It seems I incorporate some sort of confession into many of my columns. So sue me.

Today’s confession involves the reality television program Wife Swap. Just in case you don’t about this show, here’s a quick overview. Because, after all, there is so much more than just fantasy football information we provide.

The general thrust of the program centered around taking two families, usually from contrasting lifestyles, differing social classes and diverse lifestyles, and literally swapping the wives / mothers for a two week period. The show “deliberately swapped wives with dramatically different lifestyles, such as a messy wife swapping with a fastidiously neat one, documenting the cultural and social differences that the two families discover with the new family member.” **

And now for the full disclosure. You may or may not recall that when the U.S. version of the show was first being touted, nearly all the television and print advertisements—at least the ones I recall seeing—purposely left a great deal to the imagination; the ads were essentially image-less teases, playing solely off those two words Wife Swap, and leaving entirely too much to the male imagination.

Along with, oh, 30 million other men in this country, my mind obviously went somewhere other than seeing some farming community, home-schooling, stay-at-home mom from Arkansas swapping lives with an uber eccentric, career-minded Manhattan society wife.

Yes, I wondered how network television was going to chronicle the exploits of two couples, essentially practicing the risqué practice of swinging. Yes, I just said that. And, no, I’m not inserting some sort of sage sports columnist baseball reference here to tie swinging back to sports or anything; perhaps I should, to keep this story from going completely off the rails or from getting fired.

Now I know you’re wondering where I’m headed with this. I need to reel this back in, certainly. All I’m saying is that there are times when a change of scenery is a good thing … a needed kick in the butt, if you will. If you watched Wife Swap at all, it could be argued there were times one of the wives thrived in different surroundings.

So, too, will likely be said of some NFL players heading into the 2014 season. Free agency looms next month with a vast vault of players looking for new contracts. With that comes the strong possibility of staring potential new teams square in the face.

Today, we’ll take a look at a handful of skill position players—who are presently unrestricted free agents—along with some potentially fun, interesting, or even outlandish scenarios that could pit them with new teams, in terms of fantasy relevancy and value. They are separated by position below, followed by their current team.

Quarterbacks

Josh McCown, Chicago Bears

When McCown filled in admirably for the injured Jay Cutler for roughly seven games this year, all he did was account for nearly 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. Granted, he had a cast that included big play receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

Let’s say McCown does leave Chicago. One scenario that might be interesting is in Jacksonville where the combination of Chad Henne and Blaine Gabbert hasn’t set the world on fire. The Jags have two young, play-making receivers in Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon.

New offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch has worked under the likes of offensive minds Mike Shanahan and Brian Billick. And besides, Josh’s brother Luke McCown is in Jacksonville, so perhaps a little sibling rivalry will be good for business?  Get your money now, Josh.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick has made himself quite the lightning rod to society over the past few years, now hasn’t he? Yeah, you may have heard. Yet, his freakish athletic skills are undeniable.

Vick was as much a foreshadowing to many of the dual threat quarterbacks the NFL is seeing today, as any quarterback since Randall Cunningham. Would it be fun to see Vick spout off more 40 yard “woop woop woop” runs up and down, and all around the field, circa 2002 as a Falcon? Absolutely.

Will his soon-to-be 35 year old legs have anything left? Only time will tell, but it might be interesting if Vick ended up in a place like Arizona. Can you imagine the athletes the Cardinals could put on the field at one time? Vick, the explosive Andre Ellington, veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and big-play threat Michael Floyd. Wow. That’s some “woop woop woop,” I’m telling you.

Running Backs

Ben Tate, Houston Texans

Coming into the 2013 season, many pundits predicted Tate might just begin cutting into Arian Foster’s time and carries. That he did! Oh wait, Foster got hurt and played only seven games, opening a very wide door for Tate.

Meanwhile, he played most of 13 games, racking up around 900 total yards and four scores. If Tatee were to leave Houston, a team like Cleveland could make total sense.

New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan shares many of the same offensive run game philosophies with departed Texans coach and offensive guru Gary Kubiak, featuring a zone blocking, cut-back scheme. The Browns run game was nonexistent, to put it nicely, for most of the year. 

And, can you imagine a solid run game to go along with the golden boy Josh Gordon? Surely defenses wouldn’t stack the box. Surely. Ben Tate to Cleveland? Look out, AFC North.  

Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos

We all know his tear ducts work. We also know he wins at games of rock, paper, scissors. And Bronco fans know he was a glue and security blanket for Peyton Manning this year. He thrived in the Denver no-huddle-but-not-quite-hurry-up offense, mastering all three phases of a back’s must-have tools: rushing, receiving and blocking/picking up the blitz.

Call me crazy here, but I could see Moreno head off to land in Tom Brady’s toolbox next year. Humor me on this for just a moment. None of the New England backs really seemed to retain a grip on the starting job this year. Coach Belichick loves smart players with veteran leadership.

Why not? Stranger things have happened. Like Belichick going from a balanced offense, to a wide receiver pass happy offense, to tight end heavy offense to a scatback receiver offense this year. Why not mock what Peyton does with that Denver offense a bit? You know Tom Terrific would be up for it. Right? Who’s with me?

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Just go with me for a moment. Let’s all acknowledge McFadden’s talent. Yes, I will give on his propensity for injury. But, as I said, go with me. Where did Reggie Bush go after he left New Orleans? Which organization launched the Wildcat offense? Where did Ricky Williams go after HIS Saints debacle? Who has a party every year when the last NFL team loses, thus allowing the Dolphins to remain the only undefeated team in NFL history?

Where did Lebron James choose to win multiple NBA championships? Yes, South Beach and the Miami Dolphins. OK. None of those items have a damn thing to do with McFadden going to the Dolphins. Yet, for some reason, I wouldn’t be shocked if he did. He needs a fresh start.

They need more firepower. If he can possibly stay healthy, he’d certainly add another dimension to the offense. New offensive coordinator Bill Lazor has worked under legendary coaches Dan Reeves and Joe Gibbs.

Does that mean Run DMC can revitalize himself to become Terrell Davis or John Riggins? Um, doubtful. But go with me. It just might be fun to see more new Wildcat from the old Razorback.

Wide Receivers

Eric Decker, Denver Broncos

Easily the sexiest wide receiver option on this list—wow I must be careful how I reference Mrs. Jesse James here—Decker has the skill set, and pedigree to be a difference maker.

Just reference his week 13 four touchdown explosion. The guy caught 87 balls for 1,200 yards. Yes, it was Peyton Manning throwing to him; but he also had Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker and Julius Thomas to compete with.

So, given the right scenario … say, in Minnesota, where he doesn’t have to be the clear-cut number one offensive talent, I can see him thriving. The Vikings have a solid running attack (understatement of the year candidate!), as well as an explosive threat in young Cordarrelle Patterson, to ease some pressure.

Besides, it would be a homecoming of sorts, as played collegiately as a Golden Gopher from the University of Minnesota. The obvious downside is being every farther away from Hollywood. Sorry, Jesse.

Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles

Before missing the entire 2013 season with a torn ACL, Maclin averaged 64 catches, 863 yards and over six touchdowns each season. Are these numbers to break the bank for? Obviously not. But do you think Lions fans would love to have a dependable second receiver across the field from some guy they call Megatron? Calvin Johnson gets more attention on the field than a swimsuit model at a plumber’s convention.

Admittedly, I liked Maclin coming out of Missouri, drafting him in several leagues his first year. And admittedly, he’s not knocked it out of the park. He’s played alongside DeSean Jackson the whole time, with DJax typically remaining the deep, big-play threat.

If Maclin can regain health, a place like Detroit just might be a nice fit—for both Maclin as well as Detroit. And the swimsuit model can be left alone a wee bit.

Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

You know someone will take a chance on Nicks. He’s got great hands. His track record says he’s a No. 1 receiver. While playing in New York for five years, he put up decent—if not potentially inflated—numbers. Is this because he played in front of the New York media?

Perhaps, but he did score 24 touchdowns over his first three years in the league. I was going to insert Nicks to the Jets in this space, but I repeat, Nicks has played in the New York market his whole career. I wonder if Nicks in New York might be a poor fit?  

And, I know I’m profiling here, but wouldn’t it just be classic if the Raiders signed Nicks? No, he’s not the speedster they used to be known for signing. But that’s perhaps what makes this more a fit. They have those guys already, right? Why not get a solid, good-hands, red zone, possession sort of guy? If Al Davis was still around, this likely wouldn’t even be an option. But, this isn’t your father’s Raiders. I just hope they still want to just win, baby.

So, what’s your takeaway from reading this? Should you go buy Wife Swap on DVD for a marathon viewing? Um, no. If you’re looking for a couple of shows to watch, I’d  suggest Flight of the Conchords or Extras.

Just remember that a change of scenery can be all it takes to go from pit to pinnacle. Right, Lebron?