Fantasy Football: Free-Agent Quarterback Moves

While you have been watching March Madness and the exciting NHL and NBA, the NFL free agent offseason signings have begun! Maybe you think you’ll look at these later, but I wanted to highlight some of the free agent moves that will have an impact on fantasy squads next season.

It’s never too early to begin developing a strategy of some of your favorite players coming up in the 2018 season! While we are still about 5 months away from fantasy football draft season, we do have the NFL Draft coming up in 5 weeks!

Today, I’ve highlighted some of the top Quarterback moves in the 2018 offseason.

“Captain” Kirk Cousins signs a 3-year, $84 million (fully guaranteed) contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

Vikings finished second in the NFC last year with a somewhat inconsistent QB, but former Vikings QB Case Keenum did play better down the stretch. Cousins has finished as a top 7 fantasy QB every year since taking the helm of the Redskins in 2015 (QB7, QB4, QB6). Cousins will provide a needed boost to the Vikings passing game, but expect the team to continue to be a run-first offense.

Note on his contract: this is the first major money (above $20 million) fully guaranteed contract in the NFL. Maybe this is setting a precedent for NFL teams and players who usually sign contracts with low guaranteed money and many incentives.

Cousins will lead a high powered Vikings offense including these fantasy relevant players:
WR Stefon Diggs
WE Adam Thielen (breakout fantasy player of 2017)
TE Kyle Rudolph
RB Dalvin Cook (2017 1st round pick)

Alex Smith traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Washington Redskins

Redskins offense will be revamped with a new QB and style. Smith is well known in fantasy for his ability to run, but is seen as a timid passer. That is until 2017 season where he really opened up the field with accurate long-balls.

Smith is coming off his best statistical season. While Smith has never been seen as top-level elite QBs, but is definitely usable in fantasy. In the last 5 seasons (2013-10217) with the Chiefs, Smith only finished better than QB16 in a season once and that was last year.

Smith will join a fantasy studded offense including
WR trio of Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson (from Seahawks), Jamison Crowder
TE Jordan Reed (might be healthy or could retire tomorrow and not surprise me)
Pass Catching RB Chris Thompson
RBs Samaje Perine and Rob Kelly

Tyrod “T-Mobile” Taylor will step into the Cleveland Browns role after signing a short term deal.

Tyrod Taylor takes over the helm of the Browns, who traded away their Deshone Kizer (2017 2nd round draft selection) to the Packers, who started most of 2017.

Taylor has had a decent NFL career, and is seen as a better fantasy QB with his ability to run on designed plays or when a passing play breaks down. Taylor can throw a great deep-ball, but less than average on the medium distance (5-15 yard). These are seen as very important as they are the 3rd-and-long situations.

The Browns’ offense were dealt a huge blow with Left Tackle Joe Thomas announcing retirement. He was the best LT in the league, the most important pass-blocking position on the offensive line. Taylor comes into the league as a middle of the road QB, but a fantasy star. The Browns have made a lot of news this off-season by bringing in big names.

Taylor will lead the an offense which includes:
WR trio of Josh Gordon (now the longest tenured Brown player), Jarvis Landry (holds record: most catches in first 4 seasons), and Corey Coleman
TE David Njoku (2017 1st round pick)
RB Carlos Hyde (and potentially rookie RB Saquon Barkley)
Pass catching RB Duke Johnson

AJ McCarron signs a 2-year, $10 million contract with the Buffalo Bills. (Backup deal)

This deal is very little money, and is seen as a “backup deal”. McCarron will probably get a chance to start the 2018 season, but Bills will likely trade up and draft a QB. It’s unlikely that McCarron will be seen as a big upgrade from Tyrod Taylor from last season. I think plenty of people will be surprised with McCarron's level of talent and he might be a fantasy sleeper in this offseason.

The Bills did make the playoffs (after the L.A. Chargers couldn’t finish) and nearly beat the Jaguars on the road in the worst playoff game of the year last season.

McCarron, the former Alabama product, will step into his 5th season and will have a whole off-season to lead the fantasy relevant teammates:
WRs Kelvin Benjamin, Jordan Matthews
RBs LeSean “Shady” McCoy and his handcuff Chris Ivory (formerly with Jaguars)
TE Charles Clay

Other Notable QB Moves:
Case Keenum / Denver Broncos / 2-year / $36 million
Sam Bradford / Arizona Cardinals / 1-year / $20 million
Mike Glennon / Arizona Cardinals / 2-year / $8 million
Teddy Bridgewater / New York Jets / 1-year / $5 million

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Tomorrow, I will highlight the major Running Backs with new teams and those fantasy implications.

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