Tag: Devin Funchess

Fantasy football free agency roundup

NFL free agency will drastically help reshape the fantasy football landscape as the new league year begins.

(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)

Now that NFL free agency is upon us, here is where we’ll run through the fantasy football outlooks for trades, re-signings, midrange players and tag recipients.

This analysis will be updated as players sign/re-sign in free agency, so be sure to check back regularly.

Signed with new team or traded

Links to individual analysis

TE Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns

WR DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals

RB David Johnson, Houston Texans

TE Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons

Re-signed/extensions

QB Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans: A four-year, $118 million extension was signed on the eve of the tampering window, securing Tannehill’s role as the starting quarterback for the near future. He developed a rapport with 2019 rookie wideout A.J. Brown and has one of the best running games to keep defenses honest, provided Derrick Henry indeed signs his franchise tender and doesn’t pull a Le’Veon Bell. Tannehill is among the more intriguing back fantasy picks and will be chosen as a rotational starter by gamers willing to wait on the position.

QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings: There’s not a lot to say here since he wasn’t facing free agency, and Cousins’ 2020 situation doesn’t change by getting this extension (two years, $66 million). Keep tabs on Stefon Diggs possibly getting dealt, though. Cousins, for now, remains a top-tier backup with matchup utility, especially when it appears the Vikes may struggle to run the ball.

Franchise/TRANSITION tagged

QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: Prescott will not be able to negotiate with any team but the Cowboys, and the goal is to work out a long-term deal. The offensive system will remain the same as in 2019 with Kellen Moore coming back as the playcaller under new head coach Mike McCarthy. Dak is a top-five fantasy quarterback if Amari Cooper returns.

RB Derrick Henry: Tennessee Titans: Unless Henry refuses to sign his tender and holds out most or all of the year, he will be the bell cow once again in Tennessee. There remains a chance he signs a long-term contract before things could get ugly. All things equal, short of losing his right tackle, life appears to be business as usual. RB1 all day long.

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WR A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals: A rookie quarterback as Cincy’s 2020 starter is all but etched into stone, which is a likely detriment for Green. However, he remains the most gifted wideout in an offense that won’t be scared to throw it when needed, so he has that working for him. Expect WR2 stats as a ceiling, and the combo of age and injuries are conspiring against Green.

TE Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers: This one isn’t as cut and dried as some of the above inclusions, because we don’t know LA’s quarterback for Week 1 yet. Some signs say Tom Brady, others suggest a rookie or even Tyrod Taylor as a stopgap. On talent alone, Henry is a midrange No. 1 in fantasy, but other factors, like an undeniable injury risk and this being the first full year of playcalling responsibility for Shane Steichen, should give owners pause.

RB Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals: No more David Johnson, or his punitive salary, could lead to this transition tag be little more than formality before a long-term deal is reached. Drake exploded in this system late last year, and now the addition of WR DeAndre Hopkins has to get the juices flowing. Drake is risky, and now the Air Raid system may be fully deployed, which could force the former Miami Dolphin to be overly reliant on efficiency. Those concerns aside, don’t go overboard on draft day for a player whose career has largely been a disappointment, even if not entirely his fault. Give him the old RB2 treatment in all single-year formats.

Remains unsigned

RB Devonta Freeman, free agent:

RB Lamar Miller, free agent:

RB Dion Lewis, free agent:

RB LeSean McCoy, free agent:

RB Theo Riddick, free agent:

RB Peyton Barber, free agent:

RB Frank Gore, free agent:

WR Randall Cobb, free agent:

WR Devin Funchess, free agent:

WR Breshad Perriman, free agent:

TE Jimmy Graham, free agent:

TE Jordan Reed, free agent:

TE Delanie Walker, free agent:

TE Vance McDonald, free agent:

TE Jason Witten, free agent:

TE Tyler Eifert, free agent:

12 under-the-radar free agents for the Bills to target on offense

The NFL’s free agency period is slated to open on March 18 and the Buffalo Bills could be in business. The Bills signed cornerback Josh Norman last week, getting a head start on things.

