The Raiders have agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million deal with TE Austin Hooper, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The deal has a max value of $3.5 million. That's obviously not enough to guarantee a top role at the position. But Hooper's a better bet for receptions than new teammate TE O.J. Howard. Even so, he has averaged just 2.4 catches per game over the past two years, with two different teams. Neither Hooper nor Howard is likely to make a big fantasy football impact this year.
The Jets are trading WR Elijah Moore and a third-round pick to the Browns for a second-rounder. The move confirms what the Jets' usage told us last year: They've already fallen out of love with the 2021 early-second-round pick. We loved Moore as a prospect, and he supplied a promising rookie-year stretch when healthy. He joins a Cleveland team with Amari Cooper in place as the top WR. But Moore could push Donovan Peoples-Jones for the No. 2 spot. And the trio makes a high-upside corps for QB Deshaun Watson. The Jets, meanwhile, might now be more incentivized to keep WR Corey Davis. We'll see if the team adds any notable wideouts in the draft, as well as how many more ex-teammates Aaron Rodgers demands the Jets acquire. The landing spot doesn't immediately boost Moore's fantasy outlook. But getting to a team that wants him more can only help his upside.
The Jets have agreed to a one-year deal with WR Mecole Hardman, worth up to $6.5 million. Hardman missed the final nine regular-season games last year, as well as the playoff opener. He returned for limited use in the conference-title game but then missed the Super Bowl. He'll have a tough time climbing higher than fourth among Jets WRs, behind Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, and Elijah Moore. WR Corey Davis also remains on the roster, though he has been rumored to be a candidate for trade or cut. It seems telling that the Chiefs didn't bother keeping Hardman around at such low contract terms. Don't bother mixing him into your best ball draft plans as anything more than an end-of-draft flier.
Update: Right after the Hardman deal's announcement came the Jets trading WR Elijah Moore to Cleveland. That obviously creates more room for Hardman, though we'll see what other moves are coming. We'll also see about Hardman's recovery from Feb. 21 pelvic surgery.
The Colts signed WR Isaiah McKenzie, who was cut by the Bills earlier this week. McKenzie is coming off a career-best 42-catch, 423-yard season in Buffalo -- but that still landed him outside the top 50 WRs in PPR points. He currently looks like the favorite to replace Parris Campbell as Indianapolis' primary slot receiver, but we'll see if the team adds anyone else to the WR room. McKenzie isn't an exciting pick in early best-ball drafts.
The Cowboys signed RB Ronald Jones to a 1-year deal. In a best-case scenario, Jones would be Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott replacement -- an outcome that would give him plenty of fantasy value. The problem is that Jones' career has headed sharply south since his 192-978-7 rushing line back in 2020. He fell behind Leonard Fournette in 2021, carrying just 101 times for 428 yards and 4 TDs. And then Jones could barely get on the field for the Chiefs last year, finishing with just 17 carries for 70 yards and 1 TD. We're not completely throwing in the towel on Jones, who turns just 26 in August. But we're also not considering him a lock for Dallas' #2 RB job. We'll see what else the offseason brings. If Jones is the Cowboys' biggest addition, it'd be a big win for RB Tony Pollard.
The Raiders signed TE O.J. Howard to a one-year deal. The 2017 first-round pick has struggled since his 2020 Achilles tear, totaling just 24 catches across 30 games the past two seasons. Howard did average a big 14.5 yards per catch for the Texans last year -- but finished third among the team's TEs with just 10 catches. Howard at least finds opportunity in Las Vegas, where the Raiders traded away TE Darren Waller and have not at this point re-signed TE Foster Moreau. We'll see what the rest of the offseason brings. For now, consider Howard just a last-round flier in best-ball drafts.
On the same day RB Devin Singletary agreed to terms with the Texans, the Bills have reached a deal with a former rival. RB Damien Harris agreed to a one-year pact, according to multiple reports. The money has yet to be announced. It's tough to imagine the money being a lot less than the "up to $3.75 million" Singletary will get from the Texans. So Buffalo clearly believes Harris to be an upgrade. Expect him to complement James Cook, though we wouldn't rule out the Bills also making a significant backfield addition via the draft. Bijan Robinson in Round 1? Probably not. Harris -- who has averaged 4.7 yards per carry for his career and scored on a strong 4.5% of his career rushes -- lands in a good spot for TD upside. QB Josh Allen vultures some short-range rushing TDs, but Singletary still managed 12 ground scores over the past two years. Harris will be a nice value if he stays deep in RB4 range, as he currently sits in Underdog ADP. Cook should probably come down from his RB27 ADP there.
