Live updates: Grading every major NFL free agency signing with fantasy takeaways for offensive and IDP assets.
NFL free agency opened March 14th at noon through the tampering period, and several deals are already in place to have huge impacts on fantasy rosters. This article will continue to be updated with each major signing and an immediate fantasy reaction to it. Check back often!
So let’s get into it!
These updates will only include fantasy-eligible offensive players and IDPs. Offensive linemen, while important, will not be initially listed here. Deals before 12 p.m. on March 14 are not included. Updates and takes by @Michael__Sicoli.
Arizona Cardinals
RB James Conner, three years, $21 million
Conner had his first Pro Bowl season since 2018 with the Cardinals, and it was a deserving one. His 18 all-purpose touchdowns provided a steady source of scoring amid Arizona’s struggles. His reliable hands were critically underrated as a dump-down option for Kyler Murray while Chase Edmonds missed time.
With Edmonds now a Dolphin, Conner has a clear route to top-12 numbers akin to what he just did last season. The Cardinals are still likely to add a complement in the draft — at the very least to add competition beyond Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward — but the deal offers a great buy-window for dynasty contenders and a sell-window for rebuilders.
Grade: B- (@Michael__Sicoli)
QB Colt McCoy, two years, $7.5 million
The backup QB to Kyler Murray is locked down! McCoy played well enough while Murray was injured to earn himself this deal. He becomes attractive in very deep superflex leagues as a handcuff for Murray managers.
Grade: C (@dynastysanta)
TE Zach Ertz, three years, $31.65 million
As an Eagles fan, it brings me joy to see Zach Ertz hang around with a good team that has a legitimate shot to win a Super Bowl through the length of this contract. Ertz surprised a lot of people with his productivity once he was traded to Arizona in 2021. He’s still got it *clap*clap*clap clap clap*
I like Ertz to ride into the dynasty sunset attached to a young stud QB and remain a top-tier fantasy TE for the next few years. Grab him as a throw-in to trades where young studs are the focal point.
Grade: B+ (@dynastysanta)
WR Antoine Wesley, one year, $825k
A depth piece with the loss of Christian Kirk, Wesley earned another year on the Cardinals. He flashed for a couple of games, including a two TD game in week 17. Wesley is actually a decent stash in very deep roster leagues. If A.J. Green doesn’t resign, or Deandre Hopkins misses significant time again, he could be a nice FLEX option.
Grade: C- (@dynastysanta)
Atlanta Falcons
WR Olamide Zaccheaus, one year tender, $2.433 million
Welp, someone’s got to play the wide receiver position I guess. Zaccheaus is the lone man standing and the Falcons locked him up for this year. He has flashed at times with long TD games. However, despite the abundance of targets seemingly available, don’t reach or trade the farm away. Zaccheaus will be a fine enough WR, but will continue to be frustratingly inconsistent.
Grade: C- (@dynastysanta)
Baltimore Ravens
S Marcus Williams, five years, $70 million
I’m a big fan of Williams as an NFL safety; he’s played at a consistently high level since he entered the league in 2017. Unfortunately, that hasn’t translated into fantasy value. He tended to line up so deep for the Saints that it made it difficult for him to be involved in plays. 89% of his snaps were spent in a free safety alignment in 2021.
It’s possible that could change with this move. The Ravens – like most NFL teams – don’t tend to employ specialist free safeties. However, it remains to be seen how the secondary will look under the new defensive coordinator, Mike McDonald.
I suspect Williams’ fantasy value will increase, but it’s not yet clear by how much.
Grade: B+ (@JaseAbbey)
Buffalo Bills
RB J.D. McKissic, two years, $7 million
Antonio Gibson managers, “GOOD RIDDANCE!!!” The ultimate thorn-in-the-side RB for the past couple of seasons, McKissic is off to Buffalo. The RB waters were already muddy, so the addition of McKissic will continue to create fantasy headaches. He’s certainly worth a stash, but good luck starting him on the right weeks. I’m unloading him if I can find a buyer based on the news.
Grade: C- (@dynastysanta)
DT DaQuan Jones, two years, $14 million
DT Tim Settle, two years, $9 million
WR Isaiah McKenzie, two year extension, $4.4 million
McKenzie sticks around as a depth WR in Buffalo. He’s their return specialist and proved he’s got the chops to take on a starting role at WR. This is evidenced by his week 16 game where he caught 11 balls on 12 targets for 125 yards and a TD. Another deep roster stash guy.
Grade: C+ (@dynastysanta)
EDGE Von Miller, six years, $120 million
Miller’s reputation took a hit even before he suffered the ankle injury that kept him out for the entirety of the 2020 season. He played well in 2019, but he wasn’t the same dominant player we’ve got used to in the last decade.
He bounced back in 2021 and had a great year. Miller saved his best performances for the biggest games. The 33-year-old was dominant against the Bucs in the Divisional Playoff and the Superbowl against the Bengals.
