March 7, 2011

2011 player movement tracker

By Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

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There are two kinds of Fantasy Football owners: Those who stay on top of the news all year long, and those who wake up the day of their draft and pretend to have a clue as to who plays on which team.

Clearly, you're the former -- you want to know where the top Fantasy-relevant players are headed. So we've devised this sortable chart that will track the movement of relevant Fantasy players this offseason.

As you might have heard, there is no labor agreement between the NFL's owners and players after the 2010 season. Because of this, there is uncertainty as to how free agency will work under a new agreement.

Last offseason, only free agents who had six or more years of service were unrestricted. Free agents with three-to-five years of service were restricted, and all others were exclusive-rights free agents. Because of the labor uncertainty, we labeled the years of service each restricted free agent has since some of them might not be restricted when a deal is reached.

Some additional free-agent notes:

UFA: Unrestricted Free Agent -- A player who can sign anywhere.*
RFA: Restricted Free Agent -- A player who can sign anywhere but original team can match offer or receive compensation from new team. (Compensation will be added upon announcement of team designations.)
EXFA: Exclusive Rights Free Agent -- A player who can only negotiate with current team.
FRAN: Franchised Player -- A player who is guaranteed a one-year deal from his original team at the average salary of the five highest-paid players at his position. If new team signs player, original team gets two first-round picks from new team as compensation.
TRAN: Transition Player -- A player who is guaranteed a one-year deal from his original team at the average salary of the 10e highest-paid players at his position. Original team receives no compensation if it doesn't match offer from new team.

*- released players also have this designation

Here's our list of players entering a contract year, and here's our list of overvalued players.

