All Ours Fantasy Sports

CHATROOM  l  FORUMS  l  SPORTS HEADLINES  l  SCHEDULES  l  SCOREBOARDS  l  FANTASY INDEX

Player Movement Impacts

Every year the offseason bring about significant changes to the NFL landscape with the NFL Draft in April and Free Agency. The addition of a single player can change the fortunes of an entire franchise and one financial mistake can hamper a franchise for years to come. This year's free agency pool featured a number of talented players that include RB's Julius Jones, Michael Turner, and Dominic Rhodes, and WR's Bernard Berrian, D.J. Hackett, Mushin Muhammad, Jerry Porter, Donte' Stallworth, and Javon Walker. The additions of these offensive stars will have significant ramifications for fantasy owners in the 2008 season. Understanding the impact that free agency signings have on fantasy values greatly affects fantasy drafts and players values. A couple of signings that didn't make headlines, but will affect fantasy owners in 2008 include: WR Bryant Johnson, QB Brian Griese, RB DeShaun Foster, RB T.J. Duckett, WR Darrell Jackson, WR Earnest Wilford, and WR Isaac Bruce. Two incumbent troubled starters in Cedric Benson and Travis Henry were recently released and will be seeking employment elsewhere in 2008. Offensive lineman don't get a lot of respect, but they are the key to an offense's fantasy value, making these free agency moves important for fantasy owners: Alan Faneca (PIT-NYJ), Jake Scott (IND-TEN), Mike Wahle (CAR-SEA). Free agency is the ultimate risk/reward gamble for NFL GM's and by using FFToolbox.com, fantasy owners shouldn't have any problems making the right moves in 2008.

RB Julius Jones, SEA (RB - #26)

Julius Jones finally ended the RBBC situation in Dallas that has frustrated fantasy owners (including myself) for years by leaving as a free agent this off-season, signing a four year deal with the Seattle Seahawks on March 7th. Jones started every game for Dallas in the regular season until he was benched in favor of Marion Barber in the playoffs; statistically Jones had his worst season as a pro with 164 carries for 588 yards and just 2 TD's. Jones has game breaking speed, but much like in Dallas, he will be part of a three headed RBBC situation that includes Maurice Morris and T.J. Duckett (who will most likely steal goal-line carries). Jones is worth drafting as a quality #3 option in 2008, but the lack of touchdowns will significantly hurt his fantasy value. If Jones emerges as the starter (overshadowing both Morris and Duckett), then he will significantly improve his long-term value.

RB Dominic Rhodes, IND (RB - #72)

Rhodes was an integral part of the Indianapolis offense during their run to a Super Bowl Championship in 2006, but left Indy in favor of Oakland as a free agent signing a two year $7.5 million deal, believing he would inherit the starting job with the Raiders. Rhodes fell off of the fantasy radar in the black hole that was the Oakland Raiders' anemic offense last season; Rhodes was suspended for the season's first four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and managed just 302 yards and 1 TD on 75 carries. Rhodes was released by the Raiders on April 28th, two days after Oakland drafted running back Darren McFadden fourth overall in the NFL Draft. Rhodes signed a one year $605,000 contract to return to Indianapolis on May 7th. Rhodes' return to the Colts will have a greater impact on Joseph Addai in 2008 for fantasy owners. Addai started red-hot in the season's first 8 games last season (Addai missed one game due to injury), rushing for 704 yards and 7 TD's and also adding 22 catches for 205 yards and 2 TD's; but faltered down the stretch managing just 368 yards and 5 TD's over the season's final 8 games. Addai's struggle down the stretch can be attributed to having an increased workload without having Rhodes to split carries. I wouldn't expect a running-back-by-committee situation, but I believe that Rhodes will have a significant impact on the Colts' offense and Joseph Addai in a positive way. Rhodes' presence will lighten the load and allow Addai to stay healthier and fresher, enabling him to be even more productive down the stretch in 2008. At a glance fantasy owners would believe that having Rhodes and Addai on the same roster would hurt their fantasy values, a smarter owner will realize that the addition of Rhodes actually improves Addai's fantasy value.

RB Michael Turner, ATL (RB - #14)

Michael Turner (who was considered the top running back available in free agency this off-season) signed a 6 year, $34.5 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons on March 3rd. Turner spent six seasons in San Diego serving as the insurance policy for the Chargers' (as well as fantasy owners) for LaDainian Tomlinson. The signing of Turner will have a significant impact on the Falcons and has already prompted the release of veteran RB Warrick Dunn. Turner's fantasy value sky-rocketed when he signed with Atlanta because he was excellent as a backup (averaging 5.5 yards per carry) and will now be given an opportunity to succeed in a full-time role with the Falcons. New offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey's scheme calls for a physical interior running style that Turner should fit into perfectly. Michael Turner is a top 15 RB heading into the 2008 fantasy football season and as long as he doesn't lose carries to Jerious Norwood, he should be a solid #2 RB all of next season. For more on Turner, check out his player profile.

WR Bernard Berrian, MIN (WR - #33)

Berrian (Chicago's leading wide receiver) recorded 71 catches for 951 yards and 5 TD's in 2007; he signed a 6 year $42 million contract with the division rival Minnesota Vikings on March 1st. Berrian (an explosive deep threat) will become the Vikings' primary target in the passing game in 2008 and give them something they sorely lacked last season: a legitimate #1 wide receiver. Tarvaris Jackson is a work in progress and until he develops, I wouldn't expect Berrian's numbers to significantly improve in 08. The ceiling is very high for this talented young offense that is centered around one of the most talented players in the NFL, sophomore sensation RB Adrian Peterson. If Tarvaris Jackson can develop into a quality NFL starting QB, then it will be because of the playmaking ability of Bernard Berrian. There's a lot of potential in this signing and a lot for fantasy owners to like as well.

