2021 NFL Depth Charts for Fantasy Football
Projected WR/TE starters and fantasy football notes for 32 teams.
It’s dumb how most NFL skill position depth charts are set up. They are static and uniform across the league despite each offense using different formations, and they often don’t distinguish between what specific position a receiver is playing, even though where a receiver lines up will tell us how he’ll be used for fantasy purposes. For these reasons, I’ve developed what I believe to be a more useful starting depth chart that’s unique to each offense.
Before we get in there, let’s go over what each WR and TE position means in general. A X WR has an alpha size profile with plus route running ability (DeAndre Hopkins) because he has to line up on the line of scrimmage, which makes beating press coverage a bigger challenge. A Z WR can still be a team’s №1 (Stefon Diggs), but they line up off the line of scrimmage and are commonly the vertical threat of an offense because they are typically smaller and faster than the X WR. A Slot WR typically runs shallow routes (Tyler Boyd), but there’s a new wave of slots who excel running vertically (Jaylen Waddle). An Inline TE has his hand in the dirt and is the better run blocker (Kyle Rudolph). A Slot TE is smaller and worse at run blocking, but he is the better fantasy asset in general (Evan Engram).
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Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart 2021
DeAndre Hopkins will hopefully move around the formation a bit more in 2021, but he’s obviously not coming off the field in all packages. Behind him, there are 3 WRs battling for 2 spots in 11-personnel, the Cardinals most-used package on pass plays last year. A.J. Green is getting one of the full-time spots after receiving $6M guaranteed this year. If you include his two void years, Green has the 9th largest cap hit on the team. 2nd-round rookie Rondale Moore is a slot-only player and is way better than Christian Kirk in that role. I’m projecting Moore to start in 11-personnel, especially later in the season. That leaves Kirk in a part-time role when the Cardinals are in 3-WR sets. He’ll be the second inside WR in 4-WRs sets, however. Arizona likely ups that personnel usage in 2021 with a deeper WR depth chart. 27% of their passes came in 10-personnel a season ago.
Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart 2021
Personnel stats listed above are based on the Titans’ 2020 numbers. … Russell Gage is a shallow and intermediate player only, but he’s probably still the Falcons’ second best WR even after accounting for his odd fit in coach Arthur Smith’s big-bodied offense. Gage will have to win deeper downfield and in 2-TE sets this year. We’ll see if that translates. The second outside WR in 11-personnel (for now) is undersized home run threat Olamide Zaccheaus, but the Falcons are a candidate to bring in some cheap August competition now that they freed some cap space by trading Julio Jones. … Kyle Pitts is my bet to finish second in targets, and I expect more than half of his passing snaps to come detached from the offensive line. Pitts can win in ways similar to Darren Waller from the slot and even in isolation in 3x1 sets. He offers more downfield potential than Jonnu Smith did in this same offense. Hayden Hurst will be a low-volume receiver as the better blocking TE between the two, but he has legitimate receiving upside in the event of a Pitts or Ridley injury.
Baltimore Ravens Depth Chart 2021
Despite being a run-heavy offense that sprinkles in both 12- and 21-personnel, most of the Ravens’ pass plays come with 3 WRs on the field. It’s clear who those 3 WRs will be, but all of them can move from outside to inside. Rashod Bateman profiles the best as a possession WR capable of beating press coverage at X, which should push Marquise Brown into the slot more often in 2021. That’s a win for Brown’s efficiency after he struggled as the team’s No. 1 last year. Sammy Watkins likely rounds out the WRs in a low-volume role where the offense can take advantage of his explosiveness and dirty work in the ground game.
Buffalo Bills Depth Chart 2021
Stefon Diggs’ and Karen Beasley’s roles should be unchanged. After evaluating Emmanuel Sanders’ contract (1-year, $6M contract which is the 17th-highest cap hit on the team) and Sanders’ performance in early offseason workouts, The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia said, “As it stands now in redraft, I’d target Sanders ahead of Gabriel Davis.” I still anticipate both WRs playing plenty (look for more 4-WR sets or a role bump in the event of an injury), but Sanders may be a slight value deep in drafts.
