2024 NFL top free-agent tracker

2024 NFL offseason free-agent tracker.

Below are the best free agents in their position. Once again, running backs contain the most players with previous success but each position serves up at least a few fantasy-relevant players. Book mark this page for the latest updated list of free agent signings.

Quarterbacks

Player Age 2023 2024 Yards TDs Status
Baker Mayfield 29 TB TB 4,044 28 3-yr, $100M
Gardner Minshew 28 IND LV 3,305 18 2-yr, $25M
Joshua Dobbs 29 MIN SF 2,464 19 tbd
Kirk Cousins 35 MIN ATL 2,356 18 4-yr, $180M
Ryan Tannehill 35 TEN 1,690 5
Joe Flacco 39 CLE IND 1,616 13 1-yr, $8.7M
Tyrod Taylor 34 NYG NYJ 1,538 5 2-yr, $12M
Mason Rudolph 29 PIT TEN 727 3 1-year, $3.6M
Jacoby Brissett 31 WAS NE 243 3 1-yr, $8M

Running backs

Player Age 2023 2024 Yards TDs Status
Derrick Henry 30 TEN BAL 1,381 12 2-yr, $20M
Tony Pollard 27 DAL TEN 1,316 6 3-yr, $24M
D’Andre Swift 25 PHI CHI 1,263 6 3-yr, $24.5M
Saquon Barkley 27 NYG PHI 1,242 10 3-yr, $37.8M
Josh Jacobs 26 LV GB 1,101 6 4-yr, $48M
Devin Singletary 26 HOU NYG 1,091 4 3-yr, $16.5M
Austin Ekeler 29 LAC WAS 1,064 6 2-yr, $11M
Gus Edwards 29 BAL LAC 990 13 2-yr, $6.5M
Zack Moss 26 IND CIN 986 7 2-yr, $8M
Ezekiel Elliott 28 NE 955 5
Alexander Mattison 25 MIN LV 892 3 tbd
Aaron Jones 30 GB MIN 889 3 1-yr, $7M
A.J. Dillon 26 GB GB 836 2 1-yr, $2.7M
Antonio Gibson 26 WAS NE 654 3 3-yr, $11.3M
Rico Dowdle 26 DAL DAL 505 4 tbd
D’Onta Foreman 28 CHI 502 5
Kareem Hunt 29 CLE 495 9
Clyde Edwards-Helaire 25 KC 411 20
Jerick McKinnon 32 KC 252 5
Latavius Murray 34 BUF 41 4
JK Dobbins 25 BAL 37 1

Wide Receivers

Player Age 2023 2024 Yards TDs Status
Mike Evans 30 TB TB 1,255 13 2-yr, $52M
Michael Pittman Jr. 26 IND IND 1,152 4 3-yr, $70M
Calvin Ridley 29 JAC TEN 1,039 8 4-year, $92M
Tyler Lockett 31 SEA SEA 894 5 2-yr, $30M
Gabe Davis 24 BUF JAC 746 7 3-yr, $39M
Tyler Boyd 29 CIN 678 2
Tee Higgins 25 CIN 656 5 franchised
Curtis Samuel 28 WAS BUF 652 5 3-yr, $24M
Josh Reynolds 29 DET 608 5
Marquise Brown 27 ARI KC 597 4 1-yr,$11M
Noah Brown 28 HOU HOU 566 2 1-yr, $5M
Odell Beckham, Jr. 31 BAL 565 3
K.J. Osborn 27 MIN NE 540 3 1-yr, $4M
DJ Chark 27 CAR 525 5
Michael Thomas 31 NO 448 1 released
Darnell Mooney 26 CHI ATL 419 1 3-yr, $39M
Kendrick Bourne 28 NE NE 410 4 3-yr, $33M
DeMarcus Robinson 29 LAR LAR 371 4 1-yr, $5M
M. Valdes-Scantling 29 KC 315 1 released
Cedrick Wilson 28 MIA NO 296 3 2-yr, tbd

Tight ends

Player Age 2023 2024 Yards TDs Status
Dalton Schultz 28 HOU HOU 635 5 3-yr, $36M
Jonnu Smith 28 ATL MIA 582 3 2-yr, $8.4M
Gerald Everett 30 LAC CHI 421 3 2-yr, $12M
Hunter Henry 29 NE NE 419 6 3-yr, $30M
Noah Fant 26 SEA SEA 414 0 2-yr, $21M
Mike Gesicki 28 NE CIN 244 2 1-yr, $3.25M
Zach Ertz 33 ARI WAS 187 1 1-yr, $5M

 

2024 fantasy football player movement tracker

2024 NFL off-season player movement tracker.

Bookmark this page that will be updated as transactions change where notable players line up for new teams in 2024.

