Arizona Cardinals - Eno Benjamin RB
Dynasty managers are quick to forget how dominant Eno Benjamin was in his final two years at Arizona State. In those two years, Benjamin rushed for 2725 yards and 30 touchdowns in 25 games, highlighted by a 339 yard, four-touchdown performance against Oregon State as a 19-year-old sophomore. At only 22 years old, there is still plenty of time for Benjamin to make an impact on this Cardinals roster. Ahead of Benjamin on the Cardinals depth chart stands James Conner and Chase Edmonds. Conner and Edmonds have had their ups and downs from an availability and production standpoint throughout their careers. Moreover, Kyler Murray is set for a massive contract extension and, consequently, a gigantic hit to the cap, which will mean Arizona has to find premium talent in undervalued players. Of the three running backs previously mentioned, Benjamin happens to be the only one under contract in 2022 on the current roster. If Eno can reclaim some of the glory he had at the collegiate level during the 2021 season, he could find himself as Arizona’s starting running back in 2022.
Atlanta Falcons - Olamide Zaccheaus WR
The wide receiver situation in Atlanta immediately got interesting after the franchise traded away Julio Jones. Olamide Zaccheaus is a name to put at the top of your watchlists. A surprise undrafted wide receiver out of the University of Virginia, Zaccheaus broke out as a 19-year-old sophomore. An impressive finish to his collegiate career saw Zaccheaus surpass the 1000 yard threshold with 11.4 yards per catch on 93 receptions with nine touchdowns. Listed as the starting slot receiver, with Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage in the outside roles, Zaccheaus could see increased work as a sophomore in a pass-heavy offense that ranked 4th in passing attempts in 2020 with 628. Calvin Ridley and tight end Kyle Pitts expect to receive the bulk of those targets in 2021 but there is clearly enough volume to support a third receiver. Especially considering that Atlanta’s defense is notorious for blowing leads, something we saw even more of in 2020 when Matt Ryan attempted 176 passes in the fourth quarter, more than any quarterback in the NFL. Another season with a bottom-ranked defense, coupled with a poor offensive line, ranked 24th by PFF entering 2021, the Falcons will need to pass a lot.
Carolina Panthers - Dan Arnold TE
Essentially free in all formats, there is little risk in investing in Dan Arnold at this point. In his fifth year in the league, Arnold takes his talents to Carolina after inking a two-year deal with the Panthers. Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady is looking to stretch the field in this spread action offense in 2021, making Dan Arnold an ideal fit for the system. Seeing limited usage in 2020, Arnold managed to rank first in yards per reception, first in aDOT, and fourth in total deep targets amongst all tight ends. Pairing with Sam Darnold, who ranked 3rd in deep ball attempts in 2020 gives Arnold unique upside. At 26 years old, Arnold is in a prime age for a breakout season as a tight end. An ADP of 225 overall in dynasty startup drafts, Dan Arnold could turn into a steal with the potential to be flipped for substantially more than his current cost.
Chicago Bears - Khalil Herbert RB
To start the 2021 season, Khalil Herbert is stashed on a Bears depth chart behind David Montgomery and . . . well that’s it. Tarik Cohen has been dealing with ongoing pain from a severe knee injury suffered in 2020 and is now on the Physically Unable to Perform list in 2021. Damien Williams hasn’t played professional football in over a year and all reports in training camp suggest Williams needs time to get back into NFL game speed. That leaves David Montgomery and Herbert to anchor the team’s backfield. At 5’9” and 212lbs, Hebert smashed defenders as a senior after transferring from Kansas to Virginia Tech. Herbert was a tackle-breaking machine as a fifth-year senior, averaging 4.74 yards after contact in his final year. Drafted in the 6th round by the Chicago Bears, Herbert has the chance to develop in a system that likes to use multiple running backs. A truck of a runner, Herbert is not expected to be the pass-catching specialist that Tarik Cohen was. Herbert will, however, be able to immediately replace Montgomery on any rushing down. An excellent handcuff option for managers invested in David Montgomery, Herbert also holds upside in the time between now and Tarik Cohen's return. An impressive showing early in the season would help Herbert solidify his hold on the number two role.
