Offseason? What offseason?
The NFL season doesn't end after the Super Bowl, it just reloads! First there's the NFL Scouting Combine, which leads to free agency and then the 2015 NFL Draft. Before you know it, we'll be talking about training camp! During the upcoming weeks and months, fantasy leaguers looking to prepare for their next championship quest also need to keep tabs on several scenarios that will have a major impact on how fantasy drafts fall in 2015.
And what do you know ... I happen to have the 10 biggest topics you'll be talking about this offseason! (And no, the list doesn't include Left Shark).
1. Peyton Manning's return to the Broncos: NFL Media's Gil Brandt tweeted that the future Hall of Famer will "almost certainly" come back for his 18th NFL campaign, so chances are we'll see Manning on the field once again. The concern for fantasy fans is that the struggles he had at the end of the 2014 campaign could fold into 2015, making him less of a lock to produce big numbers like he has for most of his career. In fact, Manning could fall out of the first three rounds in fantasy drafts.
2. Marshawn Lynch's contract with Seattle: "Beast Mode" had another phenomenal season, finishing third in fantasy points at his position while leading all running backs with 17 total touchdowns. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports that the Seahawks have offered Lynch a "huge contract extension," so all signs point to him remaining in the Pacific Northwest. Even though he'll be 29 when the season starts, he has shown no signs of slowing down in the stat sheets and is a likely first-round selection in 2015 fantasy drafts.
3. DeMarco Murray's status with Dallas: Murray , the 2014 AP Offensive Player of the Year, enjoyed a breakout season with career bests across the board. Owner/general manager Jerry Jones said it would be a "challenge" to re-sign both Murray and fellow free agent Dez Bryant this offseason, so a move out of Big D is a legitimate scenario. After a campaign with well over 400 total touches, Murray will be a potential risk for owners no matter where he lands.
4. The status of Adrian Peterson in 2015: The situation surrounding Peterson's suspension goes far beyond something like fantasy football, but his status for next season is a huge storyline. One of the top running backs in the last decade, Peterson, 29, would have first-round appeal in fantasy drafts if he were allowed to return to the gridiron. A physical freak, he's proven to be no mere mortal. One has to wonder if he ends up with the Cowboys in the event that Murray leaves as a free agent.
5. Victor Cruz's rehab from knee surgery: Cruz suffered a serious right patellar tendon tear last season, making him a question mark to be back in time for training camp. If he's able to return, fantasy owners would have to question how his presence affects the value of Odell Beckham Jr. in 2015 drafts. These sort of knee injuries are worse than torn ACLs, however, and the highlight-reel rookie campaign that OBJ produced will be hard to forget even if Cruz makes a miraculous return to his former level of excellence.
6. Denver's decision on Julius Thomas: One of the top tight ends in fantasy football, Thomas is just 26 and heading into free agency after scoring a combined 24 touchdowns in the last two years. The Broncos top priority will be to keep fellow free agent Demaryius Thomas, though, so the veteran tight end is no lock to return to the Mile High City. At a position that has Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham and let's face it ... not much else, Thomas' eventual landing spot will definitely have major fantasy implications.
7. Mark Ingram's status in New Orleans: Coming off a breakout 2014 campaign, Ingram will be looking for a significant pay day as he enters the free-agent market. Can the Saints foot the bill? One has to wonder if a team that hasn't paid running backs in recent seasons will alter it's course with Ingram, or let him leave and pass the torch to Khiry Robinson. With the state of the position being what it is around the league, Ingram's final landing spot will be extremely relevant in fantasy circles.
8. Will Frank Gore be a Niner again? Gore rushed for 1,000-plus yards for the fourth straight season, but he scored just five times and dropped out of the top 15 fantasy players at his position. He will now enter free agency at the age of 31 with over 2,400 career regular-season carries, so he's unlikely to retain a featured role in 2015. If San Francisco decides to let him leave, the fantasy hype train surrounding new starter Carlos Hyde will be chugging along at about 1,000 miles an hour this offseason.
9. Justin Forsett's free-agent market: One of the best running backs in fantasy football last season, Forsett came out of nowhere to rank among the top 10 players at his position. While he is 29, the impending free agent out of Cal doesn't have a ton of wear and tear on him at the pro level (582 career attempts). Forsett could also thrive in the system of new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, so the Ravens would be wise to keep him another year ... especially considering the price tag shouldn't be too steep.
10. The possible return of Justin Blackmon: We know that one wide receiver (Josh Gordon) will be suspended for at least one year, but will the Jaguars have Blackmon back in their offensive mix for 2015? A talented wideout who has rarely been on the field as a pro, the Oklahoma State product would become an instant fantasy sleeper if the league believes he's paid his dues and let's him get back on the gridiron. His return would also make the Jaguars pass attack more explosive, which is good for Blake Bortles.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