The Texans and RB Devin Singletary have agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to a reported $3.75 million. The former Bill will immediately walk into a backfield previously devoid of depth behind the incumbent RB Dameon Pierce. From a fantasy perspective, the biggest fallout here is how Singletary's mere presence alone cuts into Pierce's value. In fairness, the Texans adding depth RBs behind Pierce was almost inevitable. This issue was a glaring team need that the Texans had to address this off-season. Even so, Singletary has exceeded 200+ touches in each of the last two seasons and logged three-consecutive years of 50+ targets as a pass-catcher. He's not elite, though he isn't some nobody name either. This spells bad news for Pierce, a player who finished 2022 as the RB27 in PPR scoring on the heels of 250 touches through 13 games prior to a season-ending ankle injury. Simply put, Pierce's effectiveness as a fantasy asset was heavily tied to his high volume, and now, that's not looking likely to work in his favor in 2023. Assuming the Texans don't add anyone else into the fold, a potential backfield split on a lower-tier NFL offense likely means both Pierce and Singletary will cannibalize each other into RB3/flex range at best. That said, it's still too early, and unfair, to believe this will be a 50-50 split. Keep an eye on the NFL Draft next month in case the Texans make this busy RB room even busier.
The Texans have agreed to a one-year deal with TE Dalton Schultz worth "up to $9 million," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It has to be a disappointing contract for a guy Dallas franchise-tagged just last offseason. But it sounds like about the same contract Mike Gesicki is getting from the Patriots. Schultz opened his career with two quiet seasons (13 total catches) in Dallas, before breaking out in 2020. He then averaged 4.1 receptions and 41.7 yards per game over the past three years. Bet on the Houston offense being worse than the Cowboys unit Schultz is leaving. But Houston's top three pass-catchers currently look like WR Robert Woods, WR Nico Collins, and WR John Metchie. So there's target-share opportunity. Of course, we'll also see who the new starting QB will be. The Texans figure to select that guy early in the NFL Draft. We're not excited about Schultz at his current TE12 best ball ADP. He could become more interesting, though, if he drops significantly below that.
The Chargers re-signed TE Donald Parham to a 2-year, $2.65 million deal. The 6'8 behemoth was not tendered as a restricted free agent by Los Angeles and ends up returning on a cheap deal, suggesting that he didn't find much interest on the open market. Parham has been just a part-time player through 3 NFL seasons, totaling 40 catches for 479 yards and 7 TDs. TE Gerald Everett had been mentioned as a potential cap casualty for the Chargers but remains on the roster as of mid-March. Unless that changes, Parham is only worth a look in the deepest of fantasy drafts.
The Bills released WR Isaiah McKenzie, saving $2.7 million in cap space. McKenzie popped for a few big games in Buffalo over the past couple of seasons but never became a consistent fantasy option. The Bills believe they've found an upgrade in WR Deonte Harty. We'll see where McKenzie lands, but he's not worth a pick in early best-ball drafts.
The Falcons signed WR Mack Hollins to a 1-year, $2.5 million deal. Hollins set career highs in Vegas last year with 57 catches and 690 yards -- but that was good for just a WR46 PPR finish. Hollins ranked just 82nd among 96 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus' receiving grades. He has a chance to find significant playing time in an Atlanta WR corps led by Drake London and not much else. But it's awfully late to be expecting a fantasy breakout from Hollins, especially in what figures to be a run-heavy Falcons offense.
The Panthers and WR Adam Thielen have reportedly agreed to a three-year deal. The terms of the contract are unknown as of this writing. After nine years in Minnesota, the long-time Viking and former UDFA will have an opportunity to get his career back on track. Thielen recorded four seasons of 900+ receiving yards between 2016 and 2020 en route to a pair of Pro Bowl nods and an All-Pro second-team nomination in 2017. This past season saw his lowest productivity in PPR fantasy points per game (10.6) and target share (17.2%) since 2016, and the Vikings' midseason acquisition of TE T.J. Hockenson caused Thielen to see an even steeper drop-off in usage in the latter half of 2022. With a slim WR corps, Thielen should be able to establish himself as a top option in the Panthers' passing attack. That said, it's tough to imagine a ton of fantasy upside from a player that turns 33 by the time the 2023 NFL season begins. This signing helps dynasty managers left holding the bag after the Vikings released Thielen earlier this month, but that's about it. Thielen's presence as a veteran option for whichever rookie QB the Panthers opt to select with the number one pick of the NFL Draft will be useful, though likely more important for real-life football than fantasy.
