After an unconventional selection experience last year, the 2021 NFL Draft returns to a sense of normalcy.
Fantasy football draft season may not be close to hitting its crescendo, but hardcore gamers have been selecting players prior to the conclusion of bowl season.
Follow along for real-time analysis the NFL draft’s Day 3 impact on fantasy football plans for 2021.
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Round 4
107) RB Michael Carter, New York Jets: The North Carolina back shared with Javonte Williams, a second-round pick by Denver, but has NFL-caliber skills in his own right. Only 5-foot-8, Carter is a solidly built 201 pounds, and brings a decisive nature to this rushing attack. He has a noticeable second gear and is a capable weapon from the backfield. There is some Clyde Edwards-Helaire in his game, and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah used Devonta Freeman as a comparison, which may be more apt. New York has bolstered its offensive line the past two drafts and invested a pair of early picks in the passing game. Carter should compete with Lamical Perine and fellow newcomer Tevin Coleman. There’s enough to like about Carter to give him the benefit of the doubt to eventually take over the primary chores as the season goes along. He’s an RB3 target in single-year drafts and could stand out as a rookie in this zone-blocking scheme.
109) WR Dez Fitzpatrick, Tennessee Titans: This offense needed more receivers, so it was only a matter of time before the position was addressed in the draft. Fitzpatrick will compete right away for a top-three spot, and his biggest opponent for touches will be free-agent addition Josh Reynolds. A product of Tulane, Fitzpatrick is a midrange possession guy, and he has the size to compete in the red zone at 6-foot-2, 208 pounds. The offense remains focused on Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown as the primary weapons, as well as the tight ends getting theirs, so there’s not a great deal of upside, despite the opportunity. Fitzpatrick is a late-round flier in 2021 drafts.
112) WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: This fourth-rounder has a chance to immediately see the field and matter in fantasy leagues. Jared Goff loved throwing to the slot in LA, which is the spot where one can expect St. Brown to reside most of the time. The younger brother of Green Bay Packers WR Equanimeous St. Brown, Amon-Ra is highly competitive and plays larger than his 6-foot-0, 197-pound frame suggests. He’s not overly fast, and his fantasy game will be stronger in PPR leagues … there’s a real opportunity in this situation for St. Brown to thrive as a rookie. He has WR3 potential in Year 1 and could be even better.