If you are already looking ahead to the 2021 fantasy football season here are six names of players who can be trade targets this offseason. Who I believe have already established themselves as future stars. Along with players who seek more opportunities on their current team or can use a new start elsewhere. These players can provide great value for fantasy managers in 2021 along with many years to come.  

Quarterbacks: 

Joe Burrow/Cincinnati – The Cincinnati quarterback had his season cut short by a torn ACL and MCL. The signal-caller was fairing well in his first year amassing 2688 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, along with a 65.3 completion percentage. In those 10 games, three games were under 14 fantasy points against the Ravens, Steelers, and Washington all on the road. In the other seven games, he finished with 15 points or higher with a big game in week seven against the Browns when he had over 400 passing yards and 3 TDs. Coach Taylor was not afraid to let Burrow air it out. He had 404 passing attempts in those 10 games which put him just outside the top 20 at the position. The knee injury may concern some fantasy managers but Dr. Neal ElAttrache who performed his surgery said to Adam Schefter “The rookie is among players such as New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa who are on track to return for the start of the 2021 season.” Burrow clearly isn’t being held back in any capacity and could be a great acquisition moving forward in dynasty leagues. 

Carson Wentz/Philadelphia – It’s no secret Carson had a really rough 2020 going 3-8-1 as a starter for the Eagles. Putting up less than stellar numbers with a 57.4 completion percentage, 16 Touchdown passes to 15 interceptions which were a career-high, and a career-low 2620 passing yards. To cap that off he was benched for backup Jalen Hurts. Now it seems Wentz and the Eagles are headed for a breakup after the emergence of Hurts. Carson has come forward and asked for a trade and a hopeful change of scenery makes him the perfect buy-low candidate going into the 2021 fantasy season. Not long ago Wentz was the front runner for MVP in 2017 helping the Eagles finish third overall in total team offense, with an 11-2 record as a starter, and putting up 33 passing touchdowns with 7 interceptions before tearing his ACL and ending his season. We know Carson has the talent to bounce back. Hopefully, a new start elsewhere or a reset with a new coach can rejuvenate him and trading for him on the cheap could provide great value for fantasy managers. 

Running Backs:

James Robinson/Jacksonville – The undrafted product from Illinois State took the league by storm this season. James Robinson finished in the top six in rushing yards while playing 14 games on a team that finished 1-15, and had a quarterback carousel all season. Also finishing top six in rush attempts and totaling seven rushing touchdowns and adding three receiving touchdowns. Robinson finished top seven at the position in half-point PPR scoring formats and only had two games finishing in the single digits. As of this writing and small sample size from Fantasy Football Calculator (which calculates average draft position in fantasy drafts). Robinson is being taken early in the fourth round of fantasy drafts. This provides excellent value for a player who could easily repeat his top 10 finish with presumptive number one pick Trevor Lawrence on the way helping James not see as many stacked boxes. Robinson could be a bit harder to acquire but making the move to get him could really set a team up well into the future.  

AJ Dillon/Green Bay – Another player from the 2020 draft AJ Dillon makes the list of players to buy in 2021. You might think “What?” Dillon did nothing all season and I would agree with you for the most part. But Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are both free agents at the end of this season. So this may be a big swing to take but Dillon was a force in college. He led the ACC in rushing yards with 1685 and 318 rushing attempts in his final season at Boston College. Also adding 14 rushing touchdowns and averaging 5.3 yards per carry on a team that finished 6-7. Dillon was buried on the depth chart this season not being able to show much and only eclipsing 50% of offensive snaps once. It is hard for me to believe that the Packers will bring back both Aaron Jones or Jamaal Williams while having Dillon waiting to take more opportunities. I think trying to acquire him now while he’s been under the radar mostly could possibly return massive value down the road. 

Wide Receivers: 

AJ Brown/Tennessee – Brown’s former teammate DK Metcalf got a lot of love this season and exploded onto the season but Brown actually edged out Metcalf in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns this season. AJ missed four games this season and still finished top 15 at the wide receiver position. Tannehill and Brown clearly have been on the same page and he led the Titans in targets, receiving touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards. At 23 I think Brown has more ceiling left and it’s no question he’s one of the best young receivers in the league. It will more likely be tough to acquire him in leagues but if the possibility arises I would jump on it quickly. 

Michael Pittman Jr./Indianapolis – A second-round pick in the 2020 draft Michael Pittman has been up and down to start his career. Pittman played 13 games and only accrued one receiving touchdown along with 503 yards. He did not burst onto the scene like other rookies in his class. But buying low on Pittman now could pay dividends in the long run. His last season at USC Pittman ranked first in the Pac-12 in receptions with 101 and 1275 receiving yards. Also finishing second in the conference with 11 receiving touchdowns. Making a move for Pittman would be taking a gamble on his great talent and hoping he provides long term value. 

Tight Ends:

Hunter Henry/Los Angeles (C) – The tight end landscape is bleak recently. Its hard to find consistent production at the position. But hopefully, Henry can provide some value in the years to come. Hunter is currently 26 years old and entering free agency at the end of the season. He was second on the Chargers in targets and receptions. Along with finishing just outside the top 10 at the position this past year. If the Chargers don’t bring him back plenty of teams could use an upgrade at the tight end position. Possibly bumping his value going into 2021 and the years beyond. 

Cole Kmet/Chicago – Another player to gamble on going forward was a former second-round pick in 2020 Cole Kmet. Kmet did not really wow anyone in fantasy this past season and didn’t see the field much until after week 10. When he saw 70% on snaps the rest of the season. When Mitchell Trubisky was renamed the starter in week 12 Cole started to see an increase in snaps and targets from that point. Also passing his tight end counterpart Jimmy Graham in offensive snaps. Graham is going to be 35 in the 2021 season and Kmet will look to take the main share of snaps at the tight end position for the Bears in the years to come. An investment in Cole Kmet now could be a great future play for fantasy managers.