The path to a 2017 Fantasy Football Championship starts now.<\/p>\n
While many casual fantasy football players take this time to recharge the batteries, the true sharps of the fantasy world take careful notice of the free agency frenzy that is occurring in the NFL. A\u00a0bevy of big time free agents have switched teams, and handicapping their impact is an essential piece towards\u00a0winning a championship next season.<\/p>\n
Here is a breakdown of the top NFL free agent moves and their fantasy impact.<\/p>\n
All statistics taken from PlayerProfiler.com.<\/p>\n
Team:<\/strong> \u00a0Tampa Bay Buccaneers Recommendation<\/b>:<\/strong> \u00a0Draft no earlier than the seventh round in PPR formats and ninth round\u00a0in standard formats.<\/p>\n Team:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Baltimore Ravens Recommendation<\/b>:<\/strong>\u00a0 Target in round five\u00a0in PPR formats and round six\u00a0in standard formats.<\/p>\n Team:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Green Bay Packers Recommendation<\/b>:<\/strong>\u00a0 Target in round seven in all formats.<\/p>\n Team:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Philadelphia Eagles Recommendation<\/b>:<\/strong>\u00a0 Target in round three\u00a0in standard formats, round four\u00a0in PPR formats.<\/p>\n Team:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Washington Redskins My wife had premonition last night that Terrelle Pryor<\/a> will sign w\/a team that has red as their predominant color. I’m now consumed by this<\/p>\n \u2014 Mike Randle (@FtsyWarriorMike) January 21, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Besides spousal satisfaction at home, all indications point to a breakout year for Pryor. His workout metrics\u00a0are incredible. Pryor has a 91st percentile 40-yard dash\u00a0time (4.41) and 99th percentile height-adjusted speed score\u00a0(128.3). On a putrid Cleveland Browns offense with subpar\u00a0quarterback play, Pryor finished 24th in fantasy points per game (13.2). The most impressive statistic? \u00a0He ranked ninth among all wide receivers in contested catch rate\u00a0(81.8 percent), which shows he can make difficult catches. In the high powered Washington offense, Pryor should see an increase in easy catches and red zone\u00a0opportunities. Throw in the chance he occasionally plays quarterback for Washington, and the WR2 production from last season seems like his fantasy floor in 2017.<\/p>\n Recommendation<\/b>: \u00a0<\/strong>Fourth round in both Standard and PPR formats.<\/p>\n Team:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0New York Giants Recommendation<\/b>: \u00a0<\/strong>Fourth round in Standard formats and sixth Round in PPR formats.<\/p>\n Team:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Seattle Seahawks Recommendation<\/b>: \u00a0<\/strong>Fifth round in Standard formats and eighth round in PPR formats.<\/p>\n Team:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Indianapolis Colts Recommendation<\/b>: \u00a0<\/strong>Tenth round or later in all formats.<\/p>\n
\nContract:<\/strong> 3 years\/$33 million\/$20 million guaranteed
\nSkinny:<\/strong> \u00a0There are understandable concerns about Jackson’s motivational level after signing this\u00a0contract. He is\u00a0a 30-year-old wide receiver with\u00a0success based on pure speed. At some point that speed will decline, as will his production. At first glance, this seems like the perfect match. Tampa Bay has a young star quarterback in Jameis Winston<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0a star wide receiver in Mike Evans<\/a><\/strong> on the opposite side of\u00a0the field. However, Winston possesses\u00a0a below average throwing arm (55 mph\/47th percentile) and ranked 26th among all starting quarterbacks in Deep Ball Completion Percentage (26.7 percent). Over the past three seasons, Jackson achieved\u00a0moderate production in a very pass friendly Washington offense. He\u00a0averaged 47.3 receptions, 900 yards, and 4.7 touchdowns over those three years. Those numbers equate to 161 points in Points Per Reception (PPR) scoring, which would make Jackson the 48th best wide receiver last season. Jackson ranked fifth in yards per target (10.1 ypt) but only 40th in total targets (100). His old quarterback, Kirk Cousins<\/a><\/strong>, ranked fifth\u00a0in Deep Ball Completion Percentage (45.7 percent), and seventh overall in total completion percentage (67 percent). Winston is a much less accurate quarterback with a weaker throwing arm. There is no evidence that supports the popular conclusion that\u00a0Jackson will be more productive\u00a0in Tampa Bay than Washington, which is why he projects no better than a borderline WR3.<\/p>\nDanny Woodhead<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nContract:<\/strong> 3 years\/$8.8 million\/$4.2 million guaranteed
