Now that we’re just a few days away from the 2021 regular season, I think it’s about time we shift to post-draft fantasy football content. Teams are set, and waivers are settled. It’s like Christmas Eve in September. But if you’re anything like me, the anticipation can be unbearable.
Luckily, this week presents a unique opportunity for pre-season trades. Obviously you won’t be able to get Alvin Kamara without paying a steep price, but demand is low on players taken in the later rounds of your draft. This is the perfect time to trade for low-risk, high-reward players who your league might be sleeping on.
Today we’ll be taking a look at some of these early buy-low candidates. Since draft rankings are largely unchanged, players were only considered for this list if their ADP was in the 10th round or later in 12-team leagues. If you weren’t able to grab these guys, consider trading for them before your leaguemates realize their true value.
Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan
One of the most underrated and overlooked QBs year after year, Matt Ryan has been a model of consistency. In 2016-2020 Ryan finished as the fantasy football QB2, QB15, QB2, QB11, and QB12, respectively. Last season, he was 1st in pass attempts and completions, and 4th in total yards. This was partly due to an abysmal Falcons defense that gave up the 4th most yards in the league. That defense is not expected to improve in 2021, meaning Ryan should find himself in plenty of negative game scripts.
Tua Tagovailoa
If you’ve been following my articles, you know that Tua Tagovailoa is one of my favorite QBs this season. Tua started just nine games in 2020, got benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick multiple times, and finished as the QB31. Not exactly inspiring stuff. But Tua was still recovering from a serious hip injury, had to deal with a shortened offseason, and lacked the weapons to capitalize on his talents. The additions of Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle coupled with outstanding training camp reports have me all-in on the Dolphins this season.
Jameis Winston
One of the most polarizing QBs of all time is making his return in 2021. Jameis Winston has officially won the starting job with the Saints, and should waste no time becoming relevant in fantasy football once again. It’s almost like everyone forgot Winston was the QB5 in his infamous 2019 season. He’s had an impressive preseason showing and great weapons in his arsenal (especially once Michael Thomas returns). QB-needy teams should seek Winston out before his price rises.
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Running Backs
Devin Singletary
Late-round RBs with real fantasy football value are sparse. For this list I wanted to refrain from any designated handcuffs. At this time of year you’re looking for players with a path to opportunities on good offenses, and that’s exactly what you get with Devin Singletary.
Zack Moss is likely the starter and should handle any goal line work not taken by Josh Allen, but even a small portion of this offense is worth getting in on. The Bills are expected to use the hot hand approach with their RBs this season, so Singletary should occasionally offer flex value.
Jamaal Williams
The Lions most likely won’t have a prolific offense in 2021, but their terrible defense should allow guys like Jamaal Williams to thrive. This unit finished last in both points and yards allowed last season, and have a thin receiving group. Pass-catching RBs like Williams and D’Andre Swift are expected to see plenty of chances in negative game scripts. Additionally, Swift has been dealing with a nagging groin injury that could allow Williams to carve out a role for himself sooner rather than later.
Giovani Bernard
It’s pretty hard to find optimism in a three-headed RB committee, but Giovani Bernard’s situation might not be as bad as you think. Tom Brady absolutely loves his pass-catching RBs. Brady propelled James White to years of fantasy football relevance, and Bernard has landed a team with the 10th highest passing play percentage in the league. He could legitimately compete for the most RB opportunities on the Buccaneers thanks to Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones sharing the rushing workload.
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Wide Receivers
Michael Pittman Jr.
Most WRs you’ll find in the 10th round project as the 2nd or 3rd target on their respective teams. That’s not the case for Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman is listed as the Colts’ WR1, and will likely be the main target for new QB Carson Wentz. Wentz is a huge upgrade over Philip Rivers, and this receiving room is especially thin now that T.Y. Hilton is out indefinitely. Pittman led the Colts receivers in catch percentage, missed tackles, and passer rating when thrown to, once he was healthy. Get him while you still can.
Darnell Mooney
Now the clear second option in the Bears’ passing attack, Darnell Mooney is one of the best steals this preseason. Last year, Mooney broke the Bears rookie record in receptions. He finished 9th in fantasy points among rookies, and had the 8th most broken tackles among all WRs. He managed to do this despite poor QB play from Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky; while also working as the third target behind Anthony Miller. With Miller’s 76 vacated targets and an improved offense, Mooney’s a prime breakout candidate in 2021.
Jakobi Meyers
Yet another pre-breakout receiver, Jakobi Meyers’ path to consistent opportunities is less obvious than the others on this list. The Patriots’ receiver room has become a lot more crowded this offseason. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones has been looking great and it seems like he’s already formed a connection with Meyers in camp. PFF ranked Meyers as the 2nd best WR this preseason. With N’Keal Harry on IR to start the year, Meyers could quickly emerge as the top wide receiver option for his rookie QB.
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Tight Ends
Jonnu Smith
Most buy-low TEs are fighting to establish themselves as the third target on good offenses, and Jonnu Smith is no exception. The Patriots love two-TE sets and should run plenty of plays with both Hunter Henry and Smith on the field, but I see Smith as the more fantasy relevant of the two. He managed a TE10 finish in Half-PPR last year, and could soon end up as Mac Jones’ go-to red zone threat.
Blake Jarwin
After playing in just one game in 2020 thanks to injury, the general opinion of Blake Jarwin is lower than you’d think. But he could end up as the third option on this explosive offense if he overtakes Michael Gallup, and I think that’s worth taking a shot on (however unlikely it may be). Dalton Schultz (Jarwin’s backup) was getting seven targets per game while Dak Prescott was healthy. Now that Prescott is no longer on a pitch count the sky’s the limit for every Cowboys player. If you’re not satisfied with your TE depth, Jarwin is a fantastically cheap trade target.
Anthony Firkser
Another low-cost TE that could breakout this season is the Titans’ Anthony Firkser. This team lost Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, and Jonnu Smith in the offseason, leaving behind a whopping 192 vacated targets. Obviously, the addition of Julio Jones will take a significant amount of that work, but there will be plenty left to go around. Ryan Tannehill has to throw to someone besides Jones and A.J. Brown, so Firkser could quickly prove to be an overlooked value.
I have 2 players on this list. This is the confirmation I needed. Thank you.
Honestly Jaamaal Williams is such an underrated player. I can’t believe people are so cold to him