Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB: Tom Brady and Josh Rosen
Brady has been exactly what you’d hope for out of an older quarterback switching teams leaning into the end of his career. Ranking eight overall in the standings heading into championship week was most definitely towards the ceiling of expectations from Brady this season, but it is time to prepare for the possible retirement that is looming. If you’re able to sell Brady after this season for anything I would strongly consider it, but if he misses out on a Super Bowl trip this year there is a small chance he returns. Rosen is still a deep stash in hopes he finds a way to relevance after being cast aside from multiple teams.
RB: Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette, LeSean McCoy, KeShawn Vaughn
With McCoy and Fournette becoming free agents after this year it is looking more and more like Ronald Jones, only 23 and the same age as Ke’Shawn Vaughn, will be the lead back next year. Just outside of finishing as an RB1 on the season, and being placed on the COVID list may push his price down, and I would push contenders to buy Jones after this season for similar production next year. Vaughn truthers got to see a glimpse of action the last few weeks and are hoping for more next year out of the third-round back.
WR: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson
The receiving corps is going could entirely different next year with Godwin and AB both as free agents before the 2021 season. If Brady returns expect more of the same out of Evans, unfortunately being held aloft by touchdown totals, and landing as a low-end WR2. Godwin may land in a better situation where he can be featured in an offense potentially, but this year has been disappointing for Godwin managers. Antonio provides a boost to the Bucs Super Bowl odds but otherwise pushes Godwin and Evans down in fantasy opportunities. Tyler Johnson is someone to keep an eye on for next year with the possible departures.
TE: Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate
Gronk and Brady are tethered in rankings, landing at eight overall on the season so far. O.J Howard’s injury paved the way for Gronk to see relevance, but if Brady goes, so will Gronk and Howard should return next season. Howard might be a cheap addition because he missed all of 2020, and Brate could be a speculative add in TE premium leagues, but nothing more. Other than that, Arians’ usage of TEs is confusing, and the plethora of talent makes it hard to trust anyone so hope for clarification next year.
New Orleans Saints
QB: Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, Jameis Winston
With Brees returning from injury, Taysom Hill is back in his usual role, but I am sure Hill will see some more work as Brees eases back into rhythm. It will be very interesting to watch this quarterback situation shake out over the offseason after their playoff run this season is over. Will Taysom stay and take over, will Winston assume control after being patient in Sean Payton’s system, or will Drew return yet again? I would be most excited to have Winston since he is the youngest and still has the most promise and upside of the three.
RB: Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray
Despite being 16th in rushing yards and with only 154 attempts, Kamara continues to prove his worth to fantasy managers via the receiving game. Kamara saw a downtick in usage and wasn’t reaching expectations during Taysom Hill’s play at QB which may be a little worrisome since Brees may not be with the team in 2021. However, Kamara is an elite talent and I would not doubt that Payton will get his best player involved regardless of who is throwing the ball. As for Murray, it is apparent that he provides more than just relief for Kamara, and he is on contract for a couple more years in a handcuff and bye week flex option role for fantasy managers.
WR: Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Tre’Quan Smith, Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway
All of the receivers of relevance are on contract for next season, but it’s more of a question of who will be throwing to them? Michael Thomas has practically taken this year off, and I am sure we will see him emerge during the playoffs to remind people of his talent. Sanders has not been able to really step up in Thomas’s absence and the others have been injured as well off and on. Hope for a rebound with a better passer at QB next year, but if you can get a good return for Thomas I would consider it after this disappointing season.
TE: Jared Cook, Adam Trautman
With Cook up for free agency, I fully expect Adam Trautman takes over next season at the TE position for the Saints. Try to acquire him before it’s too late because this early third-rounder will be a great option for years to come. Over the back half of the season, Trautman’s snap percentage has risen significantly showing the coaches are believing and trusting him more.
