NFC North

gettyimages 498295872 2048x2048 1 COVID
CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 22: Eddie Goldman #91 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after sacking quarterback Brock Osweiler #17 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter at Soldier Field on November 22, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) 2020 NFL COVID Opt-Outs & Potential Beneficiaries

2Offense

Devin Funchess (WR – Green Bay Packers)
-With the Packers’ decision to ignore the wide receiver position in the 2020 draft, this season may be even less fun for Aaron Rodgers. Any one of five Packers wide receivers (Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow, Reggie Begelton) has a chance to show up and be the second in line after Davante Adams. Lazard seems to be the popular pick in the fantasy community currently, and Kumerow is a fan favorite. I think it will end up as a mess, with none of them providing week to week consistency, but if I had to take a dart throw on any of them, it would be Lazard and Begelton, in that order.

Geronimo Allison (WR – Detroit Lions)
-Signed this offseason, Allison’s opting-out guarantees him more money than if he showed-up and was cut, as he was on a one year prove-it type deal. I feel this locks Danny Amendola, to start anyway, as the third wide receiver for Detroit. It will clear up some opportunities for Travis Fulgham and Quintez Cephus as well (I like Cephus more between the two, if I had to pick), but this will only really matter if Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones or Amendola miss significant time.

Russell Bodine (C – Detroit Lions)
-Fighting to be the back-up to Frank Ragnow, this does not matter much to fantasy teams right now, but if Ragnow gets hurt, and you have Stafford or a running back on the Lions, look out.

1Defense

Eddie Goldman (NT – Chicago Bears)
-Moreso than in fantasy, this is a big one for Chicago in real life. Goldman has been the anchor in the middle for Chicago’s defense since he was drafted in 2015 and is a great run stopper. He will be greatly missed on running downs, and the Bears currently only have two undrafted free agents behind him on the depth chart. I suspect they will sign someone to start in Goldman’s place, but even in DT required IDP leagues, they will likely not have much significance.

Jordan (S – Chicago Bears)
-A free agent signee this offseason, Lucas was looking as a likely back-up safety behind Deon Bush. Kentrall Brice or Tashaun Gipson will likely fill that role now, but even if starter Deon Bush gets hurt, this isn’t an overly productive IDP spot.

Michael Pierce (NT – Minnesota Vikings)
-Much like Goldman, this one will hurt the Vikings’ defense. Pierce played very well for the Ravens the past few years and was going to step into the space vacated by Linval Joseph leaving this offseason. With Everson Griffen also gone, this will mean even more focus on Danielle Hunter. Jaleel Johnson, who played well when Jospeh was out last year, I feel will be the next man up, and is worth a look in DT required leagues.

John Atkins (DT – Detroit Lions)
-There’s not much in terms of IDP implications here. Atkins was looking like one of the likely starting defensive tackles this year but only had 20 tackles in 12 games with Detroit last year. With how much Detroit has been rotating their defensive line, I would not worry much about investing in whomever replaces Atkins.