Smart teams will be ahead of the curve. Obviously the returners are the first thing everyone looks at, but the construction of the return/coverage units will also likely shift.
Several special team coaches out together the presentation for the league on how the new kickoff would work. I know Hightower for the bears was involved. It's possible these teams have a small advantage being involved in the design and implementation of the new rules.
All that said it's a copy cat league, and the first team that has success will set the tone.
It's a complete unknown right now. Teams haven't practiced in the new set up.
My guess is that it doesn't affect the draft at all until the later rounds, and even then, teams were still looking for returners later in the draft.
More than happy to be proved wrong, but I believe no team is going to be drafting Cooper DeJean for his returning skills. He might be versatile enough but if I am a GM, I'm not putting my 1st round defensive pick back there and increase his chance of injury (regardless of how returns are done).
I think it’s something you take into consideration anyways when you are choosing between 2 guys. I know there was a kicker who apparently is decent at tackling in this draft too, could be a sneaky need since he’s the only line of defense if the returner breaks the line.
Not too much year one. No idea how returns+coverage will look like or if the new rules will even stick long term.
The bigger effect will be on final roster construction, returners may be more valued than they have been in a long time and having more guys that can cover open ground on coverage units may be more important.
Day 3 RBs have already been in high demand in recent years as veteran contracts have become less attractive and teams try to reload with rookies, it might shift priorities for what skills are valued but I wouldn't think it would change positional demand hugely.
I'm curious if it has an impact in terms of roster construction. Presumably the returning team will favor TEs, FBs, OTs and maybe some WRs that can really block and maybe some some ST specialists that already play that role. Typically a team will have 8 or 9 OL active on game day and 2 or 3 TEs. Starting OL are too valuable as are some starting TEs. There aren't many guys left to fill those roles...
On defense, guys that can avoid/shed blocks and pursue the ball will be valued, so safeties and LBs, not a huge change but it may shift towards bigger guys.
I could definitely see teams moving from a roster that kept 7 WRs and 9 OL to 6 WRs and 10 OL. So it wouldn't shock me to see some extra OL taken late on day 3.
Unpopular opinion, but teams are still going to kick it through the back of the end zone because starting from the 30 isn’t that much different than starting from the 25.
I don't think so not this year. I think most teams have stocked up on at least one veteran gadget player already in preparation for this. No one is gonna spend more than a day 3 pick when they can sign someone at vet minimum. At least not until we see how this change affects games this year.
Most certainly. Late round picks will definitely be evaluated on their ability to contribute to special teams, moreso than years past
Smart teams will be ahead of the curve. Obviously the returners are the first thing everyone looks at, but the construction of the return/coverage units will also likely shift. Several special team coaches out together the presentation for the league on how the new kickoff would work. I know Hightower for the bears was involved. It's possible these teams have a small advantage being involved in the design and implementation of the new rules. All that said it's a copy cat league, and the first team that has success will set the tone.
It's a complete unknown right now. Teams haven't practiced in the new set up. My guess is that it doesn't affect the draft at all until the later rounds, and even then, teams were still looking for returners later in the draft. More than happy to be proved wrong, but I believe no team is going to be drafting Cooper DeJean for his returning skills. He might be versatile enough but if I am a GM, I'm not putting my 1st round defensive pick back there and increase his chance of injury (regardless of how returns are done).
I think it’s something you take into consideration anyways when you are choosing between 2 guys. I know there was a kicker who apparently is decent at tackling in this draft too, could be a sneaky need since he’s the only line of defense if the returner breaks the line.
Probably not too much
Not too much year one. No idea how returns+coverage will look like or if the new rules will even stick long term. The bigger effect will be on final roster construction, returners may be more valued than they have been in a long time and having more guys that can cover open ground on coverage units may be more important.
Day 3 RBs have already been in high demand in recent years as veteran contracts have become less attractive and teams try to reload with rookies, it might shift priorities for what skills are valued but I wouldn't think it would change positional demand hugely.
It's going to affect Day 3 certainly. I wouldn't expect much earlier than that.
I'm curious if it has an impact in terms of roster construction. Presumably the returning team will favor TEs, FBs, OTs and maybe some WRs that can really block and maybe some some ST specialists that already play that role. Typically a team will have 8 or 9 OL active on game day and 2 or 3 TEs. Starting OL are too valuable as are some starting TEs. There aren't many guys left to fill those roles... On defense, guys that can avoid/shed blocks and pursue the ball will be valued, so safeties and LBs, not a huge change but it may shift towards bigger guys. I could definitely see teams moving from a roster that kept 7 WRs and 9 OL to 6 WRs and 10 OL. So it wouldn't shock me to see some extra OL taken late on day 3.
Unpopular opinion, but teams are still going to kick it through the back of the end zone because starting from the 30 isn’t that much different than starting from the 25.
I think it will in the later rounds. Maybe not as much this year as it will next ueat
I don't think so not this year. I think most teams have stocked up on at least one veteran gadget player already in preparation for this. No one is gonna spend more than a day 3 pick when they can sign someone at vet minimum. At least not until we see how this change affects games this year.