The 2020 NFL season reminded me of a 17-week rubbernecking delay. Given most everyone’s NEED for sports, the fans’ tolerance for NFL shenanigans was quite high, but, really, how many heads rolling down the highway does it take before the NFL figures things out? And, yes, that was a rhetorical question because the season is over, and Goodell never did figure it out; I wish I could say I’m surprised, but well yeah, I’m not! All-in-all, though, this 2020 season was definitely the strangest NFL season I can remember. It wasn’t all from COVID – I mean, yes, COVID was part of it with the delayed games to the non-stop players on COVID protocols (and penalties for violations of the NFL COVID protocols), to maybe the single most idiotic $50k Christmas Day fine, and my personal favorite of the “tanking” hilarity of week 17. However, now that we’re officially in the playoffs – and my Cleveland Browns have ended an 18-year playoff drought – I figured it was time to make some, possibly, way-too-early 2021 projections.
About these projections: I used an age-weighted, 3-year average for all players based on DSE IDP League scoring to project the 2021 Rankings. For a full set of our scoring, check out our IDP League rules page. However, since I’m not posting the projected point totals, instead, I’ve broken down each category into various tiers. It is worth noting that all players within a tier are within a relatively similar projected point category – I used a +- variance of 2.5ppg for each tier. A link to the offense player article can be found here >> Defensive Players.
Quarterback
Yes, I am aware I listed the two 2020 MVP candidates in tier 2, Aaron Rodgers, and tier 3, Josh Allen; and, yes, I am aware the GOAT, Tom Brady, is in tier 6. But remember, these are Dynasty rankings, not re-draft, and while that can explain Rodgers and Brady, Allen only this season figured things out, and I’m not convinced he’ll repeat these numbers next season. I’m also aware Lamar “The Running Back” Jackson is ranked 16, and in tier 4 with likes of Caron Wentz and Cam Newton, which was again, on-purpose because let’s be real, Lamar has a lot to learn, and the hype train has left the station.
Rank | Player | Team | Pos | Tier |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dak Prescott | DAL | QB | 1 |
2 | Justin Herbert | LAC | QB | 1 |
3 | Patrick Mahomes | KC | QB | 1 |
4 | Joe Burrow | CIN | QB | 1 |
5 | Aaron Rodgers | GB | QB | 2 |
6 | Deshaun Watson | HOU | QB | 2 |
7 | Russell Wilson | SEA | QB | 2 |
8 | Kyler Murray | ARI | QB | 3 |
9 | Josh Allen | BUF | QB | 3 |
10 | Jared Goff | LAR | QB | 3 |
11 | Matthew Stafford | DET | QB | 3 |
12 | Kirk Cousins | MIN | QB | 3 |
13 | Ryan Tannehill | TEN | QB | 3 |
14 | Derek Carr | LV | QB | 4 |
15 | Nick Foles | CHI | QB | 4 |
16 | Lamar Jackson | BAL | QB | 4 |
17 | Tua Tagovailoa | MIA | QB | 4 |
18 | Carson Wentz | PHI | QB | 4 |
19 | Cam Newton | NE | QB | 4 |
20 | Mitchell Trubisky | CHI | QB | 4 |
21 | Baker Mayfield | CLE | QB | 4 |
22 | Matt Ryan | ATL | QB | 4 |
23 | Marcus Mariota | LV | QB | 4 |
24 | Daniel Jones | NYG | QB | 4 |
25 | Drew Lock | DEN | QB | 4 |
26 | Ben Roethlisberger | PIT | QB | 5 |
27 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | MIA | QB | 5 |
28 | Andy Dalton | DAL | QB | 5 |
29 | Sam Darnold | NYJ | QB | 5 |
30 | Jimmy Garoppolo | SF | QB | 5 |
31 | Philip Rivers | IND | QB | 5 |
32 | Teddy Bridgewater | CAR | QB | 5 |
33 | Drew Brees | NO | QB | 5 |
34 | Tom Brady | TB | QB | 6 |
35 | Nick Mullens | SF | QB | 6 |
36 | Jameis Winston | NO | QB | 6 |
37 | Joe Flacco | NYJ | QB | 6 |
38 | Alex Smith | WAS | QB | 6 |
39 | Gardner Minshew | JAX | QB | 6 |
40 | John Wolford | LAR | QB | 6 |
Running Back
Yes, I have Derrick Henry ranked in tier 3; I mean, let’s face it, he’s no spring chicken. Yes, I have Zeke ranked in tier 4, mostly due to his lack of a 2020 season. And yes, I’m a Browns fan, and I have Chubb and Hunt in tier 4, mainly due to the coaches’ inability to stick with Chubb as their full-time, go-to back.
