Fantasy Football Guide 2021: AFC sleepers, targets, busts, strategies
By Zach Cohen
Los Angeles Chargers Fantasy Football Guide
Justin Herbert has legitimate QB1 upside. It all depends on how often new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi lets Herbert sling it. Don’t get me wrong, Herbert has rushing upside as well. It’s just not as prominent as it is for Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson. Considering they’re all going at around the same time, I prefer a passer who has proven more than once he can be a top-12 quarterback. I also believe I can get a high-ceiling backup later, like Trey Lance or Justin Fields.
Austin Ekeler intrigues me. On one hand, you have a proven PPR threat with top-five potential. On the other hand, how can you trust a running back who only saw 51 percent of his team’s snaps? Admittedly, that should be closer to 54% due to his injury in Week 4, but it still doesn’t change his situation. If Ekeler saw more work in short-yardage situations, he’d be a top-five pick. He will frustrate you at times, but he can also average 18 points a game again.
Keenan Allen is as steady as they come. Last year’s WR12 is typically being picked as this year’s WR9. The potential is definitely there for him to reach that value, so he’s not a bad pick. I just prefer a younger player with a better career trajectory than the 29-year-old receiver. Who’s more likely to breakout: Terry McLaurin or Keenan Allen? That’s my thinking, but again, Allen is a fine pick in this range, especially if you’re betting hard on an offensive explosion for the Chargers.
I’m sorry Mike Williams fans, I can’t buy into another hyped-up season. Remove his five games of double-digit performances last season—one of which came in Week 17–and he barely averages five points per game. It’s tough to expect an improvement unless a) the Chargers sling the rock way more than they did last season or b) Josh Palmer or Jalen Guyton fade into the abyss. Speaking of Palmer, keep an eye on him as a potential waiver pickup. Los Angeles spent a third-round pick on him for a reason, as you’ll see in my tweet.
I really hope Mike Williams stays healthy this year, but if he doesn’t, Josh Palmer could be in a great situation. We’ll see how Staley and Lombardi adapt the offense, but I’d imagine they’ll keep it pass-centric. I’d 100% take a late-round swing on Palmer in best ball.
— Zach Cohen (@ZachCohenFB) June 11, 2021
I know I’ve discouraged you from picking tight ends late, but if you feel like waiting, wait as long as you can before drafting Jared Cook. After scoring 16 touchdowns in two seasons with New Orleans, Cook steps into a situation where 92 targets are up for grabs. And Hunter Henry did that in just 13 games. He’s my favorite late-round tight end if I feel like drafting one.