 Team Quarterback Running Back Wide Receiver Tight End
ARI Desmond Ridder DeeJay Dallas
Gone: Rondale Moore
Marquise Brown
Zach Ertz
ATL Kirk Cousins Darnell Mooney
Rondale Moore
Gone: Desmond Ridder Mack Hollins Jonnu Smith
BAL Derrick Henry
Gone: Gus Edwards Devin Duvernay
Odell Beckham
BUF Mitchell Trubisky Mack Hollins
Curtis Samuel
Gone: Deonte Harty
Gabe Davis
Trent Sherfield
CAR Diontae Johnson
Gone:
CHI D’Andre Smith Keenan Allen Gerald Everett
Gone: Justin Fields Darnell Mooney
CIN Zack Moss Mike Gesicki
Gone: Joe Mixon
CLE Jameis Winston Jerry Jeudy
Gone: Joe Flacco
DAL
Gone: Tony Pollard Michael Gallup
DEN
Gone: Russell Wilson Jerry Jeudy
DET
Gone:
GB Josh Jacobs
Gone: Aaron Jones
HOU Joe Mixon
Gone: Devin Singletary
IND Joe Flacco
Gone: Gardner Minshew Zack Moss
JAC Gabe Davis
Devin Duvernay
Gone:
KC Marquise Brown
Gone: M. Valdes-Scantling
LAC Gus Edwards
Gone: Austin Ekeler Mike Williams
Keenan Allen
Gerald Everett
LAR Jimmy Garoppolo
Gone:
LVR Gardner Minshew Alexander Mattison
Gone: Jimmy Garoppolo Josh Jacobs Hunter Renfro Austin Hooper
MIA Jonnu Smith
Gone:   Cedrick Wilson
MIN Sam Darnold Aaron Jones Trent Sherfield
Gone: Kirk Cousins
Josh Dobbs
Alexander Mattison
Cam Akers
K.J. Osborn  
NE Jacoby Brissett Antonio Gibson K.J. Osborn Austin Hooper
Gone: DeVante Parker Mike Gesicki
NO Cedrick Wilson
Gone: Jameis Winston Michael Thomas
NYG Drew Lock Devin Singletary
Gone: Tyrod Taylor Saquon Barkley  
NYJ Tyrod Taylor
Gone:
PHI Kenny Pickett Saquon Barkley DeVante Parker
Gone: Marcus Mariota D’Andre Smith
PIT Russell Wilson
Justin Fields
Gone: Mitchell Trubisky
Kenny Pickett
Diontae Johnson
SEA Sam Howell
Gone: Drew Lock DeeJay Dallas
SF Josh Dobbs
Gone: Sam Darnold  
TB
Gone:
TEN Tony Pollard
Gone: Derrick Henry
WAS Marcus Mariota Austin Ekeler Zach Ertz
Gone: Jacoby Brissett
Sam Howell
Antonio Gibson Curtis Samuel

 

2023 fantasy football player movement tracker

2023 NFL off-season player movement tracker.

Tracking the notable fantasy players changing teams.

 Team Quarterback Running Back Wide Receiver Tight End
ARI Zach Pascal
Michael Wilson (3.31)
Gone: A.J. Green (ret)
Chosen Anderson
DeAndre Hopkins
ATL Taylor Heinicke Bijan Robinson (1.08) Mack Hollins
Scotty Miller
Jonnu Smith
Gone: Marcus Mariota
BAL Zay Flowers (1.22)
Nelson Agholor
Odell Beckham
Gone: Latavius Murray
BUF Kyle Allen Damien Harris
Latavius Murray
Dalton Kincaid (1.25)
Gone: Case Keenum Devin Singletary Trent Sherfield
Jamison Crowder
Isaiah McKenzie
CAR Bryce Young (1.01)
Andy Dalton
Miles Sanders Adam Thielen
DJ Chark
Jonathan Mingo (2.08)
Hayden Hurst
Gone: Sam Darnold D’Onta Foreman DJ Moore
CHI Travis Homer
D’Onta Foreman
DJ Moore Robert Tonyan
Gone:   David Montgomery
CIN Irv Smith
Gone: Samaje Perine Hayden Hurst
CLE Elijah Moore
Marquise Goodwin
Cedric Tillman (3.11)
Jordan Akins
Gone: Jacoby Brissett D’Ernest Johnson
Karem Hunt
DAL Ronald Jones Brandin Cooks Luke Schoonmaker (2.27)
Gone: Ezekiel Elliott Noah Brown Dalton Schultz
DEN Jarrett Stidham Samaje Perine Marquez Callaway
Marvin Mims (2.32)
Gone:   Mike Boone
Chase Edmonds
DET Hendon Hooker (3.05) Jahmyr Gibbs (1.12)
David Montgomery
Marvin Jones Sam LaPorta (2.03)
Gone: Jamaal Williams
D’Andre Swift
DJ Chark
GB Jayden Reed (2.19) Luke Musgrave (2.11)
Tucker Kraft (3.15)
Gone: Aaron Rodgers Allen Lazard
Randall Cobb
Robert Tonyan
HOU C.J. Stroud (1.02)
Case Keenum
Mike Boone
Devin Singletary
Robert Woods
Noah Brown
Steven Sims
Tank Dell (3.06)
Dalton Schultz
Gone: Kyle Allen Phillip Dorsett
Brandin Cooks
Jordan Akins
O.J. Howard
IND Anthony Richardson (1.04)
Gardner Minshew
Isaiah McKenzie
Josh Downs (3.16)
Gone: Matt Ryan Parris Campbell
JAC D’Ernest Johnson
Tank Bigsby (3.25)
Brenton Strange (2.30)
Gone: Marvin Jones
KC Richie James
Rashee Rice (2.24)
Gone: Ronald Jones JuJu Smith-Schuster
Mecole Hardman
LAC Quentin Johnston (1.21)
Gone:
LAR
Gone: Baker Mayfield Brandon Powell
Odell Beckham
Allen Robinson
LVR Jimmy Garoppolo
Brian Hoyer
Jakobi Meyers
Phillip Dorsett
Cam Sims
Tre Tucker (3.37)
O.J. Howard
Austin Hooper
Michael Mayer (2.04)
Gone:  Derek Carr
Jarrett Stidham
Mack Hollins Darren Waller
Foster Moreau
MIA Mike White Devon Achane (3.21) Braxton Berrios
Chosen Anderson
Gone:   Trent Sherfield Mike Gesicki
MIN Jordan Addison (1.23)
Brandon Powell
Gone: Dalvin Cook Adam Thielen  
NE Ezekiel Elliott JuJu Smith-Schuster Mike Gesicki
Gone: Brian Hoyer Damien Harris Jakobi Meyers
Nelson Agholor
Jonnu Smith
NO Derek Carr Jamaal Williams
Kendre Miller (3.08)
Bryan Edwards Foster Moreau
Gone: Andy Dalton   Marquez Callaway
NYG Parris Campbell
Jamison Crowder
Jalin Hyatt (3.10)
 Darren Waller
Gone:   Sterling Shepard
Kenny Golladay
Richie James
 