NFL Free Agents To Be (sortable)
Pos.	Player	'10 team	Status as of '11 offseason
QB	Brohm, Brian	BUF	RFA-3
QB	Bulger, Marc	BAL	UFA
QB	Clemens, Kellen	NYJ	UFA
QB	Collins, Kerry	TEN	UFA
QB	Dixon, Dennis	PIT	RFA-3
QB	Edwards, Trent	JAC	RFA-4
QB	Favre, Brett	MIN	UFA
QB	Gradkowski, Bruce	OAK	RFA-5
QB	Hasselbeck, Matt	SEA	UFA
QB	Jackson, Tarvaris	MIN	RFA-5
QB	Leftwich, Byron	PIT	UFA
QB	Leinart, Matt	HOU	RFA-5
QB	Manning, Peyton	IND	FRAN
QB	McCown, Luke	JAC	UFA
QB	Moore, Matt	CAR	RFA-4
QB	Pennington, Chad	MIA	UFA
QB	Smith, Alex	SF	UFA
QB	Smith, Troy	SF	RFA-4
QB	Stanton, Drew	DET	RFA-4
QB	Thigpen, Tyler	MIA	RFA-4
QB	Vick, Michael	PHI	RE-SIGNED
QB	Wallace, Seneca	CLE	RE-SIGNED
RB	Addai, Joseph	IND	RFA-5
RB	Bell, Mike	CLE	RFA-5
RB	Benson, Cedric	CIN	UFA
RB	Bradshaw, Ahmad	NYG	RFA-4
RB	Brown, Ronnie	MIA	UFA
RB	Bush, Michael	OAK	RFA-4
RB	Cobbs, Patrick	MIA	RFA-5
RB	Darby, Kenneth	STL	RFA-4
RB	Faulk, Kevin	NE	UFA
RB	Felton, Jerome	DET	RFA-3
RB	Foster, Arian	HOU	EXFA
RB	Green-Ellis, BenJarvus	NE	RFA-3
RB	Hamilton, Lynell	NO	RFA-3
RB	Harrison, Jerome	PHI	RFA-5
RB	Hart, Mike	IND	RFA-3
RB	Hightower, Tim	ARI	RFA-3
RB	Hilliard, Lex	MIA	RFA-3
RB	Jackson, Brandon	GB	RFA-4
RB	Kuhn, John	GB	RFA-3
RB	Maroney, Laurence	DEN	RFA-5
RB	McClain, LeRon	BAL	RFA-4
RB	Moore, Mewelde	PIT	UFA
RB	Morris, Sammy	NE	UFA
RB	Norwood, Jerious	ATL	RFA-5
RB	Portis, Clinton	WAS	UFA
RB	Reece, Marcel	OAK	EXFA
RB	Rhodes, Dominic	IND	UFA
RB	Smith, Kevin	DET	RFA-3
RB	Snelling, Jason	ATL	RFA-4
RB	Sproles, Darren	SD	UFA
RB	Taylor, Fred	NE	UFA
RB	Thomas, Pierre	NO	RE-SIGNED
RB	Tolbert, Mike	SD	RFA-3
RB	Ward, Derrick	HOU	RE-SIGNED
RB	Washington, Leon	SEA	RE-SIGNED
RB	Westbrook, Brian	SF	UFA
RB	Williams, Cadillac	TB	UFA
RB	Williams, DeAngelo	CAR	RFA-5
RB	Williams, Ricky	MIA	UFA
WR	Amendola, Danny	STL	EXFA
WR	Aromashodu, Devin	CHI	RFA-5
WR	Breaston, Steve	ARI	RFA-4
WR	Clayton, Mark	STL	UFA
WR	Doucet, Early	ARI	RFA-3
WR	Edwards, Braylon	NYJ	UFA
WR	Floyd, Malcom	SD	RFA-5
WR	Holmes, Santonio	NYJ	RFA-5
WR	Houshmandzadeh, T.J.	BAL	UFA
WR	Jackson, Vincent	SD	FRAN
WR	Jones, Jacoby	HOU	RFA-4
WR	Jones, James	GB	RFA-4
WR	Moore, Lance	NO	RFA-5
WR	Moss, Randy	TEN	UFA
WR	Moss, Santana	WAS	UFA
WR	Naanee, Legedu	SD	UFA
WR	Owens, Terrell	CIN	UFA
WR	Robinson, Laurent	STL	RFA-4
WR	Rice, Sidney	MIN	RFA-4
WR	Sims-Walker, Mike	JAC	RFA-4
WR	Smith, Steve	NYG	RFA-4
WR	Stallworth, Donte	BAL	UFA
WR	Stuckey, Chansi	CLE	UFA