It may also ruffle some feathers for some people to see Henry ranked 5th, but, well, that’s what I do, isn’t it – ruffle feathers and shake up people’s perceptions and expectations. Now I could be wrong, and Henry could put up yet another 2000 yard season, but with the way things change year-after-year, I’ll bet against those odds.
Rank | Player | Team | Pos | Tier |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Christian McCaffrey | CAR | RB | 1 |
2 | Alvin Kamara | NO | RB | 2 |
3 | Dalvin Cook | MIN | RB | 2 |
4 | Jonathan Taylor | IND | RB | 3 |
5 | Derrick Henry | TEN | RB | 3 |
6 | James Robinson | JAX | RB | 3 |
7 | Austin Ekeler | LAC | RB | 3 |
8 | Aaron Jones | GB | RB | 4 |
9 | Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | RB | 4 |
10 | Antonio Gibson | WAS | RB,WR | 4 |
11 | D'Andre Swift | DET | RB | 4 |
12 | Nick Chubb | CLE | RB | 4 |
13 | Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC | RB | 4 |
14 | Josh Jacobs | LV | RB | 4 |
15 | David Montgomery | CHI | RB | 4 |
16 | Joe Mixon | CIN | RB | 4 |
17 | Miles Sanders | PHI | RB | 4 |
18 | Saquon Barkley | NYG | RB | 4 |
19 | Kareem Hunt | CLE | RB | 4 |
20 | James Conner | PIT | RB | 4 |
21 | Leonard Fournette | TB | RB | 4 |
22 | Chris Carson | SEA | RB | 5 |
23 | J.K. Dobbins | BAL | RB | 5 |
24 | Todd Gurley | ATL | RB | 5 |
25 | Kenyan Drake | ARI | RB | 5 |
26 | Nyheim Hines | IND | RB | 5 |
27 | Myles Gaskin | MIA | RB | 5 |
28 | Melvin Gordon | DEN | RB | 5 |
29 | Ronald Jones | TB | RB | 5 |
30 | David Johnson | HOU | RB | 5 |
31 | Tony Pollard | DAL | RB | 5 |
32 | Devin Singletary | BUF | RB | 5 |
33 | Marlon Mack | IND | RB | 5 |
34 | Jamaal Williams | GB | RB | 5 |
35 | Chase Edmonds | ARI | RB | 5 |
36 | Jeffery Wilson | SF | RB | 5 |
37 | Cam Akers | LAR | RB | 5 |
38 | Boston Scott | PHI | RB | 5 |
39 | Tarik Cohen | CHI | RB | 5 |
40 | Zack Moss | BUF | RB | 5 |
41 | Sony Michel | NE | RB | 6 |
42 | James White | NE | RB | 6 |
43 | Darrynton Evans | TEN | RB | 6 |
44 | Phillip Lindsay | DEN | RB | 6 |
45 | Raheem Mostert | SF | RB | 6 |
46 | Kerryon Johnson | DET | RB | 6 |
47 | Mike Davis | CAR | RB | 6 |
48 | Le'Veon Bell | NYJ/KC | RB | 6 |
49 | Devonta Freeman | NYG | RB | 6 |
50 | J.D. McKissic | WAS | RB | 6 |
51 | Gus Edwards | BAL | RB | 7 |
52 | Alex Collins | SEA | RB | 7 |
53 | Duke Johnson | HOU | RB | 7 |
54 | Joshua Kelley | LAC | RB | 7 |
55 | Rex Burkhead | NE | RB | 7 |
56 | Jerick McKinnon | SF | RB | 7 |
57 | Latavius Murray | NO | RB | 7 |
58 | Darrell Henderson | LAR | RB | 7 |
59 | Reggie Bonnafon | CAR | RB | 7 |
60 | Kalen Ballage | NYJ/LAC | RB | 7 |
61 | La'Mical Perine | NYJ | RB | 7 |
62 | Jordan Howard | MIA/PHI | RB | 7 |
63 | Alexander Mattison | MIN | RB | 7 |
64 | Damien Harris | NE | RB | 7 |
65 | Giovani Bernard | CIN | RB | 7 |
66 | Justin Jackson | LAC | RB | 7 |
67 | Wayne Gallman | NYG | RB | 7 |
68 | Carlos Hyde | SEA | RB | 7 |
69 | Mark Ingram | BAL | RB | 7 |
70 | Travis Homer | SEA | RB | 7 |
71 | DeeJay Dallas | SEA | RB | 7 |
72 | Matt Breida | MIA | RB | 7 |
Wide Receiver
For some, the biggest surprise may be Metcalf in tier 2. I’m a huge Metcalf fan, but Seattle’s offensive line needs work. While I am an adamant believer in not betting against Russel Wilson, especially when the game is on the line, the wholes in the o-line and lack of a true go-to every-down back make it hard to rank Metcalf higher than 6. Michael Thomas stock may fall this off-season if Brees does in-fact, retire, especially since the Saints don’t really have a viable QB on their roster – not to say Winston isn’t viable, but more to the point the Saints don’t seem to believe in him as a legit QB option. Mike Evans could also be in the same boat if Brady decides to hang-it up, finally, but outside the Tampa Bay winning the Superbowl this year, I have a sneaky suspicion we’ll see Brady again next season – at 44-years-old.
