There has been no shortage of excitement in the NFL this past week and the fantasy football impact of each transaction stretches beyond the players involved. I have listed all the transactions pertaining to skill positions and detailed their fantasy football impact. This list will be updated as more transactions take place.
Oakland Raiders trade QB Carson Palmer to Arizona Cardinals
I’m not too excited for Palmer’s fantasy prospects even though he is an upgrade for Arizona. The Cardinals have averaged 573 passing attempts over the past three seasons, which makes him an enterprising spot starter, but he shouldn’t be relied upon week to week even as a QB2. The divisional games will be brutal, even though Palmer has proven capable to salvage fantasy weeks in “garbage time.” Larry Fitzgerald’s fantasy value benefits the most from this trade; his floor rises significantly, making him a much safer WR2 with potential to return to WR1 territory. Rob Housler should still be left for the waiver wire, but the success of Brandon Myers in 2012 leads me to designate Housler as a sleeper in 2013.
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey signs with Indianapolis Colts
DHB is expected to slot directly into the role vacated by the departure of Donnie Avery, who posted a 60-781-3 line in 2012. He should be viewed as a WR5 as long as Reggie Wayne, who remains a WR2, and T.Y. Hilton , who remains just shy of a WR3 even though his ceiling does take a small hit, are healthy. The addition of another weapon can only help the development of Andrew Luck.
Seattle Seahawks trade QB Matt Flynn to Oakland Raiders
After a year-long vacation in Seattle, Flynn finds himself with another chance to start. However, I am not sure that he is a better option than Carson Palmer and the losses of Brandon Myers and Darrius Heyward-Bey leave the Raiders’ receiving corps even more barren. Flynn is best left for the waiver wire.
QB Kevin Kolb signs with Buffalo Bills
After a couple years of being brutalized in Arizona, Kolb finds himself as the current favorite to start for the Bills in Doug Marrone’s first year. The offense should be among the league’s most run-heavy and thus Kolb should not be viewed as anything more than a spot-starter. His presence does help stabilize Stevie Johnson’s fantasy value, which would have been in flux if the Bills decided to throw an unproven rookie into the fire.
TE Fred Davis re-signs with Washington Redskins
Missing thirteen games over the past two years has helped keep him relatively unknown, but he is a undoubtedly a talented receiver. After Pierre Garcon, there is no hierarchy of receivers in place with the Redskins so there is potential for him to reach TE1 status, but for now he joins a wealth of mid-range TE2s.
TE Brandon Myers signs with New York Giants
Myers was one of the few bright spots at tight end in 2012 during what was a disappointing season for the position overall. His targets are sure to diminish with his move to the Giants, but he should step seamlessly into a role on the team and be considered a high-end TE2 on the verge of becoming a TE1.
WR Greg Jennings signs with Minnesota Vikings
This transaction provides a lot of clarity on the fantasy values of the Packers’ receivers. Jermichael Finley is assuredly in Green Bay’s plans and should be viewed as a low-end TE1 with plenty of upside. Jordy Nelson is secure as a low-end WR1, while Randall Cobb and James Jones can be viewed as a safe WR2 and WR3 respectfully. Jennings becomes the undisputed #1 WR on the Vikings, but can not be considered more than a WR3 after the dismal performance of Christian Ponder in 2012. Jerome Simpson can be disregarded now, while Jarius Wright’s luster as a sleeper has faded some. Kyle Rudolph’s value should not be affected much.
RB Ronnie Brown re-signs with San Diego Chargers
Brown was surprisingly effective last season as the third-down back, but I’d imagine he returns as the #3 RB behind the newly acquired Danny Woodhead. He should be left off the fantasy radar to begin the season. This transaction can be viewed as another indictment on Ryan Mathews.
WR Brandon Gibson signs with Miami Dolphins
I give the Dolphins credit for doing everything in their power to help Ryan Tannehill develop. Gibson could have been a bigger fantasy factor elsewhere, but now takes the low-end WR4/5 slot that Davone Bess occupied. Bess’ fantasy value has all but faded away for now.
