The offseason can be an overflow of information that can be difficult to decipher. As training camp is right around the corner, here are 9 storylines to watch for the fantasy fallout.
How will Josh Allen perform without Stefon Diggs?
The Buffalo Bills traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in the offseason and drafted Keon Coleman in the second round. Coleman joins Khalil Shakir and free agent acquisition Curtis Samuel in a revamped Buffalo receiving corps. In 27 games without Diggs in his career, Allen averaged 19.7 PPG, 28.1 attempts, 6.4 yards per attempt, and 184 passing yards. In 67 games with Diggs, Allen averaged 27.4 PPG, 35.6 attempts, 7.6 yards per attempt, and 264.8 yards per game. However, in 2023, Josh Allen finished as QB1 from week 10 through week 18, when Stefon Diggs did not have a 100-yard game. How the receiving corps develops and aids Allen will be a major factor in his fantasy production.
How soon will the rookie quarterbacks start?
It looks like Caleb Williams will be the week 1 starter for the Chicago Bears. Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Bo Nix, and J.J. McCarthy all have the chance to start, with uncertainty about when they will start. Daniels and Nix have the least competition for a week 1 start, while Maye and McCarthy each have a potential bridge starter in the form of Jacoby Brissett and Sam Darnold.
What is Aaron Rodgers's form?
Aaron Rodgers had a disappointing season in 2022, with the second-lowest yards per attempt in his career (6.8). He was then traded to the Jets in 2023 before suffering a torn Achilles tendon on the first drive of his season. Rodgers's return to health at the age of 40 is a big question and would have a major impact on Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson.
Who is Pittsburgh's starting quarterback?
The Pittsburgh offense has been reworked. The team traded Kenny Pickett while signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. Pittsburgh has committed to Russell Wilson being the week 1 starter, but Fields could be a threat. The offense will also be overseen by former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith.
Is Anthony Richardson healthy?
Anthony Richardson entered the league with limited experience, having only 393 career attempts at Florida. Despite the small sample size, Richardson was selected with the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. His rookie season saw him start four games and throw just 84 passes before a shoulder injury prematurely ended his campaign. Richardson remains raw and unproven but carries substantial potential. The lingering question revolves around how his development and health are a storyline to watch in training camp.
What is Will Levis' trajectory?
Will Levis, initially projected as a top 10 pick, fell to the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he started only 9 games and made 255 attempts, compiling 1808 yards with an average of 7.1 yards per attempt and only 200.9 yards per game. The acquisitions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd complemented DeAndre Hopkins in a formidable receiving corps. Looking ahead to 2024, Levis' development will be pivotal in solidifying his role as a starting quarterback in the league.
Who is Las Vegas' starting quarterback?
Aidan O'Connell started 10 games as a rookie. He started in week 4 before taking over for Jimmy Garoppolo formally in week 9. From week 9 on, Vegas went 5-4, and O'Connell threw for 211.7 yards, 6.6 yards per attempt, and 11 touchdowns. O'Connell ran only 14 times and ranked 22nd in PPG during that stretch, so his fantasy profile is questionable. The team signed Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25,000,000 contract with $15,000,000 guaranteed, which is low-end starter money but not a guarantee he would win the job over O'Connell. Minshew has only 3.2 million in guarantees in 2025, so watch for the status of this competition in 2024.
What is Justin Herbert's trajectory with a new coaching staff?
Justin Herbert's trajectory is in question following significant changes to the Chargers' lineup and coaching staff. The team fired head coach Brandon Staley and cut wide receiver Mike Williams while trading top receiver Keenan Allen to Chicago. They hired Jim Harbaugh as head coach and Greg Roman as offensive coordinator, both known for their run-centric offenses. The Chargers lack a true top wide receiver, having drafted Ladd McConkey in the second round to join Quentin Johnston, a disappointing first-round pick in the 2023 draft. These changes raise concerns about Herbert's future performance, so the development of his receiving corps will be important to watch in training camp.
Who gets extensions?
Jordan Love, Tua Tagovailoa, and Dak Prescott are each in the least final season of their contract. Each should be involved in contract extensions in the offseason, creating more certainty in the quarterback market heading into the season.
The results of these nine storylines will be big factors in how the 2024 fantasy season shakes out.
