We’re into the off-season, but there is still plenty of work to do on our fantasy teams. At this point, it’s about reflecting on the season, checking out rosters, and reading the tea leaves for these NFL Franchises. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll look at the biggest fantasy question for each of the 32 NFL teams. Today, it’s a look at the six teams eliminated on Wild Card Weekend.
Part 1: Teams 1-9 Part 2: Teams 10-18
No. 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 10-7
Biggest Fantasy Question: What happens with Chris Godwin?
About: The Buccaneers won the NFC South again. They earned the third overall seed in the NFC but fell short in the Wild Card round against the Washington Commanders. Now, they’re going to have to replace their Offensive Coordinator.
However, a bigger question is what happens at WR2. Mike Evans is still on the roster and figures to be the WR1 still. He’s almost a lock for 1,000 yards a season. But his running mate, Chris Godwin, has been a free agent for the past few years. He’s likely to be in demand for wide receiver needy teams.
So, will the Buccaneers make a big enough offer? It’s certainly possible. But I’m also looking at internal options. Rookie Jalen McMillan got off to a slow start but ended the season on fire. He finished with 37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. I like him to potentially take a step up in 2025, making him a good buy-low this off-season.
No. 20: Denver Broncos
Record: 10-7
Biggest Fantasy Question: What happens with the backfield?
About: The Broncos had a surprising 2024, winning ten games and making the playoffs for the first time in nine years. That’s a great start, but they need to keep improving to get back. The biggest area of improvement has to be the backfield. A constant refrain for the Broncos was that they needed to run the ball better. It wasn’t just talk; it was a fact. By statistical measure, the Broncos were average. A lack of consistency forced the Broncos to use many people to gain yards on the ground.
Fourth-year man Javonte Williams led the team in rushing with 513 yards, but he wasn’t efficient. Jaleel McLaughlin had 496 but wasn’t consistent either. Rookie Audric Estime showed flashes but was a healthy scratch for the playoffs. I don’t expect Williams to re-sign, meaning the Broncos will likely make a move in free agency or the draft. That leaves all three backs in a precarious position for fantasy, as this team will certainly look to swing big and make an impact in the run game for 2025.
No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 10-7
Biggest Fantasy Question: Who plays quarterback in Pittsburgh?
About: The Steelers completely re-made their quarterback room in 2024, sending the three players who had filled the position in 2023 to other teams. They signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields. Both started at points, and both are now free agents.
With Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith appearing to be sticking around, the question is who plays quarterback. The Steelers have many questions, including in the backfield and at receiver. But none is more pressing than the quarterback question. The Steelers could bring one or both guys back. Wilson expressed interest in returning. But, it remains unclear what the team will do at this point. For those in fantasy, this will be a big question to monitor as we go into the off-season.
No. 22: Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 11-6
Biggest Fantasy Question: Getting more weapons around Justin Herbert.
About: In the team’s Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, Justin Herbert threw for 242 yards. A total of 197 of those went to Ladd McConkey, a key pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. With Herbert at quarterback and McConkey at receiver, the Chargers have two pieces on offense. But, to advance, they need more.
The Chargers pieced together a backfield, leaning on veterans J.K. Dobbins, a free agent, Gus Edwards, and rookie Kimani Vidal. They pieced it together at tight end with Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst, and they hoped second-year receiver Quentin Johnston would step up. It worked OK at times in the regular season as the Chargers made a playoff run, but to go further, they need some more reliable pieces in the run-and-pass game to pair with Herbert and McConkey.
No. 23: Green Bay Packers
Record: 11-6
Biggest Fantasy Question: Who leads this receiving group?
About: The Packers have a good group of young receivers, including Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks. All of them have contributed at times. But the team lacks an alpha—and they’ve lacked health. In fact, Doubs, Reed, and Watson were all sidelined at the end of the Wild Card loss to the Eagles.
The Packers have a good group of guys but no Alpha receiver. That is starting to wear thin for the team. This off-season, the Packers need to clarify this position and provide a reliable star for Jordan Love if they hope to go further in the playoffs.
No. 24: Minnesota Vikings
Record: 14-3
Biggest Fantasy Question: Who starts at quarterback?
About: It’s rare for a team that finished this high to have a question at quarterback when no one has retired. And if we were talking about the Vikings a month ago, this might not have been a question. But the final two games for Sam Darnold—being badly outplayed by the Lions in the regular season and the Rams in the playoffs, have opened a question as he hits free agency. Darnold will command a decent salary and be a starter somewhere in 2025, but will it be Minnesota?
The Vikings also have Daniel Jones kicking around and spent a First-Round draft pick on J.J. McCarthy in 2024. Given the offense’s performance in those final two games, it’s no lock the Vikings are willing to pay up for Darnold. If they do, it’s fair to wonder what happens with McCarthy. Darnold could become a big moving piece in another team’s quarterback puzzle if they don’t.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
