General Managers were busy during the offseason with seven head coaching hires, significant trades, record-breaking extensions, and impactful free agent signings. I broke down the fallout of these moves, which you can read here. The fun starts when analyzing the reverse impact of the NFL offseason and what it means for fantasy football.
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- Player: J.J. McCarthy
- Team: Minnesota Vikings
Fantasy Impact: Minnesota will have a new starting quarterback for the third consecutive year. Kevin O’Connell’s magic has led his former QBs to obtain contracts of $180 million and $1oo million. After selecting J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2025 draft, he appears poised to be the starter with a great supporting cast. Since taking over the reins for the Vikings in 2022, O’Connell’s starting QBs have fantasy finishes of QB9, QB5 (on a per-game basis), and QB7.
In only one preseason game, McCarthy showed promise with a 116.8 passer rating by throwing for 188 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. He completed a beautiful 45-yard TD pass along the sideline, showcasing the dimes he can throw. I can see a scenario where McCarthy finishes in the top 10 at the QB position. I do not expect any skill players in Minnesota to take a hit with McCarthy as their QB. I will comfortably draft all of them.
- Player: Jaylen Warren
- Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Fantasy Impact: At the time of the article, the Steelers’ starting QB is Mason Rudolph, and their OC is still Arthur Smith. This is a prime situation for Jaylen Warren to take over as the RB1 with Najee Harris out of the picture. Harris finished as the RB2o in PPR formats. While there is concern that the Steelers may draft an RB, Warren is more than capable of shouldering the load. The time is now for Warren to reach his post-hype sleeper status.
Pittsburgh ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing attempts and seventh in attempts per game, with 30 rushing attempts per game. Steelers RBs combined for 383 rushing attempts, and with Harris departing, he vacates 263 carries. Only six RBs sniffed 300 carries last season, with five of the six RBs ending the season as top-seven backs. For my PPR folks, Steelers RBs combined for 109 targets, ranking in the top 10 among team RB targets. If the Steelers allow Warren the opportunity to be their RB1, he could shape up to be a solid RB2 and then some.
- Player: Brian Thomas Jr.
- Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Fantasy Impact: In an interesting turn of events, the Jaguars traded and released their most reliable but injury-prone pass catchers in Christian Kirk and Evan Engram. Addition through subtraction. While this leaves a considerable void for Trevor Lawrence, fear not, my DUUVAL friends. BTJ took over as the alpha wideout in 2024, finishing the season with the fourth-most points scored by a WR despite drawing 7.8 targets per game. I expect his targets to increase to near double digits in 2025.
His new coach, Liam Cohen, who is still learning the pronunciation of DUUVAL, said the offense will go through him. As the Rams’ OC in 2022, Cooper Kupp averaged the most points by a WR with 22.4 points on a league-high 10.9 targets in nine games. Cohen’s 2024 Buccaneers’ offense ranked second in passing TDs, third in passing yards, and 10th in passing attempts. Bucs WR Chris Godwin was a top-five WR before his injury. If Cohen stays true to his word, expect big things for BTJ, my dark horse WR1 in 2025.
- Player: Ricky Pearsall
- Team: San Francisco 49ers
Fantasy Impact: The former first-rounder is one of the quieter beneficiaries from this offseason. His previous teammate, Deebo Samuel, was shipped to the Nation’s Capital. His starting quarterback, Brock Purdy, is set to sign a lengthy extension in the Bay Area. The stage is set for him to see an increase in usage while maintaining continuity as he heads into his second season.
In Week 17, he posted eight catches for 141 receiving yards and a touchdown against Detroit in Purdy’s final game of the 2024 campaign. Following that performance, I expect Pearsall to continue developing alongside the Niners franchise QB. Without a specific timetable for Brandon Aiyuk’s recovery from a torn ACL and MCL, Pearsall may be the default WR1 in Kyle Shanahan’s offense that has produced serviceable fantasy WRs. Don’t overlook him.
- Player: Garrett Wilson
- Team: New York Jets
Fantasy Impact: Wilson reclaims the WR1 throne for the Jets with Davante Adams in Los Angeles and will catch passes from a new QB. His new quarterback, Justin Fields, is his former college quarterback from Ohio State. The duo collaborated with 66 receptions for 1,031 yards and nine touchdowns in 22 games as Buckeyes. They should have a seamless transition heading into OTAs.
Some might think Justin Fields is a downgrade from Aaron Rodgers, but considering his familiarity with Wilson, I do not think so. The last time Fields was a full-time starter with a legitimate WR, DJ Moore finished as the WR6 in 2023. Ranked anywhere from the WR15 to WR20, Wilson will be a bargain next season.
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