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Saquon Barkley embracing Jalen Hurts after a game against each other. Now they will be teammates in Philadelphia, in 2024.
If you’re knee-deep in the fantasy, football world, then you know that free agency can be a game-changer. It’s not just about a player moving from one team to another. It’s about reshuffling the deck in fantasy leagues, especially keeper leagues. Let’s take a look at how free agency impacts fantasy football and what you can expect for the 2024 season.
Free agency movements significantly influence fantasy drafts and player evaluations. Whether it’s a workhorse running back landing in a new offense or a veteran quarterback seeking a fresh start, each free agent signing has the potential of major fantasy implications.
After about a week after free agency began (NFL free agency officially began at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13) one trend seems apparent: Many teams are looking to change running backs. There have also been a plethora of transactions made in other positions as well. Lets take a look at some of the marquee names, by position, who have found new homes, and how those changes will affect fantasy football.
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs to Green Bay: The Raiders must feel like 3rd year RB Zamir White is ready to take on the roll of lead running back in Las Vegas, when they let their work horse in Jacobs get away in free agency. White became an intricate piece to a fantasy championship for me last year, as I inserted him into an RB position while Jacobs was injured. Jacobs will be an upgrade in Green Bay, who released their RB1, Aaron Jones, so look for Jacobs to have yet another productive fantasy year. Jacobs could be taking a significant amount of touches away from AJ Dillon as well. Suggested draft position for Josh Jacobs: Late 1st round. Suggested draft position for Zamir White: 2nd round.
Aaron Jones to Minnesota: Minnesota’s run game dropped significantly after releasing Dalvin Cook in 2023, and relied on Alexander Mattison to fill the void. Jones has dealt with some injuries as of late, but if he can stay healthy in 2024, he’ll bring a resemblance of what the Vikings were able to do for the 4 Pro Bowl seasons Cook had consecutively in Minnesota. Suggested draft position for Aaron Jones: 2nd round
Derrick Henry to Baltimore: Henry may have slightly lost a step, but I still think this is a great move for Baltimore. Henry’s days of leading all backs in fantasy points, as was the case in 2020, are probably in the rear view mirror, but this is a great fit for Henry, and I believe he will flourish with Lamar Jackson and the rest of the Raven’s offense. Suggested draft position for Derrick Henry: Late 1st round.
Saquon Barkley to Philadelphia: Like Henry going to Baltimore, Barkley going to Philadelphia is like a match made in heaven. Barkley has endured through a lackluster offense his entire career with the NY Giants, he being the lone bright spot. In Philadelphia, he will have the opportunity to really thrive, and show his real potential. Philadelphia was not getting the production at the RB position they hoped for in D’Andre Swift, who is now in Chicago, and Barkley was definitely the best available option to replace him. This should also take a lot of pressure off of QB Jalen Hurts, and help open up the passing game again for the Eagles. Suggested draft position for Saquon Barkley: 1st round, even possibly top 5.
Joe Mixon, shown here eluding defenders, will be taking his talents to Houston in 2024.
Joe Mixon to Houston: I was extremely impressed with Houston, and what they were able to accomplish last year with a rookie QB in C.J Stroud. RB Devan Singletary, now with the NY Giants, was a big part of that, with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Now, the Texans have brought in Mixon as un upgrade at the RB position, to bolster what’s already a good offense. In my article ranking top fantasy RBs, Fantasy Football Top Rankings-Running Backs, I’ve got Mixon ranked at #15, granted that list was made right after the conclusion of the 2023 season, and before all the roster changes after free agency began. Mixon took a bulk of the carries in Cincinnati, but in Houston, he’ll be sharing time with Dameon Pierce. Mixon should still get enough touches to maintain his double digit fantasy points per game for the past 6 years. Suggested draft position for Joe Mixon: 2nd round
Other notable moves:
D’Andre Swift to Chicago; Suggested draft position – 3rd round
Gus Edwards to LA Chargers; Suggested draft position – 3rd round
Tony Pollard to Tennessee; Suggested draft position – 4th round
Zach Moss to Cincinnati; Suggested draft position – 5th round
Austin Ekler to Washington; Suggested draft position – 5th round
Wide Receivers
Calvin Ridley to Tennessee: In 2020, Ridley had 90 receptions for 1,374 yards and 9 TDs, and was considered by many to be one of the top up and coming receivers in the league. He then proceeded to miss all of 2022 due to suspension. He had a bit of a resurgence with the Jags in 2023, averaging 9 fantasy points per game, playing in all 17 games. Jacksonville must not have been too impressed with him though, because they decided to let Ridley get away in free agency, and picked up an inconsistent Gabe Davis to replace him. Or the Jags just weren’t willing to dedicate $92 million over four years to Ridley, like the Titans did. The Titans were desperate to give the 2nd year to-be quarterback Will Levis, some help at the wide receiver position, and spared no expense doing so. If a team pays a WR that much coin, you have to believe he will be getting his fair share of targets. Suggested draft position: 3rd round
Mike Evans re-signed with Tampa Bay: Being a free agent this off season, Evans decided to go ahead and re-sign with the Bucs. He and QB Baker Mayfield had great chemistry in 2023, where Evans recorded 79 receptions for 1,255 yards and 13 TDs. That’s good for an average of 12 fantasy points per game, ranking 7th in the league among WRs. Evans has had over 100 targets AND over 1,000 yards for each of his 10 seasons. Now that Mayfield and Evans have had one season under their belt together, I believe Evans can have every bit of a fantasy season as he did in 2023. Suggested draft position: 2nd round
Michael Pittman Jr re-signed with Indianapolis: Pittman had a career year last year with a 109/1,152/4 stat line. Most of his receptions came from Gardner Menshew, who has now moved on to Las Vegas. The Colts will plan for QB Anthony Richardson to return for his second year, and live up to the hype he was given as a rookie. If he does, Pittman Jr. may have yet another career year. Pittman’s receptions and yardage have been solid for the past 3 years, but his lack of finding the end zone hurts his fantasy point total. Suggested draft position: 4th round
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins to Atlanta: Since 2015, when Cousins became a starter for a full season, he has scored right around 18 fantasy points per game, each year. That typically puts him just outside the top 10 in fantasy points among QBs. Since Cousins is very much a pocket passer, his fantasy value becomes that of a back up, on your roster. His move to Atlanta is much more intriguing for WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, and RB Bijan Robinson, who just all received a huge upgrade at their QB position. Suggested draft position: 8th or 9th round
Russel Wilson to Pittsburgh: Wilson hasn’t been a viable fantasy QB since 2020, but like Cousins, the cast around Wilson, at his new home in Pittsburgh, may reap the benefits of his arrival. The Steelers also have been lacking solid QB play, so the potentials may have just increased for guys like WR George Pickens, and RB Najee Harris.
Gardner Minshew to Las Vegas: Minshew isn’t a fantasy QB your looking to draft either, but I do think he is an upgrade in Las Vegas. The Raiders have plenty of offensive weapons that are players you may want to look to draft, like WRs Davante Adams and Jacoby Meyers, who may have better fantasy seasons in 2024, due to the arrival of Minshew.
I hope you have enjoyed this article and found it to be helpful in getting ready for your next fantasy draft. As always, I’d love to hear your opinion on how you agree or disagree with any of my takes. Please feel free to drop a note below. Thanks!
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