Tag: fantasy football free agents

We’re quickly approaching NFL free agency, one of the most exciting times of the year. As veterans continue to be traded and released in the weeks ahead, nothing is official until March 17 at 4 p.m. EDT. That won’t stop us from getting energized about any news, nor will it prevent a look ahead at possible scenarios.

Here are the positional breakdowns of known unrestricted free-agent tight ends who may present fantasy football utility in 2021. Each player’s 2020 team is in parentheses, and we’ll focus only on relevant fantasy football commodities.

Quarterbacks | Wide receivers | Tight ends

2021 fantasy football free agents to watch

Tight ends

Rob Gronkowski (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): While the volume numbers weren’t there for fantasy purposes in 2020 after taking off the 2019 season, Gronk managed to provide some fake football help via his seven touchdown grabs. The Bucs have ample cap space and a decision to make about tight end O.J. Howard (Achilles).

Expectation: Tom Brady is returning, and Gronkowski is fully expected to follow TB12 for another run at the Lombardi Trophy. It’s a return to the Buccaneers or back to retirement or the goofy touchdown grabber.

Hunter Henry (Los Angeles Chargers): In his prime, Henry has averaged at least 10.2 PPR points per game in each of his four pro seasons in which he saw the field. Henry has not played more than 14 contests in any one of those campaigns, though, and his price on the market should reflect it. LA tagged him last year to the tune of $10.6 million.

Expectation: It’s widely believed he will be slapped with the franchise tag once again, locking in a salary of $12.7 million — a lofty cost with a depreciating salary cap. His market interest would be substantial, although the cost likely won’t approach what will be the second-highest cap charge for a tight end. New England, Indianapolis, Tennessee and Jacksonville are reasonable options for his services if Henry hits the market.

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Jared Cook (New Orleans Saints): His 2020 employer doesn’t have the money to renew Cook’s deal, and last year’s third-round investment in tight end Adam Trautman. Cook turns 34 shortly after free agency opens, and while he has played well in recent seasons, no team should realistically expect to roster him beyond 2021.

Expectation: Of those teams, New England, Indianapolis, the New York Jets, Jacksonville, the Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle and Tennessee all make varying degrees of sense to lure Cook as a single-season rental.

Jonnu Smith (Tennessee Titans): A sound enough blocker, and a dangerous red-zone weapon, Smith is likely to hit the market. It’s not necessarily for a lack of interest from the Titans, but the team may struggle to retain him from a financial perspective with just $5 million in cap space and several other needs to address.

Expectation: If the Titans can creatively ink Smith to a deal that isn’t punitive to 2021 cap space, he has a real chance of returning. New England, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Seattle and Cincinnati could throw more money at Smith than Tennessee can match.

Gerald Everett (Los Angeles Rams): Durable, playing 61 of 64 games in the regular season (all mixed in 2019), Everett brings athleticism and consistency to the field. The Rams drafted TE Brycen Hopkins in 2020 during the fourth round, and he shares similar skills to Everett. Los Angeles, of course, extended tight end Tyler Higbee on the eve of the 2019 season, further complicating whether the Rams have room for Everett.

Expectation: He will find a substantial role with some team in 2021. The New England Patriots are an intriguing option. Despite investing two draft picks on tight ends last year, there’s a need for a veteran presence in the passing game. Seattle, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Detroit, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Chargers, among others, also could be prime landing spots.

Trey Burton (Indianapolis Colts): Burton turned a strong performance as a role player in Philadelphia into a starting gig in Chicago, only to flop and find his way back to the brains of fantasy footballers as a member of the Colts.

Expectation: In the event Zach Ertz is released/traded by the Eagles, it would open the door for Burton to return as a backup. His overall market will be limited, due to durability concerns and a lukewarm need across the league for teams looking to fill his role.

Dan Arnold (Arizona Cardinals): Arnold showed promise while with the Saints and realized it to a decent degree with Arizona late last year. Could that be enough to translate it into an opportunity to start somewhere? Probably not.

Expectation: With New Orleans unlikely to re-sign Jared Cook, the Saints could kick tires on Arnold returning to pair with 2020 third-rounder Adam Trautman.

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Jordan Reed (San Francisco 49ers): It’s difficult to see Reed’s career rebounding at age 31, especially after all of his past injuries. He managed to play fairly well in ’20 prior to suffering a significant ankle injury as a fill-in last season, which sadly sums up his NFL tenure.

Expectation: He could re-sign with the 49ers as a backup to George Kittle once again. Reed has coaching connections to Sean McVay, and Everett is a free agent. There could be an inroad for Reed to find a minor role as a situational pass catcher on a number of rosters.

Tyler Eifert (Jacksonville Jaguars): Four full seasons have passed since Eifert was a regular fantasy contributor. Eifert, 31, has a fraction of fantasy utility compared to his earlier seasons.

Expectation: He could have a market in an offense that has an established blocking tight end and is looking for a cheap, experienced body with a faint pulse.

Potential free agents to watch

Due to a likely shrinking salary cap, some teams will be in a bind more than expected when these contracts were signed.

Zach Ertz (Philadelphia Eagles): Ertz may have trade suitors, and the Colts could have interest in reuniting the vet with his former quarterback Carson Wentz and a past offensive coordinator in current Indy head coach Frank Reich. The Eagles will save $8.25 million if a move is made with a post-June 1 status. It will cost $3 million more in dead money to ax or trade him prior to June 1, which isn’t going to happen. The emergence of tight end Dallas Goedert has Ertz expendable for a team in serious cap trouble.

