X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

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
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Biggest Wide Receiver Breakouts of 2021 - Fantasy Football Year In Review

Deebo Samuel - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Robert Lorge reviews the top wide receiver breakouts from the 2021 fantasy football season.

What is a breakout? In fantasy football, we tend to use so many different adjectives to define players and it's hard to keep track of what they all mean. Fantasy managers often see players "break out." We all remember the Peyton Hillis', Gary Barnidge's, and Robert Tonyan's of the world, am I right? Those aren't breakouts. Those my friends, are one-hit wonders. A breakout requires a change in performance moving forward. The expectation of what a player will provide in the future needs to have been adjusted. It can be difficult to identify the difference between a breakout player vs a one-hit-wonder. Ultimately, we're attempting to predict the future, which is an inexact science, and yet, we're going to give it our best college try.

A few other parameters exist, but again, the term breakout is a fairly subjective one. Still, if we're talking breakout, we need a level of play that was fairly unexpected. A receiver being ranked as the WR34 in the preseason and finishing as WR23 isn't exactly what we're looking for. We need to see a sizable leap in performance from what the expected outcome was prior to the season's start.

Now that we have our definition of what a true breakout is, we can start identifying just who were the biggest breakouts at receiver in 2021. We'll be looking at a handful of guys who not only vastly outperformed their preseason expectations, but who have also set a new standard for what we'll come to expect in the future.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

No player broke out like Deebo Samuel broke out. He was routinely drafted as a WR3 across many platforms, often in the WR32–WR36 range. As far as the sizeable leap in performance talked about earlier, Samuel finishing as the WR3 will certainly qualify as such. While there might be some concerns as to what his 2022 role might look like and without question, there will be some regression in regards to his rushing touchdowns, there's no reason to think Deebo doesn't have a top-12 finish within his range of outcomes.

Simply put, Deebo put on a show in 2021 and he gave us all something, as fantasy football managers, we've really never seen before. There were essentially two seasons for Samuel in terms of how he was used. In Weeks 1–9, the third-year pro became a true alpha-receiver. He averaged 10 targets per game, the sixth-highest in the league during the time span. He was sporting an absolutely ridiculous 35.2% target share, but that wasn't the only sign of him playing like a true alpha-receiver. He also averaged 110 receiving yards, which was second to only Cooper Kupp's 113. During the first nine weeks of the season, Deebo only had six carries. If there are some concerns regarding Deebo's 2022 fantasy value if his rushing production dries up a bit, fantasy managers only need to look at Weeks 1–9 to see that he can still provide immense value. During those first nine weeks of the season, he was the WR2 on a points per game basis, averaging 17.6 per game.

His previous career-high in receiving yards was 802 yards as a rookie. Samuel smashed that in his third year, racking up 1,405 yards. He also doubled his best-receiving touchdown output from three to six. What's crazy is he was able to do that despite averaging just five targets per game in Weeks 10–18, half the season. It's insane to think about what kind of season he would have had if his utilization in Weeks 1–9 had continued because he was matching Kupp step for step.

In Weeks 10–18, he had 53 carries for 343 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. As crazy as it is to think about what he would've done had his receiving utilization continued all year, it's equally as crazy to think about what kind of season he would've had if he was used as the do-it-all playmaker he was used as to end the 2021 campaign. In Weeks 10–18, he was actually better for fantasy managers on a per-game basis, averaging 20 points, which was once again only second to Kupp. Any way you slice it, Samuel broke out and there's no reason to think he won't continue dominating in 2022.

 

Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens

Marquise Brown wasn't drafted as a WR3 or even a WR4. Think about that. He was drafted as the WR51 on Sleeper and WR63 on Yahoo!. He ended up finishing as a back-end WR2, coming in as the WR23, but that doesn't paint the full picture of the kind of breakout season the former Alabama receiver had in 2021.

Lamar Jackson struggled with injuries to end the 2021 campaign and didn't play from Weeks 14–18, so let's take a look at the first 13 weeks of the season to get a better idea of what Brown was up to. During the first 13 weeks of the season, the third-year pro was the WR12 on a points per game basis, averaging 13.8 points. He was averaging more points per game than Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, D.K. Metcalf, D.J. Moore, Tyler Lockett, and Terry McLaurin.

