When Super Bowl 56 between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams comes to an end, all 32 NFL teams will have turned their attention to the offseason. However, there is no such thing as the offseason for dynasty fantasy football players. Around this time every year, you see dozens of buy low trade articles on the internet, many of which include the same names. Typically a buy-low candidate is a well-known player who had a down year for an unforeseen reason but is due to bounce back next year.
However, what about players who haven’t been fantasy-relevant for a while or had limited success in the NFL that could become impact fantasy players next season? I refer to those players as dart throws. Sometimes dart throw players will work out, and other times they don’t. The nine names in this article are non-flashy players you can likely acquire for a later-round rookie pick. However, each of them has potential upside for next season.
All stats mentioned are based on four-point per passing touchdown and PPR scoring.
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Quarterbacks
After the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Trevor Lawrence, Minshew knew his time in Jacksonville was over. After getting traded to the Eagles, some believed Minshew would push Jalen Hurts for the starting job. However, that never happened, and Minshew is entering the final year of his rookie contract. As he enters the last year of his deal, many believe Minshew could get traded this offseason, especially with several teams needing a quarterback. Minshew averaged 17 fantasy points per game in 23 career games with the Jaguars despite a less than ideal situation. He also averaged 16.6 fantasy points per game in his two starts this year. Even if Minshew doesn’t get traded this offseason, he will be a free agent after next season. Depending on where he lands, Minshew has top-15 upside.
When people think of Trubisky, they immediately get turned off. However, his situation with the Chicago Bears was far from ideal. Despite Matt Nagy and his questionable coaching decisions, Trubisky was solid for fantasy players. In 2018, Trubisky averaged 18.8 fantasy points, making him the QB11 on a points per game basis that year. Over his final 38 starts with the Bears, Trubisky averaged 1.5 passing touchdowns and 16.3 fantasy points per game. After spending a year with Brian Daboll, Ken Dorsey, and Josh Allen, Trubisky hopefully has improved his game. With several teams needing a quarterback this offseason, Trubisky could find himself in a starting role next year. Depending on where he lands, Trubisky will have value in super-flex leagues.
Running Backs
Before tearing his Achilles, Mack was a solid fantasy running back. In the two years before the injury, he averaged 4.5 yards per rushing attempt and 13.8 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Mack was the RB21 in 2018 and the RB22 in 2019 despite averaging only 1.2 receptions per game in those two years. He returned this season and played well when on the field. In the six games he played, Mack averaged 4.7 rushing attempts per game, averaging 3.6 yards per rushing attempt. While running backs are the easiest position to replace in football, several teams could use a veteran running back this offseason. Mack could have mid RB3 or better value moving forward depending on where he lands.
D’Andre Swift is the lead back in Detroit, but he has missed 21.2 percent of the games in his career because of injuries. Jamaal Williams could get released this offseason, opening up $3 million in cap space. If the Lions move on from Williams, Reynolds will take over as Swift’s backup. In the two games he started last season, Reynolds averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game and 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. Furthermore, Reynolds was the RB20 those two weeks despite not scoring a touchdown. Not only will he have value as Swift’s handcuff, but Reynolds would have stand-alone value. In the 11 games Swift and Williams played, Williams averaged 9.4 fantasy points per game. If the Lions release Williams, Reynolds becomes one of the top handcuffs in fantasy football.
Wide Receivers
The Chargers were the only team in the NFL with two top-12 wide receivers. However, Mike Williams is a free agent and likely will play elsewhere next season. Many are excited about Joshua Palmer‘s future in the NFL, but trading for him is near impossible right now. Instead, you should acquire Guyton. While he is a free agent, Guyton is a restricted free agent, meaning he will likely be back with the Chargers next season. Guyton is best suited to fill Williams’ shoes. He averaged 14.5 yards per reception this season, while Palmer averaged 10.7 yards per reception. By comparison, Williams average 15.1 yards per reception this season. Assuming Williams leaves in free agency, Guyton will have an impactful fantasy role next season with the Chargers.
Now that Tom Brady has officially retired, the Buccaneers have several decisions to make this offseason. Rob Gronkowski could retire while Chris Godwin is an upcoming free agent, leaving the Buccaneers with limited proven weapons. Miller hasn’t been a fantasy-relevant player since the team added Antonio Brown. However, Miller averaged 4.8 targets and 9.8 fantasy points per game in the eight games in 2020 without Brown. He scored at least 11 fantasy points in half of those games. Miller could quickly become a favorite target of Kyle Trask, should the Buccaneers make him the starter. As Miller enters a contract year, he will be motivated to have the best year of his career. If Godwin leaves in free agency, Miller could turn into a solid bye week replacement wide receiver.
For years, the Packers have ignored the wide receiver position in the draft. Last year, they used a third-round pick on Rodgers. He was the first draft pick the Packers spent on a wide receiver since the 2018 draft. Unfortunately, Rodgers struggled to get on the field, playing only 8.8 percent of the offensive snaps as a rookie. However, Randall Cobb is likely a cap casualty, while Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Allen Lazard are free agents. Given their cap situation, the Packers are unlikely to bring back all four wide receivers, even if Aaron Rodgers returns. During his time at Clemson, Rodgers was Lawrence’s go-to receiver. If Jordan Love is the starter next year, he could quickly develop a consistent connection with Rodgers.
Tight Ends
In his first year with the Steelers, Ebron was the TE14, averaging 9.5 fantasy points per game. This year he struggled with injuries, playing in only eight games. He also lost snaps to star rookie Pat Freiermuth. Ebron is an upcoming free agent and should have no trouble finding a starting role with a new team. During his career year in 2018, Ebron was the TE4, averaging 13.9 fantasy points per game. Despite playing only 56.6 percent of the snaps that year, Ebron finished second in the NFL with 13 receiving touchdowns. If he joins a team with a quarterback who targets tight ends in the red zone like the Chargers or the Dallas Cowboys, Ebron could turn into next year’s version of Dawson Knox.
When the Chargers lost Hunter Henry last offseason, many were heartbroken when the Chargers signed Jared Cook. However, that didn’t keep Parham from earning a larger role on offense. After playing 23.5 percent of the snaps as a rookie, Parham played 44.3 percent of the snaps this season before getting hurt in Week 15. Despite seeing 56 fewer targets than Cook, Parham had only one less touchdown than the veteran this season. As he enters his third year in the NFL at 24 years old, Parham is a prime breakout candidate. The Chargers are unlikely to re-sign Cook or spend money in free agency on a tight end. If Parham gets the chance to be the starting tight end for the Chargers, he has top-10 upside potential.
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Mike Fanelli is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, follow him @Mike_NFL2