Dallas Cowboys - Simi Fehoko WR
Simi Fehoko has an NFL comparison on PFF that reads “a completely unpolished DK Metcalf.” Color me intrigued. Fehoko is a towering 6’4” 222lb speedster with a 95th percentile speed score on playerprofiler. Fehoko has very little experience entering the NFL, playing only sixteen games in three years at Stanford. Fehoko boasted a 79.1 success grade against man coverage in his minimal playing time. Fehoko will have the advantage of developing with the mentorship of pro bowl wideout Amari Cooper, sophomore standout Ceedee Lamb, the criminally underrated Michael Gallup, and superstar franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. Unlikely to re-sign Michael Gallup, whose contract is over after 2021, Dallas could look to fill that role in-house with Fehoko in 2022. I would not put it past Jerry Jones to trade Gallup midseason after showcasing his talents. If any injuries or outer transactions were to shake up this receiving corps, Fehoko’s value could skyrocket.
Detroit Lions - Sage Surratt WR
The Detroit Lions wide receiver corps is effectively void of depth. A bleak statement for Lions fans. For fantasy managers, this illustrates an opportunity to capitalize on extremely low-cost assets. An undrafted rookie free agent, Sage Surratt has the chance to make a name for himself in the Motor City. The 6’3” 215 lb Surratt broke out in his second year at Wake Forest as a big-bodied red zone threat. Surratt had over 1000 yards with 11 touchdowns on only 66 receptions in nine games as a sophomore. Surratt used his physical frame to beat defenders to the catch point, winning 18 of 30 contested catches that season. Surratt opted out of his final year with Wake Forest for personal reasons, limiting our sample on the promising wideout. An open competition for targets on a team destined to tank makes for an intriguing investment in Sage Surratt. Rostered in under 25% of dynasty leagues, Surrat’s current cost is that of a waiver wire bid.
Green Bay Packers - Kylin Hill RB
Dynasty managers should never fall victim to the overreaction caused by pre-season or training camp hype. That being said, Kylin Hill has looked damn good. A 7th round draft pick out of Mississippi State, Hill has been outperforming his NFL draft capital in leaps and bounds during the lead-up to the regular season. Something that is not entirely surprising from a running back that rushed for 1350 yards and 11 touchdowns as a 21-year-old junior against SEC defenses. Locked in as the third running back on the depth chart, Hill will need one of Aaron Jones or AJ Dillon to miss time to have a role as a rookie. As good as Jones is, he has never been a workhorse back. Jamaal Williams was given 119 carries and 35 targets in 2020. A role that is now reserved for AJ Dillon. There is meaningful volume to be had on the Packers' offense as the number two option at running back. From what we have seen so far, Hill is capable of succeeding with minimal work and should excel brilliantly in a backup role.
Los Angeles Rams - Jake Funk RB
Devastating news hit Los Angeles Rams fans this summer after Cam Akers suffered a season-ending achilles tear. The unfortunate loss of a franchise cornerstone has opened up a plethora of valuable sleepers in the Rams running back room. Darrel Henderson Jr is expected to slide up the depth chart as the Week 1 starter and new addition Sony Michel is the expected backup. Third on the depth chart is Jake Funk, who beat out Xavier Jones in the preseason. Always productive, Funk averaged 8.6 yards per carry at Maryland before losing all three of his final seasons to injury concerns. Funk is a versatile playmaker, capable of eluding defenders with his 97th percentile agility. Funk will surely be working hard to put his previous injury problems behind him. If he can remain on the field he could carve out a regular weekly role for the Rams in 2021. Fortunately for managers, he has the opportunity and talent to turn the hold into a big payoff.
