The 2013 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 15 most prominent players to switch uniforms -- ranked from highest (best move) to lowest (worst move) -- and how their fantasy draft value changes as a result.
Danny Amendola, WR, New England Patriots: No Wes Welker, no problem. The team added a younger version in Amendola, who has all kinds of breakout potential with Tom Brady throwing him the football. The Texas Tech product has enormous statistical potential in an offense that has almost always been beneficial to the slot receiver. The one downfall with Amendola is his proneness to injuries -- he's missed a combined 20 games over the last two years due to an assortment of ailments. So while there is risk involved, Amendola has No. 2 value and No. 1 potential in PPR formats.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Indianapolis Colts: Bradshaw signed with the Colts in June and is the favorite to start for new coach Chuck Pagano as we head into the summer months. A versatile back who has finished no worse than 25th in fantasy points at his position since 2009, Bradshaw should be considered a legitimate No. 2 fantasy back in most leagues. Of course, his foot issues and proneness to injuries make him a clear risk-reward selection. As a result, Vick Ballard will still have late-round appeal in drafts - he's just not going to be as valuable with Bradshaw now in the backfield.
Reggie Bush, RB, Detroit Lions: Remember the sort of numbers Bush recorded as a receiver out of the backfield while a member of the New Orleans Saints? Well, we could see him get back into the 60-70 catch rang with the Lions. The playmaking veteran will no doubt lose some work in short-yardage and goal-line situations to Mikel Leshoure, but he should lead the team in backfield touches overall (barring injuries). Fantasy owners should consider him in the middle rounds as a No. 2 or 3 runner in standard leagues and a surefire two in those formats that reward points for receptions.
Jared Cook, TE, St. Louis Rams: Cook has long been considered a fantasy sleeper, but he's failed to meet those expectations. Now in St. Louis, the South Carolina product is going to be in a nice position to find success. The Rams have lost Amendola and Brandon Gibson as free agents, and the team clearly isn't enamored with Lance Kendricks if Cook is being given a bountiful five-year contract. With the promise of a great role in the pass attack, Cook could push into the top 10 fantasy players at his position next season. He should be targeted in the late rounds as a high-end No. 2 fantasy tight end with major potential.
Chris Ivory, RB, New York Jets: Do you want a sleeper/breakout candidate at the running back position? Look no further than Ivory, who was traded the to Jets during the NFL draft. A bruising runner with a pile of upside, he will come in an be the top option on the depth chart for coach Rex Ryan. If he can avoid injuries, I can easily see him emerging into a solid No. 2 fantasy back. He'll play the same role as Shonn Greene did the last twao years, and Ivory is a far more talented runner. Don't be shocked if he's picked in one of the first five rounds in all seasonal formats.
Steven Jackson, RB, Atlanta Falcons: I know, Jackson turns 30 in July -- that hasn't always been the best age for a running back. However, there is nothing but upside for him in Atlanta. The veteran had rushed for 1,000-plus yards in eight straight seasons with the St. Louis Rams, and I think he'll reach that total with ease in 2013. The advantage to playing in a prolific offense is additional touchdown opportunities, which is something he didn't see enough of during his time in St. Louis. He won't be drafted as a No. 1 fantasy runner, but Jackson is now a high-end No. 2.
Greg Jennings, WR, Minnesota Vikings: Once considered an elite No. 1 fantasy wideout, Jennings will see a decrease in value with the Vikings. First, the drop off at quarterback from Aaron Rodgers to Christian Ponder is enormous. Second, one has to be at least a bit concerned about the fact that Jennings has missed a combined 11 games over the last two seasons due to injuries. What's more, Jennings had more career receptions (65), receiving yards (964) and touchdowns (10) against Minnesota than any other opponent. He's now a No. 3 fantasy wideout regardless of the format.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Arizona Cardinals: Mendenhall has a lot going for him as a member of the Cardinals. He's playing for coach Bruce Arians (his offensive coordinator for a time in Pittsburgh), who prefers to utilize one featured back and has already referred to the veteran as a three-down back. The Illinois product is also in a contract year -- he signed a one-year deal -- so there will be some added motivation for the 25-year old. Of course, the Cardinals need to see improvement from their offensive line, so it's not all roses. Mendenhall has flex-starter appeal.
Brandon Myers, TE, New York Giants: Myers is coming off his best season with 79 catches, 806 yards and four touchdowns as a member of the Oakland Raiders. Now with the Giants, Myers is the favorite to start ahead of Adrien Robinson. While his blocking skills leave something to be desired, Myers is a sure-handed pass catcher who should push 60-plus receptions in an offense that has been good to tight ends -- just look at the numbers of Jeremy Shockey and Martellus Bennett. A viable No. 1 tight end, Myers will be worth a middle-to late-round pick in all standard and PPR formats.
Mike Wallace, WR, Miami Dolphins: In each of the two seasons prior to 2012, Wallace had finished in the top-10 in fantasy points among wide receivers. Of course, that was with Ben Roethlisberger throwing him the football. Now in South Beach, he'll become Miami's new No. 1 wide receiver with second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill under center. While I don't exactly love the fit, Wallace's youth and nose for the end zone -- he's scored a combined 26 times in the last three seasons -- makes him a No. 2 or 3 fantasy option. He'll come off the board in the middle rounds.
Wes Welker, WR, Denver Broncos: Welker recorded 100-plus catches in five of his six seasons with the Patriots, but fantasy leaguers should expect him to see at least a slight decline in production with Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker in the mix. In fact, both Welker and Decker should be seen as No. 2 fantasy wideouts rather than No. 1s. The fact that he'll have a future Hall of Famer like Peyton Manning throwing him the football is a positive, though, and it's possible (if not likely) that he'll throw the football 600-plus times in 2013. Overall, Welker should be drafted in the middle rounds.
Notables
Martellus Bennett, TE, Chicago Bears: As I mentioned earlier, Bennett is coming off his best statistical season during a very short stint with the Giants. That alone will make him worth a late-round look as a No. 2 fantasy tight end in 2013 fantasy drafts. However, just keep in mind that the Windy City has been a sort of statistical abyss for fantasy tight ends throughout the years.
Anquan Boldin, WR, San Francisco 49ers: Boldin made a huge impact for the Ravens in their run to the Super Bowl, and now he's expected to be one of the first two options in the pass attack for Colin Kaepernick with Michael Crabtree (Achilles') out for most of the season. While he is past his prime and hasn't recorded a 1,000-yard season since he left the Cardinals, Boldin still warrants a look in the middle to late rounds as a borderline No. 3 or 4 fantasy wideout in most formats.
Shonn Greene, RB, Tennessee Titans: Greene finished a respectable 15th in fantasy points among running backs last season. Unfortunately, he has virtually no chance to duplicate that level of success with the Titans. While he will clearly have a role in the offense, Greene won't be supplanting Chris Johnson as the team's top running back.
Fantasy free agency tracker
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Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals: Palmer isn't getting any younger, but he can still sling the football down the field. He's also in a better situation to find success, as coach Bruce Arians loves the vertical pass attack. Palmer will also have one of the greatest wide receiver of our time, Larry Fitzgerald, at his disposal. Consider him a viable No. 2 fantasy quarterback or a matchup-based starting option.
Danny Woodhead, RB, San Diego Chargers: You might not know it, but Woodhead finished in the top 25 in fantasy points among running backs in 2012. Now a member of the Chargers, he'll be a change-of-pace and third-down back behind Ryan Mathews. While he has added value in PPR leagues, Woodhead won't have more than late-round draft value in most formats.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
