Although I would not call this a huge year for coaching changes in the NFL, there were still five. The question is, with a new coach how does it affect the fantasy value of their players? Or does it? It would seem an easy answer is of course it will affect the play of each of their players, but how? I will take a look at how these players will do under the style of their new management.

Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys

I started with the Cowboys for they might be one of the most intriguing teams with a new coach. After years and years staying with Jason Garrett (20100-2019) and really getting nowhere, the cowboys had to make the change. The Cowboys have had a lot of talent over these years and they should all flourish now. I am one to believe the Dak Prescott will be one of the players that makes a big leap.

That would seem to be hard to believe as his worst season to date was his second. He went for 3324 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He is an exceptional athlete that will no doubt get his fantasy points. But what McCarthy did for Aaron Rogers and Green Bay he will do for Dak and the Cowboys offense. More efficient and more steady is what they will look like. Daks numbers will improve.

Ezekiel Elliott is another big-time talent that should make great strides in the McCarthy offense. After all the unsteadiness of the past year, McCarthy will feed Elliott all he wants to eat. If Dak is doing his thing then life will only get easier for Elliott and vise versa. Amari Cooper should also see a jump. The way Amari started off last season and the way he ended was a big turn around. He made a lot of fantasy players happy last season and will do the same this year. If you have him in your keeper league you will want to keep it that way.

Michael Gallup will be another WR that will make noise for sure. Last season he was targeted 113 times and only had 66 receptions. With a more efficient offense, those numbers will improve. The weapons the cowboys have will make more of a chance for a guy like Gallup to get more numbers. He will see a lot of one on one situation he can take advantage of. It should be a sort of breakout year for him. He will only cost you around $6,500 for daily leagues but will have ultimate value.

All in all the change to McCarthy will add what the team has not had, stability and a focus on a direction. Before the Cowboys won on talent and now that talent will have a direction and a plan that will help all those weapons and get the most out of them. This was a great move and a win for fantasy guys on this team.

Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns

Okay, you might think I went straight for the Browns so I could throw shad all over them and their stars. Not at all, but they are the Browns and they have a history of not sticking with a plan. They have jumped from coach to coach and plan A to plan B, C, and D. Stefanski has a nice reputation for being very professional. Coming from Minnesota where he was in charge of their high powered offense, he can bring a lot to the Cleveland team that can use his knowledge.

What can he do for Baker Mayfield and his value? Stefanski’s 14 years with the Vikings he saw Quarterbacks from Brett Favre to Kurt Cussins. He has the ability to work with a QB and find his style and the quarterbacks style and then making it work. Last season in DFS Mayfield averaged around 16 points a game. Not exactly a game-winner or even a good game fill in. That should change this season for sure and with a value of only 5.7K on DK and 7.5K on FD, he could be worth a look. Remember Case Keenum is now the backup. He and Stefanski have a history together. Could just be the fire Mayfield needs.

Nick Chubb is another player that will gain by the adding of Stefanski. Chubb had a not so great season last year and ended last season on an average of 15 FP. But then again the whole season was sort of that way. Stefanski knows how to balance the run and the pass and that means if Chubb wants to be the man he has the opportunity to do so. At a $7,500 average price tag in DFs, he may be worth the price this year.

If they get this offense going in the right direction and Mayfield can cut his INT’s at least in half to around 11, all the stars of the Browns will win in the world of fantasy. The offense will no doubt be better than they were last season, the question will be if they give in to the new man and his ways? Will they go about this as if it is just another man here for a year?

Can a coach make a difference in the FF world? 100 percent they can. Buy into a man’s system and act like professionals and good things can happen. I think all the big-time players on the browns will be undervalued and should be looked at in most DFS. Coach Stefanski will be the reason why. Then again they are the Browns may wait a couple of weeks.

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