Minnesota Vikings - Kellen Mond QB
Drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Kellen Mond may very well be the future of the franchise at quarterback. Mond was the focal point of the offense as a run and gun quarterback at Texas A&M. The Aggies ran a complex offense, similar to NFL schemes, under head coach Jimbo Fisher. Although Mond had difficulty with ball placement down the field, his dual-threat abilities showed promise with sound decision-making. Mond threw only 21 interceptions to 63 touchdowns in three years as the Aggies starter, posting a career collegiate QB rating of 132.0. Riding the bench as the backup, Mond will have at least a few seasons to develop in a true NFL system with Cousins under contract until 2022. Cousins has been the target of trade rumors often but that is all they are, rumors. A backup role for one of the game's most efficient quarterbacks in Cousins should help Kellen Mond prepare for an eventual role as a starter. The developmental process of backing up an established veteran has proven to generate elite playmakers throughout the history of the NFL. Mond has a path to the role of starter for the Vikings.
New Orleans Saints - Deonte Harris
It seems that every New Orleans Saints member of this receiving corps has ceased to be a sleeper. The entire array of pass catchers on this offense has seen their overall roster percentages spike with alpha receiver Michael Thomas needing surgery to repair ligaments in his ankle. One player that is unexplainably rostered in only 28.4% of superflex dynasty leagues is Deonte Harris. Making his name as a return specialist for New Orleans, Harris is the most athletic and dynamic playmaker of all receivers on this team. Once the ball is in his hands in open space, Harris uses his vision and shiftiness to make defenders miss, with the speed to burn them afterwards. Harris has yet to establish himself as a successful route runner at the pro level but has shown reliable hands-on limited volume, catching 20 of 25 targets in 2020. The key to Harris’s success will be getting him the ball in on an offense led by Jameis Winston. Harris has the versatility and skill set to fit into the gadget role utilized by head coach Sean Payton. Manufactured touches for Harris could help open up this offense and provide a much-needed veil of security for two quarterbacks that struggle mightily with turnovers. Until we know how this receiver room will function under a new quarterback, Harris has as much upside as any man on the roster.
New York Giants - Gary Brightwell RB
The New York Giants are precariously shallow at running back behind generational talent Saquon Barkley. Coming off of two major knee surgeries in the same amount of years, Barkley is an injury risk and insurance behind Saquon is needed. On the shortlist to backup Barkley is sixth-round rookie draft pick, Gary Brightwell. Considered a “violent” runner on many league scouting reports, the 6’1” 222lb Brightwell thrives against contact at all levels of the field. Brightwell is a traditional north-south style back who will not awe you with spectacular elusiveness but will run you over face first in a cloud of dust on his way to paydirt. Devontae Booker was another new addition to the backfield this off-season. A career backup, Booker has never been asked to handle a full workload and has been a continual disappointment with the opportunities that have arisen. Brightwell could carry relevance even with a healthy Barkley on the field, as his frame and running style could help ease Saquon of some short-yardage work. In the unfortunate event that Barkley does continue to be plagued with injuries, Brightwell and Booker will carry a gigantic workload. I would rather take a flier on Brightwell over Booker at cost for prolonged future production with the team.
Philadelphia Eagles - Quez Watkins WR
Rick Scuteri/AP
The Philadelphia wide receiver depth chart is an oxymoron, as there isn’t much depth on this chart at all. The Eagles traded up in the 2021 NFL draft to select Devonta Smith in the first round. A slight 6’0” 169 lb frame raises understandable questions about Smith's ability to absorb contact at the pro level. If the concerns hold weight and Smith struggles to acclimate in his rookie year, the Eagles will point to Quez Watkins and Jalen Reagor to levy the air attack. After posting the second lowest success rate ever charted against man coverage in the history of receptionperception.com, Jalen Reagor is not a player I am interested in. It should not be hard for Watkins to cement the number two role beside Smith, if Reagor continues to disappoint in such a catastrophic fashion. Watkins possesses play-breaking speed and will be the Eagles' top deep threat regardless of what the depth chart reads. As it stands, I view Watkins as a must-own prospect in dynasty.