\nSkinny:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Everywhere\u00a0Danny Woodhead goes, he produces. Despite\u00a0sharing touches in San Diego with Melvin Gordon<\/a><\/strong>, Woodhead always found a way to get on the field and provide solid fantasy value. In Baltimore, a short depth chart became even thinner with the news of Kenneth Dixon<\/a><\/strong>‘s four game suspension for PED use. With only Terrence West standing in his way, Woodhead will dominate passing downs and give Joe Flacco<\/a><\/strong> a valuable check-down weapon in a tough defensive division. Woodhead is only one year removed from leading all running backs in receptions (81) and receiving yards (756). Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco<\/a><\/strong> led the NFL in pass attempts last year (673) and still lacks a true red zone wide receiver target. If he is able to stay\u00a0healthy, Woodhead should have a fantastic season in Baltimore.<\/p>\nMartellus Bennett<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nContract:<\/strong> 3 years\/$21 million\/$6.3 million guaranteed
\nSkinny:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0For the first time since the 2011 season, the Green Bay Packers offense will feature one of the best receiving tight ends in football. Martellus Bennett<\/a><\/strong> signed a three-year deal with the Packers worth $21 million. Bennett not only brings a Super Bowl Championship to Lambeau Field, but also a resume that includes a 90 reception, 916 yard, six touchdown season in Chicago in 2014. Fans of Green Bay have longed for the days of former tight end\u00a0Jermichael Finley<\/a><\/strong>, who produced a 55\/767\/8 stat line in that 2011 season. \u00a0Since then, the tight end position has failed to be a major weapon in the Green Bay offense, even with\u00a0Richard Rodgers<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0eight touchdown season of 2015 (bolstered by multiple Hail Mary catches). Bennett is only 30 years old and ranked second among all tight ends with 397 yards after catch. He was third at the position with seven touchdowns, and now gets a debatable quarterback upgrade with Aaron Rodgers<\/a><\/strong>. Bennett is a habitual fast starter, with six of his ten touchdowns over the last two seasons occurring at or before Week Five. Bennett’s 2016 ADP was 114.3, but that was with Rob Gronkowski<\/a><\/strong> as his teammate. Look for him to fly off draft boards\u00a0much earlier this season.<\/p>\nAlshon Jeffery<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nContract:<\/strong>\u00a01 year\/$9.5 million\/$8.75 million guaranteed
\nSkinny:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0The talented but oft-injured 27-year-old receiver gets a “show me” contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. The biggest winner here is quarterback Carson Wentz<\/a><\/strong>, who drastically improves his receiving corps with Jeffery and deep threat Torrey Smith<\/a><\/strong>. Wentz still has slot receiver Jordan Matthews<\/a><\/strong> (only 24 years old) and a great receiving tight end in Zach Ertz<\/a><\/strong>. Jeffery’s workout metrics\u00a0are incredible. His catch radius\u00a0(89th Percentile), agility score\u00a0(84th Percentile), and height-adjusted speed score\u00a0(83th Percentile) all support the WR1 narrative. The issue will always be his\u00a0injuries. In 2015, Jeffery was tenth among wide receivers with 17.6 fantasy points per game. The problem? He missed eight\u00a0games. If Jeffery plays all 16 games in 2017, he’s a WR1 lock. He’s in a good offense and has every reason to stay healthy with just a one year contract. As the first true Philadelphia outside receiver in years, he should get a ton of red zone\u00a0targets. However, there are still questions circulating around Jeffery. Was the four-game suspension for PED use last season just a desperate attempt to eradicate the “brittle tag?” Jeffery’s upside is great, but as always, proceed with caution.<\/p>\nTerrelle Pryor<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nContract:<\/strong>\u00a01 years\/$6 million\/$6 million guaranteed
