Tue Mar 16 12:18pm ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Golladay signs with the Giants
This is our free-agent tracker, giving you an up to date look at all the signings from around the NFL. We will continue to update all the movement from around the league and give you a quick fantasy take on the signings. This should be an interesting offseason, seeing many top players change teams. Enjoy the ride!
NAME | POS | NEW TEAM | FANTASY TAKE |
Ryan Fitzpatrick | QB | Washington | Fitzpatrick takes his magic to Washington to take over as their starter and is an upgrade for the passing game, especially Terry McLaurin. |
Carlos Hyde | RB | Jaguars | Hyde takes over as the top backup for James Robinson and has little fantasy value in his new role. |
Mark Ingram | RB | Texans | Ingram will look to get his career going again with Houston, but will serve a backup role and likely does not see the field much. |
Jonnu Smith | TE | Patriots | Smith looked much better before Hunter Henry signed but still figures to play a big role offensively for a team needing playmakers. The Patriots will try to bring back the days of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski with Smith and Henry. |
Hunter Henry | TE | Patriots | Henry has a little more fantasy value than Smith. He could have career best numbers in this offense, making him a solid No. 1 fantasy tight end. He doesn't have quite the talent of Gronk in his prime but can still be huge in this offense. |
Corey Davis | WR | Jets | Davis gives the Jets a much needed upgrade at receiver and should right into a starting role. Davis doesn't have a high ceiling in this offense, though. Remember, he had a career season last year and was 29th in receiver scoring. |
Kendrick Bourne | WR | Patriots | Bourne likely slots in as the No. 3 receiver for the Patriots. He could get some catches in this offense but likely isn't much of a fantasy factor with his new team. |
Jameis Winston | QB | Saints | Winston gets a chance to compete with Taysom Hill for the Saints starting quarterback spot. If he can win the job, which is very possible, his ceiling would be high in this offense. |
Nelson Agholor | WR | Patriots | Agholor is the No. 1 receiver for the Patriots right now. That could change before the start of the season, but he could play a big role with his new team. Just don't expect a sudden huge fantasy season. He'll be hit or miss. |
Tyrell Williams | WR | Lions | This isn't a bad spot for Williams. He could compete for a chance to start as long as he is healthy. Williams is a player to watch this preseason and training camp. |
John Ross | WR | Giants | Ross never panned out with the Bengals but gets a chance for a fresh start on a team that needs playmakers at receiver. He is a wild card but has some potential if getting the playing time. He is a big-play threat. |
Andy Dalton | QB | Bears | The Bears try another veteran starter, giving Dalton a one-year deal to try to bridge the gap with a possible future starter for the team. Dalton might be a slight upgrade over last year for the team but not much. |
Marvin Jones | WR | Jaguars | Jones gives the Jaguars a nice, veteran presence in a young receiver unit. He should start, opposite D.J. Chark. His fantasy value doesn't see a big bump with a move to Jacksonville, though. |
Tyrod Taylor | QB | Texans | Houston wants Deshaun Watson to be their starter, but if they are forced to trade him, Taylor gives the team some insurance. He has plenty of starting experience and success. |
Emmanuel Sanders | WR | Bills | Sanders will take the place of John Brown in the starting lineup for the Bills. This is a good landing spot for Sanders, playing in a pass-first, explosive offense. He could better his numbers a little from last year. |
Jacoby Brissett | QB | Dolphins | Brissett will not be a starter for his new team but likely is the top backup. This is a quality signing for the Dolphins, finding a good backup. |
Jamaal Williams | RB | Lions | Williams gives the Lions a dependable backup running back. This might put a little dent in D'Andre Swift's value but not much. Swift will still get plenty of weekly work in this offense. |
John Brown | WR | Raiders | Brown heads to a good spot for his fantasy value, getting a chance to start and get plenty of targets for the Raiders. Don't expect a huge season with his new team, but he could be worth some spot starts along the way. |
A.J. Green | WR | Cardinals | Green has a lot to compete with for targets in Arizona, but could be worth a few spot starts along the way. He probably will be really hit or miss with his new team in a reserve role. |
Matt Prater | K | Cardinals | Prater signed a two-year deal, so he is expected to take over the kicking duties in the Cardinals high-scoring offense. He can be a top-10 kicker next year. |
Gerald Everett | TE | Seahawks | Everett has plenty to compete with for targets at tight end, but could emerge as the go-to option for the Seahawks. He'll be a player to watch during camp and preseason action to see if he emerges. |
Curtis Samuel | WR | Washington | Samuel heads to Washington to start opposite Terry McLaurin. This is not a bad landing spot for his fantasy value. He could rack up the targets and touches in this offense. Samuel could improve on his career best season from last year. |
