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Now that a few teams have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs, we can better gauge potential 2021 outlooks on some very interesting performers. When players raise their games in the postseason, their fantasy value can leap forward. Delivering the best production possible when the stakes and intensity are at their highest levels demonstrates increased potential for impressive statistical output.
Here are some fantasy reactions to some compelling storylines that developed in the first two rounds, with a heavy focus on Rams RB Cam Akers.
Cam Akers: The Post-Playoff Fantasy Scouting Report
Because of the pandemic, a few rookies did not start displaying their true promise until later in the season. That was certainly true of Cam Akers, who not only missed out on a normal preseason and training camp. He also dealt with some early-season injury issues that further thwarted his progress. As fantasy players began to prepare for their playoffs in Weeks 11 and 12, he was mostly an afterthought.
In Week 13, though, Akers rushed for 171 yards against the Patriots, showing just why Sean McVay was so high on him in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Rams head coach wanted a running back who could be a true focal point of the offense. Los Angeles used its first available pick in this year’s draft to take Akers when they had other pressing needs.
Last season, we saw DK Metcalf signal his impending breakout season with a great performance in the NFC Wild Card Game. When a young player performs well on the biggest stages of the NFL playoffs, it definitely boosts his fantasy appeal for the next season. Akers came through with two strong outings in the Rams’ two playoff games this season, ramping up his value in seasonal, keeper and dynasty leagues for 2021.
In this season’s NFC Wild Card Game against Seattle, Akers was the clear offensive standout. He totaled 176 yards from scrimmage, rushing for 131 yards and a score against a fifth-ranked Seahawks run defense that knew he was going to get the ball frequently. In the NFC Divisional Playoffs, he rushed for 90 yards on 18 carries and a score. The Los Angeles offense was flat around him, yet the Packers could not contain Akers, either. He was nearly unstoppable in both playoff games despite defenses being well aware that he was the Rams’ prime playmaker on offense.
Blossoming late in the season, Akers proved to be a thrilling blend of good vision, balance, acceleration, speed and some power. Now the obvious question becomes, where do we rank and draft him in 2021? Akers still has to prove himself over a full season, but the upside is tantalizing. His key 44-yard reception vs. Seattle showed he does have the added abilities to contribute as a pass-catcher as well. He also caught four passes for 52 yards in the regular season finale.
As I flesh out my early rankings for 2021, I have no doubt Akers will land in my Top 10, as I have been very intrigued by him since he was drafted by the Rams and was well aware of the very important role he was ticketed for with the Los Angeles offense. Once I get past Henry, Cook, Kamara, McCaffery, Aaron Jones and Barkley territory, Akers comes into the mix along with Jonathan Taylor as the top two second year backs with tremendous upside. It’s going to be a tough call between those two for me, one I will be mulling over for much of the offseason. Right now, I don’t have a strong lean in either direction, especially when both QB situations must become clearer first. I am not really concerned about the QB spot becoming an overly negative situation for either RB, but once the outlooks are more firmly determined, I will have a better handle on which guy I may prefer.
Akers will fall in the late first round/early second round range for me. If I am very concerned about Barkley’s durability, I could consider Akers as early as sixth or seventh at RB. I prefer Akers slightly over Chubb at this point because he is less likely to share touches, and over Ekeler because I expect more rushing scores from Akers. I would definitely take Kelce and Davante Adams over Akers. Then, it would become a very tight call for me between Akers and DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs. So I will start thinking about selecting Akers as early as No. 8 overall, and will very comfortably take him in the final slots of the first round. He will not get past me if he slips to the second round.
Akers definitely has the look of a possible RB1, so I would consider him as at least a second keeper in those formats. In dynasty leagues, I would not trade him unless I get another top-shelf player in return. If you are trying to trade for Akers in a keeper or dynasty league, be prepared to part with one of your own top players in exchange. He is a very determined runner who can be a central figure on the Rams offense and a locked-in fantasy starter for the next few years.
More NFL Postseason Fantasy Observations
-Akers was not the only rookie to make a very positive impression in the Wild Card Round. Michael Pittman Jr. sent a message that he will have to be strongly considered as a Fantasy starter for 2021. He caught five passes for 90 yards with a long of 32. He displayed tremendous yardage-after-the-catch skills and utilized his leaping ability to make key grabs. We will naturally have to see who the Colts bring in at QB for 2021. The new passer will likely take to the emerging Pittman as a top target, and may spread the ball around less than Philip Rivers did. Pittman is a fantasy WR3 with an arrow pointing upwards for 2021. He also should be considered as a third keeper.
-There is much talk that Baltimore will be in the market for a true No. 1 WR. Marquise Brown just is not that guy, but he played well in the postseason again, with 196 receiving yards in two games. He had seven catches in the Wild Card Round. He also caught six TD passes in his final six regular season games. If he gets a strong complement across from him in 2021, Brown’s third pro season could prove to be a true breakout campaign. He might really shine as a No. 2 WR for the Ravens.
-As noted by FanDuel, Baker Mayfield played much better without Odell Beckham Jr. this season. In the six games before Beckham suffered a season-ending knee injury, Mayfield averaged 182.5 yards per game with 10 TDs and seven INTs. Heading into the Divisional loss at Kansas City, he was averaging 250.2 yards per game with an amazingly tidy line of 20 TDs and just one INT. Mayfield kept his team in the game vs, Kansas City but the final line of 204/1/1 was not good enough. In today’s NFL offenses need above-average playmakers to compete deep in the postseason.
Beckham has made it clear he wants to be back with the Browns, especially after watching them make some postseason noise. Playoff success has eluded OBJ so far in his career and he can still be a significant and needed threat for Mayfield in concept. Beckham could be the final missing piece to the Browns' offensive puzzle next season and may be a value acquisition in keeper and dynasty leagues. He may also play above some lowered expectations in seasonal formats. The numbers say the Browns were better off without Beckham, but if they can find ways to make him fit more ideally next season, it could benefit all involved, including fantasy players.
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