"What is your process for calculating projections?"
I get asked this question quite often, and after making my usual "how much time do you have?" dad joke, I get into the major variables. One of those is an examination of tendencies of head coaches and coordinators.
For years, I've been relying on coach and coordinator trends as part of the process to determine things like snaps per game, pass rate and positional target shares. This information is well-documented and publicized, which is why it's easy to track and utilize. While that data is valuable, something that has been missing from the industry for a long time is offensive playcaller (OP) info.
Missing, that is, until now.
I collaborated with our team of 32 NFL Nation reporters to create a weekly rundown of each team's offensive playcaller tracing all the way back to 2007. I then applied that data to our database of statistics and put that data to work, to help determine which players should be upgraded and downgraded in fantasy.
Note that this research is limited to the regular season and includes only games in which the noted coach was the primary playcaller. So, for example, weeks in which Saints coach Sean Payton surrendered playcalling to offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. are excluded.
Before I break down each team's current offensive playcaller, here are the leaders in notable categories over the past five seasons (active OPs only, minimum 16 games):
Pass-heaviest playcallers
Run-heaviest playcallers*: Kevin Stefanski (CLE), Brian Schottenheimer (SEA), Greg Roman (BAL)
Most offensive snaps per game: Doug Pederson (PHI), Kellen Moore (DAL), Josh McDaniels (NE)
Fewest offensive snaps per game: Arthur Smith (TEN), Adam Gase (NYJ), Kevin Stefanski (CLE)
Most TDs per game: Sean Payton (NO), Arthur Smith (TEN), Greg Roman (BAL)
Fewest TDs per game: Zac Taylor (CIN), Brian Daboll (BUF), Jon Gruden (LV)
Highest pass TD rate: Darrell Bevell (DET), Dirk Koetter (ATL), Frank Reich (IND)
Lowest pass TD rate: Kliff Kingsbury (ARI), Brian Daboll (BUF), Matt LaFleur (GB)
Highest RB target share**: Sean Payton (NO), Josh McDaniels (NE), Matt Nagy (CHI)
Lowest RB target share**: Gary Kubiak (MIN), Arthur Smith (TEN), Zac Taylor (CIN)
Highest WR target share: Chan Gailey (MIA), Kliff Kingsbury (ARI), Gary Kubiak (MIN)
Lowest WR target share: Jon Gruden (LV), Kevin Stefanski (CLE), Doug Pederson (PHI)
Highest TE target share: Doug Pederson (PHI), Greg Roman (BAL), Andy Reid (KC)
Lowest TE target share: Chan Gailey (MIA), Kliff Kingsbury (ARI), Adam Gase (NYJ)
Most fantasy points per game: Kellen Moore (DAL), Sean Payton (NO), Josh McDaniels (NE)
Fewest fantasy points per game: Brian Daboll (BUF), Jay Gruden (JAC), Adam Gase (NYJ)
* Denotes game-script-adjusted, which normalizes for situations in which teams would be expected to pass at a higher (or lower) rate because of the score and time remaining in the game.
**Denotes excludes fullbacks
With that summary out of the way, below is a list of each team's projected 2020 offensive playcaller, as well as interesting nuggets I came across while evaluating each coach. Playcallers are listed in order of games called since 2007, although most analysis will focus on 2009-19 when more advanced data was available.
Want to read about the tendencies of your favorite team's playcaller? Click on the team below.
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAC | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WAS
Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots (204 games called)
McDaniels has called plays for 204 of a possible 208 games since 2007, which is the most in the NFL. That includes two stops with the Patriots, a season with the Rams, and nearly two seasons with the Broncos. We can't ignore Tom Brady's and Bill Belichick's influence here, but McDaniels has generally leaned on a pass-heavy offense and has been above average in snaps all 13 seasons. Eight of his past 11 offenses have been ninth or better in pass attempts and all were near the bottom of the league in interception rate (even the Denver and St. Louis teams).
