NFC North Fantasy Football Breakdown Recap
NFL training camps are now open and The Fantasy Footballers are continuing their Divisional breakdowns. Make sure to check out the other Divisional breakdowns from previous shows if you haven’t already. Today, I’ll be summarizing Andy, Mike, and Jason‘s breakdown of the NFC North.
Each projected starter includes their average draft position from Fantasy Football Calculator in .5 PPR leagues.
Chicago Bears
2018 Offensive Stats
[lptw_table id=”160316″ style=”default”]Projected Week 1 Starters (ADP)
QB: Mitch Trubisky (13.10)
RB: David Montgomery (4.03), Tarik Cohen (5.11)
WR: Allen Robinson (7.04), Anthony Miller (11.09), Taylor Gabriel (NA)
TE: Trey Burton (10.09)
Additions:
RB David Montgomery (Rookie)
RB Mike Davis
RB/WR Cordarelle Patterson
WR Riley Ridley (Rookie)
Subtractions:
Offseason Summary:
The Bears completely overhauled their backfield this offseason by trading away Jordan Howard, signing Mike Davis, and drafting David Montgomery. The Ballers favorite to be the lead back is the rookie, or as they’ve dubbed him, David “Mopportunity”. Tarik Cohen will still have a role as well and is capable of finding paydirt from anywhere on the field when he gets the ball in his hands. Allen Robinson, who dominated in the Bears playoff game last winter, figures be the top wideout. Anthony Miller has breakout potential after playing through injuries last year and Trey Burton could be a sneaky post-hype sleeper. All of the potential playmakers in Chicago make Mith Trubisky an intriguing fantasy quarterback option as he enters his second year in Matt Nagy’s offense.
Minnesota Vikings
2018 Offensive Stats
[lptw_table id=”160315″ style=”default”]Projected Week 1 Starters (ADP)
QB: Kirk Cousins (13.04)
RB: Dalvin Cook (2.05)
WR: Adam Thielen (3.05), Stefon Diggs (4.02)
TE: Kyle Rudolph (NA)
Additions:
RB Alexander Mattison (Rookie)
TE Irv Smith Jr (Rookie)
Subtractions:
Offseason Summary:
The most impactful change for Minnesota actually came near the end of last season when former offensive coordinator John DeFilippo was fired and replaced with Kevin Stefanski, who will look to be a less pass-heavy play-caller. The Vikings drafted Alexander Mattison in the third round of the NFL draft to theoretically become Dalvin Cook’s primary backup, filling the void left by Latavious Murray’s departure. They also spent a second-round pick on tight end Irv Smith Jr. and then extended Kyle Rudolph’s contract. With Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs as arguably the best receiver tandem in the league, Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense looks to put up plenty of fantasy points in 2019.
Green Bay Packers
2018 Offensive Stats
[lptw_table id=”160313″ style=”default”]Projected Week 1 Starters (ADP)
QB: Aaron Rodgers (5.07)
RB: Aaron Jones (2.12), Jamaal Williams (14.02)
WR: Davante Adams (1.07), Geronimo Allison (8.09), Marques Valdez-Scantling (9.06)
TE: Jimmy Graham (13.10)
Additions:
RB Dexter Williams (Rookie)
TE Jace Sternberger (Rookie)
Subtractions:
HC Mike McCarthy
Offseason Summary:
After a season of turmoil in 2018, the Packers showed longtime head coach Mike McCarthy the door and brought in Matt LaFleur to take the reigns. Aaron Rodgers finished as the QB6 in 2018 as he played through injuries and posted the lowest touchdown percentage of his career at 4.2%. Davante Adams is locked in as the top receiving option on the roster and is in the discussion as the possible WR1 overall for fantasy football in 2019, while young receivers Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are expected to step up. Mike is on team Geronimo, who will primarily play from the slot in 2019. Andy and Jason prefer MVS, who will play on the outside opposite of Adams. In the backfield, Aaron Jones seems poised to break out this season, though new coach Matt LaFleur continues to preach the running back by committee approach with Jamaal Williams, despite his experience with Derrick Henry in 2018.
Detroit Lions
2018 Offensive Stats
[lptw_table id=”160314″ style=”default”]Projected Week 1 Starters (ADP)
QB: Matthew Stafford (14.09)
RB: Kerryon Johnson (3.11)
WR: Kenny Golladay (4.10), Marvin Jones (8.06)
TE: T.J. Hockenson (12.04)
Additions:
RB C.J. Anderson
WR Danny Amendola
WR Jermaine Kearse
TE T.J. Hockenson (Rookie)
TE Jesse James
Subtractions:
RB LeGarrette Blount
TE Luke Willson
Offseason Summary:
Detroit made a significant change in the offensive coaching staff this offseason by replacing Jim Bob Cooter with Darrell Bevell, who is known for his run-heavy offensive scheme. This bodes well for Kerron Johnson, though he could lose some valuable touches to C.J. Anderson. Theo Riddick is still around to play the pass-catching role out of the backfield. However, there are rumors that Riddick may be cut, opening the door for more targets for Kerryon. Matthew Stafford had a down year, though it was eventually revealed that he was playing through small fractures in his back last season. He’ll look to bounce back with Kenny Golladay, UDK value Marvin Jones, free-agent addition Danny Amendola, and rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson.