Familiar faces now in different places
Quick: Where will Alshon Jeffery be shagging passes this season? Whose uniform is Jamaal Charles now sporting? Which city’s fans will Jared Cook disappoint this year? Is anyone left on the Jets to catch a pass?
Welcome back, fantasy fools! It’s time to hunker down and get serious about this year’s draft. As usual, dozens of fantasy-relevant players — more than 55, by my count — were traded or signed freeagent deals with new teams this offseason. But if past is prologue, precious few will improve their fantasy fortunes.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest movers and shakers and their prospects for this season: Moving up
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Raiders: It’s hard not to get excited about Oakland’s loaded offense this season. If Lynch can return from the sofa in anything resembling his beastly form, he could lead the league in rushing TDs behind that offensive line.
Terrelle Pryor, WR, Washington: Moving from Cleveland’s moribund offense to the Kirk Cousins-led passing attack in Washington is obviously a major upgrade. Pryor immediately vaults to the top of Washington’s overhauled receiving corps. As long as you’re not expecting WR1 production, he shouldn’t disappoint.
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Eagles: The former Chicago receiver has been a fantasy bust since his stellar 2013 and 2014 seasons, so counting on him to reclaim his mojo in Philly comes with significant risk. It would be hard not to improve on the paltry numbers he posted over the last two injury- and suspension-plagued seasons, but WR2 production in 2017 seems out of reach. Adrian Peterson, RB, Saints: Unless he slides precipitously, I won’t be drafting him. I remember how ineffective he was even when “healthy” last season, and now his carries will be limited by Mark Ingram, rookie Alvin Kamara and Father Time. Look out below LeGarrette Blount, RB, Eagles: Coming off the best season of his career (highlighted by 18 TD runs), Blount brings some stability to the Philly running game. But look for a major step backward in fantasy production. Latavius Murray, RB, Vikings: — While the ex-Oakland back is recovering from offseason ankle surgery, rookie Dalvin Cook is staking his claim to the lead role in Minnesota’s backfield. Murray’s draft stock dips daily.
Brandin Cooks, WR, Patriots: Cooks will have trouble improving on 2016’s 1,173-yard, eight-TD performance in New England’s crowded passing game. Drew Brees was better equipped to take advantage of Cooks’ blazing speed, though Tom Brady might target him more in the red zone.
DeSean Jackson, WR, Buccaneers: Looking for an exciting addition to Jameis Winston’s receiving corps? Check out rookie tight end O.J. Howard. Jackson, 30, is destined to be a boom-or-bust (mostly bust) fantasy performer in any given week opposite elite wideout Mike Evans.
Pierre Garcon, WR, 49ers: If a receiver leads the 49ers in production, does he make a sound? Methinks not. Especially with Brian Hoyer at the controls. Call it a wash Brian Hoyer, QB, 49ers: Hoyer’s starting status cannot be comforting to die-hard 49ers fans. Given the limited firepower of his receiving corps, this passing game will be hard to watch.
Josh McCown, QB, Jets: The well-traveled passer still hasn’t won the starting job over fairly mediocre competition. And when Quincy Enunwa (out for the season) was projected to be the top target, how excited can you get about any QB?
Jamaal Charles, RB, Broncos: It’s never a good sign when your projections are preceded by the phrase “if he makes the team.” Charles is coming off back-to-back seasons lost to knee injuries, and he clearly isn’t the every-down workhorse he once was.
Jared Cook, TE, Raiders: Remember all those fantasy “gurus” who said Cook would excel in Green Bay last year? Yeah, I wasn’t buying the hype then, either.