The fantasy football offseason is in full swing and this column is designed to be a one-stop store for quick-hitting evaluation of essentially the most impactful participant motion all through the beginning of NFL free company, together with trades.
ESPN Fantasy writers Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, Eric Karabell and Eric Moody will provide their insights into what every transfer means for a participant’s fantasy worth in 2022. The newest information seems within the high part, whereas earlier transactions and gamers who re-signed are listed alphabetically under that.
Newest information
Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It is tough to not view Brady as a QB1 in 2022. Final season, he averaged 312.7 passing yards and 25.5 fantasy factors per recreation. It’s doubtless that he’ll produce related per-game numbers this season, as lots of his key receivers return. – Moody
Chase Edmonds, RB, Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins signed Edmonds to resurrect a working recreation that averaged 3.5 yards per carry, the bottom within the NFL. It stays to be seen if Miami will deploy him on all three downs. Despite this, Edmonds may be very a lot on the RB2 radar. – Moody
Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville has proactively surrounded second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence with playmakers. Kirk is coming off a profession season during which he primarily performed within the slot. The development ought to proceed in Jacksonville and Kirk stays a WR3 for fantasy functions. – Moody
Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Throughout coaching camp, Trubisky can be thought of the favourite to start out for the Steelers. Because the Bears’ main beginning quarterback from 2017 to ’20, he ranked 29th out of 36 quarterbacks in each passer score and yards per dropback. It would not be smart to belief Trubisky as something greater than a QB2, regardless of having playmakers like Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and Najee Harris at his disposal. – Moody
Different latest strikes
Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns: Cooper is assured of being the Browns’ high wideout, particularly after Jarvis Landry was launched. In a less-pass-friendly offense than the one he left in Dallas, Cooper might have hassle attaining surefire WR2 standing each week, however remains to be a top-30 WR. – Cockcroft
Evan Engram, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: Over the past two seasons, Engram averaged solely 8.zero factors per recreation in a poor Giants offense. My largest concern with Engram within the Jaguars’ offense in 2022 is that he could have loads of competitors for targets, even when a change of surroundings is nice for him. He can be extra of a matchup-based streamer this season. – Moody
Zay Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Within the closing 4 video games of final season, Jones had 25 receptions for 264 yards. As a result of plethora of receiving playmakers added by the Jaguars, he has restricted fantasy attraction.– Moody
C.J. Uzomah, TE, New York Jets: Final season, Uzomah had 49 receptions for 493 yards, whereas Jets tight ends mixed for 50 and 534. New York has not been a hotbed for tight finish fantasy soccer manufacturing up to now. Uzomah might be thought of extra of a TE2 with upside in sure matchups. – Moody
Carson Wentz, QB, Washington Commanders (through commerce): Contemplating Washington’s restricted variety of receiving playmakers, Wentz might be considered as a high-end QB2. The Commanders ought to proceed to rely closely on play-action passes. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have been the one different quarterbacks with extra play-action landing passes than Wentz (12) final season. – Moody
Cedrick Wilson, WR, Miami Dolphins: Wilson is anticipated to play primarily from the slot for the Dolphins. Miami had the fourth-most receptions from the slot final season (151), with Jaylen Waddle (55) and Mike Gesicki (48) accounting for 68% of these receptions. Because the Dolphins’ fourth receiving possibility, it will likely be tough for Wilson to seek out fantasy relevance. – Moody
Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos (through commerce): Wilson now has among the best, youngest and deepest teams of targets within the league. Along with aforementioned Sutton, Jeudy and Williams, he’ll have Tim Patrick, Albert Okwuegbunam and KJ Hamler. Wilson ought to be valued as a QB1 with top-five upside. – Mike Clay
For extra on the Wilson commerce and its impression on Broncos, Seahawks gamers, check out Mike’s full reaction.
Gamers who’re staying put
Mo Alie-Cox, TE, Indianapolis Colts: Alie-Cox, with Jack Doyle retired, is firmly on the TE2 radar and will contribute extra to the Colts’ offense this season. That might change if Indianapolis provides one other tight finish in free company or the NFL draft, although. – Moody
Braxton Berrios, WR, New York Jets: Berrios is anticipated to exchange Jamison Crowder because the Jets’ main slot receiver. Though Berrios is value taking an opportunity on within the double-digit rounds of PPR drafts, his presence will permit Elijah Moore to be solely used as an outdoor receiver subsequent season, which ought to make fantasy managers salivate.– Moody
James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals: Final season, Conner averaged 26.zero fantasy factors per recreation in 5 video games with out Chase Edmonds. Conner is an ideal match for the Cardinals’ offensive scheme. Though he might be considered as an RB1, Arizona should add a again of significance to cap his upside. – Moody
Zach Ertz, TE, Arizona Cardinals: In 11 video games with Kyler Murray out and in of the lineup due to harm, Ertz racked up 574 receiving yards and three touchdowns for the Cardinals final season. Ertz’s three-year, $31.6 million contract makes him the highest-paid tight finish within the league, and fantasy managers can think about him a TE1. – Moody
Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys: I’ve preferred Gallup for a very long time, however by no means felt he bought the chance he deserved. Now he’ll, with Cooper gone. Gallup is on the perimeter of the top-30 WRs reverse a real fantasy WR1 in CeeDee Lamb. – Cockcroft
Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers re-signed Williams after he set private bests in targets (129), receptions (76) and receiving yards (1,146) final season. With franchise QB Justin Herbert throwing the ball to him, Williams might be thought of a WR2 heading into the 2022 season. – Moody