Jimmy Graham (Chicago Bears): Graham’s release, regardless if it is pre- or post-June 1, will save Chicago $7 million and cost $3 million in dead space for 2021. The Bears invested a second-round pick on tight end Cole Kmet last year, and Chicago ranks 22nd in most cap space. Graham is due the third-highest cap charge in 2021 among his positional mates.

Kyle Rudolph (Minnesota Vikings): The 31-year-old veteran is likely to find his way to another roster for the upcoming season. Whether it be by way of trade or a release from the Vikings, Rudolph’s cap hit is too high for his recent role. His primary backup is the future, too, further devaluing the veteran. Rudolph says he won’t restructure, so Minnesota can designate him a post-June 1 cut to save $7.937 million or trade him and save the same figure. A pre-June 1 release/trade would create $4.35 million in dead cap and save $5.037 mill.

O.J. Howard (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Presuming Gronk returns, Howard’s future with the team is in doubt. This is the final year of his rookie deal that included the option for 2021, which was picked up by the team last year. Howard ruptured an Achilles tendon in 2020, so his recovery will be key in his return to the club. Cutting Howard would save $6.013 against the cap for a team that’s already in good shape financially.

David Njoku (Cleveland Browns): Njoku’s fifth-year option will pay him $6.013 million. After Cleveland gave Austin Hooper record money last offseason, combined with Njoku’s lack of productivity in relation to his draft placement, it wouldn’t come as a shock if he was released to save the team his full salary without financial penalty to the cap.

C.J. Uzomah (Cincinnati Bengals): Cincinnati signed him to a three-year, $18.3 million deal in March of 2019, only for Uzomah to statistically regress that season and miss all but two games last year (torn Achilles). He’s due $1.25 million via roster bonus as of March 20, and cutting him would save $5.075 million against the cap.

We’re quickly approaching NFL free agency, one of the most exciting times of the year. As veterans continue to be traded and released in the weeks ahead, nothing is official until March 17 at 4 p.m. EDT. That won’t stop us from getting energized about any news, nor will it prevent a look ahead at possible scenarios.

Here are the positional breakdowns of known unrestricted free-agent wide receivers who may present fantasy football utility in 2021. Each player’s 2020 team is in parentheses, and we’ll focus only on relevant fantasy football commodities.

Quarterbacks | Running backs | Tight ends

2021 fantasy football free agents to watch

Wide receivers

Allen Robinson (Chicago Bears): Chicago sits $1.8 million over the cap at this moment. Robinson has expressed interest in sticking around in the Windy City, yet the lack of a contract extension should say everything gamers need to know. The 27-year-old has returned to form after tearing an ACL a few years ago, so be sure he will look for top dollar. The Bears cannot provide it, and a franchise tagging could turn ugly in a hurry.

Expectation: Robinson will hit free agency and end up in a different city. The murky QB situation in Chicago is unattractive, and tagging him will result in a larger cap hit than a team-friendly extension, in all likelihood. The most probable landing spots, in no particular order: New York Giants, New York Jets, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Miami, Baltimore, Indianapolis and Washington.

Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Coming off a down year, due to multiple injuries, Godwin hits his first chance at free agency in his prime. He’s a true WR1 coming from a team with its own in Mike Evans, but Godwin also realizes the value of renewing his deal with the Bucs.

Expectation: The plausibility of Tampa letting him walk is almost zero. This team has plenty of cap space and could place a tag on Godwin if an agreement cannot be reached. With the cap poised to increase in 2022, and Tom Brady possibly retiring then, too, Godwin is unlikely to reject playing on a tag.

Kenny Golladay (Detroit Lions): Golladay is looking to bounce back from an injury-ravaged season, and if it’s in Detroit, he’ll have to do so with Jared Goff starting at quarterback.

Expectation: There’s talk the Lions will use the franchise tag to retain Golladay, which is a win-win for both sides. Detroit gets to see if he has success with Goff before investing long term, and the wideout can show teams he’s healthy and productive again ahead of a 2022 free-agent period that will give teams more cap flexibility.

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JuJu Smith-Schuster (Pittsburgh Steelers): Following a couple of unspectacular seasons after Antonio Brown left, JuJu appears to have worn out his welcome in the Steel City. Pittsburgh watched 2020 rookie Chase Claypool emerge in a major way, and Diontae Johnson also stepped up his game,  making the veteran expendable.

Expectation: Smith-Schuster will want more money that Pittsburgh can pay him anyway, and this roster has more pressing needs to address for a playoff return to be a safe bet. JJSS will have suitors, including Philadelphia (provided the cap space is cleared) and Las Vegas likely being near the top of the list.

Curtis Samuel (Carolina Panthers): Still only 24 years old entering his first opportunity at free agency, Samuel is coming off of his best fantasy season yet, powered on the strength of 77 receptions for 851 yards — both personal bests. Samuel does a bunch of things well, but he has yet to offer that “wow factor” in any one facet of his game.

Expectation: It will be interesting to see if a different coaching staff can get something more explosive from him in the aerial game, although multiple playcallers in Carolina over his career haven’t been able to draw it out of him. Reuniting with Urban Meyer in Jacksonville makes some sense, and heading to Washington for another coaching reunion is a viable option. There could be interest from multiple teams if the asking price is within reason. Consider New England and the New York Giants to be higher than most on the short list.

