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Liz Rosa, ESPN
Change: It's inevitable. And in the NFL, that's no different. From a revamped roster to a coaching merry-go-round to an overhaul of the offense, the changes are real. Let us bring you the most impactful fantasy football news of the offseason.
A new era in new england
Jerod Mayo will replace Bill Belichick as the team's head coach for the first time in 24 years and will have the opportunity to redefine the Patriot Way. Coach Mayo will look to new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye to revitalize the offense. New England's strength chart is by no means stacked, but rookie WR Jarrin Polk projects as a late-round investment and could provide fantasy value down the road.
Meanwhile, LaMondre Stephenson remains the team's primary ball carrier. With Van Pelt likely to implement a run-heavy scheme (like the one he ran in Cleveland), Stephenson is calculated to touch the ball 15-17 times per game, making him a top-20 position for the manager. This is an appeal.
Seattle's (semi-)reorganization
Pete Carroll was the head coach of the Seahawks for 14 seasons. In his place, the organization named Mike McDonald the team's captain and brought in former Washington Huskies OC Ryan Grubb to strategize the offense. Following such sweeping changes, the new regime was expected to implement a number of roster adjustments. Instead, the rookie coaching staff opted to restart the game with many of Seattle's longest-tenured players.
DK Metcalf returns as the most valuable fantasy asset capable of high-end WR2 numbers. Second-year receiver Jackson Smith-Njiba has shown flashes of breaking out, but will compete for looks with Tyler Lockett and tight end Noah Fant. JSN and Lockett are likely to teeter on the WR3/WR4 bubble as there are positives built into his slightly higher ADP for a young player. Finally, Kenneth Walker III may cede touches to Zach Charbonnet, but is still a decent RB2 option for fantasy purposes.
Jim Harbaugh Recharges in LA
Los Angeles hit the head coaching restart button for the fourth time in more than a decade, signing Harbaugh to a five-year contract worth an estimated annual salary of $16 million. After reaching an agreement with Harbaugh, the Bolts made a major clean-up, forcing the departures of WR Keenan Allen, WR Mike Williams, RB Austin Ekeler, and tight end Gerald Everett.
The team acquired WR Rudd McConkie with an early second-round pick, strengthened the backfield with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, and added free agent depth at TE with Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst. added. LA's revamped offensive line should help buy time for Justin Herbert. But between the lack of tested pass-catching options and the focus on OC Greg Roman's run-heavy approach, Herbert's time as a top-10 fantasy QB has (temporarily) been pushed into the background. It emerges.
Bears force rebranding
“The Monster of Midway” will continue to be synonymous with Chicago. However, general manager Ryan Pauls appears to be trying to drag the team into the future and “push towards passing.” Quickly closing the chapter on the Justin Fields era, Chicago spent early first-round picks on QB Caleb Williams and WR Roma Odunze.
This isn't the first time the Bears have used a first-round pick on a burgeoning signal-caller. But you could also argue that this is the first time (in a long time) that the Bears have actually tried to build a team around this quarterback. The organization also took advantage of the free agency period before the draft, adding wide receiver Keenan Allen, running back D'Andre Swift, and tight end Gerald Everett. The success of these efforts and additions has yet to be tested, but at least on paper, the Bears have the team's most potent passing attack in over 50 years.
If all goes well (and that's a big deal given the club's history), Williams could put up some impressive top-15 numbers in his rookie season. DJ Moore continues to be the corps' leader in targets, and it seems likely that he will reach 1,000 yards receiving for the second year in a row. Allen should draw a similar number of looks to Moore and could hit 80 grabs in his Windy City debut. Odunze would round out this trio of receivers and provide mid-round upside and plenty of flex potential. But that volume seems even more uncertain, as Swift will join Khalil Herbert and Roshon Johnson in the backfield. Coming off his career season, the former Eagle's numbers are regressing, but Swift's ability as a pass catcher keeps him in the RB2/3 bubble.
Washington orchestrates offensive changes
Commanders spent 2023 testing Sam Howell's abilities and decided that alone wasn't enough. After posting a 4-13 record, the new front office went on a deep cleaning spree, revamping the coaching staff and adding a new face to the franchise.
Quarterback Jaden Daniels has a similar playing style to Kyler Murray and is intriguing to Kliff Kingsbury's offense. The manager's OC is expected to employ plenty of spread passing elements, which should help the 23-year-old in his transition to the pros. With Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson leading the receiving corps and Austin Ekeler catching passes out of the backfield, Daniels slides into sneaky productive situations. Add in his elite rushing instincts, and the rookie has the potential to succeed as a QB2 in a super-flex format in Year 1.