The former Aggies star had 37 pressures, including eight sacks in his last eight games.
Fantasy Twitter exploded with responses to Miller’s deal with the Bills. However, the majority of us overlooked the details. His 2022 cap number is a measly $5m. They’re likely “stuck” with him in 2023 and 2024, but after his third season, the cap savings of $14m exceed the dead money hit of $7.5m. At that point, the Bills have options.
The concern from a fantasy perspective is the fact that the Bills LOVE a heavy rotation on the defensive line, especially at the edge spot. Last year the rotation included Jerry Hughes, Gregory Rousseau, Mario Addison, A.J. Epenesa, Boogie Basham, and Efe Obada.
Hughes, Addison, and Obada are all free agents, but I expect the Bills to continue with a rotation while Frazier remains the defensive coordinator. It may not be quite as heavy a rotation with a player like Miller involved, but I would be surprised if he saw the same volume as he has to date.
Grade: B- (@JaseAbbey)
Carolina Panthers
S Xavier Woods, three years, $15.75 million
Woods will likely step in as the free safety to Jeremy Chinn‘s strong safety, patrolling the secondary as Chinn is free to step up into linebacker packages. He is a capable tackler, missing only 6.1% of his tackles in 2021 while piling up a career-high 108 tackles. It never hurts to have two good safeties — both Woods and Harrison Smith had triple-digit tackle seasons in 2021 — but it’s fair to question if the same is possible in Carolina.
There isn’t a great example to pull from as safety Sean Chandler isn’t nearly the player Woods is. Expect Woods to come down from his strong 2021 form as he plays more free safety away from the box, but still provides capable IDP value to the tune of around 70-80 tackles. For the Panthers, this is still a great, cheap signing.
Grade: B+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
RB D’Onta Foreman, one year, $2 million
Could this be the prerequisite to Christian McCaffery being traded??? Likely not the true motivating factor, but a bit of an eyebrow-raiser for sure. This is likely RIP to Chuba Hubbard, who did NOT play well in relief duty for another injury-plagued CMC season.
Foreman finally proved he could stay healthy with a solid season of relief duty for injured Derrick Henry in 2021. His value is essentially what Hubbard’s was last year prior to CMC going down, an elite backup/handcuff RB. And if CMC is traded, I really like Foreman’s potential as a one-year wonder.
Grade: B- (@dynastysanta)
Chicago Bears
DT Larry Ogunjobi, three years, $40.5 million
A run-stuffing signing was sorely needed for a Bears defense that allowed the ninth-most rushing yards in 2021. Ogunjobi is pretty darn good at that, despite a foot injury that cut his season short.
His career-high seven sacks and 12 tackles for a loss allowed him to take a step into IDP relevance. He will need to continue that trend to stay that way in Chicago after the Bears traded Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers. Chicago needs those sacks just as much as IDP managers.
Grade: B- (@Michael__Sicoli)
RB Darrynton Evans, claimed off waivers
With Tarik Cohen released, and Damien Williams likely not going to be brought back, Evans was claimed rather quickly by the Bears off of waivers. He couldn’t stay healthy in Tennessee and was released. Oh, how I would have loved to see what he could do in 2021 with Derrick Henry going down. In Chicago, Evans could easily play a Cohen-like role. It remains to be seen if there is going to be such a role under the new coaching regime.
Khalil Herbert earned the direct backup role to David Montgomery, so Evans will need to stay healthy and catch some luck to see the field. With that being said, if your rosters are 25-30+ range of offensive players, there are worse lottery tickets to have in your back pocket.
Grade: C (@dynastysanta)
Cincinnati Bengals
DT B.J. Hill, three years, $30 million
The Bengals let Ogunjobi walk so Hill can run away with a bountiful contract. It served all sides well. The Bears paid Ogunjobi, the Bengals paid Hill at a cheaper rate, and Hill steps up the depth chart with a bag of money over his shoulder.
Hill set career-highs nearly across the board in his first year with the Bengals and has flashed pass-rushing upside that makes him a deep sleeper for IDP purposes. The former Giant had 5.5 sacks and 12 QB hits, something that could swing up as he takes an even larger role in the defense. It’s a good deal for the Bengals, who maintain some continuity at a cheaper rate than Ogunjobi commanded.
Grade: B+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
LB Joe Bachie, one year, $825k
Cleveland Browns
WR Amari Cooper, traded from Cowboys
EDGE Chase Winovich, traded from Patriots
RB D’Ernest Johnson, one year tender, $2.443 million
Johnson played well when his number was called without both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt at times this year. He earned a spot as a backup. And if Hunt is traded/released Johnson becomes a must roster handcuff option at RB.
Grade: C+ (@dynastysanta)
Dallas Cowboys
DL DeMarcus Lawrence, three years, $40 million
This technically isn’t a free agency signing — Lawrence was still under contract — so consider this a bonus edition. The new deal is likely designed to fix the bloated cap hit Lawrence originally had.