In Weeks 1–13, Brown averaged nine targets per game, which was tied for ninth-highest in the NFL. He also averaged the 12th-most receiving yards at 75 per game. If we extrapolate his stats prior to Jackson's injury, Brown would have finished with 153 targets, 100 receptions, 1,275 yards, and nine touchdowns. In terms of half-PPR fantasy points, we're talking 231.5, which would have ranked as the WR8 in 2021.

The big thing that is going to worry fantasy managers entering 2022 is the emergence of Rashod Bateman, the Ravens' first-round pick from the 2021 draft. He missed the first five weeks of the season due to a groin injury and when he did return to the lineup, he continued to split playing time with the rest of the receivers on Baltimore's depth chart. While there's no reason to expect Bateman to not be a full-time player in his second season, there's also no reason to think that Brown can't be incredibly effective even with Bateman doing his own thing.

As it currently stands, there looks to be a very clear-cut top-three in terms of Jackson's 2022 pass-catchers between Brown, Mark Andrews, and Bateman. One thing to consider is while many expect Bateman to make a second-year leap, there's no guarantee that actually happens. If it doesn't, it just means Jackson will continue to lean on Brown and Andrews even more. If Bateman does take that second-year leap, there's more than enough volume, evidenced by the tweet above, for all three of these guys to get fed.

 

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

Can rookies breakout? Absolutely they can. If that's the case, some might be wondering where Ja'Marr Chase is on this list, but here's the thing with Chase – the expectation for Chase was he'd become a top-12 receiver and a top-12 finish was always in the cards for him, even as a rookie. Waddle was drafted as the WR41 on Sleeper and WR53 on Yahoo!, but managed to finish as the WR16 – that's a breakout.

There were some concerns entering his rookie season, namely DeVante Parker, Will Fuller, and Mike Gesicki – the Dolphins had a crowded group of pass-catchers. But, Will Fuller like Fuller has always done, got hurt. Parker himself missed a handful of games too and their passing attack was forced to revolve around Waddle and Gesicki. Needless to say, Waddle delivered.

He finished with 142 targets, the 12th-highest among receivers. He clearly made the most of those targets by breaking Anquan Boldin's rookie reception record and finished the 2021 season with 104. Not that it matters how the breakout happens, but most fantasy managers and draft experts viewed the rookie as a deep-ball expert, but he showed he could excel as a route-running tactician. He averaged just 62 air yards per game, which was tied for 54th among receivers. That doesn't mean his deep-ball skillset was wrongly attributed, it just means it was untapped as a rookie.

The Miami offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL and it didn't give Tua Tagovailoa much time to work with, which limited the opportunities for the second-year signal-caller to truly attack defenses down the field. If that offensive line improves in year two, Waddle's deep-ball skillset could yet be tapped into. He showed he's a true alpha-receiver with an all-around skillset, which has his career arrow solidly pointing up.

 

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

Michael Pittman Jr. didn't have a very good rookie year, one that was negatively affected by a nagging foot injury, but he entered the league as a big possession receiver who could command a large target share. Entering his sophomore season, there were a lot of signs that pointed to Pittman being a prime candidate for a breakout season, but that didn't have any positive effect on his preseason ADP. He was drafted as the WR46 on Sleeper and WR55 on Yahoo!. When the 2021 season finally closed its books, he was WR15.

The hope, entering the 2021 season, was that the former USC standout would command a healthy target share for the Colts and he held up his end of the bargain. His 25.9% target share was 15th in the NFL. Unfortunately, the Colts relied very heavily on their run game and they finished with just 520 pass attempts, which was 27th in the league. The cabinet behind Pittman is incredibly bare. T.Y. Hilton could be gone, Parris Campbell cannot get healthy, Jack Doyle is over the proverbial NFL hill, and Zach Pascal is extremely limited. There's no reason to not expect another big-time target share for Pittman in 2022.

