With the Super Bowl about a month in the rear-view mirror, free agency is finally upon us, and the fantasy values of many players will begin to take shape as we take a long-range view of the 2017 season. This article was completed the first night of free agency, but it will be followed with additional articles covering the next stages of free agency, so if an important signing was not covered here, it will be soon.
QUARTERBACK
Mike Glennon, Chicago Bears
Glennon has hardly played since Jameis Winston was drafted by the Bucs in 2015, but he showed some ability in 19 games in 2013 and 2014. During those seasons, he completed just about 59 percent of his passes while throwing 29 touchdowns to 15 interceptions for a Bucs team that wasn't exactly brimming with talent. He'll benefit from having a strong rushing attack, courtesy of Jordan Howard, though it's unclear how his receiving corps will look, as Alshon Jeffery left for Philadelphia and Kevin White and Zach Miller are returning from injury. He'll also have a pair of emerging pass catchers in Cameron Meredith and Josh Bellamy. Overall, he could be a QB2, but if the Bears defense continues to cause the team to fall behind in games, Glennon might have weekly upside as a streaming option.
Brian Hoyer, San Francisco 49ers
Unless the 49ers somehow are able to pry Kirk Cousins loose from the Redskins, Hoyer should be the opening day starter. Although
With the Super Bowl about a month in the rear-view mirror, free agency is finally upon us, and the fantasy values of many players will begin to take shape as we take a long-range view of the 2017 season. This article was completed the first night of free agency, but it will be followed with additional articles covering the next stages of free agency, so if an important signing was not covered here, it will be soon.
QUARTERBACK
Mike Glennon, Chicago Bears
Glennon has hardly played since Jameis Winston was drafted by the Bucs in 2015, but he showed some ability in 19 games in 2013 and 2014. During those seasons, he completed just about 59 percent of his passes while throwing 29 touchdowns to 15 interceptions for a Bucs team that wasn't exactly brimming with talent. He'll benefit from having a strong rushing attack, courtesy of Jordan Howard, though it's unclear how his receiving corps will look, as Alshon Jeffery left for Philadelphia and Kevin White and Zach Miller are returning from injury. He'll also have a pair of emerging pass catchers in Cameron Meredith and Josh Bellamy. Overall, he could be a QB2, but if the Bears defense continues to cause the team to fall behind in games, Glennon might have weekly upside as a streaming option.
Brian Hoyer, San Francisco 49ers
Unless the 49ers somehow are able to pry Kirk Cousins loose from the Redskins, Hoyer should be the opening day starter. Although Hoyer's typically not given much credit as being a competent NFL starter, he's completed at least 61 percent of his passes in each of the last two seasons and thrown 25 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. The good news is that San Francisco has a leaky defense that could frequently provide him game scripts that force him to throw at least 40 attempts, but the bad news is that Pierre Garcon is the best receiving option on the team. Based on opportunity alone, he'll clearly have value as a starting quarterback, though his value likely will be limited to leagues that start two QBs.
RUNNING BACK
Danny Woodhead, Baltimore Ravens
This signing makes plenty of sense after learning that Kenneth Dixon will be suspended the first four games of the season. Woodhead likely will slide in as the passing-down back -- at least to start the season. It's hard to envision him seeing many rushing attempts, as he rushed for just 3.4 yards per carry in 2015 before tearing his ACL early last season, and he'll hope to return to full health as a 33-year-old, which is far from a lock. Should he be back to his old self, he'll provide a great outlet receiver for Joe Flacco, as Woodhead caught 80 passes for 755 yards in 2015. He'll be a solid fantasy pick in PPR leagues, but if he's only going to hold the role until Dixon returns, he'll only be worth a late-round flier.
WIDE RECEIVER
Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles
The best thing about this signing is that it's only a one-year deal, so Jeffery will be betting on himself to have a great season to cash in on a long-term contract in 2018. He'll immediately become the top outside receiver for second-year quarterback Carson Wentz, and if Wentz can improve from the hot start he had in 2016, Jeffery could find himself in a great spot to be productive. However, despite Jeffery's reputation as a clear No. 1 receiver, he's only exceeded 807 yards twice in his five-year career, but he did post at least 1,133 yards in both 2013 and 2014. Ultimately, he'll be learning a new system, and his new QB is hardly a lock to be great, so until we get a good look at him during training camp, it's difficult to consider drafting him in the top 20 receivers. As for Wentz, adding Jeffery to Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz makes him someone to consider as a low-end fantasy starter.
DeSean Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This move should be considered a bigger gain for Jameis Winston and Mike Evans that it is for Jackson. What Jackson brings to the Bucs is game-changing speed, and defenses will be scared to death of him burning them for long touchdowns, which in theory could lighten up some of the coverage that Evans will face each week. Jackson averaged at least 17.6 yards per reception in each of the last three years, and when Winston wants to keep defenses honest, he has plenty of arm to air the ball out deep to his new teammate. Winston has a chance to become top-five fantasy option at his position, and Evans perhaps can improve on his career year last season. As for Jackson, he should continue to be a WR3 with his typical week-to-week volatility based on his big-play ability.
