Feb. 19, 2008

2008 Free Agent Fantasy Guide

The offseason is when NFL teams get to play their own version of "Fantasy Football." Between balancing salary caps and improving their rosters, teams are always looking to replenish talent, usually at the cost of cutting people.

With so many players on the move, it's important to keep track of who's going where around the league. Updated daily, this page will keep you posted on the latest transactions during the 2008 offseason. If you care about winning your league next year, you'll check back often.

Keep in mind that we're only covering Fantasy-relevant free agents. For a complete list of NFL free agents, please see our Player Movement Page: AFC | NFC.

Sortable 2008 Free Agents
Player	2007 team	Pos	Status
Albert Haynesworth	Titans	DL	FRANCHISED
Marques Douglas	49ers	DL	SIGNED WITH BUCCANEERS
Jevon Kearse	Eagles	DL	SIGNED WITH TITANS
Bobby McCray	Jaguars	DL	SIGNED WITH SAINTS
Antwan Odom	Titans	DL	SIGNED WITH BENGALS
Justin Smith	Bengals	DL	SIGNED WITH 49ERS
Jared Allen	Chiefs	DL	TRADED TO VIKINGS
Corey Williams	Packers	DL	TRADED TO BROWNS
Karlos Dansby	Cardinals	LB	FRANCHISED
Terrell Suggs	Ravens	LB	FRANCHISED
Lance Briggs	Bears	LB	RE-SIGNED
Tedy Bruschi	Patriots	LB	RE-SIGNED
Boss Bailey	Lions	LB	SIGNED WITH BRONCOS
Landon Johnson	Bengals	LB	SIGNED WITH PANTHERS
Dan Morgan	Panthers	LB	SIGNED WITH SAINTS
Calvin Pace	Cardinals	LB	SIGNED WITH JETS
Derek Smith	49ers	LB	SIGNED WITH CHARGERS
Dontarrious Thomas	Vikings	LB	SIGNED WITH 49ERS
Zach Thomas	Dolphins	LB	SIGNED WITH COWBOYS
Chaun Thompson	Browns	LB	SIGNED WITH TEXANS
Demorrio Williams	Falcons	LB	SIGNED WITH CHIEFS
Martin Gramatica	Saints	PK	RE-SIGNED
Lawrence Tynes	Giants	PK	RE-SIGNED
Josh Brown	Seahawks	PK	SIGNED WITH RAMS
Jason Elam	Broncos	PK	SIGNED WITH FALCONS
Olindo Mare	Saints	PK	SIGNED WITH SEAHAWKS
Derek Anderson	Browns	QB	RE-SIGNED
Todd Collins	Redskins	QB	RE-SIGNED
Rex Grossman	Bears	QB	RE-SIGNED
Shaun Hill	49ers	QB	RE-SIGNED
Chris Redman	Falcons	QB	RE-SIGNED
Billy Volek	Chargers	QB	RE-SIGNED
David Carr	Panthers	QB	SIGNED WITH GIANTS
Quinn Gray	Jaguars	QB	SIGNED WITH TEXANS
Trent Green	Dolphins	QB	SIGNED WITH RAMS
Cleo Lemon	Dolphins	QB	SIGNED WITH JAGUARS
Josh McCown	Raiders	QB	SIGNED WITH DOLPHINS
J.T. O'Sullivan	Lions	QB	SIGNED WITH 49ERS
Kevin Jones	Lions	RB	SIGNED WITH BEARS
Michael Bennett	Buccaneers	RB	RE-SIGNED
Justin Fargas	Raiders	RB	RE-SIGNED
Jamal Lewis	Browns	RB	RE-SIGNED
Vernand Morency	Packers	RB	RE-SIGNED
Aaron Stecker	Saints	RB	RE-SIGNED
Derrick Ward	Giants	RB	RE-SIGNED
Chris Brown	Titans	RB	SIGNED WITH TEXANS
Jesse Chatman	Dolphins	RB	SIGNED WITH JETS
T.J. Duckett	Lions	RB	SIGNED WITH SEAHAWKS
Warrick Dunn	Falcons	RB	SIGNED WITH BUCCANEERS