WR	Weems, Eric	ATL	RFA-3
TE	Boss, Kevin	NYG	RFA-4
TE	Daniels, Owen	HOU	RE-SIGNED
TE	Fells, Daniel	STL	RFA-4
TE	Lewis, Marcedes	JAC	RE-SIGNED
TE	McMichael, Randy	SD	UFA
TE	Miller, Zach	OAK	RFA-4
TE	Scaife, Bo	TEN	UFA
TE	Shockey, Jeremy	NO	TO PANTHERS
TE	Thomas, David	NO	UFA
K	Akers, David	PHI	TRAN
K	Barth, Connor	TB	RFA-3
K	Bryant, Matt	ATL	UFA
K	Crosby, Mason	GB	RFA-4
K	Cundiff, Billy	BAL	RE-SIGNED
K	Dawson, Phil	CLE	FRAN
K	Folk, Nick	NYJ	RFA-4
K	Graham, Shayne	NE	UFA
K	Hartley, Garrett	NO	RE-SIGNED
K	Longwell, Ryan	MIN	UFA
K	Mare, Olindo	SEA	UFA
K	Prater, Matt	DEN	RFA-4
K	Rayner, Dave	DET	RFA-4
K	Reed, Jeff	SF	UFA
K	Suisham, Shaun	PIT	UFA
K	Vinatieri, Adam	IND	UFA
DL	Avril, Cliff	DET	RFA-3
DL	Babin, Jason	TEN	UFA
DL	Coleman, Kenyon	CLE	UFA
DL	Edwards, Ray	MIN	RFA-5
DL	Ellis, Shaun	NYJ	UFA
DL	Johnson, Charles	CAR	RFA-4
DL	Kiwanuka, Mathias	NYG	RFA-5
DL	Ngata, Haloti	BAL	RE-SIGNED
DL	Seymour, Richard	OAK	RE-SIGNED
LB	Anderson, James	CAR	RFA-5
LB	Bradley, Stewart	PHI	RFA-4
LB	Bulluck, Keith	NYG	UFA
LB	Burnett, Kevin	SD	UFA
LB	Carter, Andre	WAS	UFA
LB	Cooper, Stephen	SD	UFA
LB	Davis, Thomas	CAR	UFA
LB	Dumervil, Elvis	DEN	UFA
LB	Greenway, Chad	MIN	FRAN
LB	Hali, Tamba	KC	FRAN
LB	Hawk, A.J.	GB	RE-SIGNED
LB	Harris, David	NYJ	FRAN
LB	Jackson, D'Qwell	CLE	RE-SIGNED
LB	Jones, Dhani	CIN	UFA
LB	Leber, Ben	MIN	UFA
LB	McClain, Jameel	BAL	RFA-3
LB	Morrison, Kirk	JAC	UFA
LB	Peterson, Mike	ATL	UFA
LB	Posluszny, Paul	BUF	RFA-4
LB	Roth, Matt	CLE	UFA
LB	Ruud, Barrett	TB	UFA
LB	Spikes, Takeo	SF	UFA
LB	Session, Clint	IND	RFA-4
LB	Tulloch, Stephen	TEN	RFA-5
LB	Vrabel, Mike	KC	UFA
LB	Wimbley, Kamerion	OAK	RE-SIGNED
LB	Woodley, LaMarr	PIT	RE-SIGNED
DB	Asomugha, Nnamdi	OAK	UFA
DB	Atogwe, Oshiomogho	STL	TO REDSKINS
DB	Babineaux, Jordan	SEA	UFA
DB	Bailey, Champ	DEN	RE-SIGNED
DB	Barber, Ronde	TB	RE-SIGNED
DB	Carr, Chris	BAL	UFA
DB	Cromartie, Antonio	NYJ	RFA-5
DB	Elam, Abram	CLE	RFA-5
DB	Goldson, Dashon	SF	RFA-4
DB	Grimes, Brent	ATL	RFA-4
DB	Harper, Roman	NO	RFA-5
DB	Houston, Chris	DET	RFA-4
DB	Jackson, Tanard	TB	RFA-4
DB	Joseph, Johnathan	CIN	RFA-5
DB	Landry, Dawan	BAL	RFA-5
DB	Manning, Danieal	CHI	RFA-5
DB	Marshall, Richard	DAL	RFA-5
DB	Mikell, Quintin	PHI	RFA-5
DB	Page, Jarrad	NE	RFA-5
DB	Pollard, Bernard	HOU	RFA-5
DB	Sanders, Bob	IND	TO CHARGERS
DB	Taylor, Ike	PIT	UFA
DB	Washington, Fabian	BAL	UFA
DB	Weddle, Eric	SD	RFA-4
DB	Wright, Eric	CLE	RFA-4
DB	Zbikowski, Tom	BAL	RFA-3