NYJ Aaron Rodgers Dalvin Cook Allen Lazard
Mecole Hardman
Randall Cobb
Gone: Mike White James Robinson Braxton Berrios
Elijah Moore
PHI Marcus Mariota Rashaad Penny
D’Andre Swift
Gone: Gardner Minshew Miles Sanders Zach Pascal
PIT Allen Robinson Darnell Washington (3.30)
Gone: Steven Sims
SEA Zach Charbonnet (2.21) Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1.20)
Gone:   Rashaad Penny
Travis Homer
Marquise Goodwin
SF Sam Darnold Chris Conley Cameron Latu (3.38)
Gone: Jimmy Garoppolo  
TB Baker Mayfield Chase Edmonds
Gone: Tom Brady (ret) Leonard Fournette Scotty Miller Cameron Brate
TEN Will Levis (2.02) Tyjae Spears (3.18)
Gone: Robert Woods Austin Hooper
WAS Jacoby Brissett
Gone: Carson Wentz
Taylor Heinicke
Cam Sims

 

2023 NFL top free-agent tracker

2023 NFL offseason free-agent tracker.

Below are the best free agents in their position. There are fewer big name wide receivers up for grabs than last year, but each position contains notable players that will be on fantasy rosters this season.

Quarterbacks

Player Age 2022 2023 Yards TDs Status
Lamar Jackson 26 BAL 2242 17 NE-Franchised
Derek Carr 31 LV NO 3522 24 4-year, $150M
Daniel Jones 26 NYG NYG 3205 15 4-year, $160M
Jimmy Garoppolo 31 SF LV 2437 16 3-year, $68M
Jacoby Brissett 30 CLE WAS 2608 12 1-year, $10M
Taylor Heinicke 30 WAS ATL 1859 12 2-year, $14M
Andy Dalton 35 NO CAR 2871 18 2-year, $10M
Carson Wentz 30 WAS 1755 11
Baker Mayfield 28 LAR TB 2163 10 1-year, $8.5M
Sam Darnold 26 CAR SF 1143 7 1-year, $4.5M

Running backs

Player Age 2022 2023 Yards TDs Status
Josh Jacobs 25 LV 2053 12 Franchised
Saquon Barkley 26 NYG 1650 10 Franchised
Leonard Fournette 28 TB 1191 6
Jamaal Williams 28 DET NO 1139 17 3-year, $12M
Tony Pollard 26 DAL 1378 12 1-year, $10M
Miles Sanders 26 PHI CAR 1347 11 4-year, $25M
David Montgomery 26 CHI DET 1117 6 3-year, $18M
Devin Singletary 25 BUF HOU 1099 6 1-year, $3.8M
Ezekiel Elliott 27 DAL NE 964 12 1-year, $6M
Jerick McKinnon 31 KC KC 803 10 1-year, $1.3M
Samaje Perine 27 CIN DEN 681 6 2-year, $7.5M
Latavius Murray 33 DEN BUF 892 6 1-year, $1.3M
Jeff Wilson 27 MIA MIA 1045 6 2-year, $8.2M
Alexander Mattison 25 MIN MIN 374 6 2-year, $7M
Raheem Mostert 31 MIA MIA 1032 5 2-year, $7.6M
D’Onta Foreman 27 CAR CHI 940 5 1-year, $2M
James Robinson 24 NYJ NE 476 5 2-year, $8M
Kareem Hunt 28 CLE 650 4
Boston Scott 28 PHI PHI 232 3 1-year, $2M
Damien Harris 26 NE BUF 559 3 1-year, $1.8M
JaMycal Hasty 26 JAC JAC 320 3 2-year, $2.9M
Rashaad Penny 27 SEA PHI 362 2 1-year, $1.4M
Ronald Jones II 26 KC DAL 92 1 1-year, $1.2M