The NFL’s free agency period is slated to open on March 18 and the Buffalo Bills could be in business. The Bills signed cornerback Josh Norman last week, getting a head start on things.

But despite that signing, the Bills moved from just the fourth-most to fifth-most salary cap space in the league, near $77.4 million, according to Spotrac. That’s a lot of room for more moves, and of course, room for big-named additions.

But in recent years, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have had a thing for finding diamonds in the rough. Could the 2020 offseason have more of the same?

With that, here are 12 under-the-radar free agents on offense the Bills could consider adding:

Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson. Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

WR Demarcus Robinson

The Bills have John Brown and Cole Beasley who are solid, but the talent that Demarcus Robinson was behind with the Chiefs has kept his opportunities very limited. At receiver, there’s Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman, then there’s tight end Travis Kelce, who’s basically a No. 1 wideout.

But when Robinson did get some chances when Hill was out, he showed some skill. He caught 32 passes for 449 yards and four touchdowns last season. What could make him further appealing is his 14 yards-per-catch average last season. Over the past two seasons, he’s had eight total scores.

What many peg for the Bills is adding a wideout with size, though. Robinson isn’t overly big at 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, but stretching the field is a plus with quarterback Josh Allen’s arm strength.

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7 WRs the Colts should target in free agency

WRs for the Colts in free agency.

With immense salary cap space and a massive need at the position, the Indianapolis Colts could very well find their way into the wide receiver market once free agency officially opens.

The depth in the market isn’t all that strong, and there are plenty of risks to take with adding any one of the options. But the Colts need to begin investing in higher-end talent in the room. Signing a wide receiver in free agency won’t stop them from drafting one, either.

As free agency approaches next week, here are seven wide receivers the Colts should consider signing:

Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

Amari Cooper | Dallas Cowboys | Age: 25

We won’t know the status of Cooper likely until Monday of next week, which is the deadline for teams to submit the franchise and transition tags. As the current CBA goes, teams can use both in the same offseason—something that wasn’t allowed in the past. This means the Cowboys can franchise tag Dak Prescott and transition tag Cooper, keeping both off the market.

>>>Amari Cooper free agency profile<<<

If Cooper does hit the market, the Colts shouldn’t be afraid to lead the negotiations. Though he’s been inconsistent at times, Cooper presents the Colts with an option to be the WR1 when T.Y. Hilton leaves, which could be as early as the 2021 season.

Cooper’s talent is through the roof. He’s an extremely polished route runner and is coming off of his best year yet. The Colts shouldn’t hesitate if he hits the market.

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6 wide receivers the Jets should target in free agency

Jets Wire takes a look at six wide receivers the Jets should target in free agency this offseason.

While the Jets are considering bringing Robby Anderson back, there’s a good chance the Temple product will sign a lucrative contract elsewhere.

Anderson could definitely flourish as a No. 2 wide receiver, but he’s going want to be paid for more than that. The Jets might not have the financial flexibility to make that work.

Anderson has developed into one of the better deep-threat receivers in the NFL, but his growth as a player goes beyond that. He added more to his route tree under Adam Gase and seems closer to becoming a complete receiver. Still, the Jets haven’t been able to maintain much offensive success with Anderson in the fold.

Over the past two seasons, the Jets have dealt with a depleted wide receiver corps that has put Anderson and now Jamison Crowder at the forefront. With the team’s No. 1 priority being to surround Sam Darnold with a capable supporting cast, it could mean the Jets look at other options beyond Anderson to improve their offense.

With that being said, here are six wide receivers the Jets should target in free agency.

Amari Cooper

(AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

While Amari Cooper is fully expected to be transition tagged as the Cowboys try to work out a long-term deal with Dak Prescott, he could still hit the open market.

The former No. 4 overall pick would be perhaps the most sought after receiver in that case. A four-time Pro Bowler, Cooper has 357 career receptions for 5,097 yards and 33 touchdowns. Cooper will be just 26 years old in June and he’s coming off a season in which he caught 79 passes for 1,189 yards and eight touchdowns.