He was limited to just seven games in 2021 and has shifted away toward rushing in favor of stopping the run. It hasn’t been great for IDP purposes — he has just 14.5 sacks in his last 39 games — but the attention Micah Parsons should command in his second year might help that cause.
His leadership in the locker room has been just as big a help as his play on the field. Consider it status quo for Lawrence with more job security as his contract is guaranteed for the next three years.
Grade: B- (@Michael__Sicoli)
S Malik Hooker, two years, $8 million
WR Michael Gallup, five year extension, $57.5 million
A nice payday for the defacto #2 WR in Dallas moving forward. Can Gallup finally put it all together and stay healthy? I’d bet on it. With Amari Cooper shipped to Cleveland and Cedrick Wilson joining the Dolphins, it’s carpe diem time. We’ve seen Gallup flash plenty. I’d be targeting him in trades, although he won’t be cheap. Float a coveted 2023 second-rounder out there and hope for the best. I’d also be “reaching” for him in startups and seasonal drafts come this summer.
Grade: A (@dynastysanta)
Denver Broncos
DT D.J. Jones, three years, $30 million
As a nose tackle, this won’t impact too many IDP lineups. Jones is an effective run stopper who was one of the unheralded forces behind San Francisco’s success. His 56 tackles and 12 tackles for a loss served as a well-timed breakout for the 27-year-old Jones. He won’t directly replace Shelby Harris, who in the trade package for Russell Wilson, but he will help swallow opposing runners. Given where the Broncos are at as contenders it’s a smart signing that fills a need.
Oh, and Jones has his own line of barbecue sauces. That’s a boost for the grade, of course.
Grade: B (@Michael__Sicoli)
LB Josey Jewell, two years, $11 million
I have criticized Jewell in each of the last two seasons. He has his strengths as a solid tackler and run defender, but he’s not a prototypical modern linebacker. He has always had deficiencies in coverage.
However, he has improved in that respect and demonstrated real progress in the few games he played before his injury in 2021. It was a tiny sample size, but he graded far better in coverage than he had previously, and it provides some optimism that he may still be further developing that area of his game.
Bringing Jewell back made sense for the Broncos, especially on this team-friendly deal. Rookie Baron Browning has a chance to remain in a sizeable role, but he has plenty of room for improvement. Jewell is a known quantity and at least provides solid insurance for a team that has started to feature more single linebacker looks.
Grade: B (@JaseAbbey)
DE Randy Gregory, five years, $70 million
Detroit Lions
S Tracy Walker, three years, $25 million
Great decision by Dan Campbell and the Lions to bring back Walker, who was a rare bright spot on Detroit’s defense last season. Walker has provided steady tackle numbers for three consecutive seasons and has been a favorite of Campbell’s for his versatility, something modern-day safeties need to embrace.
Mason Riney of IDPGuys recently covered how Walker is a great buy assuming he stayed a Lion. That is no less true today as Walker looks to remain a focal point of the Detroit defense.
Grade: B+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
WR Kalif Raymond, two years, $9.5 million
The special teams return specialist and shifty slot receiver cashes in with the Lions. We have probably seen his ceiling for fantasy relevancy, but if the Lions get decimated by injuries again, Raymond could reprise his role as a PPR darling. Not roster-worthy until that happens though.
Grade: D (@dynastysanta)
WR DJ Chark, one year, $10 million
Call me a hater or fader, I’m totally fine with that. Chark has had one, sort-of-magical season and now downgrades QB and hierarchy status. Yes, Amon-Ra St. Brown is the alpha and #1 WR in Detroit. Chark likely still has some truthers hanging around in your leagues. If you can find them, take a rookie second pick and run.
Grade: D+ (@dynastysanta)
EDGE Charles Harris, two years, $14 million
LB Alex Anzalone, one year, $2.5 million
The value of the contract offers little risk. That’s the only thing to like about this situation. Anzalone was terrible in 2021 and played far more snaps than he deserved. I didn’t expect the Lions to bring him back. I can only assume he brings some off-the-field intangibles to the team.
He may have been a solid waiver pickup for fantasy managers, but if he continues to play even close to the same amount of snaps again in 2022, something has gone very wrong for the Lions.
It’s difficult to grade this deal as poorly as I want to given that we’re only talking about $2.5m, but there are better options who won’t even end up on a roster this year.
Grade: D+ (@JaseAbbey)
Green Bay Packers
LB De’Vondre Campbell, five years, $50 million
Green Bay has had to wrangle several important deals in recent days. First Aaron Rodgers, then Preston Smith, and now Campbell, who starred for the Packers in 2021. His 146 tackles led the team and helped close the gap on runs, impressive for a unit that failed mightily at run-defense in 2020.
Campbell has struggled to stay consistent from year to year, but that’s a problem one would hope the Green Bay coaching staff is prepared for. The Packers cannot afford for Campbell to be a mere one-year-wonder, and neither can IDP managers. His role should remain the same which means high weekly tackle totals and consistent production in IDP leagues.