Wide Receivers

Player Age 2022 2023 Yards TDs Status
JuJu Smith-Schuster 26 KC NE 933 3 3-year, $33M
Jakobi Meyers 26 NE LV 804 6 3-year, $33M
Allen Lazard 27 GB NYJ 788 6 4-year, $44M
Adam Thielen 32 MIN CAR 716 6 3-year, $25M
Mack Hollins 29 LV ATL 690 4 1-year, $25M
Marquise Goodwin 32 SEA CLE 387 4 1-year, $1.7M
Mecole Hardman 25 KC NYJ 297 4 1-year, $4.5M
Richie James 27 NYG KC 569 4 1-year, $1.2M
DJ Chark 26 DET CAR 502 3 1-year, $5M
Marvin Jones 33 JAC DET 529 3 1-year, $3M
Olamide Zaccheaus 26 ATL 533 3 1-year, $1.2M
Parris Campbell 26 IND NYG 581 3 1-year, $3M
Noah Brown 27 DAL HOU 555 3 1-year, $2.6M
Robert Woods 30 TEN HOU 527 2 2-year, $15.3M
Odell Beckham 30 LAR BAL na na 1-year, $15M
Nelson Agholor30 30 NE BAL 362 2 1-year, $3.3M
Julio Jones 34 TB 299 2
Darius Slayton 26 NYG NYG 724 2 2-year, $12M
Sterling Shepard 30 NYG NYG 154 1 1-year,$1.3M
Randall Cobb 32 GB NYJ 417 1 1-year, $3M
Jarvis Landry 30 NO 272 1
Michael Thomas 30 NO NO 171 3 1-year, $10M
Zach Pascal 28 PHI ARI 150 1 2-year, $4.5M
Keelan Cole 30 LV LV 141 1 1-year, $1.2M
Sammy Watkins 30 BAL 325 0
T.Y. Hilton 33 DAL 121 0

Tight ends

Player Age 2022 2023 Yards TDs Status
Evan Engram 28 JAC 766 4 Franchised
Dalton Schultz 27 DAL HOU 577 5 1-year, $9M
Robert Tonyan Jr. 29 GB CHI 470 2 1-year, $2.7M
Austin Hooper 28 TEN LV 444 2 1-year, $2.8M
Jordan Akins 31 HOU CLE 425 3 2-year, $3.9M
Hayden Hurst 29 CIN CAR 414 2 3-year, $21.8M
Mike Gesicki 27 MIA NE 316 5 1-year, $9M
Irv Smith 24 MIN CIN 182 2 1-year, $1.8M

 

2023 Top 10 fantasy football rookies

2023 doesn’t look like a great year for fantasy football rookies, but there are always surprises.

Seven rounds later in Kansas City and we know where all those promising rookies start their careers and each NFL roster just became more defined. Needs were filled (or not), and now we get to mix new coaches and schemes, new players, and returning veterans for the next four months to prepare for the 2023 NFL season.

How did this draft compare to previous seasons?

Quarterbacks


Three quarterbacks were selected over the first ten picks, just like two of the previous three years. But it went cold after them, with only one more taken in each of the second and third rounds – again, about normal. Will Levis tumbled down to the 2.02 despite speculation he was a Top-10 pick, but he’ll compete to start in Tennessee. Hendon Hooker was the only third-rounder and likely won’t play until 2024 until he recovers from his torn ACL. Those first three selections – Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson – should all be Week 1 starters.

Running Backs


Fantasy football loves rookie running backs. No other position produces as many instantly relevant players, even if they don’t last as long. But the position has been devalued in the NFL and almost all backfields are shared between two and even three backs. That won’t stop the rampant optimism associated with rookie rushers – and it is often justified.

Despite two selected over the first twelve picks, the only other rusher drafted for almost two full rounds was Zach Charbonnet, who creates a committee in Seattle with Kenneth Walker. While only those first two backs are locks for high-volume workloads, there are always a few more that emerge during the season as fantasy starters.

Tight Ends


This was considered a strong draft for the position. Dalton Kincaid was the first, but a total of six went in the first two rounds – normally just one or two are gone. The position does require time to develop fantasy-relevant production and even Kincaid ends up in Buffalo where they don’t throw often to their tight ends and already have Dawson Knox.

Wide Receivers


This year’s rookie crop isn’t quite as strong as recent years and while there were four first-rounders, the first one wasn’t chosen until the 1.20 pick. There wasn’t any “hot” wideout with expectations of becoming an immediate No. 1 wideout for their team. Each of those initial four picks went to teams that already have a star wideout, if not two. This group will produce fantasy-relevant receivers if only eventually, but this is one of the weakest looking classes in many years.

Overall, the draft looked weak for fantasy purposes. Two sure-hits on running backs and maybe none for the wide receivers with the high-talent players all landing in less advantageous situations. But – every year serves up a surprise or two.

Top 10 fantasy rookies

  1. RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
    Atlanta 1.08, 5-11, 215 pounds, 4.46 40-time

    There is no argument as to which rookie commands the most fantasy attention this season. Robinson constantly trended on Twitter as the most discussed and coveted fantasy rookie after gaining 1,894 total yards and 20 touchdowns for the Longhorns last year. And Robinson doesn’t just slide into a committee looking to spread around the carries. The Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was the Titans’ offensive coordinator during Derrick Henry‘s two best seasons including the 2,027 rushing yards in 2020.  Optimism will make Robinson a fantasy first-round consideration, and he’ll be one of the most exciting players to follow this year. Tyler Allgeier? It was fun while he lasted.
  2. RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
    Detroit 1.12, 5-9, 199 pounds, 4.36 40-time
    Not sure anyone outside of the Detroit war room saw this one coming. Especially since even the most optimistic projections had Jahmyr Gibbs going around the end of the first round. The Lions had already added David Montgomery to replace Jamaal Williams, and D’Andre Swift already offered much the same skill set at Gibbs, if only occasionally when healthy.  But Swift was quickly dealt to the Eagles to eliminate any question about Gibbs role. He’ll pair with Montgomery as the speedy, pass-catching half of the backfield in a quickly improving offense and behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. Gibbs won’t be a workhorse, but he’ll offer enough to merit a weekly fantasy start, at least in reception point leagues.
  3. WR Jordan Addison, USC
    Minnesota 1.23, 5-11, 173 pounds, 4.49 40-time