Carolina Panthers
If you have Teddy in a Superflex league, you are most likely pleased with his performance this year, ranking 17th overall on the season just behind his NFC rival Matt Ryan. Bridgewater is a pleasant surprise since he is operating a new system and signed a three-year contract during this past offseason. He is surrounded by talent and worth the overpay in my opinion in order to secure your quarterback position. Without CMC to relieve pressure most of the season he has been able to perform adequately and it should only improve from here.
RB: Christian McCaffrey, Mike Davis
McCaffery owners are certainly upset with this season but fear not; when he returns next year you will realize why he is the best running back in fantasy. Whatever you do, do not sell McCaffery this offseason because his value will only soar back to usual heights after a few games back to his usual self. More than likely the McCaffery manager is looking to future seasons. Just hold tight as things will be better next year. Mike Davis has earned a role with his play during CMC’s absence, but for fantasy comparison, I’d look at the Saints’ backfield and see Davis in a Murray-like role while McCaffrey is similar to Kamara.
WR: Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel
Anderson leading this wideout group and being a higher-end WR2 despite the bad game against Green Bay was not expected. D.J Moore, unfortunately, missed time due to an ankle issue and COVID but was able to produce a nice stat line against the Packers. Both receivers look promising moving forward. Defenses should have to worry about CMC again, and it’ll open things up even more for Teddy B in the passing game. Curtis Samuel continues to be used as a gadget player and should be rostered in case of a lengthy injury to one of the other two wideouts in Carolina.
TE: Ian Thomas
It was an awful season for Ian Thomas when he was expected to be a breakout or a riser with Greg Olson’s departure last offseason. I would not be surprised if the Panthers add a pass-catching TE this off-season to help Bridgewater even more. Perhaps the new system simply does not utilize TE, because even though Thomas has a high snap percentage, he has struggled throughout.
Atlanta Falcons
QB: Matt Ryan
Ryan has a big question mark over his head heading into this year’s offseason, but only because the whole team is in question. They may do a complete overhaul with an attempt to try and trade Ryan, but regardless he isn’t holding any surprises if he lands somewhere else. The hope is that he continues in the same offense with Julio and Ridley for a few more years, and more than likely the team will see a new system and new coaches implemented after the regular season is over. Try to trade for Ryan with the uncertainty and down season. You can catch the Matt Ryan manager off guard because it’ll be more of the same until Ryan retires whether it be in Atlanta or elsewhere.
RB: Todd Gurley, Brian Hill, Ito Smith
Gurley was able to find the end zone often despite the Falcons’ inability to win ball games this season, which held him in RB2 territory. Anyone watching the games knows that Brian Hill started to slowly take carries and Ito Smith was used in the passing game more often pushing Gurley’s value down. Gurley should be traded if possible since this is his sixth season, and he will be a free agent next year. Expect Atlanta to have a new face in the backfield next year; neither of the backups is anything exciting.
WR: Calvin Ridley, Julio Jones, Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus
Ridley is proving to be excellent in Julio’s absence and is absolutely a WR1 for your dynasty team regardless of the coaching changes to come. Julio should be viewed in my opinion like a late-career Larry Fitzgerald, and still holds some value given his ability to take over any game. If Jones decides not to retire this offseason, expect the Falcons to add a receiver because Gage is a slot receiver at best. Perhaps Zaccheaus steps up, but it is not likely. Julio could potentially be a great target for contenders trying to make a push next season since he will not cost much and teams are probably tired of his inability to stay on the field.
TE: Hayden Hurst
With Atlanta missing Julio, Hurst was expected to step up and did decently with a touchdown catch last week. However, Hurst has ultimately been a disappointment on the season, coming in at 15th overall despite playing every game. Hope for Hurst to gel a little more moving into his second season with Atlanta, but the Falcons are in a transition period, and I would continue to expect more of the same.
Hopefully, your dynasty teams are in the championship, but either way, you should always be preparing for next season. If you need any advice on righting the ship or continuing your league domination come to me @DFF_MattBull and #AlwaysBeBuilding with @DFF_Dynasty.
