Every week this season, our Yahoo Fantasy Football crew has released their wildest predictions for the action ahead. Since most of the championships have already been completed, we look forward to the future and the next season. It’s time to get brave for 2021!
Antonio Gibson will be a top three RB
Matt Harmon: You wanted to be brave, didn’t you? You see. Everything is perfectly prepared so Gibson can be back for the second year making the leap from a strong rookie season to a true fantasy monster. For one thing, he was a baller in 2020. We know he was on a hot touchdown run before he injured himself early in Washington’s win over Pittsburgh in Week 13. With 26 broken duels, he still ranks sixth among the running backs. Despite his lack of a college rushing resume, he ran with excellent vigor, sustained drives, and scored goal chances near the goal line. The offensive environment in Washington is also solid when the team is upgrading at Quarterback. The offensive line exceeded expectations, there’s a rising alpha receiver in Terry McLaurin and Logan Thomas shows up on the tight end. With a progressive offensive system already in place, this unit could take a leap overall in 2021.
Gibson just needs to build on his pass-catching role, which isn’t a two-year contract for JD McKissic but is reasonable hope to view his story as a recipient, and he has the profile of a clear RB1 in the imagination.
Dak Prescott won’t miss a beat in return
Andy Behrens: It may feel like a lifetime ago when Dak Prescott mercilessly shredded the defense and overtook stats in a historical clip. But I assure you it was actually 2020. Four weeks into the start of the season, Prescott averaged 422.5 yards per game – miles ahead of the pace required to break the season record. If you had him drafted into a fantasy league, you had every reason to believe you had a league winner at the top of your squad.
And then the injury hit your plans (and those of the cowboys). I just want to remind you that, assuming a return to Dallas, Prescott’s situation in 2021 will be just as favorable as what he saw this year. His reception corps is of the highest quality and his team’s defense is not. Dak may not run much like Kyler Murray or Lamar Jackson, but he’s very effective near the goal line, a strong candidate for half a dozen rushing scores. He has a clear shot to finish as overall QB1 in 2021.
The story goes on
Quarterback Dak Prescott could see an epic return next season if he and the Dallas Cowboys can agree on a contract stemming from his injury. (AP Photo / Ron Jenkins)
Cam Akers has the elite on its head in 2021
Dalton Del Don: It was a frustrating year designing Rams fantasy backs, but Cam Akers became a definite feature of the team before sustaining a sprained ankle (which he played through in the second half when Darrell Henderson saw no snaps) . It took the rookie a while to find his way around LA’s system, but Akers impressed down the track. He has plenty of upside potential in a roaring attack, the DVOA No. 1 this season, and in a role that enabled Todd Gurley to lead the NFL in touchdowns from 2017-19. Hopefully Akers’ ADP will be suppressed by a humble rookie season that ended prematurely in 2021 when he ends up as a top 5 fantasy player.
Noah Fant ready for the breakout campaign
Scott Pianowski: The first thing I want to beg of people is not to get rid of the narrow ending position in 2021. Kicker to the curb, okay I can see it. Defense dumped, or at least reformed, I’ll take the talk. But only because 2020 was a year in which it was about a dominant, very good ending and a lot of meh is no reason to make our game too stupid. Do not do it. Let’s not be reactionary.
And hell, tight breakouts are fun. Do you remember George Kittle in 2018 or Mark Andrews last year? Let’s see if we can find someone who matches the suit.
I will be proactive with Noah Fant and move into his third season. Call it a top 4 ending. I understand the Broncos are endowed with excellent skills and Drew Lock remains a sketchy quarterback, but that will keep the draft price down. While young wideouts often land on the floor in the current NFL, the tight end on board is slower, a more nuanced position. Fant has a first-round pedigree and is sure to pass the eye test, even if its efficiency dropped in 2020. It will be one of my favorite middle round targets next year.
Logan Thomas becomes a top 5 TE
Liz Loza: There are many stories about the Washington Football team. Obviously, the most important thing among them is the emergence of a dominant defense. However, the offense also builds something special, with Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson, and Logan Thomas developing into a capable core.
Thomas is still new in the narrow final position. He moved from quarterback in 2016. Now he’s had a target season of over 100 years, completing an average of 35 routes per game (TE2 ahead of Darren Waller and Mark Andrews). Regardless of who was the focus, Thomas produced. It is top three for receptions (4.6 / g) and top seven for closed air pockets. These numbers are proof of his plus athleticism and the ability to successfully apply his existing knowledge of route concepts. It’s even more impressive when you consider the range of QB skills he has dealt with over 2020. He is TE6 in a season where the position was full of injuries and disappointments. Get ready for it to show even more next season. 2021 Fearless Forecast: 79 receptions for 802 yards and seven touchdowns.
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