    The Vikings drafted the 2021 Biletnikoff winner when Addison logged 100 catches for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns for Pitt playing with Kenny Pickett (now the Steelers quarterback). He transferred to USC last year with lesser results but enters the NFL as one of the most dangerous, capable rookie slot receivers and lands on a Vikings’ team looking to replace Adam Thielen. Addison won’t ever be the No. 1 with Justin Jefferson there, but can carve out a significant role even as a rookie. He’s the first wideout taken by the new coaching regime in Minnesota.
  4. RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
    Seattle 2.21, 6-0, 214 pounds, 4.53 40-time
    The third running back chosen in the draft heads to Seattle, where Kenneth Walker is already the primary back, but with no one else in the backfield besides DeeJay Dallas. Charbonnet spent the last two years as the power back for the Bruins. He’s a north-south runner that runs downhill and has excellent ball protection skills along with being a capable blocker. He’ll pair with Walker and that lowers the potential output for either back, but Seattle wants to run more often this year and Walker was dinged up last year. Charbonnet was the only running back selected between the 1.12 and 3.08 picks.
  5. WR Quentin Johnson, TCU
    Los Angeles Chargers 1.21, 6-3, 208 pounds, 4.49 40 time)

    Johnston slides into the No. 3 role for the Chargers, but 31-year-old Keenan Allen is breaking down while missing six games last year. Mike Williams is only 28 but missed three games in 2022. Johnson is the future for the Chargers who regularly feature a Top-5 set of wideouts each year with Justin Herbert there. Johnson is a complete wideout that can play any position and catch the ball anywhere on the field. He’ll mostly learn this year behind Allen but the Chargers have often needed their No. 3 wideout to step up and cover for an injured starter.
  6. QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
    Indianapolis 1.04, 6-4, 244 pounds, 4.43 40-time

    The Florida star was the third quarterback drafted this year, but is the best bet for fantasy points as a rookie. Neither Bryce Young nor C.J. Stroud does much as a rusher and Richardson gained 654 yards and nine scores while running the ball for the Gators. He is a supreme athlete with a cannon arm and an elite combination of size and speed. He’ll start his career passing against the forgiving AFC South and tacking on those rush yards and scores. He may not be the passer that Young and Stroud are, but he could end up as a better fantasy prospect.
  7. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
    Seattle 1.20, 6-1, 196 pounds, 4.48 40-time

    The consensus best wideout in the draft and first selected, Smith-Njigba lands in Seattle where DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett already man the starting spots. No doubt that Smith-Njigba slides into the No. 3 role and will contribute as a rookie, but Metcalf and Lockett have been durable so far. Lockett turns 31 in August but is currently coming off his fourth-straight 1,000-yard season.  There’s no denying the rookie’s talent and long-term outlook, but 2022 will need an injury to the two starters to net significant opportunity.
  8. RB Devon Achane, Texas A&M
    Miami 3.24, 5-9, 188 pounds, 4.32 40-time

    At first glance, Achane is a bit smaller than prototypical, and the Dolphins already start Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.. But Mostert’s injury history is extensive and playing 16 games last year was an aberration. Wilson also missed just one week but rarely played more than a healthy ten games per year for the 49ers. Achane will figure into the committee regardless, but injury to either (or both) will boost Achane who ran for 1,102 yards for the Aggies last year and is an equally dangerous receiver. Oh yes, and he ran a 4.32 40-time at the NFL Combine. He offers high upside to an offense that is already fast and capable.
  9. WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
    Baltimore 1.22, 5-9, 182 pounds, 4.42 40-time
    At first glance, this landing spot seems far from ideal. The Ravens wideouts have never been more than average, Mark Andrews is the pass-siphon, and they added Odell Beckham who starts across from Rashod Bateman. But both Beckham and Bateman were nonfactors last year due to injury, and if both were hurt again, Flowers could become the No. 1 wideout this year. He’s a bit smaller than ideal but was an absolute playmaker and should end up in the slot where he won’t bother with jams at the line. Flowers is effective all over the field and is very versatile. He’ll factor in this year and if either Bateman or Beckham miss time, Flowers could surprise even as a rookie.
  10. RB Roschon Johnson, Texas
    Chicago 4.13, 6-0, 219 pounds, 4.58 40-time
    In this weaker class of rookies, it likely requires a changing situation to prompt a surprising first year. Johnson has the upside to get a better opportunity than may seem most likely. The Bears allowed David Montgomery to join the rival Lions and their only addition was D’Onta Foreman who joined Khalil Herbert as the expected starters. Foreman parlayed one good season in Carolina into a one-year, $3 million contract in Chicago but this is his fourth NFL team in six years. Herbert is a former sixth-round pick who went on IR last year with a hip injury. Johnson is just a part of the committee, but his talent was obscured by Bijan Robinson and he’ll get a chance to prove himself away from a “generational” teammate.

