Free Agency Tracker with Fantasy Football spin as each important move is announced. It’s time for the fun!
Free Agency Tracker
Allen Robinson to Bears – Robinson is one of the premiere receiver talents in the NFL, if he’s back to 100 percent. The Bears have long needed a No. 1 receiver, as the Kevin White hope needed to die last year. I already talked about how Mitchell Trubisky can be this year’s breakout quarterback, and this only strengthens that case. The question everyone will ask is if Robinson is more the 2015 or 2016 version, as he went from 80/1400/14 to 73/883/6. While Robinson will find it tough to repeat that 2015 campaign, he’s much more that version than 2016. Robinson was often frustrated with Blake Bortles and wanted out of Jacksonville (or just to get away from Bortles). In addition, Robinson made it clear why he chose the Bears:
“I like what coach (Matt) Nagy did from an offensive standpoint in Kansas City. Me being able to see what he did in KC, being able to know that he is an offensive-minded coach & seeing what he’s done before (helped me).”
Add to the appeal of Nagy’s offense, Robinson has seen much of his success on deep balls, and Trubisky is a great deep ball quarterback. Robinson should have a target share around 25 percent, which will push his production back near the WR1 tier with more than 1,000 receiving yards and 7-10 touchdowns. As mentioned, if 100 percent, Robinson will be the favorite for bounceback player of the year in the NFL and Fantasy Football.
Sammy Watkins to Chiefs – This is a better real life move than Fantasy… and it’s also setting up Patrick Mahomes to be the most overdrafted quarterback of 2018, but we’ll come back to that. Watkins is a great talent, but injuries have decimated his career. The issue for Fantasy Football is the number of weapons for the Chiefs, which is a great problem to have in real life. Let me be clear, Watkins is the Chiefs “No. 1 receiver” based on positioning/use/etc., but Tyreek Hill is still the most explosive receiver, and Travis Kelce is rivaling Rob Gronkowski for the best passing game tight end. Of course, we also have Kareem Hunt manning the backfield, who simply led the league in rushing as a rookie on just 272 carries.
We know Patrick Mahomes is an upgrade to the Chiefs offense from Alex Smith, but he’s also going to be in his first full season as a starter. And before you overreact, I’m a Mahomes fan (from my NFL Draft write-up):
“Mahomes has the best potential in this class. Mahomes needs significant work when it comes to mechanics, which is impressive when you consider how successful he was purely off his talent. Mahomes has a body ready for the NFL, great arm strength, which he flashes throwing from multiple angles and makes high-level throws on the move. Mahomes also has pinpoint placement with his throws, can hit the short, medium and deep passes and will throw his receivers open. It’s not all good with Mahomes though. As mentioned, his mechanics might need an overhaul, as his footwork in quite poor in the pocket and on drop-backs. He’ll also fail to reset completely and has a wide stance, leading to sailed passes due to his front leg being too stiff. Mahomes will often hold the ball too long and sometimes pull a Kirk Cousins: ignore the open/easy throw to make the more aggressive play.”
You can argue, and likely be right, that Watkins is the fourth option on the Chiefs. Watkins can do a ton with little, as we saw with his 60/1047/9 (93 targets) in 2015, but he’ll have to be that efficient to reach WR2 status. That’s a lot to ask from someone as inconsistent as Watkins has been and with a quarterback in his first season as a starter. Watkins is a low-end WR3 with potential for much more, while Hill will take a slight hit and fall into top-end WR2 territory.
Case Keenum to Broncos – This is a significant boost to the Broncos offense and the passing game, as Keenum had more touchdown passes in 15 games than the Broncos quarterback collective has produced in each of the three seasons (19, 20, 19). Demaryius Thomas has been on the downturn the past three seasons, but with Keenum at quarterback, he can near 100 receptions again with around 1,200 yards and 7-8 touchdowns. As for Emmanuel Sanders, he needs health to start his bounceback campaign, but Sanders managed 76/1135/6 and 79/1032/5 in 2015 and 2016 with miserable quarterback play. Thomas and Sanders can be the Broncos version of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs with Keenum, which just happened to be WR11 and WR16 in standard and WR8 and WR19 in PPR. Feel free to feel good about the Broncos receiving duo again.
Andrew Norwell to Jaguars – I don’t pretend to be an expert on offensive lineman, and normally, I’d never include one in the NFL Free Agency tracker and Fantasy Football spin, but it’s a major move. The Jaguars offensive line needed help (less so than other teams like the Giants), and Norwell was one of the best pass-blocking guards in the league. He’s also strong in the run game, which gives a boost to Bortles, the receivers and Leonard Fournette. We know Fournette is a great talent, as he was RB10 in just 13 games. Fournette can challenge for a Top 5 running back finish if he plays just 15 games.
Drew Brees to Saints – Carry on. Business as usual.
The Trades
Jarvis Landry to Browns – Obviously, a downgrade, as Landry won’t top 100 receptions. With Tyrod Taylor at quarterback (more on him in a moment), this isn’t going to be a pass-happy offense. Taylor rarely reaches 30 attempts or completes 20-plus passes. Landry should still settle into the 90 range for receptions, which is still quite good, and Landry did have 1,138 yards on 94 catches in 2016, but with just four touchdowns and the YPC should be lower with the Browns and Taylor. Plus, Josh Gordon is the Browns top receiver and red zone threat. Landry is a mid-low WR2 in standard and high-end WR2 in PPR.
Tyrod Taylor to Browns – Taylor has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in Fantasy Football, but that’s due in large part to his rushing ability. As mentioned, Taylor isn’t going to average 25 completions or 270 yards per game. However, he does have two great receivers now and a highly-talented third option in Corey Coleman (unless he’s traded). Add in David Njoku at tight end and Duke Johnson out of the backfield, and Taylor has the best collection of talent of his career. If the Browns add Saquon Barkley… look out. Taylor is a nice mid-level QB2 as always.
Alex Smith to Redskins – Broke down the entire situation here.
Chris Ivory Signs with Jets – If the Jets don’t add another option, Bilal Powell has his touchdown vulture in Ivory. Elijah McGuire is still in the mix for passing down work, which makes Powell a fine RB3 but nothing more.
Torrey Smith to Panthers – There is some late-round flier potential here as the Panthers continue to look for their Ted Ginn replacement. Smith is still a decent downfield threat, but the Panthers might not be done adding weapons, and Curtis Samuel is entering his second season.
DeShone Kizer to Packers – Nothing to see here. At least Kizer can now hide behind Aaron Rodgers and keep getting a paycheck, despite being a miserable quarterback.
Main Image Credit: Photo by Omar Vega/Invision/AP
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