Rank | Player | Team | Pos | Tier |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Justin Jefferson | MIN | WR | 1 |
2 | Davante Adams | GB | WR | 1 |
3 | Tyreek Hill | KC | WR | 1 |
4 | A.J. Brown | TEN | WR | 2 |
5 | CeeDee Lamb | DAL | WR | 2 |
6 | DK Metcalf | SEA | WR | 2 |
7 | Stefon Diggs | BUF | WR | 2 |
8 | Mike Evans | TB | WR | 2 |
9 | Michael Thomas | NO | WR | 2 |
10 | Chris Godwin | TB | WR | 2 |
11 | DeAndre Hopkins | ARI | WR | 2 |
12 | Calvin Ridley | ATL | WR | 2 |
13 | Amari Cooper | DAL | WR | 2 |
14 | Chase Claypool | PIT | WR | 2 |
15 | Brandon Aiyuk | SF | WR | 2 |
16 | Will Fuller | HOU | WR | 2 |
17 | Tyler Lockett | SEA | WR | 2 |
18 | Terry McLaurin | WAS | WR | 2 |
19 | D.J. Moore | CAR | WR | 2 |
20 | Keenan Allen | LAC | WR | 2 |
21 | Allen Robinson | CHI | WR | 3 |
22 | Cooper Kupp | LAR | WR | 3 |
23 | Tee Higgins | CIN | WR | 3 |
24 | Diontae Johnson | PIT | WR | 3 |
25 | Tyler Boyd | CIN | WR | 3 |
26 | Robert Woods | LAR | WR | 3 |
27 | Laviska Shenault | JAX | WR | 3 |
28 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | PIT | WR | 3 |
29 | Julio Jones | ATL | WR | 3 |
30 | Curtis Samuel | CAR | WR | 3 |
31 | Deebo Samuel | SF | WR | 3 |
32 | Corey Davis | TEN | WR | 3 |
33 | Kenny Golladay | DET | WR | 3 |
34 | Brandin Cooks | HOU | WR | 3 |
35 | Darnell Mooney | CHI | WR | 3 |
36 | Marquise Brown | BAL | WR | 3 |
37 | Mecole Hardman | KC | WR | 4 |
38 | Christian Kirk | ARI | WR | 4 |
39 | Jamison Crowder | NYJ | WR | 4 |
40 | D.J. Chark | JAX | WR | 4 |
41 | Sterling Shepard | NYG | WR | 4 |
42 | Darius Slayton | NYG | WR | 4 |
43 | Courtland Sutton | DEN | WR | 4 |
44 | Adam Thielen | MIN | WR | 4 |
45 | Jerry Jeudy | DEN | WR | 4 |
46 | Marvin Jones | DET | WR | 4 |
47 | Jarvis Landry | CLE | WR | 4 |
48 | Deonte Harris | NO | WR | 4 |
49 | Michael Gallup | DAL | WR | 4 |
50 | Preston Williams | MIA | WR | 4 |
51 | Travis Fulgham | PHI | WR | 4 |
52 | Odell Beckham | CLE | WR | 4 |
53 | DeVante Parker | MIA | WR | 4 |
54 | Jalen Reagor | PHI | WR | 4 |
55 | Antonio Brown | NE/TB | WR | 4 |
56 | Robby Anderson | CAR | WR | 4 |
57 | Gabriel Davis | BUF | WR | 4 |
58 | Donovan Peoples-Jones | CLE | WR | 4 |
59 | Chad Hansen | HOU | WR | 4 |
60 | Hunter Renfrow | LV | WR | 4 |
61 | Keke Coutee | HOU | WR | 4 |
62 | Mike Williams | LAC | WR | 4 |
63 | Cole Beasley | BUF | WR | 4 |
64 | Greg Ward | PHI | WR | 4 |
65 | Michael Pittman | IND | WR | 5 |
66 | Nelson Agholor | LV | WR | 5 |
67 | Steven Sims | WAS | WR | 5 |
68 | Jakeem Grant | MIA | WR | 5 |
69 | John Brown | BUF | WR | 5 |
70 | Devin Duvernay | BAL | WR | 5 |
71 | Jakobi Meyers | NE | WR | 5 |
72 | Henry Ruggs | LV | WR | 5 |
73 | Cordarrelle Patterson | CHI | WR | 5 |
74 | Zach Pascal | IND | WR | 5 |
75 | K.J. Hamler | DEN | WR | 5 |
