fantasy Football The off-season gets underway with the start of NFL free agency. This column is designed to be a one-stop shop for quick-hitting analysis of the most impactful player movement – trades and free agent signings, including those who re-signed with their teams.
ESPN fantasy writers Tristan H. Cockcroft, Eric Carrabelle, Liz Loza and Eric Moody offer their insights on what each move means for a player’s fantasy value in 2023. During the early part of free agency, the most notable recent deals will appear at the top. Of the column.
Breaking News
baker mayfield signs with the buccaneers
Fantasy Effect: Neutral
Mayfield signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay and now, because of his season-ending resurgence with the Rams, he has a chance to compete for the starting job with the team’s 2021 second-round pick. Kyle Trask, For his career, Mayfield has only averaged 15.14 fantasy points per game as a starter. This trend is likely to continue with wide receivers. mike evans And Chris Godwin If he wins the starting job in Tampa Bay. He can be seen as a middle-of-the-road QB2 in fantasy. — moody
david montgomery sign with lion
Hypothetical Effects: Neutral-to-positive
While Montgomery’s move’s primary route is this Khalil Herbert, who averaged 42.0 PPR fantasy points on 59% rushing yards over seven-plus quarters as Montgomery’s injury fill-in, is now a starter, making the impact on Montgomery no less interesting. Assuming he’s Jamal Williams’ replacement, there’s a lot of meat in there, as Williams dominated in red-zone/short-yardage/injury-sub ability, in an offensive system conducive to big rushing totals (Lions rushing 11th in rushing yards, first in RB PPR fantasy points). Montgomery retains mid-range RB2 appeal and will rank higher for each d’andre swiftinevitable absence of — Cockcroft
darren waller traded for giants
Fantasy Effect: Positive
This leads to an offense in dire need of extremely talented tight end playmakers. Waller could return to over 90 receptions and over 1,000 receiving yards, even daniel jones In QB. Waller is that good and the rest of the veterans — none of whom hit 60 catches or 750 receiving yards last season — don’t stand out. Waller just needs to stay healthy, which should be the bigger concern. Still, he could be a top five TE in this offense as well. — Karabel
rashad penny signs with eagles
Fantasy Effect: Positive
Some may scoff at NFC champs swapping free agents miles sanders for Penny, as Penny only played in 18 games in the past three seasons, But the Eagles are loathe to invest big dollars in running backs. Penny averaged better than 6.0 YPC in each of the last two truncated seasons and he piles up the yards after contact. Eagles boasts arguably the league’s top offensive line, but time-sharing as well kenneth gainwell, If suddenly durable, Penny has RB2 upside, but that’s a big “if”. — Karabel
hayden hurst signed by panthers
Fantasy Effect: Neutral
Hurst performed fairly well last season on a one-year deal with the Bengals, catching 52 of 68 targets for 414 receiving yards and two touchdowns but generating only four games with 10 or more fantasy points. With the first overall pick in the draft the Panthers set to take their new quarterback, it is important to remember that tight end Frank Reich is a key aspect of the offense. Hurst remains a viable TE2/streamer in fantasy. — moody
best rest
dj moore traded for bear
Fantasy Effect: Positive
Moore takes over as justin fields‘Top achieved goal. Considering the revolving door of mediocre passers he worked with in Carolina, that’s a relative good thing. Fields’ passing game can still develop, but he outpaces Moore’s statistical range, even if the two differ more than the average QB-WR pairing. Moore becomes a midrange WR2, while Fields’ QB1 case is strong.
That said, Moore’s arrival presents a bigger slice of the Bears’ target-sharing pie. chase claypool And darnell mooney more matchup-oriented depth options, while tight end cole kemet There should be profit but sometimes at higher risk of quiet play. We’ll see how this Bears offense plays out under Fields, but I still like Claypool’s edge against weak defenses more than Mooney’s. — Cockcroft
derek carr signs with saints
Fantasy Effect: Neutral
Carr is a good fit for the Saints’ offense and is only one season away from throwing for 4,804 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2021. In fact, Carr never finished in the top 10 in fantasy points.
Chris Olave Easily the player who benefits the most from Carr’s arrival. Near Olave Andy Dalton And james winston under the center. Carr would look to exploit Olave’s ability to attack vertically on the defence. Last season, Carr led the league in touchdowns on downfield passes of 30 yards or more. — moody
Rahim Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., live with dolphins
Fantasy Effect: Neutral
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that each veteran played 16 games last season. The injury has bothered him for a long time. Mostert produced more like a flex option than a fantasy starter, but a capable one averaging 4.9 yards per rush. Wilson is a bit bigger and smaller. Neither played much of a role in the passing game. Hurray for both in returning, but this is a clear time-sharing for fantasy managers, keeping each more in the flex zone rather than a reliable starter. — Karabel
Jacoby Meyers signs with raiders
Fantasy Effect: Neutral
After signing a three-year deal that includes $21M guaranteed, Meyers is heading west and reuniting with former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. In New England, the NC State player maintained a goal share of over 22% while racking up at least 80 appearances for three consecutive seasons. Under the veteran leadership of Darren Waller, the Meyers could maintain that volume. Additionally, he reckons to see a boom in opportunities outside. Interestingly, Meyers’ slot snaps increased by about 3% after McDaniels left. Meyers enters 2023 as a high-floor PPR option in the WR3 range with little TD upside. – Loza
allen lazard signs with jets
Fantasy Effect: Neutral
Lazard sometimes enjoyed playing Aaron Rodgers Who knows where else in Green Bay – hint, hint – they might reunite! However, the Jets already have the league’s top offensive rookie at WR Garrett Wilson, he is really nice, Lazard is fine, and even if we assume he sees more goals than new teammates corey davis And Elijah Moore, WR3 is hard to see in fantasy numbers. Lazard got paid, but statisticalWe may have already seen the best of him. — Karabel
Michael Thomas Restructuring deal, stays with Saints
Fantasy Effect: Neutral
Thomas has averaged 7.7 goals and 13.3 fantasy points per game since 2020 for the Saints. However, since he has only played 10 games in that time frame, Thomas’ availability is a major concern. Chris Olaveadding outlook of derek carrBut it’s hard to see Thomas as anything more than a flex option. — moody
Jimmy Garoppolo signs with raiders
Fantasy Effect: Neutral
After six years in San Francisco, Garoppolo will reunite with Josh McDaniel in Las Vegas. Despite averaging 7.9 YPA, the veteran QB averaged only 15.0 fantasy points in 2022 (QB19 among qualifiers). He is less likely to be as efficient in Vegas, but his production figures have remained steady given the all-around talent on the team. In a massive lateral move, the Raiders’ skill position players – davante adams Chief among them — shouldn’t be downgraded given the QB change. After recovering from a season-ending foot injury, Jimmy Gee remains a middle QB2 for superflex purposes. – Loza