X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Second-Year Receivers Ready to Break Out

michael pittman jr. fantasy football rankings NFL DFS lineup picks

Even if an NFL player has a disappointing rookie campaign, there is always hope that the second campaign can be better. There are many reasons behind this, such as acclimation to the league, a potentially bigger role due to depth chart changes, etc. 

Entering 2021, there are certainly a few second-year players who could enjoy more success and thus draw the intrigue of fantasy managers. Which of these players should catch your eye?

As the saying goes, if at first you don't succeed... well, let’s look and see which sophomores you want to consider for your team.

Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!

 

Jalen Reagor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have had receiving corps issues the past couple of seasons now and Reagor didn’t have a particularly impressive rookie campaign, securing 31 receptions for 396 yards and a score on 54 targets. However, there’s reason to believe Reagor can take a leap forward in 2021, as Jalen Hurts will be manning the offense and there won’t be much stiff competition for Reagor in terms of targets.

Rookie DeVonta Smith is expected to be the WR1 and TE Dallas Goedert will likely have a huge role, but other than that, there are still many targets available for Reagor to take as there are no other standout receivers on the team. On top of that, he’ll be entering the season as the team's WR2 and can hopefully take advantage by playing all 16 games (the 22-year-old had a thumb injury last season and played 11 total games).

 

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts now have an aging T.Y. Hilton atop their WR depth chart, but the time is now for a young guy to step up and cement his role as a top Colts receiver for the years to come. That opportunity could come for Michael Pittman Jr., the now second-year player drafted out of USC in the second round last year. 

The 6’4” WR finished with 40 receptions for 503 yards and one score on 61 targets in 13 games in 2020. Entering 2021, Pittman enters the depth chart on a high spot and should be considered a top target for new QB Carson Wentz. The WR will still face competition from guys like Zach Pascal, Hilton, and Parris Campbell, but Pascal and Campbell haven’t been elite and Hilton is coming off two “down years” based on his standards. Pittman is a strong sleeper candidate who could cement himself as the Colts’ WR1 in 2021.

 

Henry Ruggs III, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

This is the most high-risk/reward pick on the list, but I’m putting some faith into Ruggs for 2021. Coming into the draft, Ruggs ran an impressive 4.27-second 40-yard dash, so there’s no doubt he brings talent (and incredible speed) to the field. While his rookie season was disappointing based on his status as a first-round pick (26/452/2), Ruggs does enter 2021 in a favorable position on the depth chart.

Aside from TE Darren Waller, there is no clear-cut favorite for a huge amount of targets from QB Derek Carr. Guys like Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow, and John Brown will compete with Ruggs for targets, but none of them are elite talents who should stand out above Ruggs. In fact, Ruggs is the likely WR1 for Derek Carr entering 2021, a huge plus. 

This is because the team’s leading wide receiver from last year, Nelson Agholor, has departed east for New England. He finished with 48 receptions for 896 yards and eight scores on 82 targets and leaves behind a huge chunk of production to be picked up by someone else. This means now is the time for Ruggs to emerge. Stay tuned for these potential breakout candidates when the 2021 season kicks off in less than a month!

 

Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears

Trautman played behind veteran Jared Cook last year. Kmet also played behind a veteran TE in Jimmy Graham last year. While Cook has left NOLA and Graham still remains with the Bears, there’s reason to hope Kmet will have the bigger role as the young guy looking to be on the come-up. With a year under his belt, he will surely have more familiarity with the system.

The 22-year-old finished with 28 receptions for 243 yards and two scores on 44 targets in 16 games as a rookie but the hope is that the youngster will see more opportunities as Graham will turn 35 this season and is likely entering the final stretch of his career.

 

Adam Trautman, TE, New Orleans Saints

Sure, the 24-year-old was essentially a non-factor last year, managing 15 receptions for 171 yards and a score on 16 targets, but things could be different this year. A lot different. There will be a new QB and potentially some pains with that but New Orleans doesn’t have a strong receiving corps.

Jared Cook and Emmanuel Sanders are gone. Michael Thomas is injured and won’t be on the field. Who does that leave? Well, nobody that many people may know about. Hence, Trautman is a fine candidate to enjoy some success if he can take advantage. He’s entering the season as the TE1 and his biggest competition for targets--Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, and Deonte Harris-- are all unproven guys. There’s reason to believe this preseason Trautman hype.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!




