Last week, I profiled the top impending free agents for fantasy players to pay attention to. Now, I'm going to take that a step further and play matchmaker, pairing some of those free agents with dream-like landing spots. Of course, I'm no seer, so I really don't know if these will happen or be successful. If you disagree or think one of these players would be better off elsewhere, keep the conversation going and let me know on Twitter @AlexGelhar or message me on Facebook.
And without further ado, here are my dream free agent landing spots.
Alshon Jeffery goes to the Tennessee Titans
This could be moot if the Titans trade for Brandin Cooks, as has been rumored. I hope they don't, because I think Alshon Jeffery would be a much better fit for what the Titans need. Marcus Mariota needs a true No. 1 wide receiver, and that's what Jeffery is. A big, physical receiver who can also stretch the field in the passing attack, Jeffery would command attention and free things up for players like Rishard Matthews and Delanie Walker to move the chains. Acquiring Jeffery would boost the fantasy outlook for virtually every player in Tennessee.
Terrelle Pryor goes to the Philadelphia Eagles
I'd be cool with Terrelle Pryor staying in Cleveland, too, but why not pair him with Carson Wentz and head coach Doug Pederson? Wentz desperately needs an outside receiver capable of stretching the field, and Pryor enjoyed his breakout 2016 season while lining up out wide on 83 percent of his snaps. He's a physical freak who is still growing into the position, and could be a dangerous asset for an offensive mind like Doug Pederson.
DeSean Jackson goes to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers desperately need another dynamic pass-catcher opposite Mike Evans, and DeSean Jackson would be a perfect fit. His speed and after-the-catch ability would pair nicely with Evans' size and physical domination. Jameis Winston wouldn't have to funnel a million targets into Evans any more with DJax able to threaten opposing defenses at all levels of the field.
Latavius Murray goes to the Carolina Panthers
With so many talented running backs in the upcoming NFL Draft, Latavius Murray might have trouble finding as perfect of a home as he'd like. However, if the Panthers decide to sign a free agent instead of drafting a running back, Murray could be a solid option. He's a straight-line runner with great speed and power, so getting clearer running lanes out of zone-read plays with Cam Newton could serve him well. His average pass-catching ability won't be an issue either, as the Panthers don't prioritize targeting backs in the passing game.
Adrian Peterson goes to the Oakland Raiders
At this point in his career, Adrian Peterson is primarily a two-down back. If he wants to chase records and a title, he'd be wise to seek out a team like Oakland. The Raiders boast a mauling offensive line, potent passing offense led by an ascending quarterback, and have two skilled rotational backs (DeAndre Washington, Jalen Richard) to spell Peterson on third downs. Peterson would be in a great spot to rack up yardage and touchdowns in this high-scoring offense, as Latavius Murray received 17 rush attempts inside the 5-yard line last season.
LeGarrette Blount stays with the New England Patriots
Why ruin a good thing? LeGarrette Blount's best seasons have been in New England attached to high-scoring, Tom Brady-led offenses. Even if his volume takes a hit with James White and Dion Lewis healthy, his goal-line prowess will keep him fantasy viable.
Kenny Britt goes to the Baltimore Ravens
With Steve Smith retired, Kamar Aiken a free agent, Breshad Perriman still unproven, and Mike Wallace in the final year of his contract, the Ravens need a wide receiver. Enter Kenny Britt, who at 28 is finally putting it all together after injuries and off-field issues derailed the early portion of his career. Britt would fill the possession receiver role vacated by Smith's departure, but also has the size and speed to stretch the field along with Wallace and Perriman. Joe Flacco would surely appreciate Britt's contested catch ability as well.
Pierre Garcon goes to the San Francisco 49ers
Pierre Garcon's best professional season came back in 2013 when he was with Kyle Shanahan in Washington. Shanahan needs to reload his wide receiver corps in San Francisco (where he is the new head coach), so it'd make sense for him to acquire a talented, familiar player like Garcon. I wouldn't expect Garcon to even come close to the 181 targets he saw back in 2013, but joining back up with Shanahan on the wide receiver-needy 49ers could help him see more looks than the 110 per year he's averaged since that epic 2013 campaign.
