Fantasy: Analysis and projections from 2nd day of free agency
The second day of the NFL's legal tampering window featured several offensive moves with important fantasy implications.
Let's take a look at all the notable skill-position signings from Tuesday - and what they mean for fantasy owners.
Bills sign WR Emmanuel SandersContract: 1 year, $6 million
The Bills didn't waste any time finding a replacement for John Brown.
With the addition of 34-year-old Sanders, Buffalo has a new veteran hedge in case sophomore Gabriel Davis struggles in a bigger role alongside Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley. And if Davis picks up where he left off after scoring seven touchdowns during his rookie season, then Sanders will provide depth and give the Bills one of the best four-receiver sets in the NFL.
Investing in pieces of the Bills' passing attack has become a smart play in fantasy, but Sanders would need multiple injuries to strike the receiving corps before he re-emerged as a consistent producer. Be wary of the former star who's well past his prime.
What you should do, is use this opportunity to buy low on Davis, who looked more than comfortable when thrust into the starting lineup last year. It's also another reason to feel good about Josh Allen's fantasy outlook.
Sanders' 2021 projection (16 games): 45 receptions, 535 receiving yards, 4 TDs
Bears sign QB Andy DaltonContract: 1 year, $10 million
This is not what Bears fans had in mind when the team elected to move on from Mitch Trubisky. Trade rumors connecting the club to Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson have failed to materialize, and now Dalton has a good shot to be under center for Chicago in Week 1.
While Dalton proved he can deliver adequate quarterback play, he's not the savior the Bears need at the position. His arrival is only a slight upgrade on Trubisky and Nick Foles - the latter of which Dalton's set to compete against in camp.
Wideouts Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, and Cole Kmet are no better off today than they were last season. And while Robinson has repeatedly shown he can produce with subpar talent throwing him the ball, this has to be disheartening for him.
It's still possible Robinson refuses to sign his franchise tag and demands a trade. If this underwhelming acquisition doesn't force him to that point, it's hard to imagine what will.
As for Dalton, he's barely worth your consideration as a fringe QB2 and will likely struggle to hold on to the job in the same way Trubisky and Foles did.
Dalton's 2021 projection (13 starts): 3,206 passing yards, 17 TDs, 13 INTs
29 carries, 119 rushing yards, 1 TD, 2 FUMs
Contract: 2 years, $14.5 million
Jones might be the most intriguing signing that occurred on Tuesday, but his value in Jacksonville will come down to how he fits into an already promising group of receivers.
D.J. Chark and Laviska Shenault are locked into their roles in the offense, and at this stage of Jones' career, it's evident he's best cast as supporting talent. Though he could skim targets and red-zone opportunities from his younger teammates, a player like second-year wideout Collin Johnson will be the one most impacted.
Jones' familiarity with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell - dating back to their time together in Detroit - should make this a seamless transition. Over the last two seasons under Bevell, Jones put up stat lines of 62-779-9 and 76-978-9.
The real winner here might be incoming quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who will have an outstanding set of receivers to work with in his debut campaign. With this group surrounding him, Lawrence could challenge for top-15 fantasy numbers as a rookie.
Jones' 2021 projection (16 starts): 59 receptions, 754 receiving yards, 6 TDs
Patriots sign TE Hunter HenryContract: 3 years, $37.5 million
Bill Belichick clearly didn't like the experience of his first losing season since 2000. New England was the most aggressive team on the opening day of the legal tampering period and continued its spending spree on Tuesday by agreeing to a deal with Henry.
This move might be the most surprising of all, since the Pats had already come to terms with Jonnu Smith on a four-year, $50-million contract. Now, New England comes away with the top two tight ends available in free agency, as well as the additions of Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne at receiver.
Everyone will point to the two tight end offense that New England ran with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and try to draw comparisons, but these are far different situations. Based on what we saw from 31-year-old Cam Newton last season, the expectations for this passing attack need to be kept in check.
That's unfortunate news for Henry and Smith, who are both capable of being TE1s in fantasy if featured as a primary weapon. As a tandem in this scenario, the odds are against either player being a consistent fantasy starter. Consider them TE2s with the potential for more if Newton makes a big jump in his second season working with coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Henry's 2021 projection (16 starts): 45 receptions, 463 receiving yards, 3 TDs
Texans sign QB Tyrod TaylorContract: 1 year, $12.5 million
We haven't praised the Texans' organization for much in the last couple years, but the signing of Taylor is a smart decision. With no end in sight for the standoff between the front office and Deshaun Watson, Taylor provides the team with an insurance policy in the event a trade eventually happens.
Although circumstances prevented him from showing what he was capable of with the Chargers last season, Taylor is a dual-threat talent, a strong veteran presence, and a smart quarterback who rarely turns the ball over.
The 31-year-old would be an ideal bridge quarterback for a franchise looking to press the reset button.
If Watson ends up elsewhere, Taylor will be in the conversation as a low-end starting option in 2QB and Superflex leagues.
Taylor's 2021 projection: Will serve as backup, unless Watson is traded
Giants sign WR John RossContract: 1 year, $2.5 million
The ninth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft is running out of chances to salvage his NFL career.
Aside from a few brief flashes, Ross has mostly been invisible as a pro and he'll have to hope a fresh start with a new team can help channel his 4.22 speed into something impactful on the field.
The Giants could certainly use another wideout to pair with fellow field-stretcher Darius Slayton and solid slot receiver Sterling Shepard. Ross' chances of finding success in New York still remain slim.
Ross' 2021 projection (16 games): 27 receptions, 348 receiving yards, 2 TDs
Chiefs keep RB Darrel Williams, cut Damien WilliamsContract: 1 year, $2.5 million
Damien Williams could have easily been named the MVP of Super Bowl LIV with 133 yards on 21 touches and two touchdowns. However, since then, it's all been downhill for his fantasy outlook.
The Chiefs used a first-round pick on his replacement Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Williams eventually opted out of the 2020 season. In his absence, Darrel Williams showcased his skills and emerged as a solid backup in Andy Reid's system.
That brings us to Tuesday when the Chiefs released Damien and brought back Darrel. Normally we wouldn't spend too much time on backup running backs, but since this is Kansas City's offense, it's worth noting.
If CEH gets hurt, Darrel Williams could be this year's Mike Davis. So keep his name in mind for all your drafts, regardless of the format.
Darrel Williams' 2021 projection (16 games): 79 carries, 338 rushing yards, 3 TDs
26 receptions, 169 receiving yards, 1 TD
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