\nSkinny: \u00a0<\/strong>Pryor’s signing was good for many reasons, not the least of which was the following:<\/p>\n\n
Brandon Marshall<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nContract:<\/strong>\u00a02 years\/$11 million\/$5 million guaranteed
\nSkinny: \u00a0<\/strong>Marshall is 33 years old, but just one year removed from a 21.3 fantasy points per game season (3rd among wide receivers). That season was with Ryan Fitzpatrick<\/a><\/strong> at quarterback for the New York Jets. Marshall stays in the same home stadium but now will wear the blue colored jersey of the New York Giants. \u00a0Having already deferred the top receiver spot to Odell Beckham Jr<\/strong><\/a>, both players should receive defensive relief by their combined presence. Last season, Eli Manning<\/a><\/strong> had the seventh most passing attempts last season (599) and ranked fifth among all quarterbacks in pressured completion percentage (40 percent). Marshall’s best attribute is his red zone\u00a0prowess, ranking third in 2015 among all wide receivers (14 receptions) despite missing one game. While it is doubtful he reaches top three fantasy receiver heights again, he most certainly will be better than last year’s 10.8 fantasy points per game (47th best). A sneaky WR3 with WR2 potential.<\/p>\nEddie Lacy<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nContract:<\/strong>\u00a01 year\/$4.25 million\/$2.865 million guaranteed
\nSkinny: \u00a0<\/strong>What’s the effect of Seattle’s signing Eddie Lacy<\/a><\/strong>? \u00a0In short, good for C.J. Prosise<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and bad for Thomas Rawls<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0At 5’11” and 235 pounds (generously low), Lacy is a bruising running back that will be the feature goal line option for the Seahawks. After the 2017 season, Rawls becomes a restricted free agent. Clearly, the one-year deal for Lacy casts doubt on Rawls’ future in the Emerald City. Lacy is only 27 years old, and missed 11 games last year due to injury. However, in the five games he played for Green Bay, Lacy actually ranked fourth among all running backs in yards after contact per touch\u00a0(2.0 yards). He also ranked first among all running backs in juke rate, which measures on-field elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability. While Seattle’s offensive line is not great for running backs (29th overall Run Blocking Efficiency), Green Bay’s wasn’t much better (27th overall). While many will be scared off by the crowded Seattle backfield, a one year contract will certainly keep Lacy motivated all season. He is a solid RB2 option in standard scoring formats.<\/p>\nKamar Aiken<\/a><\/h3>\n
\nContract:<\/strong>\u00a01 year\/$2.6 million\/$1.5 million guaranteed
\nSkinny: \u00a0<\/strong>One of the most underrated free agent signings of the offseason. Kamar Aiken left Baltimore after much\u00a0frustration<\/a> with his role on the team. The 27-year-old wide receiver never felt he was never given a true chance as a starting receiver for the Ravens. Aiken now joins the Colts, where he has a legitimate chance to be at least the third wide receiver on an explosive offense. Aiken brings a 6’2″ 215 pound frame to an Indianapolis team with small speedy wide receivers. T.Y. Hilton<\/a><\/strong> is clearly the top wide receiver, but after him\u00a0the competition is wide open. Donte Moncrief<\/a><\/strong> is thought to be the second choice, but after two hamstrings injuries, a shoulder strain, and a fractured scapula last year, the Colts have legitimate concerns about his durability. With third year wideout\u00a0Phillip Dorsett<\/a><\/strong> underwhelming and tight end Dwayne Allen<\/a><\/strong> in New England, Aiken’s floor is a WR3 with All-Pro quarterback Andrew Luck<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0under center. Aiken will be go under the radar in all drafts, but will serve as a great WR3 option in all fantasy formats.<\/p>\n