For Part I of this series, click here.
In this two-part series, we will take a look at every NFL team and examine the dynasty outlook for select players on those squads. It will not be an exhaustive list, but it will give dynasty general managers some actionable advice about how to make their dynasty teams better.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb is being vastly underrated both in rookie and startup drafts. If this class had not been so chock full of talent, he would have been the consensus 1.01 pick. In some formats, he probably is worthy of being taken there. Lamb is a receiver whose style is similar to DeAndre Hopkins. His landing spot was perfect and instantly makes Dallas a team that is going to be incredibly difficult to defend at all levels of the field. Dak Prescott not getting extended is a concern for the Cowboys offense past this year, but general managers should have no scruples about Lamb’s talent level.
New York Giants
Daniel Jones is fool’s gold. There are significant limitations to his game, such as slow processing speed and poor pocket management. His surrounding talent is above average. Saquon Barkley, Evan Engram, Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard, and Darius Slayton will have to elevate their quarterback, not the other way around. That being said, this writer is in no hurry to invest heavily in any of these assets knowing that Jones and the regime that drafted him are likely to fail and be replaced in the next year or two.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Reagor is not the best wide receiver in this class, despite the hype to the contrary. Reagor’s landing spot was favorable and he is a speedy playmaker, but his inability to handle press coverage keeps him from earning the distinction of being the top dynasty wide receiver of 2020. While Reagor does have the skillset to win consistently in the slot, he will need to improve dramatically in terms of handling press coverage to reach his full potential.
Washington
The team without a name should scare you as a potential landing spot for any dynasty prospect one might favor. The dysfunctional ownership of the organization has long held this franchise back and until that changes, it is hard to trust any player that ends up there. Players like Derrius Guice and Terry McLaurin are talented but could be sabotaged by organizational incompetence. The team allowing Mike Shanahan to ruin Robert Griffin III III all those years ago stands as an eternal monument to that incompetence. General managers should not be looking to make a meaningful investment in any Washington asset, at least until Daniel Snyder is no longer the team’s owner.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
It is prudent for dynasty owners to think about which general managers may not be on their respective teams next year. When the general manager changes, there is usually a sizable change in how players on that roster are valued as well as in what types of players will be brought in going forward. Ryan Pace is one of the general managers on the hot seat. The list of early draft picks that have not worked out is long and includes Leonard Floyd, Mitchell Trubisky, Adam Shaheen, and Kevin White. It makes assets such as David Montgomery and Anthony Miller more risky propositions.
Detroit Lions
The battle between fantasy general managers over whether DAndre Swift or Kerryon Johnson will emerge as the lead back may be determined not by the talent of the players involved, but by the situations the team finds itself in during games. Matt Patricia has modeled Detroit very closely on what he learned in his time with the New England Patriots. We know that the Patriots like to use their backs in a variety of ways that are determined by the opponent and game script. It stands to reason that the role that Patricia sees for each of these backs and how each game flows will determine what type of utilization they enjoy rather than who has the greater individual talent. Right now, we do not have conclusive data to say which back Patricia favors in between-the-tackles scenarios, in short-yardage situations, and as a receiver. Owners can guess that Detroit may be in trailing game scripts - like last year - when they need to pass more. However, with Matt Stafford recovered, this could be a more competitive team. Barring an injury, there does not seem to be a path to one of the backs having a true lead role. Like different golf clubs in a caddy bag, each will be used for the situation, but we are not sure at this point which is a wood and which is a putter.
Green Bay Packers
It appears there is a silent divorce beginning between the Packers and Aaron Rodgers. Drafting Jordan Love with a first-round pick and signing him to a fully guaranteed rookie deal certainly numbers Rodgers’ days in Green Bay. Rodgers is signed through 2023, so it would take trading or cutting the veteran to make this Love’s team. Rodgers still has some prime years left, so a needy contending team might be willing to make a move. Devante Adams’ and Aaron Jones’ values remain safe for this year, but there is little surety after that point. Jones will hit free agency next year as things currently stand, which may be a blessing in disguise for his value if Rodgers is not long for the organization.
Minnesota Vikings
Stefon Diggs’ exit was fortunate for Adam Thielen in terms of target volume. Thielen is a nice buy in dynasty leagues in which you need a second or third receiver capable of 70 receptions and over 1,000 yards but you do not want to pay the premium typically required to net one of those types of players. Justin Jefferson is not a slouch, but it will be difficult to eclipse 1,000 yards as a rookie in an offense that is this run-centric.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Todd Gurley is on track to have a redemptive year. The Falcons offense seems to be a better fit for his skills and he will have virtually no competition, making him an appealing buy in dynasty leagues in which his value is severely depressed.
Carolina Panthers
Teddy Bridgewater will be better than fantasy general managers are currently projecting. His skills mesh well with Joe Brady’s offensive system. Bridgewater does not have top-end arm strength or scrambling ability, but he is evasive and able to make accurate short-to-intermediate throws. A top-twenty fantasy finish is a strong bet. As a bonus, he will also preserve the fantasy values of Curtis Samuel and D.J. Moore.
New Orleans Saints
Emmanuel Sanders is a strong buy for a contending team. Micheal Thomas is going to draw primary coverage in most instances and Emmanuel Sanders has shown that he can feast in those situations. A 60+ reception, 1,000+ yard season would not be a shock with this supporting cast. We do not know if this will be the last hurrah for Drew Brees. If it is, what a cast of weapons with which to make a final stand.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Not enough is being made of the base offense being a 12-personnel set. That really could amp up the production of tight ends on this team. Rob Gronkowski and OJ Howard are the obvious beneficiaries, but Cameron Brate could also have somewhat of a value revival. That is especially true if either Gronkowski or Howard is injured for an extended period of time. Brate is free on many waiver wires right now. Unless your league is of the shallow bench variety, Brate needs to be rostered.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
On the offensive side of the ball, the team is coming together beautifully. Kyler Murray is going to be greatly helped by the acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins, even if Hopkins does not enjoy the numbers he had become accustomed to in Houston. Murray is a lock for top-ten fantasy production going forward with the potential of breaching the top-five fantasy quarterbacks as early as this year.
Los Angeles Rams
Cam Akers has the best chance of becoming the primary back for this team in the future. For this year, it is likely we will see a three-way split between Malcolm Brown, Darrell Henderson, and Akers. Next year is when Brown hits free agency and the discussion of whether or not Akers or Henderson will be the lead guy can begin in earnest. When considering the talent, Akers is the more complete player overall, even though Henderson has a year more of NFL experience.
San Francisco 49ers
Raheem Mostert is still the running back to own in this backfield, despite trade demands. What is most likely to happen is some sort of compromise by the team to give him more money this year or Mostert realizes he has little leverage and decides to play in an attempt to earn a contract. However, it plays out, going ga-ga over Telvin Coleman is not wise. Dynasty general managers should not be giving up a first-round pick for Mostert, but with his value being depressed by this news, one should be able to buy at a discount.
Seattle Seahawks
Greg Olsen has not been able to stay healthy for the past three years. However, assuming that he can stay active for 14 or 15 contests, he is in line for a rebound. Russel Wilson is an elite quarterback who will appreciate how efficiently Olsen can get open in the middle of the field. Contending teams can buy Olsen affordably as a one-year rental. If the Seahawks somehow add Antonio Brown to the mix and Brown’s suspension is not significant, this becomes a very dangerous offense that could propel Wilson to career-best passing totals.