T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis Colts): Hilton finally returned to form in the second half of last season. He enters his first opportunity to hit free agency and has said he’s 100 percent focused on it. Hilton also noted he’s not against returning to Indy, though reading between the lines suggests the compensation will need to match up with his desired salary.

Expectation: Acquiring QB Carson Wentz was the first domino to fall in a series of factors that needed to align to make the Colts more attractive to Hilton. Indy’s cap situation is among the best in football, so now it should come down to compensation. There’s still a better than decent chance Hilton will test his worth on the open market at age 32

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Corey Davis (Tennessee Titans): Timing is everything in life, and the Titans may find out the hard way they should have picked up Davis’ fifth-year option prior to last season. In fairness, he was trending toward epic bust territory before emerging in 2020 alongside A.J. Brown.

Expectation: It comes down to how much Tennessee values Davis and whether the two can establish common ground when it comes to dollars vs. expectations. Sitting just slightly above the cap, it’s unlikely the Titans can spend enough to retain him. If Davis wants to have a shot a winning over being overpaid, he could explore a creative contract for the short term. Most likely, a team with deeper pockets will win his services.

Marvin Jones (Detroit Lions): Jones turns 31 days before the opening of free agency in March, and he has been remarkably consistent over the past four years on a per-game basis. The former Bengal and Lion is the consummate No. 2 receiver. But given his age and lack of postseason success, Jones will have a narrow list of desired landing spots. He wants to be paid what he feels he’s worth and play for a contender. Say goodbye, Detroit.

Expectation: Teams that fit the mold of what Jones has in mind, in order of most cap space: Indianapolis, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, San Francisco, Seattle, Tennessee, Green Bay and Kansas City. Indy, Baltimore and Tennessee are probably the most sensible options.

Antonio Brown (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Common sense puts AB back in pewter this fall, but consider the man in question here. Tom Brady will be on his side, and the Buccaneers have ample money to spend.

Expectation: A razor-thin margin for error will scare off several teams, if not most. Brown also is getting long in the tooth. Look for him to sign another one-year pact with Tampa Bay as the most probable course of action.

Will Fuller (Houston Texans): An injury history four miles long and facing a one-game suspension to begin the year, Fuller has limited leverage. He still has his wheels and is only 27 once the season begins. He’s not a WR1 and shouldn’t be asked to handle such a role.

Expectation: Fuller may be on the short list for Green Bay, Indianapolis, New England, Washington and Cleveland. All of those teams desperately need to get faster. Green Bay has some speed, but the inconsistent play behind Davante Adams is in need of an upgrade. There could be a wild card out of Baltimore, Tennessee and Las Vegas.

Nelson Agholor (Las Vegas Raiders): This one will be interesting. The former first-round pick saved his career, thanks to his downfield chemistry with quarterback Derek Carr. The Raiders will move on from Tyrell Williams, and there’s an obvious need for as much help at the position as the Raiders can assemble. A report late last year said Agholor lashed out at his teammates for a dysfunctional collapse, but it was immediately disputed by actual Las Vegas players.

Expectation: Flip a coin on whether he returns to the team. A lucrative contract offer could help ail any woes, and having teammates step up in his defense is telling. A bunch of teams need a vertical threat at receiver, and the Raiders showed how to properly use him. Agholor will have multiple teams at least kicking tires in the legal tampering period.

A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals): The former star receiver will hit the market for the first time in his career. An age-33 season ahead — made scarier by his injury history — will limit Green’s suitors. In the right role, such as a scoring threat in the red zone, Green could do some damage for fantasy purposes. However, predicting when to play him in that scenario would be frustrating. To Green’s credit, he didn’t miss a game in 2020. To reality’s credit, Green looked washed up after missing all of 2019.

Expectation: This feels like a Patriots signing … Bill Belichick has a track record of signing former star players on the cheap, especially at receiver, hoping to get something from them. If WR-needy playoff teams, like Indy, Washington, Cleveland, Tennessee or Green Bay, are interested, Green could have a strong chance to rebound. Should he be relegated to inking with any old team, like Detroit, the Jets, Philly, among others, Green will be exposed once again. Wild cards include the Chiefs, Bears, Steelers and Seahawks.

Josh Reynolds (Los Angeles Rams): Los Angeles invested a 2020 second-round pick on wide receiver Van Jefferson. Reynolds is coming off a season in which he posted personal bests for yardage (618) and catches (52). He won’t attract a huge contract, although the Texas A&M product could prove to be a bargain.

Expectation: Reynolds, 26, will almost certainly be playing in a new city next year, and one spot that makes considerable sense is Cincinnati. The Bengals have plenty of cash to spend, A.J. Green is an impending free agent, and head coach Zac Taylor coached for the Rams during Reynolds first couple of seasons in the league.

Demarcus Robinson (Kansas City Chiefs): Robinson re-signed with KC last year on a one-year pact that resulted in him posting career figures for receptions (45) and yardage (466).

Expectation: There’s enough reason to think he could defect if a team is willing to spend up after Robinson tallied 11 total receiving scores in the past three seasons. If Sammy Watkins doesn’t renew with the Chiefs, Robinson could get a call from KC general manager Brett Veach.

Sammy Watkins (Kansas City Chiefs): It seems like Watkins is in his mid-30s by now, but he’s entering free agency at only 27. Kansas City has expressed interest in re-signing him, and the oft-injured wideout has mutual feelings. He noted his desire to win is greater than for racking up stats, which narrows things down a great deal.