WR D.J. Hackett, CAR (WR - #44)

The Carolina Panthers significantly upgraded their passing game in this offseason with the acquisition of receivers D.J. Hackett from Seattle and Mushin Muhammad from Chicago. Hackett signed a two year, $3.5 million contract with the Panthers after being guaranteed that he would be the #2 receiver in Carolina. Hackett's presence should significantly impact the fantasy values of QB Jake Delhomme and WR Steve Smith in a positive way. The 6 foot 2 Hackett provides Carolina a perfect compliment as a big target opposite small and speedy Pro Bowl WR Steve Smith. Hackett had an injury plagued 2007 season (playing in just 6 games), but still managed 32 receptions for 384 yards and 6 TD's. Hackett had a big game in the postseason versus the Redskins in which he caught 6 balls for 101 yards and 1 TD. Hackett may not be the playmaker Steve Smith is, but his presence will free up Smith downfield because Hackett and Muhammad are big possession receivers that will stretch the defense over the middle of the field in 2008. If Hackett can avoid the injury woes that have plagued him in the past, he will be a solid middle-to-late round option in 2008. Muhammad, Carolina's other splash in free agency, signed a two year contract with the Carolina Panthers in February once he was released by the Chicago Bears after just three seasons. Muhammad spent his first nine seasons in Carolina and is the franchise's all-time reception leader. Muhammad had his best season in the NFL in 2004 (his last year in Carolina), recording 93 catches for 1,405 yards and 16 touchdowns. Muhammad's greatest assets are his size (6 foot 2, 215 pounds), past connection with Jake Delhomme, and ability to draw attention away from Steve Smith. If Hackett and Muhammad have the impact on the Carolina offense that I believe they will, Carolina will easily have one of the NFL's most explosive passing games in 2008.

WR Jerry Porter, JAX (WR - #31)

Jacksonville's signing of the outspokenly unhappy Porter to a 6 year $30 million contract this offseason is a gamble that embodies the risk/reward factor of free agency. While it is a risk, Porter could turn out to be this year's version of Randy Moss. Porter became known as a malcontent in Oakland and butted heads with Oakland's coaching staff repeatedly over the past couple of season's. The disgruntled Porter was eager to join the Jaguars; a contender in the AFC with a star QB in David Garrard. Porter stated in an interview with NY Times columnist Judy Battista that "Ive been trying to start fresh for a while. It is a bit of a relief knowing you are going somewhere that is very stable. They know exactly what direction they are going in. The quarterback situation is set. The coaching situation is set." Porter is optimistic about his opportunity to inherit the #1 wide receiver role in Jacksonville stating "In the past couple years, plays weren't called for me. Every ball I got, I was the secondary receiver. I never had a chance to be the guy and have my number called and know that success hinges on me". In Oakland, Porter was overshadowed my Randy Moss who had a similar reputation as a malcontent and who quit on his team in Oakland; we all know what happened when Moss was traded to New England last season. While I wouldn't expect Porter to match Moss' success, he should have a breakout season in 08 and is an excellent sleeper candidate in fantasy drafts this fall.

WR Donte' Stallworth, CLE (WR - #54)

Stallworth became a free agent after the New England Patriots declined to pick up his $8 million option this off-season. Stallworth then signed with the Cleveland Browns on March 1st, inking a 7 year $35 million contract. Stallworth's acquisition gives the Browns a quality complement to Pro Bowl WR Braylon Edwards, who appears well on the way to fantasy greatness after recording 81 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 TD's in just his 3rd season in the NFL. Stallworth put up respectable numbers as New England's #2 wide receiver -- 46 catches for 697 yards and 3 TD's -- but was overshadowed by Randy Moss and Wes Welker (who led the league with 112 receptions). In Cleveland, fantasy owners should expect Stallworth to play a similar role behind Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. Stallworth's trademark is his blazing speed and his ability to break tackles and be a playmaker after the catch. Stallworth will make his fair share of big plays in 2008, but much like the acquisition of Mushin Muhammad in Carolina, Stallworth's acquisition will benefit the other receivers in Cleveland, raising their fantasy value exponentially in 2008.

WR Javon Walker, OAK (WR - #36)

On March 4, Oakland signed Walker to a six-year, $55 million contract that includes $16 million in guaranteed money. Javon Walker is the ultimate high risk/ high reward in 2008, with his health being a serious concern. Denver released the veteran wide receiver on February 29th after being unable to trade him. Another questionable decision in free agency by Oakland you bet, because according to Denver head coach Mike Shanahan he believes that Walker will need a micro fracture surgical procedure down the road on his injured knee (which forced him to miss 9 games for the Broncos in 2007 -- in which he managed just 26 catches for 287 yards). The former top ten fantasy wide receiver joins a club with an inexperienced 2nd year QB in JaMarcus Russell and a rookie RB in Darren McFadden. I would have low expectations for Walker in 2008, not because he's on the Raiders, but because of his lengthy injury history and inability to stay healthy. Think about it, if Walker were healthy and in the same shape that helped him make the Pro Bowl in 2006, then Denver wouldn't have released him and let him go to a division rival in Oakland. I would be very wary of investing in Javon Walker in 2008 fantasy drafts.