76 | T.Y. Hilton | IND | WR | 5 |
77 | Russell Gage | ATL | WR | 5 |
78 | Denzel Mims | NYJ | WR | 5 |
79 | Parris Campbell | IND | WR | 5 |
80 | Sammy Watkins | KC | WR | 5 |
81 | Allen Lazard | GB | WR | 5 |
82 | Julian Edelman | NE | WR | 5 |
83 | Kendrick Bourne | SF | WR | 5 |
84 | Tyron Johnson | LAC | WR | 5 |
85 | Randall Cobb | HOU | WR | 5 |
86 | Keelan Cole | JAX | WR | 5 |
87 | Breshad Perriman | NYJ | WR | 5 |
88 | Marquez Callaway | NO | WR | 5 |
89 | Emmanuel Sanders | NO | WR | 5 |
90 | Adam Humphries | TEN | WR | 5 |
91 | Tre'Quan Smith | NO | WR | 6 |
92 | Anthony Miller | CHI | WR | 6 |
93 | Richie James | SF | WR | 6 |
94 | David Moore | SEA | WR | 6 |
95 | Lynn Bowden | MIA | RB,WR | 6 |
96 | Isaiah McKenzie | BUF | WR | 6 |
97 | Tim Patrick | DEN | WR | 6 |
98 | Dede Westbrook | JAX | WR | 6 |
99 | Marquez Valdes-Scantling | GB | WR | 6 |
100 | Tyrell Williams | LV | WR | 6 |
101 | James Washington | PIT | WR | 6 |
102 | Golden Tate | NYG | WR | 6 |
103 | Josh Reynolds | LAR | WR | 7 |
104 | Kalif Raymond | TEN | WR | 7 |
105 | Quintez Cephus | DET | WR | 7 |
106 | Albert Wilson | MIA | WR | 7 |
107 | Joe Reed | LAC | WR | 7 |
108 | Pharoh Cooper | CAR | WR | 7 |
109 | Gunner Olszewski | NE | WR | 7 |
110 | Rashard Higgins | CLE | WR | 7 |
111 | Scott Miller | TB | WR | 7 |
112 | Demarcus Robinson | KC | WR | 7 |
113 | Braxton Berrios | NYJ | WR | 7 |
114 | DeSean Jackson | PHI | WR | 7 |
115 | Chris Conley | JAX | WR | 7 |
116 | Alshon Jeffery | PHI | WR | 7 |
117 | N'Keal Harry | NE | WR | 7 |
118 | Isaiah Ford | MIA/NE | WR | 7 |
119 | John Ross | CIN | WR | 7 |
120 | Josh Gordon | SEA | WR | 8 |
121 | Willie Snead | BAL | WR | 8 |
122 | Lil'Jordan Humphrey | NO | WR | 8 |
123 | Damiere Byrd | NE | WR | 8 |
124 | Brandon Powell | ATL | WR | 8 |
125 | Ray-Ray McCloud | PIT | WR | 8 |
126 | Andre Roberts | BUF | WR | 8 |
127 | Collin Johnson | JAX | WR | 8 |
128 | Jaydon Mickens | TB | WR | 8 |
129 | Kelvin Harmon | WAS | WR | 8 |
130 | Auden Tate | CIN | WR | 8 |
131 | Tajae Sharpe | MIN/KC | WR | 8 |
132 | Quez Watkins | PHI | WR | 8 |
133 | Olamide Zaccheaus | ATL | WR | 8 |
134 | Marcus Johnson | IND | WR | 8 |
135 | Mohamed Sanu | SF/DET | WR | 8 |
136 | Kenny Stills | HOU | WR | 8 |
137 | Freddie Swain | SEA | WR | 9 |
138 | Diontae Spencer | DEN | WR | 9 |
139 | Ryan Switzer | CLE | WR | 9 |
140 | Tyrie Cleveland | DEN | WR | 9 |
141 | K.J. Osborn | MIN | WR | 9 |
142 | Rashard Davis | TEN | WR | 9 |
143 | Jalen Guyton | LAC | WR | 9 |
144 | Deontay Burnett | PHI | WR | 9 |
Tight End
Tier 2, Austin Hooper, and TJ Hockenson, as tier 3, maybe the surprises on this list heading into 2021. Realistically, neither has a great QB situation with Hooper slightly ahead if you believe Baker can figure things out – but as a Browns fan, I’m not a believer!
