NFC North Fantasy Football Breakdown Recap
We’re ramping up as the NFL season approaches, and The Fantasy Footballers are now releasing three episodes per week! If you missed the NFC North Divisional Breakdown episode or would like to recap what was discussed on the podcast, you’re in the right place. The NFC North is filled with talent and intriguing fantasy players. What will Green Bay’s offense look like, and how is it possible for Davante Adams to finish outside the top-2 at WR (barring an injury)? Will the Lions’ talented roster achieve their full potential on offense? What will the Vikings’ backfield look like this season? Can the Bears offense thrive despite mediocre quarterback play? Listen to the show for more context, but I’ll recap the highlights of the show in this article.
Looking for full statistical projections for the players on these teams? Be sure to check out the 2020 Ultimate Draft Kit!
Green Bay Packers
Head Coach: Matt LaFleur
Offensive Coordinator: Nathaniel Hackett
2019 Offensive Stats
- Rush YPG: 112.2 — 15th
- Rush TDs: 18 — Tied-7th
- Pass YPG: 233.3 — 17th
- Pass TDs: 26 — 14th
- Points For: 23.5/g — 15th
Projected Week 1 Starters (ADP)
- Aaron Rodgers (9.08/QB12)
- Aaron Jones (2.05/RB13) | Jamaal Williams | A.J. Dillon
- Davante Adams (1.10/WR2)
- Jace Sternberger (TE25)
Additions:
- WR Devin Funchess
- Rookie QB Jordan Love (1st Rd)
- Rookie RB A.J. Dillon (2nd Rd)
- Rookie TE Josiah Deguara (3rd Rd)
Subtractions:
- TE Jimmy Graham
Offseason Summary
The Green Bay Packers went 9-1 in games within one score last season. That is INCREDIBLY lucky and unsustainable. The Packers 13-3 record was better than expected, and we should see regression in 2020. The Packers’ front office failed to address the lack of skilled pass catchers for Aaron Rodgers. That being said, Davante Adams could easily see the most targets in the NFL this season, and he has the elite level of talent needed to single-handedly bring your fantasy team to the playoffs. It’s unclear how the backfield will shake out…Aaron Jones is an incredibly talented NFL player but has seen limited opportunities in his short-lived career, similar to Alvin Kamara. Will rookie “brut” A.J. Dillon steal the goal-line work from Jones? Will Jamaal Williams remain involved this season? Time will tell, but I can tell you that I myself will be avoiding all Packers except for Davante Adams in fantasy this season.
Minnesota Vikings
Head Coach: Mike Zimmer
Offensive Coordinator: Gary Kubiak
2019 Offensive Stats:
- Rush YPG: 133.3 — 6th
- Rush TDs: 19 — 6th
- Pass YPG: 220.2 — 23rd
- Pass TDs: 26 — Tied-14th
- Points For: 25.4/g — 8th
Projected Week 1 Starters (ADP)
- Kirk Cousins (13.11/QB22)
- Dalvin Cook (1.06/RB5) | Alexander Mattison (9.11/RB45)
- Adam Thielen (4.05/WR15) | Justin Jefferson (Rookie – 11.04/WR47)
- Kyle Rudolf | Irv Smith Jr. (TE)
Player Additions
- Rookie Justin Jefferson (1st Rd)
- WR K.J. Osborn (5th Rd)
- QB Nate Stanley (7th Rd)
Player Subtractions
- WR Stefon Diggs
Offseason Summary
The Vikings have been a solid, well-balanced football team for several years now. Last season, Dalvin Cook spearheaded the Vikings offense, which was difficult to contain. Dalvin has been threatening a hold-out…Is this a bluff? Or will we see Cook take a Lev Bell-esque break from football? These are unknowns that create a great deal of uncertainty around Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison. For this reason, both players present an elevated level of risk and upside. Conversely, Adam Thielen should be one of the safest fantasy wide receivers…assuming good health. Stefon Diggs is no longer with the team. While exciting first-round rookie Justin Jefferson could make an immediate impact, it is far more likely that Thielen becomes a staple of the Minnesota offense. Cousins remains a streaming option in fantasy as well as an upside QB2 in Superflex leagues. At the end of the day, it seems that the fate of the Vikings is riding on Cook’s hold-out decision…
