A decade ago, the “10 biggest offseason moves” column was usually a list of big-name quarterbacks switching teams or traded wide receivers. But fantasy players have gotten smarter — I’d be wasting valuable space and precious time telling you the obvious. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and see how some less-exciting (for fantasy players) moves will affect your 2023 drafts and dynasty trades.
Texans fire Lovie Smith after one season and hire 49ers DC and former Texans player DeMeco Ryans
Ryans took over as defensive coordinator for the 49ers in 2020 and despite myriad injuries, the defense still finished in the middle of the pack in fantasy scoring. By 2022 the 49ers were the third-best defense in fantasy. Ryans returns to the place where he spent six seasons as a player and enjoyed a lot of success as a team captain and Pro Bowler. Fantasy GMs can not only expect the defense to improve but they can look forward to Ryans bringing some of that San Francisco offensive flair to H-Town (meaning the Texans won’t be a cakewalk for your fantasy offenses), as 49ers 2022 pass-game coordinator Bobby Slowik comes over to man the offense.
Vikings sign DE Marcus Davenport and hire Brian Flores as DC
The Vikings were one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season, and a bottom-third fantasy defense. In steps no-nonsense Flores as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator after spending a year on Pittsburgh’s staff licking his wounds after he was unjustly fired as Miami’s head coach. Over his last two seasons in charge in South Beach, Flores’ defenses were fourth overall in fantasy (in 2020) and third (2021). He also has defensive end Marcus Davenport to go and hunt the quarterback. That is a good start to a defensive rebuild.
Panthers hire Frank Reich and trade for the top pick
Reich was definitely not the sexiest hire. One could make the argument that the Panthers already had their guy in former interim coach Steve Wilks, who took over a dumpster fire five games into the season and led them to a 6-6 record over the next 12 games — after trading away Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson. Reich dealt with instability at quarterback during his tenure in Indianapolis, and with the Panthers trading for the first pick and taking Bryce Young, they have the chance to allow a proven quarterback developer mold a talented piece of clay he had a hand in choosing.
Eagles re-sign CB James Bradberry and Darius Slay
When a team goes all in pursuing a Super Bowl, the bill normally comes due the next year. We saw it happen with the Rams the year after they were able to win a championship, and although Philadelphia did not win it all, the Eagles must still pay the price. Unlike the Rams, the Eagles were equipped with a lot of quality draft picks. But what was big for Philly was re-signing veteran cornerbacks Bradberry and Slay. They will be instrumental in the defense continuing to play outstanding football on the back end, which should allow their pass rushers to continue being a terror in the backfield and keep the team as one of the top 5 units in fantasy.
Bears trade the top pick in the draft
When the Bears traded the first pick away it meant two very important things. The first was that they truly are all-in on quarterback Justin Fields, and the second was that they realized he was in desperate need of an upgrade at receiver. In steps D.J. Moore, who just came off 63 receptions for 888 yards and seven touchdowns on 118 targets. On top of Moore, they got the Panthers’ first-round pick (which became OT Darnell Wright) as well as two second-round picks (Gervon Dexter and Tyrique Stevenson). Fields was a fantasy football monster in Weeks 9 and 10 last season, where he averaged over 40 points per game.
Bengals sign OT Orlando Brown Jr.
Since Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow went down his rookie season with a knee injury, the Bengals’ goal has been to provide him with improved protection up front. The Bengals have an arsenal of weapons for Burrow but even after trying to upgrade from the front five that they pulled along to the Super Bowl, they still have protection issues. Brown brings his championship-level pedigree from Kansas City and will allow the coaching staff to shuffle the line to put the best five guys on the field. The Bengals have been knocking on the door every year and any improvement on the line could be the improvement needed to not only get to the big game but bring home the Lombardi Trophy.
Ravens sign Odell Beckham Jr.
You may be wondering how a 30-year-old receiver coming off an injury that kept him out for an entire season could be so impactful. It is because the move was done with the contract situation of Lamar Jackson in mind. With Jackson coming back to the Ravens, he is now primed for a big season with a healthy OBJ (and an exciting rookie in Zay Flowers) added to the receiving corps. Plus there’s a new OC in town, in Todd Monken. It’s a total makeover for an offense and the former MVP.
Dolphins hire Vic Fangio and acquire CB Jalen Ramsey
The precipitous drop in the Dolphins’ defensive numbers in fantasy from the 2021 season to 2022 was staggering. Yes there were injuries but there seemed to be a lot of holes this past season. Say what you want about Fangio as a head coach, but there’s no denying his value as a defensive coordinator. He had his pick of destinations and chose to go to Miami. He will be joined by Ramsey who, at 28, still has a lot of tread on the tires. Ramsey is also extremely versatile and keeps a lot of tools in his toolbox. Yes, they are paying him premium money but giving up a third-round pick and a backup tight end does not hurt their present and does little to kill their future. Fangio, paired with the elite personnel in this defense, should be a quality mix and return Miami to top 5 status in fantasy.
Lions overhaul their secondary
Last season the Lions had one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL. The results were great for fantasy GMs who had players going against them — there were a lot of shootouts and the Lions found themselves on the wrong side of them far too often. Their answer was to completely gut their secondary. Say goodbye to former first-round pick Jeff Okudah — who was traded to Atlanta — and hello to C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Cameron Sutton. Not only do they get proven ballers to insert into their defensive backfield, they get them at a bargain and on short deals so both with still be motivated to perform well. Mix that with a proven pass rush and the Lions may take significant steps defensively in 2023.
Jets acquire Aaron Rodgers
Quarterback play held the Jets back last season and regardless of what you might think about Rodgers personally, he’s still a baller. Look for all of the receivers and running back numbers to improve with A-Rod coming to the Big Apple — Michael Salfino thinks Garrett Wilson will be a Top 5 fantasy receiver, for instance. He is more risk-averse than he used to be, but he can still sling it and he knows how to distribute the ball. He will walk into a familiar offense since the Jets hired former Packers offensive coordinator and ousted Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett to run the offense for Robert Saleh’s squad.
(Photo: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
From revamped defenses to (of course) Aaron Rodgers: 10 offseason moves that will impact fantasy football - The Athletic
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