Expectation: A one-year contract with either incentives or generally lessened salary ramifications makes a ton of sense for both KC and Watkins. He’s a veteran presence who knows the Chiefs’ system, and the aforementioned Robinson is free agent, too, which increases the value of Watkins re-upping in KC.

Keelan Cole (Jacksonville Jaguars): Cole returned to the minds of fantasy gamers in 2020 on a career-high 55 catches and five scores. He won’t have a huge market, and Cole most likely will be signed to play a complementary role. However, there’s a chance a team could see enough in his game and offer Cole a shot at being a WR2.

Expectation: Teams with limited money and a need for a role player: Detroit, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Green Bay, Tennessee and Las Vegas.

David Moore (Seattle Seahawks): Can Moore translate a six-touchdown campaign into a prominent role with a fresh team? Perhaps, but his overall body of work is rather limited and uninspiring. Moore battled inconsistency last year and mainly found success by way of the attention paid to the two receivers ahead of him.

Expectation: He could be a victim of a deep free-agent pool, and a return to Seattle shouldn’t be ruled out. Reuniting with Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is a distinct possibility.

Breshad Perriman (New York Jets): Perriman is a well-traveled veteran at this point, and his latest stop did his 2021 leverage no favors. The deep threat could find a role with a team in the market for a limited-action vertical weapon, but the money will reflect it.

Expectation: Not that it makes a great difference in fantasy leagues, since Perriman is a bit player who is reliant on matchups, but he could be an intriguing option in the right situation. The usual suspects on this list are reasonable options, simply because of his speed. Indy, Tennessee, Washington, Miami, Arizona, San Fran, Seattle, Carolina and the Patriots are all within reason based on need.

DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles): D-Jax, 34, hits free agency after his release. The market will be extremely limited because of his age and massive injury history. There could be a team or two willing to pay enough to bring him in on a one-year deal just to utilize his still-impressive speed.

Expectation: Kansas City makes ample sense, given the relative knowledge Jackson has of Andy Reid’s system, and the Chiefs have a need for a veteran role player with the impending free agency of Demarcus Robinson and Sammy Watkins. New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis, the Jets and Cleveland make sense, too.

Rashard Higgins (Cleveland Browns): Higgins has flashed a time or two in his NFL career. The role has mostly been as a backup, and while there could be an opportunity for Higgins to see a starting role, it’s hard to imagine it will be in a reliable setting.

Expectation: There’s a significant need for a receiver from so many teams that it’s a total crapshoot to guess as to where Higgins will sign. Cleveland absolutely is still in the mix, and re-signing makes sense for both sides. He has a relationship with Baker Mayfield, knows the offense, and could be asked to do more if OBJ is slow to recover.

Kendrick Bourne (San Francisco 49ers): Can a change of scenery improve Bourne’s fantasy prospects after several years of flirting with being more than a spot starter? There’s a pair of talented receivers on roster in San Fran in Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. After George Kittle, Bourne really won’t see enough passes with frequency to consistently matter in fantasy, should he return.

Expectation: The Jets are the most likely landing spot. They have an obvious need for receivers, giving Bourne an opportunity to compete for a starting gig. It also would reunite him with New York’s new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

Willie Snead (Baltimore Ravens): Snead has been a safety blanket of sorts for Lamar Jackson in clutch situations, although his offerings in fantasy are that of an occasional matchup play.

Expectation: His market will be limited, so a possible return to Baltimore isn’t unrealistic. The Ravens are in good cap shape (11th most), suggesting it will come down to Snead’s preference and whether the brain trust wants to move on to younger options, such as Miles Boykin and/or Devin Duvernay.

Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals): It’s improbable Fitz returns for his 18th pro season if it isn’t in Arizona. He endured his worst statistical season as a pro in 2020 and may return as no more than a mentor.

Expectation: Assuming he returns for one more crack at a Super Bowl, Fitzgerald’s age-38 season offers no fantasy football value of note.

Potential free agents to watch

Due to a likely shrinking salary cap, some teams will be in a bind more than expected when these contracts were signed.

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Odell Beckham Jr. (Cleveland Browns): There’s chatter Beckham could be traded or released as he works his way back from knee reconstruction. The one-time superstar has fallen on tough times in recent years, and while Cleveland certainly can keep him on roster at his current cost, the right compensation package could instigate a trade. OBJ’s deal has three seasons remaining but gives a penalty-free out after the 2021 campaign. Cutting or trading him now would save just under $3 million.

Brandin Cooks (Houston Texans): The cap hit is $12 million this year, and Cooks’ deal carries no dead money over the next three years. Depending on what happens with Deshaun Watson, and the impending free-agent status of WR Will Fuller, it could leave the Texans in position to restructure Cooks or even keep him at his current price.

Tyrell Williams (Las Vegas Raiders): Williams is expected to be released to save Las Vegas $23 million over the next two seasons. The former Charger missed the entire 2020 season with a shoulder injury and may have a slim market awaiting his services.

Emmanuel Sanders (New Orleans Saints): Sanders carries a $10.5 million charge against the cap for a team that is in dire straits, so there’s plenty of incentive to get younger and cheaper. Sanders’ release will come with $4 million in dead cap charges, accelerating $2 million from the 2022 cap to this year’s.