DeShaun Foster	Panthers	RB	SIGNED WITH 49ERS
Maurice Hicks	49ers	RB	SIGNED WITH VIKINGS
Julius Jones	Cowboys	RB	SIGNED WITH SEAHAWKS
Mewelde Moore	Vikings	RB	SIGNED WITH STEELERS
Musa Smith	Ravens	RB	SIGNED WITH JETS
LaBrandon Toefield	Jaguars	RB	SIGNED WITH PANTHERS
Michael Turner	Chargers	RB	SIGNED WITH FALCONS
Nnamdi Asomugha	Raiders	DB	FRANCHISED
Ken Hamlin	Cowboys	DB	FRANCHISED
Yeremiah Bell	Dolphins	DB	RE-SIGNED
C.C. Brown	Texans	DB	RE-SIGNED
Will Demps	Texans	DB	RE-SIGNED
Eric Green	Cardinals	DB	RE-SIGNED
Gerald Sensabaugh	Jaguars	DB	RE-SIGNED
Marcus Trufant	Seahawks	DB	RE-SIGNED
Erik Coleman	Jets	DB	SIGNED WITH FALCONS
Nick Ferguson	Broncos	DB	SIGNED WITH TEXANS
Sammy Knight	Jaguars	DB	SIGNED WITH GIANTS
Marquand Manuel	Panthers	DB	SIGNED WITH BRONCOS
Dwight Smith	Vikings	DB	SIGNED WITH LIONS
Asante Samuel	Patriots	DB	SIGNED WITH EAGLES
Madieu Williams	Bengals	DB	SIGNED WITH VIKINGS
Eugene Wilson	Patriots	DB	SIGNED WITH BUCCANEERS
Gibril Wilson	Giants	DB	SIGNED WITH RAIDERS
L.J. Smith	Eagles	TE	FRANCHISED
Dallas Clark	Colts	TE	RE-SIGNED
Eric Johnson	Saints	TE	RE-SIGNED
Billy Miller	Saints	TE	RE-SIGNED
Jerramy Stevens	Buccaneers	TE	RE-SIGNED
Alge Crumpler	Falcons	TE	SIGNED WITH TITANS
Bubba Franks	Packers	TE	SIGNED WITH JETS
Marcus Pollard	Seahawks	TE	SIGNED WITH PATRIOTS
Terrance Copper	Saints	WR	RE-SIGNED
Andre' Davis	Texans	WR	RE-SIGNED
Rashied Davis	Bears	WR	RE-SIGNED
Robert Ferguson	Vikings	WR	RE-SIGNED
Jabar Gaffney	Patriots	WR	RE-SIGNED
Justin Gage	Titans	WR	RE-SIGNED
Devery Henderson	Saints	WR	RE-SIGNED
Randy Moss	Patriots	WR	RE-SIGNED
David Patten	Saints	WR	RE-SIGNED
Bernard Berrian	Bears	WR	SIGNED WITH VIKINGS
Marty Booker	Dolphins	WR	SIGNED WITH BEARS
Isaac Bruce	Rams	WR	SIGNED WITH 49ERS
Reche Caldwell	Redskins	WR	SIGNED WITH RAMS
Drew Carter	Panthers	WR	SIGNED WITH RAIDERS
Tim Carter	Browns	WR	SIGNED WITH TEXANS
Keary Colbert	Panthers	WR	SIGNED WITH BRONCOS
Devard Darling	Ravens	WR	SIGNED WITH CHIEFS
D.J. Hackett	Seahawks	WR	SIGNED WITH PANTHERS
Bryant Johnson	Cardinals	WR	SIGNED WITH 49ERS
Brandon Lloyd	Redskins	WR	SIGNED WITH BEARS
Justin McCareins	Jets	WR	SIGNED WITH TITANS
Muhsin Muhammad	Bears	WR	SIGNED WITH PANTHERS
Tab Perry	Bengals	WR	SIGNED WITH DOLPHINS
Jerry Porter	Raiders	WR	SIGNED WITH JAGUARS
Donte Stallworth	Patriots	WR	SIGNED WITH BROWNS
Javon Walker	Broncos	WR	SIGNED WITH RAIDERS
Ernest Wilford	Jaguars	WR	SIGNED WITH DOLPHINS
Samie Parker	Chiefs	WR	Unrestricted Free Agent
Tim Dwight	Raiders	WR	Unrestricted Free Agent
Bryan Gilmore	49ers	WR	Unrestricted Free Agent
Eric Moulds	Titans	WR	Unrestricted Free Agent
Peerless Price	Bills	WR	Released/Free Agent
Eddie Kennison	Chiefs	WR	Released/Free Agent

