Fantasy: 3 free agents set to surprise with new teams

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In an effort to get ahead of the curve before free agency, let's examine three players who will see their fantasy value expand once they sign with new teams.

Robby AndersonJim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Anderson has been a frustrating fantasy asset over the last two campaigns, albeit one whose late-season play has helped many owners win titles.

After finishing 2017 as a top-20 fantasy wideout with 63 receptions, 941 yards, and seven touchdowns, Anderson struggled during the early portions of the last two seasons while Sam Darnold missed time due to injury. He recaptured his fantasy mojo in both years once Darnold returned down the stretch, though, posting top-20 numbers from Weeks 11-16.

It now seems Anderson will be looking for work on the open market after being vocal about denying the Jets any sort of hometown discount. With Amari Cooper and A.J. Green both expected to return to their current squads, the 26-year-old could be the top free-agent option for receiver-needy teams.

That could put Anderson on the radar for the Cardinals and Raiders, two squads that lack proven No. 1 pass-catchers on the outside and thus offer high upside in terms of targets. Though that would be great news from a volume standpoint, a team like the Packers could also make a push for his services in an effort to give Aaron Rodgers a more dangerous deep threat to pair with Davante Adams. And what Green Bay lacks in opportunity, it would make up for in efficiency, offering Anderson a chance to play in a quality offense led by one of the game's best quarterbacks.

Until we know his next destination, Anderson will remain an intriguing buy-low candidate, one who's flashed week-winning upside but whose talent has yet to be truly unlocked in the pros.

Ideal fantasy landing spots: Cardinals, Packers, Raiders

Jameis WinstonJulio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The general perception of Winston is low after he failed to get the Buccaneers into the playoffs for a fifth straight season while tossing a career-high 30 interceptions in 2019.

He also underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in February, and several reporters have suggested the Bucs are now ready to move on from the former first overall pick.

But the 26-year-old quarterback has been wildly underappreciated to this point in his career; he's coming off a year in which he threw for 5,109 yards - the eighth-highest single-season total in league history.

That leaves him with 19,737 passing yards over his first five NFL seasons, second only to Peyton Manning, who enjoyed 10 more starts in his opening five campaigns. In fact, Winston's early-career numbers compare quite favorably to Manning's, including a lower interception total:

Stat over first five NFL seasons	Manning	Winston
Cmp%	62.09	61.34
Pass Yds	20618	19737
TD	138	121
INT	100	88
Pick-6	10	11
TD%	4.9	4.7
INT%	3.55	3.45
Rush Yds	-37	1044

No one's arguing that Winston should be viewed in the same light as a future Hall of Famer, but perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to write off a passer who's still in his mid-twenties.

Has Winston been aided by an outstanding receiving corps featuring two of the top 10 wideouts in the league? Absolutely. But it's possible a fresh start with a new organization could help him mature into a more stabilizing offensive commander. A few teams, such as the Chargers and Dolphins, are loaded with strong passing weapons but are in desperate need of a franchise arm.

Winston also had offseason eye surgery, and while it may sound silly, that procedure could impact on his on-field performance. His constant squinting to watch replays on in-stadium video boards last season seemed odd, and it may have been evidence of a larger issue with his downfield vision. Improved eyesight could help him react quicker to defensive backs closing in on targets, potentially preventing some of the costly interceptions that plagued his stat lines on a weekly basis last year.

At worst, you're betting on a player who led the NFL in passing yards and finished second in passing touchdowns in 2019, just three scores behind fantasy darling Lamar Jackson.

In the right situation, Winston could author a more successful second chapter in his NFL story, repeating last season's top-five fantasy finish for many years to come.

Ideal fantasy landing spots: Chargers, Dolphins, Colts

Jordan HowardRob Carr / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Fantasy managers have soured on Howard's value. His overall numbers have declined in four straight years following an outstanding debut season that saw him amass 1,313 rushing yards, 298 receiving yards, and seven total touchdowns. But that doesn't mean he hasn't been a useful starter.

Howard eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his first three seasons prior to an injury-shortened 2019, and he's scored at least seven touchdowns in all four of his NFL campaigns.

You know who probably doesn't get enough love?
Jordan Howard
In PPR (his worst format)
2016 RB10
2017 RB14
2018 RB20
2019 RB20 (before he got hurt)

He'll still be 25 years old when the season starts.

- Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) February 7, 2020

Though Howard has expressed interest in staying with the Eagles, the presence of sophomore standout Miles Sanders might prompt Philly to go in a different direction.

When considering Howard's future, look no further than Carlos Hyde - a similarly limited pass-catcher out of the backfield who produced solid numbers with the 49ers before finally reaching the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time as a member of the Texans last season.

Hyde, 29, is an impending free agent himself, meaning Houston could make an excellent next stop for the younger and more accomplished Howard. With Duke Johnson handling receiving duties, Howard could step right into the early-down role that allowed Hyde to deliver low-end RB2 fantasy stats in 2019.

With Derrick Henry, Melvin Gordon, and Kenyan Drake looking for big-money deals in free agency, Howard's new club will be one that wisely elects not to invest significant cap space in the running back position. It might take some time for him to find a home.

Be patient. Depending on where he ends up, Howard could be a steal for any fantasy owner who takes a chance on him.

Ideal fantasy landing spots: Texans, Falcons, Buccaneers

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