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Denver Broncos
- The pass offense continued to be a buffet of pass-catching talent but with no quarterback bringing the plate and utensils to take advantage as Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater mostly flopped. The team will aim for Aaron Rodgers again this offseason.
- Melvin Gordon held down the value of rookie Javonte Williams for most of the season but will enter free agency this year. Williams will get into the second round of some early drafts and will move up if more time passes without the team doing anything significant at running back.
- Jerry Jeudy seemed to go backward in his development and K.J. Hamler went down with a torn ACL as Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick both got market value extensions during the season.
- Noah Fant is looking like a swing-and-a-miss of a first-round pick as his size, speed, and athleticism aren’t translating to an impact in the passing game even though he put up acceptable fantasy numbers.
Heroes: Tim Patrick?
Zeroes: Javonte Williams, Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton (after Week 6)
You Might Have Missed: Williams had 15 fewer rushing yards than Melvin Gordon on the same number of carries.
Biggest Offseason Questions: What is Aaron Rodgers going to do and who will the Broncos target if he doesn’t go to Denver? Will the Broncos bring in a better #2 back than Mike Boone?
Bottom Line: Help us, Aaron Rodgers, you’re our only hope.
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Kansas City Chiefs
- Patrick Mahomes II was forced to reinvent himself as a “take what the defense gives you” quarterback, which lowered the ceilings of Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire showed improvement as a runner but still wasn’t used as much as expected as a receiver. Darrel Williams didn’t go away, providing more power and skill in the passing game.
- Mecole Hardman didn’t have a year-three breakout and wasn’t as good in the red zone or downfield as Byron Pringle.
Heroes: Patrick Mahomes II (Weeks 1-6, 14-17)
Zeroes: Mecole Hardman, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Patrick Mahomes II (Weeks 7-13)
You Might Have Missed: 42.8% of Hill’s receiving yardage came in his three biggest games.
Biggest Offseason Questions: Will the team bring back Darrel Williams, Demarcus Robinson, and Byron Pringle? Will Noah Gray have a bigger role in his second year?
Bottom Line: You can’t keep Mahomes down for long
Las Vegas Raiders
- Henry Ruggs was much more productive than he was for most of his rookie year before he killed someone in a DWI incident that almost certainly ended his career.
- Josh Jacobs came into the season banged up, but was more involved as a receiver and almost as productive as 2020 despite the addition of Kenyan Drake in the offseason.
- Hunter Renfrow broke out when Darren Waller was out, as Waller didn’t live up to the promise created by a huge Monday night game to open the season.
Heroes: Josh Jacobs, Hunter Renfrow
Zeroes: Darren Waller, Henry Ruggs
You Might Have Missed: Zay Jones had 30 catches for 289 yards over the last five games of the season and posted a 5-61-1 line in the playoff loss to the Bengals.
Biggest Offseason Questions: How much will the Raiders offense resemble the Patriots under new head coach Josh McDaniels? How does the team replace Ruggs?
Bottom Line: This team is starting over in 2022 and could be a lot better offensively under McDaniels.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Austin Ekeler stepped up to the fantasy elite, staying healthy and producing like a difference-maker from wire to wire. He’ll be a top-five pick in a lot of 2022 drafts.
- Keenan Allen was a little off of his 2020 scoring clip, but was still a solid pick at ADP, while Mike Williams looked like he was going to be one of the most valuable players in fantasy through five weeks, only to level off as a WR3/Flex play in the second half of the year. The Chargers have a big decision to make on Williams as he hits free agency. A franchise tag might be warranted.
- Justin Herbert’s rookie year was not an illusion. He stayed around the same fantasy scoring level as his revelation of a rookie year, but the pack backed up to him and made Herbert a strong QB1 in 2021 fantasy leagues.
Heroes: Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams
Zeroes: Jared Cook
You Might Have Missed: Ekeler posted 12 rushing scores in 2021. He had nine career rushing touchdowns going into 2021.
Biggest Offseason Questions: Does the team tag, sign, or let Williams walk? Will Donald Parham get to be the #1 receiving tight end?
Bottom Line: This offense is very good and we still might not have seen the best of it.
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