Fantasy football fallout: Russell Wilson traded to Broncos

Fantasy football reaction to Russell Wilson trade

Following endless speculation, Russell Wilson has been traded. The Seattle Seahawks couldn’t say no to a blockbuster offer from the Denver Broncos, despite recently declining a lucrative trade proposal from the Washington Commanders.

Before we dive into the fantasy football ramifications, the trade details:

Seattle receives: TE Noah Fant, DL Shelby Harris, QB Drew Lock, two first-round picks, two second-rounders, and a fifth-round choice
Denver receives: Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick

That’s a haul!

The primary focus today will be on Denver’s side, since the Broncos already have the majority of their pieces in place. Seattle’s quarterback situation is totally up in the air, even after acquiring Lock, so there’s a much greater degree of uncertainty from the prognosticative aspect.

Russell Wilson

Wilson gets a fresh start with a strong franchise built to compete right out of the gates. Seattle was in a quagmire. The offensive line was shaky, and the system wasn’t getting the most out of its best players.

Pros

  • Improved offensive line
  • Strong running game
  • Three-deep talent at wide receiver, plus an emerging tight end
  • Won’t be handing off all day after the Broncos invested so much into acquiring his services
  • Proven offensive system that has helped lead to consecutive MVPs for Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay

Cons

  • Rookie head coach and a new system to learn, chemistry to build, etc.
  • Despite tremendous talent at receiver, questions remain about KJ Hamler’s health and Jerry Jeudy’s durability, along with whether Courtland Sutton can rebound to his 2019 form
  • Another tough division that is poised to see defensive improvement

Fantasy football outlook

Provided he picks up the system quickly — and there’s no reason to believe he won’t after having played in similar offenses already — Wilson is a surefire QB1. The depth of Denver’s receiving talent, even with all of their question marks, offers him mostly a push with Seattle’s targets as a whole.

Sure, individually, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are more talented than Sutton and Jeudy, but we’re not talking such a wide gap that it even really matters. If Sutton nears his past success and Jeudy performs up to his talent level, defenses will need to pick their poison in coverage. And that’s not to mention the blazing speed of Hamler out of the slot, provided his knee reconstruction is a success. Finally, dealing Fant shows the confidence Denver has in tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. He has all of the hallmarks of a genuine aerial threat.

Russ will be cooking up a fantasy feast in the Mile High City.

Denver skill players

The backfield belongs to Javonte Williams and someone yet to be named. Melvin Gordon is a free agent, but both sides have expressed a desire for him to return. If not, finding a tandem back to pair with the 2021 rookie Williams is not going to be a problem. The North Carolina product is quality RB2 should Gordon return or someone similar be added, but it it looks like he’s in line to receive the vast majority of touches, only a handful of backs will outperform Williams in 2022. Adding a legit QB in Wilson entrenches this as one of the most promising running games in the NFL.

Of the aforementioned receivers, Sutton has proven himself the most, but a major injury in 2020 and an erratic ’21 campaign will have gamers questioning if he’s capable of repeating his WR2 fantasy succcess from his season a year prior to the ACL tear. Giving Sutton the benefit of the doubt, he’s a No. 2 receiver in PPR leagues and offers the most upside for a touchdown any given week.

Jeudy is an extremely gifted route-runner, and this offense requires such from the position if he’s to excel. While Sutton probably can offer slightly more on-field diversity with his route tree and size in the red zone, Jeudy should lead the team in targets and receptions if he plays every game. As in Seattle, for as explosive as Metcalf has been, the Wilson-Lockett connection was the engine in that passing game. Safely, Jeudy is a No. 2 receiver in all scoring systems. He comes with tremendous upside and won’t be a cheap investment in fantasy as drafters chase his WR1 potential. Few wideouts in the league offer this kind of upside, so recognize there’s definitely more reward potential than not, but you’ll have to pay a king’s ransom to find out.

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Hamler, as mentioned, is returning from an ACL tear of his own and probably won’t he 100 percent until later in the year. He’s dynamic from the slot and has world-class speed, so his game is all about making the most of limited opportunities. There will be fantasy utility for him in traditional setups, yet gamers are looking at a more profitable DFS scenario here. Knowing when to start him in weekly lineups will be a nightmare as long as the two guys ahead of him are alive and well.

Albert O. flashed a few times in 2021 as he, too, worked through the aftermath of knee reconstruction following a torn ACL suffered the previous season. Finally fully recovered, the athletic, 6-foot-6, 258-pounder should be unleashed in a major way. That said, most of his fantasy contributions figure to come in the red zone. He has a little bit of Dawson Knox going on here — big TD numbers, modest, if not even low, volume stats. There’s nothing wrong with volatility as long as owners are aware of it ahead of time. Okwuegbunam is a low-tier No. 1 but ideally a rotational tight end for those willing to play the matchups from week to week.

Finally, Denver’s defense should be consistently more effective in fantasy as it won’t be gassed as much. Wilson can sustain drives and puts his defense in a position to rest up between series.

Seattle Seahawks outlook

On Seattle’s side of this transaction, the biggest losers are Metcalf and Lockett. Another player who has plenty of potential that is unlikely to be realized in 2022 is second-year receiver Dee Eskridge. Unless Seattle somehow pulls of another massive trade at quarterback, Lock will battle with someone for the job.