Grade: B+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
WR Allen Lazard, one year tender, $3.986 million
With Marquez-Valdes Scantling likely joining a new team, Lazard sticks around for another year. He becomes an intriguing option and target for fantasy with Davante Adams “refusing” to play under the franchise tag. He’ll always feel good stashed at the end of your roster and can provide solid games here and there in a pinch. Worth a cheap gamble.
Grade: C (@dynastysanta)
EDGE Preston Smith, four years, $52 million
Like many of us, I was not optimistic that Preston Smith could once again become the pass rusher we saw a few years ago. He was dreadful in 2020, generating pressure on only 6.5% of his pass rush attempts – way below the league average. That pessimism looked justified when he started the first half of 2021 in the same way.
The turnaround in Smith’s performance in the second half of the season was staggering. He had 47 pressures in the last eight games. He was second only to Crosby among all edge rushers for pressures generated between week ten and week 18. Smith had seven sacks over that period.
The departure of Za’Darius Smith opens the door for Smith to continue in a sizeable role alongside Rashan Gary for at least the next few years.
There is a risk with this deal. Smith’s now 29 and hasn’t played consistently well. However, his deal pays him less than Romeo Okwara and Yannick Ngakoue in 2022 and less than Bud Dupree and Robert Quinn in 2023. Smith is a more complete player than them all.
Grade: C+ (@JaseAbbey)
Houston Texans
DT Maliek Collins, two years, $17 million
CB M.J. Stewart, one year, $3 million
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, one year extension, $2.4 million
WR Chris Conley, one year extension, $2 million
Conley is a depth piece and shouldn’t have much fantasy relevancy beyond injuries leading to increased playing time. Only roster-worthy in very deep leagues.
Grade: D+ (@dynastysanta)
LB Christian Kirksey, two year extension, $10 million
CB Desmond King, two year extension, $7 million
Indianapolis Colts
TE Mo Alie-Cox, three years, $18 million
Now, this is an intriguing one. Alie-Cox, known for his tremendous size at six feet, five inches, hasn’t done all that much as a receiver to date. But he’s incredibly athletic — a former basketball star — and has been a tremendous blocker for the Colts.
With veteran Jack Doyle retiring there’s just Alie-Cox and 2021 rookie Kylen Granson competing for snaps at the moment. Alie-Cox saw a career-high 45 targets in 2021, a number that can grow exponentially next season. Given that there is no locked-in No. 2 target in Indianapolis this contract could be indicative of a larger role to come for Alie-Cox, who likely has the inside track to the starting job.
Grade: B (@Michael__Sicoli)
CB Brandon Facyson
Facyson played well for the Raiders last year after they were decimated by injuries. He provided a safe tackle floor for IDP and has a chance to start opposite of Kenny Moore for the Colts. If he draws extra targets from opposing QBs shying away from Moore, Facyson could become a waiver wire darling at CB in 2022.
Grade: C+ (@dynastysanta)
WR Ashton Dulin, one year tender, $2.433 million
The College Dominator King! Dulin showed promise when he finally earned some playing time in 2021 due to injuries sustained ahead of him on the depth chart. He also contributes on special teams which should secure his roster spot. The Colts are still in need of a QB, so that certainly affects Dulin’s upside. However, I’d very much like to add him to the end of my roster for 2022.
Grade: C+ (@dynastysanta)
Jacksonville Jaguars
MLB Foyesade Oluokun, three years, $45 million
Atlanta’s leading tackler finds a new home as Jacksonville tries again to sign a strong middle linebacker that can effectively complement Myles Jack. Oluokun had a combined 192 tackles in 2021, an absurd number that will regress down. That number accounts for almost 42% of his career combined tackles.
Foyesade Oluokun has made a tackle on 16.6% of his defensive snaps since entering the league in 2018, the highest rate in the NFL (min. 2,000 snaps).
Oluokun led the NFL with 192 tackles last season. https://t.co/NP4jMa03oI pic.twitter.com/jM8VogNGws
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 14, 2022
That doesn’t mean he won’t be a strong fantasy asset as he enters a Mike Caldwell‘s system, a defensive coordinator who used to be the middle linebackers coach for Tampa Bay. That’s a nice combination and precedent for IDP production that Devin White and Lavonte David have provided. Rangy linebackers like Oluokun can thrive for IDP purposes, making this both a promising and understandable signing.
Grade: A- (@Michael__Sicoli)
DT Folorunso Fatukasi, three years, $30 million
This one won’t change too much for IDP, but it will help plug the gap in one of the league’s worst rushing defenses. The unit has struggled mightily for years, and Fatukasi has been one of the league’s best run-stuffers. That doesn’t equate to IDP value here, as he failed to record a single sack in 2021 through 15 games. It’s a lot of money to give to someone who cannot rush the passer, but it fills a team need.
