Paying Attention in the Offseason Pays Off: Offensive Linemen

The average fantasy football owner believes the offseason means they can finally take time off, but, let the Bruno Boys tell you, the offseason is perhaps more important towards your chances for fantasy gold than your in-season management.

And, it's not just paying attention to the major moves that make headlines. Nope, it's digging deep and paying attention to the little things that really pays off big. With that being the case, the Bruno Boys are here to show you when paying attention in the offseason pays off!!! This week we take a look at offensive linemen.

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Every offseason when free agency begins, everybody wants to know where the big name quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs are going to go. Skill players hold our attention because they’re the ones that touch the ball, but for us fantasy football players it’s also very important to pay attention to the offensive linemen and where they go. Below are some examples as to why this is.

One of the most notable offseason moves by an offensive lineman in recent years was the move of guard Steve Hutchinson from the Seattle Seahawks to the Minnesota Vikings. Hutchinson helped pave the way for running back Shaun Alexander in 2005 as Alexander racked up 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns en route to an MVP award. Following the season, Seattle designated Hutchinson as a transition player.

Unhappy with his status, Hutchinson signed a qualifying offer with the Minnesota Vikings and in exchange the Seahawks got nothing. The following season Alexander rushed for just 896 yards and seven touchdowns. Meanwhile in Minnesota, running back Chester Taylor enjoyed a breakout year as he rushed for 1,216 yards and six touchdowns.

In 2006, the New York Jets selected a tackle, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, and a center, Nick Mangold, in the first round of the draft. Incumbent starter at center Kevin Mawae left via free agency to the Tennessee Titans, who had won just three games the year before. Some considered Mawae to be washed up, but he helped solidify what had been a weak offensive line in Tennessee and pave the way for Travis Henry, who rushed for 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns.

Those two draft picks, Ferguson and Mangold, worked out pretty well for the Jets as well. Despite not having a true starting running back, the Jets rushed for 1,738 yards and 15 touchdowns behind Ferguson and Mangold. A year later the team signed Thomas Jones at running back, and Jones went on to rush for 1,119 yards.

Whether it’s free agency or the draft it is always important to pay attention to where the good offensive linemen go in the offseason. A mediocre offensive line can kill a good running back’s value, such as Alexander in 2006.

Likewise, good linemen can turn a mediocre back, such as Taylor, into a fantasy relevant one. So when free agency begins and the draft is taking place, be sure to keep your eye on the offensive linemen just as much as you do the skill players.

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