In the few short weeks since the conclusion of Super Bowl 55, the NFL landscape has changed drastically, with many teams taking entirely new forms. PlayerProfiler is a one-stop shop for all major moves, power rankings, and honest expectations for all 32 NFL teams heading into the NFL Draft and training camp.
Glossary
Each team will be broken down as follows:
- -Overall Power Ranking and Tier – the team’s Power Ranking relative to all 32 NFL teams
- -Notable Additions – new additions that move the needle
- -Notable Losses – lost talent that matters
- -Summary
- -Expectation – the minimum we should expect in 2021 to consider the season a success
- -Expected Wins – based on a 17-game season
- -Fantasy Implication – a broad spectrum look into each team’s seasonal fantasy value
Green Bay Packers
Overall Ranking and Tier: No. 3 (Elite)
Notable Additions: Re-signed Aaron Jones, DC Joe Barry
Notable Losses: C Corey Linsley, LB Christian Kirksey, RT Rick Wagner
Summary
Football fans can turn on ESPN any day of the year and expect at least one segment highlighting drama around Aaron Rodgers. Despite his polarizing personality, he remains a dominant force of quarterbacking excellence. His presence coupled with an adequate defense and Year 3 of Matt Lafluer’s scheme will assure that Green Bay sits atop the NFC in 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHkobtxKkMs
Winning the NFC or even a championship game will not be enough, Rodgers needs to hoist a Lombardi based on his play. It will not happen for him in Green Bay until the organization is willing to push the chips in and add a few more playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Expectation: Super Bowl or Bust
Projected Wins: 11+
Fantasy Implications: This offense will be potent so long as Rodgers is at the helm
Minnesota Vikings
Overall Ranking and Tier: No. 21 (Average, Lower)
Notable Additions: OL Mason Cole, Re-signed OL Dakota Dozier & OL Rashod Hill, CB Patrick Peterson, S Xavier Woods, Promoted Klint Kubiak to OC
Notable Losses: TE Kyle Rudolph, OT Riley Reiff, S Anthony Harris
Summary
The Minnesota Vikings’ stale football is apparent after multiple subpar seasons. Kirk Cousins has good arm talent, but doesn’t elevate the offense to the next level. The defense lacks an identity and fails to show week-to-week consistency. The coaching and game plan is uninspired after seven years of Mike Zimmer. Nothing about this team is outright bad, nor is anything exceptional. The offseason moves will further perpetuate the status quo in Minnesota. The Vikings are average despite a few big time names, and their win total in 2021 will reflect that.
Expectation: Secure a Wild Card Spot
Projected Wins: 5-8
Fantasy Implication: There are only three names in the game plan each week: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook.
Chicago Bears
Overall Ranking and Tier: No. 23 (Average, Lower)
Notable Additions: QB Andy Dalton, RB Damian Williams, CB Desmond Trufant, Re-signed DE Mario Edwards, CB Artie Burns, OL Germain Ifedi, S DeAndre Houston-Carson, K Cairo Santos and P Pat O’Donnell
Notable Losses: QB Mitchell Trubisky, RB Cordarrelle Patterson, DE Brent Urban, LB Barkevious Mingo, CB Kyle Fuller
Summary
The Chicago Bears are mediocre at best in large part due to the lack of organization and direction. Matt Nagy is a fine head coach who understands how to utilize his players’ strengths. The roster talent is inconsistent among the position groups, but the top-end talent is legit. This team hovers around .500 annually thanks to coaching and defense, but don’t be fooled into thinking this team is good.
The Bears had the best GM in the NFL in their offices, and let him walk ?
Listen to @evansilva
and @fantasy_mansion take down the Bears ⬇️⬇️⬇️? https://t.co/ouf8CBg5zv pic.twitter.com/ZNqt5yHqg8
— RotoUnderworld (@rotounderworld) April 24, 2021
Ryan Pace and the ownership in Chicago have crippled the Bears for years. Poor roster construction, inadequate draft strategy, and excessive hubris are all Pace’s M.O. The move from Trubisky to Andy Dalton is the epitome of the mediocre decision-making football fans have grown to expect from Chicago. The gradual loss of talent and failure to replace it will further sink the win total. Expect the Bears to take a step back from 2019/2020 and win less than eight games in 2021.
Expectation: Make the playoffs
Projected Wins: 4-7
Fantasy Implication: Allen Robinson will be the only reliable weekly option.
Detroit Lions
Overall Ranking and Tier: No. 30 (Bottom of the Barrel)
Notable Additions: HC Dan Campbell, OC Anthony Lynn, DC Aaron Glenn, QB Jared Goff, RB Jamaal Williams, WR Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams, added six FA’s on defense, CB Quinton Dunbar
Notable Losses: CB Justin Coleman, CB Desmond Trufant, WR Kenny Golladay, WR Marvin Jones
Summary
The Lions are in for a long-overdue change of leadership and culture after a failed tenure with Matt Patricia. Dan Campbell brings a smash-mouth style of gritty football that fits strongly with the perception of the Motor City. Matthew Stafford is an underrated stud, but moving on is the correct move for a team in need of a fresh start.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lESEMG3Ac-g
The Lions project to be much more fun and upbeat with Campbell, but this team is knee-deep in a complete overhaul. They will struggle to win even a handful of games in 2021. Jared Goff is just a placeholder that was acquired to help justify trading their franchise quarterback. Goff is not the answer, and the remaining roster talent has been stripped down to its foundation. There is hope for Detroit, just not this year.
Expectation: Entertaining Tanking
Projected Wins: 2-5
Fantasy Implication: There is room for a volume-driven receiver to ascend this depth chart. Otherwise, T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift are in line for massive workloads. This offense will not have high touchdown upside.
Conclusion
The NFC North is the NFL’s dud division. The Vikings are stale, the Bears just bland, the Lions barren, and the Packers failing to live up to their full potential. Expect many offseason changes in 2022 in both player and coaching personnel after a down year. Playing the NFC West and AFC North is the toughest schedule for any division in 2021.