RB Danny Woodhead signs with San Diego Chargers
The Chargers needed another running back behind Ryan Mathews, but the signing of Woodhead could designate that the new regime does not see Mathews as a full-time back. Woodhead is expected to shoulder some of the load on passing downs, however he still won’t be a recommended as more than an RB4 while Mathews, who still resides as a low-end RB2, is healthy.
TE Dustin Keller signs with Miami Dolphins
Miami adds yet another weapon for Ryan Tannehill, whose upside as a QB2 is growing. Keller is a talented receiver, but joins an increasingly crowded receiving corps and should be viewed as a TE2. His addition adds more uncertainty to the distribution of targets and lowers the floor of the Dolphins other receivers.
RB Mike Goodson signs with New York Jets
Goodson has proven to be very efficient during the limited action he has seen over his four-year career and the Jets are expected to run the ball close to 500 times again. Whoever earns the starting job - Goodson, Bilal Powell or a even an incoming rookie - should be viewed as a RB2/Flex at the very least.
RB Steven Jackson signs with Atlanta Falcons
Michael Turner reached double-digit touchdowns in all five seasons with the Falcons; Jackson can easily do the same while being more effective as a runner and in the passing game - he rises to low-end RB1 status. Jacquizz Rodgers will likely see his role decrease from 2012 and drop to the RB4 range.
WR Danny Amendola signs with New England Patriots
It didn’t take long for the Patriots to find their replacement for Welker. While I don’t expect him to match Welker’s production, Amendola will step into a sizable role right away and is a safe WR3 with upside. I still expect Aaron Hernandez to see an increase in usage. Tom Brady won’t miss a beat and his value is not affected by the slot receiver swap.
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QB Drew Stanton signs with Arizona Cardinals
Stanton currently seems to be the leader for the starting job, but will be far a recommended option. Larry Fitzgerald can only improve his statistics from last season, but he would still be better served with an upgrade and should not be viewed as more than a low-end WR2 at this moment.
WR Wes Welker signs with Denver Broncos
The ludicrous number of targets that Welker saw in New England may be in the rear-view mirror, but he should still merit enough looks to finish near the WR2/3 border in standard scoring formats. Demaryius Thomas’ ceiling drops a little, but he remains a mid-WR1. Eric Decker’s value may suffer the most, which is why I’m lowering him from a high-end WR2 to WR3 status. Peyton Manning was already entrenched as a strong QB1 and this move can only help. Aaron Hernandez should benefit with the Patriots; while he remains the third ranked tight end, the gap between him and the top-two has closed a little.
RB Shonn Greene signs with Tennessee Titans
The Titans were rumored to have wanted a running-mate for Chris Johnson and have now found one. Greene should pick up a fair amount of carries, likely including goal-line work, but should be viewed as an RB3/4 type to begin the season. Johnson’s ceiling definitely takes a hit, nestling him among the mid-to-high RB2 contingent.
RB Rashard Mendenhall signs with Arizona Cardinals
Mendenhall with likely battle Ryan Williams for the starting job during the preseason. Whoever emerges will become a mid-range RB3 and the defeated should be left for waivers.
RB Reggie Bush signs with Detroit Lions
Early reports are that the Lions expect to make Bush the full-time back. I’d expect him to concede to Mikel Leshoure in short yardage situations, however Bush enters a terrific situation for fantasy production. He should be heavily utilized in the passing-game and becomes a high-end RB2, bordering on RB1 status. Leshoure drops to the RB3/4 range and Joique Bell becomes a non-factor.
WR Donnie Avery signs with Kansas City Chiefs
Andy Reid brings in another receiver for Alex Smith and is clearly dedicated to creating the best environment for Alex Smith. Avery will compete with Jon Baldwin for the #2 role and both can be considered as WR5’s right now.
