Fantasy MVPs are sometimes hidden from plain view, but not in 2020. The decision was easy to award Travis Kelce (TE-KC) the MVP honors after he destroyed his positional competition en route to a record year. Kelce was a stud amongst scrubs giving any fantasy who rostered him an enormous weekly advantage.
Which player will outperform ADP, their positional colleagues, and provide the greatest advantage for their fantasy teams in 2021? The answer isn’t as straightforward as Kelce. Could it be a second-year WR who ascends the active Mount Rushmore of receivers? I am talking about you, Justin Jefferson (WR-MIN), CeeDee Lamb (WR-DAL), and Chase Claypool (WR-PIT). Or maybe a rookie RB like Najee Harris (RB-PIT) or Travis Etienne* (RB-JAX)? Below, the case will be made for a comeback MVP, who shouldn’t surprise anyone who has played fantasy football.
*Etienne was ruled out for the season post submission
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A Comeback MVP
My 2021 fantasy football MVP only played nine full games in 2020, but he averaged 19 touches and over 100 yards in those contests. Moreover, he has been the third most proficient running back in fantasy points per game in the previous two seasons combined. Of course, I am talking about Austin Ekeler (RB-LAC).
Ekeler was on this summer with Adam Schefter discussing the Los Angeles Chargers’ offense and his role, basically saying that he will play the part of Alvin Kamara (RB-NO). We shouldn’t be surprised by Ekeler’s comparison to a consensus Top 5 fantasy back since he was on pace in 2020 for 185 carries and 87 receptions.
2020 dealt Ekeler hamstring and knee injuries, both of which he appears to be recovered from. He comes into 2021 with a prove it every year mindset stating over the summer, “I feel like you have to prove yourself every year.”
An RB1 and WR2 in One
Los Angeles signed Austin Ekeler to a 4-year, $24.5 million extension before last season to be their lead rusher and a threat in their passing attack. Brandon Staley takes over for Anthony Lynn, but the coaching move doesn’t change that Ekeler is head and shoulders more talented than his teammates Justin Jackson (RB-LAC) and Joshua Kelley (RB-LAC). Neither backup has ever recorded 400 yards rushing or caught 25 passes in their four combined seasons.
Justin Herbert (QB-LAC) and the Chargers passing attack had the third-most attempts in the NFL in 2020 and targeted their RBs at the fourth-highest clip. More than one out of every four throws from Herbert (25.5%) went in the direction of a running back, a sign that L.A. will utilize Ekeler’s best skill (receiving) as a consistent part of their scheme.
The Ultimate Ceiling
2019 was Austin Ekeler’s “breakout” season, as he tallied over 1500 yards from scrimmage. However, he did so while sharing the backfield with Melvin Gordon III (RB-DEN). Ekeler played just 57% of the offensive snaps that season and still managed to rank ninth in the NFL in total yards. How much production could there be if Ekeler sees the snap counts of Saquon Barkley (RB-NYG) or Ezekiel Elliot (RB-DAL)?
Answer: 2021 Fantasy Football MVP-type production!
Prediction: 197 carries, 906 rushing yards, 121 targets, 94 receptions, 952 receiving yards, 19 offensive TDs
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Aaron Pags is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Aaron, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyTriage.
