It is that time of year again. The time when fantasy football players start waking up from a long Winter slumber and taking a look at NFL rosters with a mix of surprise, excitement, and terror. In this two-part feature, I will take you on a trip through every team in the NFL to highlight some of the major fantasy-relevant offseason personnel moves. We'll start with the AFC. From Stefon Diggs to Melvin Gordon, quite a few big names have seen changes of scenery this offseason.
AFC East
New England Patriots: Obviously, Tom Brady skipping town to join the Buccaneers is the big news here, but an arguably more interesting turn of events is that 2nd year QB Jarrett Stidham is now the incumbent starter. The Pats did not select a QB in the draft, but there are a few veterans floating around in free agency: Cam Newton, Joe Flacco, and Blake Bortles among them, but it is not likely that New England moves in that direction. Mohamed Sanu was not cut as some expected, leaving last year’s cast of characters plus recent acquisition from the Chiefs, Damiere Byrd, as well as 2020 draft pick Devin Asiasi as this season’s primary pass-catchers.
Buffalo Bills: The Bills brought in some talent from out of town in Stefon Diggs, a major offensive gain for Josh Allen’s offense. They also let Frank Gore walk in free agency, getting signed by the Jets in what will likely be Gore’s last residency (how many times have we said that before?).
New York Jets: Frank Gore is back together again with Adam Gase to find some way to string together a few more 100-yard games as depth to incumbent RB Le’Veon Bell, and wide receiver Breshad Perriman was signed from the Bucs. This helps, but they will still need more help at the receiver position with Robby Anderson departing.
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins acquired RBs Jordan Howard and Matt Breida, and drafted Tua Tagovailoa to be the QB of the future. Maybe it is looking up in Miami?
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: Traded TE Hayden Hurst to the Falcons for two draft picks this year, including the 2nd round pick they used to select RB J.K. Dobbins who will be groomed as the feature back in Baltimore. The rest is business as usual for a team that did not need much help on offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The surging Steelers defense can’t win games by itself, and so Pittsburgh added more offensive components to try and compete in 2020, bringing in TE Eric Ebron and drafting both RB Anthony McFarland Jr and WR Chase Claypool as high-upside depth at those positions who will both likely see regular snaps in their rookie years.
Cleveland Browns: Case Keenum was solidified as the Browns’ backup with a three-year contract, and Cleveland signed former Falcons TE Austin Hooper for a stunning $44 million dollar contract with $23 million guaranteed. Good luck, Cleveland – you will need it.
Cincinnati Bengals: Clearly the big conversation centers around #1 draft pick Joe Burrow becoming the new signal caller in Cincinnati. Out with Andy Dalton. The Bengals also drafted a new target in WR Tee Higgins.
AFC South
Houston Texans: It has been quite the offseason for Bill O’Brien and the Texans. DeAndre Hopkins is now an Arizona Cardinal, and in his place the Texans acquired Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb. David Johnson will take over duties as the primary ball carrier from departing free agent RBs Lamar Miller and Carlos Hyde.
Tennessee Titans: Delanie Walker and Dion Lewis were cut, carving a more prominent role for incumbent TE Jonnu Smith and the Titans drafted RB Darrynton Evans in order to try and bolster what is a very thing depth chart behind featured running back Derrick Henry. Newly re-signed Ryan Tannehill will try to come close to the high bar he set for himself in the 2019 season.
Indianapolis Colts: Washed up? Ha! The Colts signed Philip Rivers to lead the offense in 2020 for a $25 million price tag. If he fails, they will go right back to Jacoby Brissett. Indianapolis also drafted RB Jonathan Taylor and WR Michael Pittman who should immediately slot into the starting lineup. Should we mention former Bears TE Trey Burton? I guess.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Needing a starting TE, the Jaguars signed former Bengal Tyler Eifert, which will reunite him with OC Jay Gruden in Jacksonville. Gardner Minshew will retain the starting role, although the Jaguars did draft QB Jake Luton but it would be a surprise to see him making starts this season.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: Fantasy football managers should be excited about the Chiefs drafting RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who will have an immediate role in the offense. Kansas City also acquired TE Ricky Seals-Jones and some made some other depth positional signings, but not much else has changed on offense. Why mess with a good thing, right?
Denver Broncos: Melvin Gordon is now a Bronco, which likely minimizes the fantasy value of Phillip Lindsay and relegates Royce Freeman to a backup role. Starting QB Drew Lock got some new toys in the draft in WRs Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. The Broncos have very little excuse not to improve on their 7-9 record from 2019.
Las Vegas Raiders: It is going to be tough to say ‘Las Vegas’ when referring to the Raiders but we will do our best. Henry Ruggs III was the fastest receiver at the combine, so clearly the Raiders had to draft him. Regardless of how that pans out it will improve the talent in the receiver room in Las Vegas. The Raiders also acquired Marcus Mariota and Jason Witten, but maybe the latter signing was just so that Gruden could have someone closer to his age to hang out with on the sideline.
Los Angeles Chargers: Let us start with replacing Philip Rivers at QB. Ok, insert Justin Herbert. The Chargers also drafted RB Joshua Kelley who should get some work right away behind starter Austin Ekeler, and WR K.J. Hill who I have seen talked up as one of the steals of the 2020 draft. We’ll see Chargers, we’ll see.
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