5 breakout stars to watch for the Denver Broncos in 2021

Fant was banged up throughout 2020, but he only missed one game and took a nice step forward in production during his second season (62 receptions for 673 yards and three touchdowns). Over the last three games, presumably at something closer to full health, he had 18 catches for 181 yards on 26 targets.

Advanced metrics, as seen in part on Player Profiler where his comp is George Kittle, like Fant a lot. A more consistent quarterback might unlock him further, along with the absence of lingering injuries.

Second-year man Albert Okwuegbunam, who Drew Lock played with in college at Missouri, is somewhat of a threat to Fant’s target share if/when he’s healthy after a Week 9 ACL tear as a rookie. But a little imagination, like putting Fant (6-foot-4, 249 pounds) in the slot more often as a matchup mismatch, would allow both guys to be on the field sometimes.

Fant is still full of untapped potential entering his third season. If things come together– quarterback play, health, a more varied role, etc.–the upside is massive.