NFL Nation reporters answer the biggest fantasy questions entering the 2016 offseason, posed by ESPN fantasy football analyst Mike Clay.
AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West
NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
How do you expect the hiring of Sean McDermott and Rick Dennison to impact the team's offensive skill position players?
Much of that will depend upon the evaluation of quarterback Tyrod Taylor made by new coach Sean McDermott, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and quarterbacks coach David Culley. The coaching staff and general manager Doug Whaley's scouting staff are expected to meet by mid-February to discuss the roster, at which point a decision on Taylor is expected. If the Bills decide to release Taylor and start developing a young quarterback, it will be an obvious drag on Sammy Watkins, tight end Charles Clay and whomever is the Bills' No. 2 receiver in 2017 (Robert Woods is a free agent). However, turning to a young quarterback could benefit running backs LeSean McCoy and Mike Gillislee. -- Mike Rodak
Miami Dolphins
Have you seen enough from DeVante Parker to believe he will take a third-year leap and emerge into one of the game's top wide receivers?
You usually know one way or the other with young players by Year 3, but Parker is one of those exceptions. His rookie season was basically a wash because of injuries, and last year felt like his first full season. Parker has the skills to be a future No. 1 receiver, but his inconsistencies provide doubt. Keep an eye on the contract situation of pending free agent Kenny Stills. If he walks, Parker will be asked to fill a major role in 2017. -- James Walker
New England Patriots
Will Malcolm Mitchell open 2017 as a starter, or do you expect the team to look to free agency or the draft for an impact starter at the wide receiver position?
Mitchell will be in the top three in the Patriots' receiving corps alongside Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan. Given the ever-changing nature of the Patriots' offense, that could mean he's a starter playing close to every snap one week and having a bit more of a reduced role the next. The Patriots are high on Mitchell and hope he takes another step forward in Year 2. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets
Do you expect Bilal Powell to be ahead of Matt Forte and working as the team's lead back to open the 2017 season?
Powell certainly earned the opportunity for a bigger role with his strong finish -- 411 rushing yards (third in the NFL) and a 5.0 average over the final four games. Coach Todd Bowles acknowledged that Powell's role could increase, but ... as the lead back? That's still a leap at this point. The Jets aren't ready to bury Forte, assuming he's fine after a recent knee scope. Chances are, it'll be a 50-50 approach in the backfield. -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Which young player is most likely to break out in 2017: Breshad Perriman, Kenneth Dixon or Maxx Williams?
Perriman has the best chance to become a starter in 2017. Steve Smith Sr. has retired, Kamar Aiken is a free agent and Mike Wallace could be let go. The opportunity will be there for Perriman to take on a much bigger role. "I sure hope that Breshad Perriman becomes a true No. 1 [receiver]," coach John Harbaugh said. "To me, there are signs that is possible. But he has a ways to go; he has a lot of work to do to get it done." Dixon will be in the mix at running back, but the Ravens are looking to add a player with more breakaway ability. Williams is a question mark after coming off knee surgery. -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals
How big a leap forward do you expect WR Tyler Boyd to take in his second season? Will he move ahead of TE Tyler Eifert in terms of passing-game priority?
If Eifert is healthy, expect him to remain the No. 2 option, particularly in the red zone. But after Eifert suffered through back and ankle issues, that's a big if. Boyd impressed at times with 54 catches for 603 yards, but he did make several rookie mistakes over the course of the season. With a year under his belt, he should move forward into a solid No. 3 option. -- Katherine Terrell
Cleveland Browns
Considering his underwhelming rookie campaign, what level of production can we expect from WR Corey Coleman in 2017?
It has to be better, no? Coleman himself admitted he felt like he "let a lot of people down" with his so-so rookie season. It won't get better just because Coleman is on the field, though. He has to work at it. He has to work at his routes, at catching the ball and at the nuances of being a receiver. Given the way 2016 went, it would not be surprising if the Browns add another receiver in the first 65 picks. Depth at the position is vital -- and if the new guy pushes Coleman, all the better. -- Pat McManamon
Pittsburgh Steelers
What's the latest on WR Martavis Bryant, and is your current expectation that he will open 2017 as the team's starter opposite Antonio Brown?