Schaub doing well in rehab
Matt Schaub, QB, HOU
1:03 PM

News: The Houston Chronicle reports Tuesday that Texans QB Matt Schaub, who finished the season on injured reserve following foot surgery, is doing well and his rehab is ahead of schedule. The report says Schaub works out almost every day.

Analysis: This is great news, and we expect Schaub to return at 100 percent in 2012. Continue to monitor what happens with Schaub, but he should be considered a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy QB heading into the season. He is worth a mid-round pick in all leagues on Draft Day.

Tatupu visits Saints
Lofa Tatupu, LB, SEA
2:36 PM

News: Free agent LB Lofau Tatupu visited with the Saints on Monday, according to NFL.com. The 29-year-old Tatupu sat out the 2011 season. The former Pro Bowl MLB was asked to take a pay cut by the Seahawks after the lockout ended last summer, and subsequently asked for his release. Tatupu was scheduled to visit with the Raiders and Redskins in August, but didn't sign with anyone and fell off the radar for the remainder of the year while he reportedly dealt with a knee injury. Tatupu was scheduled to earn more than $4 million in 2011 before his release by Seattle. The six-year veteran was a second-round pick and has played in three Pro Bowls. But he also started to wear down from 2008-2010, including finishing 2009 on injured reserve with a knee injury. He did start all 16 games in 2010, but had surgery on both knees during the offseason.

Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Tatupu and where he plays in 2012. When healthy and active he could be a No. 3 Fantasy LB worth a late-round pick in IDP leagues.

Flacco, Ravens to work on deal
Ravens, TQB BAL,
12:47 PM

News: The NFL Network reports that the Ravens are set to open contract extension talks with QB Joe Flacco's agent at the NFL Combine next week. The report says both sides aim for a long-term deal. Flacco is entering a contract year in 2012, and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti recently said Flacco would be the team's starting quarterback for years to come.

Analysis: Flacco's won a lot of games for the Ravens but hasn't taken the next step statistically, even when the team added Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. Flacco has had between 3,610 and 3,622 passing yards and between 20 and 25 touchdowns in each of his last three seasons. But this year his completion percentage and yards per attempt dropped like a rock while his pass attempts hit a career high (542, breaking the previous mark of 499). Flacco fits the bill as a great No. 2 Fantasy QB; though he's finally outfitted with a quality receiving corps, he simply doesn't invoke much confidence as a starting option. Look for him late in drafts.

Best 'on pace' for offseason work
Jahvid Best, RB, DET
12:43 PM

News: The Detroit Free-Press reports that Lions RB Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems even though team president Tom Lewand is optimistic. Lewand said Best is "on pace" to be ready for offseason workouts, and he is looking forward to seeing Best and Mikel Leshoure play together. "Jahvid is a special player and he'll be even more dynamic when he can ... share the load with a guy like Mikel in the backfield."

Analysis: We hope Best can return at 100 percent, but he will likely be used as a change of pace rusher and a third-down back. Continue to monitor what happens with Best, but he should only be drafted with a late-round pick in standard leagues and a mid-round selection in PPR formats since he will likely be used in tandem with Leshoure and possibly Kevin Smith if he returns as a free agent.