Carolina Panthers Depth Chart 2021
Christian McCaffrey’s return from injury alleviates some of the underneath work Curtis Samuel provided last year. Samuel’s slot replacement should be 2nd-round rookie Terrace Marshall, who will win with size on vertical shots from the slot. But all three projected starters have inside-out versatility. I’m not expecting D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson’s roles to change much aside from slightly more vertical shots in general with Sam Darnold swapping in for Teddy Bridgewater. … Only 16% of Dan Arnold’s came inline when he was under OC Joe Brady in 2018. He’s basically an oversized slot WR labeled as a TE. He’s a far worse blocker than 3rd-round rookie Tommy Tremble, who should be involved in rushing situations and in 12-personnel. Ian Thomas appears to have fallen out of favor.
Chicago Bears Depth Chart 2021
Damiere Byrd appears to be the №3 WR following the Anthony Miller trade, and he’s been an outside receiver for most of his career. That will push Darnell Mooney into the slot a little more this year, but we should still expect plenty of deep routes for the second-year player. … As for TEs, Cole Kmet seems likely to be a near full-time player in year two, but Jimmy Graham will have a role in the red zone after converting 6-of-12 inside-the-10 targets in touchdowns last year.
Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart 2021
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could both play X or Z receiver and very well could rotate between the two this year. That distinction likely doesn’t matter for fantasy. We know what this WR group will look like when it comes to routes. … At TE, C.J. Uzomah says he is healthy after popping his Achilles early last year. He won’t be fantasy-viable even if healthy.
Cleveland Browns Depth Chart 2021
The entire offense returns, including the offensive line. The only debates in the passing offense are the No. 3 WR job (Rashard Higgins vs. Donovan Peoples-Jones) … and the slot TE role in 12-personnel (Harrison Bryant vs. David Njoku). Neither spots are fantasy viable when everyone is healthy here.
Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart 2021
It’s the best (or 2nd best) 3-WR set in the NFL. They may move around more in 2021 than they did last year, specifically more outside snaps for CeeDee Lamb and potentially more slot snaps for Amari Cooper. … Cowboys beat reporter Jeff Cavanaugh told us on The Giveaway Gauntlet that Blake Jarwin is expected to be Dallas’ starting TE. This assumes that his torn ACL rehab is all checked out. If healthy, the tape says that Jarwin is a better player than Dalton Schultz.
Denver Broncos Depth Chart 2021
Courtland Sutton will be the X as long as he’s healthy, and Jerry Jeudy isn’t coming off the field in basically any situation. With K.J. Hamler winning the №3 job, Jeudy will play on the perimeter more often in 2020. He split time inside and out last year.
Detroit Lions Depth Chart 2021
Personnel stats listed above are based on the Chargers’ 2020 numbers. …Tyrell Williams projects for the same role we envisioned he’d have with the Raiders last year before he went on injured reserve. Both Williams and Breshad Perriman have historically been vertical-based receivers, neither of which have been successful as a team’s No. 1 option. In the slot, 4th-round rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown is ahead of Kalif Raymond. It’s the NFL’s worst WR depth chart, and it’s not close.
Green Bay Packers Depth Chart 2021
Marquez Valdes-Scantling does something that Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard and 3rd-round rookie Amari Rodgers don’t. That’s go deep. For this reason, I project him to be the Z receiver and primary vertical threat in 11-personnel. The battle to watch is between Cobb, Lazard, and Rodgers in the slot. They all could rotate and cannibalize each other from fantasy production. Expect Rodgers to get the Deebo Samuel-type touches near the line of scrimmage as his role grows.