Bryant has applied for reinstatement and is preparing for the league's evaluation, which usually includes a meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell. People close to Bryant say he's remained clean. If he stays that way over the next seven months and the team feels it can trust him, there's no doubt Bryant will resume his starting role. He's simply too talented to sit. -- Jeremy Fowler
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
DeAndre Hopkins suffered a major dip in production this past season. Can we expect him to rebound in 2017? And to what extent?
Hopkins likely won't replicate his breakout 2015 season, when he had 111 catches for 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he should take a step up from his 78-catch, 954-yard, four-touchdown season in 2016. Regardless of who starts at quarterback for the Texans next season -- Brock Osweiler, Tom Savage, or a new face -- Hopkins should top 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in his NFL career. -- Sarah Barshop
Indianapolis Colts
Do you expect Frank Gore to again be the team's workhorse back in 2017, or will the Colts look to address the position during April's draft?
Gore ended the Colts' string of not having a 1,000-yard rusher for eight seasons when he rushed for 1,025 yards in 2016. The issue that the Colts and Gore face in 2017 is that he'll be 34 years old. The Colts have to start planning for the future by selecting a running back in the draft (or in free agency) who can help lighten Gore's workload, because while he's still effective, he's no longer an every-down running back. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars
Following a disappointing step back in his second season, can we expect a bounce-back 2017 campaign from WR Allen Robinson?
It depends on how Robinson learns from what he experienced this past season. Robinson got frustrated with how physical defensive backs were being with him and the fact that teams played a safety over the top to keep him from beating them deep. He got a lot of his yards on 50-50 balls and back-shoulder throws in 2015 and he didn't have as many opportunities to make those plays last season, either. For him to be better in 2017, he has to be more physical, especially at the line of scrimmage, and work on being a better route runner. Things also depend on whether quarterback Blake Bortles can be a more accurate passer. He didn't always deliver passes on target and that took Robinson, and other receivers, out of their rhythm. It'll be interesting to see the impact of new receivers coach Keenan McCardell, who played 16 years in the NFL, on Robinson's development. -- Mike DiRocco
Tennessee Titans
Do you expect RB Derrick Henry to play a larger role at the expense of DeMarco Murray in 2017?
The Titans showed in 2016 that they would play effective offense with DeMarco Murray as their lead back. He's better in the passing game and protection than Henry is. Maybe they will get to packages with Henry more -- certainly they like him in four-minute situations while holding a lead and looking to burn the clock. He may be more favorable against a specific opponent. But if Murray is healthy, coach Mike Mularkey has shown he won't be swayed by public or fantasy demands for the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner, who will be in his second season in 2017. Murray is the guy you want unless he's hurt or shows some big drop-off. -- Paul Kuharsky
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Considering Devontae Booker's underwhelming rookie campaign, is it fair to say C.J. Anderson will return as the team's clear lead back?
The level of Anderson's activity in the offense will be determined by how he returns from his knee surgery. He had his right meniscus repaired just before Halloween and the expectation is he will be ready for the team's offseason program. He has said he will be back "better than ever.'' But he, like the rest of the players on the offense's depth chart, will have a new coach in Vance Joseph to impress as well as a new offensive coordinator in Mike McCoy. While McCoy is a former Broncos assistant and knows many of the players on the team, he had left to be the Chargers' head coach after the 2012 season and Anderson arrived as a rookie in 2013. So yes, Anderson has the inside track on the starting job, but they will push him to earn every carry. And the team's personnel staff, the same one that selected Booker in the draft, is still in place and still expecting he will make the most of the offseason. The Broncos believe the two knee surgeries he had in the calendar year leading up to the draft caught up to him this past season when he was pushed into the lead role after Anderson's October injury. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs
Do you expect RB Jamaal Charles to return in 2017, and if so, will he move past Spencer Ware to the top of the depth chart?