While Daniels has an advantage, the talent around him may not be as lucky, at least initially. McLaurin has struggled with instability under center for most of his career. Either way, he has cleared 1,000 receiving yards in four consecutive seasons and should be able to get over 130 looks again in 2024. Dotson is expected to serve as the team's No. 2 receiver, and while he may be able to manage the breakout he failed to record last season, he primarily ranks outside of the top 60 fantasy wideouts. Masu. Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. share snapshots and work in a complementary manner. Both backs offer managers high-end RB3 potential.
Buffalo says goodbye to big name
The Bills made a number of decisive moves this offseason, which at times left fans a little confused. Gabe Davis' departure and Damian Harris' retirement weren't all that surprising, but the Stefon Diggs trade caused quite a bit of turmoil. That fear seemed to grow even more after the Bills traded down twice in the first round of April's draft, inheriting active receiving talent in the process. In the end, the Bills selected WR Keon Coleman with the 33rd overall pick.
A former basketball standout who briefly played under Tom Izzo at Michigan State, Coleman has size (6-foot-3, 213 pounds) and hops. He has incredible ball skills and regularly climbed the circus catch ladder during his college years. Coleman, an X-receiver with downfield ability, is expected to emerge as Josh Allen's primary target and will likely attract more than 100 targets in his first season as a pro.
Kirk will be the new offensive captain…for now.
Kirk Cousins averaged just over 20 fantasy points per game through the first month of the 2023 season before Justin Jefferson (hamstring) was sidelined. His production declined slightly over the next four weeks (17.3 points per game) until he tore his Achilles tendon in Week 8. The 35-year-old tested the free agent market and ultimately earned a four-year contract worth an eye-watering $180 million with the Falcons. But Cousins' celebration was cut short when it was reported that Atlanta “blindsided” the QB by selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in April's draft.
Assuming a full recovery, Cousins should remain at the top of the Falcons' depth chart and start the season as the team's QB1. Fairly optimistic that the four-time Pro Bowler will unlock first-round potential in Drake Rondon and Kyle Pitts, along with new offensive coordinator Zach Robinson, who cut his teeth under Sean McVay in Los Angeles. There is a viewpoint. Both pass catchers are projected as low-end fantasy starters at their respective positions (WR13 and TE9). Bijan Robinson rounds out the trio of young stars and is expected to start his second season as a late first-round pick in fantasy drafts.
Derrick Henry brings charm to a new city
Henry spoke to Titans fans in early January and was clear about his relationship with the club and his plans for the future. Fantasy favorite Anomaly signed a two-year deal with Baltimore just two months later. Players of Henry's stature don't normally fly, but as a member of the Ravens Flock he definitely could.
A consistent top-10 producer who has cleared at least 12 fantasy points per game every year since 2018, Henry has continued to avoid tackles and steal big runs. At 30 years old and with over 2,000 carries under his belt, his durability is an obvious concern. Still, Todd Monken's run-aggressive offense and the Ravens' solid O-line should both work in the veteran's favor. If he can stay healthy, Henry is projected to be a double-digit scorer and a top-12 running back prospect in Baltimore.
Saquon Barkley brings heart to Philadelphia's backfield
Barkley served as the Giants' offensive engine, totaling 1,489 touches in six seasons in New York. This volume boosted Barkley's fantasy stock, with him scoring nearly 16 fantasy points per game (RB13) despite averaging 3.9 yards per carry in 2023.
The 27-year-old may be entering a new phase of his career, but Barkley continues to score long runs (7 rushes of 20 yards or more in 2023, tied for sixth among running backs). ), he should continue to avoid tackles while working at the back. Philadelphia's offensive line is much better. With D'Andre Swift now in Chicago, Barkley's work in the passing game is likely to be steady, as he (again) averages about three catches per game. Given the explosiveness of the Eagles' offense, there is a potential impact on Barkley's overall workload, but it would be outweighed by the increased efficiency. He remains a solid RB1 for fantasy purposes well into 2024.
Calvin Ridley profits from shallow free agent market
Ridley, perhaps the most popular wide receiver in this year's free agent class, opted to leave Jacksonville and landed in Tennessee on a four-year deal reportedly worth $92 million. After missing the 2022 season due to suspension, the 29-year-old returned to the field and had an up-and-down effort in 2023, with six games of 20 or more fantasy points and nine games of less than 10 fantasy points. Ta. . Interestingly, two of his best performances (at least he recorded six catches and cleared 100 yards) were against his new team.
Ridley figures to serve as a complement to DeAndre Hopkins, who is likely to open more regularly next season. This new addition also puts a lid on the idea of a breakout for Treylon Burks. However, the length and value of Ridley's contract (along with the Tony Pollard deal) suggests an investment in his second-year QB Will Revis. The new Titans, led by new head coach Brian Callahan, appear to be taking an aerial approach to their offense. That should work in Ridley's favor even more. He should be considered a low-end fantasy WR2 with a lot of upside.