Golden Tate (New York Giants): Last year’s tumultuous relationship between Tate and the organization could help contribute to the underperforming veteran to be shown the door. The cap savings would be roughly $6.1 million.

Mike Williams (Los Angeles Chargers): The Bolts picked up his fifth-year option for 2021, which will pay Williams $15.68 million. The Chargers are in good shape cap-wise and don’t need to release him, but it is a bunch of money to pay for what Williams has produced of late. No dead cap hit makes him expendable via release or trade.

Adam Humphries (Tennessee Titans): Multiple concussions could force the former Buccaneer to contemplate retirement, but should he opt to return to the field, it’s unlikely with the Titans. Tennessee will save more than $4.4 million against the cap by releasing him.

Alshon Jeffery (Philadelphia Eagles): Jeffery will be released once the new league year officially opens. At 31, after several years of serious injury issues, his days of fantasy relevance are likely over.

We’re quickly approaching NFL free agency, one of the most exciting times of the year. As veterans continue to be traded and released in the weeks ahead, nothing is official until March 17 at 4 p.m. EDT. That won’t stop us from getting energized about any news, nor will it prevent a look ahead at possible scenarios.

Here are the positional breakdowns of known unrestricted free-agent running backs who may present fantasy football utility in 2021. Each player’s 2020 team is in parentheses, and we’ll focus only on relevant fantasy football commodities.

Quarterbacks | Wide receivers | Tight ends

2021 fantasy football free agents to watch

Running backs

Aaron Jones (Green Bay Packers): Expected to find money that would pay him in the top three of average salaries for his position, Jones hits free agency at an interesting time. He’s the top commodity among his backfield mates, and Spotrac suggests he will have a market value close to $15 million annually. Green Bay currently projects to be $18.55 million over the minimum cap of $180 million. Regardless of what the final number is set at, the Packers have the sixth-lowest amount of financial freedom. Jones and backup Jamaal Williams are set to be free agents, and the Packers added running back AJ Dillon in the 2020 draft with this in mind.

Expectation: Green Bay has made multiple offers to Jones, but the two sides have not been able to agree on the guaranteed compensation. The situation is about as fluid as any. Given the cap situation, his price tag, and the Dillon selection, Jones is likely playing in a new city in 2021. The top suitors should include: San Francisco, Miami and the New York Jets.

Chris Carson (Seattle Seahawks): Seattle has itself in an average spot financially, sitting 17th in cap space after the top 51 contracts are tallied. The issue is nine starters from the tail end of last season are free agents. Carson is the top one of the group, and his primary backup, Carlos Hyde, is a free agent in March, too. The Seahawks invested a first-round pick in running back Rashaad Penny in 2018, a move that has proven to be far from rewarding to date. A fourth-rounder was spent on RB DeeJay Dallas last year. Perhaps Seattle focuses on getting the most out of these two and supplementing them with a draft investment or a cheap free-agent veteran, because the pool is super deep with complementary types.

Expectation: While Carson isn’t guaranteed to be playing elsewhere next season, it sure seems like that will be the outcome. Seattle could offer him a moderate short-term deal that is laden with bonus money to kick the can to 2022 when the team has an estimated $136 million in space (12th most). Pete Carroll wants to run the ball more, and he has a proven horse available should the money make sense. That said, Carson certainly could be overpaid by teams in better 2021 financial situations (NYJ, WAS, MI, LAC, SF).

Kenyan Drake (Arizona Cardinals): According to Spotrac’s market value chart, Drake is the second-most expensive running back in the 2021 free-agent pool with an annual estimated salary average of $8.36 million. The Cardinals placed the one-year, $8.483 million transition tag on him in 2020, and while Drake wasn’t awful in any sense, he was nowhere near as explosive as in 2019’s late-season eruption. The Cards threw to him only 31 times after he caught 50 passes in 2019 split between Miami and Arizona. Drake rushed for career highs in attempts (239), yards (955) and touchdowns (10) but posted his lowest yards-per-carry (4.0) and yards-per-touch (4.1) averages of his career.

Expectation: Arizona isn’t out of the race (brisk walk?) to ink Drake in March, but the contract situation will have to favor the Cardinals. Chase Edmonds looked quite capable of being the 1a at times last year, although durability is an issue. The Cardinals have so many cheaper options if the goal is to barely approach 1,000 rushing yards. Drake played his way into a crack at starting somewhere. Teams with the need and money to burn include the Jets, Dolphins, Chargers, 49ers and Cardinals, but Drake could opt for less money and/or a reduce role to play for a team he views as a contender (Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Pittsburgh).

Leonard Fournette (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Reports had Fournette as a possible roster cut prior to his playoff tear that helped the Bucs win the Lombardi and subsequently play catch with it over open water. In the prime of his career, set to hit the market, Fournette will draw ample interest from teams in great shape financially — and Tampa is one of those franchises (13th in cap space). The team isn’t likely to break the bank on a long-term deal, though, so it could be a one-year pact with plenty of guaranteed compensation.

Expectation: Since Ronald Jones is a tandem back, and the Buccaneers never really explored 2020 rookie RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, it’s as reasonable to think Fournette remains in the mix as is the team allows him to walk. For the sake of continuity with a roster that is paying Vaughn next to nothing and has a Super Bowl repeat in its sights, the current lean is Fournette returns for 2021.