Despite the committee approach in New England, running backs have flourished as a whole under McDaniels. During the past eight seasons, six of his units have ranked in the top five in carries and touches, seven have ranked eighth or better in total yards and fantasy points, seven have ranked first overall in OTD. Each of his past five have ranked in the top five in targets and total touchdowns.
Nine of McDaniels' past 11 WR units have ranked outside the top 20 in average depth of target (aDOT), with seven of his past eight finishing 27th or lower. His offense has generated a lot of touches, but not many yards and mediocre fantasy production from the position.
Dirk Koetter, Atlanta Falcons (193 games called)
Koetter has called plays for a full 16-game season during 10 of the past 11 seasons (2018 was the exception). That includes 2019 with Atlanta.
His units have paced the NFL in dropbacks each of the past two seasons and have ranked top 10 in dropbacks, pass attempts, completions and passing yardage five of the past seven seasons. His offenses are aggressive with the pass near the goal line, as they have averaged a top-10 finish in pass TDs and pass OTD since 2012. In related news, Koetter's WRs have ranked in the top five in targets four of the past five seasons, including first in 2019. They've been in the top five in receiving yards six of the past seven seasons.
Tight ends are averaging 8.1 touchdowns per season since 2010 in Koetter's offense. That includes stops in Jacksonville, Atlanta (twice) and Tampa Bay. His TE units have ranked lower than eighth in TDs twice in his past nine seasons, lower than ninth in TDs once in the past eight seasons and lower than 12th in end zone targets once in his past 10 seasons.
Darrell Bevell, Detroit Lions (192 games called)
Bevell's playcalling has been fairly close to league average, with a lean toward the run for a majority of his time in Minnesota (two seasons) and Seattle (seven), but a balanced approach in Detroit last season.
Bevell's offenses have ranked in the upper half of the league in aDOT seven of his past eight seasons, including third in 2017 and second in 2019. Bevell's WR units have ranked 17th or better in yards per target (YPT) during nine of his 10 seasons, including ninth or better in seven seasons. That includes 2019 with Detroit and 2009 with Minnesota, so it's not all Russell Wilson-fueled production.
Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints (171 games called)
Payton has been the head coach in New Orleans for our entire sample (aside from his 2012 suspension season) and called plays for all 16 games in all but two seasons since 2007. He's generally operated a high-volume, pass-heavy, high-scoring offense, although that has leveled off and/or been more inconsistent in recent seasons.
Nearly all of Payton's offensive play calls have involved Drew Brees under center, so it's hard to find undistorted trends here. Nonetheless, what we've seen is passing that is conservative (outside the top 20 in aDOT each of the past 11 seasons), but efficient (in the top four in completion rate all 11 seasons and 11th or better in YPA all but one season). Payton's past 10 WR groups have ranked no lower than 10th in catch rate or YPA.
Payton's past 12 offenses have been above average in RB targets, which has led to eight top-five finishes in receptions for his backs since 2007. Carries have been scattered, but his RBs paced the NFL in fantasy points per game for six consecutive seasons from 2013-18 before falling to 10th in 2019.
Brian Schottenheimer, Seattle Seahawks (160 games called)
Schottenheimer called plays for the Jets and Rams from 2007-14 before returning to the same duties for the Seahawks during the past two seasons. Nine of his 10 offenses have leaned toward the run (most have been very run-heavy) and four of his past five below average in plays. None of his eight offenses since 2009 were higher than 15th in dropbacks, pass attempts or completions.
Seven of his eight RB units have been better than average in yards per carry over expected. However, each of his past four have ranked 26th or lower in RB targets and only one of his past five has been better than 18th in fantasy points per game.
Wide receiver usage has been interesting under Schottenheimer, as each of his past three units have ranked in the top eight in aDOT and five of his past six in the upper half of the league in end zone targets (including first in both 2018 and 2019). Despite significant touchdown output, limited volume (eight straight offenses 12th or lower in WR targets) has allowed only two of his WR units to finish better than 17th in fantasy points per game.