Not ideal.

It’s a flimsy rookie class, and the free-agent market isn’t looking so hot, either. The NFL’s oldest coach is in win-now mode at all times, so this could present a situation to go after Deshaun Watson. If that doesn’t happen, look for Seattle to inquire about whether Jordan Love is now available after Rodgers signed a record-breaking deal. Wouldn’t it be fun to watch Jameis Winston throwing deep balls to Lockett and DK?

For now, it’s time to remain patient as Seattle’s leadership navigates choppy seas. As previously addressed, the Seahawks have too many holes to fill at this time, so we’ll revisit the fantasy outlook after free agency and the upcoming NFL Draft come to pass.

2022 fantasy football player movement tracker

2022 NFL off-season player movement tracker.

Tracking the notable fantasy players changing teams.

NFL Team Quarterback Running Back Wide Receiver Tight End
ARI
Gone:
ATL
Gone:
BAL
Gone:
BUF
Gone:
CAR
Gone:
CHI
Gone:
CIN
Gone:
CLE
Gone:
DAL
Gone:
DEN
Gone:
DET
Gone:
GB
Gone:
HOU
Gone:
IND
Gone: Jack Doyle (ret)
JAC
Gone:
KC
Gone:
LAC
Gone:
LAR
Gone:
LVR
Gone:
MIA
Gone:
MIN
Gone:
NE
Gone:
NO
Gone:
NYG
Gone: Devontae Booker
NYJ
Gone:
PHI
Gone:
PIT
Gone:
SEA
Gone:
SF
Gone:
TB
Gone: Tom Brady
TEN
Gone:
WAS
Gone:

 

2022 NFL top free-agent tracker

2020 NFL off-season free-agent tracker.

Below are the best free agents in their position. Adding in trades, this offseason projects to be one of the busiest years for players changing teams.

Quarterbacks Age 2021 2022 Yards TDs Status
Teddy Bridgewater 29 DEN 3,158 20
Andy Dalton 34 CHI 1,515 8
Jameis Winston 28 NO 1,366 15
Tyrod Taylor 32 HOU 1,117 8
Cam Newton 32 CAR 913 9

 

Running Backs Age 2021 2022  Yards TDs Status
Leonard Fournette 27 TB   1,266 10
Cordarrelle Patterson 30 ATL   1,166 11
Melvin Gordon 29 DEN   1,131 10
James Conner 26 ARI   1,127 18
Sony Michel 27 LAR      973 5
Chase Edmonds 26 ARI      903 2
Rashaad Penny 30 SEA      797 6
Devonta Freeman 30 BAL      766 6
D’Ernest Johnson 26 CLE      671 3
Brandon Bolden 32 NE      631 3
J.D. McKissic 28 WAS      609 4
Latavius Murray 32 BAL      576 6
Justin Jackson 26 LAC      542 2
Alex Collins 27 SEA      498 2
Ronald Jones II 24 TB      492 4
Boston Scott 26 PHI      461 7
David Johnson 30 HOU      453 1
Tevin Coleman 29 NYJ      405 0
Giovani Bernard 30 TB      181 3
Jerick McKinnon 30 KC      169 1
James White 30 NE      132 1
Raheem Mostert 30 SF        20 0

 

Tight Ends Age 2021 2022 Yards TDs Status
Rob Gronkowski 32 TB 802 6
Mike Gesicki 26 MIA 780 2
Zach Ertz 31 ARI 763 5
Jared Cook 35 LAC 564 4
C.J. Uzomah 29 CIN 493 5
Gerald Everett 27 SEA 478 4
David Njoku 25 CLE 475 4
Evan Engram 27 NYG 408 3
Anthony Firkser 27 TEN 291 2
Robert Tonyan Jr. 27 GB 204 2

 

Wide Receivers Age 2021 2022  Yards TDs Status
Davante Adams 29 GB   1,553 11
Mike Williams 27 LAC   1,146 9
Chris Godwin 26 TB   1,103 5
Christian Kirk 25 ARI      982 5
Jakobi Meyers 25 NE      866 2
A.J. Green 33 ARI      848 3
Russell Gage 26 ATL      770 4
Emmanuel Sanders 35 BUF      626 4
Cedrick Wilson 26 DAL      602 6
Zay Jones 27 LV      546 0
Odell Beckham, Jr. 29 LAR      537 5
Allen Lazard 26 GB      513 8
Jalen Guyton 24 LAC      448 3
Jamison Crowder 29 NYJ      447 2
Michael Gallup 26 DAL      445 2
Marquez Valdes-Scantling 27 GB      430 3
Allen Robinson 28 CHI      410 1
Olamide Zaccheaus 24 ATL      406 3
Sammy Watkins 29 BAL      394 1
Zach Pascal 27 IND      384 3
Tre’quan Smith 26 NO      377 3
T.Y. Hilton 32 IND      331 3
DJ Chark 25 JAC      154 2
JuJu Smith-Schuster 25 PIT      129 0
Will Fuller 28 MIA        26 0

 

Fantasy football: 3 players who won on NFL cut-down day

Which players are the biggest winners from the NFL’s roster cuts?

NFL cut-down day is a wild roller coaster of emotions for players and fans alike, but the unfortunate outcomes for some create huge opportunities for others. In fantasy football, it’s imperative to be able to take advantage of this cracked-open doors on draft day.

