The first dominos of the 2022 NFL offseason are beginning to fall as the Denver Broncos announced the hiring of former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach. With an offense filled with talents such as Javonte Williams and Courtland Sutton, the Broncos hope the impact of this hiring can unlock their potential. Then comes the quarterback situation, as this could either help Drew Lock or pave the way for a new QB to take over the team (possibly from his former franchise). How does all of this influence fantasy football expectations of Broncos players?
Denver hires Nathaniel Hackett as head coach
Despite a plethora of head coaching vacancies in the NFL, teams have been slow to fill them. On Thursday, the Broncos made their splash hire, announcing the hiring of former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new head coach.
Hackett’s hire is the first of nine head coach openings to be filled this offseason. It seemed Hackett was firmly in the crosshairs of the Denver brass, with reports coming out that talks heated up on Wednesday night as Hackett planned to interview for the vacant Jacksonville position as well. However, the Broncos made sure that interview didn’t happen.
Broncos getting a well-respected offensive mind
To go from a somewhat uncreative offense under Vic Fangio to Hackett is a massive jump. While Matt LaFleur receives the majority of the credit for the offensive success of the Packers, both he and Aaron Rodgers have spoken glowingly about Hackett, raving about the job he does week in and week out in preparation.
Since Hackett became OC of the Packers in 2019, they have the second-most offensive TDs (160) and the fewest giveaways (37). A stark contrast to that of Denver, but it also helps when you have arguably the most talented QB ever to play the game on your team. If anything, it was more impressive when he was the play-caller for Jacksonville and led Blake Bortles to three years of relative success, including an AFC Championship appearance.
Nathaniel Hackett will have a substantial impact on Drew Lock, Javonte Williams, and Courtland Sutton
For the last few seasons, especially 2021, we lamented over the underutilized talent in the Denver offense. From a pure talent and skill standpoint, it’s one of the best in the NFL. Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon are a top-three RB duo. The pass catchers are also top-tier, with Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Noah Fant, and Tim Patrick. They will also get KJ Hamler back from his torn ACL next season.
That’s why it’s a shame they ended the 2021 season 23rd in points and 19th in yards. Even from a fantasy standpoint, things were a disappointment. Patrick actually led the team in scoring, finishing as the WR42, followed by Sutton at WR44. Nonetheless, that doesn’t paint the full picture, as he was the WR90 once Jeudy (WR85) returned from his ankle injury. Denver did not have an offense that could sustain this number of players — plain and simple.
Skill-position players to benefit, including Noah Fant
That could all change under Hackett. Not only is he a product of the Shannahan/McVay/LaFleur group with the QB collective, but the West Coast system runs in his blood from the time his father spent with Bill Walsh in the late 80s. For the first time since they hired Gary Kubiak in 2015, the Broncos have an offensive-centric head coach.
Williams has RB1 upside, as we witnessed last season. He was No. 5 in forced missed tackles, No. 7 in 10+ yard rushes, and No. 7 in yards after contact. However, he was just 15th in carries in a dead-even split with Gordon (203).
Both Jeudy and Sutton have 1,000-yard upside and would return to WR2 status we believed they had going into 2021. Even Fant could have TE1 upside given his athletic profile.
Yet, as we all know, NFL teams only go as far as their quarterback takes them.
Can Drew Lock progress under Hackett?
This is the million-dollar question. Can Drew Lock progress under Hackett? Going into his fourth year, Lock has been a relative disappointment. Turnovers have been a problem for Lock, as is inconsistency.
In his 24 games (21 starts), Lock has a 59.3% completion percentage while averaging 197.5 yards a game with 25 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Injuries marred his lone season as the true starter (2020), so it was difficult for Lock to ever get into a rhythm. But that does not escape the fact he has disappointed many.
The traits are there. He has a howitzer for an arm, mobility, and all the moxie in the world. Plus, he has some serious flow on the sidelines when Jeezy comes on in the stadium.
Lock should improve under Hackett. Hackett’s time as a QB coach under Doug Marrone and seasons with LaFleur and Rodgers made him one of the most desirable names in the current coaching cycle.
The remaining question is about the standing of OC Pat Shurmur under Hackett. Yet, I would assume Hackett will reshape the coaching tree into how he sees fit. The jury is out on Lock. Even his loudest defenders have quieted themselves due to his play. One thing is for certain, even if Lock could be the answer, there is no silencing the possibilities of what could happen this offseason.
Does the hiring of Hackett pave the way for Aaron Rodgers and other Packers players to follow suit?
This whole song and dance about the possible Rodgers and Denver courtship have been a fun talking point. Going back to the draft last season, the ties and speculation have been there. Many bring up the fact that it’s been done before.
Not only did Tom Brady go to Tampa Bay to chase a ring and build a team around him, but Denver has already done it before. Peyton Manning came to the Broncos following his release from the Colts after 13 years in Indianapolis. In his four years, he went 52-17 and brought the first title to the Broncos since John Elway.
That can all happen again, this time with Rodgers at the helm. On the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday [January 25], Rodgers stated he would have a decision made on his future with Green Bay well before the opening of the free-agency period [March 16]. Rodgers referenced his respect for the team and knowing the decisions that need to be made for several players. One of which is his top WR, Davante Adams, who will be a free agent.
Rodgers’ path is being set to make the move south to Denver if he so chooses. There is less uncertainty given Hackett’s presence, and that familiarity knowing the system and terminology would remain the same is massive. The likely back-to-back MVP could come in and hit the ground running.
Several Packers players could follow suit and join Rodgers and Hackett
Denver already has an elite defense and core playmakers on offense. Yet, there is no reason to think more would not be on their way. Adams could follow suit if the Packers don’t give him the franchise tag. Also, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, and Robert Tonyan are set to become free agents. Literally, they all could be on the same flight and get the proverbial band back together.
The Broncos likely already have enough for Rodgers to succeed. But the familiarity he has with those guys is years in the making, especially Adams, who no one would be foolish enough to turn down. Players want to play with Rodgers. This could easily become the offensive juggernaut we all hope and think it could be.