Grade: C (@Michael__Sicoli)
WR Christian Kirk, four years, $72 million
The Jaguars wanted receiver help and immediately sought out the Cardinals’ Kirk, who helps stretch the field. He should pair well with Trevor Lawrence’s arm, but the big question is how Kirk fits. The contract suggests he immediately pushes Marvin Jones to the side, but does the team think he’s a true No.1? When the Jaguars inevitably draft someone, where does the rookie fit in? Kirk’s role in the slot is essentially the only value he brings, making an $84 million price tag a head-scratcher.
It’s important to note that Kirk had his best season yet in 2021, posting 986 yards and five touchdowns. He has legitimate upside thanks to Lawrence and his big-play skillset. But after four years of sub-1,000 yard seasons in Arizona, it’s best to consider Kirk as a DFS darling with treacherous week-to-week value.
Grade: D+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
TE Evan Engram, one year, $9 million
The deal could be worth up to $10 million thanks to incentives and comes fully guaranteed. It’s a good prove-it deal for the 2017 first-round pick who, after a promising rookie season, never put it together for the Giants. After signing Kirk the Jaguars clearly are out to surround Lawrence with weapons, albeit ones that don’t inspire much confidence.
It’s an interesting pairing with Dan Arnold. PFF’s Ian Hartitz noted Arnold and Engram were two of eight TEs who spent over 75% of their snaps in the slot or out wide in 2021. One would imagine this firmly pushes Arnold off the field unless Engram misses time.
The former Giant has been inconsistent as a receiver — not to mention his abject failures as a blocker — but he also has dealt with three different head coaches and poor QB play since entering the league. Engram will be in his best situation to date in 2022 with no more excuses. Treat him like a TE2 with some upside due to his athleticism and potential target share.
Grade: C (@Michael__Sicoli)
WR Zay Jones, three years, $24 million
And after the Jaguars happily claimed the “Sammy Watkins Overpay” Award of the offseason, they strolled back to the podium to collect the “That didn’t even make sense when it happened” Award. Passed on from Nelson Agholor and the Patriots a year prior, the Jaguars continue to add to their receiving room in a puzzling way.
While the offense was in desperate need of a retool the team seems content with quantity over quality. Jones played well at times last season for the Raiders, but he has been nothing more than a role player throughout his career. With Kirk, Marvin Jones, and Laviska Shenault all under contract where does Zay Jones fit in?
Kirk has a lot of experience in the slot, so maybe Shenault is the odd man out with Kirk occasionally pushing Marvin Jones off the field. Either way, a receiving corp of Kirk, Shenault, Engram, Zay Jones, and Marvin Jones feels like a joke gone wrong for those hoping for Lawrence’s second-year jump.
Grade: F (@Michael__Sicoli)
S Andrew Wingard, one year, $2.433 million
Kansas City Chiefs
S Justin Reid, three years, $31.5 million
Out goes Tyrann Mathieu, in comes Houston’s Reid.
Reid is a strong replacement for the Chiefs who know better than most the importance of good safety play. They’ve seen the ups (Mathieu) and they’ve seen the downs (Daniel Sorenson). Reid has accumulated over 300 tackles in his four years with the Texans, offering effective run support.
He did miss about 14% of his tackles last season. However, while that’s worse than Matheiu’s stellar 9.5% which is among the best in football, it’s also much better than the aforementioned Sorenson’s 25%, which led the NFL. Reid is one of the bigger IDP winners of this offseason as he inherits the Honey Badger’s role. People should not be surprised if Reid collects his first Pro Bowl honors this season in a system that should fit him well.
Grade: A- (@Michael__Sicoli)
DE Frank Clark, two year restructured extension, $29 million
Las Vegas Raiders
DE Maxx Crosby, four year extension, $94 million
Crosby generated a league-best 101 pressures in 2021. He had some massive performances, but ultimately he recorded sacks in just four games. Unfortunately, he converted only 9.9% of his pressures into sacks, which hurt his fantasy managers.
That’s not to say that I think we should expect more of the same, as that wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing. In fact, I predict Crosby’s output to be quite different in 2022. It’s likely that we will see fewer pressures but more sacks from him in 2022, health permitting.
The Raiders have a new defensive coordinator in Patrick Graham. Some fans expressed concern about how Crosby would be used in a new scheme. It doesn’t move the needle for me. Graham will put Crosby in a position to do what he does best.
Signing this deal and remaining with the Raiders for the foreseeable is the best outcome for Crosby’s fantasy value.
Grade: A- (@JaseAbbey)
CB Anthony Averett,
Los Angeles Chargers
DB J.C. Jackson, five years, $82.5 million
The writing was on the wall here as the Chargers have been linked to Jackson for quite some time. The former Patriot is strong in coverage but excellent at forcing turnovers. His 17 interceptions since 2020 rank first among all NFL players, which has been a treat for IDP leagues. Jackson also had a career-high 58 tackles last season which helped give a cushion with the interceptions.
