NFL 2020’s free agency period is nearing the end. And while there are some stellar men who have yet to be given that lucrative contract, that will not stop me from judging those who have. By judging of course that means ranking the best fantasy prospects after free agency.
It’s not always about the best but who lands or stays in the best situation.
QUARTERBACKS
2. Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts: Except for the number one pick at quarterback nobody else landed in a more fortuitous position. Rivers is reunited with Frank Reich and Nick Siranni. Reich is very familiar with Rivers, having been his quarterback coach and his offensive coordinator for two seasons.
Reich has said he has watched last season’s tape and he doesn’t believe Rivers’ skill set has diminished. Which is odd to the casual observer and the stat man. The observer witnessed Rivers tossing four interceptions against Kansas City Chiefs in a 17-24 loss. The stat woman saw his QBR drop from 105.5 in 2018 to 88.5 in 2019. He had 32 touchdown passes in 2018 and 23 in 2019; he also increased his total interceptions by 8 in 2019 (12 to 20).
But that was then and this is now. Rivers will be playing behind a much better offensive line. Pro Football Focus ranked the Colts offensive line as the third-best following the 2019 regular season, the Los Angeles Chargers were ranked 29th. Rivers also inherits a team that averaged 133.1 rushing yards per game, while escaping a team that averaged 90.8 rushing yards per game.
But what he gains in offensive line and rushing he is arguably losing in receiving weapons. Yes, the Colts ranked 30th in passing yards per game and 29th in completion percentage. TY Hilton cannot do it all by himself. Jack Doyle is okay but he is no Hunter Henry. And now they have Rivers.
So why should you bank on Rivers in fantasy this year?
Rivers is a fighter. He is on a team where the offensive coaches know his strengths and weaknesses, and they did more with less last season. Besides Hilton, Doyle and a player to be named in the draft should be enough.
Here is my caveat IF the Colts do no get another receiver all bets are off. Draft a Colts running back.
2. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: You know it was going to happen. Two aging quarterbacks bringing sexy back to fantasy football. There really needs to be no long dissertation on why TB12 should be on your fantasy roster.
So why should you believe?
The Weapons
- Chris Godwin, 2019 stats: 121 targets, 86 receptions, 1,333 yards, 15.5 yards/reception, 9 touchdowns
- Mike Evans, missed three games, 2019 stats: 118 targets, 67 receptions, 1,157 yards, 17.3 yards/reception, 8 touchdowns
- OJ Howard, Tight End, 2019 stats: 53 targets, 34 receptions, 459 yards, 13.5 yards/reception, 1 touchdown
These stats were acquired playing with a quarterback who threw 30 interceptions and finished the season with a 60.7% completion rate.
Okay, so Brady’s completion percentage was only .1 better! But the weapons…look at the weapons!!!
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Wide Receivers
2. Emmanuel Sanders, New Orleans Saints: With all the attention focused on Michael Thomas, Sanders is now one of the best number two receivers in the league. His route running is impeccable and somehow you know that is something Drew Brees respects and will reward.
- DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals: You think it was impressive that Kliff Kingsbury was paired with Kyler Murray? It is almost mind-boggling what is going to happen to the NFL version of the Air Raid now with Hopkins in the fold. Murray, Hopkins, out of the backfield Kenyan Drake and oh yeah future HOF Larry Fitzgerald out of the slot. It just doesn’t seem fair. Someone in the Cardinals organization needs to send Bill O’Brien a thank you bouquet.
Running Backs
2. Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals: See above reference. In 2019 when Drake was with the Miami Dolphins he averaged 3.7 yards per carry with zero touchdowns. Then he got traded to the Cardinals, where he averaged 5.2 yards per carry with eight touchdowns. And he didn’t have Hopkins for defenses to worry about.
- Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans: The rushing leader from last year will go without right tackle Jack Conklin. Still think he might make a run for it. But for Conklin, the Titans have managed to keep their offense mostly in-tact. Henry will start slow but he will finish strong for you again.
Tight Ends
2. Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers: If and that is a big IF, Hunter can stay healthy he will be a top-five tight end regardless of who the Chargers put under center. Just think of it this way, Henry is a check-down option which we might be seeing a lot of from the Chargers this season. With his size, he is also a threat in the red zone, which we might not be seeing a lot of, but when we do, it will most likely be Henry.
- Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns: There is no question that Hooper is good. There is also no question that new head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense is very good for tight ends. His two-tight end sets and play-action passes speak well for Hooper, especially since we have seen very little good from David Njoku.
Kickers
- Greg Zuerlein, Dallas Cowboys: I am going to quote Rick Eisen (which I never do) “Kickers are people too”. And if your league still uses kickers in their line-ups, well Zuerlein is definitely worth a draft pick. For all of you who are currently losing your minds…I didn’t say draft high, I just said draft him for your kicker. In the last three years, Zuerlein has averaged 12.1 (2017), 11.3 (2018), and 7.8 (2019) fantasy football points. Not bad for a kicker.
Cornerbacks
2. James Bradberry, New York Giants: Giants defense ranked 29th in 2019. Bradberry did not have a great year last year which makes one wonder why the Giants paid so much for him. Nevertheless, you aren’t going to draft him high but draft him. He is with the Giants and this is all about opportunity.
- Chris Harris Jr., Los Angeles Chargers: Harris has taken his talents…not very far. Stayed in the same division just moved a little further west. And he now joins a defense that allowed the third-highest completion percentage, while ranking ninth in the league in the percentage of targets that resulted in a first down or touchdowns (35.3%).
It’s not for a lack of talent. With Casey Hayward, Derwin James and Desmond King all patrolling the secondary, Harris Jr., should get to go back to covering the slot, where he excels.
Safeties
2. Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings: Harris had a great year last year. He tied the league in interceptions with six. He also collected 60 total tackles, 11 passes defended, one fumble recovery and one interception returned for a touchdown. The Vikings retained his services, so should you.
- Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos: The trouble with fantasy and drafting a good corner or safety is that opposing offenses don’t throw to that side of the field. Pretty soon offenses are going to start getting smart about Simmons.
Even if that does happen, Simmons is on the fantasy must-have list. Last season he was on the field for every defensive snap. He had 93 total tackles, four interceptions and 15 pass deflections. But what is most important he was on the field for every play…opportunity is fantasy football’s best friend.
Linebackers
2. Nick Kwiatkoski, Los Vegas Raiders
- Corey Littleton, Los Vegas Raiders
This is a twofer. The Raiders linebackers last season were not good. With two strokes in free agency, they are so much better. Kwiatkoski was back-up last year for the Chicago Bears and he amassed three sacks, one interception and 76 tackles. Littleton will fit nicely in the 4-3 scheme the Raiders will play. If I had to chose it would be Kwiatkoski. But you can’t go wrong with either.
Stay healthy and get your fantasy on!
Come talk at me on Twitter @neverenoughglt
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