GREEN BAY PACKERS (13-5)
New faces: Rookies CBs Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins, WR Ty Montgomery, LB Jake Ryan, FB Aaron Ripkowski.
Key losses: CBs Tramon Williams and Davon House, LB A.J. Hawk, special teams coach Shawn Slocum
Strengths: Coach, QB, RB, OL, S, K.
Weaknesses: TE, special teams other than K.
What’s New: With WR Jordy Nelson out for year with a right knee injury, young players like Montgomery and second-year WR Jeff Janis may be counted on to fill void. Veteran wide receiver James Jones also returns to Green Bay. Secondary gets youth infusion with rookies Randall and Rollins. The promoted Ron Zook takes over special teams following the unit’s struggles last season.
Fantasy Tip: Coach Mike McCarthy raved about second-year WR Davante Adams’ offseason. After having a solid camp, Adams appears poised for a production boost, especially as the No. 2 receiver behind Randall Cobb.
Expectations: Packers remain a top NFC contender, though status as prohibitive Super Bowl favorite took a hit when Nelson went down. Still, as long as long Cobb’s shoulder injury is minor, the offense should be fine with NFL MVP QB Aaron Rodgers in his prime and RB Eddie Lacy carrying the ball. Defense gets a full season of Clay Matthews at inside linebacker. A fifth-straight division title is certainly within reach.
DETROIT LIONS (11-6)
New faces: DTs Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker, RB Ameer Abdullah, Gs Laken Tomlinson and Manny Ramirez.
Key losses: DTs Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, RB Reggie Bush, C Dominic Raiola, G Rob Sims, DE George Johnson.
Strengths: DE, LB.
Weaknesses: DT.
What’s New: Suh and Fairley left via free agency, and although the Lions traded for Ngata, he began training camp limited by a hamstring injury. Detroit still hopes to repeat last year’s excellent defensive performance, and LB Stephen Tulloch returns after missing most of 2014 with a knee injury. Abdullah has impressed during the preseason, and if RB Joique Bell shakes off his injury issues, the running game could be improved.
Fantasy Tip: Abdullah might not even qualify as a sleeper anymore because he’s already received plenty of attention, but keep an eye on RB Zach Zenner, an undrafted rookie who earned a spot on the team after leading the NFL in yards rushing during the preseason.
Expectations: The Lions have won one postseason game in the last half-century, and after coming close last season in a loss at Dallas, Detroit has to show it can withstand the loss of Suh on the defensive front. Another playoff berth is certainly possible, but the Lions have a lot to prove on both sides of the ball.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9)
New faces: WR Mike Wallace, CB Terence Newman and CB Trae Waynes, LB Eric Kendricks, QB Shaun Hill.
Key losses: FB Jerome Felton, WR Greg Jennings, LG Charlie Johnson, LB Jasper Brinkley, QB Matt Cassel.
Strengths: RBs, WR, TE, secondary.
Weaknesses: OL, kicking, run defense.
What’s New: Adrian Peterson has returned at RB, following his hiatus due to child abuse charge and subsequent NFL suspension that kept him out for all but one game last year. This time, Teddy Bridgewater is entrenched as the starting QB after a mixed rookie season that ended with more good than bad. Wallace ought to help stretch the field. On the other side, Newman’s arrival has allowed the Vikings to bring along their first-round draft pick Waynes slowly.
Fantasy Tip: Don’t count on another 2,000-yard season, but Peterson is healthy, determined and poised for plenty of production with the likelihood he’ll catch more passes out of the backfield. There’s little upside to a late handcuff pick with RBs Jerick McKinnon or Matt Asiata. Consider a sleeper like WR Charles Johnson, who became Bridgewater’s favorite target in the second half of last season.
Expectations: This is one of the youngest teams in the league, but with Peterson, Newman, LB Chad Greenway and DE Brian Robison all key starters at 30-plus years old, there’s plenty of urgency to improve on a so-so first season under coach Mike Zimmer. With six of their eight first-round picks acquired over the last four drafts in the starting lineup, the talent level is as high as it’s been in for a while. If Bridgewater takes another solid step forward, this team could be playoff-bound.
CHICAGO BEARS (5-11)
New faces: Coach John Fox, WRs Eddie Royal and Kevin White, S Antrel Rolle, NT Eddie Goldman, LBs Pernell McPhee, LBs Sam Acho and Mason Foster.
Key losses: WR Brandon Marshall, LB Lance Briggs, CB Charles Tillman, S Chris Conte, CB Tim Jennings.
Strengths: Coach, WR, TE, RB.
Weaknesses: DL, LB, S, CB.
What’s New: Bears transitioning from 4-3 to 3-4 scheme under Fox and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. New scheme means Jared Allen moves from DE to OLB. Bears also have new offensive coordinator in Adam Gase.
Fantasy Tip: Bears enter season banged-up, particularly at WR. Alshon Jeffery (calf) was sidelined in preseason, No. 7 pick White (fracture in left shin) possibly is out for season. White felt pain day after he ran on grass for first time at training camp; injury happened in June. That makes QB Jay Cutler a risk, too.
Expectations: Fox has reputation for turning around teams. He’s facing big task in Chicago, where Bears missed the playoffs seven of past eight years. The defense ranked among worst in franchise history the past two seasons. On offense, Cutler needs to cut back on turnovers after leading the NFL with 24 last season. White’s injury was a big blow for team trying to change direction.
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