Every year trades and free agency create major buzz and make the offseason exciting. These moves end up shaping the landscape of the league for the following year and beyond. Let’s take a look at five faces in new places to target for fantasy football in 2021.
Matthew Stafford, quarterback, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford threw for over 4,000 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with the Lions last year.
Analysis of role on new team
Last year, the Rams threw the ball with Jared Goff 36 times per game. Cam Akers, who was supposed to be the number one option, tore his Achilles and will miss the whole year. That leaves only Darrell Henderson with any sort of experience in the backfield. I would expect this to increase the passing attempts even more for Stafford.
The Rams offensive line was ranked third last year according to PFF, and they have all their pieces back. McVay’s offense has averaged 36 passing attempts per game since he took over in Los Angeles. Goff had only two games last year where he was under 30 passing attempts and he even attempted 61 in one game.
Stafford had a similar skill group in Detroit with tight end in TJ Hockenson and two good receivers in Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones. The running game wasn’t bad either. In LA, Cooper Kupp is an elite receiver, Robert Woods is dynamic with the ball in his hands, and Desean Jackson is a great deep threat. The weapons might be of similar talent, but the new system will have a positive effect on Stafford. Mcvay is an offensive genius and will conjure up ways to take full advantage of Stafford’s skill set.
Gerald Everett, tight end, Seattle Seahawks
Everett was able to haul in 41 catches for 417 yards and one touchdown last year.
Analysis of role on new team
Everett will be playing with an elite quarterback this year in Russell Wilson. One thing working in Everett’s favor is there are targets to be had in this offense from his position. The Seahawks targeted the tight end 106 times last year, spread between Greg Olsen, Jacob Hollister, and Will Dissly. They only return one of those guys in Will Dissly.
Besides Dissly, Seattle has two other tight ends on the roster in Colby Parkinson and Tyler Mabry. This gives Everett the inside track to at least 60 targets.
Everett also has the massive advantage of playing alongside two elite receivers in Tyler Lockett, and DK Metcalf. These two guys will take most of the attention off of Everett.
Russell Wilson throws downfield much more frequently than Goff and can extend plays with his legs. Gerald Everett is poised to have a breakout year. Everett will certainly be one of the five faces in new places to target for fantasy football in 2021.
Kenny Golladay, wide receiver, New York Giants
Golladay had 20 receptions for 338 yards and two touchdowns last year through five games.
Analysis of role on new team
Golladay had an injury plagued 2020 and missed the first two games with a hamstring injury. He then suffered a hip flexor injury in Week 9 and missed the rest of the season. Golladay has the potential to be a game changer and he led the league in receiving touchdowns in 2019.
He will be flanked by some great talent at receiver and tight end this year as well. Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, and tight end Evan Engram will take some of the attention away from Golladay.
The million-dollar question, though, is whether Daniel Jones be the guy to make the offense work. If Jones grows and can distribute the ball, Golladay could have a solid year.
Hunter Henry, tight end, New England Patriots
Henry hauled in 60 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns.
Analysis of role on new team
This entry might seem controversial because of the fact the Patriots added another top tier tight end in Jonnu Smith along with multiple receivers. There will be competition for targets, but Henry is someone that Belichick has reportedly wanted for years now.
He had 87 targets last year from Justin Herbert in 14 games. This number will probably fall a bit due to all the additions the Patriots made on offense. The Patriots will heavily utilize the tight ends this year because of the downfield limitations of Cam Newton. The Patriots will design a lot of short routes and quick drops to get the ball out of Newton’s hands quickly. These routes will work in Henry’s favor.
The lack of a true number one go to guy at receiver will enhance the target share the former Razorback will get. By the end of the year, Henry will be the go-to guy in the Patriots’ offense.
Julio Jones, wide receiver, Tennessee Titans
Jones had 51 catches for 771 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
Analysis of role on new team
Julio Jones has been arguably the best receiver in football over the last decade. Jones will be the number one option in Tennessee this year, but he won’t have to shoulder all the burden. He has AJ Brown to work with, who was beyond excited when he found out about the trade. The former Alabama star also gets to play with the best running back in football in Derrick Henry, who will take the pressure off Julio as well.
What matters the most though is the guy throwing the football in Ryan Tannehill. He has had a career resurgence in Tennessee since arriving and continued to improve last year. He threw 33 touchdowns to 7 interceptions.
The Titans also have 157 targets to replace between the departing Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith. Jones gives you the consistency that every fantasy owner dreams of. We are poised to see a career year for the all-world receiver, and you want to make sure your fantasy team is the one that benefits from it.