He finished with seven games of 11 points or more. Unfortunately, the second-year pro didn't produce any high-end games, the ones fantasy managers crave, but he was a fairly consistent performer. He finished with 88 receptions – 18th in the NFL. He should continue to be a solid PPR performer. The other positive for Pittman is he was heavily used in the red zone. He finished with 17 red-zone targets, which was tied for 14th among receivers. In the red zone, the sophomore receiver had a 25% target share – ninth in the NFL.



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!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Christian McCaffrey

RapSheet: Signs Pointing Towards Christian McCaffrey Playing in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Signs Fully Guaranteed Deal with Cleveland
EDM

Derek Ryan Retires From Hockey
Connor Zary

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Flames
Carey Price

Canadiens Trade Carey Price to Sharks
Quentin Johnston

Scores Twice in Brazil
Justin Herbert

Spectacular in Win Over Chiefs
Marquise Brown

Sees Absurd Target Share Friday
Bobby Witt Jr.

Dealing With Back Spasms
Bobby Witt Jr.

Exits Early on Friday
Xavier Worthy

Injures Shoulder Early in Brazil, Questionable to Return
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Placed on Injured List With Quad Strain
Tyler Glasnow

Scratched on Friday With Back Tightness
Jayden Reed

Questionable to Play in Season Opener
Christian McCaffrey

Listed as Questionable for Season Opener With Calf Issue
Tyreek Hill

Cleared for Week 1
Rasmus Hojgaard

Finishes Tied For Second at Omega European Masters
Tyrrell Hatton

Finishes Tied for 32nd at LIV Indianapolis
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Fifth at Omega European Masters
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied For Second in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Xander Schauffele

Finishes 42nd in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Tyler Glasnow

Scratched From Friday's Start for Undisclosed Reasons
Christian Kirk

Ruled Out for Week 1
Shohei Ohtani

Returning to the Mound on Friday
Kyle Finnegan

Lands on Injured List With Adductor Strain
Aaron Judge

Returns to Right Field on Friday
De'Von Achane

Without Injury Designation Heading Into Week 1
Christian McCaffrey

Seen Working on Side Field During Friday's Practice
Malik Nabers

Cleared to Play on Sunday
Willson Contreras

' Suspension Reduced, to Start Serving it on Friday
Kodai Senga

Mets Send Kodai Senga to Triple-A to Get Right
Chris Godwin

Officially Ruled Out for Week 1
Malik Nabers

' Reps Limited Friday Due to "Tight" Back
Caio Borralho

Set For A Title Eliminator Bout
Nassourdine Imavov

Looks To Earn A Title Shot
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set For UFC Paris Co-Main Event
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Paul Craig

In Dire Need Of Victory
Mason Jones

Set for Main-Card Bout
Bolaji Oki

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Rhys McKee

Set To Open Up UFC Paris Main Card
Axel Sola

Alex Sola Set To Make His UFC Debut
Saquon Barkley

Scores Touchdown in Low-Yardage Outing
Jalen Hurts

Rushes for Two Touchdowns on Thursday
Javonte Williams

Salvages Inefficient Outing With Two Touchdowns
CeeDee Lamb

110-Yard Game Marred by Four Drops
Will Shipley

Questionable to Return on Thursday Night
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Expected to Return on Friday
Micah Parsons

Expected to Play in Week 1
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Exits With Knee Contusions
Will Smith

Unlikely to Play This Weekend
Shohei Ohtani

to Pitch on Monday
Jon Rahm

Looks to Prove His Importance on European Ryder Cup Team
Tommy Fleetwood

Among Leaders of European Ryder Cup Team
Brandon Sproat

to Start for Mets on Sunday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
E.J. Liddell

Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Mike Trout

Plans to Return on Thursday
Will Smith

X-Rays Negative on Will Smith's Hand
Will Smith

Exits With Hand Contusion
Jackson Chourio

in Lineup Wednesday Despite Hamstring Cramps
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
Christian Yelich

Dealing With Soreness in Lower Back
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Kyle Finnegan

Dealing With Groin Issue
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP