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.
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Michael Perez/Associated Press
20. 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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Jeff Chiu/Associated Press
19. Stevie Johnson, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Johnson was once considered a viable No. 2 fantasy wideout, but his move from Buffalo to San Francisco hurts his value. In fact, the veteran won't even be drafted in some leagues with Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis prominent in the pass attack.
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Jim Mahoney/Associated Press
18. 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
17. 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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Patric Schneider/Associated Press
16. 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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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 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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Julio Cortez/Associated Press
13. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Miami Dolphins
The fifth-best runner in fantasy land last season, Moreno's move to Miami wasn't a good one for his value. A disappointment in the stat sheets for most of his Broncos career, the veteran will be hard pressed to duplicate his 2013 totals. He's more of a No. 4 running back at this point.
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Chuck Burton/Associated Press
12. 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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Evan Pinkus/Associated Press
11. 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
10. 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 is likely to be in a committee situation with Darren McFadden. Don't draft him as more than a No. 4 fantasy runner.
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Perry Knotts/Associated Press
9. Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Sproles is a great fit for the offense of coach Chip Kelly, who will allow him plenty of opportunities as a receiver out of the backfield. While his fantasy 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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Jim Mahoney/Associated Press
8. Eric Decker, WR, New York Jets
Decker has been one of the 10 best wideouts in fantasy football over the last two seasons, but his value falls in New York. The downgrade from Peyton Manning to Geno Smith is massive, and Decker will have to face No. 1 cornerbacks (including Darrelle Revis twice). He can't be trusted as more than a third wideout.
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Ben Liebenberg/Associated Press
7. Golden Tate, WR, Detroit Lions
Tate will benefit from the presence of Matthew Stafford and of course, Calvin Johnson, who draws a ton of coverage and will give him 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. 3 fantasy wide receiver.
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Gail Burton/Associated Press
6. 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. He's a solid sleeper.
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Wade Payne
5. Chris Johnson, RB, New York Jets
Once considered a fantasy superstar, Johnson's production has been inconsistent in recent seasons. Now in New York, he figures to be the lead back in a committee that includes Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell. He 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
4. DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington Redskins
The 10th-best wide receiver in fantasy football a season ago, Jackson's move to Washington isn't a favorable one. With Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts and Jordan Reed in the mix, it will be a shock if Jackson were to see the 126 targets he had in 2013. He's now a WR3.
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Chris O'Meara/Associated Press
3. Ben Tate, RB, Cleveland Browns
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. He'll need to hold off rookie Terrance West in camp, though.
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Damian Strohmeyer/Associated Press
2. 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. He has big sleeper appeal in 2014.
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Greg Trott/Associated Press
1. Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants
Despite the fact that he started eight games with the Raiders last season, Jennings still ranked among the 25 best runners based on points. He should enter training camp atop the Giants' depth chart, and has the tools to become a No. 2 fantasy runner in the Big Apple.
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