Welcome to Week 18 of the 2022 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. Topics are now split into separate features.
This week's roundtable features these four topics:
- Offseason Team Assessments (see below)
- Bold 2023 Predictions
- Reminders for 2023
- Offseason Points of Interest
Offseason Team Assessments
Matt Waldman: Tell me the following about your favorite NFL team.
- What will they need to help their squad?
- Whom are they going to lose that you think will be tough to replace?
- Who could emerge from the bowels of the depth chart to at least contribute regularly and offer potential bye-week value in fantasy?
What's your assessment?
Sean Settle: As a lifelong Vikings fan, this team has more holes than their record indicates. It has been extremely fun to watch this season but is likely nearing a painful end as everything starts to catch up.
There is a clear need for help in the defensive secondary, as they have allowed more catches, yards, and fantasy points than any defense in the NFL. There is also a surprising gaping hole at running back.
Dalvin Cook has been healthy yet has three games with 30 or fewer rushing yards. He has an inflated contract that could easily be cut in order to save money and move on to someone younger and less injury prone. This move may not be popular, but the age of star running backs seems to be coming to a close as we see young players succeeding behind good offensive lines.
The toughest potential loss for this squad will be Garrett Bradbury. The offensive line and ensuing running game are totally different when he is healthy and in the lineup.
However, the Vikings will continue to be in a cap nightmare as they continue to sign 1-year deals and kick the problem down the road. As their young players come due for their second contracts, they will not be able to pay everyone. The big spend on Kirk Cousins has not paid off, and this team could look like the Rams in a year or two.
Lewis Cine suffered a season-ending injury in London earlier this season, and the defense has gotten worse every week. Cameron Dantzler has worn out his welcome, and there is a chance Patrick Peterson will not be back next season. The young corner has a chance to step in as the top corner in this defense next season if he can return healthy. He will not be enough to fix the defense all by himself, but it would be a great start compared to what they have now.
Chad Parsons: I have no favorite NFL team or strong rooting interest since becoming more of a global fantasy analyst and content producer compared to a fan decades ago. However, I will pick the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a fascinating watch in the offseason.