Fantasy Football 2024: Five coaching changes with the biggest impact, including Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh
While player evaluation and surrounding talent are key factors when projecting Fantasy Football outlooks, coaching is another crucial element that is often overlooked. Outside of injuries, coaching changes perennially have more impact on a player's overall production than any other variable. Coaches are responsible for assessing talent and placing players in positions that cater to their skill set. Their success rate with the application of talent at their disposal plays a major role in whether your Fantasy roster will reach its potential.
When it comes to teams that saw improvement thanks to a shift in offensive philosophy, the Baltimore Ravens definitely come to mind. Todd Monken's offense is predicated on attacking every quadrant of the field. This tactic makes for an interesting shell game opposing defenses have to honor. Do they place emphasis on defending vertical threats like Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, or focus on stopping Mark Andrews underneath? Â Additionally, Monken implored Lamar Jackson to stay in the pocket and trust his protection, which resulted in him posting a career-best 3,678 passing yards en route to winning MVP honors for the second time in his six-year career.
Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is another example of a coach who is capable of helping an offense maximize its talent. Slowik was instrumental in helping rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud make a seamless transition from the Big Ten to the NFL.
Make sure to check out NFL and Fantasy expert Brandon Howard's insights on this year's coaching changes before finalizing your 2024 Fantasy football rankings.
Howard has spent over a decade covering the NFL for outlets such as Sports Talk Florida, USA Today, and the Sun Sentinel. More recently, he's specialized in the Fantasy realm honing his Fantasy chops at The Athletic over the past five years. As a former Division I ball player himself, Howard takes pride in his ability to evaluate talent while offering analysis from an Xs and Os perspective. He enjoys providing strategic advice rooted in schemes, affording Fantasy managers a chance to adopt a unique approach when constructing their roster from week to week.
Heading into this season, Howard strongly believes that the Steelers made a great decision to hire Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator. Smith's Atlanta Falcons led the NFL with 574 running back opportunities last season. Now that he's the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, Najee Harris will have a banner year. Check out Howard's full writeup on the Smith hire and more key coaching moves below.
So how will the arrival of Arthur Smith improve the Steelers offense for Fantasy purposes? And which other coaches with new homes will help your favorite player light up Fantasy scoreboards? ... Join SportsLine here to see Brandon Howard's analysis, and access even more Fantasy expertise!
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