NFL free agency was as hectic as usual with several free agents changing teams last week. Here is a breakdown of the remaining free agents that signed and what the fantasy implications are.
Nick Foles, QB, Jaguars: I expect Foles to produce at the level we are accustomed to seeing him produce at. Sure, he doesn’t have the skill around him that he had in Philadelphia but the Jaguars have a physical offensive line and enough talent at receiver that Foles could be a low end QB1 in 12 team leagues. At the very least, you should draft him as a QB2 and use him as potential trade bait.
Projected numbers: 28 TD’s/10 INT’s/3800 Yards
Golden Tate, WR, Giants: The Giants signed Tate to a four year, $37.5 million dollar deal. That is a lot of money for a 31 year old receiver who has never been a number one receiver.
With the trade of Odell Beckham Jr. You would have to think that Tate will be the number one option in the Giants passing game next season. Not necessarily. The Giants still have Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram who could end up getting more targets and touches in the passing game.
Tate will play the Z receiver in 20 and 21 personnel groupings and in the slot in 10 and 11 personnel. The Giants will target him plenty in reality but at best he is a WR2 or a Flex in fantasy football.
Projected numbers: 70 catches, 890 yards, 6 TD’s
Devin Funchess, WR, Colts: Funchess had a disappointing season in 2018 but is in line for a bounce back season. He will compliment T.Y Hilton and Eric Ebron well and will get targeted a lot in the red zone like he did in Carolina. Funchess is worthy of a late round flyer. Especially in rounds 12-15.
Projected numbers: 65 catches, 720 yards, 5 TD’s
Donte Moncrief, WR, Steelers: Moncrief has always been inconsistent and it is something to take into consideration when trying to assess his value in fantasy. He should start opposite Ju Ju Smith Schuster and given how much the Steelers grow the ball, he will be targeted a fair amount. One thing to keep in mind however is that young James Washington will also be in the mix to start. The Steelers really like him so he could easily surpass Moncrief on the depth chart.
Projected numbers: 52 catches, 500 yards, 4 TD’s
Mark Ingram, RB, Ravens: Ingram will once again end up in a time share with Gus Edwards. The difference in Baltimore however is he could end up getting more touches than he did the last two seasons in New Orleans.
The Ravens will run the football in a variety of ways. Ingram will play the role of Frank Gore in offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s offense. Roman will run a similar system to the one he ran in San Francisco in 2011 and 12.
Ingram’s production will not fall off too much from what he put up in New Orleans. It is all about Gus Edwards however and how much the Ravens plan on running him.
Projected numbers: 180 carries, 900 yards, 8 TD’s 25 catches, 200 yards, 2 TD’s
Tevin Coleman, RB, 49ers: I don’t get this signing at all. The 49ers already have Jerick McKinnon, Matt Brieda and Raheem Mostert on the roster. San Francisco could cut McKinnon because they no longer owe him guaranteed money. Assuming however they don’t do that, where does Coleman fit in? Certainly his familiarity with Shanahan’s system helps but I don’t see how Coleman fits in with the 49ers at all.
Projected numbers: 130 carries, 450 yards, 4 TD’s 28 catches, 300 yards, 3 TD’s
Tyrell Williams, WR, Raiders: Williams never really consistent touches in the Chargers offense. He got paid like a starting receiver so the expectation is he’ll get more touches with the Raiders. Williams is vertical threat with size so he will complement Antonio Brown well. At 6-4 205, Williams is big and appealing in the red zone. Expect him to get some jump ball opportunities. Williams is certainly worthy of taking a flyer on especially in 12 team leagues and PPR leagues.
Projected numbers: 65 catches, 890 yards, 5 TD’s
Adam Humphries, WR, Titans: Humphries is being paid as a number one receiver so it will be interesting to see if he plays like one. He was the third receiver in Tampa so there will be a lot more expected of him this season. I am tempering my expectations. I wouldn’t draft Humphries as anything more than flex or a back up receiver. I don’t think he is worthy of drafting as a WR1 or WR2.
Projected numbers: 55 catches, 765 yards, 6 TD’s
John Brown, WR, Bills: Brown proved last season in Baltimore that he is more than just a vertical threat. He ran a diverse route tree and was productive in all three levels of the passing game. Brown will start in Buffalo and if Josh Allen continues to develop, Brown should be a flex option.
Projected numbers: 68 catches, 770 yards, 5 TD’s
Jamison Crowder, WR, Jets: Crowder will have a much larger role in New York than he did with the Redskins. He will play in the slot in 10 and 11 personnel and will play the Z receiver spot in 21 personnel. Crowder has WR2 potential in 12 team leagues and could be a flex option in 10 team leagues.
Projected numbers: 65 catches, 800 yards, 6 TD’s