In the world of professional sports teams are ever changing in regards to their players, whether it’s through free agency, the draft or through trades. Below are a few of the new faces in new places in the NFL, and the impact it will have on them in regards to the 2016 fantasy football season.
New NFL Faces in New Places
Quarterback
Brock Osweiler was the clear-cut replacement for the now retired Peyton Manning, but in the off-season he signed a new deal with the Houston Texans. Osweiler will have plenty of weapons at his disposal in Houston and he will have the opportunity to be a solid fantasy quarterback in 2016. With the quarterback position being deep he could be drafted in the later rounds of a fantasy draft and be a steal in 2016.
Robert Griffin III had an amazing rookie season and he lead the Washington Redskins to the division title and a playoff berth. Since then RG III has been a disappointment the last two seasons. The former Baylor quarterback has dealt with several injuries and he has been unable to reproduce the magic that he had in his rookie season. RG III is now with the Cleveland Browns and quarterback guru Hue Jackson. With Jackson as his head coach the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback might bounce back and prove that he was not a fluke and was worth being the second overall pick several seasons ago. With the quarterback position being as deep as it is RG3 will most likely go undrafted or be a late round flyer in fantasy. With his talent he is worth the flyer.
Running Back
Matt Forte has been one of the most consistent and best running backs in the NFL and fantasy over the past few seasons. In the off-season Forte left the Chicago Bears and signed with the New York Jets. He re-joins his former teammate Brandon Marshall in New York. Forte should be able to produce low-end running back one numbers next season. If Ryan Fitzpatrick does re-sign with the Jets he will have no problem finishing as a top 10 running back in fantasy in 2016. Forte should be targeted around the third round of your draft this upcoming season.
Lamar Miller has been a break out candidate for the past few seasons. Last season Miller finally showed he can be a workhorsecback and produce solid fantasy numbers. The former Miami Hurricane’s main problem was that the Miami Dolphins did not give him consistent touches; Miller only had 20 touches once last season. Now that he has signed with the Houston Texans to replace Arian Foster, Miller should see plenty of work and be a solid fantasy running back next season. Miller should be targeted in the second round of fantasy drafts.
Wide Receiver
Marvin Jones has been a solid second NFL wide receiver over his career for his former team the Cincinnati Bengals. In regards to fantasy football he has been too inconsistent in his production. In the off-season Jones signed a four-year contract with the Detroit Lions to help replace the retired Calvin Johnson. The former University of California receiver will see plenty of targets next season and be a solid flex option in 2016. Jones can be drafted in the later rounds of 2016 fantasy drafts.
Travis Benjamin is coming off his best season of his career, in 2015, where he totaled 966 receiving yards and five touchdowns. In the off-season Benjamin signed a three-year contract with the San Diego Chargers. With Benjamin being in a better offense he should have no problem duplicating and/or improving on his 2015 stats. Also, with defenses having to focus on Keenan Allen and Antonio Gates, the former Miami Hurricane will see plenty of targets in 2016. Benjamin can be targeted in the mid to later rounds of fantasy drafts next season.
Tight End
Former Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener has shown flashes of his talent over the last few seasons. But with all of the mouths to feed in Indianapolis he was rather inconsistent in regards to producing fantasy points. Now that Fleener is with the New Orleans Saints he has the chance to produce big fantasy numbers next season. It is no secret Drew Brees loves to throw to his tight ends. Last season Benjamin Watson had over 120 fantasy point in the Saints offense. Fleener should be targeted in the middle rounds of your draft next season. He could end up being one of the biggest bargains in drafts this season.
Every season tight and Jared Cook seems to find himself on the tight end sleeper list. Now that he is with the Green Bay Packers, 2016 will be no different. However, the main problem with him going to Green Bay is that there are a lot of talented targets Aaron Rodgers has to throw to. There is a possibility Cook’s production will be inconsistent next season, but he is still worth a late round flyer in your 2016 fantasy draft.
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