Rex Burkhead goes to the Indianapolis Colts
The Colts will likely look to address their need at running back in the draft, but if they're interested in an affordable and effective option I'd love to see them give Rex Burkhead a call. He's a dual-threat as a rusher and a pass-catcher, and could be given a chance to earn a full-time role in what could be Frank Gore's last season. Burkhead would give the Indianapolis rushing attack a much-needed boost and keep some pressure off of Andrew Luck. So far in Luck's five professional seasons the best rushing attack the team has fielded ranked 20th back in 2013.
Eddie Lacy goes to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While Eddie Lacy's most successful seasons came alongside (and partially as a product of) Aaron Rodgers, I want to peg a different back to the Pack so I'm wish-casting a Lacy-Buccaneers union. With the status of Doug Martin uncertain, the team could be in need of a bell-cow back. A short-term, "prove-it" deal for Lacy in Tampa Bay would make sense. The Bucs offense was working well when they were stuffing carries down Jacquizz Rodgers' throat last year, and Lacy has the build to sustain a hefty workload. In his prime he could salt away games with the best of them. His pass-catching ability would also be appreciated, too, though Charles Sims would likely retain that role.
Jared Cook stays with the Green Bay Packers
Jared Cook's impact on the Packers offense is painfully evident, and if he were to return and stay healthy for most of the year, odds are he'd finish as a top-10 fantasy tight end ... at worst. Fantasy players should hope Cook gets another crack at redemption in Green Bay in 2017 and beyond.
Martellus Bennett goes to the New York Giants
The Black Unicorn seems unlikely to be roaming the fields of New England any longer, and it'd make sense for him to return to a previous home in New York. The Giants haven't had a reliable tight end in years, and with the loss of Victor Cruz could use another capable pass-catcher while they break in a young wide receiver. A trio of Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Bennett would be a formidable force. Bennett would also give the team some much needed size near the end zone.
Danny Woodhead stays with the Los Angeles Chargers
Danny Woodhead's best fit would be sticking where he's been his most productive, and that's in L.A. Melvin Gordon played admirably last year as a true workhorse, but the team would serve itself well to spell him more frequently. Wherever Woodhead lands, he'll be gritting his way to touches in some sort of committee, though a pairing with Gordon still offers plenty of fantasy appeal.
Jack Doyle goes to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Update: Doyle re-signed with the Colts, a good football move, but frustrating for fantasy. The Jaguars abandoned the Julius Thomas experiment this year, and thus have a need at tight end. Enter Jack Doyle, who proved to be both a capable blocker and downfield threat this past year in Indianapolis. Doyle could both help improve the running game and offer Blake Bortles a reliable target over the middle. Doyle would command defensive attention and free up space for Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee to roam.
Kenny Stills goes to the Cincinnati Bengals
Kenny Stills is a tough nut to crack in this free agency basket. A young (24) receiver coming off a career year who many view as a bit overpriced (expected to net $12 million a year), projecting a home for Stills is a challenge. He's not a No. 1 wide receiver, which is why I like him landing with the Bengals. Andy Dalton clearly felt the absence of Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones last year, and Stills would bring back some of the best parts of both departed receivers. He has the speed to be a deep threat, but moved into the slot successfully last year under Adam Gase and expanded his route tree. All in all, this move checks a lot of real life and fantasy boxes.
Jamaal Charles goes to the Green Bay Packers
I was tempted to pair Jamaal Charles with his old offensive coordinator, Doug Pederson, in Philadelphia, but the idea of Charles lining up next to Aaron Rodgers was too enticing to pass up. It's unlikely the Packers make a move like this, with Ty Montgomery developing as a rusher and Ted Thompson being notoriously stingy in free agency. But after his quarterbacked beseeched the team to "reload" this offseason, we can dream, can't we?
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