Got a free agency question, or a Fantasy question? Stop thinking and start typing -- send it to dmfantasyfootball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: 2011 Player Movement in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state and we'll respond to as many as e-mails we can.

Wallace would 'most definitely' consider new team
Mike Wallace, WR, PIT
2/22/2012

News: In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday, wideout Mike Wallace spoke candidly about possibly signing with a new team if the Steelers do not give him the franchise tag this offseason. Wallace is scheduled to be a restricted free agent and will at least receive a first-round tender offer from the Steelers, which means a team willing to part with a first-round pick can sign him to an offer sheet. When asked if he would consider signing with the 49ers or Patriots, two teams with late first-round picks and a need at receiver, Wallace said: "Most definitely. Those are the two true playoff-caliber teams who I think that the right person and right piece to those guys will put them over the top. All they need is one more piece to any one of those puzzles on both sides of those teams. So most definitely, they're Super Bowl contenders. If I were to consider going somewhere else, those would definitely be two teams ... I wouldn't want to go anywhere and leave the situation where I'm at where I have a great quarterback and a great organization and go somewhere where I don't feel like I can succeed."

Analysis: Wallace went on to drive two points home: He feels as though he deserves a wealthy contract, and that he wants to play for a winner. The Niners and Patriots qualify, as do 2011 playoff teams like the Texans, Ravens and Bengals, all of whom have late first-round picks and an interest in improving their receiving corps while weakening the Steelers. Not many restricted free agents change teams, but the circumstances in Pittsburgh favor Wallace because the Steelers don't have a lot of cap room to allot to Wallace. Fantasy owners have come to rely on Wallace as a low-end No. 1 option but keep in mind that if he does sign a long-term deal, he will not be in a contract year in 2012, which is what he would be if he were franchised or signed to a one-year tender offer by the Steelers. It's going to get interesting starting around March 5.

No tag expected for Stevie
Steve Johnson, WR, BUF
2/22/2012

News: The Bills and wide receiver Steve Johnson are "far apart" on a contract extension and might be allowed to test free agency. The Buffalo News claims a league source told them that Johnson is not expected to receive the franchise tag. Meetings between Johnson's representatives and the Bills are scheduled for during the NFL Combine.

Analysis: Johnson just made it to 1,004 yards in 2011 with seven touchdowns, so he proved that his smashing 2010 campaign wasn't a fluke while also proving that he's not an elite NFL receiver. There could be some risk in drafting Johnson this summer in that he'll get a nice contract extension and might only be as good as he was this past season. Treat him like a No. 2 Fantasy wideout but not one worth reaching for in drafts this summer. Expect him to be taken between Rounds 5 and 7.

Finley gets two-year deal
Jermichael Finley, TE, GB
1:01 AM

News: Green Bay signed tight end Jermichael Finley to a two-year deal on Wednesday, reportedly worth around $15 million. Finley posted career-best numbers in 2011, catching 55 passes for 767 yards. He also caught eight touchdowns from Aaron Rodgers.

Analysis: Finley did have three scores in one game last year, but the fact he's one of Rodger's favorite targets is a good sign. Only four times in 2011 did he have 10 or more Fantasy points in a game. Finley is an attractive No. 1 tight end who can be had between Rounds 5 and 6 in drafts this summer.

Sounds like CedBen's done in Cincy
Cedric Benson, RB, CIN
2/22/2012

News: Cedric Benson appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio Tuesday night and expressed his unhappiness with where he stands with the Bengals. The running back is slated to be a free agent but told the station he has not heard from his team yet this offseason about returning. This comes on the heels of offensive coordinator Jay Gruden saying that he'd "like to have all our guys back." Benson is miffed not only with the team's silence but also with how their offense, under Gruden, worked in 2011. "I just think we didn't stick with what the offense was built on," Benson said. "Since I've been there the past four years we've ran the football to try and win games. Even when we had Carson (Palmer) and Chad (Ochocinco), we still kept a strong identity in the run game. I just feel we got away from it. We didn't let that part of the offense grow the way it could have."

Analysis: Someone should tell Benson that the reason why the offense changed gears in 2011 was because of great young talents A.J. Green and Andy Dalton, not to mention a decline in production from Benson himself. Benson's carries dipped under 300 for the first time in three seasons while his rushing yardage fell for the third consecutive season. He also caught just 15 passes for 82 yards over the course of the year, a notable drop-off from 2010. Benson scored six touchdowns but only once in the Bengals' final five regular-season games (he also scored once in the Bengals' first five regular-season games). We suspect Benson, who will turn 30, is done in Cincinnati, which means he might wind up elsewhere as a secondary back. Don't expect much from him in 2012; think middle- to late-round pick if that happens.

Freeman: Ward might still retire
Hines Ward, WR, PIT
2/22/2012

News: Despite publicly stating that he has no plans to retire, Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward is still considering the option according to CBSSports.com NFL Insider Mike Freeman. Ward, who pleaded guilty Wednesday to reckless driving and no contest to a charge of failing to maintain lane as part of a plea deal in Georgia, has said he's willing to take a pay cut to stay with the Steelers and has expressed an interest in continuing his career.

Analysis: The Steelers have yet to make a decision on Ward but if they cut him loose it might be hard for the veteran to find a new team much less a prominent role in an offense.