Pierre Garcon, San Francisco 49ers
He goes from being an inconsistent part of a strong receiving corps in Washington to being the top target for new quarterback Brian Hoyer. He's coming off a 1,000 yard season, which was the first time he's accomplished that feat since 2013, proving that he's still a solid player. Although Garcon isn't the deep threat he once was, he's proven to be an excellent route-runner, and that should ensure that he sees plenty of targets each week, as he plays for a team that might have to throw 40 times a game. Assuming the 49ers don't add a high-end receiver, Garcon should end up as a low-end WR2 in PPR leagues, but he'll be more of a WR3 in standard leagues. However, he'll likely come cheap on draft day, especially as fantasy owners are unlikely to have much confidence in Hoyer as a quarterback, which will in turn suppress Garcon's perceived value.
Brandon Marshall, New York Giants
Just two years ago, Marshall had the best season of his career, catching 109 passes for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns, but he failed to reach 800 yards in 2014 and 2016. At 33, and coming off a number of hip injuries, it's reasonable to wonder how much longer he can be the physical force he's been most of his career. At 6-foot-4, he'll provide Eli Manning a big red-zone target and will benefit from playing alongside Odell Beckham, but he'll also find himself sharing targets with Sterling Shepard. Expecting him to perform as much better than a WR3 seems improbable.
Torrey Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
Although he has elite speed, Smith has just one season with 855 yards in six seasons, but he has posted at least 17.4 yards per reception in three of the last five years. He'll be expected to operate as a deep threat in a receiving group that includes Alshon Jeffery, Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz. With so many mouths to feed, and with Smith not exactly being a versatile weapon, he'll likely be little more than a late-round fantasy option with some extra appeal in best-ball leagues.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Rick Wagner, Detroit Lions
The Lions lost starting tackle Riley Reiff to free agency but wasted no time not only replacing him but upgrading by adding arguably the best offensive lineman in free agency. The additional protection he'll provide will be helpful to Matthew Stafford, though this move won't necessarily be a big boost to Stafford's fantasy value.
Riley Reiff, Minnesota Vikings
After the Vikings offense was torpedoed by its offensive line last year, this is certainly a move in the right direction. Although Reiff isn't an elite tackle, he's solid, and if the team can make another move or two along the line, it could ultimately give Sam Bradford time to throw, which is certainly not a luxury he had down the stretch last year.
Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams
Signing a 35-year-old tackle is hardly a long-term fix, but the Rams are desperate for help along the offensive line, and any help will be welcome, especially for Todd Gurley. However, unless the team doesn't continue to address the line, it's hard to think the offense will be able to consistently generate scoring drives. In the short term, this move does little to raise the fantasy value of the Rams' skill position players.
Kevin Zeitler, Cleveland Browns
Along with the addition of Zeitler, the Browns signed guard Joel Bitonio to a contract extension after he missed a large portion of 2016 to injury. The Browns now have a very strong pair of guards, which is exactly what coach Hue Jackson covets, as he tries to turn the team into a power running offense. The biggest beneficiary should be Isaiah Crowell, who could end up being solid fantasy starter. Of course, if the Browns don't have much going for them at quarterback or wide receiver, Crowell could find more than his share of stacked boxes.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars desperately need help to jumpstart their pass rush, and although Campbell is hardly an elite option, his signing is a move in the right direction. He's been consistent over his career, posting 6.5 to eight sacks in five of the last six seasons. He shouldn't be counted on as an elite IDP option but should be rostered in fantasy leagues.
CORNERBACK
A.J. Bouye, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have plenty of young talent on defense, but they haven't been a strong unit. However, with the addition of Bouye, Calais Campbell and Barry Church, they now have a trio of playmakers who could elevate this unit to above average. He'll be counted on to hold up in coverage while the front seven tries to improve its pass rush, but cover corners often don't compile useful IDP numbers.
Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots
For a team that rarely hands out big contracts to free agents, this move clearly indicates that the Patriots expect Gilmore to be a shutdown corner. With the Bills, he intercepted at least three passes in each of the last three years, and with the Pats often playing with the lead, he could see his numbers increase. He'll be a strong IDP option in leagues that require a cornerback.
SAFETY
Barry Church, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars added a trio of defenders on the first day of free agency, and Church will be counted on to be a strong tackler, as he averaged 109 stops the last four seasons. With the young talent on the defense potentially ready to break out, Church is in a great spot to be a big playmaker for this unit, and consequently, he should be one of the top IDP options at defensive back this year.