Kenyan Drake | RB | Raiders | This is not an ideal landing spot for Drake, who moves to a backup role behind Josh Jacobs. His numbers will take a hit with his new team. And this isn't great for Jacobs, either, maybe losing out on some touches to Drake, especially on passing downs. |
Jared Cook | TE | Chargers | Cook will be the top pass-catching tight end for the Chargers this season. He could be worth a few spot starts in that role. Just don't expect him to produce consistent numbers at this stage of his career. |
Kyle Rudolph | TE | Giants | This is a pretty good landing spot for Rudolph. He should start for a team that likes to look at the tight end. Evan Engram was a drop machine in recent seasons, so Rudolph could be an upgrade and good platoon option for fantasy teams. |
Mitchell Trubisky | QB | Bills | Trubisky moves to a backup role with the Bills, getting to learn from one of the best in the game right now. This might not be the worst thing in the world for Trubisky, resetting before trying to find a starting job again in a year. |
Will Fuller | WR | Dolphins | This probably wasn't the best landing spot for Fuller. He should start but plays with a quarterback that has question marks and has DeVante Parker to compete with for targets. |
David Moore | WR | Panthers | Moore gets a chance to take over the No. 3 receiver duties for the Panthers. He could have a few big games in that role but likely will be hit or miss. The Panthers have a lot of options to compete with for targets. |
Breshad Perriman | WR | Lions | Perriman could play his way into a prominent role for the Lions. Detroit has a lot of openings at receiver for the coming season. Perriman is no sure thing by any means, though, so keep an eye on that depth chart throughout camp and preseason action. |
Randy Bullock | K | Lions | Bullock should be the starting kicker for the Lions, which isn't very appealing in that offense. |
Mike Boone | RB | Broncos | The departure of Phillip Lindsay opens the door for a new top backup for the Broncos. Boone will compete for that job with Royce Freeman, giving him a little fantasy value in deeper formats. |
Phillip Lindsay | RB | Texans | Lindsay gives the Texans some more depth at running back and might carve out a consistent role with the team as their top third-down back. He could have some value in a reserve fantasy role. |
Kenny Golladay | WR | Giants | Golladay could have landed in a little better spot but this isn't the worst place in the world for him to play. He'll get his targets and should be the top target in the Giants passing game, getting plenty of looks from Daniel Jones. |
DeSean Jackson | WR | Rams | Jackson will compete for a roster spot with his new team. He will be third or fourth on the depth chart and could get a few weekly chances to stretch the field. Don't expect too much at this stage of his career. |
Chris Conley | WR | Jaguars | Conley signed with the Jaguars and should serve a depth role with the team. This signing doesn't exactly move the fantasy needle for Conley. He has a lot to compete with for targets. |
Josh Reynolds | WR | Titans | Reynolds picked a good team for his fantasy value. He could be the starter opposite A.J. Brown, giving him a chance for career best numbers. He won't be a huge fantasy factor but could be worth some spot starts along the way. |
Mike Davis | RB | Falcons | Davis could end up being the starter at some point. Todd Gurley is no sure thing after his finish to last season. Davis proved he could be a solid starter last year, so he certainly has fantasy value for the coming season. |
Damien Williams | RB | Bears | Williams sat out last year but gets a chance to earn the top backup job for the Bears, playing behind David Montgomery. |
Tevin Coleman | RB | Jets | This is actually a good landing spot for Coleman. A lot can change after the draft, but for now, Coleman could compete for the starting job in New York. The Jets have little experience at the position. |
Adam Humphries | WR | Washington | Humphries should take over as the No. 3 receiver for Washington and will get some catches in that role. His ceiling is a little limited but he might be worth a few spot starts along the way. |
Sammy Watkins | WR | Baltimore | This is not an ideal landing spot for his fantasy value. The good news is he should start, but the bad news is he is in a run-first offense. Expect erratic production. |
James Conner | RB | Cardinals | Conner will get a chance to compete for the starter's job in Arizona. This is a pretty good fantasy landing spot for him. If he starts in this offense, his ceiling would be really high. |
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
Dynasty | The Raiders have signed free agent running back Alexander Mattison. Dynasty Analysis: Mattison spent four years in Minnesota waiting for an opportunity to be a starter and finally got it last season. Unfortunately, it was a total disaster as he rushed for 700 yards with more fumbles (3) than rushing touchdowns (0). He added a 30/192/3 line through the air but was hardly a difference maker in the running game. He'll slot in behind projected starter Zamir White for the moment but the Raiders may not be done adding to the depth chart. Mattison is best served as a handcuff at the moment as it's unlikely he'll be battling for a starting position any time soon.
Dynasty | The Dallas Cowboys have re-signed running back Rico Dowdle. Dynasty Analysis: As expected. The Cowboys lost Tony Pollard to Tennessee and needed to start replenishing their depth chart, so bringing Dowdle back was always likely. At this point, he looks like a potential starter, though it's highly likely the Cowboys either draft someone or make another move to move him into a backup role. At this point, Dowdle is a solid hold in dynasty leagues as we wait to see how this whole thing shakes out.
The San Francisco 49ers reached an agreement on an undisclosed one-year deal with free-agent veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Monday, according to his agent, Mike McCartney. Dobbs will give the Niners more depth behind starter Brock Purdy after Sam Darnold signed with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. The 29-year-old Dobbs was the early season feel-good story in the NFL last year with the Arizona Cardinals and Vikings, but he was ultimately benched in Minnesota after they acquired him in a trade. In 13 games played (12 starts), the Steelers' former fourth-round selection in 2017 out of Tennessee completed 62.8% of his pass attempts for 2,464 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Dobbs also added six rushing scores. He should be considered the favorite for backups duties over Brandon Allen.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent safety Julian Blackmon will visit with the Buffalo Bills, according to sources. Blackmon has several suitors in free agency after enjoying a career season in 2023 with the Indianapolis Colts, recording career-highs in tackles (88), solo tackles (65), interceptions (four) and passes defended (eight) while also recovering two fumbles in 15 starts in his fourth year with the team. The 25-year-old was taken in the third round by the Colts in 2020 out of Utah and has contributed 214 tackles (163 solo), one sack, 12 tackles for loss, seven interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 17 passes defended, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his 50 games played (46 starts). The Bills already lost Jordan Poyer and are unlikely to re-sign Micah Hyde, so safety is a big need for their defense this offseason.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys are re-signing running back Rico Dowdle to an undisclosed deal on Monday. With Tony Pollard moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, Dowdle is now No. 1 on the Cowboys' RB depth chart, for now. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent out of South Carolina entered the league in 2020 with the Cowboys and has just 96 carries for 385 yards and two rushing touchdowns in his three NFL seasons, adding 17 receptions (22 targets) for 144 yards and two more touchdowns through the air. Eighty nine of his career carries came in 2023, when he rushed for 361 yards and two TDs in 16 regular-season contests. Depending on what Dallas does at the position in the upcoming NFL draft, Dowdle could see a substantial role increase in his fourth NFL campaign.
From RotoBaller
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed former Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas (hamstring) to an undisclosed deal on Monday, according to a league source. Thomas will move to the NFC after spending the first six years of his NFL career in the AFC with the Cleveland Browns and Texans. In nine games (five starts) last year in Houston, Thomas had 51 tackles (30 solo) and two forced fumbles before a hamstring injury cut his season short in Week 14. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Ferris State will be an option at nickel cornerback for the Bucs in 2024 while also contributing on special teams. He won't be on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues. Thomas has a total of 225 tackles (144 solo), one sack, six tackles for loss, two interceptions (one returned for a TD), six passes defended, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 81 career games (22 starts).