Unless he agrees to a contract that guarantees him less than the $7 million he's otherwise set to be paid in 2017, it's difficult to see Charles back with the Chiefs next season. Other circumstances that makes this a difficult call: Whether his surgically repaired right knee can allow him to return as the same player he was before the injury and whether age (he turned 30 in December) has caught up to him. But the Chiefs need the kind of boost Charles can provide, and if he's back next season, he would certainly be a strong candidate to get the first shot at being the 2017 featured back. -- Adam Teicher
Oakland Raiders
How much will re-signing Latavius Murray be prioritized, and could the Raiders opt to go with Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington at tailback next season?
Shy of the Raiders signing Le'Veon Bell in free agency or getting Marshawn Lynch to come out of retirement, the Raiders should make re-upping Murray as one of their top priorities. Sure, the two games Murray missed with turf toe cost him, as did the arrival of Mighty Mites Washington and Richard in terms of touches. But Murray's productivity went up. His 12 rushing touchdowns were the third most in franchise history, and when he was out, Washington and Richard were not nearly as effective as front-line backs. "I would love to finish my career here," Murray said. "I think it says a lot for any player who stays in one place. I would love to finish what I started, but I know how things could go." They should go like this ... with Oakland re-signing Murray. -- Paul Gutierrez
Los Angeles Chargers
Do you expect the Chargers to re-sign RB Danny Woodhead and return him to his duties as a featured passing-down target?
The Chargers are likely to bring Woodhead back. Even though he's 32 years old, Woodhead has not taken the constant pounding as a feature back, so there's still a lot of tread left on the tires. He also has a good relationship on and off the field with quarterback Philip Rivers. And if healthy, Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt knows how to best use Woodhead in his system. -- Eric D. Williams
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Do you expect RB Ezekiel Elliott to see a slight, moderate or major increase in targets next season?
I would expect there to be a moderate increase in Elliott's targets in 2017, but some of it will depend on what the Cowboys do with Darren McFadden or Lance Dunbar. They are set to be free agents in March. Of the two, McFadden would seem to have the better chance of returning because he can do more things offensively and that could cut into some of Elliott's third-down work. But the Cowboys took Elliott with the No. 4 overall pick because he was a three-down back. He doesn't need to come off the field. He finished with 32 catches for 363 yards and a touchdown as a rookie and should get more, but I wouldn't expect it to get into the low 50s in 2017 -- like DeMarco Murray in 2013 and '14 -- because that would take away the effectiveness of Cole Beasley. But Elliott could easily move into the 40- to 45-catch range. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants
Do you believe Paul Perkins is a viable long-term starter at running back, or will the Giants aggressively address the position during April's draft?
The Giants don't feel they're 100 percent set with Perkins as their full-time, three-down feature back at this time. The jury is still out on the UCLA product, who flashed in his rookie season and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. There was a lot to like, but don't be surprised to see the Giants try to pair him with a more versatile back who can add a different dimension with his pass-catching skills in the draft. Christian McCaffrey is a possibile draft target in Round 1. San Diego State's Donnel Pumphrey is an option in later rounds. The Giants are looking to upgrade the position this offseason. -- Jordan Raanan
Philadelphia Eagles
Will Ryan Mathews return next season and, if not, is Wendell Smallwood a legitimate option to open 2017 as the team's lead back?
Mathews suffered a neck injury in December. He was no lock to return to Philly before getting hurt, and those odds appear even greater now. That would leave the 33-year-old Darren Sproles and Smallwood as the top options currently on the roster. While the Eagles seem encouraged by the glimpse they got of Smallwood his rookie year, I expect them to add competition to the position this offseason. It's possible Smallwood becomes the lead back, but he'll have to earn it. -- Tim McManus
Washington Redskins
Will the Redskins address the running back position via the draft or free agency, or is Robert Kelley a good bet to open 2017 as the team's lead back?
I think they'll treat it like a few positions: If they can upgrade, they will. But they do like Kelley -- his toughness and vision -- and believe he can be a quality starter. The team still has Matt Jones on his rookie contract, and Chris Thompson has evolved into a solid third-down back. However, last season they certainly were keeping their eye out for a dynamic back. If one falls to them at a good spot in the draft, I could see Washington taking a running back (general manager Scot McCloughan strongly believes in taking the best player available). I don't think they'll force it, however. -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Do you anticipate Jordan Howard entering 2017 as the team's clear-cut feature back?
