Click here for 16 stories from the AFC.
The late summer is a prime time to watch for contract extensions and storylines that will define dynasty leagues for years to come. Below are 16 stories to watch in the NFC that can significantly impact dynasty leagues for years to come.
Is Daniel Jones the answer for the Giants?
Entering year three, Daniel Jones is at a crossroads. Jones has only managed 6.6 yards per passing attempt through two seasons and performed below expectation in completion percentage in 2019 (-0.2) and 2020 (-0.5). His offense should have a better supporting cast with the addition of free agent Kenny Golladay, the draft selection of first-round pick Kadarius Toney, and a healthy Saquon Barkley. The Giants will have to decide on the fifth-year option on Daniel Jones in the offseason, so he needs to make a big leap with his supporting cast in 2021.
Can Antonio Gibson ascend to the elite?
Antonio Gibson entered the 2020 season as a converted wide receiver who was a third-round pick out of Memphis. Gibson benefitted from circumstances and ascended to Washington’s lead running back early in the 2020 season. His performance of 18th out of 55 in rushing yards over expectation is a good start, with a ceiling to grow along with incorporating his pass-catching skills from 3.1 targets per game. Of the second-year running backs, Gibson has amongst the biggest upside.
Can the Dallas Cowboys pre-Dak Injury offense return?
Dak Prescott went down with a gruesome and tear-jerking ankle injury in week 5 of 2020. Through five weeks, Dak Prescott was QB3, Ezekiel Elliott was RB2, Amari Cooper and CeeDeeLamb were WR10 and WR 11, respectively. From weeks 6 through 17, Elliott was RB23, Cooper was WR 23, and Lamb was WR36. If the Dallas offense return to the form that saw them average 32.6 points per game, they can return massive value for Elliott, Cooper, and Lamb.
Is Jalen Hurts the quarterback of the future?
As a second-round pick, Jalen Hurts took over the starter job at the end of 2020. The fantasy production looked like a success, as he finished QB7 in his four-week starting stint, but that may have masked on-field concerns. Hurts finished a respectable 23rd in yards per attempt (7.2) but finished with 37th in completion percentage over expectation (-3.4) out of 41 qualifiers. Philadelphia has stocked up on future assets, with the possibility of three 2022 first-round picks, to potentially address the position in the 2022 offseason if Hurts falters.
What is the wide receiver future in Chicago?
The easy selection for Chicago would be to wonder when Justin Fields starts, but the future at the wide receiver position is a huge question. Allen Robinson is playing on the franchise tag before 2022 free agency, while Anthony Miller is in the final year of his rookie contract and appears to have worn out his welcome with the Bears. The Bears could have 50 million dollars in cap space in 2022 to spend in a potentially strong free-agent wide receiver class.
How will DAndre Swift progress?
There is smoke coming out of Detroit about DAndre Swift, with the team signing Jamaal Williams in free agency and calling him an "A back" while also exploring Todd Gurley in free agency. What this says about the role of Swift with a new front office and coaching staff is an under-discussed story that warrants monitoring.
What will happen with Aaron Rodgers?
The Aaron Rodgers saga is the second biggest story of the offseason after Deshaun Watson. Rodgers could return to Green Bay, opt-out, or be traded, which has massive implications for the Green Bay offense and whatever team he is traded to. His status could also influence the contract situation of 2022 free agent Devante Adams.
Is Kellen Mond a consideration for Minnesota’s future franchise quarterback?
Outside of Irv Smith starting at tight end, the Minnesota offense projects largely the same in 2021 as 2020. The big future question is, What is the developmental arc of Kellen Mond? Kirk Cousins is under contract through the 2022 season but could be an attractive trade candidate in a year should Mond develop in 2021 training camp and preseason.
How will the Atlanta offense look under new Head Coach Arthur Smith?
First-year Head Coach Arthur Smith comes from Tennessee, where he oversaw a run-heavy and play-action heavy passing game that saw Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill breakout. Was the run-heavy approach Smith’s DNA or the best approach for Tennessee’s talent? Atlanta’s offense has different strengths, with Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts perimeter weapons but without a Henry-quality back on the roster, making the offensive philosophy under Smith a key watch.
Will Sam Darnold ascend to a franchise quarterback?
Carolina has made no secret about their desire for a franchise quarterback. Is Darnold that guy? He has averaged 6.6 yards per attempt in his career, finished 36th out of 41 in completion percentage over expectation (-3.2), and has not finished at or better than average in any passing statistic through three seasons, so he faces an uphill climb.
Who is the successor to Drew Brees?
The Taysom Hill versus Jameis Winston training camp debate will focus on the 2021 starting role, but the winner is not guaranteed to be the 2022 starter. Winston has the best case to be a future franchise quarterback of the two with a history of high-end fantasy production but must reduce his turnovers. If the project does not succeed, the Saints could be looking elsewhere in 2022.
Who is the starting running back in Tampa Bay?
How will the backfield pecking order be established? Ronald Jones II, Leonard Fournette, and Giovani Bernard are all on one-year deals and ahead of 2020 third-round pick KeShawn Vaughn on the depth chart. Fournette is the best combination of running and receiving back on the depth chart but could be chipped away from on the rushing and receiving fronts by Jones and Bernard, respectively.
Is Kyler Murray an elite passer?
Kyler Murray came into the NFL billed as an elite passing quarterback. In 2019, Murray was below expectation in completion percentage (-1.5) before he grew in 2020 (+2.5), but he was still below average in yards per attempt in 2020 (7.1). Year three is critical for him to take a step forward as a passer, or the seat could get hot for the current coaching staff.
How much will Matthew Stafford transform the Rams’ offense?
The addition of Matthew Stafford to the Rams offense can make a seismic change in the NFC hierarchy. Stafford and former starter Jared Goff have performed very closely in advanced metrics since 2017, with one crucial difference: Sean McVay. McVay has a chance to take Stafford to an elite level, with Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee, and Cam Akers potentially major beneficiaries.
Which offense will Seattle showcase in 2021?
Through the first eight games in 2020, Seattle threw for 249 yards or more in seven games. In the final eight games, Seattle did not throw for more than 236 yards in a game. In the first nine weeks of the NFL season, Russell Willson was QB2, DK Metcalf was WR2, and Tyler Lockett was WR5. In weeks 10 through 17, Wilson was QB13, Metcalf was WR23, and Lockett was WR20. The first half of the season offense had difference-making impacts, while the second half were contributors. If the offense from the first half of the season returns, Wilson and Lockett, in particular, can return big fantasy value.
What is the pecking order of the San Francisco running backs?
While the Trey Lance-Jimmy Garoppolo training camp debate will be a watch, Lance is the quarterback of the future. The competition between Raheem Mostert, Wayne Gallman, and rookie Trey Sermon can be a major fantasy impact. With Kyle Shanahan’s history of producing elite running back finishes, Sermon is the second highest-drafted running back from a Kyle Shanahan-coached team behind only Tevin Coleman. If and when he gets the opportunity will be a major impact in 2021 and fending off major 2022 competition.