From RotoBaller
Former Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison is signing an undisclosed deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, according to a source. Mattison is still only 25 years old and recorded 17 touchdowns in his five seasons in Minnesota after they took him in the third round in the 2019 draft out of Boise State. The 25-year-old was a disappointment in 2023 while taking over the lead-back role from Dalvin Cook, though, which is why Mattison was released this offseason. In 16 games (13 starts) last year, Mattison had a career-high 180 carries for 700 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and no rushing touchdowns while adding 30 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Jacobs is no longer in Vegas, but Mattison figures to work in a timeshare with Zamir White in his first year in Sin City in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The New Orleans Saints are expected to sign former San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Chase Young to an undisclosed deal, according to a source. The 2020 No. 2 overall pick out of Ohio State will get a fresh start in New Orleans in 2024. Young was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 with the Washington Commanders when he had a career-high 44 tackles (32 solo), 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdowns) in 15 starts, but he played in just 12 games in the next two seasons, which is why the Commanders moved on. The 24-year-old combined for another 7.5 sacks last year with Washington and San Fran, though, and another bounce-back year could be in store for him in the Big Easy if he's able to stay healthy.
From RotoBaller
NFL Insider and draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he would not be surprised if LSU's Malik Nabers is the first wide receiver off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft, which takes place at the end of April. Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. has been widely regarded as one of the best overall players in the 2024 class for over a year, so this would be a change from what most analysts have predicted in the lead-up to the draft. Nabers posted 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in his junior season, while Harrison Jr. hauled in 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 scores. Jeremiah believes several NFL teams have Nabers as the top wideout prospect on their draft board, and which receiver is drafted first could come down to preference of style. Both players are considered locks to be selected in the first ten picks, and many mock drafts have both among the first five or six players selected.
From RotoBaller
The Buffalo Bills are re-signing cornerback Taron Johnson to a three-year, $31 million deal, confirmed by his agent, Jason Chayut. Johnson earned his first All-Pro nod in 2023 after collecting 98 total tackles (72 solo), one sack, three forced fumbles, four interceptions, and eight passes defended in 17 games. His new deal makes him the highest-paid nickel corner in the NFL. The 2018 fourth-round pick out of Weber State will have to continue to step up in 2024, as the Bills will be without long-time starters in the secondary Tre'Davious White, Jordan Poyer, and Micah Hyde. Johnson was the No. 22 defensive back in IDP scoring last season.
From RotoBaller
Veteran free-agent center Bradley Bozeman is signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The former National Champion at Alabama was a sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018 and has 96 games (77 starts) of NFL experience under his belt with Baltimore and the Carolina Panthers. All-Pro center Corey Linsley was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list with a non-emergent heart-related issue last September and is likely to retire, meaning Bozeman has a path to the starting job in 2024. However, he struggled mightily to protect Bryce Young last season in Carolina, so L.A. might look to find a different starter at center in next month's NFL Draft.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent cornerback Michael Davis is signing with the Washington Commanders, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. The former 2017 undrafted free agent spent seven seasons with the Chargers, racking up 348 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, eight interceptions, and 69 passes defended in 107 games (74 starts). The Commanders have now signed or agreed to terms with four defensive backs this offseason, so it's clear the franchise is looking to vastly improve in the backend under new head coach Dan Quinn. Washington gave up a league-worst 262.2 passing yards per game in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (neck) has decided to medically retire, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 2018 first-round pick by Dallas spent six seasons with the organization, racking up 469 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three interceptions, 13 passes defended, and 25 run stuffs in 72 career games. He was named to the Pro Bowl and received All-Pro honors in his rookie season, but he battled injuries for the rest of his career. Vander Esch played in all of the team's games just twice in his six years in the NFL. In Week 5 of last season, he suffered a major neck injury, effectively ending his 2023 campaign. That appears to be the final straw for the 28-year-old as he heads into life after football.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent defensive tackle John Jenkins re-signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year, $3.25 million deal on Sunday, according to a source. The Miami Dolphins had initial interest in reuniting with Jenkins for a third time, but Jenkins chose to re-sign with Vegas instead. It's understandable why the Raiders wanted Jenkins back after he posted a career-high 61 tackles (24 solo), one sack and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in 17 starts in 2023 in his first year with the team. The 34-year-old veteran was originally drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round in 2013. With seven different teams over 12 NFL seasons, Jenkins has accumulated 273 tackles (136 solo), 3.