Davante Adams Fantasy Football Outlook & Value 2021

Davante Adams was as dominant a receiving threat as we had ever seen in the NFL in 2020. Being the clear favorite receiver of MVP-winning quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Adams was targeted a ton caught everything thrown his way. If there was a big play that Green Bay needed to have, Adams was the guy and proved it time and time again. Adams had the most receiving touchdowns in the NFL last season and ranked top 5 in receptions and receiving yards. While the future of Aaron Rodgers might be uncertain, one thing is certain, Davante Adams is a game wrecker on the outside and should be double covered in 2021. 

2020 Recap 

Adams had an eye-popping year in 2020. Adams had the most receiving touchdowns amongst skill players. He also had the third-most receptions and fourth-most receiving yards among wide receivers. In 2020, Adams had 8 games with 20+ fantasy points and 3 games with 30+ fantasy points. Adams was Aaron Rodgers’ favorite toy last season as he was the only receiver on the team to have over 100 catches and over 70 targets. To put this in context, the next closest receiver had 33 catches on 63 targets. Adams had a receiving year for the ages and was the best fantasy receiver in the league in 2020. He will look to continue his dominance in 2021. 

2021 Projections 

The numbers for Adams in 2021 are largely dependent on if Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Regardless of who is the quarterback for the Packers next season, one thing is for certain, Adams is going to put crazy numbers. This is because of how Adams tortures cornerbacks across the league. Adams runs some of the cleanest and smooth routes I’ve ever seen. Adams works tirelessly on his footwork in the offseason, and it shows. He has some of the quickest feet in the league, which allows him to beat any press coverage and can stop on a dime to change direction. If Aaron Rodgers plays for the Packers this year, then expect another huge year from Adams in 2021.  

ADP & Auction Value 

ADP: 7, Round 1, WR1

Auction Value: $52

This is one of the more no-brainer, autopilot, mindless picks that you can make as a fantasy owner. Adams is the clear WR1 for fantasy, with only Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs being in his general area. And I don’t blame the experts for putting Adams #1 because of the way that Green Bay likes to funnel the ball to him. Adams had the most targets in the league last season, and that will look to continue in 2021 as the other receivers on Green Bay’s roster all rank 77 or lower, according to our database. Adams is a ball hog in the best way possible because of his insane production. 

Floor

The floor for Davante Adams has nothing to do with Davante Adams. I know it sounds weird, but it’s true. Adams is a true star #1 wide receiver who will get his numbers thanks to Matt Lafluer feeding him the ball. Adams fantasy numbers worry me this upcoming season because the quarterback situation in Green Bay is shaky at best. Aaron Rodgers has been on record that he doesn’t want to play for the Packers, and no one knows if Jordan Love is ready to play at a starting-caliber level. Also, Adams has little help around him due to the underperforming production of Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Allen Lazard. Adams should still be a #1 receiver for any fantasy squad, but there is a chance he will not be the same “Oh shoot, I’m playing the guy with Davante Adams” player he was in 2020. So if Adams underperforms in 2021, then your expectations were too high, or he is rightfully double-teamed the whole season. 

Ceiling 

The sky is truly the limit for a player like Davante Adams. Any man coverage is cooked when they are guarding Adams, and Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers lick their lips when they see single coverage on Adams. Adams can create separation even when covered by the best corners in the league. Combine that skill with the magical powers of Aaron Rodgers, and you have one of the most deadly offensive combinations in the league. While it is unlikely that he repeats the same production he had last season, it also equally likely that he proves me wrong and has an even better year in 2021. 

Green Bay Packers Offense 

When you have the MVP-winning quarterback playing for your team, life on offense is pretty easy. Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff have unlocked Aaron Rodgers in ways that Mike McCarthey could never dream of. Green Bay was the #1 total offense in the league last season because they were elite in the running and passing game. Green Bay scored a league-high 526 points and 66 touchdowns last season. Aaron Rodgers was firing on all cylinders as he threw a league 48 touchdowns to his good buddy ol’ Pal Davante Adams, who scored a league-high 18 touchdowns. Aaron Jones and the running game were also sneaky underrated as Jones was within the top 10 in rushing yards. Green Bay had a complete and potent offense that could score anyway they wanted to last season. If this crew stays together in 2021, then it could be another long year for any defenses that have to play the Packers.  

Strength of Schedule

The Packers have the 4th hardest strength of schedule entering 2021. This year’s challenge is in playing the Vikings, Bears, and Lions twice as well as the AFC North, NFC West, Chiefs, Saints, Washington Football Team. Looking at this schedule, I will say one thing. If they don’t have Aaron Rodgers this year, then the Packers are not winning the division or more than 7 games. This schedule is brutal. Not only do you have to play the two teams that were just in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs and Buccaneers, but you also have to play the loaded AFC North who contain the Steelers, Ravens, Browns, and Bengals. The Packers also have to play the other hardest division in football, the NFC West, which has the Seahawks, Rams, 49ers, and Cardinals. The Packers got screwed over with their schedule, and their schedule looks even harder considering their bye week isn’t until Week 13. The Packers are basically playing a playoff game every week except for their games against the Lions. The Packers were the #1 seed in the NFC last season, but I don’t see them repeating in 2021.