The 2022 edition of the NFL coaching carousel has come to a close. And what a wild ride it was. Nine new coaches were hired during this year’s cycle, and some are certainly much more deserving than others.
Now the question is, what does all of this mean for fantasy football? Below are my reactions to how each coaching hire impacts their teams from a fantasy perspective.
Check out our full early 2022 fantasy football draft consensus rankings
Brian Daboll – New York Giants
Daboll earned New York’s job because of the work he did in developing Josh Allen (QB – BUF). Now, many are wondering whether Daboll can work his magic with Daniel Jones (QB – NYG). My guess is no. Allen was a legitimate NFL prospect who just needed some refinement. Jones was an over-drafted prospect who wasn’t even that good in college.
But the Giants have some pieces for Daboll to work with. Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG) is insanely risky but insanely talented. It’ll be interesting to see how Daboll uses him after sort of ignoring Devin Singletary (RB – BUF) and Zack Moss (RB – BUF) in Buffalo. Kadarius Toney (WR – NYG) showed some flashes as a rookie, and perhaps Kenny Golladay (WR – NYG) bounces back after being the latest receiver to struggle after changing teams.
If Daboll is to have any shot of enacting a quick turnaround in New York, the Giants need to rebuild the offensive line. With two first-round picks and Dave Gettleman far, far away, maybe Daboll can turn things around sooner than we expect. I just don’t see him turning Jones into a viable fantasy quarterback.
Matt Eberflus – Chicago Bears
The winner of the award for the new head coach who dropped the most clichés possible in his opening press conference was Eberflus. The former Colts defensive coordinator dropped ingenious lines such as “So in terms of like philosophy of offense, sure, I want an attacking style, scoring points, protecting the football.”
And it appears Eberflus’ only sense of analytics is a self-made acronym called H.I.T.S: Hustle. Intensity. Taking the ball away. Situationally smart.
How revolutionary. And while this mentality might appeal to many meathead Bears fans, it doesn’t excite me much from a fantasy football standpoint. Eberflus seems like a completely one-sided defensive coach. He reminds me a bit of Mike Zimmer, but without the cliches.
Perhaps more important than Eberflus himself is his offensive coordinator, Luke Getsy, who comes from Green Bay. The 37-year-old has spent the last three years as the quarterbacks coach in Green Bay. Getsy is the type of coach I’m skeptical of, because how much influence do you think he really had on Aaron Rodgers (QB – GB)?
From a fantasy perspective, I’m still rather bearish on the Bears. Justin Fields (QB – CHI) has talent, but he needs a rebuilt offensive line. Darnell Mooney (WR – CHI) might hold some value in dynasty leagues presuming Allen Robinson (WR – CHI) doesn’t return. David Montgomery (RB – CHI) will continue to be fine. Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI) may be worth a stash. But otherwise, this offense is barren with talent.
Nathaniel Hackett – Denver Broncos
I sense the Broncos are one of those organizations that low-key don’t know what they’re doing. Maybe the hope is Hackett will help recruit a disgruntled Aaron Rodgers to Denver. If that happens, this hiring has the potential to be a home run.
But otherwise, I have questions about Hackett’s credentials. Before arriving in Green Bay, Hackett had stints as an OC with Buffalo from 2013-14 and Jacksonville from 2017-18. He oversaw the infamous EJ Manuel era in Buffalo that yielded bad results and had a polarizing tenure in Jacksonville. In 2017, the Jaguars finished sixth in yards and fifth in points in one of the wackiest offensive seasons of all time. They then regressed to 27th and 31st in those respective categories. Then, Hackett wound up in Green Bay and reaped the benefits of working under Matt LaFleur and coaching Aaron Rodgers.
Hackett will need a quarterback other than Drew Lock (QB – DEN) if he’s to have any chance in Denver. But the Broncos have some pieces. Javonte Williams (RB – DEN) could be the next breakout tailback if given the full duties. Denver’s receiving core has some upside in Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN) and Jerry Jeudy (WR – DEN), but neither guy has proven to be a true No. 1 wideout.
Denver’s offense is a work in progress. I’m not a huge believer in Hackett, but all bets are off if Rodgers comes to town.
Kevin O’Connell – Minnesota Vikings
A descendant of the Sean McVay coaching tree, the question is whether Kevin O’Connell can be the next Zac Taylor. With Kirk Cousins (QB – MIN) as his quarterback? Probably not. But there’s hope! Dalvin Cook (RB – MIN) is an elite running back. Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN) is one of the league’s best wideouts. Adam Thielen (WR – MIN) is still a good red-zone threat. O’Connell’s success in Minnesota will hinge upon how long he’s stuck with Cousins.
But there are other concerns, as O’Connell is only 36 and has only been an offensive coordinator for three years. He also didn’t call plays in L.A., which is another variable to consider.
O’Connell feels like arguably the biggest wild card in this coaching class. He could be a home run or an afterthought, but he probably can’t be judged until after Cousins is gone and he can find his own quarterback.
Mike McDaniel – Miami Dolphins
It makes sense to see Miami opt for a young offensive mind after parting ways with Brian Flores, whose fatal flaw was how he managed the offensive side of the ball. And McDaniel certainly could work out. He hails from the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree, previously serving as the team’s offensive coordinator and running game coordinator before that. The question is whether it’s too early for McDaniel, who is only 38 years old.