Leshoure's recovery going well
Mikel Leshoure, RB, DET
12:40 PM

News: The Detroit Free-Press reports that Lions RB Mikel Leshoure, who tore his left Achilles tendon in the second week of training camp last year, is close to making a full recovery. At the Lions’ request, Leshoure just moved the final stages of his rehab back to Detroit from Arizona. He’s doing resistance work and light running and is expected to join OTA workouts at some point this offseason. Leshoure looked like he was going to be a key part of the Lions offense when injury struck last August, and the team is anxious to get a read on him this spring. RB Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems, and even if Best returns it’s clear he’s not an every-down back.

Analysis: Leshoure should be considered a great sleeper heading into 2012, and he is worth drafting as a No. 3 Fantasy RB as long as he's healthy. He has tremendous upside, and he could be a great weapon for the Lions, especially with Best struggling as an every-down back. Continue to monitor what happens with Leshoure, but he is worth drafting as early as Round 6 in 2012.

Steelers want to lock up Wallace
Mike Wallace, WR, PIT
12:17 PM

News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Monday the team wants to keep WR Mike Wallace "here for the long run." Wallace, their leading receiver last season, will become a restricted free agent March 13.

Analysis: Wallace played well in 2011 with 72 catches for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns on 114 targets. He will remain in Pittsburgh in 2012, and hopefully he can sign a long-term deal. We consider Wallace a Top 10 Fantasy WR on Draft Day, and he should be selected in all leagues in Round 3.

GM says no decision on Ward yet
Hines Ward, WR, PIT
12:13 PM

News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Monday that no decision has been made on whether WR Hines Ward will be back with the Steelers in 2012. "To this current point, no final decisions have been made," Colbert said. "We've had several discussions internally. We're right in the midst of our free agent evaluations of other teams' free agents. We'll meet on those [on the Steelers roster] starting Thursday and carry through Monday." A recent report on NFL Network said that Ward won't be back with the Steelers in 2012 but a source close to Ward refuted the report.

Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Ward and where he ends up in 2012. No matter where Ward plays, however, he would have minimal Fantasy value, and he is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues.

Pats could go after Lloyd
Brandon Lloyd, WR, STL
12:08 PM

News: The Boston Herald reports that the Patriots will be in the market for a WR this year, and one obvious possibility is Brandon Lloyd, who is an impending free agent, because of his ties to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The fact that Lloyd said “I’m tied to McDaniels” makes him a likely free agent target. Lloyd had 51 catches for 683 yards and five TDs last year in 11 games in St. Louis when McDaniels was the offensive coordinator makes him look pretty good after he amassed 77 catches for 1,448 yards and 11 scores with Denver when McDaniels was the coach.

Analysis: One holdup for Lloyd and the Patriots could be Lloyd's agent, Tom Condon, who has a rocky relationship with the Patriots. We'll see what plays out this offseason, but if Lloyd signs in New England he would be considered a low-end No. 2 Fantasy WR. He could still return to the Rams, where he would be a strong No. 3 option. Or he could shop himself around the league. Stay tuned, but either way Lloyd is worth a mid-round pick in all leagues.

Fitzpatrick finished season hurt
Bills, TQB BUF,
11:53 AM

News: The Sports Xchange reports that Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick's second-half swoon in 2011 was mystifying to fans and media who concluded the front office badly miscalculated in handing the career journeyman a 10-year, $60 million contract extension. But now it appears Fitzpatrick played the final nine games last season with cracked ribs. "A lot of people don't know, but Fitz, during the Washington game, actually cracked a couple of ribs," WR David Nelson said. "So after that he was playing hurt." It showed. In Fitzpatrick's first seven games of the year, he threw for 1,739 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. After the injury, he had 2,093 yards, 10 touchdowns and 16 picks. He finished the year with a league-high 23 interceptions. "It's hard to find the silver lining but as we evaluate the season and what went right and what went wrong I'm sure we'll find a lot of positives and a lot of things that we can carry into next year hopefully and continue to get better at it," Fitzpatrick said.