Howard enters 2017 as Chicago's consensus No. 1 running back, but I anticipate the Bears will sign or draft a speedy, complementary tailback. For all of Howard's rookie accomplishments (1,313 rushing yards and six touchdowns), he lacks a second gear in the open field. The Bears need more speed in their backfield -- especially after Jeremy Langford disappointed in his sophomore season. It's also important for Howard to keep himself in better shape. Conditioning -- or lack thereof -- contributed to Howard's modest number of carries in certain games. Howard is a great fantasy play for next season, but Chicago is determined to find another complementary rusher in the coming months. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions
Ameer Abdullah appeared to be on the verge of a breakout season prior to his Week 2 injury. Do you expect him to open 2017 as Detroit's lead back?
At this point I expect Abdullah to be the team's starting running back in 2017 as long as he shows up for spring workouts healthy. Prior to his left foot injury in 2016, he was averaging 5.6 yards per carry and gave Detroit an added dimension to its offense that disappeared once he got hurt. While there may be some injury concerns with Abdullah since he missed most of last offseason after shoulder surgery, he was durable throughout college. The Lions are looking to revamp their run game heading into 2017 and Abdullah should be a large part of those plans. The time to get concerned with Abdullah is if the Lions make a strong move for a running back in the draft. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers
Is Ty Montgomery a legitimate candidate to be the team's feature back next season, or will he always be part of a committee?
Montgomery is fully committed to playing running back; he even told coach Mike McCarthy he wants to change his number from 88 to a traditional ball-carrier number. But are the Packers committed to him? They are in the sense that they want him to spend this offseason refining his running back skills. It would be his first offseason work at that position. But it would probably be a mistake to think the Packers will go with Montgomery as their workhorse back. He carried more than a dozen times in a game only once last season. A lot will depend on whether they bring back Eddie Lacy, and whoever is paired with Montgomery will share the workload. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings
Do you expect Adrian Peterson to return next season and, if not, is Jerick McKinnon the likely Week 1 lead back?
Peterson's return will depend on whether he's able to agree with the Vikings on a restructured contract, and that gives him some leverage in the situation. While it's possible he'll be back, I'd put the odds at less than 50-50. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if the Vikings explore their options in a deep running back class. Matt Asiata is also a free agent, and the Vikings could stand to give themselves another young, versatile option. I'd expect McKinnon to be involved in a rotation more than I'd expect him to be the featured back. -- Ben Goessling
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Is TE Austin Hooper a realistic candidate to emerge into an every-down player and one of the team's top passing-game targets next season?
Yes. Hooper was drafted in the third round in 2016 because the Falcons believed he could be an impact player and a red zone threat. His 19-yard touchdown reception in the Super Bowl was the first for a rookie since Torry Holt 17 years before. Hooper ended the regular season with 19 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He might have had an even bigger impact had he not missed two games with a sprained MCL. So, expect big things for Hooper moving forward, no matter who the other tight ends are in the mix. -- Vaughn McClure
Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton had a terrific 2015 season but took a giant step back this past year. What went wrong? And which version of Newton can we expect to see in 2017?
It began with the beating Newton took in the opener against Denver, a reminder of the beating he took in Super Bowl 50 that seemed to impact his confidence. It continued in Week 3 against Minnesota when Newton was sacked eight times. Then came what coach Ron Rivera called "position catastrophe" to the line. This all led to Rivera saying the offense has to evolve in 2017 so the running game isn't based around Newton being a runner. Whether Newton returns to his MVP form depends in large part on whether he adapts to being a pocket passer and the line can give him the protection necessary to be that. The running game always has been a part of his arsenal, so this coming season will be an interesting transition. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints
Following a disappointing first season with the team, is there any hope TE Coby Fleener will rebound and live up to lofty expectations in 2017?