While everyone knows safeties are more reliable than cornerbacks for fantasy due to high tackle numbers Jackson has been the exception, thanks to his nose for interceptions. Things will get a bit more inconsistent as he likely stays on the outside, pushing Asante Samuel Jr. inside where he fits best. It could lower his tackle numbers a bit, and regression could absolutely lower his interception totals.
However, fantasy managers should still hold high hopes for the defensive back as he joins a talented secondary who complement each other well. Between adding Jackson and Khalil Mack the defense should be much improved, which helps all parties.
Grade: B+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
WR Jalen Guyton, one year, $895k
We’ve seen Guyton splash in a handful of games. He’s a nice depth piece for the Chargers but with Mike Williams signed long-term, he is a fringe roster-worthy guy in very deep leagues. Fits the Chargers’ system well, though. And if injuries in front of him occur, he will be relevant.
Grade: C (@dynastysanta)
EDGE Khalil Mack, traded from Bears
Los Angeles Rams
No signings of note yet.
Miami Dolphins
DL Emmanuel Ogbah, four years, $65 million
Good for Ogbah, who commanded a large payday off of a career year. His 12 pass deflections put him inside the top-20 in the NFL, the only defensive lineman among a sea of defensive backs. Paired with nine sacks in each of the last two seasons and it makes sense for the Dolphins to offer a blank check. While IDP managers should not expect Ogbah to repeat 12 PDs he remains a strong target for those who miss the premier, early-round DL options.
Grade: B+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
RB Chase Edmonds, two years, $12 million
This is the best-case scenario for Edmonds, who strolls into an offense looking to model itself after the 49ers. The former Cardinal is an explosive runner whose speed and reliable hands make him a great complement to whoever the Dolphins inevitably draft.
Chase Edmonds generated +10.2 rushing EPA on his carries last season, the 3rd-most among RB.
Edmonds adds speed to a Dolphins backfield which had the fewest 15+ mph carries (52) in 2021.
» Edmonds (2021): 23.3% of carries reached 15+ mph (1st among RB, min. 100 carries) https://t.co/PMvF944Ha0 pic.twitter.com/KxwHZDaxrU
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 14, 2022
That’s right. Edmonds won’t be the last RB the Dolphins add to fix the league’s worst rushing attack. But his role in Mike McDaniel’s zone-blocking offense will provide solid FLEX numbers with weekly upside due to his PPR ability. Edmonds’ ability as a pass-protector also helps Tua Tagovailoa tremendously.
Grade: A- (@Michael__Sicoli)
WR Cedrick Wilson, three years, $22.8 million
So much for a return to Dallas. Wilson tested the market and liked what he saw as the Dolphins take another chance in finding another capable WR. Wilson is an exciting prospect, and his yards-after-catch ability is super impressive. His passer rating, when targeted in 2021, was a resounding 130.6. His lack of production is a question mark that can be explained by a depth chart including the likes of Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup.
Wilson’s 602 receiving yards last season wasn’t anything to write home about, but even that figure massively exceeded his previous season-high of 184. All that said I’m still excited to see what Wilson can do in Miami as the Dolphins look to bolster their deep passing game. McDaniel’s scheme should fit the former Cowboy perfectly, as someone who can go deep but also take a screen to the house.
The contract feels eerily similar to another Wilson who signed with the Dolphins — Albert Wilson’s deal for three years, $24 million in 2018 — but there’s far more optimism this time around for Cedrick Wilson. His value on the field will likely exceed his fantasy production, but he’s a name to keep an eye on late in drafts.
Grade: B+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
LB Elandon Roberts, one year, $3.25 million
WR Preston Williams, one year
The waiver wire WR darling of 2019, Preston Smith hangs on for a depth role with Miami. He’s coming off of his worst season where he actually seemed to remain healthy. Not great. Fits with Dolphins, sure. Not with your fantasy roster, however.
Grade: D (@dynastysanta)
QB Teddy Bridgewater, one year, $6.5 million
Teddy “Two Gloves” Bridgewater is set to back up Tua Tagovailoa in 2022. Seems like a good enough fit, and should Tua go down, Bridgewater obviously becomes relevant in Superflex leagues. I would want to handcuff him if Tua is one of my two starters.
Grade: C+ (@dynastysanta)
RB Raheem Mostert, one year, $3.125 million
Seems like a TON of money for an old and often injured RB. We’ve seen his fantasy ceiling already. Don’t get fooled into over-drafting or overpaying. I’ve notoriously been out on Mostert since the end of the 2020 season. Yes, he’s likely very cheap/free in fantasy. Don’t care. Still want zero shares.
Grade: F (@dynastysanta)
Minnesota Vikings
DT Harrison Phillips, three years, $19.5 million
A respectable signing for a middle franchise, Phillips fills a good need for the team at a reasonable salary. He should help plug up the middle for a Vikings defense that allowed the seventh-most rushing yards in 2021. His lack of pass-rushing ability takes him off the IDP radar.
