Countdown to 2021 fantasy football drafts: Keenan Allen No. 23

Keenan Allen has been one of the steadiest fantasy receivers in the game over the last four seasons, as he’s topped 97 receptions in each and averaged over 1,100 yards. Injuries slowed him down a bit last year, but he ended up seeing his most touchdowns since his rookie year. Now in his second season with Justin Herbert, expectations remain high.

To commemorate the 2021 NFL season, we’ll be counting down the 75 best fantasy football players in the league. Picking a Top 75 is subjective, especially when you are projecting a whole season of accumulated fantasy points, but that’s part of the fun. We’ll assume what I see as an average league, which is 12 teams, .5 PPR scoring and a roster of 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, & 1RB/WR/TE. Kickers and defenses need not apply.

Change is the nature of the NFL beast, so trades and injuries will likely impact this list as we go along, but hey, this isn’t rocket science. We’re here to have a little fun and build up some much needed anticipation for a league cast in the shadow by baseball, soccer, hockey, etc. Sarcasm aside, the NFL is addictive and we’re here to give your daily fix as we close in on the season.

The official fantasy football drafting tiers can be found here.

No. 23, Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers, WR

Allen has been one of the most consistent receivers since entering the league, coming eight yards short of having four straight 1,000-yard seasons. He had some injury concerns early in his career, but has been fairly regular on the field. With Justin Herbert rising to stardom in Los Angeles, Allen figures to be a top receiver once again in 2021.

Competition for touches

Allen is the No. 1 receiver for the Chargers, but he’ll be competing with Austin Ekeler and Mike Williams for touches. Williams has never emerged as a significant threat, but Ekeler is a versatile player who will get a lot of opportunities. Jalen Guyton and Jared Cook are expected to be involved in the offense as well, but Allen is still the top dog here.

Team offensive expectations

The Chargers are expected to be one of the best offenses in the league if Herbert stays healthy. The young quarterback was thrust into action after Tyrod Taylor had a punctured lung and immediately flashed his potential. He got better as the season went on and expectations are high for him in Year 2.

What’s his upside?

If he stays healthy and Los Angeles performs as expected, Allen will be one of the top receivers in the league. He may not lead the league in touchdowns but he’ll be in contention for the most receptions.

What’s his downside?

Allen appears to have moved past his injury concerns, but health is always a factor. Herbert could regress in Year 2, limiting Allen’s effectiveness. The Chargers are infuriating in close games and too many early close losses might force them to change their offensive style or lean more on the running game.

Projection

100 receptions, 135 targets, 1250 yards, 9 touchdowns