Win More With RotoBaller

Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nick Senzel43 mins ago

Expected To Miss 3-4 Weeks
Jon Gray47 mins ago

To Start On Sunday
Justin Steele51 mins ago

Likely To Go On Injured List
Anfernee Simons3 hours ago

Out Against The Heat
Max Kepler3 hours ago

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Max Kepler
Keldon Johnson3 hours ago

Questionable For Friday
Justin Steele3 hours ago

Has Left-Hamstring Tightness
Matisse Thybulle3 hours ago

Questionable For Friday
Davis Bertans3 hours ago

Listed As Probable For Friday
Jusuf Nurkic3 hours ago

Questionable Against Oklahoma City
Dario Saric4 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Friday
Noah Clowney4 hours ago

Probable For Nets Friday
Jonathan Kuminga4 hours ago

Questionable For Warriors Friday
Jerami Grant4 hours ago

Considered Doubtful For Friday
Dennis Smith4 hours ago

Jr. Probable For Friday
Lauri Markkanen4 hours ago

Questionable Against Houston
Toumani Camara4 hours ago

Will Not Play Friday
Justin Steele4 hours ago

Exits Thursday's Start
Richaun Holmes4 hours ago

Out Versus Pistons
Cameron Johnson4 hours ago

Out Against Chicago On Friday
Luka Doncic4 hours ago

On The Injury Report For Friday
David Bednar4 hours ago

Still Dealing With Lat Injury
Deandre Ayton4 hours ago

Is Questionable For Friday
Rudy Gobert4 hours ago

Might Miss Friday's Game
Tyus Jones4 hours ago

Unavailable For Friday
Zeke Nnaji5 hours ago

Ruled Out Against Minnesota
Jaden Ivey5 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Friday
Rhys McKee5 hours ago

Searching For First UFC Win
Anthony Edwards5 hours ago

Uncertain For Friday Night
Chidi Njokuani5 hours ago

Drops Back Down To Welterweight At UFC Atlantic City
Kyle Nelson5 hours ago

An Underdog Again At UFC Atlantic City
Bill Algeo5 hours ago

Eyes Sixth UFC Win
Joaquin Buckley5 hours ago

Gets Ranked Opponent At UFC Atlantic City
Vicente Luque5 hours ago

Gets Short-Notice Opponent At UFC Atlantic City
Eduardo Rodriguez6 hours ago

Could Throw Off Mound In 5-7 Days
Max Kepler6 hours ago

Leaves On Opening Day With Injury
Nick Senzel6 hours ago

Suffers Broken Thumb
Jason Foley6 hours ago

Earns The Save For Tigers
Tarik Skubal7 hours ago

Tosses Six Scoreless Innings On Opening Day
Corbin Burnes7 hours ago

Pitches A Gem On Opening Day
Royce Lewis8 hours ago

Exits With Quad Injury
Max Scherzer9 hours ago

Throws Bullpen Session
Clayton Kershaw9 hours ago

"Ahead Of Things" Timetable-Wise
Walker Buehler9 hours ago

Ahead Of Schedule
Corey Seager9 hours ago

Active On Opening Day
Oneil Cruz10 hours ago

Batting Sixth On Opening Day
Bryan Reynolds11 hours ago

In Opening Day Lineup
Jordan Romano13 hours ago

Not Expected To Be Out Long
Aaron Ekblad14 hours ago

Returning To Panthers Lineup Thursday
Nikita Kucherov14 hours ago

Establishes New Career High With 42nd Goal
Shane Pinto14 hours ago

Collects Career-High Four Points
Valeri Nichushkin15 hours ago

Nursing A Lower-Body Injury
Samuel Girard15 hours ago

Battling An Illness
J.K. Dobbins15 hours ago

Visiting With Chargers On Thursday
Oskar Sundqvist15 hours ago

To Miss Rest Of Season With Torn ACL
Ethan Bear15 hours ago

Enters Player Assistance Program
Mark Hubbard1 day ago

Coming Off A Career Performance
Davis Thompson1 day ago

Looking To Pay Off A Stellar Run Of Ball-Striking
Akshay Bhatia1 day ago

Coming Into Houston With Confidence
Thorbjorn Olesen1 day ago

Still Trying To Find Footing On U.S. Soil
Patrick Rodgers1 day ago

Fighting Inconsistencies Heading Into Houston
Malik Nabers1 day ago

Shines At Pro Day
Carolina Panthers1 day ago

Jadeveon Clowney Signing Two-Year Deal With Panthers
Wyndham Clark1 day ago

Battling Back Injury Ahead of Houston Open
San Francisco 49ers1 day ago

Talanoa Hufanga Expected To Return At Training Camp
Jayden Daniels1 day ago

Raiders To Meet With Jayden Daniels
Tank Bigsby1 day ago

Jaguars Want Tank Bigsby More Involved
Josh Reynolds1 day ago

Signs Two-Year Deal With Broncos
Doug Ghim2 days ago

Looks To Bounce Back At Houston Open
PGA2 days ago

Cameron Davis Seeking Consistency Ahead Of Houston Open
Thomas Detry2 days ago

A Gamble At Houston Open
Ryan Fox2 days ago

Lacks Upside Heading Into Houston Open
Andrew Novak2 days ago

Will Be Chalk At Houston Open
Josh Doan2 days ago

Scores Twice In His NHL Debut
Filip Forsberg2 days ago

Makes History In Big Comeback Win
Jamie Benn2 days ago

Scores In Fifth Consecutive Game
Sidney Crosby2 days ago

Collects Three Points Versus Carolina
Artemi Panarin2 days ago

Continues Scoring Tear With Three Assists
Joey Daccord2 days ago

Shuts Out Ducks
Sahith Theegala2 days ago

Showing Consistency This Season
Wyndham Clark2 days ago

Working Toward Star Status
Scottie Scheffler2 days ago

Heads To Houston At His Best
Sam Ryder2 days ago

Putting The Lights Out Of Late
Joel Dahmen2 days ago

All Systems Go For Joel Dahmen In Houston
Kurt Kitayama2 days ago

Ready For Houston Debut
Ben Griffin2 days ago

Finding Form Heading To Houston
Taylor Moore2 days ago

Continues Made-Cut Streak Heading To Houston
Adam Svensson2 days ago

Hoping For Consistency In Houston
Taylor Montgomery2 days ago

Looks To Bounce Back In Houston
Amon-Ra St. Brown2 days ago

Discussing Extension With Lions
Jared Goff2 days ago

Lions Discussing New Deal
J.K. Dobbins2 days ago

Cleared For Football Activities
Los Angeles Rams2 days ago

Tre'Davious White To Join Rams
PIT2 days ago

Sam Poulin Recalled From AHL
Jack Quinn2 days ago

Could Return Wednesday
Scott Mayfield2 days ago

Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
TOR2 days ago

Mitch Marner Skates On His Own Tuesday
Trevor Zegras2 days ago

To Return Tuesday
Justus Annunen2 days ago

Inks Two-Year Extension
Nick Chubb2 days ago

Expected To Start Load Running Next Month
D'Andre Swift2 days ago

Bears View D'Andre Swift As Receiving Weapon
Cordarrelle Patterson2 days ago

Signing With Steelers
Sam Howell2 days ago

Seahawks Believe Sam Howell Can Be A Full-Time Starter
Tennessee Titans2 days ago

L'Jarius Sneed Agrees On Four-Year Contract With Titans
Dak Prescott2 days ago

No Indication A Deal Is Coming For Dak Prescott
Calvin Ridley2 days ago

To Have Big Role In Tennessee
Josh Jacobs2 days ago

To Be Used More In Passing Game
Brandon Saad3 days ago

Gets Another Goal In Monday's Loss
Logan Thompson3 days ago

Stretches Winning Streak To Three Games
Pittsburgh Steelers3 days ago

Cameron Heyward Expected To Be Healthy For Training Camp
Zach Wilson3 days ago

Jets Could End Up Keeping Zach Wilson
Amanda Ribas3 days ago

Takes Decision Loss
Rose Namajunas3 days ago

Snaps Losing Streak
Edmen Shahbazyan3 days ago

Scores Vicious Comeback Knockout
AJ Dobson3 days ago

Knocked Out In The First Round At UFC Vegas 89
Fernando Padilla3 days ago

Gets Back On Track With Submission Win
Luis Pajuelo3 days ago

Submitted In UFC Debut
William Byron4 days ago

Dominates For Victory At COTA
Ty Gibbs4 days ago

Grabs Another Solid Finish At COTA
Chris Buescher4 days ago

Texas Native Chris Buescher Finishes Eighth At COTA
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Kyle Busch Confronts Christopher Bell Following A Top-10 Finish At COTA
Justin Haley4 days ago

Disqualified After Strong COTA Run
Martin Truex Jr4 days ago

. Rounds Out Top Ten At COTA
NASCAR4 days ago

A.J. Allmendinger Worms Way Up To Sixth At COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen4 days ago

Shane van Gisbergen Comes Down to Earth After Mediocre COTA Run
Ross Chastain4 days ago

Ran Well at COTA as Usual Despite Late-Race Fade
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Furious Charge Falls Just Short at COTA
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

Scores Strong Finish of Fifth at COTA
Chase Elliott4 days ago

Finishes 16th at COTA After Lackluster Performance
Billy Quarantillo4 days ago

Suffers Submission Loss At UFC Vegas 89
Youssef Zalal4 days ago

Gets Submission Win In Return To The UFC
Cameron Saaiman4 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 89
Payton Talbott4 days ago

Scores KO Win At UFC Vegas 89
Justin Tafa4 days ago

Drops To .500 In The UFC
Karl Williams4 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Kyle Larson5 days ago

Is One Of The Optimal DFS Options For COTA
Denny Hamlin5 days ago

Should Denny Hamlin Be Rostered For DFS Lineups At COTA?
Kaz Grala5 days ago

Is A Serviceable DFS Play For COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen5 days ago

Will Start 12th In First COTA Cup Start
Todd Gilliland5 days ago

Is A Sneaky DFS Play With Upside For COTA
William Byron5 days ago

Is One Of The Top Favorites To Win At COTA
Christopher Bell5 days ago

Is A Comfortable DFS Play For COTA
Tyler Reddick5 days ago

the Favorite to Win at COTA
Ty Gibbs5 days ago

Looking for First Career Win at COTA
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF