There are several players who could be changing teams once the NFL’s Free Agency opens on March 10. With that, some players who were successful with their previous teams, may fall victim to playing with new teams that could negatively impact their fantasy outlook.
On the other hand, some players who were with unproductive teams may find themselves playing for more successful teams boosting their fantasy value.
Fantasy Winners:
Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans
Johnson, who still has some gas left in his tank, has requested to be traded from the Texans or be released. Pretty much any team would be an improvement for Johnson to play considering the awful quarterback circumstances he has been enduring for the past few seasons. While he managed to rack up 936 yards in Houston in 2014, imagine Johnson’s production on a team like the New England Patriots or Carolina Panthers.
With Tom Brady or Cam Newton throwing him the ball in 2015, Johnson could certainly see a boost from his 2014 fantasy value as his career in the NFL winds down.
Jeremy Maclin, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
If Maclin and the Eagles part ways this spring since a contract has not yet been agreed upon, he would find himself suiting up in a different color in 2015. Maclin shined in 2014 returning from an ACL injury that kept him out all of 2013. Ranking ninth in fantasy points while working for the muddling quarterback duo of Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez. Maclin could have produced even higher fantasy points under more ideal circumstances. A possible pairing of Maclin and Russell Wilson, who clearly needs help in the receiver department could escalate Maclin’s fantasy value even further in 2015.
Cecil Shorts, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Rumors are spreading that Shorts would like to return to his former college state and play for the Cleveland Browns, who are in dire need of wide receivers. Shorts tenure in Jacksonville led to him not being very fantasy relevant. Playing under a more mature quarterback in Josh McCown in 2015 could have Shorts being draft worthy as a WR3 for roster depth this season. He would be especially appealing in PPR formats as has averaged 112 targets per year over his last three seasons. If Cleveland is not the answer for Shorts, nearly any other team where he wouldn’t be in a pool of receivers fighting for the ball would see his fantasy value increase in 2015.
Mark Ingram, Running Back, New Orleans Saints
The Saints are going to be hard-pressed to afford to keep Ingram around in 2015. This means Ingram will likely be available to many teams who need improvement at the running back position. While Ingram managed to rank as the 15th highest scoring fantasy running back last year, landing on a team with a run-heavy offense like the New York Jets or Jacksonville Jaguars could see Ingram put up even better numbers in 2015 as he pounds the ball downfield.
Fantasy Losers:
Randall Cobb, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
Cobb, who is seeking a big payday to the tune of $10 million in 2015, might not find himself playing for Green Bay this season. If he switches teams to one who can afford his services, like Jacksonville, Cleveland or the Oakland Raiders, Cobb’s fantasy value could take a hit. Cobb, who ranked sixth in fantasy points last season, did so because he caught the ball from the No. 1 quarterback in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers. If Cobb leaves the land of cheese, he could suffer the same fantasy fate as Eric Decker did when he left Peyton Manning for Geno Smith last year.
For fantasy purposes, let's hope that Cobb stays in Green Bay.
Michael Crabtree, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers
Starting a full season healthy as the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver and drafted as a WR2 in 2014, Crabtree failed his owners big-time last year. Finishing the season ranked as the 53rd wide receiver in fantasy points, Crabtree only managed 698 yards and four touchdowns. Severely out-played by veteran Anquan Boldin, Crabtree could find himself playing for another team in 2015.
However, can we really trust him playing anywhere? We saw what he did with his opportunity to be a star last year. Crabtree will likely end up being receiver depth anywhere he goes, which goes the same for his fantasy draft status in 2015.
Julius Thomas, Tight End, Denver Broncos
Rumors of Thomas perhaps landing in Jacksonville or Oakland do not bode well for the tight end’s fantasy value for 2015. Teams with quarterbacks far less superior to Peyton Manning throwing to Thomas just won’t be the same. Thomas was the elite, touchdown-scoring machine while in Denver. However, it does not look like he is going to be able to negotiate a deal to keep playing in orange this year. Therefore, unless he lands a gig in Atlanta with Matt Ryan, draft wisely when it comes to Thomas.