The NFL's free agency market is in full swing. Several key offensive players have swapped teams, which will either have a positive impact on fantasy quarterbacks, or send them slipping down in the 2015 rankings. Here is a look at some of big moves and the quarterbacks who will be impacted.
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
Jackpot! With news breaking that the Seahawks acquired tight end Jimmy Graham, Wilson’s 2015 fantasy value has sky-rocketed. Wilson managed to produce elite results without much of a receiving corps in 2014. Let’s imagine his potential with the 6' 7" Graham haunting the red zone.
Ranked third overall in fantasy points in 2014, Wilson has nowhere to go but up in 2015 with Graham catching passes and scoring touchdowns.
Alex Smith, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are in line to sign wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to the squad. This should produce a boost in Smith’s value moving forward. Last season, Smith was barely worth considering as a fantasy option, serving as a backup quarterback or bench fill-in at most
The addition of Maclin, who caught 10 touchdowns last season from a blend of Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez, should provide Smith with better weapons in a wide receiving unit who couldn't spell "touchdown" last season. Smith won’t be a top-10 fantasy quarterback in 2015, but he should move up a few notches from his 19th ranking from last season.
Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers
With the signing of wide receiver Torrey Smith, Kaepernick could thrive as a fantasy quarterback in 2015. The 49ers were in desperate need of help in the receiving department outside of wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who was Kaep’s top target last season.
Smith makes an awesome deep-threat and excels at making big plays near the red zone. He managed 11 touchdowns last season and should definitely prove to be a solid weapon compared to Kaepernick’s options from last season. We should see Kaepernick rise from his 16th fantasy quarterback ranking from last season.
Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
There are not many avenues that Luck could improve on from his 2014 status as fantasy's No.2 quarterback. However, two powerful additions to the team could see him achieving the No. 1 fantasy ranking in 2015.
Frank Gore, despite his age is still running strong and is producing far better than any of the Colts’ running backs were last season. He’ll be a relief to Luck who is prone to interceptions when forced to throw the ball.
Additionally, Andre Johnson has just signed with the team. He put up nearly 1,000 receiving yards while working with a hodge-podge of Texans quarterbacks. Johnson should do wonders for Luck, which is just what potential fantasy drafters can look forward to in 2015.
Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
Unlike Wilson, the loss of Graham will further drive the proverbial nail into Brees' fantasy coffin. He already slipped a bit in last year, and now will likely himself falling further down in the rankings. Graham was Brees’ top receiving option drawing 125 targets resulting in 85 catches last season, paired with ten touchdowns along the way. The Saints need to find a pseudo-type of Graham tight end replacement, or Brees’ fantasy stats are going to collapse even further in 2015.
Jay Cutler, Quarterback, Chicago Bears
Cutler falters on the borderline of being a fantasy starter some weeks and a benchwarmer other weeks. The loss of the team’s former No. 1 wide receiver, Brandon Marshall, does not bode well for Cutler’s fantasy outlook in 2015. Marshall disappointed many last season, but his inconsistent performance was largely due to nagging injuries. When he's healthy, Marshall’s an excellent end zone threat that Cutler must play without moving forward.
Unless the Bears sign another top wide receiver to play opposite Alshon Jeffery, Cutler is a backup option advancing into the 2015 season.
Mark Sanchez, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
Plug in another other Eagles’ quarterbacks here if Sanchez does not start. The losses of running back LeSean McCoy and wide out Jeremy Maclin, statistical leaders at their positions, do not present a sunny fantasy forecast for whoever will be calling signals in Philly for 2015.
Maclin had 85 catches for 1,318 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 2014. His absence will trickle down and impact the fantasy value of Sanchez, or other said quarterback over the course of the season. Anyone quarterbacking for the Eagles in 2015 would barely qualify as a fantasy backup unless some strong offensive additions are made to the team.