Cooper is a No. 1 wide receiver and will be paid as such if Dallas allows him to become a free agent just a season and a half after acquiring him for a first-round pick. If that happens, he would be the perfect weapon for Darnold. Of course, he would also be a costly one for a Jets team that doesn’t have as much cap space as in years past.

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6 free agent WRs the Lions should explore signing

The Lions are painfully thin at WR. Free agency can help.

The Detroit Lions are in dire need of wide receiver help for the offense. With Marvin Jones coming off a second consecutive season-ending knee injury and in the final year of his contract, Danny Amendola and Jermaine Kearse both free agents no longer on the roster and practice squad refugees Marvin Hall, Chris Lacy and Travis Fulgham the depth behind Jones and deserving Pro Bowler Kenny Golladay, the Lions would have a hard time filling out a formation with more than two WRs.

Free agency is a good place to find some help. While it’s not a great free agent class at WR, there are several who can step right in and help the needy Lions offense.

Here are six the Lions should at least consider signing once free agency opens up in March.

Emmanuel Sanders, 49ers

2019 stats: 66 receptions, 869 yards, 5 TDs

Sanders quickly rebounded from an Achilles injury to emerge as the best receiving weapon for a team that made the Super Bowl. He’s a one-year bandage in the slot, but Sanders still offers speed, hands and an infectiously positive attitude. At 33, he’s a proven commodity in a variety of different offenses, showing he adapts quickly.

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Colts’ 2019 player review: WR Devin Funchess

Reviewing the 2019 season for Devin Funchess.

In hopes of beefing up the wide receiver corps, the Indianapolis Colts brought in Devin Funchess via free agency, but his time on the field was short-lived due to what eventually became a season-ending injury.

2019 Stats

Games Played: 1
Snaps: 36 (3.3%)
Receptions: 3
Receiving Yards: 32
Touchdowns: 0
Yards Per Reception: 10.7

Season Review

Immediately after signing a one-year deal with the Colts during the offseason, Funchess essentially had the WR2 role locked up behind T.Y. Hilton. It was that way during training camp and the preseason, and it was clear the Colts had a role for him in the passing game.

However, Funchess’ season was cut short when he fell hard on his shoulder in the fourth quarter of the Week 1 opener against the Chargers. He suffered a broken collarbone and was placed on the injured reserve list.

Funchess tried to make his way back for the second half of the season, but the bone hadn’t healed fully and by the time the Colts had to make a decision of putting him on the roster or keeping him on the injured reserve, they chose the latter to let him fully heal.

Offseason Outlook

Funchess is an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins. The Colts can re-sign him if they feel like doing so but if they don’t, he will be set to test the market on March 16 when the legal tampering period officially opens.

Seeing as how the Colts desperately need established wide receivers in the room behind Hilton, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if general manager Chris Ballard brought Funchess back on another one-year prove-it deal.

Conclusion

It was a bit of a disappointment that Funchess wasn’t able to get on the field due to injury. It will be interesting to see if the Colts give him another chance but as of now, Funchess is set to become a free agent for the second year in a row.

Devin Funchess’ future with the Colts unclear

Will Devin Funchess be a Colt in 2020?

There are several players set to hit free agency on the Indianapolis Colts roster and among them is wide receiver Devin Funchess, who played just three full quarters this season.

After suffering a broken collarbone in the fourth quarter of the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, Funchess never found his way back on the field after surgery to repair the injury. He was placed on the injured reserve list and while had a chance to return in the second half, the collarbone didn’t fully heal.

Now, Funchess is an unrestricted free agent and his future with the team is unclear.

“We’ll see. We’ll have some visits,” said GM Chris Ballard last week. “I give him credit, it’s been frustrating for him. He was discouraged. He cares. We’ll see how it works out.”

Funchess signed a one-year deal with the Colts during the 2019 offseason but didn’t get to show his true talents. The potential is there given his size and route-running ability, but he caught just three passes for 32 yards in the Week 1 opener.

After the collarbone injury, his season ended and most are left wondering what it would have looked like to see him in the offense.

