Subscribe
Follow Us
Entering into the 2021 NFL season, the normal cast of superstar players were expected to, yet again, dominate the stat sheet for their respective teams. But this season has also had its fair share of breakout stars, providing even more options for fantasy football rosters to take advantage of.
All across the league, players have grown into expanded roles, stepped in for injured starters, and fully become the players that their front offices and coaching staffs expected them to become this year, making for an exciting first half of this year’s fantasy football campaign.
The following list details five of the biggest breakouts this year across the fantasy football landscape, as they have all exceeded expectations in one way or another.
Breakout Stars
Darrell Henderson
140 touches (121 carries, 19 receptions), 704 total yards (562 rushing, 144 receiving), 7 TDs, 131.6 fantasy points
Having been thrust into the starting role after Cam Akers’ likely season-ending injury, Darrell Henderson has shone in this expanded role for Sean McVay and company. As the starter alongside Matthew Stafford in his first year as the Los Angeles Rams’ starting QB, Henderson has brought a sense of tough-nosed running, being able to use his bigger frame to ground and pound the ball.
Fighting for the NFC West is not going to be an easy task this year for any of the four teams, but with Henderson acting as that division’s best running back this year, he certainly has a chance to become the main option in this offense down the stretch as the weather turns. For Henderson, any thoughts involving him being able to take over the starting role in this kind of dominant capacity was not really seen as an intended outcome, yet he certainly has made a name for himself and could very well play himself into earning starting consideration even when Akers returns.
Having produced at least 14 touches in every game he has suited up this season, Henderson currently is ESPN’s RB12, averaging over 16 fantasy points per game in PPR formats – and with teams like the Seahawks, Jaguars, and Vikings on their second-half schedule, the Rams likely will continue to utilize Henderson in a beneficial fantasy football format.
Jalen Hurts
1,981 passing yards, 11 passing TDs, 494 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDs, 198.64 fantasy points
Having failed to produce QB1 numbers in so far only one week this season, it is fair to say that Jalen Hurts has become a mainstay on fantasy football radars for relevant quarterbacks – just don’t ask the Philadelphia Eagles if they plan on sticking with him for the long haul.
All thoughts about his future aside, Hurts has become a fantasy football revelation this season, even with the lack of proven offensive weapons surrounding him. As the Eagles have yet again squandered their season, Hurts has been their lone bright spot, keeping the ball safe while adding plenty of fourth-quarter fantasy points.
Hurts has had his fair share of shortcomings too, as he has thrown for less than 200 yards on five occasions this year (including their last two games), but a negative game script and poor play-calling choices certainly can be chalked up to causes of that.
As Philly struggles to understand their identity moving forward, Hurts has more than played himself into that conversation of being the long-term QB solution. All that remains to be seen is if he can become more consistent, an issue that has plagued the Eagles as a whole for many seasons.
Joe Mixon
172 touches (150 carries, 22 receptions), 830 total yards (636 rushing, 194 receiving), 9 TDs, 159.0 fantasy points
The tale of Joe Mion has produced many a fret for fantasy football rosters over the years, as he has entered seasons with super-high ceilings, all to have things crash down around him due to play-calling or injuries. But this year, he seems to have finally shrugged off those labels to become one of the league’s best RB options on an upstart team.
The Cincinnati Bengals are an interesting offensive team, reliant on their three-headed WR core to lead, but Mixon has been one of their most consistent factors, and head coach Zac Taylor finally looks to have understood what it takes to be successful – incorporate Mixon more. Committing more of a focused passing attack with Mixon as one of the top options has helped unleash his fantasy value, even if he still is lacking in passing-game work.
As the Bengals fight to become and remain relevant this season, Mixon will continue to reign key in that approach – but in a tough AFC North division, the heavyweights will all rely on their rushing attacks, helping keep Mixon at or near the top of the league in rushing yards.
Cordarrelle Patterson
111 touches (73 carries, 38 receptions), 737 total yards (278 rushing, 459 receiving), 7 TDs, 153.7 fantasy points
The one-time special teams darling has finally found a home on offense with the Atlanta Falcons, as new head coach Arthur Smith utilizes Cordarrelle Patterson in ways he should have been used for his entire career.
As Patterson showcases his value as a Swiss army knife through both the air and on the ground, his value in fantasy football as a legit two-way superstar has made many rosters ecstatic, especially with the type of low preseason ADP that he had. With the Falcons surprisingly playing themselves into the postseason picture, it has been largely due to Patterson’s emergence in the offense, a factor that can be counted on for the rest of the year.
One of the season’s most surprising fantasy football darlings, Patterson bring dual-threat value every Sunday, and with Calvin Ridley out making sure to seek guidance for his mental health, Patterson will continue to control this offense’s fantasy relevance.
Deebo Samuel
55 touches (49 receptions, 6 carries), 904 total yards (882 receiving, 22 rushing), 5 TDs, 165.4 fantasy points
The final entrant on this list is someone that has always had a high ceiling since he entered the league, but it took until 2021 for it to be realized. As the San Francisco 49ers struggle through another season of inconsistent QB play, Deebo Samuel has become one of the league’s best and most consistent receiving options.
55 touches through the halfway mark of the season may not seem like a lot, but with Samuel fighting injuries for a good portion of the year combined with being the top receiver on a run-oriented team, he has done a lot with what he has been presented with.
With the 49ers likely switching to rookie Trey Lance later this year, look for Samuel to continue to be fantasy relevant, regardless of whoever is throwing him the ball. Looking like he deserves to be the top target for an NFL team, Samuel is exactly what the Niners were looking for when they drafted him, just a few years later.