Grade: B (@Michael__Sicoli)
QB Kirk Cousins, one year extension, $35 million
The Vikings lock Kirk Cousins down through 2023. He’s one of the most polarizing both fantasy and real players in the league. I don’t have an extreme opinion one way or another, he is what he is. A fringe top-12 fantasy guy who will explode at times, and leave you wildly disappointed in matchups where he should go off. Still, Cousins is a valuable asset in Superflex and if you can afford him as your QB2, you’re in great shape for the next couple of years.
Grade: B+ (@dynastysanta)
LB Jordan Hicks, two years, $10 million
New England Patriots
RB James White, two years, $5 million
It will be very interesting to see the backfield dynamic in New England with a healthy James White returning. Who will be hurt most? White’s role should remain unchanged. He’s an excellent and cheap PPR target, even in dynasty. I think a bounce-back season is in store.
Grade: B- (@dynastysanta)
LB Mack Wilson, traded from Browns
S Devin McCourty, one year extension, $9 million
WR Jakobi Meyers, one year tender, $3.986 million
The leading WR for the Patriots in 2021 will hope to earn a long-term contract after being locked in for the 2022 season. Meyers comes with concerns in the TD department, along with the lack of draft capital, he is dependent on catches. Still, he seems to have curried favor with franchise QB Mac Jones. Meyers will likely continue to be undervalued and is an unsexy WR3 or FLEX target.
Grade: B- (@dynastysanta)
New Orleans Saints
WR Deonte Harris, one year tender, $3.986 million
Despite the lack of a signed QB in New Orleans, I really like Deonte Harris for the 2022 season. He has leaped Tre’Quan Smith in the pecking order. Harris is just as good, if not better, of an option than Marquez Callaway. So if Michael Thomas returns healthy, it is not a reach to say Harris could lock down the #2 WR spot next to Thomas. That could be an incredibly lucrative fantasy position to be in, especially if the Saints return Jameis Winston (they should!) at QB.
Grade: B+ (@dynastysanta)
DE Carl Granderson, two year extension, $5.2 million
New York Giants
QB Tyrod Taylor, two years, $11 million
On his fifth team in six years, Tyrod Taylor has been snakebitten by odd injuries and circumstances for the past few years. He should be able to easily beat out the stinky Daniel Jones for the starting job come summer. Taylor should be an incredibly cheap and easily acquirable Superflex target and I’d much rather roster him than Jones.
Grade: C (@dynastysanta)
New York Jets
WR Braxton Berrios, two years, $12 million
A smart signing for special teams. Berrios played well in a reserve role and will fill in for Elijah Moore in the slot should the 2021 second-round pick miss time. Barring injury Berrios should not be on the fantasy radar, but has proven to be a capable PPR producer with snaps.
Grade: B (@Michael__Sicoli)
TE C.J. Uzomah, three years, $24 million
It’s been reported for months that the Jets would look to upgrade their tight end position. No Jets TE has surpassed 350 receiving yards in a single season since Chris Herndon in 2018.
That’s not even a high bar.
Uzomah comes to change that as an athletic TE who is not a liability in the blocking game either. While he was outshined by receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd in Cincinnati he still made some reliable plays for Joe Burrow. His 493 receiving yards and five TDs were far from a given in such a crowded offense. While a huge breakout should not be expected Uzomah can be a good streaming candidate while being a good real-life asset for Zach Wilson’s second year.
Grade: B+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
S Jordan Whitehead, two years, $14.5 million
CB/S D.J. Reed, three years, $33 million
RB Tevin Coleman, one year, $1.5 million
Michael Carter truthers hate this signing. Hopefully, Coleman will be re-signed to be simply a complimentary depth or change of pace option. He’s barely roster-worthy, maybe if you’re the Carter manager.
Grade: D (@dynastysanta)
TE Tyler Conklin, three years, $21 million
Not so fast Mr. Uzomah! I feel like this is just the Jets throwing TEs at the wall to see which one sticks. They already dealt with a carousel last year due to injuries. So Uzomah + Conklin seem like an upgrade over Tyler Kroft + Ryan Griffin, but it is minimal. This STINKS for the boy Kenny Yeboah unless he blows the competition out of the water in training camp. Or injuries bite the Jets again at the position. Conklin is a waiver wire/keep-your-eye-on-him TE for 2022.
Grade: D (@dynastysanta)
Philadelphia Eagles
LB Haason Reddick, three years, $45 million
Reddick has blossomed into a quality NFL player after a slow first three years, accumulating over 20 sacks in his last couple of seasons. A change-of-scenery is always a little concerning when success has been established, but Reddick has already posted stellar seasons with two different teams (ARI, CAR) in his young career. There’s no reason to think the third time can’t be the charm once more.
His steady tackle numbers are evidence of someone who tried his hand as an MLB, a feat of athleticism that serves him well when he hunts down quarterbacks. Reddick also joins the NFC East, home of a division filled with sacks and turnovers thanks to Daniel Jones and Carson Wentz. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman talked about improving the pass rush, and he did exactly that with Reddick.