The Cowboys are getting WR Brandin Cooks from the Texans for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-rounder in 2024, according to multiple reports. Dallas likely views Cooks as the new No. 2 WR, ahead of Michael Gallup. We wouldn't bet on him beating CeeDee Lamb in target share. Cooks is coming off a disappointing 2022 that saw his receptions per game, yards per game and catch rate fall significantly vs. his previous two Houston campaigns. He managed just a WR40 finish in PPR points per game. But we're not betting that the 29-year-old (until Sept. 25) is over the hill just yet. If the team change doesn't boost Cooks' ADP too much vs. his current low-WR4 position, he's a solid-to-good option for your best ball drafts. Cooks' arrival also helps QB Dak Prescott, who sits low in QB1 territory in best ball ADP. As for the Houston WR corps: Try not to get too excited about anyone. The Texans signed Robert Woods to a two-year deal this offseason. Nico Collins has averaged just 2.9 receptions per game through two NFL seasons. And 2022 second-round pick John Metchie is expected to debut after missing his rookie year for leukemia treatment. The whole group should at least get a new QB next month via the NFL Draft.
New Eagles RB Rashaad Penny told reporters that he's been medically cleared from the fractured fibula that ended his 2022 season in October. Injuries, of course, have been a major issue for Penny through 5 NFL seasons. He's missed 40 of 82 games. But he's also been awesome when healthy, averaging a huge 5.7 yards per carry. Penny is currently the favorite to assume the old Miles Sanders, early-down role in Philadelphia. Sanders finished 22nd among RBs in PPR points per game last year -- a level Penny is certainly capable of reaching in 2023.
Bills GM Brandon Beane said that the team envisions WR Deonte Harty filling the “four role." Harty got a surprisingly lucrative two-year, $9.5 million deal from Buffalo, but it doesn't sound like he's slated for an every-down job on offense. (Not surprising considering he's just 5'6 and 170 lbs.) With WR Isaiah McKenzie likely on the outs, Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, and Khalil Shakir currently project as the Bills' top three WRs. We'll see if they add another WR in the draft.
New Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke told reporters on Thursday that his goal is to be "the best backup I can be to Desmond [Ridder]." "They drafted (Ridder) high for a reason," Heinicke added. So that puts to bed any notion of a true QB competition in Atlanta. Of course, there's a chance that Ridder falters and gives way to Heinicke at some point in 2023. But Ridder is the Falcons QB to consider late in fantasy football drafts.
WR Darius Slayton re-signed with the Giants on a 2-year, $12 million deal. Slayton has been pretty consistent through 4 NFL seasons, finishing with 46-50 catches and 724-751 receiving yards in 3 of them. That, of course, isn't enough to really get the fantasy juices flowing. Slayton is still just 26 and a candidate to take a step forward in his 2nd season under HC Brian Daboll. But don't consider him more than a WR4 in early best-ball drafts. The Giants' WR corps now reads: Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Wan'Dale Robinson, Parris Campbell, Sterling Shepard.
The Colts signed QB Gardner Minshew to a 1-year, $3.5 million deal. It's backup money, which is what Minshew figures to be for at least most of 2023 behind whichever QB the Colts nab in next month's draft. It's worth noting that Minshew spent the past 2 seasons in Philadelphia with new Colts HC Shane Steichen, so he'll be familiar with the offense.
The Bears signed TE Robert Tonyan to a 1-year deal. Tonyan spiked for an 11-TD season in 2020 but tore an ACL midway through the 2021 campaign. He made it back for the start of this past season but was barely fantasy relevant, finishing with 53 catches, 470 yards and 2 TDs. Tonyan ranked 29th among 32 qualifying TEs in Pro Football Focus' receiving grades. Perhaps he bounces back in 2023, another year removed from that knee injury. But Tonyan figures to slot in as Chicago's #2 TE as long as Cole Kmet is healthy. Consider Tonyan no more than a TE3 in early fantasy drafts.
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