The NFC Landscape 

Team/Player

 WHAT IFs

by Dennis Michelsen @DMICMEDIA on X 

NFC Article — Executive Summary + Full Team Breakdowns

Executive Summary

The NFC features dramatic coaching changes, superstar volatility, and several offenses poised for either resurgence or collapse. 

The “WHAT IF” framing highlights undervalued breakout candidates such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Zachariah Branch, Kyren Williams, Malaki Lemon, and Jadarian Price. Many NFC teams hinge on QB health, rookie integration, or whether aging veterans can sustain production. By isolating each team’s key hypothetical scenario, fantasy managers can uncover hidden value and avoid inflated ADPs tied to uncertain roles.

NFC Teams

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals added RB Jeremiah Love and project a conservative offense.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF Marvin Harrison Jr responds to the best coaching he has had in his short career?”

MHJ has back‑to‑back MVP Index seasons of 50 (WR36). Forecast: 75 (WR24). Value at WR32.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons undergo major changes, but the biggest variable is WR health.

WHAT IF:  

“What if Drake London misses time?”

Kyle Pitts historically spikes without London. Rookie WR Zachariah Branch is a final‑round upside play.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers made the playoffs despite offensive struggles and now lose WR Chris Brazell.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF Jonathon Brooks… could stay healthy for an entire season?”

Forecast: 40 (RB33) with upside to 100 (RB12). Brooks is overpriced at RB29; McMillan needs a one‑round discount.

Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams showed elite late‑game performance last season.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF the 4th‑quarter Caleb Williams develops into a full‑game Caleb Williams…?”

Forecast: 100 (QB6.5) with upside to 120 (QB4). Value at QB8 (pick 107).

Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott posted 94 (QB8) last season while supporting two top‑8 WRs.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF the rushing game with Javonte Williams declines?”

Forecast: 90 (QB8.5) with upside to 110 (QB5). Huge value at QB10 (pick 114).

Detroit Lions

The Lions offense dipped last year but may rebound with an easier schedule.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF the Lions offense… returns to their 2024 level?”

Gibbs could justify RB1 overall. Amon‑Ra remains the safest WR. Goff is a major value at QB16 (pick 147).

Green Bay Packers

The Packers face early defensive injuries and uncertainty around Josh Jacobs’ availability.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF Jacobs avoids a suspension and plays a full season?”

Forecast: 115 (RB6) with upside to 135 (RB2.5). Value at RB16 (pick 37). Kraft is also undervalued at TE6.

Los Angeles Rams

Kyren Williams continues to dominate touches despite Blake Corum’s presence.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF Kyren Williams gains volume over Corum?”

Forecast: 100 (RB12.5) with RB2 upside.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings attempt to revive Kyler Murray while RB injuries loom.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF Kyler Murray can become a solid QB again…?”

Claiborne is a cheap late‑round RB with Achane‑like size comps.

New Orleans Saints

Tyler Shough flashed promise late last season and now gains Etienne and Tyson.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF Tyler Shough develops into an above‑average QB…?”

Forecast: 85 (QB10) with QB6 upside at QB18 (pick 158).

New York Giants

Injuries derailed the Giants last season; Malik Nabers returns from a major injury.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF… Malik Nabers returns faster than some experts think?”

Forecast: 115 (WR6) with WR2 upside. Value at WR15 (pick 35).

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles imploded last season and now rebuild their WR room.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF Hurts returns to his old form… and rookie Malaki Lemon emerges…?”

Forecast: 75 (WR21) with WR6 upside. Lemon is a major second‑half breakout candidate.

San Francisco 49ers

CMC returns after a massive workload; Purdy remains efficient when healthy.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF Purdy stays healthy all 17 games but the older veterans do not?”

Rookie WR De’Zhaun Stribling could deliver WR24–WR15 value late in the season.

Seattle Seahawks

JSN posted an elite 147 MVP (WR1). New OC Brian Fleury arrives from the Shanahan tree.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF Fleury is good as an OC and Darnold has another solid season?”

Jadarian Price forecast: 70 (RB22.5) with RB13 upside.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker, Bucky Irving, and Emeka Egbuka all played hurt last season.

WHAT IF:  

“WHAT IF Baker, Bucky, and Emeka are healthy most of the season?”

Egbuka forecast: 85 (WR18) with WR4 upside. Baker is a massive value at QB19 (pick 161).

Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels returns from injury with a revamped RB room and Stefon Diggs added.

WHAT IF:  

“What IF the Commanders have a top‑10 offense and Quinn settles on one lead RB?”

Rachaad White shows a back‑class MVP of 100 (RB12.5). Kaytron Allen is a free late‑round upside pick.

🏈 NFC Draft‑Day Cheat Sheet

🔥 Best Values by Position

• QB: Caleb Williams — QB8 price, QB4 upside

• QB: Jared Goff — QB16 price, QB6 upside

• QB: Dak Prescott — QB10 price, QB5 upside

• RB: Josh Jacobs — RB16 price, RB2 upside

• RB: Kyren Williams — RB12 price, RB2 upside

• WR: Marvin Harrison Jr — WR32 price, WR24 forecast

• WR: Malik Nabers — WR15 price, WR2 upside

• WR: Malaki Lemon — WR41 price, WR6 upside

• TE: Tucker Kraft — TE6 price, TE1 upside

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🚀 Deep‑Round Upside Targets

• Zachariah Branch — final‑round steal

• Jadarian Price — RB13 upside

• De’Zhaun Stribling — WR15 upside if injuries hit SF

Summary Table: Last Season MVP, Forecast MVP, and Upside MVP