Going into any season, the information that people look for is the same- here we look at 2021 value selections. We are going to give a few at each position, with a quick rationale for why. This will be updated throughout the offseason, as ADPs change.
QB 2021 Value Selections
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m unsure on some of the pieces of the offense being effective, because there are so many options. What I am not unsure on is the offense as a whole firing effectively. So taking Brady seems like a no-brainer. Once Brady understood the playbook, he really took the offense to a new level. The offense is stacked, and age still doesn’t look like a factor.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
If Julio Jones leaves, then I will revisit this. But currently, Ryan has a number of offensive weapons available to him including generational talent Kyle Pitts. The defense hasn’t really improved, which should mean plenty of games where Ryan is forced to throw the ball often. Bad for real life- great for fantasy.
RB 2021 Value Selections
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
Edwards-Helaire was a bust last season, not because he was bad- it was his draft cost that did it. As a result of struggling last season, his draft cost has greatly reduced. That puts him as a solid value for this season. Edwards-Helaire is still the leading RB for a top offense. Should be a solid RB2, with some RB1 weeks.
Mike Davis, Atlanta Falcons
Davis is the starting RB for Atlanta with little competition. It might not be an exciting pick, but it is going to give you solid production for the season. Davis showed his ability with a workload with Carolina last year. With that opportunity, even if he isn’t efficient he is going to give RB2 option, at a minimum a solid flex.
Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Etienne was selected in the first round of the draft, and the team immediately said he was their third-down back. That’s a lot of capital to invest if you aren’t planning on using a player. Etienne might start out the season as the receiving back, but with how he performed in college, it won’t be long until he is heavily involved in rushing the ball too.
WR 2021 Value Selections
Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
Cooks is the leading receiver for Houston. The depth chart has to be one of the worst in the NFL, meaning that Cooks should be able to command that role with little competition. The team has question marks over who will be throwing the ball, but it shouldn’t matter too much considering the volume he is likely to get. Currently, he is being drafted at his floor, pick him up as a solid depth option.
Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts
I was a big fan of Pittman as a rookie, but he struggled to make a real impact after struggling with injury. The team made a move at QB, bringing in Carson Wentz. With the team lacking big-bodied downfield receivers, Pittman should be able to establish himself as a leading option for the offense.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
Samuel moved to Washington in free agency, slotting back in an offense that he should have some familiarity in. Given the way that Samuel can lineup anywhere on offense, including the backfield, Samuel should continue to be fantasy relevant as a flex option most weeks. If he clicks early with Ryan Fitzpatrick, there’s no reason why he can’t outperform his ADP.
TE 2021 Value Selections
Irv Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Smith is the fourth receiving option for the Vikings, but there isn’t alot of depth on the team. That should mean that Smith is able to get plenty of targets in the offense, especially since the team allowed Kyle Rudolph to leave this offseason.
A few spicy takes there, but hopefully, you agree. If you don’t let us know! You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Don’t forget to check out our other content in our draft kit!
Image Credit: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
