This will be a thread of my reactions to NFL free agency moves, but with my thoughts on how it will affect fantasy football. This will be in order by date, so just scroll down to any specific date you are looking for.
Think I missed any big news? Feel free to message me on twitter here, and I can add it to this post.
3/11/21
Mark Ingram signs with the Texans.
Former Ravens' RB Mark Ingram reached agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with the Houston Texans, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2021
Analysis: Ingram is now hitting the wrong side of his career. This seems like a super cheap depth option for the Texans, and this shouldn’t have much affect for anyone in fantasy. Maybe this hurts David Johnson a little bit, but you shouldn’t see much upside with him anyway.
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3/12/21
Cam Newton resigns with the Patriots on a one-year deal.
BREAKING: The #Patriots are re-signing QB Cam Newton to a one-year deal, according to a league source. https://t.co/cEqlg8zSXb
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) March 12, 2021
Analysis: This is an interesting move by the Patriots, but makes more sense than you think. His contract gives him a little more than he made in 2020, and this doesn’t lock him in as the starter this season. New England can still sign another QB in free agency, and can draft one this season to compete in training camp. Public perception will say this is a horrible move for the Patriots, but I don’t see this as a terrible option. For fantasy, Newton wouldn’t be an option for me in 2020. At best he will be a low-end QB2.
3/14/21
Aaron Jones is resigning with the Green Bay Packers.
Aaron Jones has reached agreement with the Packers on a 4-year deal worth $48 million, including a $13 million signing bonus, @DrewJRosenhaus tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2021
Analysis: This was the best case scenario for Jones. He gets to stay in the offense that has made him a top five fantasy running back the past two years.
3/15/21
Jonnu Smith signing with New England
Patriots, TE Jonnu Smith agree to deal. (via @MikeGiardi)
by @Visa pic.twitter.com/08hay6rVpH
— NFL (@NFL) March 15, 2021
Analysis: I’ve been one of Smith’s biggest fans since the middle of the 2019 season. The big bodied tight end shows plenty of skill, and was gonna get paid by someone this offseason. New England is an interesting fit, and I see a lot of upside with this connection. With Cam Newton back for another year, we could see another Greg Olsen for Cam with Smith, and that would be really good for fantasy. With how much New England will be paying him, you would think Bill Belichick has some plans to use him for his strengths.
Nelson Agholor joining the Patriots
Patriots are giving former Raiders’ WR Nelson Agholor a two-year, $26 million deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2021
Analysis: New England keeps adding weapons for Cam Newton. Agholor finished as the WR34 last year, and we should see a similar finish in 2021.
Corey Davis heads to the New York Jets
The #Jets are signing former #Titans WR Corey Davis to a 3-year deal worth $37.5M with $27M guaranteed, per @AdamSchefter. Former No. 5 overall pick cashes in after a resurgence. And the #Jets finally make a splash.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 15, 2021
Analysis: Davis finally had his breakout year in 2020, and is getting a good payday as his reward. He will join Denzel Mims in an offense that can lowkey be a solid group. Depending on what they do at quarterback, Davis could be a solid low-end WR2, or a high WR3.
Jameis Winston re-signs with the Saints
Jameis Winston reached agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $12 million with the Saints, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021
Analysis: The Saints also re-worked Taysom Hill’s contract, so it’s very up in the air on who will be the starting quarterback for the Saints in 2021. If Winston is the starter, he has top-12 QB upside. He finished as the QB3 the last time he played as a starter (2019).
Washington adds Ryan Fitzpatrick to the team
BREAKING: Washington Football Team, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick agree to one-year, $10 million deal. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/Rc9QuEO0QA
— NFL (@NFL) March 16, 2021
Analysis: This was very unexpected, at least for me. I’m not sure if this means they are still in the market for a rookie QB or not. But, if they decide to go with Fitzmagic as the starter, this can mean great things for the offense. Mclaurin and Gibson both get a slight boost.
3/16/21
Hunter Henry signs with the Patriots
TE Hunter Henry is joining the Patriots on a three-year, $37.5M deal ($25M guaranteed), per @AdamSchefter
New England just keeps going 🤯 @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/o9h7JMALTi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 16, 2021
Analysis: This is a very interesting move for the Patriots. But for fantasy, it just raises more questions. Will Jonnu Smith and Henry be able to be top-12 tight ends?