Here at Dynasty Football Factory, we just can’t wait for NFL Week 1. We’ve been working hard all offseason to break down all 32 teams and provide the best possible analysis to help you manage your teams and navigate your drafts, but we aren’t finished quite yet!
This will be the final article of twelve, counting down the days until we can once again sit and watch this sport that we love (and dominate our fantasy leagues in the process). Each article will have a numeric theme, which will also count down as each day ticks the calendar. In this piece, I’ll be discussing the top-10 players who will increase their dynasty value in the 2021 NFL season. So, without further ado, I am thrilled to bring you DFF’s 2021 “Kickoff Countdown”!
DAY 1
With the reigning Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers facing Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow we are officially on the last day without NFL football for the remainder of the calendar year. This has been a long and tumultuous off-season, but alas we have made it. As a thank you to both you, our readers, and our incredible staff with only one day until the NFL season kicks off we bring you the NUMBER ONE thing that each member of the DFF Army is excited to see in this upcoming season!
Brad Hartnett is most excited for:
I am most excited to see how some of the new faces mesh with their new teams. I have written ad-nauseam about my Rondale Moore affinity over the past couple of years. However, several players in new situations will be intriguing to see how they perform. Can Ja’Marr Chase create separation within his routes, or will Joe Burrow be required to throw him open? Will DeVonta Smith’s frame hold up against NFL defenders? Is Jaylen Waddle healthy enough to be a difference-maker for his college quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa? Can Rashod Bateman unlock the Raven’s passing offense? There are many more that come to mind, but those are the specific examples that I will be looking out for in week one.
In addition to the questions that will be answered over the course schedule, I am very interested in using this season to expand my understanding and process. I will continue bringing you Devy Breakouts on an Adhoc/monthly frequency where we uncover the newest devy players that break out from an analytical perspective. I will also be completing a weekly “Against the Spread” where we will look at the football gambling market and apply lessons learned to fantasy. I am excited to hone in on my skills and provide you with a unique perspective.
Carl Churchill is most excited for:
The rookies obviously! Not to echo too much of us Brad, but watching the rookies develop (or not) is something I always keep a close eye on. As I outlined in my article, I believe some of the rookies to be fades in Redraft, but some rookies will surely break out and be playable in your lineups. Last year I started the “Rookie Stock Market” series and I am happy to see Jagger May (@SportsJag) take it over this year! I’m now writing the “Devy Player of the Week” series, so I will be spending a little more time than usual tracking college football players as they develop into NFL prospects. It will be fun for me as I grow and learn more about being a Devy analyst. 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting season for both the NFL and NCAA!
Paul Patterson is most excited for:
This season, I am excited to track the development of these second-year players. Can Justin Herbert build on his incredible first season? Will Tua look more comfortable after a healthy offseason? Can D’Andre Swift ascend to fantasy greatness in a below-average offense? Will CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, Jerry Jeudy, or Chase Claypool break into that top tier of receivers? Can any of the disappointments — Mims, Reagor, Ruggs, Edwards — turn it around? There are just so many juicy storylines to follow.
(By the way, don’t forget to check in every week of the season for “Paul’s Picks,” my start/sit column.)
Thank you for reading our article and our Kickoff Countdown Series. We at @DFF_Dynasty are ecstatic for football to finally be back as well as we are honored to have such a strong and loyal readership. We look forward to continuing to provide our insights to help you go out and succeed in your fantasy leagues and to bring home fantasy titles in 2021 and beyond!
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