Schottenheimer's past four tight end units have ranked eighth or better in touchdowns.
Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers (160 games called)
Shanahan has been calling plays each of the past 10 years, racking up 16-game campaigns with Washington, the Browns, Falcons and 49ers. Five of those offenses have leaned on the pass and five on the run, the latter accounting for each of the past two seasons in San Francisco.
Shanahan's passing tendencies have been inconsistent for the most part, but we know he uses very little shotgun (25th or lower all 10 seasons), which minimizes defensive backs on the field and has led to decent efficiency (each of his past six offenses have been in the upper half of the league in YPA). However, only two of his 10 QB units finished better than 18th in fantasy points per game (none during his time in San Francisco).
Running backs have flourished under Shanahan, with five of his past six units ranking 10th or better in carries, seven of his past eight ranking in the top 12 in rushing yardage, and six of his past eight ranking no lower than seventh in touchdowns. Shanahan's scheme has led to a ton of heavy boxes (ninth or better in box defenders each of the past eight seasons), but also a ton of yards before contact (in the top 12 each of the past eight seasons). RB targets have been inconsistent under Shanahan, but he's maximized efficiency, with his past seven units ranking top seven in aDOT and his past five ranking ninth or better in receiving yards. In total, his RB units have produced four top-10 fantasy campaigns over the past five seasons.
Shanahan's WRs haven't ranked higher than 14th in aDOT since 2011 and were near the basement of the league each of the past two seasons. His tight ends have ranked in the top 10 in RAC and yards per target eight of the past 10 seasons.
Gary Kubiak, Minnesota Vikings (155 games called)
Kubiak is back as an NFL playcaller for the first time since handling those duties for the bulk of the 2007-16 seasons with Houston, Baltimore and Denver. Kubiak's offenses been fairly balanced, with targets shaded to tight ends and away from tailbacks.
We don't want to get too caught up in data from four years ago, but Kubiak hasn't had a QB unit finish better than 15th in fantasy points per game since 2010. His Arian Foster-led offenses showed very well in RB volume and fantasy points, but that wasn't the case in Denver.
Kubiak's offenses generally ranked at or above average in most TE volume categories, including routes, targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns.
Pat Shurmur, Denver Broncos (122 games called)
Shurmur called plays for the Rams and Browns from 2009-12, for the Vikings for a chunk of his two seasons in Minnesota and for the past two seasons with the Giants. The sample includes seven full 16-game seasons. He's been pretty balanced in most offensive categories.
Shurmur's offenses have displayed very conservative QB play, with all but one ranking 28th or lower in aDOT. The exception was 2019, in which his QB room ranked 18th. Both of his Giants offenses ranked seventh in dropbacks and in the top 10 in attempts and completions.
Shurmur's past four offenses have ranked in the upper half of the league in WR fantasy points per snap. His past seven TE units have ranked 26th or lower in aDOT, which has led to only one finishing in the top 10 in receiving yardage. Fantasy output has been around the league average.
Adam Gase, New York Jets (112 games called)
Gase has called plays for every game since 2013, racking up seven 16-game seasons with Denver, Chicago, Miami and New York. His non-Peyton Manning-led offenses have struggled badly, as the past four have been well below average in snaps and four of the five have been run-heavy and well below average in touchdowns.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Gase's offenses is his refusal to run the ball near the goal line. His past three RB units have posted OTDs of 4.3, 4.0 and 4.7 (all of which ranked in the bottom two), which led to only 13 rush TDs from the position during the span. Gase's RBs have a total of 11 carries inside the 5-yard line during the past three seasons. Eleven players had more than that on their own last season.
None of Gase's seven WR units have finished higher than 15th in aDOT, with only one higher than 20th.
Gase's past four tight end units have ranked 24th or lower in routes, targets, receptions, receiving yards, YPR and fantasy points.
Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs (107 games called)
Reid has called plays during all but a handful of games during his seven seasons with the Chiefs. All seven offenses were pass-heavy (same as his offenses in Philadelphia when he didn't call plays) and his past five have ranked well below average in plays.
Reid has led quite a few feature backs to fantasy prowess, but overall RB volume has been poor during his playcalling tenure. None of the seven KC units have finished in the top 20 in carries, and only one has been better than 14th in targets or 21st in touches (both in 2013). Touchdown scoring has offset that a bit, with five of the seven units ranking 11th or better in total TDs.
The Travis Kelce era has led to underwhelming WR production (for the most part) and top-end TE outputs from Reid's offenses, but we obviously can't take away too much from that scheme-wise.
Jay Gruden, Jacksonville Jaguars (101 games called)
Gruden is new in Jacksonville after calling plays for 101 games during stints in Cincinnati and Washington (six 16-game seasons). Gruden has generally called a balanced game, but leans slightly toward the pass near the goal line and has often been below average in scoring.
Each of Gruden's six offenses finished between 17th and 22nd in RB rushing yards and between 13th and 29th in RB targets. That allowed only one season in which his RBs finished better than 16th in fantasy points (2014).
Gruden has been generous to the tight end tracing back to his final season with the Bengals. His past four seasons as playcaller have seen his TE room finish no lower than eighth in targets, receptions and yardage, as well as no lower than 13th in fantasy points.
Greg Roman, Baltimore Ravens (98 games called)
Roman has put together six 16-game seasons as a playcaller since 2011, including 2019 with Baltimore. All six were run-first and the past three run-heavy, including near the goal line.
Roman has built his offense around running quarterbacks, with his past five offenses ranking no higher than 25th in pass attempts and no better than 22nd in passing yards, but also no lower than fifth in carries and rushing yards by QBs.
The scheme has been beneficial to the RB position from a rushing perspective (his RBs have finished in the top 10 in rushing yards and TDs five of his six seasons), but not as pass-catchers (his RBs have finished better than 25th in targets, receptions and receiving yards just once since 2011). That's led to an average finish of 19.5 in RB fantasy points per game during the six campaigns.
Low target volume for WRs has also been an issue (his past six units have ranked better than 20th in targets or receptions once). Ravens' WRs scored 17 TDs last season (most for a Roman offense during our sample), but still finished last in fantasy points per game (22.5).
Roman's TE usage has been inconsistent, but his units have ranked seventh or higher in aDOT five of his past six seasons.
Chan Gailey, Miami Dolphins (96 games called)
Gailey is back as an NFL playcaller for the first time since 2016. He called plays for the Chiefs in 2008, before going extremely heavy on four-wide receiver sets while running the Bills and Jets offenses for five seasons. Granted, Ryan Fitzpatrick handled 2,595 of the 3,487 dropbacks during those five campaigns, but all five offenses ranked in the top eight in interceptions. Only one produced a fantasy finish better than 15th (2015).
During his five seasons, Gailey ran 1,121 pass plays with at least four WRs on the field. For perspective, over the past 10 seasons, the entire rest of the NFL has run 7,275 of those plays. As a result, four of Gailey's past five offenses have ranked in the top five in WR routes and targets. They've also been 11th or better in yards four times, seventh or better in OTD four times and ninth or better in fantasy points per game three times, although 25th or worse in YPT all five campaigns.
Despite the heavy reliance on wide receivers, Gailey's offenses have been good to RBs. His past three offenses have ranked in the top 12 in RB rushing yards and his past four have been 11th or better in RB targets, receptions, receiving yards and fantasy points.
On the other hand, three of his past five offenses have failed to target the tight end more than 31 times -- yes, less than two targets per game to the position -- with the exceptions (2011-12) resulting in 28th-place finishes in targets to the position.