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, eight passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He's not on the IDP fantasy radar.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins re-signed offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn (quadriceps) to an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday, according to his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Shawn O'Dare. Wynn will return to South Beach for his second season with the team. He started seven games for the Dolphins last year before landing on Injured Reserve with a quadriceps injury. The 28-year-old former 23rd overall pick of the New England Patriots in 2018 out of Georgia was great in pass protection for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa before his season-ending injury, but he proved to be a liability as a blocker for the running game. Wynn has started 47 of the 50 games he's played in his career through five NFL seasons, but he's going to need to improve his run-blocking if he wants to continue in a starting job on Miami's offensive line in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Washington Commanders signed free-agent cornerback Noah Igbinoghene to an undisclosed deal on Sunday, according to a source. Igbinoghene represents a depth signing for Washington's secondary, and he can also contribute on special teams. The 24-year-old former 30th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins out of Auburn has started just five of the 37 games he's appeared in over his four NFL seasons with the Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys, so he certainly hasn't lived up to his first-round pedigree. He was traded from Miami to Dallas before the 2023 season and didn't record any stats in the five games he appeared in for the Cowboys. Igbinoghene is following former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to D.C.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders free-agent kicker Joey Slye signed an undisclosed one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday, according to a source. The Jaguars initially were reported to have signed Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz this offseason, but that turned out to be false and Lutz re-signed with the Broncos. The Jaguars also have Riley Patterson, who they signed to a futures deal, so Slye and Patterson figure to be in competition for the primary kicking gig in Jacksonville in training camp this summer. The 27-year-old Slye has made only 82.3% of his field-goal attempts in five seasons in the NFL. In 17 games for the Commanders last year, he went 19-for-24 on field goals and 32-for-35 on his extra-point tries. Fantasy managers will be able to find better options at the position.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Chargers and free-agent veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal on Sunday, according to a source. Perryman was the Chargers' second-round pick in 2015 out of Miami of Florida and was with the team in San Diego and LA from 2015-2020. In his six seasons with the Bolts to begin his NFL career, the 31-year-old had 250 solo tackles, five sacks, 26 tackles for loss, eight QB hits three interceptions, six passes defended, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 69 games (51 starts). His best season came in 2021 with the Las Vegas Raiders, though, when he had a career-high 154 combined tackles in 15 starts to earn his first Pro Bowl nod. Perryman hasn't been as good the last two years with the Raiders and Houston Texans, although he'll be providing a veteran presence for the Chargers after Eric Kendricks moved on in free agency.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys converted a $5 million roster bonus due to quarterback Dak Prescott on Sunday into a signing bonus, creating $4 million in salary cap space for the 2024 season. The move reduces Prescott's salary cap number this year to $55.455 million, while two extra void years were added to his deal for cap purposes (void years now through 2028). It doesn't prevent the Cowboys and Prescott from further negotiating a long-term contract extension, but it gives the team some immediate cap relief. The 30-year-old made his third Pro Bowl in 2023 and had an excellent regular season, throwing for a league-high 36 touchdowns and 4,516 yards while completing a league-high 410 passes. Prescott isn't an elite fantasy QB because of his lack of rushing ability, but he's a fine consolation prize if you don't spend big money on the elite tier.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent running back Alexander Mattison is visiting with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, according to sources. Multiple teams are in play for Mattison this point after he was cut by the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Mattison took over the Vikings' lead-back role in 2023 after the team moved on from Dalvin Cook, but Mattison didn't impress with the extra playing time, averaging 3.9 yards per carry on a career-high 180 rushing attempts while running for 700 yards and no touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts). He added 30 receptions for 192 yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 44 targets. The Raiders didn't re-sign Josh Jacobs, so as of right now, Zamir White is their RB1 this offseason. If Mattison where to sign with Vegas, he'd most likely be involved in some sort of timeshare with White.
From RotoBaller