Click here for 16 stories from the NFC.
The late summer is a prime time to watch for contract extensions and storylines that will define dynasty leagues for years to come. Below are 16 stories to watch in the AFC that can significantly impact dynasty leagues for years to come.
When will Josh Allen sign his megadeal?
A contract extension for Josh Allen should lock him amongst the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. Does Buffalo wait another year to make Allen prove the 2020 version will be the performance Buffalo is getting on the extension? Or will Buffalo pay him this year?
What does the Jets passing game look like?
Without any competition on the roster, Zach Wilson should start week 1, but what does the pecking order of the passing game look like? Corey Davis is amongst the wide receivers with the most guaranteed money on his current deal, while the team brought back Jamison Crowder at a reduced cap number and drafted Elijah Moore. Second-year receiver Denzel Mims should also contend for targets but must establish himself in 2021 to avoid a bust track.
Is Tua Tagovailoa the Miami Dolphins answer at quarterback?
The fifth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after the Dolphins "Tanked for Tua," Tua Tagovailoa (-1.4) performed worse than fellow rookies Joe Burrow (+3.7) and Justin Herbert (+1.4) in completion percentage over expectation. Miami continues to stockpile draft assets with the ability to address the position if Tua fails. With a revamped set of weapons with Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle at wide receiver, 2021 will tell a big portion of the Tua developmental story.
When will Mac Jones start for the New England Patriots?
Mac Jones could have a significant impact on the Patriots' offense. Jones projects as a better passer than Cam Newton but could have an even bigger role in reshaping the running game. With Newton, the Patriots were by far the most quarterback run-heavy offense in the red zone in the NFL in 2020. With Jones, those opportunities could go to Damien Harris or Sony Michel or funnel through a revamped passing game highlighted by 2021 free-agent acquisitions Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry.
Will Baker Mayfield sign an extension with the Cleveland Browns?
The Browns have many questions about its future. A 2020 overachiever, Cleveland is receiving Super Bowl hype but faces questions about the future of Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry who are carrying cap numbers larger than they warrant to go along with questions about whether Baker Mayfield warrants a massive second contract. His extension will lock him in as a starter which is particularly important in superflex dynasty leagues but is not a foregone conclusion. Like Buffalo, Cleveland could opt to make Mayfield prove it another year before extending Mayfield in 2022.
Is Joe Burrow healthy?
Joe Burrow’s health will determine the future of the Cincinnati Bengals. With a potentially elite set of weapons in JaMarr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd to go along with Joe Mixon, Cincinnati is primed to leap offensively if Burrow is healthy to begin 2021.
What will the Pittsburgh offense look like?
Pittsburgh is running back their 2020 offense except for their offensive line, which has seen a significant overhaul. With the addition of Najee Harris along with the return of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, and Diontae Johnson, Ben Roethlisberger has the weapons to reset the trajectory of his career if he is healthy.
When will Lamar Jackson sign an extension?
Given truth serum, the Baltimore front office would say they are not satisfied with Lamar Jackson as a passer. Jackson won an MVP award by his legs and prolific touchdown rate in 2019 but has flamed out in the playoffs. Jackson has three touchdowns and five interceptions on a poultry 6.6 yards per attempt in four career playoff starts. To fix this, Baltimore drafted Rashod Bateman and signed Sammy Watkins in free agency. To win a Super Bowl, Baltimore will need more from Jackson as a passer, so watching another year before committing an extension could be a key watch in 2021.
What is the status of Deshaun Watson?
When a franchise quarterback on a hall of fame track demands a trade and is embroiled in a sexual assault scandal, it instantly becomes a must-watch story. The story is complex, with a trade unlikely to be completed before resolving his sexual assault lawsuits and any related suspensions. Since a very loud beginning to the legal proceedings, there has been a relatively quiet period, so watch for a potential settlement forthcoming.
Which Carson Wentz will we see in 2021?
Indianapolis has a Super Bowl-caliber roster but lacked a franchise quarterback before trading for Carson Wentz. The reunion with head coach Frank Reich, the offensive coordinator for Wentz’s best seasons in Philadelphia, will hope to rejuvenate Wentz’s career.
How will the Tennessee offense look in the post-Arthur Smith era?
Former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was hired as the Atlanta Falcons head coach earlier this offseason. What impact will this have on Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, and A.J. Brown, who all broke out under Smith will be a pivotal watch in 2021?
What impact will new Head Coach Urban Meyer have on the Jacksonville offense?
This is a potentially potent offense with Trevor Lawrence, James Robinson, Travis Etienne, D.J. Chark, Marvin Jones, and Laviska Shenault as a core group. How the offense will look, including how Etienne and Shenault are deployed, are key watches in 2021.
Can Clyde Edwards-Helaire take a step forward in the Kansas City offense?
Patrick Mahomes II, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill are the core of the Kansas City offense. Without a true WR2, Edwards-Helaire has room to grow in the offense as both a runner and a receiver. His health and receiving efficiency will determine his outlook.
Who is the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos?
The offense has the tools to be elite with competent quarterback play. It is just a matter of who is at the helm. Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are in-house candidates to start in 2021, with Aaron Rodgers also looming as a potential trade candidate. Denver is also a potential landing spot for Deshaun Watson if his situation resolves itself favorably.
What is the role of Kenyan Drake in the Las Vegas offense?
The addition of Kenyan Drake to a backfield led by Josh Jacobs was a headline early in the offseason. If Drake is a pass-catcher in the "Joker" role that was reported early in the offseason, Jacobs can have a workhorse role. If Drake operates as a runner, he can cap Jacobs’ rushing workload.
Can Austin Ekeler return to health?
In 10 games in 2020, Austin Ekeler averaged 16.5 points per game and 5.4 receptions with only three touchdowns. If healthy, Ekeler has an RB1 overall finish in his range of outcomes. The Ekeler contract is one of the best contracts a team has signed in running back free agency in recent years, but Ekeler could be a cap casualty in 2022 with a disappointing 2021 season.