Analysis: Fitzpatrick obviously has 4,000-yard, 25-touchdown potential, but issues involving the personnel around him along with his own issues (accuracy, for one) make him risky for weekly use in Fantasy. Figure that he's worth a late-round pick as a good No. 2 Fantasy QB with potential to be a low-end starter. It should only help him if the Bills not only re-sign Steve Johnson this offseason, but also add talent at wide receiver.

Jags want Scobee back
Josh Scobee, K, JAC
11:47 AM

News: The Sports Xchange reports that Jacksonville has most of its top offensive players locked into contracts for the coming season with one notable exception - kicker Josh Scobee, who is an eight-year veteran. Scobee has been one of the league's most accurate kickers in his eight seasons with the Jaguars, converting better than 75 percent of his field-goal attempts in all but one season. Scobee led the team in scoring last year with 92 points, including 23 of 25 (92 percent) field-goal attempts, the second time in his career he's finished over 90 percent with his kicks. It isn't likely the Jaguars would use the franchise tag on him and probably won't have to. They'll make every attempt to sign him. For a team that was among the league's lowest scoring clubs, the Jaguars can ill afford to lose a player with Scobee's talents.

Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Scobee. He is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues, but he could be used as a bye-week replacement as long as he remains with the Jaguars.

More Updates

1	Aaron Rodgers, GB, QB
2	Drew Brees, NO, QB
3	Tom Brady, NE, QB
4	Cam Newton, CAR, QB
5	Matthew Stafford, DET, QB
6	Philip Rivers, SD, QB
7	Eli Manning, NYG, QB
8	Tony Romo, DAL, QB
9	Michael Vick, PHI, QB
10	Peyton Manning, IND, QB
All Rankings

1	Arian Foster, HOU, RB
2	LeSean McCoy, PHI, RB
3	Ray Rice, BAL, RB
4	Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC, RB
5	Matt Forte, CHI, RB
6	Marshawn Lynch, SEA, RB
7	Ryan Mathews, SD, RB
8	Chris Johnson, TEN, RB
9	Adrian Peterson, MIN, RB
10	Steven Jackson, STL, RB
All Rankings

1	Calvin Johnson, DET, WR
2	Wes Welker, NE, WR
3	Roddy White, ATL, WR
4	Larry Fitzgerald, ARI, WR
5	Hakeem Nicks, NYG, WR
6	Greg Jennings, GB, WR
7	Victor Cruz, NYG, WR
8	A.J. Green, CIN, WR
9	Mike Wallace, PIT, WR
10	Miles Austin, DAL, WR
All Rankings

1	Rob Gronkowski, NE, TE
2	Jimmy Graham, NO, TE
3	Aaron Hernandez, NE, TE
4	Antonio Gates, SD, TE
5	Jason Witten, DAL, TE
6	Tony Gonzalez, ATL, TE
7	Vernon Davis, SF, TE
8	Jermichael Finley, GB, TE
9	Brent Celek, PHI, TE
10	Fred Davis, WAS, TE
All Rankings

1	Stephen Gostkowski, NE, K
2	Mason Crosby, GB, K
3	Sebastian Janikowski, OAK, K
4	David Akers, SF, K
5	Garrett Hartley, NO, K
6	Dan Bailey, DAL, K
7	Jason Hanson, DET, K
8	Neil Rackers, HOU, K
9	Alex Henery, PHI, K
10	Nate Kaeding, SD, K
All Rankings

1	49ers, DST
2	Texans, DST
3	Ravens, DST
4	Giants, DST
5	Steelers, DST
6	Seahawks, DST
7	Eagles, DST
8	Packers, DST
9	Jets, DST
10	Patriots, DST
All Rankings