1) WR Marquez Callaway, New Orleans Saints: While it was already known for weeks that wide receiver Michael Thomas (ankle) wouldn’t be ready for Week 1, some reports gave an encouraging outlook for his return date. The Saints made it official by placing him on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, which guarantees he will miss the first six weeks. In this case, it will be only five games, since New Orleans is on its bye in the sixth week. Then Thomas has to shake off the rust. Callaway, who enjoyed a strong preseason, gets at least a five-game runway to show he can do it when games actually matter. Don’t be afraid to invest in the middle rounds of drafts.

It’s not too late to sign up for The Huddle and dominate!

2) RB Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles: The release of veteran Jordan Howard makes Gainwell the primary backup to Miles Sanders. Boston Scott showed last year he doesn’t have the chops to be a traditional rusher and should remain entrenched in a third-down role if something where to cost Sanders time. Gainwell figures to spell the former Penn Stater, whose resume over the past five years of combined NFL and collegiate ball shows one season with more than 180 carries and just two years with over 200 total touches. Handcuff the pair, and non-Sanders owners should treat Gainwell as a high-upside speculative buy early in the second half of their drafts.

3) QB Mac Jones, New England Patriots: The first-rounder outplayed Cam Newton in training camp and preseason action, so Bill Belichick rewarded him with the starting job by outright releasing Cam Newton. Jones isn’t likely to be a regular fantasy contributor, but he will stabilize the overall offense. It was the right decision, and gamers can treat him as a fringe matchup play. The honorable mention goes to this backfield, because Newton is no longer around to steal a dozen scores. Huge win for fantasy footballers!

Cardinals sign James Conner to bolster backfield

Will Conner rebound his fantasy stock in the desert?

It didn’t take long for the Arizona Cardinals’ brass to decide it is pleased with the results from former Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner’s recent toe surgery. The injury — described as a moderate, turf toe-like situation — was suffered on a recreational vehicle and required an operation that is expected to have Conner back on the field in June.

This was enough for Cardinals general manager Steve Keim to give the thumbs up on inking Conner to a one-year deal.

Arizona lost running back Kenyan Drake to free agency, and No. 2 man Chase Edmonds needed a new partner in crime. Conner enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2018 when Le’Veon Bell chose to sit out over a contract dispute. The past two seasons have gone anything but great for the Pitt product, and there’s mutual hope between Conner and the Cards that his fortunes will turn around in the desert.

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Conner has yet to play a full season in four years, reaching 13 games twice, and his 13 offensive touchdowns in the past 23 games ties his 13-contest output from the ’18 season. Arizona likely expects the 2018 version of Conner, but fantasy footballers should fully brace for the 2019-20 iteration. In Conner’s defense, the Steelers were without Ben Roethlisberger most of 2019 and then had a disastrous offensive line and erratic play-calling issues last year. Pro Football Focus ranked the line’s run-blocking grade as the second worst in football.

A versatile back, Conner finds himself sharing time with a legitimate talent in Edmonds. While used sparingly over his first two NFL seasons, the Fordham back burst onto the scene in fantasy after a three-TD game in 2019, racking up 150 offensive yards along the way. Just when he started to get rolling, Edmonds’ season was derailed by injury.

In 2020, he split time with Drake, mainly as a receiving threat, as the third-year back hauled in 53 of 67 targets for 402 yard and four scores. He was hardly utilized as a rusher, carrying the ball more than eight times in two games, one of which Drake was absent.

The Cardinals of 2020 afforded Drake 239 carries, or 15.9 per game, over his 15 appearances. For as much passing as the Air Raid offense wants to do, and did in 2019, the reality is this was a run-positive system a season ago. Seven teams rushed with a higher frequency in 2020.

Drake found the end zone at the 12th-highest frequency among qualifying backs (150-plus attempts), and only six running backs toted the ball more on a weekly clip. He saw his receiving work dissipate from 2019’s second half, and Drake’s core fantasy worth came from scoring 10 times.

Conner showed a nose for the goal line of his own in 2018, and as long as he can remain healthy, a similar utilization plan should be in store. He enters Year 5 at age 26. Arizona offers little competition for touchdown thievery on the turf, outside of quarterback Kyler Murray. The Cardinals upgraded the offensive line in a significant fashion this offseason, trading for Las Vegas Raiders standout center Rodney Hudson.

Fantasy football takeaway

There is potential for a value buy in fantasy football drafts. Conner’s past two seasons of mediocrity should have soured enough owners, and the perception that Arizona is extraordinarily pass-happy also could depress his stock.

Injuries come with the territory for Conner. Presuming he rebounds from this latest toe ailment — a scary one for a rusher — there’s still probably going to be more games missed in his future. The Cardinals should utilize him similarly to how Drake was featured, as long as Conner produces. Should his game never get off the ground or stagnate midseason, don’t discredit the idea of this offense being turned over to Edmonds.

Just to be safe, keep tabs on Conner’s recovery from the toe surgery. It appears we’re likely to see as close to a normal of an NFL offseason program as one should expect, and that means we will get to see some obvious signs of his health status play out on the practice field.

Giving Conner the benefit of the doubt by presuming he’s ready for training camp (and that there is one), fantasy footballers should treat him as a risky-reward RB2 candidate. It wouldn’t hurt to snag Edmonds later in the draft as insurance given Conner’s extensive injury background.