Just because the top free agent wide receivers and running backs all have homes now, doesn’t mean there’s still no news to be had in the fantasy football world.
Teams are still looking to fill holes (have you seen the wide receiver depth chart for the Panthers and Seahawks?) and some quality NFL talent is still looking for a home.
These five players are completely available for any team to sign, and when they do find a home, they’ll provide at least some fantasy value for the coming football season.
5. Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Austin didn’t start out this offseason as a free agent, but the Cowboys just cut ties with him. So far, there aren’t any takers on Austin, but he’ll find a home somewhere.
Given his injury history, Austin won’t be a big fantasy name at wide receiver, but he could still be worth a look depending upon his landing spot.
The Seahawks, Panthers, Browns and Patriots are just a few of the teams who could use some help at the position, and Austin is only one year removed from a 943-yard season. If he can stay healthy, Austin could have some fantasy relevance as a flex play.
He has 34 touchdown receptions during his nine-year career, and had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2009 and 2010. After the emergence of Dez Bryant, Austin took a backseat in Dallas’s offense, and his injuries kept him off of the field.
Austin does have the talent to be a NFL receiver, and if he lands on the right team he’ll get some good looks as long as he’s on the field.
4. Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers
We’ll be waiting a while on this one, but when Finley finally finds a home he could be an every-week fantasy tight end.
According to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the former Packer could be at least two months away from being healthy enough to sign with a team. Seattle wanted to sign him, but Finley was unable to pass the physical.
Like Austin, if Finley finds the right team he could get back to fantasy relevance. In 2011, Finley had 767 yards and eight touchdowns, and two years ago he recorded 667 yards.
Finley has a serious history of injury, but the Seahawks would be a great team for him. With their current roster, Finley would be the top receiving option almost immediately. After losing Sidney Rice and Golden Tate, Seattle is left with no one to catch the ball besides tight end Zach Miller.
With the right team and the right amount of recovery to actually pass a physical, Finley deserves consideration as a top 15 fantasy tight end.
3. LeGarrette Blount, RB, New England Patriots
In terms of fantasy, Blount’s numbers aren’t great. But people forget that he has only been in the league for four seasons, and he has tremendous upside in terms of fantasy value because of his ability to punch the ball in near the goal line.
He has 20 touchdowns in his four years, and most recently scored seven with the Patriots even before his big postseason when he scored four more. In his rookie year with Tampa Bay, Blount was even a 1,000-yard rusher.
As of Saturday, the Steelers, Patriots and Ravens are all interested in bringing in the bruising back, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.
In terms of real football, it makes the most sense for Blount to return to the Patriots where he had success behind their offensive line and he could carry the goal line duties with Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley carrying the majority of the load.
However, Pittsburgh and Baltimore would both be better fantasy landing spots for Blount. Ray Rice’s situation is still up in the air, because the results of his criminal case regarding the incident between he and his fiancé, and Blount would get the majority of the carries with Bernard Pierce spelling if Rice were to be suspended.
Blount could also be a flex play if he lands in Pittsburgh. Le'Veon Bell seems to be competent back, but Blount’s harsh running style fits the typical Steeler mode for a back, and he would definitely get the majority of the goal line carries in that offense.
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s really unfair how far Jones-Drew has fallen in this free agency class because of his unfortunate situation in Jacksonville. He never got any major exposure because of how bad the team was, but he ripped off three-consecutive 1,000-yard seasons between 2009 and 2011, and even picked up 803 yards and five touchdowns this season.
The New York Jets, Patriots, Dolphins and Steelers are all interested in him, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
From a fantasy and a football perspective, the Jets and Dolphins would be the best for Jones-Drew. In both locales, he would immediately be the No. 1 rushing option, which is pure gold for fantasy running backs.
Age can be a concern for the nine-year veteran, who just turned 29 on Sunday, but his worst year in the NFL was a 414-yard season when he appeared in just six games.
He would just be buried on New England’s depth chart, but if he lands on a team that needs a top rusher, Jones-Drew should be considered a top 15 fantasy back.
1. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
Moreno is still on the market, which is surprising and unsurprising at the same time. Although he is coming off the first 1,000-yard season of his career, his health is a red flag for every NFL team.
The Miami Dolphins are the only team interested in signing Moreno, according to James Walker of ESPN, but the Broncos have still not ruled out bringing him back.
Despite only playing in all 16 games in just two out of his first four years in the league, Moreno gets the top spot on this list because of his upside.
Even when he didn’t have Peyton Manning at quarterback, he ran for 947 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie year, and since then, he has scored 26 all-purpose touchdowns.
This year in Denver, Moreno displayed his ability as a pass catcher as well, pulling down 60 balls for 548 yards. Both Miami and Denver would be fine landing spots for Moreno (but Montee Ball owners in dynasty leagues will be hoping he leaves the Broncos) and on either team, he’d likely get the majority of the work.
The injuries are obviously a concern, but Moreno was the fifth-best running back in football in terms of overall fantasy points this season, and you just can’t overlook that.