All seven of the vacant head coaching positions that were available in the NFL this offseason have been filled. In this piece, your author is giving a rapid reaction to each hire, along with some brief fantasy football implications. Understand that these are the analyses and opinions of your author, based on the knowledge and information he possesses. The NFL is a dynamic league, and turnover at the head coach and GM positions not only occur each year but also keeps interest in NFL franchises fresh and relevant.
The complete slate of additions will be covered in two articles, the first three breakdowns are here. Overall, the decisions made were underwhelming but interesting. Some teams made strong hires, some underwhelming hires, and some were true boom or bust hires. Now it’s time to dive in, in no particular order, and unpack the new coaching hires…
Jacksonville Jaguars
The hiring of Urban Meyer was a good move for the franchise when you consider the circumstances of the organization. The Jags finished with the worst record in the league in 2020. They also possess a franchise owner whose poor reputation with players and fans precedes him. Players like Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Fournette, and Yannick Ngakoue were jettisoned for what seemed to be in favor of (now former) GM Dave Caldwell and (now former) Head Coach Doug Marone.
Jacksonville has little to show for many years of early draft picks. Over the last three NFL seasons, the team has just a combined 12 wins. A huge name like Urban Meyer is exactly the shake-up a gloomy franchise like Jacksonville needs. Meyer will bring in a well-respected staff with plenty of accolades. The recent hirings of Darrell Bevell, Joe Cullen, and Brian Schneider for the OC, DC, and Special Teams Coordinator positions respectfully serve as testament.
Enter Trevor Lawrence with the number one overall pick in the 2021 draft, and the Jaguars are already one of the most exciting young teams to watch next season. Lawrence will join an offensive cast of last season’s break-out rookie RB James Robinson, young WRs D.J. Chark and Laviska Shenault, and a strong offensive line. The defense could see a big improvement with some added interior pressure, a healthy Josh Allen, and a new DB or two next season. The dynasty value of all of these players instantly increases moving forward. What remains to be seen is whether Meyer’s acumen to lead a collegiate team translates to the NFL.
New York Jets
The New York Jets hired Robert Saleh to restore the tough, mean-green mentality to the team. Saleh should be embraced by fans and players, as many sources claim he is a “players’ coach.” However, Saleh’s success hinges on hiring a strong offensive coordinator and making the right decision at QB. The Jets have inked Saleh’s decisions, bringing on Mike LaFleur (Matt LaFleur’s younger brother) as OC and Jeff Ulbrich as DC.
Saleh and company ultimately have two seasons to correct the QB situation and produce a respectable offense. Your author has no doubts their defense will improve. Whether the move at QB is protecting and keeping a healthy Sam Darnold or drafting a shiny new 2021 rookie, the answer had better be good. Otherwise, Saleh may be out the door mid-season in year three.
The hiring of long-established John Benton as offensive line coach/run game coordinator is a huge move that will go unnoticed. Benton has had success running the ball everywhere he has been in his career. Anticipate the Jets drafting an offensive lineman and RB relatively early, and your writer will be interested in owning whoever the favorite to win the RB job is on his fantasy teams. This new RB will prove to be an extreme value moving forward. Expect the Jets’ QB and WRs to yield modest production at best, but anticipate the team playing strong defense. Saleh should bring the culture the Jets need to turn the franchise around.
Atlanta Falcons
Arthur Smith is a solid, but not spectacular hire, who should see the most immediate success depending on what the Falcons’ organization decides to do at QB. If they keep Matt Ryan and retool some of the older pieces on offense, the Falcons will be competitive again. Smith will bring a run-heavy attack centered around play action to the Falcons. This will help keep Matt Ryan upright and healthy, as he will be asked to throw less often.
Regardless of what Smith and the Falcons do personnel-wise and at DC, the defense will improve due to an increase in time of possession. That being said, Smith was able to lure Dean Pees out of retirement to become his DC. This is an outstanding hire, and your author fully expects an influx of talent along the defensive front to be brought in.
The Falcons already possess a young, up and coming offensive line that should continue to develop cohesion. The new focus on the rushing attack and play-action passing should only help the youngsters as they continue to absorb the NFL game. While Matt Ryan turns 36 this offseason, if he can be obtained at a discounted price, then your writer will be buying him in dynasty (and drafting him late in redraft). Ryan will see fewer attempts but should be more efficient with his opportunities. Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, and Hayden Hurst are holds, as their value shouldn’t see much change.
Baring another blockbuster trade, Julio Jones will remain in Atlanta, but his dynasty value continues to diminish. A definite recommendation is to own the rookie RB that Atlanta drafts this April. Given the lack of competition, the young core on the O-Line, and the veteran QB, this is arguably the best landing spot for a rookie RB.
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