Press Box View: Free agent watch
By Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer Follow JameyFollow CBS Fantasy Football
The NFL offseason gets even more interesting Friday with the beginning of free agency and the trading period.
Now we'll start to see some real player movement, and it will be exciting to see what develops.
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| Randy Moss' value could fluctuate significantly depending on where he lands. (US Presswire) |
The decisions of this year's free agent class could have a major impact on your Fantasy team in 2008. But sometimes changing teams doesn't always help a player's future production.
Last year, whether due to injury or a lack of motivation following a big pay day, several free agent signings or trades were more hurtful than helpful. For example, Moss and Wes Welker were extraordinary playing in New England, but Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie suffered in San Francisco.
Jamal Lewis was a star in Cleveland, but Thomas Jones was a bust with the Jets. Baltimore was happy with Willis McGahee, but Houston was disappointed with Ahman Green.
The lesson is don't get overexcited when you see player sign or get traded to a new team. The situation could dictate how that player will perform rather just a change of scenery or an expanded role creating a potential better opportunity.
Below is a list of the major transactions from 2007 and if their Fantasy value improved or declined with their new team. We'll also take a look at some of this year's free agents and if they will benefit from staying with their old team or going elsewhere.
Recent transaction history
Kevin Curtis, WR, Eagles
2006 in St. Louis: 40 catches, 479 yards, four touchdowns
2007 in Philadelphia: 77 catches, 1,110 yards, six touchdowns
Status: Upgrade
Comment: The move to the Eagles increased his Fantasy value because he was given more playing time. In Curtis' case, the talent was there, and all he needed was a chance to get more passes in his direction.
Jeff Garcia, QB, Tampa Bay
2006 in Philadelphia: 1,309 yards passing, 10 touchdowns, two interceptions
2007 in Tampa Bay: 2,440 yards passing, 13 touchdowns, four interceptions
Status: Upgrade
Comment: Garcia was a backup with the Eagles, and moving the Buccaneers gave him a chance to be a starter. He rejuvenated his career in Tampa Bay, and the move was a good one.
Ahman Green, RB, Houston
2006 in Green Bay: 1,059 yards rushing, five touchdowns; 46 catches, 373 yards, one touchdown
2007 in Houston: 260 yards rushing, two touchdowns; 14 catches, 123 yards
Status: Downgrade
Comment: Green was injured in his first year with the Texans, but he wasn't going to improve on his 2006 output. His final year with the Packers might have been the last year he will be a legitimate Fantasy option.
Trent Green, QB, Unsigned
2006 in Kansas City: 1,342 yards passing, seven touchdowns, nine interceptions
2007 in Miami: 987 yards passing, five touchdowns, seven interceptions
Status: Downgrade
Comment: The Dolphins were desperate when they signed Green, and he suffered another concussion and was out for the year. He might be done for his career after Miami released him this offseason.
Travis Henry, RB, Denver
2006 in Tennessee: 1,211 yards rushing, seven touchdowns; 18 catches, 78 yards
2007 in Denver: 691 yards rushing, four touchdowns; seven catches, 65 yards
Status: Downgrade
Comment: Henry was expected to be Denver's first star running back since Clinton Portis was traded to Washington but instead dealt with a knee injury and faced a possible suspension for marijuana, which never materialized. The good news with Henry is in his second year with his two previous teams in Buffalo and Tennessee he played great, so hopefully that trend continues.
Joe Horn, WR, Atlanta
2006 in New Orleans: 37 catches, 679 yards, four touchdowns
2007 in Atlanta: 27 catches, 243 yards, one touchdown
Status: Downgrade
Comment: Horn's best days were behind him following the 2004 season, which is why the Saints cut him before last year. He was expected to help Michael Vick in 2007, but we all know how that went. Don't expect much from Horn any more in the future.
Darrell Jackson, WR, San Francisco
2006 in Seattle: 63 catches, 956 yards, 10 touchdowns
2007 in San Francisco: 46 catches, 497 yards, three touchdowns
Status: Downgrade
Comment: The 49ers were hoping Jackson would give them a legitimate receiving option to pair with tight end Vernon Davis. Instead, Jackson's injury woes continued in San Francisco, and the entire offense struggled due to poor quarterback play.