Brian Daboll, Buffalo Bills (96 games called)
Daboll has been the playcaller for a full 16-game season six times since 2009, including 2018-19 with Buffalo. He's called a run-heavy offense and ranked below average in plays per game and well below average in touchdowns in all six seasons.
Despite the run-heavy scheme, Daboll's RBs have struggled for production, with the units ranking at or below average in yardage, touchdowns and fantasy points in five of the six seasons.
Daboll's QBs have ranked no better than 21st in pass attempts, completions or passing yards, and no better than 18th in pass TDs. Daboll's WR units ranked 28th, 31st, 23rd, 31st, 27th and 18th in fantasy points. Only once have his TEs finished better than 21st in receptions, yardage, OTD and fantasy points.
Jason Garrett, New York Giants (96 games called)
Garrett hasn't called plays since 2012 but will resume those duties as the offensive coordinator in New York this season. Dallas has been run-heavy the past six seasons, but was very pass-heavy back when Garrett was calling the plays.
Looking at that 2009-12 sample of games, Garrett's four offenses ranked in the top eight in passing yards and in the top 10 in completions and fantasy points per game. Three of the four were below average in RB touches and fantasy points. All four ranked in the top 10 in WR touchdowns, OTD and end zone targets, with three of the four eighth or better in fantasy points per game. Granted, it was prime Jason Witten era, but all four tight end units finished top three in routes, targets, receptions, receiving yards and fantasy points, although only one was above 14th in touchdowns and end zone targets.
Sean McVay, Los Angeles Rams (80 games called)
McVay called plays for two seasons in Washington before taking over as head coach and playcaller for the Rams in 2017. He's leaned slightly toward the pass in recent years and has been extraordinary in creating touchdowns and field goal attempts.
All five of McVay's QB units have ranked in the top 10 in passing yardage and all but the 2019 group ranked in the upper half of the league in passing TDs. McVay's past four QB rooms have ranked in the top 10 in yards per completion, four of his five have been seventh or better in yards per attempt, all five have ranked outside the top 20 in sacks, drops and shotgun usage.
All three of McVay's Rams RB units have ranked fourth or better in rush TDs, rush OTD and carries inside the 5, although none have ranked better than 14th in pass routes or 15th in targets.
Wide receivers have shined under McVay, with all five of his units ranking no lower than 17th in snaps, fantasy points, targets, receptions, yardage, touchdowns, catch rate and YPT. All three of McVay's Rams WR units have ranked in the top two in snaps and carries, and have finished exactly fourth in fantasy points.
Tight ends didn't do much damage during McVay's first two seasons with the Rams, but Tyler Higbee's late-season surge isn't completely new to McVay's scheme. His tight ends ranked in the top two in receiving yards and fantasy points in both seasons in Washington. In 2019, Rams TEs ranked sixth or better in targets, receptions, yardage, OTD and fantasy points.
Frank Reich, Indianapolis Colts (64 games called)
Reich has 64 games of playcalling experience, including two with the Chargers (2014-15) and two with the Colts (2018-19). He leaned on the pass earlier on, but switched to a very run-heavy approach in 2019.
Reich has never had an offense below 84% in terms of snaps taken from the shotgun when passing and his past three offenses have ranked outside the top 20 in aDOT. None of Reich's four WR units have finished better than 12th in touchdowns or 10th in fantasy points.
Reich's four offenses have ranked no lower than 16th in RB carries (fourth in 2019) and no lower than 12th in expected YPC. Though his offense ranked 23rd in RB targets last season, it was second and 10th his previous two seasons. His past three RB units have finished in the top 12 in fantasy points.
Tight ends have flourished under Reich, with the four units finishing no lower than 11th in routes and fantasy points, 10th in targets and receptions, eighth in yardage and TDs, fifth in OTD and second in end zone targets.
Jon Gruden, Las Vegas Raiders (64 games called)
Gruden has called the plays since returning to the Raiders in 2018. He's leaned heavily on the rush, especially last season, but has fallen below league average in both touchdowns and plays.
