Impact of Free Agency on NFL Running Backs and Quarterbacks

By Vincent Frank on Sunday, February 17th 2013
Impact of Free Agency on NFL Running Backs and Quarterbacks

 

Every once in a while player movement creates an issue for fantasy football owners, mostly for those of us who take part in keeper leagues. A certain player, let's say Dwayne Bowe, going to a much better team with a decent quarterback will definitely up his draft stock. Meanwhile, IDP option Charles Woodson making a possible transition back to cornerback could either help or hurt his draft stock. 

While most of us will be looking at football in general, and not the fantasy aspect, when it comes to free agency, we can't help but look at where these players go and bring it full circle back to fantasy football. 

Let's take a gander at the quarterback and running back positions here. 

 

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

I had a hard time including Flacco on this list because there is no way in..well you know what...that he leaves Baltimore after winning the Super Bowl MVP earlier this month. Expect Baltimore to give Flacco the franchise tag if the two are unable to come to an agreement on a long-term extension. The more pressing issue here is Anquan Boldin, who could be a cap casualty with the Ravens. If he doesn't return in '13, it will hurt Flacco's fantasy output a great deal. As it is, Flacco ranked 14th among quarterback in fantasy points at 16.2 per game last season. 

 

Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

While Smith isn't necessarily a free agent, he will be moving on from San Francisco next month. Where he ends up could lead many to believe he will be a solid QB2 option. For example, Smith going to the Kansas City Chiefs should help his draft stock, as long as Dwayne Bowe returns. Give Smith the likes of Bowe, Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster and you have the makings for solid fantasy output by the improved quarterback. Of course this doesn't mean that he will become a viable fantasy option on a weekly basis. Now Smith going to a team like the Cleveland Browns, without a great deal of weapons, could spell doom to any value he might have. The same could be said if he were to end up with the New York Jets. 

 

Reggie Bush, Running Back, Miami Dolphins

Wherever Bush goes he will not play as large of a role as we saw with Miami the last two seasons (15 rush attempts per game). Even with that increased workload, Bush wasn't much more than a solid RB2 option throughout the season. Imagine him going down about five rushes per game and you are probably looking at mid-tier FLEX production. 

 

Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back, New York Giants

I had Bradshaw as one of the most overrated fantasy players leading up to the 2012 season, and I couldn't have been more right on that conclusion. The veteran running back struggled with injuries and production this past year. He finished 18th in fantasy points among running backs, but did tally nearly 1,300 total yards. Bradshaw will be a fantasy find if he goes to the right situation. The Green Bay Packers seem to be a solid option at this point. He should be able to tally 15 rush attempts for an offense that boasts one of the best passing games in the entire NFL. No seven or eight men boxes for this guy. Look for increased production if Bradshaw were to land in that situation. 

 

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