Notable Players- Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Trace McSorely

Mac Jones is the starter in this offense, but this is a make-or-break year. Slightly unfair to Mac as he has not been surrounded by many talented pass catchers, none of which remotely resemble a WR1 for an offense. Of the receivers in this core, the last one to hit 1,000 yards receiving was Devante Parker in 2019 with the Miami Dolphins. That said, Jones is a quarterback that needs weapons around him to succeed at a high level.

If Jones is to go down at any point, Zappe looks like he’ll be the backup as he showed flashes last season in relief of Jones. But until this team gets some legitimate receiving weapons, it’s going to be an uphill climb for whoever takes snaps under center.

Notable Players- Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong, Ty Montgomery, Kevin Harris

Rhamondre Stevenson solidified himself as an elite fantasy option between Weeks 4 and 13 of last season before he went down with an injury. He ended up returning but was playing injured through the season’s final few weeks. Barring any late additions to this backfield, I fully expect Rhamondre to be in contention for a top-12 finish this season.

What will be interesting is how the rest of this backfield plays out. I really liked Pierre Strong coming out of college. He’s an explosive back that is well-rounded as a pass catcher and rusher. This offense likes to run a committee, but I fully expect Stevenson to be the 1a in that committee. The RB2 here might have some standalone value, but could be a high-end handcuff if Stevenson goes down. If Stevenson goes down, it’ll continue to be a committee, but at this point, I believe Strong will be the 1a in said committee. But Harris is mildly intriguing as well.

Notable Players- JuJu Smith-Schuster, Devante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas

This wide receiver group does not inspire much confidence. JuJu’s 2018 season is falling further and further away and was the last time he went over 1,000 yards receiving. Last season was his best season since with Patrick Mahomes where he finished outside of the top 24 wide receivers. And now he’s downgraded to Mac Jones at quarterback. Parker’s last 1,000-yard season was in 2019 and as he enters the season at 30 years old, that upside is well in his rearview mirror. Kendrick has always just been a guy.

Thornton, Boutte, and Douglas all have the upside of the mystery box because we don’t quite know what they are. I’ve been a big Boutte supporter, but the offseason reports have been far from raving, making him an even longer shot than he already was. Douglas is another long-shot sixth-round rookie. Thornton got the draft capital, but everyone saw that as a reach as soon as it happened. None of these options in this offense are anything more than dart throws.

Notable Players- Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki

Hunter Henry has always been a serviceable tight end. But at this point in his career, that’s probably all that he is in terms of fantasy football. Mike Gesicki has an athletic profile and basically plays a big slot role in this offense. That being said, he’s not far from that same status as Hunter Henry. Both Henry and Gesicki would’ve had upside without the other in town, but it’s likely they both cannibalize themselves and are firmly TE2s.