Fantasy Football Guide 2021: NFC sleepers, targets, busts, strategies
By Zach Cohen
New York Giants Fantasy Football Guide
You will not find me drafting Daniel Jones in any type of league. Honestly, he’s just done nothing to show me he’s a good NFL quarterback. While it certainly helps that Kenny Golladay is in town now, I’d rather take Zach Wilson, Tyrod Taylor and Sam Darnold before I took Jones.
I’ve been pretty vocal about my infatuation with Saquon Barkley. We know he’s capable of running an offense (no pun intended) and we know he’s very talented. I’ve gone on the record to say if I had a gun to my head, I would say Barkley is the most talented running back in the NFL. But I’ll save that argument for another time. And yes, we don’t know how exactly he will rebound from last season’s devastating knee injury. I
t seems that his RB7 ADP is already taking that into consideration, though. Barkley has legit RB1 potential again in an offense that can sustain a workhorse back like him. Don’t get worked up about the Giants‘ offensive line, either. Barkley’s done just fine with poor lines before.
Perhaps I’m letting my opinions on Jones cloud my judgment here, but I can’t trust any of New York’s wide receivers with Jones at quarterback. That sucks because they have a really talented receiver room. Kenny Golladay bolsters a group led by the always underrated duo of Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. It’s unfortunate that I’d pass on all of them for receivers in better situations — at least, at their price.
As with every player I’d fade, it’s never smart to write them off completely. You have to know when a player starts becoming overvalued and starts becoming a value. For example, Brandin Cooks’ ranking in ESPN leagues was player No. 72. He was stolen in one of my ESPN drafts as player No. 116. That’s a great value, and you can read my full thoughts on him in the AFC part of this guide. For now, my message is simple: Fade Giants’ wideouts until they’re too good to pass up.
Kadarius Toney only has value in dynasty and best ball. I highly doubt he makes much of a first-year impact in this bland offense. It may be no hyperbole that Evan Engram is my least favorite player in fantasy. Luckily, his ADP of TE15 seems to reflect my concerns after he averaged 8.8 points per game in 2020. At that price, shoot for a backup with more upside.