Oakland Raiders release WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
Although DHB may be considered a bust, he did flash his potential at times and should find work very soon. His release opens up an opportunity for Rod Streater, however the uncertainty at the quarterback position does not bode well for any of the receivers’ production.
TE Jared Cook signs with St. Louis Rams
Lack of usage prevented Cook from breaking out in Tennessee. The Rams wanted Cook and he should see at least a small uptick in targets. He sits on the TE1/2 border with upside. Sam Bradford remains a low-end QB2.
TE Delanie Walker signs with Tennessee Titans
Walker joins a Titans team that under-utilized Jared Cook; he should left for the waiver wire. Jake Locker was already a low-end QB2 that has shown promise and remains such.
WR Mike Wallace signs with Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins added another threat for Ryan Tannehill, who is low-end QB2 with increasing upside. Wallace should be drafted as no more than a WR3; I wrote in more detail about his value in my recent article, “Mike Wallace Vs. DeSean Jackson.” Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are downgraded an entire tier to WR5 range. Wallace was expected to leave all along, however Antonio Brown is now ensured as a high-end WR2 and Emmanuel Sanders currently ranks in the WR4/5 range. Ben Roethlisberger continues to sit just outside the QB1 threshold.
Buffalo Bills release QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
This move was not entirely surprising and Fitzpatrick will likely find work as a backup quarterback somewhere. Tarvaris Jackson is currently the only quarterback on the Bills roster and they are expected to draft one. Whoever ends up as the starter should be considered as a spot-starter and rank as a QB3. Steve Johnson remains the target-hog and his value is barely affected.
TE Anthony Fasano signs with Kansas City Chiefs
This move adds another “weapon” for Alex Smith, displaying Andy Reid’s commitment to his new quarterback. Smith remains a high-end QB2, while Fasano can be left for the waiver wire.
TE Martellus Bennett signs with Chicago Bears
Bennett becomes an instant upgrade at tight end for Jay Cutler, who was forced to neglect the position. However, there were better locations for Bennett’s fantasy value and he should be considered only as a TE2. Cutler still remains no more than a low-end QB2 and Brandon Marshall’s ceiling drops slightly since the Bears will not need to force him the ball as much.
Houston Texans release WR Kevin Walter
The Texans were always expected to add a complimentary wide receiver to Andre Johnson and this move corroborates those expectations.
WR Jerome Simpson re-signs with Minnesota Vikings
He is currently the #1 WR, but his value is limited unless Christian Ponder surprises with a big improvement in his play.
Baltimore Ravens trade WR Anquan Boldin to San Francisco 49ers
Boldin was a major piece of the Ravens championship team, but his fantasy relevance is waning. He should be left for the waiver wire. His arrival in San Francisco may take a small bite out of the values of the current 49ers receivers, but not much. Dennis Pitta becomes a safer low-end TE1.
Minnesota Vikings trade WR Percy Harvin to Seattle Seahawks
Harvin’s status as a top-8 WR is solidified, but the biggest benefactor is Russell Wilson, who will rise a couple of spots in my rankings and closes ground on the Matt Ryan / Matthew Stafford / Andrew Luck group. Sidney Rice and Golden Tate drop out of the WR3 picture. Jarius Wright looks to take over the slot receiver duties for the Vikings and becomes an interesting flier. Kyle Rudolph was already a major factor in the redzone, but is now expected to see an increase in targets and rises from a low-end TE1 to the mid-range territory. I don’t believe either Adrian Peterson or Marshawn Lynch will be affected.
WR Dwayne Bowe re-signs with Kansas City Chiefs
I wrote extensively about Bowe’s 2013 fantasy football value in “Dwayne Bowe Re-Signs With Chiefs.”
San Francisco 49ers trade QB Alex Smith to Kansas City Chiefs
Andy Reid is great for the fantasy football value of quarterbacks; I detailed Smith’s outlook in “Alex Smith heads to Kansas City.”





14 Mar 2013
Posted by Kyle Wachtel
