2021 Fantasy Breakout Candidates

Welcome to our first installment in a series of collaborative articles from the FFfaceoff team. We will be running these weekly collaborative pieces on different content all off-season long. For this first piece, we’ll be talking about 2021 fantasy breakout candidates. Feel free to drop a comment and let us know who you agree or disagree with!

Cam Akers

RB Los Angeles Rams

Akers finished the season very strong after we saw him get an increased workload. The most promising part was seeing him get 28 and 18 carries in the two playoff games against the Packers and Seahawks when it really mattered most. He racked up 221 yards and two touchdowns while adding 51 yards through the air catching all three targets thrown his way. He’s capable in the passing game, which brings additional upside as well. We all know the upside a lead back in this Sean McVay offense can have and Akers could end up being a massive breakout player in 2021 with the potential workload ahead of him.

Aaron Schill @aaron_schill

Michael Carter

RB New York Jets

Carter has been a personal favorite of mine throughout the draft process. I really like his speed and his typically overlooked physicality. Carter brings a skill set that can be used on any down to the New York Jets. Although the Jets aren’t known for their offensive production, Carter could easily top a depth chart “starring” Tevin Coleman and La’Mical Perine.

Seth Keller @fftheathomedad

Gerald Everett

TE Seattle Seahawks

I’m going with a guy you can get towards the ends of your drafts that can greatly outproduce his ADP. No longer tied to Jared Goff or behind Tyler Higbee, Everett got a 7 million dollar deal to be the Seahawks TE1. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett creating space on the outside, Everett should get plenty of opportunity in the middle of the field and red zone. We’ve seen flashes with guys like Will Dissly in recent years. With a current ADP outside the top 25 tight ends, Everett is an ideal “Zero-TE” for those who missed out on the few top guys. I can see Everett finish in the top-12 out of nowhere, a la 2020 Logan Thomas.

Brandon Hamer @DoubleHFantasy1

Mike Boone

RB Denver Broncos

He may not have the biggest sample size to look at, but Boone has flashed some very nice fantasy numbers when given the opportunity. The Cincinnati alum tallied 232 rushing yards on 41 carries, good for 5.66 yards per attempt while adding three touchdowns to close out the final three games of the season for Minnesota in 2019. Even with Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams sharing the backfield, the split for opportunities could be quite equal in an RBBC behind a strong offensive line. He’ll make a great late-round pick that’ll put some positive numbers in your lineup, especially if the Broncos move away from one of their current ball carriers. You can grab him for very cheap in your dynasty leagues, or keep an eye on him in the final rounds of redraft or even on the waiver wire.

Benjamin Ditlevson @FFRabbitDad

Nico Collins

WR Houston Texans

We can be sure about two things with the 2021 Houston Texans. Not only are they a candidate to legitimately finish 0-17 after only winning four games with Deshaun Watson last season, as they are expected to be without him moving forward, but they will also be playing within a negative game script very often. That’s where Nico Collins comes in. While Collins only brings third-round draft capital (89th overall), his big-bodied 6’4, 215lb frame, accompanied by his 89th percentile speed score, 77th percentile burst score, and 94th percentile catch radius could leapfrog the rookie into significant targets in his first season as a pro. Outside of Brandin Cooks, there isn’t much competition at the wide receiver position in Houston. Sure, there’s Keke Coutee, Randall Cobb, Chris Conley, and Andre Roberts, but if Collins is as advertised, he will emerge as the sure-fire WR2 in an offense primed to play from behind for the duration of 2021. A 10th round pick in most PPR formats, I am grabbing Collins anywhere I can.

Anthony Cervino @therealnflguru