Grade: A (@Michael__Sicoli)
Pittsburgh Steelers
QB Mitchell Trubisky, two years, $14.25 million (up to $27 million with incentives)
This makes more sense by the minute for the Steelers, who were not a QB away from the Super Bowl. Trubisky fits offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s scheme perfectly. The 2017 first-round pick has the mobility to run bootlegs and run-pass options that Ben Roethlisberger simply couldn’t. Due to his rushing upside, Trubisky is a middling QB2 but will struggle to be a real asset due to his propensity for turnovers.
It’s much harder to gauge the Steelers’ receiving options. Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth should remain good safety valves for Trubisky, although it is a downgrade for week-to-week consistency due to new tendencies. This isn’t the greatest signing for Chase Claypool as Trubisky’s deep-ball accuracy leaves a lot to be desired.
The offense should look much different in 2022, but early impressions are that things will get worse before they get better. Trubisky serves as a bridge for a 2023 rookie in a much stronger class.
Grade: B (@Michael__Sicoli)
CB Levi Wallace, two years, $8 million
This seems like a cheap deal for the Steelers to add depth to their secondary.
LB Robert Spillane, one year tender, $2.433 million
QB Dwayne Haskins, one year tender, $2.54 million
I’d rather roster him than Mason Rudolph. Fringe roster-worthy in deep Superflex leagues.
Grade: D (@dynastysanta)
San Francisco 49ers
CB Charvarius Ward, three years, $40.5 million
Seattle Seahawks
FS Quandre Diggs, three years, $40 million
Seattle has been working overtime to keep Diggs despite him suffering a dislocated ankle and a broken fibula in Week 18. The free safety has been one of the better ball hawkers in recent years, with five interceptions in each of the last two seasons. His career-high tackle numbers in 2021 were high enough to provide strong IDP numbers with his interceptions. That number will likely drop a bit coming off of the injury, but the long-term deal is as good as it could reasonably be for Diggs.
It’s a legitimate risk given the serious injury, but this defense without Diggs is not one to be excited about.
Grade: B- (@Michael__Sicoli)
TE Will Dissly, three years, $24 million
It’s been a whirlwind for tight ends in Seattle of late. Gerald Everett came and left, leaving about as much an impact as one could’ve expected. Noah Fant flies in last week after the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade. Now Dissly, the incumbent, receives a nice contract of his own.
Dissly has flashed receiving upside, but with Fant in town, he won’t see the volume he needs if he wants to be fantasy relevant. This contract is for his run-blocking ability after Dissly finished as PFF’s eighth-best run-blocking tight end of 2021. Beyond that and Pete Caroll liking him, there’s not much else to see.
Grade: C+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
CB Sidney Jones, one year, $3.6 million
DT Al Woods, two years, $9 million
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Carlton Davis, three years, $45 million
Shortly after the Chargers paid Jackson the Buccaneers followed suit. Davis was a key part of a secondary that suffered numerous injuries in 2021. He himself missed seven games with a quadriceps injury. The defensive back averaged the most passes defended per game in 2019, tied for the fourth-most in 2020 before tying again for the seventh-most this past season.
He only intercepted one ball in 2021, which makes him tough to trust in fantasy barring a surge of tackles. While it may not leave the strongest impact on IDP rosters it’s an important signing for a Tampa Bay team gearing up for another championship run thanks to Tom Brady’s sudden change of heart.
Grade: B+ (@Michael__Sicoli)
WR Russell Gage, three years, $30 million
A bit of a head-scratching signing here. Chris Godwin has been franchise-tagged for now two years in a row. Will Tampa Bay be moving on after the 2022 season? Because they have Russell Gage? Very perplexing. With the new uniform and Godwin likely missing the beginning of the season, Gage will see an ADP boost. Consider me a seller.
Grade: D+ (@dynastysanta)
WR Chris Godwin, three year extension, $60 million
Godwin is an elite WR talent. I am a little bit concerned about the As the Brady World Turns soap opera rerun after this year and who will quarterback the Buccs throughout the duration of this contract. Hopefully, Godwin fully heals and regains his top-tier form. Despite getting paid, you may be able to take advantage of a pessimistic manager still worried about the injury.
Grade: A+ (@dynastysanta)
Tennessee Titans
TE Geoff Swaim, one year, $3.5 million
Swaim matched the production of pre-season TE darling, Anthony Firkser, last year. This earned him another shot with the Titans to continue the dynamic duo at the position. Neither Firkser not Swaim are particularly appealing without the other going down to injury. They are both end-of-your-roster stashes in TE premium leagues, but nothing more.
Grade: C- (@dynastysanta)
EDGE Harold Landry, five year extension, $87.5 million
Washington Commanders
CB/S Bobby McCain, two years, $11 million
Thank you for checking out my article! You can read all of my articles on my IDP Guys’ author page. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @Michael__Sicoli and @IDPGuys (we have offense too) and please check out our website at idpguys.org.
