WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

Photo Credit: Washington Football Team

OVERVIEW

The Football Team will look to reclaim the division title in 2021 on the back of their elite defense and improved offense. Washington was towards the bottom of the league in virtually every passing category in 2020. The Football Team addressed this issue in a big way this offseason, adding QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and WRs Curtis Samuel, Adam Humphries, and Dyami Brown. These additions could be the key ingredient for vaulting Ron Rivera’s squad into Superbowl contention. The Football Team could also be dangerous on the ground. Antonio Gibson’s versatility has drawn comparisons to Rivera’s former bell cow, Christian McCaffrey. J.D. McKissic is a solid pass-catching option, and even Curtis Samuel can tote the rock if need be. Washington has a loaded roster and will be in fierce competition with the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC East division crown.

RYAN FITZPATRICK (BDF Rank: QB17; ADP: QB28)

After spending 16 seasons as a bridge/backup QB, Fitzpatrick has finally earned the opportunity to lead a competitive team to the playoffs. Fitz was remarkable in 2020, posting a career best 68.54% completion percentage through nine games. Unfortunately for Fitzpatrick, the forward thinking Dolphins transferred control of the team to Tua Tagovailoa in an effort to see what they had in their 2020 first-round pick. Tua wasn’t spectacular, but did enough to start the remainder of the Dolphins’ games in a tight AFC Wildcard race. Now Fitz is in the nation’s capital, where he will play with the best supporting cast of his career. The Football Team’s offensive line represents a major upgrade from the Dolphins, and WR Terry McLaurin is a stud in the making. If Fitzpatrick can limit his turnovers, it could be a career year for the veteran signal caller.

BDF Suggestion – STRONG BUY. Fitzpatrick has been a solid per game fantasy producer all his career. Now he will get the chance to start a full season without having to fear for his job security. He’s a great option for those who like to draft QBs late.

ANTONIO GIBSON (BDF Rank: RB11; ADP: RB13)

Gibson burst onto the scene in his rookie season, finishing as the PPR RB13 despite missing two games. Gibson can attribute his fantasy success to his remarkable efficiency, particularly in the scoring department. The rookie found the end zone on 6.47% of his carries. Out of players with 150+ carries, only Alvin Kamara scored at a higher rate. While that type of efficiency is likely to regress, there are a lot of things to like about Gibson this year. The offense has greatly improved, he should see more carries, and he has the skillset to be a McCaffrey-esque workhorse back. 300 touches could be in store if Ron Rivera decides to unleash this versatile offensive weapon.

BDF Suggestion – FAIR VALUE. Giving Gibson a small downgrade from Slight Buy to Fair Value due to his ongoing turf toe issue. Keep an eye on this situation, because if the injury lingers it could be a frustrating year for Gibson and his owners. However, if he is able to fully recover, the second-year Memphis product has league winning upside at his ADP.

J.D. MCKISSIC (BDF Rank: RB32; ADP: RB43)

J.D. McKissic was one of the biggest surprises of the 2020 fantasy season, finishing as the RB17 in PPR. McKissic can attribute his success to his astounding work as a receiver. Alvin Kamara was the only running back with more receptions and receiving yards than McKissic in 2020. Though this was an impressive performance by MsKissic, it likely won’t be repeated. New QB Ryan Fitzpatrick does not throw as many check downs as Alex Smith, and Antonio Gibson will consume some screens and design plays. Additionally, Washington has added a ton of WR depth this offseason.

BDF Suggestion – BUY. McKissic’s workload will likely decrease, but that’s not cause to be discouraged. The fifth-year Arkansas State product still has a high PPR floor and is a strong depth addition in the later rounds of your draft.

PEYTON BARBER (BDF Rank: RB81; ADP: N/A)

Barber provided fantasy value due to his short yardage role in 2020. Unfortunately, there isn’t much to love about Barber outside of a few TD vulture opportunities. Barber posted an abysmal 2.7 YPC and adds next to nothing as a pass catcher. He’s a candidate to get cut before Week 1.

BDF Suggestion – FAIR VALUE. There’s no realistic scenario where Barber gets a meaningful workload. Leave him on waivers.

TERRY MCLAURIN (BDF Rank: WR14; ADP: WR11)

McLaurin is one of the most accomplished young receivers in the league, generating 2,037 yards in his first 29 games despite poor QB play. McLaurin saw his yards per reception dip to 12.9 last season, so the addition of Ryan Fitzpatrick will be welcomed with open arms. The young Ohio State product has all the makings of an elite downfield weapon, and Fitzpatrick may be the missing piece to unlocking his true potential. There is some concern about McLaurin’s target competition this season, but we think that is overblown. McLaurin is the clear alpha of this group and will get his fair share of looks. The addition of Curtis Samuel may actually prove beneficial for McLaurin, as opposing defenses won’t be able to key in on the third year stud.

BDF Suggestion – FAIR VALUE. We are expecting big things from McLaurin, but apparently the market expects bigger things. McLaurin is a fine WR1/2 option, just be wary of reaching.

CURTIS SAMUEL (BDF Rank: WR50; ADP: WR41)

Curtis Samuel had a career year for the Panthers in 2020, and was rewarded with a $34.5 million contract this offseason. Samuel set career highs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards while also taking 41 carries in Christian McCaffrey’s absence. Now Samuel has relocated to Washington where he has the opportunity to become the second option in the pass game. It remains to be seen how the target ladder will shake out below Terry McLaurin, but Samuel has a strong chance of earning his first 1,000-yard season.

BDF Suggestion – SLIGHT FADE. Samuel has upside in this role, but that appears to already be baked into his ADP. Samuel is a solid receiver in the late rounds, but don’t reach. WR is insanely deep and there are many options that are just as good or even better.

STEVEN SIMS/ADAM HUMPHRIES (BDF Rank: WR102/WR110; ADP: N/A/WR112)

It’s hard to see either of these guys climbing the ladder to garnering a significant target share. Terry McLaurin is rightfully entrenched as the main option. Curtis Samuel, J.D. McKissic, and Logan Thomas all have strong arguments for finishing second on the team in targets. Even Antonio Gibson, a converted college WR, will likely garner more looks than Sims and Humphries. To make things worse, both players could potentially get pushed out of a job by third round rookie Dyami Brown.

BDF Suggestion – FAIR VALUE. Sims and Humphries are both rightfully being left on waivers.

LOGAN THOMAS (BDF Rank: TE11; ADP: TE7)

Logan Thomas was a workhorse in 2020, finishing third amongst TEs in targets and receptions. Unfortunately for Thomas, a path to that sort of volume might not exist this season. The new receiving weapons could substantially eat into Thomas’ target share. Not all hope is lost, however, as the Football Team did not make any significant additions at TE. Thomas should continue to see plenty of snaps and be among the league leaders in routes run. The QB upgrade and lack of defensive attention should also help Thomas improve upon his sub-par efficiency (9.3 YPR in 2020).

BDF Suggestion – FADE. There is too much risk surrounding Thomas’ target share to take him as the seventh TE off the board. You’re better off passing on Thomas and taking a value pick in the later rounds if you miss out on Kelce, Kittle, Waller, Hockenson, Andrews, and Pitts.