The 2021 NFL offseason could end up being the most exciting and mind-blowing we’ve ever seen. There have already been two big trades involving quarterbacks: Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz will wear new uniforms in 2021. That could reportedly be the start of the frenzy of big-name superstars movement (Deshaun Watson, anyone? ). With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the players you should consider buying low on right now before the offseason move improves your stock in the fantasy football leagues of the dynasty.
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Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Elliott is coming off a disappointing 2020 season, so now is the time to attack him in a potential dynasty change. In the five games he played with Dak Prescott at the helm, Zeke scored an average of more than 22 fantasy points and was on track for almost 357 points. In his games without Dak, Elliott averaged 11.2 points. Also, keep in mind that Dallas’ offensive line was a disaster due to injuries, but Tyron Smith and Zack Martin will be back at 100 percent by 2021. Also, the Cowboys should add some help on the offensive line in the draft of the NFL (I have them taking Rashawn Slater from Northwestern). Elliott will also be 26 when next season begins.
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Mixon missed most of last season with a foot injury that didn’t seem serious when it happened but ended up costing him 10 games. He had played in at least 14 games in his first three NFL seasons. However, during that time, he had multiple seasons with more than 1,400 yards and at least eight touchdowns. Mixon has a promising young outfield general in Joe Burrow under center, and the Bengals should focus on improving their offensive line this offseason. Mixon was also on track to produce career totals as a pass catcher last season, and is now entering the prime of his career at age 24.
Ronald Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jones played second fiddle behind Leonard Fournette during the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl run, but Fournette is scheduled to become a free agent next season. Jones had a strong production streak during the regular season, but lost time while on the COVID-19 list, then dealt with a quadriceps ailment down the stretch. Digging into the numbers, Jones was an impressive eighth in yards created among running backs, according to FantasyData. He’s also only 23, so he has a lot of footprint left on his NFL tires. If Fournette leaves, RoJo could shine.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
Sutton missed all but one game last season after suffering a torn ACL and ACL, but will be fine for the start of the 2021 campaign and beyond. Let’s take a look at his 2019 breakout season when he finished 19th in fantasy points among wide receivers. He was also ninth in catches in the red zone, tenth in passing yards and twelfth in passing yards. While the Broncos’ catching group is deep with Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler and Noah Fant in the mix, I still like that Sutton resurfaces as the top pick in passing for Drew Lock or whoever starts in center.
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DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers
Moore finished last season in a disappointing 25th place in fantasy points among wide receivers, and couldn’t beat his teammates, Robby Anderson or Curtis Samuel. However, he had more receiving yards than in his 2019 breakout season, and his target percentage could rebound if the Panthers don’t retain free agent Samuel (97 goals in 2020). Moore will also be just 24 when the 2021 campaign begins, and the Panthers seem determined to improve their quarterback position.
AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers
Dillon’s stock could be declining in the eyes of some members of the dynasty league, and this is why. Due to the lower projected salary cap, the Packers would be insane do not to put the franchise tag on Aaron Jones for about $ 8 million in 2021. That would be a decrease of 21.4 percent based on the 2020 broker tag total due to COVID-19. While the Packers haven’t worn their tag in more than a decade, keeping Jones at a deep discount would allow them to retain their best running back and appease Aaron Rodgers. If this type of scenario plays out during the offseason, Dillon will be at least one more year before he has a significant impact on fantasy league players.
DJ Chark, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Chark took a statistical step back across the board last season as his goals, receptions, yards, yards per catch and touchdowns plunged. However, you can’t blame everything on Chark as the Jaguars played a carousel game of quarterbacks that included Gardner Minshew, Jake Luton and Mike Glennon. However, the future will be much brighter as the Jaguars will take on potential superstar Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Sure, there’s a chance the Jags will use up some of their cap space. salary to add a No. 1 wide receiver like Allen Robinson, but Chark would still be catching passes from Lawrence on an offense that has the potential to be very fantasy-friendly. Laviska Shenault is another wide receiver to target.
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Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Deebo was all the rage during his rookie season, proving he could be a playmaker as both a receiver and a running back in the 49ers offensive attack. He ranked the eighth best catcher based on fantasy points from Week 8 to Week 17. Then came the addition of rookie Brandon Aiyuk, who made a big impact on the statistics. Samuel also missed more than half of the season due to injuries, and that didn’t help his actions in new drafts or in dynasty leagues. He’s still very young at 25, though, and don’t forget he ranked fifth in yards after the catch and sixth in yards after rookie contact between receivers. It remains an interesting goal of the dynasty.
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Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys
To no one’s surprise, Gallup totals declined across the board last season after the Cowboys added rookie CeeDee Lamb in the NFL draft. However, he finished tied for 22nd in points the previous season, and has yet to enter his career prime. Also, keep in mind that the Cowboys can exit Amari Cooper’s contract with no impact on the salary cap after the 2021 campaign. Therefore, it is absolutely within the scope of Lamb and Gallup to become the top two. Dallas wide receivers in 2022 and beyond with Dak Prescott at center. That makes Gallup a worthwhile target.
Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Penny has been an absolute flop based on his first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but things could line up well for him heading into the 2021 season. Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde are free agents, and recent reports suggest that Carson is more likely to leave than to come back with the team moving forward. That could open the door for Penny to take over as Seattle’s best running back next season and beyond. Penny is also only 25 years old and has had little wear and tear in the NFL. Since it won’t cost much in a trade, Penny could be a decent addition to the dynasty.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa didn’t have a great rookie season, but not many quarterbacks will come out and produce like Justin Herbert in his first NFL season. He showed some glimpses of potential, and chances are he will have much better talent around him in 2021 and beyond. The Dolphins have a lot of draft capital and money to spend, so Tua could have an arsenal that includes Ja’Marr Chase or Devonta Smith, DeVante Parker, Travis Etienne, Najee Harris (or Aaron Jones) and Mike Gesicki. Sounds good right? Tagovailoa will also turn 23 early next season.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Goedert won’t be considered a bargain, per se, but I’d certainly like to have a piece of him in the dynasty leagues. The Eagles’ offense will look very different in 2021 without Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, and it looks like Zach Ertz could have played his last play in the City of Brotherly Love. Enter Goedert, who will be just 26 when the 2021 campaign begins and has a chance to be a strong target in new head coach Nick Sirianni’s offense. While the Eagles led the league in 12 people last season at nearly 34 percent, Sirianni’s Colts were 15th at 19.3 percent. If Goedert shows up without Ertz, he could be a real fantasy star.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst at Sports Illustrated and a Hall of Famer for the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA). You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Y Instagram for the latest breaking news on fantasy football and the best analysis in the industry.
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.