NFL 2018: NFC North – Projected Starters

As the 2018 season draws closer, all the teams in the NFL will start to assess their options at different positions. Performances in OTA’s and training camps will determine the order of depth charts across the league. Here I take a look at the NFC North, which consists of the Packers, Lions, Vikings and Bears and see which players will be starting at the fantasy-relevant positions.

Chicago Bears

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QB – Mitchell Trubisky

There has been a lot of hype about Trubisky this offseason, after the appointment of Matt Nagy and reinforcements being made in the receiving corps. Trubisky had a relatively poor rookie campaign, but he wasn’t helped by a terrible group of receivers.

He finished as the QB28 last year but is being drafted as the 24th QB off of the board in mock drafts this offseason. He’s locked in as the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears, but it remains to be seen whether Trubisky can truly cut it at NFL level.

RB1 – Jordan Howard

Howard seems to get a lot of unwarranted hate in the fantasy world, despite finishing as the RB15 in an awful offense last year. Yes, he struggled with his catching, but he still rushed for over 1100 yards and 9 TDs.

His worth is a little lower in PPR leagues as he won’t be on the field for passing downs. However, he is the clear first and second down back in this offense, which is being labelled as one of the most improved this offseason.

RB2 – Tarik Cohen

Cohen flashed his elite speed and playmaking ability in his rookie year. He will come in for all passing downs and is expected to be utilised more in the offense this year. Head Coach Matt Nagy wants to use him in similar ways that he used Tyreek Hill in Kansas City. This could mean we see more of Cohen lining up out wide and in the slot.

WR1 – Allen Robinson

Robinson signed with the Bears in Free Agency after the Jaguars surprisingly decided not to Franchise Tag or work out an extension with the talented wideout. Robinson missed the whole 2017 season after tearing his ACL in the first game of the season against the Texans. The Bears will be hoping he can get back to his 2015 form where he caught 14 TDs and racked up 1400 receiving yards. He’s the undoubted WR1 in this team and should get plenty of volume.

WR2 – Kevin White

White will see plenty of competition here from 2018 draft pick Anthony Miller. White himself was the 7th overall pick in the 2015 draft, but he’s struggled his whole career with injuries. The talent is there, but there are doubts about whether he can get on the field for a prolonged amount of time. White will go undrafted in the majority of fantasy drafts.

WR3 – Taylor Gabriel

Gabriel was acquired in Free Agency from the Falcons. He had a poor 2017 season in Atlanta after a promising 2016. He’s a small, gadget player that can be used in a number of positions. He won’t have too much fantasy relevance as he hasn’t had a season with more than 35 receptions.

TE – Trey Burton

Trey Burton was one of the hottest names on the Free Agent market. His play last year in Zach Ertz’s absence showed he can get it done as the TE1 in the offense. This earned him a 4-year deal worth $32 million. He should have high usage as a redone threat and safety blanket for Trubisky. He could end up being a top 12 TE this year, and a steal in most fantasy drafts.

Detroit Lions

QB – Matthew Stafford

Stafford has ditched the ‘injury prone’ tag that he’d acquired in his first few seasons, by not missing a game in the last 7 seasons. He’s a solid starter for fantasy purposes, as he’s locked in for over 4000 passing yards every year. His current ADP has him going at around the 100th pick.

RB1 – Kerryon Johnson

Johnson joins somewhat of a backfield committee in Detroit, but I see him securing the early down work before the regular season starts. The product out of Auburn was selected in the second round by the Lions, who traded up to get their man. Teams don’t usually spend that amount of draft capital, without giving the player a shot at the starters job.

RB2 – LeGarrette Blount

Blount, who has won consecutive SuperBowl rings with New England and Philadelphia, signed with the Lions in Free Agency, before the draft. He is likely to get some goal-line work as the power back and will be fantasy relevant in deeper fantasy leagues. I don’t see Blount getting too many carries if Johnson excels, especially as Theo Riddick will come in on passing downs.

WR1 – Marvin Jones Jr

Jones had a strong 2017 season for the Lions, finishing as a WR1 by being the 11th ranked Wide Receiver on the season. He showed his excellent catching ability by having one of the best catch rates on contested catches, in the league. I can see Jones replicating last season’s tally of 9 TDs, whilst improving on his 61 catches.

WR2 – Golden Tate

Tate is a great PPR option, finishing just 1 place behind Jones in last years rankings. He caught 92 passes and recorded over 1000 receiving yards. He is locked in as Stafford’s slot receiver and favourite target, meaning he will have another productive year in terms of fantasy points.

WR3 – Kenny Golladay

Golladay showed good promise in his rookie year, despite suffering with niggling injuries. HIs excellent route running should see him gaining more than the 48 targets he received last year. He will only be relevant in deeper leagues.

TE – Luke Willson

Willson was brought in from Seattle and should replace the departed Eric Ebron, as the TE1 in the Lions offense. Stafford hasn’t been known to produce high scoring fantasy tight ends, and I don’t see this season being any different. Willson is little more than an occasional plug and play option in 12 team leagues.

