Fantasy Football: 5 players that could win your league in 2021

1. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Injuries in the NFL are always an unfortunate occurrence, but in fantasy football they can change everything. Jacksonville’s first-round rookie running back Travis Etienne underwent surgery on his Lisfranc injury, which ended his season and vaulted James Robinson into RB1 territory.

Robinson was had at a discount in drafts because the skepticism surrounding his role due to the drafting of Etienne. However, through training camp and preseason, Robinson had remained the team’s starter, while Etienne was being deployed as a gadget player.

Jags’ coach Urban Meyer originally intended to draft Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney in the first round, but he went to the New York Giants a few picks earlier. He then pivoted to Etienne to fill the same role: a gadget, slash-type player used mainly in the passing game.

Was Robinson always expected to remain Jacksonville’s RB1 even with Etienne in the building? Whoever drafted him with this belief will be rewarded big time.

Robinson was a gem of a find last year for Jacksonville, rushing 240 times for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns, adding 49 catches for 344 yards and three touchdowns, finishing as the RB7 in PPR leagues.

His ADP has skyrocketed into the third round ever since Etienne’s injury. For those who got him before the injury when he was dropping too far in drafts now have essentially a free RB1 on their team.

Robinson finished top-10 last year and has a great chance to do it again in 2021. If you drafted him pre-Etienne injury, you acquired one of those ‘lottery tickets’ that win fantasy leagues.