NFL teams doled out more than $1 billion in contracts during the early days of free agency, with some offers better than others. For some, like Golden Tate, switching teams not only meant more money but also better fantasy value. Tate will no longer be limited by Seattle’s run-first approach. Now, he lines up in front of a guy named Calvin Johnson.
On the other hand, some players took more money but their fantasy prospects suffered. Eric Decker put up big numbers with Peyton Manning, but will struggle to remain a viable WR2 with Geno Smith. Let’s take a look at the free agency fantasy winners and losers.
winners
Golden Tate, W.R.
Former team: Seahawks
New team: Lions
Even if you are a competent catcher, you will produce against Megatron. Fortunately, Golden Tate is better than average. In fact, she is quite talented. The former second-round pick never became a star in Seattle, but playing in a first-run attack didn’t help. Still, he finished as the No. 29 WR in fantasy a year ago after catching 64 passes for 898 yards and five touchdowns. Playing rocket-armed Matthew Stafford, Tate should easily eclipse 1,000 yards and close in on eight touchdowns. This is a huge win for both Tate and the Lions.
Josh McCown, quarterback
Former team: Bears
New team: Buccaneers
Prior to 2013, McCown hadn’t attempted more than 200 passes since 2005. But with Jay Cutler missing time with ankle and groin injuries, the official seized his opportunity, completing 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,829 yards and 13 near misses. perfect: 1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The 34-year-old parlayed that performance into a two-year, $10 million deal with the Buccaneers, where he will start in 2014.
Though he will surely miss the talented tandem of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, McCown has two factors going for his fantasy. First, he is the unquestioned starter, according to new head coach Lovie Smith. Second, he has a bona fide No. 1 receiver in Vincent Jackson, as well as a solid complementary wide receiver in Mike Williams. Doug Martin caught 49 passes as a rookie and should be healthy. If the Bucs can get a third receiver or dynamic tight end, McCown could flirt with low-end QB1 status and at least be a very solid QB2.
Andre Roberts, W.R.
Former Team: Cardinals
New Team: Redskins
Although he never caught more than 64 passes in a season, Roberts signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Redskins to become the No. 2 receiver against Pierre Garcon. While Garcon sees plenty of targets, Roberts emerges as the winner in this deal. The 26-year-old used to be the fourth option in Arizona, where he had to fight for targets behind Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and Rob Housler. Now, he will at least be higher up the DC totem pole. Assuming RG III can get back to normal, Roberts should be a WR3.
Toby Gerhart, R.B.
Old team: Vikings
New team: Jaguars
Look, I know it’s the Jags, but from a fantasy standpoint, Gerhart was a dead man in Minnesota. For the last four years, Gerhart had the privilege of being Adrian Peterson’s backup. That resulted in a total of 276 carries for 1,305 yards and five touchdowns, or a poor season for AP. Jacksonville just invested $30 million in Zane Beadles to upgrade the offensive line, and also has last year’s No. 1 draft pick, Luke Joeckel, back at left tackle. The Jags have literally no other running backs on the roster and are a disaster at quarterback. They will have no choice but to hand the ball over to Gerhart and hope for the best.
losers
Eric Decker, W.R.
Former team: Broncos
New team: Jets
So, after catching 87 passes from Peyton Manning and making it to the Super Bowl, Decker goes to New York and Geno Smith. Sure, he won’t have to compete for targets, unless you consider Jeff Cumberland or Stephen Hill a viable threat. Decker wouldn’t return to Denver, but he probably has a better chance of completing a pass for himself than Geno. Be wary of him on draft day.
Donald Brown, R.B.
Former Team: Colts
New team: Chargers
Even with two top-20 fantasy running backs on their roster, the Chargers signed the former Colt to a three-year, $10.5 million contract with a $3.25 million signing bonus. Sorry, San Diego, that’s not a good deal. Dammit Donald averaged 3.9 yards per carry or less in three of his first four seasons before improving to 5.3 in his contract year. While his 27 receptions look good, the Chargers already have one of the best third-down running backs in Danny Woodhead. Barring injury, I’m having a hard time seeing how Brown fits into the rotation with Mathews coming off a breakout season and Woodhead securing broadcast duties. Hey, at least they paid him. (Edit)