Rank | Player | Team | Pos | Tier |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | George Kittle | SF | TE | 1 |
2 | Travis Kelce | KC | TE | 1 |
3 | Darren Waller | LV | TE | 1 |
4 | Mark Andrews | BAL | TE | 2 |
5 | Hunter Henry | LAC | TE | 2 |
6 | Evan Engram | NYG | TE | 2 |
7 | Austin Hooper | CLE | TE | 2 |
8 | T.J. Hockenson | DET | TE | 3 |
9 | Noah Fant | DEN | TE | 3 |
10 | Mike Gesicki | MIA | TE | 3 |
11 | Dallas Goedert | PHI | TE | 3 |
12 | Albert Okwuegbunam | DEN | TE | 3 |
13 | Zach Ertz | PHI | TE | 3 |
14 | Jonnu Smith | TEN | TE | 4 |
15 | Eric Ebron | PIT | TE | 4 |
16 | O.J. Howard | TB | TE | 4 |
17 | Tyler Higbee | LAR | TE | 4 |
18 | Irv Smith | MIN | TE | 4 |
19 | C.J. Uzomah | CIN | TE | 4 |
20 | Will Dissly | SEA | TE | 4 |
21 | Logan Thomas | WAS | TE | 4 |
22 | Robert Tonyan | GB | TE | 4 |
23 | Hayden Hurst | ATL | TE | 5 |
24 | Dan Arnold | ARI | TE | 5 |
25 | Jared Cook | NO | TE | 5 |
26 | Gerald Everett | LAR | TE | 5 |
27 | Rob Gronkowski | TB | TE | 6 |
28 | Dalton Schultz | DAL | TE | 6 |
29 | Jordan Reed | SF | TE | 6 |
30 | Dawson Knox | BUF | TE | 6 |
31 | Ricky Seals-Jones | KC | TE | 6 |
32 | Jesper Horsted | CHI | TE | 6 |
33 | Kaden Smith | NYG | TE | 6 |
34 | Tyler Eifert | JAX | TE | 6 |
35 | Matt Flanagan | JAX | TE | 6 |
36 | Jacob Hollister | SEA | TE | 6 |
37 | Harrison Bryant | CLE | TE | 7 |
38 | Trey Burton | IND | TE | 7 |
39 | Cole Kmet | CHI | TE | 7 |
40 | Jordan Akins | HOU | TE | 7 |
41 | David Njoku | CLE | TE | 7 |
42 | Anthony Firkser | TEN | TE | 7 |
43 | Donald Parham | LAC | TE | 7 |
44 | Kyle Rudolph | MIN | TE | 7 |
45 | Jack Doyle | IND | TE | 7 |
46 | Tommy Sweeney | BUF | TE | 7 |
47 | Cameron Brate | TB | TE | 7 |
48 | James O'Shaughnessy | JAX | TE | 7 |
49 | Jimmy Graham | CHI | TE | 7 |
50 | Foster Moreau | LV | TE | 7 |
51 | Nick Boyle | BAL | TE | 7 |
Feel free to reach out to me via Twitter @drunkenangelz.