Houston Texans Depth Chart 2021
By the end of the season, 3rd-rounder Nico Collins is a good bet to be an every-down player for the rebuilding Texans. He has an X skillset, something the Texans are lacking outside of him. It’s possible that he starts Week 1 ahead of Chris Conley. After some madness at the position, Keke Coutee is expected to start in the slot, at least until Anthony Miller is healthy. … Houston may opt for slightly more 2-TE sets in 2021 with David Culley coming from Baltimore, their lack of depth at WR, and with the 5th-round selection of slot TE Brevin Jordan.
Indianapolis Colts Depth Chart 2021
Michael Pittman is poised for a breakout season now that he’s healthy and locked into all formations. T.Y. Hilton will be a lower-volume deep threat on the outside, while Parris Campbell is stuck in the slot and only in 11-personnel… The TE depth chart is a mess though. Living giant Mo Alie-Cox seems like the best bet for fantasy relevance, but 31-year-old Jack Doyle and 4th-rounder Kylan Granson are in the mix. Doyle is a bigger threat to Alie-Cox in 11-personnel as a fellow inline TE. Granson is an undersized TE who could be the slot TE in 12-personnel.
Jacksonville Jaguars Depth Chart 2021
Keelan Cole’s departure opens up 413 slot snaps, most of which are likely filled by 2020 2nd-rounder Laviska Shenault who is popping in the offseason hype model. Shenault was a YAC god in college and would be ideal in the “Percy Harvin role”. Marvin Jones is the favorite to lead the team in air yards and red zone targets as the primary outside receiver, but D.J. Chark (finger) will be in the mix.
Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart 2021
Here was the usage in the two playoff games that Sammy Watkins missed late last year: Tyreek Hill (76 total routes, 60% of his snaps in the slot), Demarcus Robinson (60, 8%), Mecole Hardman (50, 55%), and Byron Pringle (49, 45%). The latter three and 5th-round rookie Cornell Powell (a potential X WR) will compete for the two starting spots. Robinson likely has a role as a sure-fire outside WR, and Hardman has the most capital tied to him, so they have the edge before training camp. Hardman just needs to get open against man, something he’s struggled with through two seasons (87th out of 97 WRs in yards per route run vs. man coverage last year, which explains why he was a rotational member and gadget-player only in 2020).
Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart 2021
All post-free agency speculation kept comparing John Brown to Nelson Agholor. It’s logical because both are versatile outside WRs capable of winning intermediate and deep. Brown didn’t get sure-fire NFL starter money (1-year, $3.75M), but I lean Brown over 2nd-year 3rd-rounder Bryan Edwards as the starter next to Henry Ruggs on the outside. Of course, Edwards will have a role as (by far) the most physical WR on the depth chart. Perhaps Edwards plays in some 11-personnel looks when Ruggs slides into the slot. Speaking of the slot, Hunter Renfrow has more competition this year after the Raiders signed Willie Snead. I’m guessing Renfrow holds onto the job, but we’ll have to wait for training camp reports and preseason usage. As for Henry Ruggs, I wrote about him in depth here:
Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart 2021
The Chargers have an open battle for their No. 3 WR spot between downfield speedsters Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson and 3rd-round rookie Josh Palmer, who offers more physicality than the former. This could be a situation where Johnson starts early before Palmer comes on late. … Los Angeles also has some competition at TE. Jared Cook will start in 11-personnel after receiving $4.5M this offseason (and he has a connection to OC Joe Lombardi from New Orleans), but jump-ball specialist TE Donald Parham and 3rd-round blocking TE Tre’ McKitty should sprinkle in during certain situations.
Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart 2021
Outside of more intermediate targets, the roles of Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are unchanged going into 2021. But there is a heated battle for the X receiver spot in 11-personnel heading into training camp. The options include 2020 2nd-rounder Van Jefferson, veteran deep threat DeSean Jackson, and 2nd-round rookie Tutu Atwell. The latter two are low-volume specialists, while Jefferson potentially offers more every-down utility. I currently lean Jefferson in terms of snaps and routes run in 2021. … Whoever emerges as the Rams’ No. 2 TE will have a slight impact on Tyler Higbee’s fantasy outlook. If Johnny Mundt or Brycen Hopkins can hold off (my boy) Jacob Harris in 12-personnel, then Higbee will be detached from the offensive line more often because Mundt and Hopkins are blocking types. On dropbacks last year, Higbee stayed in to block at the 2nd-highest rate among all TEs. The worst-case scenario for Higbee’s outlook is if freak-athlete sleeper Jacob Harris sneaks into 12-personnel despite being a 4th-round rookie.
