As we wrap our heads around a potential landmark year in offseason moves, The Undroppables will be breaking down each division team by team, highlighting the key players at each skill position for their offense, and what could change for them in 2021.
You can check out our previous division outlooks at the corresponding links:
Green Bay Packers
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Aaron Rodgers, QB2 (23.9 PPG)
- RB: Aaron Jones, RB5 (16.8 PPG)
- WR: Davante Adams, WR1 (21.5 PPG)
- TE: Robert Tonyan, TE3 (9.4 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Aaron Rodgers
- RB: A.J. Dillon, Jamaal Williams
- WR: Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- TE: Robert Tonyan
Potential Offseason Changes
If I know anything about the way the Packers build their roster year-in and year-out, star running back Aaron Jones will be on a new team in March if the team doesn’t use the franchise tag on him. He’s too talented and has earned the opportunity to be paid significantly more than the Pack will be willing to spend. They have both A.J. Dillon and Jamaal Williams waiting in the wings to take on the load, and Williams would need to be re-signed as well (but could be for less money). If we did see a tag placed on Jones and the release of Williams, I’d be intrigued to see how the offense plays off the strengths of Jones and Dillon together.
Other priority signings on offense include linemen Corey Linsley & Rickey Wagner, as well as pass catchers Allen Lazard & Robert Tonyan. With both Lazard and Tonyan breaking out and showing chemistry with Aaron Rodgers in 2020, I’m pessimistic the Packers will be able to retain both.
Free Agency and the Draft
Given the Packers’ 2020 offseason was a complete farce by the measure of fans and fantasy football players alike, the pressure could not be stronger for the front office to select a WR in the 2021 NFL Draft. As a Packer fan myself, I could not care less about anything else they do other than how it affects their first two draft selections.
PLEASE sign some vets on defense to bolster that side of the ball and bring in an impact player from the collegiate level who can make an immediate impact. Rondale Moore seems to be the buzzy candidate, but I’ll be fine with anyone worthy of the draft capital in what sounds like a stacked 2021 receiver class.
Chicago Bears
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Mitchell Trubisky, QB27 (15.4 PPG)
- RB: David Montgomery, RB4 (15.9 PPG)
- WR: Allen Robinson II, WR11 (13.2 PPG)
- TE: Jimmy Graham, TE11 (7.4 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Rookie
- RB: David Montgomery
- WR: Darnell Mooney, Rookie
- TE: Jimmy Graham
Potential Offseason Changes
Despite bringing in new arm talent in Nick Foles to compete with Mitchell Trubisky, the Bears still had issues at the helm of their offense. To be honest, this was expected; and yet the Bears squeaked into the playoffs while ranking 23rd in points and 26th in yards. Quarterback is clearly the most glaring issue for the Bears, but does the front office really think they have a playoff-run window if they bring in the right veteran?
Just as interesting is the future of Pro Bowl Wide Receiver Allen Robinson, who by all accounts knows the franchise tag inside and out. He does not want to be locked up with the Bears any longer; there may be some talk of a tag-and-trade situation. At this point, he’s halfway out the door in my mind unless the team goes for broke with the veteran QB route.
Free Agency and the Draft
One look at how the Bears are currently 23rd in available cap space, and the idea of trading Allen Robinson for draft capital and drafting their franchise QB in the first round (with the 20th overall pick or higher) seems to be the best move for the Bears long term.
Much like the Packers are essentially obligated to draft a Wide Receiver in 2021, the Bears will have to reload at the position if they deal Allen Robinson. They can get a decent prospect with their 2nd round pick, #52 overall.
Minnesota Vikings
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Kirk Cousins, QB11 (19.1 PPG)
- RB: Dalvin Cook, RB3 (22.6 PPG)
- WR: Justin Jefferson, WR6 (14.4 PPG) // Adam Thielen, WR8 (14.5 PPG)
- TE: Irv Smith Jr., TE22 (6.4 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Kirk Cousins
- RB: Dalvin Cook
- WR: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen
- TE: Irv Smith Jr.
Offseason Changes
The #Vikings are releasing veteran TE Kyle Rudolph, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. End of an era in Minnesota.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2021
Welp, it’s official. It’s officially Irv Smith Hype SZN with Kyle Rudolph no longer on the Vikings. I actually don’t think Minnesota will bring anyone additional of note into their offense, so the high concentration of opportunity directed towards Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Irv Smith could certainly be fruitful for fantasy.
Free Agency and the Draft
Since the Vikings are over the cap as of now, I don’t think they’ll make any big signings other that keeping their key contributors on the roster, such as offensive lineman Dakota Dozier and safety Anthony Harris. The Vikings have a 1st round draft pick and then have to wait until the 3rd round to make another pick, so they have to nail the first pick and fill a positional need. Our own Randal Kennedy has them taking an offensive tackle.
Detroit Lions
2020 Fantasy Results
- QB: Matthew Stafford, QB15 (16.3 PPG)
- RB: D’Andre Swift, RB18 (12.8 PPG)
- WR: Marvin Jones, WR17 (11.9 PPG)
- TE: T.J. Hockenson, TE4 (8.9 PPG)
Projected Starters for 2021
- QB: Jared Goff
- RB: D’Andre Swift
- WR: Kenny Golladay, Tyrell Williams or Rookie
- TE: T.J. Hockenson
Potential Offseason Changes
We’ve already seen the Lions move on from Matthew Stafford and turn back the clock in a trade by acquiring Jared Goff. Goff has already been to a Super Bowl and can helm a simple, straight-forward offense if that’s what new Head Coach Dan Campbell wants to do. With the Lions ALSO over the cap overall, we should see Adrian Peterson either moving on or taking a team-friendly deal for backup money. No matter the Peterson situation, second-year stud D’Andre Swift is the projected bell cow back we’ve been hoping for in Detroit; he could easily thrive under Dan Campbell’s conservative thumb.
Free Agency and the Draft
With the signing of Tyrell Williams to Lions this week, this all but guarantees the loss of either Marvin Jones or Kenny Golladay in the receiver room. It’s more likely the veteran Jones that heads out the door, and the Lions will re-sign or tag Golladay to keep him around for another year. The market could favor the Lions in this situation if other organizations are concerned with Golladay’s recent injuries; they might not even require the tag for him.
You can’t win by running the ball and playing good defense if you don’t have good defensive players, which is why Randal Kennedy has the Lions drafting defense in the first round.
That’s it! You can follow Andrew on Twitter, @AndrewMackens. You can check out more of our offseason content like our NFL Mock Drafts and Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts
