The 2026 NFL offseason saw 21 new offensive coordinators. Here are the 11 players poised for a breakout, grouped by position: Quarterbacks - Justin Herbert (LAC): Mike McDaniel brings his efficient, motion-heavy passing attack to pair with Harbaugh's run game. Elite ceiling. - Lamar Jackson (BAL): New OC Declan Doyle prioritizes explosive plays, unlocking Jackson's deep-passing upside. Running Backs - Bijan Robinson (ATL): Tommy Rees/Kevin Stefanski’s system is a proven RB1 factory. Expect a true bell-cow role. - Kenneth Gainwell (TB): Zac Robinson’s McVay-style scheme will feature Gainwell heavily in the passing game. - De'Von Achane (MIA): Bobby Slowik’s wide-zone scheme is a perfect match for Achane’s elite speed. - Breece Hall (NYJ): Frank Reich’s history of utilizing RBs in the screen game guarantees Hall massive volume. Wide Receivers - Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA): Brian Fleury brings Shanahan-style concepts, perfect for JSN’s middle-of-the-field route running. - Rome Odunze (CHI): Press Taylor’s vertical passing concepts pair perfectly with Caleb Williams’ development. - DeVonta Smith (PHI): Sean Mannion’s aggressive, rhythm-based passing will maximize Smith’s elite route-running. Tight Ends - Sam LaPorta (DET): Drew Petzing’s tight-end-centric scheme makes LaPorta the clear primary target. - Dalton Kincaid (BUF): Pete Carmichael Jr. specializes in red-zone TE usage; Kincaid is set for a breakout.

The NFL offseason is incredibly fragile. As the recent arrest of Packers star Josh Jacobs proves, a franchise's entire offensive blueprint can vanish in a single news cycle. When disaster strikes, elite front offices don't panic-buy via trades; they look to the veteran free-agent wire for immediate, cost-effective salvation. If your team is facing a sudden summer crisis, here are the four best emergency lifelines left on the market. 1. Running Back (RB): Nick Chubb - Best For: A team that suddenly loses a physical, high-volume RB1. When an offense built around a downhill running game loses its engine, unproven rookies won't cut it. They need a proven, early-down hammer. Despite past knee surgeries, Nick Chubb remains the gold standard among free agent running backs. He is a pure, plug-and-play runner with elite contact balance. Signing Chubb to an incentive-laden, one-year deal restores an offense's physical identity instantly without risking long-term salary cap health. 2. Wide Receiver (WR): Keenan Allen - Best For: A team missing its premier, high-volume chain-mover in the slot. Modern offenses are packed with vertical speed, but they often lack the master route runner who can diagnose coverages and create instant separation on third down. Keenan Allen is the ultimate quarterback's friend. He is historically one of the league's most elite route runners, specializing in finding soft spots over the middle. Coming off an 81-catch campaign last season, Allen still has the hands and football IQ to serve as a high-volume safety blanket and move the chains when the primary play breaks down. 3. Tight End (TE): Will Dissly - Best For: A team needing a robust inline blocker to stabilize a weak run game. When a team’s offensive line is struggling or its backfield is depleted, coordinators must rely on heavy, multi-tight-end sets to generate leverage. Will Dissly is the perfect floor-raiser. Known across the league as a premier inline blocking specialist, Dissly essentially acts as a sixth offensive lineman on the edge. In addition to his elite run-blocking, he is a highly reliable short-yardage receiver who rarely drops a pass. He brings instant veteran grit and physical presence to a desperate offense.

I’ve warned you about volatile backfields all offseason. Now, with training camp getting underway soon, it’s time to act. Drafting the right side of a committee wins championships. Here are the four backfield splits defining your summer, my current rankings, and the specific camp reports to monitor. 1. Rams: Kyren Williams (Tier 5) vs. Blake Corum (Tier 7) Sean McVay’s loyalty to running backs is famously volatile. I'm prioritizing Kyren's proven production, but Corum is an enticing value pick if this nears a 50/50 split. - Camp Watch: Ignore early-down drills. Watch the two-minute drill and goal-line work. If Corum steals receiving snaps with Matthew Stafford or becomes the primary battering ram inside the 5, Kyren’s ceiling plummets. - 2. Panthers: Jonathon Brooks vs. Chuba Hubbard (Tier 7) Dave Canales loves Jonathon Brooks' fit in his rhythmic zone-running scheme, but Hubbard remains a reliable veteran presence. - Camp Watch: Track 11 personnel (three-wide) snaps. If Brooks stays on the field for spread formations, he's a true three-down workhorse. Also, monitor if Brooks gets limitation-free, high-volume reps with the first-team offense. - 3. Broncos: J.K. Dobbins (Tier 7) vs. RJ Harvey (Tier 8) vs. Jonah Coleman Sean Payton’s RB rooms are chaotic. With Bo Nix under center, checking down, there is PPR gold to be mined here. - Camp Watch: Identify the "Joker" (pass-catching) role. If Harvey or Coleman catches passes in the slot during 7-on-7s, they're a steal. For Dobbins, look for reports of his old explosion and command of early-down reps. - 4. Steelers: Rico Dowdle (Tier 6) vs. Jaylen Warren (Tier 7) Dowdle's arrival in Pittsburgh shakes up Warren's standalone value. Both are explosive, and Dowdle offers fantastic ROI in this punishing rushing attack. - Camp Watch: Who takes the literal first carry in joint practices? Also, monitor 3rd-and-1 situations. If Dowdle becomes the short-yardage hammer, this becomes a highly predictable and profitable 1A/1B situation. -