New faces are popping up in several new places due to an extremely active NFL free agency season. The moves of players to different teams can certainly impact their fantasy production either positively or negatively moving towards the 2015 season. Here is a look at some fantasy forecasts for players suiting up with new teams this year.
Nick Foles, Quarterback, St. Louis Rams
Foles picked up fantasy speed in his 2013 season after he resumed the starting role for the Philadelphia Eagles, throwing for 27 touchdowns to his two interceptions. With that, he was all the hype to draft in 2014 before he settled into rewarding middling fantasy numbers then endured a season-ending injury.
In 2015, we will see Foles starting for the Rams. At least that is the story for now. However, just because the Rams traded for him and apparently trust him as their starter, that does not mean he makes for optimal fantasy material. The best wide receiver the Rams produced last season was Kenny Britt, who ranked 51st in fantasy points. If this is Foles’ top option in the receiving unit moving forward his fantasy numbers will suffer. Hope the Rams to beef up their receivers if Foles is in your fantasy forecast.
Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers
Newly signed with the 49ers, do not think of Smith as taking on the role of or performing like Michael Crabtree did last season. Smith, playing opposite veteran Anquan Boldin should be extremely productive in 2015. Ranking at 19th overall in fantasy points in 2014, Smith only had 767 yards, however, his 11 touchdowns is where he excelled.
Smith, who has averaged 16.9 yards per catch over his four-year career, will take his deep catching talents to his new team in 2015 where he should still be plenty threatening in the red zone. Look for Smith to be a reliable WR2 to draft for the upcoming fantasy season.
Jeremy Maclin, Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
Maclin was a reliable WR1 for nearly all of the 2014 season where he totaled 1,318 receiving yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Hopefully everyone who owned him last year relished in his fantasy success, because playing under quarterback Alex Smith will take him down some notches in 2015.
Maclin is now playing with a team where not one wide receiver scored a touchdown last year. The receivers definitely can be faulted, but so can Smith, who failed the task. Maclin may boost Smith’s fantasy value, but his own will suffer making him WR3 material in 2015.
Brandon Marshall, Wide Receiver, New York Jets
Marshall transitioning to catching from Geno Smith instead of a sub-par Jay Cutler from last year is kind of like being offered broccoli or peas for dessert. Neither is appealing and we wish there were other choices.
In his past seasons, Marshall put up stellar numbers. However, 2014 was a stumbling year for the veteran due to injuries and lack of connection with Cutler. It is totally possible Marshall could actually finish above his 2014 34th fantasy ranking playing opposite of Smith. Although to draft Marshall hoping for his top-five fantasy stats from years’ past would be a lot ambitious. Draft Marshall as a flex who may possibly surprise with some upside in 2015.
DeMarco Murray, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles
Murray was the last major free agency signing when he decided that the Eagles would be his new home moving forward. For that, he will be an asset in Philly and will be a major loss to the Cowboys. Murray could also be a loss to fantasy owners who think that another 1,845 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns will happen this season.
The Eagles also signed running back Ryan Mathews to the squad and currently have their powerful goal line vulture Darren Sproles on the roster. In order to keep their $40 million investment healthy for five years, the team won’t pound the stuffing out of Murray like the Cowboys did. He will get his fair share of work, however Mathews was signed on to the team for a reason. Look for some timesharing, including fantasy point-sharing to occur between Murray and his fellow backs this fall.
C.J. Spiller, Running Back, New Orleans Saints
The signing of Spiller to the Saints was an interesting move that does not really improve Spiller’s chances at excelling as a fantasy running back in 2015. Trapped in a running back by committee situation while playing for the Buffalo Bills, Spiller will find himself splitting carries with Mark Ingram, who the team surprisingly was able to re-sign. There is also third-year running back Khiry Robinson, who will be thrown into the mix every now and then.
The Saints also throw the ball much more than Buffalo did, so Spiller’s value approaching the 2015 fantasy season settles right around a RB3 with upside if he earns a bigger role.
Reggie Bush, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers
In another free agency move that does not appear to benefit potential fantasy drafters was the signing of Bush to the 49ers. Coming off of a terrible 2014 fantasy season where one injury after another bogged him down, Bush put out his second-to-the-lowest stats of his career. Only managing 297 rushing yards and two touchdowns had most owners of Bush either benching him or sending him to the waivers last year.
Likely to compete for the starting job with second-year running back Carlos Hyde, Bush is going to struggle trying to convince the 49ers he can accomplish anything near to what former running back Frank Gore did in his brilliant run with the team. Bush should only be targeted in PPR formats as he does add value to the backfield where he can accumulate some receiving yards. Other than that, Bush does not boast high appeal as a 2015 fantasy option.
Charles Clay, Tight End, Buffalo Bills
Clay was offered a massive deal to the tune of $38 million for five years to play in Buffalo. If the Miami Dolphins do not want to fork over the money to match the deal, the tight end will be suiting up in red, white and blue in 2015.
However, just because Clay will rank right up there in pay with the likes of Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, that does not mean his 2015 fantasy stats will be anything close to these elites. Clay will likely be slated to do a whole lot of blocking which does not earn fantasy points unfortunately. Additionally, consider the quarterback source. We do not even know who will be starting in Buffalo this year. One thing that is for certain is it will not be a high-caliber quarterback like Gronk or Graham play for in 2015. Leave Clay, who is likely to slide from his 2014, 16th fantasy ranking from last year, to your teammates this season.