NFL Free Agency is finally here! And it has been quite a whirlwind so far. In this article, I will be recapping a lot of the major moves that affect NFC teams as well as breaking down fantasy football implications and assigning an impact level. I will rate the move either low, medium, or high impact to help show how much you should care about the move and the consequences it comes with. Now that you know what you will be getting into let us dive right in.Â
Jonnu Smith, TE Atlanta Falcons
Impact: Low
Jonnu Smith signing with the Falcons does not mean much to me. If anything this is good for Kyle Pitts because it will allow him to run more routes while Smith can block and be a decoy. Jonnu Smith will be a solid handcuff tight end moving forward but is not much more than that. He would be firmly outside of my top 24 dynasty tight end rankings.
Andrew Wylie, RT Washington Commanders
Impact: Low
Wylie comes to Washington from Kansas City where he was a starting O-Lineman protecting Patrick Mahomes. Wylie will be an upgrade to the Commanders’ pass-and-run games, giving more time to throw and more room to run. This addition will help the likes of both Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson while giving a slight boost to the development of Sam Howell. From a fantasy aspect, there is not a direct impact on points scored, but it should provide more and better avenues for players to score points.
49ers lose RT Mike McGlinchey + Titans sign G/C Daniel Brunskill, former 49ers OL
Impact: Medium
The 49ers lose two starting linemen and this starts to spell some trouble for what is seen as the best offensive situation in the NFL. We loved the possibility of Trey Lance in this offense because of the wall that was in front of him, the time they provided, and the weapons he had available to him. If the 49ers cannot recoup some losses here their fantasy assets could suffer.
Jason Kelce, C Returns for Eagles
Impact: Medium
Anytime you can prevent the loss of an All-Pro player at a position that matters and has an impact. The Eagles retaining Kelce instead of losing him will keep their pass-and-run games operating smoothly and efficiently. We like this for newcomer RB Rashaad Penny and NFC Championship QB, Jalen Hurts.Â
Chris Lindstrom, OG Atlanta Falcons, re-signed
Impact: Low
Lindstrom is a great player but he is not quite the caliber Kelce is, it is also the least impactful position on the O-Line. It matters that the Falcons were able to retina good veteran linemen, it just does not matter as much as the Eagles keep Kelce. Low impact grade for this move.
Ezekiel Elliott Released
Impact: High
This is huge for Tony Pollard if the Cowboys do not bring in any major competition. Even if they do, Pollard was an RB1 last year while playing with Zeke. So anyone else they bring in will not stop Pollard. Tony should be definitely seen as a top-15 dynasty RB if not higher. And, if no one of real consequence is brought in I would say top-10 is likely. He is young and without a lot of wear, I love this for him. As for Zeke he looks for a new home and should drop down dynasty rankings, he is outside my top 40.Â
Panthers sign Hayden Hurst, TE
Impact: Medium
The Panthers traded away their best receiving weapon to get the number one overall pick in this year’s draft. Then they just signed what is now their best receiving weapon in Hayden Hurst. Hurst will be a reliable safety blanket for whatever rookie QB the Panthers decide to draft. This could lead to a lot of receptions and a lot of fantasy points in full PPR leagues.Â
David Montgomery, RB Detroit Lions
Impact: Medium
David Montgomery joining D’Andre Swift in the Lions’ backfield is disappointing for the owners of both players. Monty had the chance to go somewhere he could take over a backfield and Swift had the chance to take full control of the reins in Detroit. Neither of these things happened and we are left with two skilled RBs cannibalizing each other. But, these backs both hold great upside and should have reduced costs. If either were to get hurt the other becomes a player with a top-10 upside. Even with both healthy they could each be weekly RB2s, we were seeing that at times with Swift and Williams both healthy. I am not as disheartened by this as many seem to be and think that we should like both of these players at their new, lower costs.
Carolina Panthers sign QB Andy Dalton, former Saints QB
Impact: Low
Andy Dalton is, unfortunately, just a bridge for the new rookie the Panthers are about to draft. We know how that goes. Depending on which QB the Panthers select Dalton may not even get to start a game this year. This does not have much of an impact on fantasy, Dalton will be a backup on a team with poor weapons in about 40 days.