Of course there is some reason for hope -- for all of the same reasons why expectations were so high on Fleener in the first place (most notably the history of tight ends thriving in New Orleans' dynamic passing offense and the lofty investment the Saints made to go out and sign Fleener for $7.2 million per year on the first day of free agency). I've heard that Saints coaches are still hoping Fleener can be an asset for them, and it can only get better with a full year of learning the playbook and developing a rapport with quarterback Drew Brees, etc. However, expectations should obviously be tempered after we saw a full year of evidence that Fleener's move to New Orleans wasn't a game-changer. He likely will remain the fourth option behind New Orleans' terrific trio of receivers (Brandin Cooks, Michael Thomas and Willie Snead). -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Do you expect RB Doug Martin to be on the roster in 2017, and who do you expect will open the season as Tampa Bay's lead running back?
It's really tough to say what happens with Martin, a two-time Pro Bowler who left the team before the end of the season to enter a drug rehabilitation program. The team does believe in second chances, but if Martin demonstrates a pattern that shows he can't be counted on, GM Jason Licht and coach Dirk Koetter won't hesitate to part ways with him. Regardless if he's on the roster or not, he won't start Week 1 because of the four-game suspension, which he began serving in Week 17. With that being said, Jacquizz Rodgers probably would start, assuming he's brought back, or the team could start fresh. There's no shortage of talent among the backs in this year's draft class. -- Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Do you expect WR J.J. Nelson to enter 2017 as an every-down player and one of the focal points of the passing game?
As of now, yes. But it all depends on two things: him staying healthy during organized team activities, minicamp and training camp and who the Cardinals sign, draft or trade for to fill Michael Floyd's role. While he's shown bursts of talent and speed, Nelson also has shown he's quite injury-prone, which is the major question mark lingering over him. If Floyd's replacement is an every-down player and John Brown figures out a way to handle his health issues, then it's very possible Nelson could be relegated to a situational receiver again. -- Josh Weinfuss
Los Angeles Rams
What went wrong with RB Todd Gurley in 2016? And what level of production should we expect in 2017 and beyond?
What went wrong? Well, everything. Defenses stacked the box, the offensive line struggled mightily, and Gurley himself didn't display the patience to let holes materialize. In the end, Gurley averaged 3.18 yards per carry, 41st among 42 qualified rushers one year after being named Offensive Rookie of the Year. The day after the season, young guard Jamon Brown alluded to a communication breakdown between Gurley and his offensive linemen, saying: "A lot of times you could see where it just seemed like we were on different pages." Gurley is more comfortable running behind a fullback or pulling guard, while quarterback Jared Goff is more comfortable taking snaps from the shotgun. It'll be up to new coach Sean McVay to find the right balance. McVay likes to stretch the field vertically and will probably implement an outside zone rushing attack, both of which should help. -- Alden Gonzalez
San Francisco 49ers
Was WR Bruce Ellington's preseason hype a product of Chip Kelly's offense (Jeremy Kerley filled in and caught 64 balls after all), or is a healthy Ellington still a legitimate breakout candidate in 2017?
It's hard to say since he was lost to injury before the season started, but based on the track record, it's fair to think that many of the expectations for Ellington were a product of the fact he was playing in the slot in Kelly's offense. That has been a fruitful position in Kelly's offense in the past as Kerley's relative success would indicate. This will be a big season for Ellington, who has yet to produce much at the NFL level or prove he can stay healthy. Of course, projecting what he could become is even more difficult since the Niners still have such an unsettled quarterback situation and a new coach on the way. -- Nick Wagoner
Seattle Seahawks
Are you anticipating a committee rushing attack, or will either Thomas Rawls or C.J. Prosise open 2017 as the feature back for the suddenly pass-heavy Seahawks?
I'm expecting a committee, and it might not just be Rawls and Prosise. The coaches love Prosise, and he showed what he could do in a limited sample size, but coach Pete Carroll questioned his durability at the end of the season. If Prosise can stay healthy, he'll be heavily involved. The Seahawks don't seem to put much stock into Rawls' 2016 campaign. He was recovering from a broken ankle and then injured his fibula in Week 2, averaging just 3.20 yards per catch on the season. The organization still has faith in Rawls, but Carroll is all about competition. And Seattle could easily draft a ball carrier in what is a loaded class of running backs. -- Sheil Kapadia