James Conner (Pittsburgh Steelers): It seems like 100 years ago when Conner was making people in fantasy leagues say, “Le’Veon, who?” Following two down years, marred by ineffective utilization, poor play, and suspect offensive line work at times, Conner has himself entering free agency at 25 years old and worth probably a quarter of what he was following the 2018 season. … Only so many hits a back can handle, and even entering his age-26 season, teams will be extremely cautious about giving him significant money beyond a year or two.

Expectation: The Steelers aren’t in a great spot financially, and the drop-off to Benny Snell with a complement of change-up back is negligible, if not zilch. The market for Conner won’t be totally barren, given his versatility and past success. Look for a team in need of a veteran rental or wanting a one-two punch to explore a deal with Conner. Teams likely in place include Jacksonville, the Jets, Miami, the Chargers, Arizona, Seattle and Atlanta. Not on that short list: Pittsburgh.

Todd Gurley (Atlanta Falcons): After what was supposed to be a one-year prove-it deal for Gurley in the ATL, he hits the market again in search of a new home. It’s surreal to realize just how far Gurley has fallen from his pedestal in just two seasons. The star back regressed from being historically productive in 2018 to a touchdown-dependent fantasy RB2 in 2019, and finally settling as a barely playable flex last year in Atlanta. Not all of it is his fault. The Los Angeles Rams and Falcons each struggled to clear lanes for him in the past two seasons, and Gurley’s balky knee has contributed, as well, especially with the teams cutting his receiving targets basically in half.

Expectation: Call me an optimist — and you’ll be the first — but Gurley could rebound in the right situation. He turns 27 in early August and has 254 and 220 touches, respectively, in the past two years. While the knee remains a concern, if he comes at a bargain (say, less than $5 mill), what’s the incentive to take it easy on him? Keep an eye on Seattle and what happens with Carson. Should he be too expensive for a re-signing, Gurley could reunite with Rams assistant and new Seahawks OC Shane Waldron.

Wayne Gallman (New York Giants): Gallman is one of the most intriguing free agents from a fantasy perspective. He rattled off six scores in a five-game stretch during the heart of the 2020 season after Saquon Barkley went down. Unfortunately, he managed only one effort with more than 94 yards and isn’t much of a receiving option. The final five contests saw Gallman finish with zero scores behind a horrid offensive line.

Expectation: He won’t be a bank-breaking signing, and New York could be interested in retaining Gallman if the dollars work out. NYG is in a tight spot financially (19th-least cap space). In the upcoming free-agent period, there will be a market for Gallman as a backup or change-of-pacer.

Mark Ingram (Baltimore Ravens): Baltimore turned to younger, more dynamic backs in 2021’s stretch run, and Ingram will once again hit the market to search for what should be his final NFL home. The days of Ingram being a workhorse are gone, but there’s still a place for him in the NFL if a contender is looking for a proven vet on the cheap.

Expectation: The 31-year-old could return to the New Orleans Saints if Latavius Murray is shown the door as a cap casualty. As a committee back, Ingram may see interest from several teams in contention, but there’s too much movement ahead to wager much of an educated guess. The Giants and Detroit Lions could be in play, if Ingram is just looking to sign somewhere.

James White (New England Patriots): The Patriots are in full rebuilding mode at this point, and White probably will opt for free agency after seeing his utilization decline in the past two seasons from its peak in 2018. The veteran is a niche role player as one of the best pass-catching running backs in the past five years. White, 29, will be sought after for teams trying to fine tune their points of attack.

Expectation: Look no further than Tampa Bay as the most logical spot for White. He and Tom Brady were money together, and the Bucs have enough cash to make it even more attractive to White. Leonard Fournette is a free agent in March, too, and LeSean McCoy (also a UFA) probably retires. The Buccaneers will look to complement Ronald Jones one way or another. Miami could be in play, and Green Bay may opt for White as a contrast to AJ Dillon.

Mike Davis (Carolina Panthers): The Panthers turned to the veteran journeyman each time Christian McCaffrey went down in 2020, and Davis played admirably. He rushed for 642 yards and six scores on 165 attempts, adding a 59-373-2 line in the passing game — a poor man’s CMC.

Expectation: Davis, 28, probably didn’t earn himself a starting gig somewhere else, and Carolina could opt for retaining him as insurance for McCaffrey. Depending on how things shake out with the marquee names poised to come available in March, Davis could find himself being a consolation prize as a one-year stopgap for a needy roster.

Le’Veon Bell (Kansas City Chiefs): Bell looks washed up, plain and simple. He enters his age-30 season and isn’t likely to have much of a market, especially if he values himself higher than the rest of the world possessing functional eyesight.

Expectation: Some general manager out there may feel differently if the money makes sense, and Bell has a puncher’s chance of rebounding into a regular fantasy option if the situation works out. He’ll probably wait to see how the market dominoes fall.

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Jamaal Williams (Green Bay Packers): Williams is set to become a free agent, along with Aaron Jones, and he will have options in free agency as a rotational backup. The Packers could be in the mix, if the money aligns, assuming Jones doesn’t return.

Expectation: Williams could end up with a number of teams. The rosters in need of a capable receiving back with the ability to start in a pinch includes Jacksonville, the Jets, New England, Carolina, Miami, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, Arizona, Seattle, among others.

Marlon Mack (Indianapolis Colts): Entering his first free-agent period, Mack is coming back from a torn Achilles tendon. He’s entering his age-25 season, which bodes well, and modern medical techniques have recovery from this injury not as daunting as it was even 10 years ago.