Perhaps a product of Derek Carr's nature and a suspect WR room, Gruden's two offenses have ranked near the basement of the league in aDOT and near the top in completion rate.
Gruden's RBs have been very busy, as they've ranked no lower than ninth in snaps and targets and no lower than sixth in touches during both seasons. They've also finished eighth in total OTD both seasons despite ranking outside the top 20 in touchdowns each time. Some regression to the mean figures to be on tap in 2020.
Raiders tight ends ranked seventh or better in routes, targets, receptions, yards, touchdowns, OTD, end zone targets, fantasy points and yards per target both seasons. Jared Cook and Darren Waller both produced top-five fantasy campaigns.
Doug Pederson, Philadelphia Eagles (64 games called)
Pederson has called plays during each of his four seasons with the Eagles. His calling card is volume, as all four have ranked well above average in snaps. That's led to finishes of 11th or better in dropbacks, pass attempts and OTD for all four offenses, although only one was higher than 20th in aDOT and one higher than 13th in fantasy points per game.
All four RB units have been above average in carries, routes, touches, yardage, touchdowns and fantasy points. None of his WR units have exceeded a 14th-place finish in fantasy points, with three of the four 24th or worse.
Tight ends have flourished under Pederson, with all four of his units ranking no lower than second in routes, targets, receptions and receiving yards. Each of his past three have been in the top five in touchdowns, OTD and end zone targets, as well as first in fantasy points.
Matt Nagy, Chicago Bears (37 games called)
Nagy called plays for five games with the Chiefs in 2017 and 16 games each of the past two seasons as head coach in Chicago. He's leaned toward the pass slightly. He relies heavily on shotgun, ranking no lower than sixth in the category when passing and rushing each of the past two seasons.
Nagy's RBs have finished in the top three in expected YPC (thanks to light boxes) each of the past two seasons, but have ranked near the basement in actual YPC and YAC. They've been near the top of the league in routes, targets, receptions, yardage receiving TDs and aDOT, however.
Randy Fichtner, Pittsburgh Steelers (32 games called)
Fichtner took over for Todd Haley as the Steelers' playcaller in 2018. There's not much to take away here, as the offense was heavy on volume, passing and production with Ben Roethlisberger healthy in 2018, but quite the opposite without him in 2019. Both offenses were below average in aDOT (especially to the tight end) and both were above average in RB targets.
Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers (32 games called)
LaFleur called the plays for 16 games with the Titans in 2018 and 16 games with Green Bay last season. The two seasons were pretty much polar opposites, including categories like pass rate, scoring and aDOT. LaFleur's offenses have been fairly generous to running backs, with both units ranking 11th or better in rushing yards, and the 2019 unit ranking no lower than fourth in targets, receptions, receiving yards, receiving TDs and receiving OTD.
Byron Leftwich, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (25 games called)
Leftwich called plays for nine games with Arizona in 2018 and for all of 2019 with Tampa Bay. His tendencies were different in each locale, though he leaned on the pass near the goal line in both situations. His 2019 offense topped the NFL in passing yardage, OTD, interceptions, yards per completion and aDOT. The latter is most interesting, as there's certainly plenty of head coach Bruce Arians' influence there. As the playcaller from 2009-17 with the Steelers, Colts and Cardinals, Arians' offenses never ranked lower than 10th in aDOT and were in the top four in the category in seven of the nine seasons.
Minimal shotgun usage has led to very low expected and actual YPC numbers from Leftwich's running backs.
We know wide receivers benefited from the Bucs' aggressive 2019 passing offense, but tight ends probably produced more than you realize. The group ranked fourth in pass routes and was in the upper half of the league in targets, receptions, yardage, OTD and end zone targets.
Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals (21 games called)
Taylor called plays for five games with the Dolphins in 2015 and for 16 games as the head coach in Cincinnati last season. There's not much to see here over such a small sample.