McDaniel does inherit an interesting roster in Miami, and the big question will be whether he is committed to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (QB – MIA). I think the Shanahan system, which is predicated on an outside zone run scheme, could help Tua. Last season, the 49ers finished eighth in the league in passing yards on play-action passes, despite ranking 18th in play-action pass attempts.
It’ll also be interesting to see if McDaniel tries to find a way to replicate the Deebo Samuel (WR – SF) role in Miami. Samuel is not an easy player to replicate, but McDaniel does have the electric Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA) to work with. It’ll also be interesting to see what Miami’s running backs look like next year, as Shanahan’s system has turned unknowns like Raheem Mostert (RB – SF) and Elijah Mitchell (RB – SF) into success stories.
As of now, the Dolphins intrigue me. Waddle will certainly be on my radar, but I’ve got to see how their offseason plays out before making more firm declarations.
Josh McDaniels – Las Vegas Raiders
The bigger question for McDaniels might be whether he’s evolved into less of a jerk than he was when he failed with the Denver Broncos. McDaniels did a nice job of protecting Mac Jones (QB – NE) during his rookie season in New England. But after seven straight seasons of his offenses ranking within the top 11 in points and yardage, the Patriots offense dropped off starting with Tom Brady’s final season in Foxboro.
McDaniels inherits an interesting situation in Vegas. While he said he likes Derek Carr (QB – LV), I have a feeling he’ll look to get another quarterback in town, and who winds up under center will likely determine McDaniels’ level of success. Josh Jacobs (RB – LV) is a good, young running back who could benefit from better blocking. And while Vegas has a dangerous interior receiving duo featuring Hunter Renfrow (WR – LV) and Darren Waller (TE – LV), the Raiders don’t have any threats on the outside.
The Raiders made the playoffs despite all that, and Carr, Renfrow, and Jacobs were all viable fantasy players. McDaniels is a creative play-caller, but he hasn’t replicated the same success when he’s been without Tom Brady.
Doug Pederson – Jacksonville Jaguars
Pederson is probably the most polarizing coaching hire of this cycle. Some still view him as a Super Bowl-winning head coach who deserves another shot after fizzling out in Philly. I view him as a mediocre coach who struck lightning in a bottle and benefitted from having Frank Reich calling plays.
I’m not a big fan of Pederson, who didn’t post a top-10 season in yards and points in the three seasons after winning the Super Bowl. His reluctance to run the ball was also maddening at times, and you could partially blame him for breaking Carson Wentz (QB – IND).
If I’ve got Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAX) in a dynasty league, I’m a little worried about this hire after seeing what happened to Wentz in Philly. The Jaguars also have to improve Lawrence’s weaponry and protection this season.
There’s certainly upside with Pederson’s second chance. But I’m not buying in.
Lovie Smith – Houston Texans
The Houston Texans fired David Culley only to hire… Lovie Smith? Why didn’t you just keep Culley in that case?
Smith earned this job by turning the Texans’ defense from abhorrent to mediocre. Way to go. Here’s a fun fact for fantasy players: in Smith’s 11 seasons as an NFL head coach, his team has finished in the top half of the NFL in yards and points just once. It was back in 2006 when the Bears made their Super Bowl run with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton under center. Otherwise, his offenses have mostly ranked outside the top-20 in both categories.
Outside of Brandin Cooks (WR – HOU), Houston doesn’t have a viable fantasy player. We don’t know what’s going on with Deshaun Watson (QB – HOU), and Davis Mills (QB – HOU) looks more like a decent backup than a viable fantasy starter.
This is the type of hire that only the Houston Texans make. Just stay away.
Dennis Allen – New Orleans Saints
Allen became Sean Payton’s replacement after serving as New Orleans’ defensive coordinator since 2015. Allen certainly deserved a promotion after what he had done with New Orleans’ defense. But it’s hard to get optimistic about the Saints’ offense with Allen at the helm.
In three years as Oakland’s head coach, Allen’s offenses didn’t finish better than 18th in yardage and 24th in points. In his final season, the Raiders were 32nd in yards and 31st in points. And he inherits a Saints offense that could be a total disaster.
The Saints currently don’t have a quarterback. Jameis Winston (QB – NO) could come back, but we all know how that will likely go. Taysom Hill (QB – NO) is not a quarterback. Nobody knows what’s going on with Michael Thomas (WR – NO), and New Orleans doesn’t have a proven weapon outside of him. And the only valuable fantasy asset, Alvin Kamara (RB – NO), just got arrested in Las Vegas on battery charges and could face discipline from the NFL.
The New Orleans offense is a total stay away for me, Kamara included.
Get a FREE 6 month upgrade with our special offer
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Looking for advice tailored to your team? Check out our awarding-winning My Playbook tool. My Playbook allows you to sync your team for free in seconds. It offers personalized advice for fantasy owners, including a Start/Sit Assistant, Waiver Wire Assistant, and Trade Analyzer. My Playbook will also send you news and alerts specific to your fantasy players. Join over 1 million teams that have been synched for custom advice, rankings, and analysis!
Matt Barbato is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matt, check out his archive and follow him @RealMattBarbato.