Chicago Bears
Head Coach: Matt Nagy
Offensive Coordinator: Bill Lazor
2019 Offensive Stats:
- Rush YPG: 91.1 — 27th
- 11th in 2018
- Rush TDs: 8 — 28th
- Pass YPG: 205.7 — 25th
- Pass TDs: 20 — Tied-25th
- For: 17.5/g — 29th
Projected Week 1 Starters (ADP)
- Mitch Trubisky (QB35) | Nick Foles (QB33)
- David Montgomery (4.09/RB24) |Tarik Cohen (8.03/RB37)
- Allen Robinson (3.07/WR10) | Anthony Miller (11.09/WR49)
- One Million Tight Ends, none of them relevant
Mark Brown/Getty Images
Player Additions
- QB Nick Foles
- TE Jimmy Graham
- WR Ted Ginn
- Rookie TE Cole Kmet (2nd Rd)
- Rookie WR Darnell Mooney
Subtractions:
- WR Taylor Gabriel
- TE Trey Burton
Offseason Summary
The Bears went from one of the most exciting teams in football (2018) to a dumpster fire (2019). Nick Foles was brought in to compete at the quarterback position, but he and Trubisky appear to be luke-warm options for Chicago. Montgomery was disappointing last season and could become a value due to a guaranteed workload. Conversely, Cohen had ample opportunities last season and failed to deliver in fantasy – he could become a fantasy value even with a reduction in targets in 2020. When it comes to pass catchers, Allen Robinson is the clear alpha for the Bears. He is a talented route runner who should see an incredible target volume this season. Anthony Miller is another receiving option that could take a step forward this season. The Bears appear to be a mediocre NFL team entering the 2020 season, but there is value to be had in fantasy football.
Detroit Lions
Head Coach: Matt Patricia
Offensive Coordinator: Darrel Bevell
2019 Offensive Stats:
- Rush YPG: 103.1 — 21st
- Rush TDs: 7 — 29th
- Pass YPG: 243.8 — 10th
- Pass TDs: 28 — 10th
- Points For: 21.3/g — 18th
Projected Week 1 Starters (ADP)
- Matthew Stafford (10.01/QB13)
- D’Andre Swift (5.05/RB27) | Kerryon Johnson (9.07/RB43)
- Kenny Golladay (3.01/WR7) | Marvin Jones (8.06/WR37)
- T.J. Hockenson (11.02/TE15)
Player Additions
- Rookie RB D’Andre Swift (2nd Rd)
- Rookie WR Quintez Cephus (5th Rd)
- Rookie RB Jason Huntley (5th Rd)
Offseason Summary
Last season, Matthew Stafford was on FIRE before ending his season short due to injury. Stafford is primed for a productive fantasy season, and he is an excellent late-round QB target in fantasy drafts. Despite backup QB play for much of 2019, Kenny Golladay finished as a top-10 fantasy WR despite a limited target volume. The door is open for Kenny G to enter the elite tier of WR in 2020. Lined up next to Golladay is perennially undervalued teammate Marvin Jones (ADP 8.06/WR37). Jones was a boom/bust player last season that had a season-long pace similar to that of Kenny G, although Kenny G was far more consistent. Fellow pass-catcher T.J. Hockenson remains a mystery after an electric first NFL game, followed by disappointing production for the remainder of the season. Hockenson is now entering his second year in the NFL, and tight ends typically take three or so seasons to peak. The future is unclear with TJH, who has a wide range of outcomes this season – although he will likely not be an every-week starter. Finally, it’s likely that D’Andre Swift and Kerryon Johnson will split carries for the Lions. While both players are talented, Kerryon has been injury-riddled and uninspiring so far in his young NFL career. Conversely, D’Andre Swift has as much upside as any other rookie in the league. Swift was graded as the top NFL RB prospect by many NFL and fantasy analysts – including our very own Andy Holloway. The Lions backfield has been unproductive for multiple decades…will this be the year that changes?