The King's Early 2021 Fantasy Football Best Ball Rankings

May 11, 2021

Scott Engel’s early 2021 best ball fantasy football lineup rankings and analysis for QB, RB, WR, and TE.

This is my first set of Best Ball rankings for the 2021 fantasy football season. The full sortable rankings table is viewable at the bottom of this post, after positional analysis.

Drafts have already started for those looking ahead early to the 2021 campaign, and these ranks can be a great resource to work from. They do take into account potential team and role changes for the season ahead.

Here are some important fantasy scouting notes on the ranks with insights at each key position. I detail possible risers and fallers, as adjustments will surely be made in the days and weeks ahead. The rankings are powered by FantasyPros.com.

Running Backs

Over a full season, if he plays 16 games, no one has more upside than Dalvin Cook. …. The return of Dak Prescott can really re-energize the outlook of Ezekiel Elliott in all formats. … Cam Akers is ready to take over as a focal point of an improved Rams offense. … David Montgomery finally started showing real signs of living up to his potential last season. If the offense improves around him this offseason, I may have to bump Montgomery up a few spots. … James Robinson may share some time with another RB this season, but he will not be overworked, will play in a better offense, and we should not ding him too much for not being a workhorse. His cumulative production should still be quite good. …. Chris Carson is likely headed to a new team, and while he has frequently played at a fantasy RB1 level when healthy, he could operate as a lead guy in a timeshare somewhere else. … Chase Edmonds may end up being the starting RB in Arizona and could have some big games in a very good offense, which is the type of outlook you want in Best Ball leagues from a promising player. … J.K. Dobbins should have a few outstanding weeks that propel his Best Ball appeal even if he shares many touches. … Whenever Raheem Mostert is healthy, he has explosiveness that makes him Best Ball friendly. …. The Seahawks may employ Rashaad Penny as their top RB in a timeshare or committee, and he has some big-play ability. They aren’t ready to give up on what he can possibly do when he is healthy. … Marlon Mack could get a chance to re-emerge with a new team and is a good pick for some Best Ball depth after you have drafted your top RBs. … J.D. McKissic is boom or bust, but his possible productivity in any given week makes him a quality Best Ball choice once you start getting deeper at RB. … It will be interesting to see where Jamaal Williams lands, as he might become more viable in all formats outside of Green Bay. … Le’Veon Bell may resurface over a full season with a new team.

Wide Receivers

Kenny Golladay can be a fantasy WR1 in all formats, and there is a good chance he has his best season yet in his first year out of Detroit. … Julio Jones just turned 32, and that is not quite the end of the line yet for a WR. If someone else passes on Jones, jump on the opportunity in your Best Ball drafts. … Amari Cooper will have some outstanding Best Ball weeks with the return of Prescott. … This can be a pivotal year for Odell Beckham Jr. to show he can still have some upside with Cleveland, and he could be a difference-maker in Best Ball formats if he performs well. … You should see a jump in the output of CeeDee Lamb in year two, and he will also have some impressive outings with Prescott back. … JuJu Smith-Schuster has a quality all-around game that can be maximized more if he leaves Pittsburgh. … The rise of Tee Higgins will continue as he works with a healthy and busy Joe Burrow. … Robby Anderson is underrated, he just needs to get into the end zone more often. … The breakout season is likely coming for Michael Pittman Jr., and he will rise in my ranks more soon if the Colts add another complement who can command a lot of defensive attention. … As Tua Tagovailoa improves, he should rely on DeVante Parker a lot. Do not overlook Parker in any format in 2021. … Jalen Reagor is capable of showing more of his promise in 2021 now that he has some pro experience. It was a bumpy rookie season, and he can benefit from any strides made by Jalen Hurts. … Darnell Mooney may have to play a larger role in the Chicago offense, and if the Bears somehow improve their QB situation, he will become more than just a depth pick in any format. … Denzel Mims' appeal can rise soon as the Jets attempt to either make a change at QB or improve the personnel around the QB. … Quintez Cephus has some sleeper potential as he possibly steps forward to play a larger role in the Lions passing game. He can be a good later Best Ball pick, as consistency will be an issue, but you could get some quality outings from him.

Quarterbacks

As you can tell, I am high on a healthy Prescott for 2021. He will want to prove he is worthy of the big contract, and has some great weaponry to utilize. There are going to be some very big games to benefit from in Best Ball play. He has the ceiling to end up being the No. 2 behind Mahomes, and might boost your team to winning a Best Ball league. …. Aaron Rodgers is coming off a great year and he is being underrated across the industry in early rankings. …. I believe it’s unlikely Russell Wilson gets dealt, and the Seahawks will give him another viable target in the passing game. His determination to erase a very disturbing finish to the past season should result in some very good performances. … A healthy Burrow will produce some impressive outings for Best Ball purposes. … There may be a lot of ups and downs for Jalen Hurts, and he will be more tolerable for the inconsistency as a Best Ball option. … Carson Wentz can rise in the ranks as the Colts offseason progresses. He has a lot of motivation to re-ignite his career and could be an upside type that helps you in Best Ball leagues with some high-quality outings. Wentz is a very interesting rebound candidate.

Tight Ends

The third season may bring us the true breakout campaign for Noah Fant. … Jonnu Smith could play a larger role in an offense for a new team. … The Irv Smith Jr. hype has already gone into offseason overdrive, and he will be a fine Best Ball option, as you will be less affected by a few quiet outings. … Logan Thomas proved his worthiness in 2020 and should be a quality starter in all formats in 2021. … The hype may also build on Donald Parham Jr. He does have much to prove as a starter if he gets the chance.

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