Battle ready for free agency
Jackie Battle, RB, KC
2/22/2012

News: Chiefs RB Jackie Battle becomes a free agent in March and he’s looking forward to testing the waters. "They (Chiefs) said they wanted me back, but I was going to just see what my options were before I made that decision," Battle said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I don't know what their strategy is, but I'm going to go out there and look around a little bit."

Analysis: Battle had taken over as Kansas City's primary running back after All-Pro Jamaal Charles went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. Battle ran for 597 yards and two touchdowns this season but didn't make a good impression while doing it. He is likely to land a backup role to Charles next season if he remains with the Chiefs. Fantasy owners should bother with him.

Jennings: Flynn will be 'outstanding'
Matt Flynn, QB, GB
2/22/2012

News: Packers receiver Greg Jennings didn't catch many passes from Matt Flynn over their time together in Green Bay but knows he'll be a good quarterback when given the opportunity. Flynn is expected to sign with a new team this offseason and at least have the chance to compete for a starting job. "Matt's going to be an outstanding quarterback in this league," Jennings told USA Today. "He's gotten a lot of attention because of his output in the games he's had. It goes deeper than that. The way he's prepared himself. The way he's handled the situation of being the backup wasn't typical. He approached every game as I saw Aaron do: As a starter. As if Aaron was not going to play and he was going to lead us to a win. What everyone saw in that Detroit game was a guy who prepared himself physically and mentally as though he was a starter."

Analysis: Flynn hasn't played much while Aaron Rodgers has shined, but when he has played he's been nothing short of fantastic: In his last two starts vs. the Lions this year and at the Patriots in 2010 he totaled nine touchdowns, 731 passing yards and two interceptions. Smart money is on Flynn landing in Miami with former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin now serving as head coach; if that happens then he'll be worth drafting late as a No. 2 Fantasy QB.

Shurmur: We can win with Colt
Browns, TQB CLE,
2/22/2012

News: Browns coach Pat Shurmur told the News-Herald of Northern Ohio that he has not given up on quarterback Colt McCoy. "I think it's fair to say (McCoy) has some things he has to improve on," Shurmur said. "They're quantifiable, whether it's footwork, a better feel for the progressions, a better feel for the targets he's throwing to. I think all that is refined when you have an offseason (program) to help. ... I think he can be very good if he plays at a high level like I think he can and makes the improvements he can to help us put the ball in the end zone [to] win football games. I'm expecting that he will. The thing that's encouraging to me is he a guy you know is going to work at it."

Analysis: We don't buy it. McCoy was essentially handed the starting job with the Browns last year and completed 265 of 463 passes for 2733 yards and 14 touchdowns in 13 starts. With the Browns getting the chance to improve at quarterback this offseason, we think McCoy might wind up as the backup in Cleveland. If that happens, then it makes sense that Shurmur speaks glowingly about his passer. We'll see what happens, but McCoy shouldn't be on your Fantasy radar unless in deep leagues that start multiple quarterbacks.

Cowboys to part ways with two LBs?
Bradie James, ILB, DAL
2/22/2012

News: Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones hinted that linebackers Keith Brooking and Bradie James might be done with the team. "Bradie and Brooking are two of the best leaders, personalities I have ever had the pleasure of being around," he said Tuesday according to the Dallas Morning News. "They're great guys. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. That's what we've got to decide. But no one respects those guys more than we do, our family does, than the Cowboys do. Obviously when you make a decision to continue or discontinue, it is a big one."

Analysis: Both James and Brooking admitted before the end of last season that they figured their time with the Cowboys was up. Both had 50 or fewer total tackles last season and are likely going to get phased out because of their age and declining skills.

Clausen a cap casualty in Carolina?
Jimmy Clausen, QB, CAR
2/22/2012

News: The Charlotte Observer reports that the Panthers might waive QB Jimmy Clausen to save just over $900,000 in salary cap space. Clausen has been replaced by Cam Newton as the starting quarterback in Carolina.

Analysis: Clausen didn't play at all in 2011 and has dim prospects for 2012.

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