The NFL postseason is always exciting. You get to watch the best teams in the NFL face against each other for four weeks and see some of the best players go up against the best competition to prove themselves.
One of my favorite things about the postseason is that it gives us small glimpses into the next season. It may not be a clear window into the future in terms of usage, but we still see the players that coaches feel they can rely on in meaningful games.
So let’s dive into who I believe had some meaningful usage in the postseason and how that could translate into the 2021 fantasy football season. Let the hyper-analyzation of a just few games begin!
Cam Akers – RB, LA Rams – 49 Touches, 272 Yds, 2 TDs
I can already tell you that Cam Akers is going to be undervalued in 2021 fantasy drafts. In a huge offensive rookie class, Akers took a while to claim this backfield. It wasn’t until week 13 that he became involved in more than 50% of offensive snaps and never seemed to look back. This postseason, however, he took his performance to another level.
With 131 rushing yards against Seattle in the Wild Card game, another 90 rushing yards against Green Bay in the Divisional matchup, and a touchdown in both games, Akers was the focal point of this offense. Sure, Jared Goff was struggling with a thumb injury so the offense had to rely on the ground game a bit more, but you could tell that McVay wanted to use Akers. I’m buying Akers now and I know I will be all offseason, barring any sudden trades or signings.
Stefon Diggs – WR, Buffalo Bills – 31 Tgts, 20 Rec, 311 Yds, 2 TD
In all fairness, this could have been written before the postseason. The chemistry between Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen is pure fantasy gold. Diggs is being targeted roughly ten times consistently every game and it isn’t going to stop.
He’s had over 100 yards and a touchdown in every game this postseason. The amount of volume that Diggs is generating in this offense isn’t going to stop next season. Truthfully, I think it could get even better. With the sixth-most receptions in a season in NFL history, this isn’t just a lucky season for Diggs. Wherever he’s drafted in fantasy drafts in 2021 will be worth it.
Travis Kelce – TE, KC Chiefs – 25 Tgts, 21 Rec, 227 Yds, 3 TDs
Again, I didn’t learn anything new about Travis Kelce this postseason that I didn’t know throughout the regular season. Kelce is the uncontested TE1 for the foreseeable future and his usage throughout the regular and postseason solidify the thought that Kelce is worth a first-round pick in redraft leagues.
This 2020 season, Kelce had 312.8 PPR points which would have put him at WR4. He was the sixth-highest flex scorer in PPR leagues. SIXTH. You’re telling me that you wouldn’t want a top-ten scorer in your TE spot? That alone is a competitive advantage and a strong reason why I believe Kelce is now worthy of a first-round draft pick. His record-high TE usage is only going to continue.
Nick Chubb – RB, CLE Browns – 37 Touches, 218 Yds, 1 TD
This is Nick Chubb’s backfield. Yes, Kareem Hunt will be used more than other RB2s on other teams but it isn’t a threat to Chubb’s production. In the two games that the Browns played in this postseason, Chubb out-touched Hunt 37-16. Even more interesting is that Chubb was more involved in the passing game than Hunt was, seeing nine targets to Hunt’s two.
Both Hunt and Chubb will still be on the Browns in 2021, barring any offseason moves. The way I see it, Chubb will continue to handle a majority of the teams’ backfield touches in 2021 and be as productive as he typically is with them. Hunt will still be used but should not impact Chubb’s value.
Le’Veon Bell – RB, KC Chiefs – 2 touches, 6 yards
Is Le’Veon Bell… bad? In sort of a reversal outlook compared to the players above, Bell’s postseason usage may lean negative for the player. Barring a breakout Super Bowl performance, Bell just isn’t being used by the Chiefs in their offense. He was held out of the Conference Championship with an injury, but when Clyde Edwards-Helaire was out in the Divisional Round we saw Darrel Williams take a majority of the backfield snaps.
Bell is set to enter free agency this season and will potentially make far less than he wants to. He’s been unable to stand out with the few touches he earns in this Kansas City offense and will wind up with a team that is just bolstering their backfield instead of signing him as their feature back. Personally, I believe Bell’s prime has passed and his inability to perform in this offense proves that.
