Old faces, new places in NFL fantasy
The 2014 NFL offseason has been loaded with major transactions that involved some of the biggest names in fantasy football. How will these players perform in the stat sheets with their new teams? Here's our look at the 20 most prominent players to switch uniforms and how their fantasy draft value changes as a result.
20 Photos Total
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Jim Mahoney/Associated Press
20. Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Carolina Panthers
Cotchery did score 10 touchdowns last season, but expecting that level of production again as a member of the Panthers is unrealistic. In fact, he'll be hard pressed to do much more than Steve Smith did in his final season in Carolina. The veteran isn't worth more than a late-rounder.
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Brian Blanco/Associated Press
19. Mike Williams, WR, Buffalo Bills
Williams was out of action last season due to an injured hamstring, but he'll be fine for training camp and will be in the mix to start opposite Steve Johnson. A trouble child of sorts, the Syracuse product has too many question marks to be considered more than a WR4/5 in most drafts.
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Rick Osentoski/Associated Press
18. Andre Brown, RB, Houston Texans
Brown looked good during his time as the starter in New York last season, but he'll enter the 2014 campaign second on the Texans' depth chart behind Arian Foster. That means a decrease in touches and value for fantasy leaguers. Consider Brown a decent handcuff for owners who land Foster.
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Patric Schneider/Associated Press
17. Matt Schaub, QB, Oakland Raiders
Schaub is coming off a miserable season that saw him turn the football over a ton and lose his starting job to Case Keenum in Houston. He won't have a lot of competition in Oakland and could post some decent totals from time to time, but Schaub is no more than a low end QB2 for 2014.
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Chuck Burton/Associated Press
16. Steve Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Smith had been a No. 1 fantasy wide receiver earlier in his career, but he's seen his stats and value fall as he's entered his mid-30s. Now in Baltimore, he will be the third option in the pass attack behind Torrey Smith and Dennis Pitta. Consider Smith more of a fourth wide receiver.
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Genevieve Ross/Associated Press
15. James Jones, WR, Oakland Raiders
Jones will open as the top wideout in Oakland, so he'll be in position to post personal bests in receptions and yards. Unfortunately, the downgrade from Aaron Rodgers to Matt Schaub isn't going to help his level of production or draft value. He'll have some late-round appeal as a reserve.
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Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press
14. Dexter McCluster, RB, Tennessee Titans
McCluster was a wide receiver with the Kansas City Chiefs, but Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt sees him as a running back. In fact, it appears that he's looking for McCluster to fill the pass-catching role that Danny Woodhead filled for Whisenhunt last season. That makes him a PPR sleeper.
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Michael Perez/Associated Press
13. Michael Vick, QB, New York Jets
Vick will battle Geno Smith during training camp for the right to lead the Jets' offense this season. The veteran would have some late-round value as a backup and matchup-based fantasy starter in a best-case scenario, but Vick's proneness to injuries in recent years is a major red flag.
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Evan Pinkus/Associated Press
12. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Nicks is still young, in a contract year and will be catching passes from Andrew Luck. That's the good news. The bad news is that he'll likely be no better than option 2A or three with Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton also in the mix. Look for Nicks to come off the board in the late rounds.
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John Raoux/Associated Press
11. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Oakland Raiders
Jones-Drew is coming off one of his worst statistical seasons, and going to Oakland isn't going to help his value. While he will be in the mix to start, MJD likely is to be in a committee scenario with fellow veteran runner Darren McFadden. Run DMC is brittle and the Raiders will make MJD a featured back if that trends continues. It's still not advised to draft "Pocket Hercules" as much more than a third or fourth back.
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Jim Mahoney/Associated Press
10. Eric Decker, WR, New York Jets
Decker has been one of the 10 best wide receivers in fantasy football over the last two seasons, but a move from Denver to New York is going to have a negative effect on his value. The downgrade from Peyton Manning to Geno Smith or Michael Vick is massive, and Decker now will have to face No. 1 cornerbacks (including Darrelle Revis) twice. He can't be trusted as more than a third wideout in fantasy land.