Miami Dolphins Depth Chart 2021
This is a tricky offense to project, particularly looking at 12-personnel. Which WR is coming off the field in 2-WR sets? Devante Parker offers something Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle don’t (size), but he’s arguably the worst of the three (although that’s tbd). It’s important to figure out because the Dolphins used 2-TE sets on passing downs more than the average NFL offense last year. … The other thing to figure out is Mike Gesicki’s role in 11-personnel. Only 13% of his snaps came inline last year, but now the team has a legit slot WR in Waddle and they happened to draft 3rd-round rookie TE Hunter Long this offseason, a year before Gesicki becomes a free agent. More inline snaps would lower Gesicki’s aDOT, thus taking some of his explosive plays away.
Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart 2021
The Athletic’s Arif Hasan gets it. He already published a primer on the depth chart after watching OTAs, and this depth chart is a reflection of his summary. Go check it out here.
New England Patriots Depth Chart 2021
The Patriots were dead last in 12-personnel rate last year (2% of pass attempts). It’s fair to predict that they’ll be top-5 in it this year after their offseason signings. Between the two TEs, Hunter Henry is the better inline option, which could make play more snaps overall. But Jonnu Smith will run more routes from the slot in 12-personnel, something that is helpful when predicting a TE’s fantasy points. Both TEs can see 70+ targets, even in this run-heavy offense. … At WR, Nelson Agholor is locked into a starting spot after receiving a 2-year, $22M contract with $16M guaranteed. That’s far more than Kendrick Bourne’s $5.25M guaranteed. I think versatile 2020 breakout Jakobi Meyers will get the starting nod over Bourne in 12-personnel. His tape was decent, and Meyers finished top-10 in yards per route run vs. man and vs. zone. He has the trust of Bill Belichick:
New Orleans Saints Depth Chart 2021
NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill might be the best beat reporter in the game, and this is how he projects the offense to look. He makes a good point that Tre’Quan Smith and deep sleeper Marquez Callaway could look better in an offense that projects to have more vertical elements under Jameis Winston. We can also expect Deonte Harris and Taysom Hill to have low-volume roles in the pass-game.
New York Giants Depth Chart 2021
The Giants’ depth chart and personnel usage is hard to project this far out. Kenny Golladay is the only pass-catcher that’s a lock for an every-down role. 1st-rounder Kadarius Toney and Sterling Shepard are the two slot WR options, and Darius Slayton is a deep threat at Z. These three will likely rotate early, but I’m expecting Toney to end up playing more down the stretch, assuming the rest of his offseason goes better. He missed his first practice for not having the right-sized shoe (how?), sat out a handful of other practices over his contract not being signed (how? again), and then he had an excused absence for a family matter.
New York Jets Depth Chart 2021
Personnel stats listed above are based on the 49ers’ 2020 numbers. … I wrote about the Jets’ WRs here, but to summarize, Corey Davis isn’t leaving the field. Elijah Moore could be the best WR on the team and has Z or slot versatility. Jamison Crowder wouldn’t have agreed to stay with the team unless he was promised a starting spot. And Keelan Cole and Denzel Mims are around to sprinkle in, too. Davis and Moore are the two worth targeting in fantasy. … The Jets also have moving parts at TE. Chris Herndon is the best receiving TE on the team, but Ryan Griffin is a better blocker and this will be a balanced offense that’s rooted in Shanahan principles. With that, the Jets had to convert 2018 4th-rounder Trevon Wesco to fullback this offseason. He’ll play the Kyle Juszczyk role.