Expectation: There’s little chance Mack will want to re-sign with the Colts to back up Jonathan Taylor, so it really comes down to how teams view his rehab status around the opening of free agency. Smart money says Mack is forced to wait until later in the summer and could find a more appealing situation should a starter go down with an injury of his own.

Tevin Coleman, (San Francisco 49ers): Coleman is an efficient running back and has chops as a blocker in pass protection. He also has an extensive history of injuries and hasn’t been able to take his game to the next level in one of the best rushing systems in the NFL.

Expectation: An offense looking for a 1b in a zone-blocking system would be the ideal fit. Coleman isn’t draftable without entering an ideal setting. Keep tabs on his free-agent tour.

Matt Breida (Miami Dolphins): The former 49ers game is built on explosiveness in a zone-blocking system. Breida has track speed but wasn’t utilized effectively during his short stay with the Dolphins.

Expectation: It’s improbable he returns at this point. Breida is likely to be forced to wait for an opportunity. The 49ers really could be in play for a reunion with Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon both being free agents in March.

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Brian Hill (Atlanta Falcons): Hill will be an interesting wild card to watch in free agency. There’s a minimal chance he gets a big deal or even an immediate crack at being a starter. Yet, there’s considerable upside to keep tabs on from a fantasy perspective. In the right setting, such as being a chief backup to a fragile starter, Hill would become a viable fantasy candidate.

Expectation: Hill has the opportunity to find a “1b” role to a more explosive “1a” type. Given the monstrosity that is the free-agent RB market right now, it’s a waste of both of our time to speculate where he could end up. But make note of his name and recognize he could carve out a relevant role in the right city.

Adrian Peterson (Detroit Lions): Peterson will be 36 as of the start of the season, but he continues to prove there’s still something in that Hall of Fame-bound gas tank of his. The Lions’ wholesale regime change makes him highly unlikely to come back to the roster. Regardless of where he lands, Peterson wants to play, which makes his options much greater.

Expectation: Whichever team offers him a veteran-minimum contract will be in the running to sign him, so who knows … the reality is he probably has to settle as being a “mercenary for hire” after an injury.

Malcolm Brown (Los Angeles Rams): Brown could be an interesting signing for the Seattle Seahawks, since he is familiar with the system that comes over with the new OC Shane Waldron. Brown has struggled with some injuries and mediocre play, but the veteran has a place in the NFL as a backup or change-up to a brittle starter.

Expectation: Unless he lands as a starter or primary shareholder of a backfield, Brown is not draftable. Depending on the market conditions, he could be back in LA on a dirt-cheap deal as the likely No. 3 back.

Potential free agents to watch

Due to a likely shrinking salary cap, some teams will be in a bind more than expected when these contracts were signed.

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David Johnson (Houston Texans): Save roughly $6 million in cap space by bailing on the sixth-highest positional cap charge for what is the final year of his deal? It’s hard to argue against it since Houston has only $10 million in cap space and a bunch of holes to fill.

Expectation: When push comes to shove, Johnson could be asked to restructure his final year and play it out with incentives to help lower his cost but give him a chance to recoup some of the money.

Duke Johnson (Houston Texans): The Texans will save $5 million and change by cutting Johnson before his roster bonus is due in March. Houston has a little more than $10 million in space right now, and escaping the 10th-highest cap figure among NFL running backs may be unavoidable given the pair of big-money deals allocated to this backfield (David Johnson is No. 6 in highest cap charge).

Expectation: The former Cleveland Brown is likely to be playing in a different uniform in 2021.

Latavius Murray (New Orleans Saints): With the team in dire straits against the cap, Murray is likely to be shown the door. He’s a backup to a highly paid starter and has a contractual out that would allow the team to free itself nearly $5 million while incurring a $1.7 million dead hit to the 2021 cap ($850k for 2022 being accelerated to this year). The Saints would save $3.337 million by cutting him as a June 1 release — an increase in savings even after paying him a $350k roster bonus in March.

Expectation: Unless he’s willing to take a dramatic pay cut, Murray is on the cusp of playing in another city in 2021.

We’re quickly approaching NFL free agency, one of the most exciting times of the year. As veterans continue to be traded and released in the weeks ahead, nothing is official until March 17 at 4 p.m. EDT. That won’t stop us from getting energized about any news, nor will it prevent a look ahead at possible scenarios.

Here are the positional breakdowns of known unrestricted free agent quarterbacks who may present fantasy football utility in 2021. Each player’s 2020 team is in parentheses.

2021 fantasy football free agents to watch

Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys): Coming off of a devastating ankle injury that required a pair of surgeries, Prescott will become a free agent in March, provided Dallas doesn’t secure his services via the franchise tag again or a long-term deal.

Expectation: This one will get worked out one way or another with Prescott remaining a Cowboy.

Jameis Winston (New Orleans Saints): It appears a foregone conclusion at this point that we’ve seen the last NFL pass from Drew Brees. With that in mind, the Saints could be prepared to offer Winston another one-year “prove it” deal that would have to be cap-friendly for the team with the least amount of money to spend. Talent alone, Winston is in a tier of his own after Prescott in this year’s natural class of free agents.

Expectation: Did Sean Payton see enough in practice to award Winston a shot at the starting job — all while starting Taysom Hill over the former Buccaneer? Hard to say, but reports suggest New Orleans is not out on Winston just yet. The biggest factor is whether Winston wants to settle for a lesser contract and a chance to start for a familiar, playoff-caliber team, or will he prefer to take the most lucrative offer after playing on a $1.1 million deal in 2020. He’s the true wild card of this group. Don’t write off Chicago, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Houston. Smart money puts him back in the Big Easy, however.

