Fantasy Football: Keenan Allen could be the WR1 in 2021

Keenan Allen has been a reliable fantasy football wide receiver but he legitimately could finish 2021 as the top player at his position. 

Any fantasy football manager who’s had Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen on their team when he’s been healthy has almost surely been content in their investment. In 2020, he finished as the WR13 overall but was WR7 from a fantasy points per game basis. That’s a clear-cut top-tier wide receiver in the league.

Given that he’s playing his second season with quarterback Justin Herbert, a player who was a revelation as a rookie, there should already be some buzz about Allen. However, he’s basically being ranked exactly as you would expect him to be.

According to the Fantasy Pros expert consensus rankings, Allen is the WR10 entering the 2021 season.. That’s a strong ranking, to be sure. And frankly, putting him above any of the big names ranked ahead of him would look a bit suspect.

Having said all of that, however, the upside for Keenan Allen can’t be ignored. If he plays all 17 games, the Chargers top wideout has the chance to finish this season as the overall WR1 in fantasy football.

What is the path for Keenan Allen to be the WR1 in fantasy football?

Keenan Allen finishing as the top-scoring wide receiver this season will take a number of factors. The biggest and simplest of these two is for Herbert to take another step forward after his dominant rookie season and then for the wide receiver to stay healthy for the entire season. Without that, he’ll remain a very good but just short of great fantasy option.

However, if those two things happen — something that’s entirely realistic — the rest of the stage is set for Allen. The departure of Hunter Henry can’t be ignored with the Chargers offense as it opens up a ton of targets in the offense. And considering that Mike Williams is the only other proven pass-catcher at wide receiver or tight end, that could mean even more touches for Allen.

Furthermore, having a full offseason to work with Herbert should only help cultivate the connection between quarterback and wide receiver. Sure, they worked well together last year regardless. With more practice reps and more wrinkles added to the offense, though, even more doors could open.

To be sure, this isn’t a prediction for Allen to finish as the WR1 in fantasy football. This is to say, though, that he has that type of upside in 2021. And for anyone who sees him falling into the late second round or even the third round, that should be considered as you make your selections.