The Falcons announced Monday they have agreed to a 2-year deal with QB Marcus Mariota. He's likely a step down in passing from Matt Ryan. At the least, Mariota will have to prove otherwise after he washed out with Tennessee and then spent the past 2 years backing up Derek Carr. But his rushing ability makes him a far more attractive fantasy option than Ryan. Mariota has experience with HC Arthur Smith from their Titans days, which can only help speed his acclimation to the offense. The QB's arrival might be negative for Cordarrelle Patterson's target upside, but we'll let the situation play out a little further before making any significant change to the RB-WR hybrid's outlook.
NFL Network reports that QB Jameis Winston is re-signing with the Saints on a 2-year, $28 million deal that includes $21 million guaranteed. The money involved suggests New Orleans isn't too worried about the recovery of the ACL tear that ended Winston's 2021 on Halloween. It also obviously means that Winston will jump back into the starting lineup as soon as he's ready. Winston has been going in mid-to-low QB2 range in early best-ball drafting. The knee injury -- plus his general inconsistency -- will make it risky to draft Winston much higher than that, at least until he proves healthy.
The Falcons are sending QB Matt Ryan to the Colts for a 3rd-round pick in this year's NFL Draft. That lands Ryan in 1 of the league's more run-leaning offense and with a pass-catching corps that doesn't boast much proven talent beyond WR Michael Pittman. We'll see what else the Colts add to that group. Ryan hasn't been terrific lately, but he marks a lateral move -- at worst -- from Carson Wentz for Pittman and the Colts' other pass-catchers. Ryan brings more consistent accuracy, which could boost Pittman's efficiency. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Falcons are now expected to pursue QB Marcus Mariota. The former Raider would land in an even more barren pass offense. We'll assess that situation further once it comes to fruition.
The Bills reached a 1-year deal with RB Duke Johnson, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Buffalo tried to sign RB J.D. McKissic last week before he opted to return to Washington, so the team is clearly looking to add depth behind RBs Devin Singletary and Zack Moss. Johnson spent much of last year unsigned or on Miami's practice squad. But he flashed late with 312 yards and 3 TDs on 4.7 yards per carry over the final 4 games of the season. Johnson turns 29 in September and probably isn't a candidate for lead duties in Buffalo. But he could siphon touches from Singletary.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that "if (Matt) Ryan is traded, it'll almost certainly be Indy." It doesn't sound like a move is imminent, and it's important to note that Ryan still might not move. But keep this report in mind if you're jumping into live best-ball drafts today. We'll see what Atlanta's replacement plan would be if Ryan leaves and where the Colts would turn if a deal does not happen.
The Giants signed RB Matt Breida. The 27-year-old flashed over his first 3 NFL seasons under HC Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco but has disappointed in Miami and Buffalo the past 2 years. Breida joins Gary Brightwell and Antonio Williams behind Saquon Barkley in New York's backfield. We'll see what else the G-Men do at the position this offseason.
The Chargers signed TE Gerald Everett to a reported 2-year, $12 million deal. That contract makes him the favorite for starting duties in a top-notch passing game. Everett set career highs across the board in Seattle last season with 48 catches, 478 yards and 4 TDs in 15 games, finishing 20th among TEs in PPR points per game. That was 1 spot ahead of Jared Cook, who was the Chargers' lead TE last year. Everett might not reach TE1 territory in 2022 but should bring exciting weekly upside.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Seahawks have agree to a 1-year deal, $5.75 million deal with RB Rashaad Penny — with another $750,000 available via incentives. Penny exploded late last season when thrust into the lead role. If Chris Carson is all the way back from the neck injury that required surgery, we’ll likely be looking at some level of workload split here. We’ll watch reports on the situation as we move toward training camp
The Rams and QB Matt Stafford agreed to a 4-year, $160 million extension with $135 million guaranteed. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport notes that it's "effectively a 3-year extension" with "added years for cap purposes." So consider Stafford signed with the Rams through the 2024 season.
The Browns traded QB Case Keenum to the Bills for a 7th-round pick. Keenum replaces QB Mitchell Trubisky as QB Josh Allen's backup. Cleveland then signed QB Jacoby Brissett, who would be in line to start if QB Deshaun Watson is suspended.
The Packers re-signed TE Robert Tonyan to a 1-year deal. Tonyan is rehabbing a late-October ACL tear but should be ready for the start of the 2022 season. He came out of nowhere for a 52-586-11 line in 2020 but was sitting just 24th among TEs in PPR points through the first 7 weeks of last year. Tonyan has a shot to grab a larger target share this season with WR Davante Adams' departure.