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Mitchell Trubisky (Chicago Bears): The former No. 2 overall pick has weathered a turbulent career thus far, and if it had not been for the Bears declining his fifth-year option, the team wouldn’t find itself in a predicament of sorts. Trubisky came to life as the season wore along, and it was obvious he developed more comfort in Bill Lazor’s system once the rust was shaken from the abbreviated offseason.

Expectation: Chicago still has Nick Foles under contract, and given an ominous yet favorable $6.66 million cap charge for a team up against it, the believe is Trubisky walks. While it wouldn’t be ideal, Foles may be granted a legit shot to start while the Bears work to find viable future at the position.

Cam Newton (New England Patriots): Recency bias affects us all, including NFL general managers. Newton was mostly a trash bin of flaming garbage in 2020. In his defense, he was coming off of surgery, had no offseason program, signed rather late with the team, needed to learn a complex offense, many key figures were missing from the Patriots, and the offense had basically no weapons in the passing game. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln …

Expectation: Washington is an intriguing situation if something goes south with Alex Smith returning to the club. Smith, entering his age-37 season, reportedly intends to play in 2021. Signing in Washington would pair Newton with his former head coach, GM and offensive coordinator/QBs coach. It also would bring him to a roster on the rise. Denver is on the short list, too. Drew Lock can sit and watch as Newton joins a much better roster. Indianapolis turned to a veteran game manager in Rivers last year. Newton could be an option if all else fails. Don’t totally rule out the Patriots settling on giving Cam one more year, although it’s a long shot at this stage.

Jacoby Brissett (Indianapolis Colts): The 2019 starter was relegated to a backup role in 2020, serving behind Philip Rivers. The latter has opted for retirement, and the Colts are in need of a quarterback. Carson Wentz appears to be the front-runner via trade, but Brissett shouldn’t be automatically discounted if the Wentz angle falls apart. That said, Brissett has extremely limited fantasy appeal even if he were to return as Indy’s starter.

Expectation: He will serve as a backup once again in 2021, probably winding up back with the Colts on a one-year deal. New England could be in play. Even as a 2019 starter, Brissett barely offered matchup-based utility for fantasy purposes.

Potential free agents to watch

Due to a likely shrinking salary cap, some teams will be in a bind more than expected when these contracts were signed.

Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers): After restructuring last year to help the team, the soon-to-be 39-year-old carries a ridiculous $41 million cap charge in 2021. He said he wants to return and doesn’t care about his salary. The team hasn’t officially said it is moving on from him, but they’ll eat $22.25 mill if he is released. Sure, that’s a significant savings, but one has to question if it’s worth it. It’s easy to forget this team was 11-0 prior to being ravaged by injuries on defense.

Expectation: Creative maneuvering could see him get extended by a year to help spread the cap implications down the line. No matter what, with a huge hit from dead money looming, it’s hard to see Big Ben playing for anyone else in 2021.

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Alex Smith (Washington Football Team): Nearly age 37, Smith will be at a crossroad. Reports say he intends to play in 2021 after a miraculous return to the field this past season. Smith is due to count $24.4 million — basically average — against Washington’s cap in 2021, and releasing him would create $10.8 million in dead cap, accelerating $5.4 million from 2022.

Expectation: Should he get released, Smith will draw interest from several teams looking for a cerebral stopgap with the playoffs in sight (New England comes to mind). QB Taylor Heinicke was signed to a middling contract, and Washington has cap options that don’t include releasing Smith, so this one comes down to whether new general manager Marty Hurney and coach Ron Rivera are on the same page about Smith as the starter in 2021. Look for him to stick around one more year.

Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers): If someone better comes along via trade, San Fran will explore it. Until there’s a bona fide replacement in sights, Garoppolo should return on a modest charge of $26.4 million against the cap. Parting ways with him will not be an issue financially. The 49ers will incur just $2.8 million in total dead space if he’s shown the door.

Expectation: Unless someone with the pedigree of Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson (never going to happen) comes available, there’s a heck of a lot of smoke coming from this puny fire.

Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles): The $128 million extension signed in 2019 is looming large over what Philly can realistically do with Wentz. He has three years remaining after the 2021 season, and there’s no reasonable way the Eagles can cut him in 2021. His 2022 salary becomes partially guaranteed at $15 million as of the third day of the 2021 league calendar (March 19), which puts Philly on the hook for this year and the next, should he remain with the club. Trading him would put $9.27 million of his cap with the Eagles, sending the remaining $25.4 million to the new team’s books for 2021, creating a net of $33.8 in dead money in 2021 — about a million less than paying him to stay. Should Wentz remain with the Eagles this season, the out becomes much easier after the 2021 campaign. He would cost “only” $24.55 million in dead money against the ’22 cap. The NFL record for an individual is Brandin Cooks at $21.8M in unusable moolah this past season.

Expectation: The Colts have been long rumored to be in the market for Wentz, which only makes sense given their coach and a need for a quarterback. Philly can trade him now, taking a massive initial cap hit but know they’re off the hook for the guaranteed money in 2022 and a potential distraction in the locker room in the meantime. The Eagles should take the best offer they can leverage, despite having none, even if it’s going to sting a little in the back pocket.