No transition tag likely means Amari Cooper hits the open market in free agency. How do you see it playing out?
(Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)
Now that the NFL has done away with the transition tag via the new collective bargaining agreement, the Dallas Cowboys have to make a decision whether to tag Dak Prescott or Amari Cooper, and it seems like a no-brainer that Prescott will get the designation.
In that case, where does Cooper go? He wants to play for Dallas, but he also has a unique opportunity to land a massive contract after rebounding from a yo-yo of a career in Oakland. The Cowboys will make a strong effort to sign him, and it seemingly makes the most sense for him to return, if the money is right.
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Presuming Prescott gets tagged, does Cooper renew with the ‘Boys? Does another team swoop in with a hefty briefcase? Will Dallas surprise and tag Cooper over Dak?
A two-fer poll asking where you expect Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill will play in the upcoming season.
(Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)
The ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement has removed the transition tag, which means the Tennessee Titans will be forced to work out a deal with either quarterback Ryan Tannehill or running back Derrick Henry and place the franchise tag on the other guy.
The Titans are expected to tag Henry and let Tannehill explore the market, and it makes much more sense financially for the team to follow this path. That’s not to say Tannehill won’t be offered a respectable contract by Tennessee.
You get a 2-for-1 poll today. First, where do you see free agency taking Tannehill?
Can Sanders squeeze out one more strong season? If so, where will it be?
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
Veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was dealt from the Denver Broncos to the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 and made an immediate impact. The Niners certainly remain in play for his services, but Sanders is expected to have a chance to explore the market. He will turn 33 years old in a matter of days, and the veteran’s second half of 2019 suggests he has at least one more strong year in the tank.
While one of his best chances of winning Super Bowl LV comes with re-signing in the Bay Area, Sanders knows this is likely his last chance for a contract of any magnitude, and some team may be willing to throw top dollar his way for a one-year pact.
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Where do you see him signing in the upcoming free-agent period?
Eric Ebron will venture into free agency once again. Where will he call home in 2020?
(Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports)
Free agent-to-be tight end Eric Ebron’s career has been up and down to date, and one could argue the worst thing to happen to him was the sudden retirement of quarterback Andrew Luck. Nevertheless, it was just two seasons ago when he took the fantasy world by storm after a lackluster career in Detroit.
The Indianapolis Colts are expected to move on from Ebron. The franchise tagging of TE Hunter Henry by the Los Angeles Chargers works in Ebron’s favor. The move leaves Austin Hooper as the only major competition among veteran tight ends with some tread left on the tires.
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When the dust settles, where do you expect Ebron to be playing in 2020?
Will Robby Anderson re-sign with the New York Jets, or is he destined to wear a new uniform in 2020?
(Rich Barnes, USA TODAY Sports)
The New York Jets and impending free-agent wide receiver Robby Anderson very well could come to an agreement, but all signs point to him at least being able to scope out his market value.
Anderson has stated he hopes to return to New York, but he also acknowledged a desire to pair up with Tom Brady — wherever that may be. Given his history of flashing borderline WR1 talent as a deep threat, contrasting with Anderson’s history of questionable decisions off of the field, it will be interesting to see just how much attention he draws on the market.
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Where do you see him landing in next week’s free-agent frenzy?
A star in the making, Lamb should have no shortage of suitors come draft day.
(Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports)
Oklahoma Sooners junior wide receiver CeeDee Lamb declared early for the 2020 NFL Draft after three productive seasons with the Sooners, in which he improved each of the past two years. He would go on to be a first-team AP All-American and Biletnikoff Award finalist in 2019, and Lamb earned recognition as a member of the All-Big 12 team.
Despite a class with high-end quarterbacks and offensive linemen expected to occupy most of the top-10 draft picks, Lamb belongs in this area of the first round, even if it may not play out that way.
Table: CeeDee Lamb NCAA stats (2017-19)
Year
Rec
Yards
Avg.
TD
Long
Rush
Yards
Avg.