Commanders cut J.D. McKissic
Impact: Medium
This move helps the fantasy prospects of Gibson and Brian Robinson in this backfield. As well as opening up more gadget play opportunities for Curtis Samuel. I do not believe the Commanders add another piece of consequence here. Perhaps a cheap backup or a day-three pick but neither of those would be as used as McKissic was.
Rashaad Penny to the Eagles, former Seahawks RB
Impact: HighÂ
Rashaad Penny won fantasy championships and a lot of money on Underdog in 2021. He got hurt last year and has always been a guy who is very productive but cannot stay healthy. The Eagles were the best spot he could land. It is a run-heavy and run-first offense that allows for increased efficiency due to Jalen Hurts’ running prowess as well as the receiving weapons available. Penny has been one of the highest YPC backs in the league when healthy. I am excited about what he can do in this offense.Â
Giants trade 3rd round pick (100 overall) for Darren Waller, former Raiders TE
Impact: High
Darren Waller is an elite tight end when healthy, there is no question about that. He gets traded to the Giants who lack real receiving threats, especially of size like he is. Waller brings this team what they need most and that is size in the receiving room. We know the Giants like tight ends, they made Daniel Bellinger a usable fantasy asset. I cannot wait to see how they use Waller, I am expecting a good season from him.
Saints resign Michael Thomas
Impact: Low
I will not lie, I have a lot of personal bias here. Michael Thomas has played 10 games in the last three years. All of the games he has missed seem to stem from a single, nagging injury. I do not trust him to play even half a season and I will not be drafting him in any seasonal leagues. If you can trade a late rookie third to get him, go for it, but I would not pay much more than that.
Giants sign WR, Parris Campbell
Impact: Low
The Giants add more depth to their receiver room. They were ravaged by injury last year and they do not want a repeat of that. Campbell at this point is oft-injured and mainly a gadget/slot player. The Giants have a plethora of slots, it will be interesting to see if Campbell can work his way into some meaningful snaps. I would not expect it without injury.
Baker Mayfield, QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Impact: Medium
Baker was not bad when he played for the Rams last season. He now gets to walk into a team with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans at wide receiver. I am still unsure if Baker has what it takes to be a good NFL QB, but this will be the best last chance he ever gets. He gets a full offseason to work with good weapons and he needs to make it happen. If he cannot produce here he will be relegated to career backup that sees occasional spot starts. I would not be too excited to add Baker to my squad.
Derek Carr, QB New Orleans Saints +Â Jamaal Williams, RB New Orleans Saints
Impact: High
We have a brand new Saints offense taking shape for the 2023 season. They get a proven grinder and touchdown scorer in Jamaal Williams with a QB upgrade that can go through reads and process the field at an above-average level. I think Derek Carr will be a solid QB2 and Chris Olave benefits a lot from this. Getting a consistent QB that knows how to place the ball will be fantastic for a pristine route runner that knows how to get open like Olave. And then Jamaal Williams will be there to pound it in when needed. I like these additions to the Saints’ offense and think the group as a whole should increase their production from last season.
P.J. Walker, QB Chicago Bears
Impact: Low
This is purely a backup role with obviously no threat to Justin Fields’ job. But, with Fields’ style of play, Walker could be in line for some work sooner than later. I would recommend stashing Walker if possible in your Superflex leagues, if he can be had for one or two fourths I would be buying too.
Miles Sanders, RB Carolina Panthers
Impact: High
The Panthers are a bit of a mess right now, clearly rebuilding and trying to build for the future. This means that they will probably not spend a lot of money or high draft capital on another running back. This in turn means this will be Sanders’ backfield and he is going to see a lot of targets. I like this spot for Sanders because he will see heavy usage, unfortunately, he may not get a lot of touchdowns but that is ok. If he can get around 20 touches per game she will still be a startable asset in fantasy football.
Wow, you read all the way through! Thank you, I really appreciate you using your time to enjoy my content. If you would like to talk to me about my article or ask me any generic dynasty or trade questions. You can find me on Twitter @ChrisMiles1017, DFF Draft Director. Shoot me a DM, they are always open. Come join the #DFFArmy where I provide #Dynasty, #Redraft, and #Analytics content for @DFF_Dynasty. Thank you so much!
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