10 Major NFL Developments So Far
10. Chris Ivory signed with the Jaguars, ruining much of T.J. Yeldon's value without increasing his own. Ivory is likely to see some early-down and goal-line work with Yeldon getting the remainder.
9. Coby Fleener signed with the Saints, making him the team's top pass-catching tight end, especially with Ben Watson now on the Ravens. While Watson - and Jimmy Graham before him - thrived in Drew Brees' and Sean Payton's offense, it's open question whether Fleener's role will be more complementary like Watson's or central like Graham's. I'd bet it's closer to Watson's, though that's a nice floor, and the ceiling is awfully high. Fleener's departure (and Andrew Luck's return) make Dwayne Allen an intriguing tight-end option as well.
8. Ladarius Green's arrival in Pittsburgh to replace Heath Miller was big news even before the Martavis Bryant suspension, but now Green's role as a red-zone target and big-play option should grow. Green's size and speed (4.53 40) make him one of the most athletic tight ends in the league. Incidentally, the Chargers re-upped Antonio Gates, making him the team's likely No. 1 tight end again at age 36.
7. Bryant is reportedly facing a year-long suspension for substance abuse, and the effects should cascade through the Steelers offense. For starters, Markus Wheaton gets a significant target boost, and newly signed Green could take on an even bigger role with Bryant gone. Antonio Brown is a lock to be among the league leaders in targets now, though that was probably going to be the case even had Bryant played this year. Ben Roethlisberger merits a slight downgrade - losing a prime-of-his-career 6-4 burner with ungodly catch radius is a blow to any offense.
6. The departure of Lamar Miller from Miami ostensibly freed up Jay Ajayi to start for the Dolphins. Ajayi returned from a rib injury last year to play nine games and more than held his own, averaging 4.4 YPC and catching 17 balls as a backup. But the Dolphins signed C.J. Anderson to an offer sheet in early March, and even if the Broncos match the offer, it shows the Dolphins don't trust Ajayi to carry a full load.
5. Brock Osweiler signed a four-year deal with the Texans, a decent landing spot with DeAndre Hopkins and Lamar Miller as centerpieces in the passing game. Osweiler performed serviceably in his first taste of extended NFL action, and keep in mind he wasn't asked to do much, given the team's all-world defense. This also leaves the Broncos without a quarterback, though they signed Mark Sanchez as a stopgap.
4. Matt Forte signed with the Jets. Forte will share carries and catches with Bilal Powell - and to a lesser extent Khiry Robinson - but the bigger impact of Forte's locale change might be Jeremy Langford's status as the unquestioned starter in Chicago. Langford had four good games last year when Forte was out, scored six times and displayed skills as a pass catcher. That said, the Bears offense is average, and Langford managed only 3.6 yards per carry as a rookie.
3. DeMarco Murray signed with the Titans, giving them a significant running-game upgrade and freeing him from a committee situation in Philadelphia. Backs often thrive next to running quarterbacks as the defense has trouble containing both, and Marcus Mariota and the Titans offense should improve in his second season. This also leaves Ryan Mathews as the ostensible starter in Philadelphia, with Darren Sproles remaining the change-of-pace option.
2. Calvin Johnson's retirement appears to be for real, and that means Golden Tate should see an uptick in targets, even with the addition of Marvin Jones. While both receivers should see plenty of work in a pass-heavy offense, the loss of Johnson should be a blow to Matthew Stafford, whose league-average efficiency the last five years is likely to decline.
1. Lamar Miller signed with the Texans, inheriting Arian Foster's hybrid run-pass role, and making Miller an immediate threat to lead the league in yards from scrimmage. Miller has averaged at least 4.5 yards per carry in three of his four seasons in the league, and he's hauled in 85 passes the last two years despite being underused. He'll deserve consideration early in the second round.
Honorable mentions:
Travis Benjamin, who had a solid year under tough circumstances in Cleveland, signed with the Chargers to play opposite Keenan Allen. While San Diego presents a big upgrade in environment for Benjamin, Allen is the clear No. 1 target, and Antonio Gates will see work in the red zone. Benjamin should serve as a field stretcher in the mold of Malcom Floyd, albeit a much smaller and faster version.
Mohamed Sanu signed with the Falcons, and he'll start opposite Julio Jones this season. It's hard to get overly excited about a receiver who lacks notably size or speed going to a new team in his fifth season, but he'll see plenty of single coverage and is paired with a competent Matt Ryan at quarterback.