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns (19 games called)
Stefanski called plays for 19 games in Minnesota, including all 16 in 2019. He was extremely run-heavy during the tenure, as well as well below average in snaps. The run-heavy nature (perhaps fueled mainly by head coach Mike Zimmer's desires) led to Minnesota RBs finishing top five in carries, receptions, touches, yardage, touchdowns, OTD and fantasy points last season. The wide receivers were near the basement in routes, targets and receptions, but fifth in aDOT. Tight ends were third in routes, which figures to continue in Cleveland following the Austin Hooper signing.
Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals (16 games called)
In Kingsbury's first season running an NFL offense, Arizona RBs ranked 29th in carries, 18th in targets, 29th in touches and 25th in total OTD, but finished 17th in scrimmage yards and fifth in total touchdowns in 2019. The yardage efficiency may be sustainable (on run plays, Kingsbury's unit ranked first in shotgun, lowest in in-box defenders faced and thus first in expected YPC), but the touchdown rate is not.
Cardinals WRs ranked first in snaps, second in routes, sixth in targets, third in receptions, first in screen percentage and lowest in aDOT and expected YPT last season. Kingsbury's offense certainly gives a boost to wideouts in PPR.
Arthur Smith, Tennessee Titans (16 games called)
The 2019 season was Smith's first as an NFL playcaller. Tennessee operated a very low-volume and run-heavy scheme. Titans' passers took on a ton of sacks (56), but pushed the ball down field often (seventh-highest aDOT), which led to a league-high 8.8 YPA.
The wide receivers benefited from the efficiency (10.0 YPT), but suffered from the lack of volume (23rd in targets). Tight ends were in the same boat (9.0 YPT, 16th in targets). Smith's RBs ranked 10th in carries, but 30th in targets, 40% of which were screens.
Kellen Moore, Dallas Cowboys (16 games called)
Moore called a balanced offense in his first and only season as a playcaller in Dallas last season. We can't learn much from the small sample (especially with the head-coaching change to extremely-pass-heavy Mike McCarthy), but volume was enormous in Moore's first go-around. Dallas finished ninth in pass attempts, third in aDOT, eighth in RB carries, 23rd in RB targets (but seventh in routes), eighth in WR targets and ninth in TE targets.
Shane Steichen, Los Angeles Chargers (8 games called)
Steichen called plays for eight games for the Chargers last season following Ken Whisenhunt's dismissal. Los Angeles switched from a very pass-heavy to a very run-heavy offense, with an absurd 35% of the team's targets directed to running backs. Chargers' RBs ranked first in most receiving categories (including YPR) and were easily tops in fantasy points during the span. Although passing volume was down, aggressive, downfield throwing was up. The plan seemed to work, as Philip Rivers ranked seventh in YPA and 12th in completion rate the rest of the season. Chargers' WRs ranked first in aDOT (13.9) and sixth in YPT (9.4), but 26th in fantasy points per game due to a small target share and only five TDs. Chargers TEs ranked third in aDOT (9.1).
Scott Turner, Washington (4 games called)
Turner took over for his father Norv and called plays for the Panthers' final four games last season.
The offense was extremely pass- and shotgun-heavy, but also inefficient (6.2 YPA, two TDs, 10 INTs). Incredibly, the Christian McCaffrey-led RB room had 59 carries and 49 targets during the four games. That usage led to 243 rushing yards (shaky), but 400 receiving yards (the 88% completion rate and 8.2 YPT was best in the league).
Tim Kelly, Houston Texans (0 games called)
Texans head coach Bill O'Brien called plays for Houston during most of his first six seasons with the team, but will turn duties over to first-time playcaller Kelly this season. It will be interesting to see if this leads to more RB targets after O'Brien's units ranked 23rd or lower in the category during his past seven seasons calling plays. That includes finishes of 30th and 28th the past two seasons.
Joe Brady, Carolina Panthers (0 games called)
Brady is a first-time playcaller in 2020 and will work with new head coach Matt Rhule.