Green Bay Packers

QB – Aaron Rodgers

The man is back! After missing the majority of the 2017 season with a broken collarbone, Rodgers is back atop QB fantasy rankings. He’s locked in to throw 30 TDs, and can add 300+ yards on the ground. Expect him to finish in the top 2 or 3 QBs come the end of the season.

RB1 – Aaron Jones

There are conflicting reports coming out of Green Bay at the moment, regarding the Running Backs. I think Aaron Jones will come out on top and start the season as the lead back. He showed his ability when given the chance last season, averaging 5.5 yards per carry on 81 attempts. If he can stay injury free, then he could be in for a big season.

RB2 – Jamaal Williams

Williams will push for the starters role with Jones and will have fantasy relevance in 10-12 team leagues. He wasn’t as efficient as Jones last year, but given the chance with Rodgers at the helm, he could exceed his 2017 output.

Don’t forget about Ty Montgomery. Montgomery started 2017 as the workhorse before injury derailed his season. There is a slight chance he could trump the two young guns or even turn this backfield into a 3 headed attack, which would frustrate fantasy owners everywhere.

WR1 – Davante Adams

Adams steps into the WR1 role for the first time, after the departure of Jordy Nelson. Adams, who has the most TDs in the league over the last 2 seasons, signed a 4 year $58 million contract at the end of last year. Expect him to continue his amazing RedZone efficiency throughout the next few seasons.

WR2 – Randall Cobb

Cobb, who will play mainly from the slot, will need to step up into the WR2 role after the loss of Nelson in the offseason. Cobb has had a couple of down years in terms of fantasy totals, now has the chance to receive more volume and more RedZone looks as the veteran of the WR corps.

WR3 – Geronimo Allison

Allison is currently placed at number 3 on the depth chart for the Green Bay Packers. He has shown he can produce when given the chance and 2018 may be his breakout year. He is available at the back end of all drafts and could be a nice pickup if Rodgers starts to use him more often.

However, he does have plenty of competition behind him, with the Packers signing 3 receivers in the draft. J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown will all be pushing to take over the starting role opposite Davante Adams. Keep your eye on how this one develops, as any receiver in an Aaron Rodgers led team could produce good numbers.

TE – Jimmy Graham

Graham, who signed for the Packers in March on a 3 year, $30 million contract, is locked in as the TE1 on this team. Whilst Graham has lost a step in recent years, he remains a valuable RedZone weapon, as shown by his 10 touchdowns last season. With Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball, expect the former Seahawk to be the 4th or 5th tight end off the board in Fantasy drafts.

Minnesota Vikings

QB – Kirk Cousins

The big money acquisition in Free Agency, Kirk Cousins, will look to improve on last year’s fantasy finish of 6th amongst quarterbacks. Cousins, who signed a fully guaranteed $84 million contract this offseason, comes in to replace Case Keenum in Minnesota. Cousins has a plethora of weapons at his disposal that far exceeds what he had he in Washington. He can be played every week in your fantasy team.

RB1 – Dalvin Cook

Cook had a promising start to his rookie year before it was cut short by injury. He’s back to health this offseason and will immediately go in as the workhorse back. I expect Cook to be on the field for more passing downs now, following the departure of Jerick McKinnon to the 49ers.

RB2 – Latavius Murray

Murray performed well for the Minnesota Vikings last year in Cook’s absence. The acquisition from Oakland took on the early down role, and ended up rushing for over 800 yards and scored 8 TDs in the process. Murray has some fantasy value this year, as Cook won’t play every down, but I see him being a valuable handcuff more than anything.

WR1 – Adam Thielen

Thielen, who broke out in 2017, will look to continue his high level of play this season. He overtook Diggs as the ‘go to’ weapon in the offense, and consistently produced for fantasy owners each week. It’ll be interesting to see if he strikes up a similar rapport with his new QB.

WR2 – Stefon Diggs

Diggs was outshone by Thielen last year, but will look to retake his spot at the top of the depth chart at some point this season. The hero from the ‘Miracle in Minneapolis’ play, still had a decent year, ending as the WR19 in PPR leagues. Both receivers will be week in, week out plays for fantasy owners this year.

WR3 – Laquon Treadwell

Treadwell is just ahead of Kendall Wright in the depth chart at this moment. He has flashed some of his potential in the past couple of seasons, but is yet to breakout and contribute on a consistent basis. It wouldn’t surprise me if Wright ends up starting ahead of Treadwell, by the start of the season.

TE – Kyle Rudolph

Last season Rudolph finished as the 8th ranked tight end, with Case Keenum throwing to him. Kirk Cousins has shown in recent years that he likes to use his tight end regularly, whether it’s been Vernon Davis or Jordan Reed. Rudolph is a pretty dependable tight end, who should end up as a TE1 in fantasy this year.

Do you agree with our list? Who would make your list of projected starters? Tell us in the comments below!