Keenan Allen Fantasy Outlook: A Deep Dive into the Chargers' Star Receiver

Hello, fantasy football enthusiasts! Today, we're going to take a deep dive into the world of Keenan Allen, the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers' star wide receiver, and explore his fantasy outlook for the upcoming season. So, grab your helmets and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and keenan allen fantasy outlook.

Allen's Fantasy Football Rise

Before we delve into Keenan Allen's fantasy outlook, let's take a quick look at his journey in the NFL. Drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Allen has been a steady presence in the Chargers' offense. He's known for his reliable hands, exceptional route-running, and strong work ethic. Allen has consistently put up impressive numbers, but he's also been plagued by injuries. Let's see how that affects his fantasy outlook.

Allen's Injury History

- 2015: Allen played in just eight games due to a kidney laceration sustained in Week 8. - 2016: A torn ACL in the first game of the season ended his year prematurely. - 2018: A hip injury sidelined Allen for the final six games of the season.

While these injuries have been a setback for Allen's career, they've also made him a bit of a fantasy football enigma. When healthy, Allen is a WR1, but his injury history makes him a riskier pick. So, what does that mean for his fantasy outlook in 2021?

Allen's Fantasy Outlook: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good: Target Hog and Red Zone Threat

Allen has been a target hog throughout his career, averaging 119.3 targets per season. In 2020, he caught 100 passes on 146 targets, leading the NFL in receptions. With Justin Herbert now under center, Allen's fantasy outlook looks bright. Herbert targeted Allen 133 times in 2020, and with another year of chemistry under their belts, that number could increase.

Allen is also a red zone threat. He's caught at least seven red zone touchdowns in three of his eight healthy seasons. His size (6'2", 211 lbs) and strong hands make him a mismatch against smaller defensive backs in the red zone.

The Bad: Injury Concerns and Competition

As mentioned earlier, Allen's injury history is a significant concern. If he can't stay healthy, he won't be able to put up the numbers fantasy managers are looking for. Additionally, Allen will face competition for targets in 2021. The Chargers drafted Josh Palmer in the third round and also have Mike Williams and Jalen Guyton in the mix.

The Ugly: Age and Decline

Allen will turn 30 in May, which is typically when wide receivers start to decline. While Allen has shown no signs of slowing down, Father Time is undefeated. If Allen's production starts to dip in 2021, his fantasy outlook will suffer significantly.

Allen's Fantasy Value in 2021

Given his target share, red zone prowess, and chemistry with Herbert, Allen is a WR2 with WR1 upside in 2021. However, his injury history and age make him a riskier pick. Here's how we'd rank Allen among other wide receivers:

1. 1. Top Tier (WR1s): Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, etc.
2. 2. Second Tier (WR2s with WR1 upside): Keenan Allen, DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, etc.
3. 3. Third Tier (WR2s): Allen Lazard, DJ Chark, etc.

Draft Strategy: When to Target Allen

Given his risk profile, we'd recommend waiting until the late second or early third round to draft Allen. If he slips to the fourth round, he could be a steal. However, if you're in a PPR league or need a reliable WR2, you might not be able to wait that long.

Final Thoughts on Allen's Fantasy Outlook

Keenan Allen is a fantastic receiver who, when healthy, can put up elite numbers. However, his injury history and age make him a riskier pick in fantasy football. If you draft Allen, make sure you have a solid backup plan in case he goes down again. But if Allen can stay healthy, he could be the key to your fantasy football championship. Thanks for reading, and we'll see you on the gridiron!