Thomas Jones, RB, New York Jets
2006 in Chicago: 1,210 yards rushing, six touchdowns; 36 catches, 154 yards
2007 in New York: 1,119 yards rushing, one touchdown; 28 catches, 217 yards, one touchdown
Status: Downgrade
Comment: Big things were expected for Jones after he left his tandem situation in Chicago and was given the No. 1 job with the Jets. But Jones lumbered his way behind a poor offensive line to a 3.6-yard average, and the lack of touchdowns was disappointing.
Ashley Lelie, WR, San Francisco
2006 in Atlanta: 28 catches, 430 yards, one touchdown
2007 in San Francisco: 10 catches, 115 yards
Status: Downgrade
Comment: Lelie is never going to live up to his potential, but the 49ers thought they were getting a legitimate deep threat. Instead, Lelie was actually worse than his one year with the Falcons, and he may never make an impact in Fantasy leagues again.
Jamal Lewis, RB, Cleveland
2006 in Baltimore: 1,132 yards rushing, nine touchdowns; 18 catches, 115 yards
2007 in Cleveland: 1,304 yards rushing, nine touchdowns; 30 catches, 248 yards, two touchdowns
Status: Upgrade
Comment: Lewis signed a one-year deal with the Browns and had the second-best year of his career. The concern now that Lewis signed a three-year deal this offseason is he will be a bust in 2008 following his big pay day.
Willis McGahee, RB, Baltimore
2006 in Buffalo: 990 yards rushing, six touchdowns; 18 catches, 156 yards
2007 in Baltimore: 1,207 yards rushing, seven touchdowns; 43 catches, 231 yards, one touchdown
Status: Upgrade
Comment: McGahee had the second-best year of his career in rushing yards and his best year receiving. He was one of the lone bright spots for the Ravens on offense and should play well again in 2008.
Randy Moss, WR, New England
2006 in Oakland: 42 catches, 553 yards, three touchdowns
2007 in New England: 98 catches, 1,493 yards, 23 touchdowns
Status: Upgrade
Comment: Moss went from a has-been to back atop his perch as the best receiver in the NFL. He is a free agent this offseason, and Fantasy owners are praying he stays with the Patriots and QB Tom Brady.
Dominic Rhodes, RB, Oakland
2006 in Indianapolis: 641 yards rushing, five touchdowns; 36 catches, 251 yards
2007 in Oakland: 302 yards rushing, one touchdown; 11 catches, 70 yards
Status: Downgrade
Comment: Rhodes was expected to compete with LaMont Jordan for the starting job in Oakland but started the season serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He never got on track after that and could be released this offseason since the Raiders don't have much use for him.
Matt Schaub, QB, Houston
2006 in Atlanta: 208 yards passing, one touchdown, two interceptions
2007 in Houston: 2,241 yards passing, nine touchdowns, nine interceptions
Status: Upgrade
Comment: Schaub only gets an upgrade because he went from a backup with the Falcons to the starter with the Texans, but he missed five games due to injury and was adequate at best in his first year in Houston. Look for Schaub to improve in 2008, but he needs to stay healthy.
Donte Stallworth, WR, Unsigned
2006 in Philadelphia: 38 catches, 725 yards, five touchdowns
2007 in New England: 46 catches, 697 yards, three touchdowns
Status: Downgrade
Comment: Stallworth was overshadowed by Randy Moss and Wes Welker and then got outplayed by Jabar Gaffney in the second half of the season. Stallworth was then released by the Patriots this offseason. He should rebound with a new team, but he was a disappointment with New England.
Wes Welker, WR, New England
2006 in Miami: 67 catches, 687 yards, one touchdown
2007 in New England: 112 catches, 1,175 yards, eight touchdowns
Status: Upgrade
Comment: Welker went from a part-time player with the Dolphins to tying Cincinnati's T.J. Houshmandzadeh for the NFL lead in receptions last year. He has emerged as a solid Fantasy option, and all it took was getting an opportunity to play alongside Tom Brady.
2008 Free Agents
Guys who should switch teams
Bernard Berrian, WR
2007 in Chicago: 71 catches, 951 yards, five touchdowns
Comment: Hopefully for Fantasy owners Berrian will go somewhere with an established quarterback in place who can throw the deep ball. He will likely look at a warm weather destination, but he should do better in 2008 with an upgrade over Rex Grossman.
Alge Crumpler, TE
2007 in Atlanta: 42 catches, 444 yards, five touchdowns
Comment: Like most of the Falcons in 2007, Crumpler suffered with the whole Michael Vick saga. Now Crumpler has the chance to go somewhere and make an impact to a team needing a tight end. He still has some good years left in him.
Julius Jones, RB
2007 in Dallas: 585 rushing yards, two touchdowns; 23 catches 203 yards
Comment: Jones may never be a legitimate No. 1 running back, but now he can try to make that happen. In Dallas, he would only share carries with Marion Barber again. Jones could end up causing a tandem again wherever he ends up signing.
Michael Turner, RB
2007 in San Diego: 316 yards rushing, one touchdown; four catches, 16 yards
Comment: Turner will finally get a chance to start somewhere else. There are several teams who could use a running back -- Houston, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta -- and Turner could make a Fantasy impact right away by leaving the Chargers.
Guys who should stay put
Ron Dayne, RB
2007 in Houston: 773 yards rushing, six touchdowns; 17 catches, 112 yards
Comment: The Texans may sign or draft another running back following what happened with Ahman Green in 2007, but Dayne has proven to be a serviceable backup the past two years. If the Texans go with Green and Dayne again, Dayne could still have Fantasy value since Green is injury prone.
Jabar Gaffney, WR
2007 in New England: 36 catches, 449 yards, five touchdowns
Comment: If the Patriots bring back Gaffney as the No. 3 wide receiver behind Randy Moss and Wes Welker, he would still have significant Fantasy value. The Patriots offense isn't expected to change much, and Gaffney would be a solid reserve Fantasy option if he stayed in New England.
D.J. Hackett, WR
2007 in Seattle: 32 catches, 384 yards, three touchdowns
Comment: With Deion Branch potentially out for the season with a torn ACL, Hackett could come in and be the No. 1 option for the Seahawks. He played well when healthy in 2007, and the Seattle offense has developed into a passing attack with a great quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck.
Randy Moss, WR
2007 in New England: 98 catches, 1,493 yards, 23 touchdowns
Comment: Moss would be crazy to leave the comforts of New England. He has a chance to establish himself as the best wide receiver in the NFL with a few more seasons playing with Tom Brady.
Guys to keep an eye on
Bryant Johnson, WR
2007 in Arizona: 46 catches, 528 yards, two touchdowns
Comment: Johnson has been overshadowed by Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, but he could play well if given more of an opportunity somewhere else. In the right situation, Johnson's Fantasy value could rise.
Mewelde Moore, RB
2007 in Minnesota: 113 yards rushing; six catches, 46 yards
Comment: Moore may never be more than a special teams player, but he could also do well as a running back if given a chance with extended playing time. He's shown flashes in his four seasons in Minnesota when the Vikings had injuries, and he has potential to be a decent player.
Musa Smith, RB
2007 in Baltimore: 264 yards rushing, two touchdowns; 27 catches, 192 yards
Comment: I'd like to see Smith get 20 carries a game because I think he could be successful. If he ends up with a team in need of a running back or as part of a tandem, you could see Smith making an impact on your Fantasy team down the road.
Billy Volek, QB
2007 in San Diego: 6 yards passing, one interception
Comment: Volek is expected to leave the Chargers and will try to start somewhere else. One possible destination is Atlanta, where he would make an impact right away. Volek has the potential to be a decent Fantasy option, so hopefully he gets a chance.
Derrick Ward, RB
2007 in New York: 602 yards rushing, three touchdowns; 26 catches, 179 yards, one touchdown
Comment: Ward played well with the Giants as a backup to Brandon Jacobs before breaking his leg, but he appears out of a job after the emergence of Ahmad Bradshaw. Look for Ward to be a backup somewhere else, but again he could have Fantasy value if given a chance in the right opportunity.
Do you agree with Jamey? Send your thoughts to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com and we'll post the best responses. Be sure to put Attn: Offseason in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.