Entering this offseason, the Colts have a need at the wide receiver position.  As T.Y. Hilton deals with injuries, there is a lack of talent at the top of the depth chart. There are some solid pieces in Parris Campbell, Zach Pascal and Marcus Johnson, but the group as a whole isn’t dominating.

Re-signing Funchess to another one-year deal doesn’t give the Colts an elite wide receiver room but it likely helps the top of the depth chart.

Funchess’ future with the Colts is unclear right now and it’s likely we will have to wait and see where his next stop is.

4 pending free agents the Colts should re-sign

These Colts should be re-signed this offseason.

2020 will be one of the biggest off-seasons in recent Indianapolis Colts’ history. After finishing the season losing five of the final six games, the Colts finished 7-9 and have a lot of questions about their roster going into the offseason.

Indianapolis have a few free agents going into the 2020 off-season and with a projected $93 million in cap space, there is no strap for cash to keep the guys they want to.

The Colts have 14 unrestricted free agents. These players will be able to sign with anyone in March when the new league year starts.

With the Colts having a large amount of cap space to sign players, let’s look at some players the Colts should re-sign:

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

OT Anthony Castonzo

Pending the decision if Castonzo retires, he should be the first Colt to be re-signed this offseason.

Castonzo has been the rock at left tackle for the Colts since being drafted here in 2011, and he plays a valuable position.

At 31 years old, and feeling the best he has in his life, it should be a no-brainer the Colts keep the continuity of the offensive line in check and re-sign Castonzo to a nice, multi-year contract.

Coming off of what is arguably his best season yet, the Colts desperately need his consistent production on the left side next to All-Pro Quenton Nelson.

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Should Colts give Devin Funchess another shot?

Should Devin Funchess get another shot in 2020?

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to lose wide receiver Devin Funchess for the remainder of the season as they aren’t planning to remove him from the injured reserve list.

This move shouldn’t come as a massive surprise as it appeared Funchess was recovering slower than expected from the injury he suffered in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Colts signed Funchess on a one-year deal this offseason but he didn’t have a chance to make any type of lasting impact. On an offense that is sorely lacking wide receiver options, should Funchess get another shot?

Turning just 26 years old during the upcoming offseason, the Colts could re-sign Funchess to another one-year deal. It wouldn’t cost the same as the $10 million deal he signed in 2019 and the team is in desperate need of depth at the wide receiver position.

Funchess is still a talented wide receiver—enough to warrant another chance from head coach Frank Reich and general manager Chris Ballard. But it also depends on how they feel the bone is healing.

Seeing as it is taking him longer than expected to recover from the broken collarbone, it isn’t clear how they might feel about his future as an impact player in the offense.

Funchess didn’t even finish one game with the Colts before breaking his collarbone in the fourth quarter of the loss against the Chargers. Since then, the Colts have gotten very little production from their wide receiver corps.

What say you Colts fans, should Funchess get another cheap, one-year deal from the Colts?

[polldaddy poll=10470656]

Report: Colts won’t activate WR Devin Funchess from IR

Devin Funchess is done for the year.

Though the Indianapolis Colts were hoping to activate wide receiver Devin Funchess off of the injured reserve list sometime soon, it appears that won’t be in the cards this season.

The Colts still have until Dec. 4 to activate Funchess, but they reportedly aren’t planning to do so as his collarbone hasn’t healed as expected. This means Funchess is done for the season and will remain on the injured reserve list, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Funchess signed a one-year deal with the Colts during the offseason in hopes he could be part of a solid 1-2 punch with T.Y. Hilton, who has been dealing with injuries of his own this season.

Funchess wound up playing just one game this season before breaking his collarbone during the Week 1 opener against the Los Angeles Chargers—a game he finished with three catches for 32 yards.

The Colts passing offense has lacked playmakers this season and the injury to Funchess has attributed to that cause.

An impending free agent, it will be interesting to see if the Colts want to give Funchess another shot. Regardless, the 25-year-old is expected to be remain on the injured reserve list for the remainder of the season.