San Francisco 49ers - Elijah Mitchell RB
The San Francisco 49ers have found a system of success under head coach Kyle Shanahan that is predicated on two constants: A stout defense and a versatile running game. A militant enforcer of the running back by committee approach, Shanahan and the 49ers used a third-round pick on Trey Sermon and a 6th round pick on Elijah Mitchell in the 2021 NFL draft to bolster their backfield depth. After gambling the farm on Trey Lance in the form of three future first-round draft picks, the breakouts of Mitchell and Sermon will be critical in the 49ers' success. Sermon is the prototypical up-the-middle rusher, much like Tevin Coleman of previous years. Mitchell outshines Sermon in all athletic categories, however, much like the speedster Raheem Mostert. Mitchell clocked a 4.40/40-yard dash at 5’10” 205lbs to go along with speed and burst scores above the 85th percentile, per playerprofiler.com. Mitchell was utilized effectively as both a rusher and receiver out of the backfield whereas Sermon is more one-dimensional. Both rookies sit on a stacked depth chart of running back talent topped by Mostert and surprise late bloomer Jeff Wilson, although Wilson is on the PUP. Mostert has been riddled with injuries himself and has begun to decline in productivity at the latter stages of his career. Ensuring the development of Elijah Mitchell in the Mostert role behind Trey Sermon is vital to the future of this offense.
Seattle Seahawks - DeeJay Dallas RB
Deejay Dallas was a one-week rookie star in 2020. With Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny out with injuries in Week 10, the rookie put on a two-touchdown performance against a top defense in a divisional matchup against the 49ers. DeeJay stepped into the role with little experience, playing only six snaps before his debut as a starter. DeeJay showed off his reliable receiving chops going 5 for 5 on receptions that day. Third on Seattle’s depth chart, DeeJay is the “next man up” behind Carson and Penny. A running back tandem that has combined to miss 41 games in just four years, Carson and Penny also do not have contracts that would be tough to get out of. DeeJay is on a team-friendly undrafted free agent deal and is signed through 2023. I expect the Seahawks to slowly utilize DeeJay Dallas throughout this season as a scouting process to see if they have a potential replacement for Carson and Penny.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - O.J. Howard TE
To say O.J. Howard has had a rollercoaster beginning to his NFL career is an insult to amusement parks everywhere. The 17th overall draft pick in 2017, O.J. Howard became the first tight end the Tampa Bay franchise has ever selected in the first round. Howard has yet to live up to the consistency that was expected from such a high capital investment and Rob Gronkowski remains under contract in 2021. Gronkowski can still step up and perform on the biggest stage but, at 32 years old with a long list of injury history, it is hard to rely on “Gronk” for a 17 game season. A four year pro, at 26 years old, Howard still has time to shed the stigma of a first-round bust. As a field-stretching deep threat, Howard has one of the best overall athletic grades in all of the NFL amongst tight ends. Speed and burst scores in the 98th and 97th percentile make Howard a mismatch for any coverage assignment. With Tom Brady staving off retirement on the back of another Super Bowl victory, Howard and company are in phenomenal positions to produce at an elite level on a quest for their dynasty legacies. Howard will become an unrestricted free agent entering 2022 after Tampa Bay exercised his fifth-year rookie option for this year. I am invested in holding onto Howard for at least one more season in hopes he completely balls out in pursuit of a big contract.
Washington Football Team - Jaret Patterson RB
Undrafted rookie free agent Jaret Patterson was overlooked for his lack of size and speed. At 5’6” and 195 lbs, Patterson was utilized as a scatback in college for the University at Buffalo. Posting a 93rd percentile college dominator rating, Patterson excelled in his role with over 1000 yards in all three of his collegiate seasons, most impressively in a shortened senior year wherein Patterson averaged 7.6 yards per carry, needing only 141 rushing attempts to reach 1072 yards. Patterson was highly touted for his vision and elusiveness in the open field, making up for his lack of long-distance speed. Averaging 4.74 yards after contact in college, Patterson is not an easy ball carrier to bring down, despite his small stature. Grading above the 80th percentile in all rushing categories in the PFF draft profile, Patterson has a proven track record of success that should translate well to the pro level. Patterson will be in a reserve role behind J.D. McKissic and Antonio Gibson to start his NFL career. After putting on an impressive training camp and preseason, Patterson could now find himself with meaningful playing time in 2021.
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By Matthew Ward (@PsychWardFF)
For a second straight season, I am betting against Mahomes.