Anthony Schwartz 2021 Fantasy & Dynasty Outlook with Browns

Anthony Schwartz Fantasy Profile

Anthony Schwartz Fantasy Fit with Browns

Schwartz is intriguing because of his blazing speed, but right now he’s likely to play behind wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins. And Schwartz will also trail tight end Austin Hooper in target priority.

Maybe Schwartz will carve out a role as a rotational speedster, but he figures to be mainly a gadget player in 2021. After that, he could emerge as a starting receiver — because at some point at least one of the players ahead of him on the depth chart will leave the team — but for his rookie season Schwartz can be avoided in redraft and best ball barring any changes significant roster moves involving Beckham or Landry.

In dynasty leagues, Schwartz feels like a speculative upside option who will go higher than he probably should in Round 2.

Dynasty Fantasy Analysis

Note: The following was written before the NFL Draft.

Schwartz isn't my kind of receiver, but I tentatively expect him to be drafted on Day 2 for one simple reason: The dude is fast. Legitimately fast.

In 2017, Schwartz set a youth world record with a 10.15-second 100-meter dash in high school. At Auburn, he is a literal track star.

And you see that in how he plays: He's a sprinter, not a route runner. He's not a technician. He doesn't have a developed route tree or strong hands. And with his track-and-field frame, he doesn't have the body to be a physical receiver.

His speed is unrivaled, and when he gets by a defensive back, he's gone.

But Schwartz is more of a field-stretching threat than an actual downfield producer.

Basically, he's a gadget player. He's arguably better as a runner on reverses and jet sweeps than as an actual receiver.

Schwartz contributed immediately as a freshman at Auburn, but as a sophomore he failed to take a significant step forward.

• 2018 (13 games): 22-357-2 receiving | 27-211-5 rushing
• 2017 (13 games): 41-440-1 receiving | 11-118-2 rushing

As a junior, he led the team with 54 receptions, but he was still just No. 2 for the Tigers with 636 yards and three touchdowns receiving, and he disappointingly did (less than) nothing as a runner, rushing for -6 yards on four carries.

And, amazingly, despite his speed and strong rushing production, Schwartz never returned kicks in college.

Overall, he's incredibly limited — and he never had a real breakout at Auburn.

But Schwartz has real factors in his favor.

1. He will turn 21 years old right as the season starts.
2. He is entering the NFL after just three years in college.
3. He has a chance to be a top-100 pick.

If everything works out for him, Schwartz will be Will Fuller with less draft capital and no hamstring issues.

But when does anything ever work out?

NFL Prospect Comp: Jacoby Ford with less receiving and returning production but more draft capital and youth

Matthew Freedman is 1,018-828-37 (55.1%) overall betting on the NFL. You can follow him in our free app.