In 2015, the NFC North wasn’t the hotbed for fantasy production that we’ve grown accustomed to. The Packers struggled with injuries along the offensive line and the absence of Jordy Nelson. The Vikings and Bears couldn’t find a second option in the passing game. The Lions were the most explosive team, but this was only the case for an eight-game run.
In 2016, expectations are high again in the AFC North. The entire Packers’ offense looks like a bargain, the Bears and Vikings have added weapons, and the Lions are banking on repeating their run under offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. With all of that talk about upside, we had plenty of players to choose from in the division.
We’re in the midst of previewing every division in the league, pinpointing four to five players to track during training camp and the preseason (catch up on the divisions so far). From now until the start of the season, the only real information we’ll need to gather is about a player’s role and chemistry within his offense. Let’s jump in.
Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers
Lacy will most likely be the most tenured player featured across this series. Usually, we know what we’ve got with a three-year veteran. In Lacy’s case, his fourth season (and final on his rookie contract) in the NFL is likely to define his future. Is Lacy the elite fantasy RB we watched in 2014 or the overweight committee back we watched in 2015? Lacy’s conditioning certainly had something to do with his disastrous 2015 season, but the Packers’ offensive decline overall played a greater role.
The narrative: Lacy will regain form in a contract season
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