantasy Preview – Los Angeles Chargers

Studs

• Keenan Allen: Allen is a top WR, especially in PPR leagues. The connection he established early with Justin Herbert paid dividends all season. There is no reason for that to change, and Allen should again be a top option for fantasy owners. Allen is a lock for over 100 targets, with only two seasons where he missed time not reaching that mark. Over the past four seasons, he is just short of 600 targets! The only thing that really stops him being considered in the top end of the position is the lack of TDs he has scored.
• Austin Ekeler: Ekeler is the lead back for this offense, and should again be a primary receiver out of the backfield. There are certain outcomes where he doesn’t consistently score TDs, given the way the team uses their personnel at the goal line, but he should be a consistent scorer with the receptions that should come his way. This season he will be behind the best offensive line that he has ever played with.

Role Players

• Justin Herbert: Herbert took the reigns of the offense earlier than many expected last season. But once he had them, he excelled. He immediately struck a rapport with Keenan Allen, and had a consistent volume of pass attempts. Since last season, the team added to their offensive line, which should help their overall offense take a step forward. 
• Mike Williams: Williams might be a ‘keep an eye on’ but I thought he has a little more upside than that. Williams has been inconsistent since entering the league, with a season of over 1,000 yards and a separate one with double-digit TDs. If he finds a happy medium, with the expected pass volume, he could be an effective depth piece.
• Jared Cook: Cook is going to have a role on the offense, given that the team moved quickly to secure him. The team don’t have many big bodies to target in the redzone, so Cook should fill that role. An effective streamer with weekly starting upside.

Keep an eye on

• Joshua Kelley: Kelley was a hot pickup last season when Ekeler was forced to miss time. However, he didn’t step up into the role that people hoped. Despite that, he does have some flex appeal in PPR leagues. In a new offense, with an improved offensive line, he could take a step up and fill a valuable role as a depth piece on your roster.

Dynasty Stashes

• Tre’ McKitty: The TE position is up for grabs, given the shake-up it had with Hunter Henry leaving in the offseason. McKitty is available on the waiver wire in alot of leagues. If you are in need of a TE in the medium-term, pick him up as a lottery ticket.
• Larry Rountree: The RB position is always a prime one for a stash. Last season the team needed an RB to step up when Ekeler went down with injury. However, it didn’t really happen, with both Kelley and Justin Jackson struggling to make the role theirs. There isn’t alot of draft capital invested in him, but he should still have a role in the offense