The Rams are trading WR Robert Woods to the Titans. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Tams are getting only a 2023 sixth-round pick. Woods lands in an offense with opportunity available, though Tennessee sported the league's 2nd most run-heavy attack last season. We'll also see about Woods' return from the ACL tear. He's OK in WR4 range of best-ball drafting right now. Woods' departure makes room for new Rams signee Allen Robinson to claim targets. Robinson looks good in WR3 range of current drafts with upside well into WR2 range.
The Falcons are re-signing RB Cordarrelle Patterson, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports. We'll look for details on the contract, but this was always the best-case scenario for Patterson. He had the rare 9th-year breakout in his Falcons debut last season, posting a 153-618-6 rushing line with 52-548-5 receiving to finish 9th among RBs in PPR points. Atlanta currently only Mike Davis and Damien Williams alongside Patterson in the backfield. We'll see what else the team adds, but Patterson has a chance to play a similar role in 2022.
Update: Patterson got a 2-year, $10.5 million deal, according to insider Aaron Wilson.
The Raiders signed RB Ameer Abdullah to a 1-year deal. They've now added Abdullah and Brandon Bolden to the backfield alongside Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake. Neither of the new guys is likely to be a fantasy factor, but the moves suggest that new HC Josh McDaniels might be planning on Patriots-style committee backfield.
The Eagles are re-signing RB Boston Scott to a 1-year, $1.75 million deal with $1.1 million guaranteed -- plus another $500,000 available via incentives. That kind of money doesn't guarantee anything in particular for Scott's role -- other than probably being on the team. He totaled just 87 carries and 16 targets in HC Nick Sirianni's 1st season. We'll see what the Philly backfield looks like as we move toward training camp. Scott's in the late-round RB mix in current best-ball drafting but doesn't merit special attention.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that former Steelers WR James Washington is signing a 1-year deal with the Cowboys. Washington averaged just 28.5 receptions across 4 seasons in Pittsburgh. That he apparently couldn't find more on the open market means we shouldn't count on a 2022 breakout. But he lands in an intriguing spot. Dallas has already shed Amari Cooper (trade) and Cedrick Wilson (free agency) this offseason. The Cowboys re-signed Michael Gallup, but we'll see whether his Jan. 2 ACL tear allows him to start the season on time. Washington has been primarily undrafted in early best-ball drafts. As long as he doesn't leap up in ADP, he's an interesting late-round consideration.
Former Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster announced Friday that he's signing with the Chiefs. He should face little competition -- at least among what's currently rostered -- for the #2 wideout position. That hasn't been a high-upside role with Andy Reid's Chiefs, though. No K.C. WR besides Tyreek Hill has finished higher than 47th in the PPR rankings since 2015. That #47 finish came last year from Mecole Hardman, who should lose some target share to Smith-Schuster. WR Byron Pringle's departure for Chicago leaves some targets available, but he drew just 8.9% of the looks last year. We'd bet on Smith-Schuster overtaking Hardman as the team's 2nd-most targeted wideout. The landing spot should boost the average target depth for Smith-Schuster after that number dwindled to 5.5 and 6.5 yards the past 2 seasons. He was at 8.8 and 9.7 his 1st 2 years in the league. The Chiefs also like to move their WRs around. So we'd bet on Smith-Schuster coming down from the 80+% of time he spent in the slot the past 2 seasons. He's also likely to jump up the ADP charts with the K.C. landing, so be wary of overpaying in best-ball drafts going forward.
The Panthers are giving WR D.J. Moore a 3-year extension worth $61.9 million, with $41.6 million guaranteed. That puts Moore under contract for 4 years in total. Now he just needs a QB.
The Titans are signing former Browns TE Austin Hooper to a 1-year, $6 million deal. It's a nice landing spot for Hooper on a roster who's top remaining TE had been Geoff Swaim. We'll see whether Tennessee adds anyone else significant and what they do at WR, but Hooper's a solid option late in current best-ball fantasy football drafting.
Texans QB Deshaun Watson has apparently changed his mind and chosen the Browns as his next team. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Watson is getting a fully guaranteed 5-year, $230 million contract from Cleveland. The 2 sides will now need to finalize the trade details, but Watson heads to a team with scant receiving options. We'll see what the Browns add to that stable and whether the NFL hands out any discipline for the QB. Watson going to Cleveland, of course, should mean Baker Mayfield getting his wish for a trade. We'll keep adjusting as this whole situation plays out. A fresh start in a potentially more favorable pass offense could mean nice upside for Mayfield. He's a low-risk bet late in current best-ball fantasy football drafts.
Update: The Browns are sending 3 first-round picks, a 2023 third-rounder and a 2024 fourth-rounder to Houston. Cleveland will receive a 2024 fifth-rounder, in addition to Watson.
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