The NFL Free Agency has brought forth many moves over the past couple of days. Some big players are making moves that will potentially boost their fantasy value while others may be making moves that cost fantasy owners this year. Here are some of the top free agent moves and fantasy impacts we can expect in 2015.
Nick Foles, Quarterback, St. Louis Rams
In an unusual quarterback for quarterback trade, Foles has found himself in St. Louis presumably starting for the Rams. While the Rams may see improvement at the quarterback position, fantasy drafters of Foles should be concerned in 2015. The top Rams wide receiver, Kenny Britt, ranked 46th in receiving yards with 813 and scored only three touchdowns from 2014. If this is the best option Foles has at receiver in 2015, his fantasy value is going to decline.
Foles struggled to achieve a QB2 fantasy status last season (prior to his injury) with much better receivers at his disposal. His move to St. Louis will not do anything to improve his stats in 2015.
LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Buffalo Bills
Another surprising trade landed former Eagles running back McCoy in Buffalo last week. This move might actually see McCoy producing closer to what he accomplished in his 2013 season. Unfortunately, McCoy found himself part of a running back committee all season long in 2014 and his fantasy numbers took a tumble along with his touchdown production.
We can be sure the Bills will want to utilize their major acquisition in McCoy to the fullest, which could have him rebounding back into the top five fantasy running backs for 2015. While the presence of fellow back Fred Jackson still looms, he likely will inherit the change of pace roll while McCoy handles the bulk of the load.
Frank Gore, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts
Gore was productive as a member of the 49ers, and his level of performance should not taper off at all as he transfers his skills to the Indianapolis Colts. Much needed in the Colts’ offense, Gore should be a nearly every down back as long as his health prevails. Coming off of 10 years with the 49ers, Gore maintained an average of 4.5 yards per carry.
Quarterback Andrew Luck will now have a trusty source in Gore to hand the ball off when under pressure. Look for Gore to remain a strong RB2 fantasy option in 2015.
Jeremy Maclin, Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
Maclin ranked within the top 10 receivers in fantasy points in 2014. This is not going to be the case for Maclin in 2015 playing in Kansas City under quarterback Alex Smith. Where Smith may see a boost in his numbers due to the presence of Maclin, owners of Maclin will not see the type of production he put up last season with the Eagles.
Smith consistently struggles in connecting accurately with his wideouts as indicated by none of them scoring touchdowns last season. Maclin is an improvement overall at the receiver position and will score, but it won’t be the 10 touchdowns he made in 2014. Maclin should be worthy of drafting as a WR3 with upside in 2015.
Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts
Finally! Poor Johnson gets a fantasy relevant quarterback to catch passes from in 2015. Luck, who ranked second overall among his fellow quarterbacks in 2014 should do wonders for Johnson’s fantasy value this season. Johnson slipped down the ranks to 41 in 2014 posting 936 yards but only three touchdowns. His production is bound to improve if he stays heavily involved in the Colts’ offense lined up opposite T.Y. Hilton.
Look for Johnson to move up several notches in 2015 making him a trustworthy WR2 to draft for your team.
Jimmy Graham, Tight End, Seattle Seahawks
Graham moving to Seattle makes for an intriguing fantasy option since the Seahawks run the ball quite a bit more than the New Orleans Saints did. However, with the addition of Graham to the Seahawks, he should still present quite the red zone threat as he clearly will be Russell Wilson’s top receiving option.
Where Graham ranked third overall in fantasy points in 2014 tallying up 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, we should still find him ranked within the top five as he starts his career in Seattle. Graham is definitely a must-draft tight end moving forth working with such a powerful team.
Julius Thomas, Tight End, Jacksonville Jaguars
Clearly Thomas went to the team who was willing to offer him the money he could not get from the Denver Broncos. What will not be offered is a whole lot of fantasy points from Thomas in 2015. Not to discredit second-year quarterback Blake Bortles, but Thomas leaving the fourth-ranked Peyton Manning to catch passes from the 24th-ranked quarterback from last season is going to cause his fantasy points to suffer.
Thomas’ transition from teams is kind of like going shopping at Nordstrom then shopping at Wal-Mart. The quality of the goods will go down. Thomas is worth owning in 2015, but definitely not worth reaching for as a fantasy tight end this season.