The Las Vegas Raiders made Henry Ruggs the first WR taken in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, it was third-round pick Bryan Edwards that several people felt was the better fantasy value. Still, neither rookie transitioned to fantasy football relevance. While Ruggs still holds value in 12-team formats, what is Edwards’ fantasy outlook and ADP going into his Year 2 campaign?
Bryan Edwards’ fantasy outlook for 2021
Last summer, Edwards had a strong training camp, outperforming Ruggs. Edwards opened the season as the starter for the Raiders. Yet, he had a sluggish start to the year and dealt with injuries that ultimately derailed his season. He caught 11 of 15 targets for only 193 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.
Edwards has an interesting prospect profile
The former University of South Carolina receiver should still be on your radar in redraft and dynasty formats considering his collegiate body of work.
Edwards holds the South Carolina record for the most consecutive games (48) with a reception. His career receptions (234) and receiving yards (3,045) rank third in school history.
The 6’3″ receiver recorded eight career 100-yard receiving games as a Gamecock. In fact, Alshon Jeffery and Sidney Rice are the only wide receivers in South Carolina history with more receiving touchdowns than Edwards (22).
Edwards has the physicality your looking for in an X receiver. He also complements Ruggs very well. Although this duo disappointed as rookies, both have promising futures in the Raiders’ offense with quarterback Derek Carr.
Edwards’ competition for targets in the Raiders’ offense
Carr has averaged 19 fantasy points per game over the last two seasons. He’s finished inside the top 10 at the quarterback position in deep passes and completion percentage. Additionally, Las Vegas’ offense finished last year ranked eighth in total yards and 10th in scoring.
The Raiders’ passing game will continue to go through tight end Darren Waller. He led the Raiders in targets (146), receptions (107), receiving yards (1,196), and touchdowns (9) in 2020.
Still, due to the departure of receiver Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas has 82 available targets. Besides Ruggs, Edwards will also be competing for targets with receivers Hunter Renfrow and free-agent addition John Brown.
Renfrow should continue to wreak havoc on opposing defenses as the Raiders’ primary slot weapon. Brown signed a one-year contract with the Raiders and may have been brought in to act as a mentor to Ruggs and Edwards. Considering Brown has missed 14 games over the last four seasons, it’s unlikely that the Raiders will provide him a ton of targets.
Multiple signs point to Edwards being a key contributor for the Raiders in 2021. The word on the street suggests he’s had a marvelous training camp. Edwards has been impressing the coaching staff and receiving positive remarks from his teammates. The Raiders also held him out of the first preseason game with Carr, Ruggs, and Renfrow.
How will this positive momentum impact Edwards’ fantasy projection?
Fantasy projection
Edwards projects for around 55 targets, 35 receptions, 600 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns in 2021. We currently have Ruggs finishing with the second-most targets on the Raiders behind Waller. Edwards may not make an impact in redraft formats, but he remains someone to target in dynasty.
Bryan Edwards’ ADP
Edwards has an ADP of 189.7, according to Fleaflicker. On Sleeper, he has an ADP of 215.8.
Should you draft Edwards in 2021?
Yes — Edwards should be drafted as a WR6 with upside. He is a great player to stash on your bench. If Ruggs or Brown were ever to miss significant time, then Edwards’ fantasy stock would soar.