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Perry Knotts/Associated Press
9. Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Sproles might be 31 when the season starts, but he doesn't have the typical wear and tear of most running backs his age. He's also a great fit for the offensive attack of coach Chip Kelly, who will no doubt allow him plenty of opportunities as a receiver out of the backfield. While his fantasy draft value in standard formats isn't as high, Sproles is going to be in the PPR mix for another 70-catch campaign.
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Julio Cortez/Associated Press
8. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Miami Dolphins
The fifth-best runner in fantasy land based on points last season, Moreno's move from Denver to Miami wasn't a good one for his 2014 draft value. A disappointment in the stat sheets for most of his Broncos career, the veteran will be hard pressed to duplicate his 2013 totals. In fact, Moreno will be listed among the biggest potential bust candidates. He's more of a No. 3 or 4 fantasy running back.
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Ben Liebenberg/Associated Press
7. Golden Tate, WR, Detroit Lions
Tate's value is on the rise, as he goes from a run-based offense in Seattle to a high-octane attack in Detroit. He'll benefit from the presence of Matthew Stafford and, of course, Calvin Johnson, who draws a ton of coverage and will give Tate a chance to shine. A sure-handed receiver with 1,000-yard potential, the Golden Domer is now in the conversation as a borderline No. 2 or 3 wide receiver.
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Wade Payne
6. Chris Johnson, RB, New York Jets
Once considered a fantasy superstar, Johnson's production and value has declined in recent seasons. Now in New York, he figures to be the lead back in a committee that includes Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell. While he can still hit a big play from time-to-time, CJ2K has already seen his best statistical days at the NFL level and shouldn't be drafted as more than a high-end flex starter with the Men in Green. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
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Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press
5. DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington Redskins
The 10th-best wide receiver in fantasy football a season ago, Jackson's move from Philadelphia to Washington isn't a favorable one. With Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts and Jordan Reed also in the pass attack, it will be a shock if Jackson were to see the 126 targets he had in 2013. He's still a talented playmaker, but owners who draft Jackson should see him as more of a second or third wide receiver.
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Gail Burton/Associated Press
4. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos
Sanders' value has exploded, as he'll replace Eric Decker in a talented pass attack that also includes Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Julius Thomas. Coming off his best statistical season, Sanders is a good bet to improve on his 67-740-6 line in 2014. In fact, it now can be argued that Sanders has more value than Decker based on the fact that he'll be catching passes from the great Peyton Manning.
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Damian Strohmeyer/Associated Press
3. Toby Gerhart, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Gerhart has landed in a tremendous situation to find fantasy success ... well, at least in terms of opportunities. He figures to take over the featured role from Maurice Jones-Drew, so the Stanford product is in line to see 15 to 20 touches a week. While the Jaguars do have questions at quarterback and on their offensive line, Gerhart could still bring RB2 value. He'll be selected in the middle rounds.
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Greg Trott/Associated Press
2. Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants
Jennings is entering this season at age 29, but he has little wear and tear on his body. Despite the fact that he started eight games with the Raiders last season, he still ranked among the 25 best runners based on points. With the status of David Wilson (neck) in question, Jennings should enter training camp atop the Giants' depth chart. He has the tools to become a No. 2 fantasy runner in the Big Apple.
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Chris O'Meara/Associated Press
1. Ben Tate, RB, Cleveland Browns
Tate leaves the shadow of Arian Foster in Houston to become a featured back for the first time in his NFL career. While he has been a bit prone to injuries at the pro level, Tate is a young back with serious upside who also is a nice fit for the zone-blocking scheme of OC Kyle Shanahan. Tate is now on the RB2 radar and figures to come off the board in one of the first five rounds in most 2014 drafts.
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