Philadelphia Eagles Depth Chart 2021
Jalen Reagor was 93rd out of 97 WRs in yards per route run vs. man last year and turned like a cruise ship on tape, so the Eagles are moving him into the slot for more snaps in 2021. As noted here, percentage of snaps in the slot is (ever so slightly) negatively correlated with fantasy points. If Reagor isn’t good, he won’t be good in the slot either. We’ll see. Devonta Smith was a much better prospect than Reagor (per my eyes and model), and the Eagles can hide his slim frame at Z if needed. Smitty and Reagor should be the WRs in 12-personnel, but preseason star Quez Watkins is officially in the mix. I expect Watkins to start in the slot in 11-personnel. And honestly, I think he’s straight up better than Reagor and could push him in 12-personnel eventually. … Dallas Goedert SZN has been cancelled with Zach Ertz appearing more and more likely to remain on the team. He’s been lining up inline only, while Ertz plays in the slot.
Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart 2021
After watching all of Chase Claypool’s targets this offseason and seeing his yards per route run vs. man ranking (7th out of 97 WRs), it is my opinion that Claypool absolutely can NOT come off the field in 2021. He’s too big and explosive, something that Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster are not. It’s unclear who is coming off the field in 12-personnel through two preseason games, but it’s something I’m paying close attention to because the Steelers will use it slightly more this season.
Seattle Seahawks Depth Chart 2021
2nd-round speedster D’Wayne Eskridge has very little competition to win a starting outside spot in 11-personnel. I’m betting on that happening despite his elder rookie age. His tape was fun if that matters to you. … The TE spot is pretty complicated, however. Will Dissly is viewed as the best, most physical run-blocker on the depth chart, but the team (and OC Shane Waldren formerly of the Rams) gave Gerald Everett a 1-year, $6M contract this offseason. Everett is the best bet for TE production, but will he be a near every-down player? We’ll see in training camp and during preseason games. Speaking of those, keep an eye out for 6-foot-7 second-year TE Colby Parkinson. He popped in my TE prospect model.
San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart 2021
Brandon Aiyuk is the primary deep threat, while Deebo Samuel handles more YAC-type plays underneath. They’ll be joined by veteran slot receiver Mohamed Sanu.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart 2021
The only pass-catcher question mark is O.J. Howard’s status coming off his early-year torn Achilles. If he’s healthy, Rob Gronkowski’s regular season snaps could come down a tick to preserve him for the playoffs.
Tennessee Titans Depth Chart 2021
The Titans are likely going to give A.J. Brown more slot snaps this year. They don’t have a true slot like Adam Humphries on the roster, and Julio Jones is a 31-year-old alpha X receiver who I don’t think will be doing the “dirty work” that one of the Titans WRs has to do (read: Corey Davis in 2020). Brown crushed from the slot in college, so his fantasy outlook is mostly unchanged by where he takes snaps in 11-personnel, something the Titans run at near league-low levels. … A large chunk of the Titans pass plays will remain in 12-personnel, but they’ll be swapping versatile TE Jonnu Smith with blocking TE Geoff Swaim. Anthony Firkser will remain a slot TE in 12-personnel. He just hasn’t played much in 11-personnel this preseason.
Washington Football Team Depth Chart 2021
The primary thing to watch is where Curtis Samuel will be lining up in 2021. Under OC Scott Turner two years ago, Samuel was a vertical-based WR at Z. Last year, Samuel had his best statistical season ever as a primary slot player. He can be effective at Z or in the slot, so he’ll likely move around. I’m guessing more outside snaps, but that will partially depend on the development of 3rd-round vertical threat Dyami Brown. I thought Brown had a lot of appeal as a Day 2 type, but he only ran a handful of routes in college and may need a full year to be a starter. If that’s the case, forgettable slot WR Adam Humphries will be on the field (running untargeted three-cone drills). … The true “slot WR” on the Football Team is Logan Thomas, who lined up inline on just 20% of his passing-down snaps.