Fantasy: Early analysis of every move from 1st wave of free agency
- Will Antonio Brown still be an elite asset with the Raiders?
- DeSean Jackson answers the Eagles' need for speed
- Fantasy free-agent index
After a busy first day of legal tampering, several players have made their intentions known by agreeing to deals with new teams.
Let's take a look at all the notable skill-position signings from Monday and what they'll mean for fantasy owners.
Devin Funchess, WR, ColtsContract: 1 year, $13 million
Funchess was someone I highlighted as a receiver whose stock would likely rise in free agency, and his landing spot only emboldened my confidence. Last season, the 24-year-old's playing time was drastically reduced once the Carolina Panthers decided they weren't re-signing him. Prior to that, he put up 840 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2017 and was on pace for 997 yards and another eight touchdowns through the first six games of 2018. He's miscast when asked to be a No. 1 receiver, but Funchess can now thrive as a big-bodied scoring threat for Andrew Luck while playing alongside T.Y. Hilton. In this offense, Funchess has a WR3 ceiling with the potential to crack WR2 status if he can steal some of Eric Ebron's red-zone work, which should be expected.
Mike Davis, RB, Bears
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyContract: 2 years, $6 million
It's possible Davis to the Bears will eventually emerge as the most impactful signing on this list. Chicago's desire to upgrade from Jordan Howard has been well-documented, and the fourth-year back continues to be the subject of trade rumors. Meanwhile, Davis could presumably do a pretty good impersonation of Howard in this offense - which propelled the latter to top-20 fantasy numbers in the month of December - while Tarik Cohen continues to handle super-scatback duties. We won't know exactly where Davis stands until after the NFL draft, but he'll be someone worth targeting as a sleeper regardless of who else arrives in the Windy City.
Adam Humphries, WR, TitansContract: 4 years, $36 million
Chasing Humphries' 2018 production seems like a fool's errand. From Week 6 on - when Jameis Winston saw most of the starts for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Humphries was a top-16 fantasy receiver in all formats. However, that took place in a prolific passing offense under coordinator Todd Monken. The Titans haven't come anywhere close to being that dangerous through the air. At worst, Humphries will be a reliable dump-off option in the slot, but not someone to invest fantasy capital in until we see Marcus Mariota improve.
Tyler Kroft, TE, BillsContract: 3 years, $18.75 million
The Bills have a pair of project tight ends in Jason Croom and Logan Thomas, although neither has shown the consistency to be a weekly weapon for Josh Allen. Kroft has a similar resume, although his 42-catch, 404-yard, seven-touchdown 2017 season provides a glimmer of hope that the 26-year-old can develop into something more. For now, steer clear of the Bills' tight ends in fantasy unless you're throwing a dynasty dart.
Nick Foles, QB, Jaguars
Tim Bradbury / Getty Images Sport / GettyContract: 4 years, $88 million
In Philadelphia, Foles had the tough task of taking over for Carson Wentz when the star quarterback suffered injuries in each of the last two seasons. In Jacksonville, Foles has one of the easiest acts to follow after Blake Bortles held the team back year after year. No, Foles is not the savior he appeared to be at times with the Eagles, but he's capable of giving the Jaguars the steady play and leadership they've been missing. With a talented young lineup of receivers, Foles has top-20 fantasy QB upside, putting him in the streamer discussion. The more interesting storyline to follow will be which wideout he forms a connection with first. Dede Westbrook enters the offseason with the best chance among the Jaguars' receivers to break out.
Frank Gore, RB, BillsContract: 1 year, $2 million
The 35-year-old Gore joins a backfield with 30-year-old LeSean McCoy and 30-year-old Chris Ivory. And did we mention the trio will all celebrate birthdays before the start of the season? Gore's a player we all admire but don't want to own in fantasy. Even if injuries strike the depth chart, he won't occupy a spot on any of my rosters in 2019. Hopefully, the city of Buffalo doesn't push him toward an abrupt retirement as it did with Anquan Boldin and Vontae Davis.
Jesse James, TE, LionsContract: 4 years, $25 million
We knew the Lions were looking for tight end help after general manager Bob Quinn admitted as much after the season. James is an underrated player who had some big moments for the Steelers and is still only 24 years old, but he's still a long shot to be a fantasy option. The 6-foot-7, 261-pounder is a quality blocker who can contribute as a nice complement to a young pass-catcher like Michael Roberts or perhaps one of this year's top prospects like T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, or Irv Smith Jr.
Jamison Crowder, WR, Jets
Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyContract: 3 years, $28.5 million
The Jets were busy on Monday, coming to terms with Crowder and Josh Bellamy to help bolster a receiving corps that was mostly bare behind Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa last season. However, anyone who listens to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast knows I'm not the biggest Crowder fan, while his fit in New York seems questionable with Enunwa also primarily excelling from the slot. Crowder does offer a nice security blanket for second-year quarterback Sam Darnold, but it's hard to see him getting the kind of target share he'd require to be a fantasy starter. You should be looking for more upside - especially in the touchdown department - from your fantasy receivers.
C.J. Uzomah, TE, BengalsContract: 3 years, $18 million
Even with the Tylers - Eifert and Kroft - injured for most of 2018, Uzomah was unable to capitalize for fantasy owners. The 26-year-old topped 50 yards just once while making only three trips to the end zone. The Bengals likely value his blocking, which means they might still be in the market for a pass-catching tight end come draft weekend. Don't talk yourself into Uzomah as a deep sleeper.
Danny Amendola, WR, LionsContract: 1 year, $4.5 million
Though his most recent stop was in Miami, Amendola was one of several former Patriots who agreed to deals with the Lions on Monday. This is a decent real-life signing, as the team was in search of a slot receiver after sending Golden Tate packing at last year's trade deadline. However, Amendola has never eclipsed 700 yards in an NFL season, and with Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones on the outside, he won't accomplish the feat in Detroit, either.
Carlos Hyde, RB, Chiefs
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyContract: 1 year, $2.8 million
Hyde signing in Kansas City will be the catalyst for endless fantasy debates between now and the start of the season. After Kareem Hunt was released midway through 2018, Damien Williams was able to replicate most of the former star's production, leading to a two-year contract extension prior to Week 17 worth $8.1 million. Williams continued his strong play in the postseason and general manager Brett Veach said the starting job is his to lose in 2019.
Based on those comments and the terms of each deal, Hyde appears to be the backup, though some feel the veteran has a shot at stealing the lead role. He'll be one of the most coveted handcuffs in fantasy, needing only an injury or a bout of ineffectiveness from Williams to become a league-winner in the Chiefs' high-powered attack.
Dwayne Allen, TE, DolphinsContract: 2 years, $7 million
Once a promising fantasy tight end prospect during his early days with the Colts, Allen's spent the last two years being used primarily as a blocker in New England. That isn't likely to change with the Dolphins, who spent a second-round pick on Mike Gesicki just a year ago. Allen's well off the fantasy radar unless Gesicki gets injured or face-plants in his second season.
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