TD
2019
62
1,327
21.4
14
71
9
20
2.2
1
2018
65
1,158
17.8
11
86
0
0
0
0
2017
46
807
17.5
7
82
0
0
0
0
Pros
Lethal after the catch — open-field athleticism, awareness and vision jumps off of the screen when reviewing his film
Elite ball skills and tracking ability — his best traits as a receiver
One of the best receivers in the nation in contested-catch situations — attacks the ball and understands the dynamics behind optimal body placement and adjustments
Dangerous in all three levels of the route tree
Can play all over the field and is easily schemed into any system
Among the best deep-ball playmakers in college football over the last three years. No receiver averaged more yards per catch (minimum 40) in 2019
Tremendous football intelligence and off-field character
Plays after than he times
Experienced punt returner
Adequate lower-body strength to slip flimsy tackle attempts
Cons
Needs to improve efficiency in and out of breaks — could struggle to separate vs. pro-level man coverage
Limited upper-body strength with 11 reps on the 225-pound bench press and is more of an effort blocker, which could be exposed in the NFL
Thin build and doesn’t possess the frame to pack on more mass without threatening his quickness
More question marks than necessarily cons: Lamb played in an offense designed to create separation, which could have inflated his numbers after being untested by suspect Big 12 cornerbacks. How much did he benefit due to catching passes from the past two No. 1 overall picks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray (plus Jalen Hurts)? How about playing alongside Hollywood Brown for two years?
Fantasy football outlook
As mentioned, despite being a top-10 talent, Lamb may fall victim to external circumstances. Looking at the first round, teams with the need and placement include: Arizona Cardinals (8th), New York Jets (11th), Las Vegas Raiders (12th, 19th), Indianapolis Colts (13th), Denver Broncos (15th), Miami Dolphins (18th). While Miami also has the fifth pick, it’s fully expected they will address quarterback and/or offensive tackle needs.
The most likely teams are the Jets, Raiders and Colts. It is tough to envision Lamb falling past the Raiders after the Antonio Brown fiasco left the cupboard rather barren, and the Jets absolutely need a WR1, especially if Robby Anderson doesn’t return in free agency.
In any of those three situations, the quarterback play (assuming Philip Rivers is a Colt) shouldn’t work against Lamb putting his best foot forward as a rookie. That said, the position rarely posts huge fantasy football statistics in Year 1. We’ve see several strong efforts in recent years, so think of Lamb as a beast-case WR2 and most likely a weekly flex consideration on talent alone.
Kenyan Drake likely turned a late-season 2019 run into a huge payday, but from which team?
(Joe Nicholson, USA TODAY Sports)
Following a midseason trade in 2019 from the Miami Dolphins to the Arizona Cardinals, a career that was heading for life support was injected with renewed vigor as running back Kenyan Drake erupted over the final month of the season.
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Arizona remains interested in re-signing him, but Drake’s camp appears set on testing the open market to see what his value is to other teams. So where do you think Drake will end up in 2020? We’d love to hear your take.
Falcons tight end Austin Hooper is about to sign a mega deal, but which team will pony up?
(Ben Ludeman, USA TODAY Sports)
We’re back again for another round of polling our audience about the likely landing spot for an impending free agent, and this time the focus is Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper. In a few days, he is set to hit the open market, and there’s no clear evidence the Falcons will franchise tag him or sign an extension before the opening of free agency.
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Being that he is the prized player at his position this year, it is sure he will find plenty of suitors. Which team do you expect will sign Hooper? Let us know your thoughts in the poll below and on social media.
A 38-year-old Philip Rivers will be playing for a new team in 2020. Which franchise will ink the vet in free agency?
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
The Los Angeles Chargers moved on from veteran quarterback Philip Rivers following the 2019 season, and the 38-year-old hits the open market for the first time in his career.
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Most prognosticators have zeroed in on the Indianapolis Colts as the obvious spot for Rivers, but nothing has been set in stone just yet.
So where do you think Rivers will play this upcoming season? We’d love to hear your take.
Which NFL team will sign Melvin Gordon in free agency?
(Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports)
Fantasy football production is a fickle mistress from one year to the next, and a great deal of that is attributable to free agency. This year, Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon quite possibly is the top back as far as those likely to leave their 2019 franchise, and he’s all but certain to play for a new team in 2020 after the Bolts gave Austin Ekeler a healthy extension.
There are plenty of possible landing spots for Gordon, so where do you think he will play this upcoming season? We’d love to hear your take.
