Free Agency, Fantasy Impact – 2010

It is the time of year once again where players who are at the end of their contracts or unhappy with their current situation empty their lockers and hit the road.  In most cases the addition and subtraction of free agents will affect an NFL team but usually has little effect on the fantasy value of the player.  This is not always the situation however, look at the case of Edgerrin to the Cardinals.  James became a fantasy irrelevant the second he left Indianapolis.  Chester Taylor and Lamont Jordan became top 10 fantasy backs when they got out of the shadow of Jamal Lewis and Curtis Martin respectively.   As always, it is our job to make sure you are in the best situation to dominate your fantasy league, this time of year we do that by letting you know how all the player movement will alter the fantasy values of the players on the move and the players on their new teams and old teams.  Here is a look at free agency 2010 and how it will affect your fantasy players.

Anquan Boldin, Baltimore Ravens- Although this was technically not a free agent move, it is the biggest move of the off season so far. Boldin has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL over the last few seasons, when healthy.  He has also been one the most unhappy and most vocal about his unhappiness.  It appeared that the only person who could keep Boldin focused on football was Kurt Warner and with his retirement, it was only a matter of time before Boldin signed with anyone besides the Cardinals.  If Boldin stays healthy, we will be a legit first string Fantasy football wide receiver in a system that sorely needs a WR1, this definitely elevates his status.  His departure from Arizona leaves Larry Fitzgerald open to a lot more double teams since Steve Breaston is no Anquan Boldin, and with Matt Leinart at the helm in Zona, buyer beware on Fitzy.  This signing also has an effect on the ageless wonder Derrick Mason who has re-signed with the Ravens.  Mason has been Baltimore’s most productive guy forever his fantasy production will drop off substantially this season.

Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions- Nate Burleson is yet another fantasy Wide Receiver in the NFL who has a world of talent and cannot stay healthy long enough move into the elite.  Burleson had a great start in Seattle last season but dropped off greatly as the year went on.  His move to Detroit will not help his stats but it shouldn’t hurt them greatly either.  The biggest effect of the Burleson signing in Detroit will be felt by Megatron.  With a healthy legit WR2 on the team, Calvin Johnson might finally get some room to move out there.  In addition, the lions will have a healthy and more experienced Jason Stafford to air out some serious bombs to both Burleson and Calvin Johnson.  The Lions might not be a contender this season but if these three stay healthy, they will be fun to watch if nothing else.  Upgrade Burleson, Johnson and Stafford slightly.

Larry Johnson, Washington Redskins – Larry Johnson proved a couple of things last season, 1) It does not matter where he plays, he cannot make friends.  He was productive with the Bengals in limited action and even they didn’t want to keep him…The Bengals!  2) Johnson may actually still have some gas in the tank.  He got some action with Cedric Benson sidelined with injury down the stretch and actually produced.  We all know that the new sheriff in DC, Mike Shanahan can get the absolute most out of running backs, he got 1000 yards out of Olandis Gary!  Shanahan also likes to play the hot hand so if Portis has anything left (unlikely but possible) there could a dreaded timeshare situation in the capital next season which is a fate worse that death for fantasy football owners.  Both Johnson and Portis should be viewed as fantasy football flex players at best and not likely even that.

Thomas Jones, Kansas City Chiefs – Thomas Jones will be 32 this year and if we have an absolute truth in the NFL and in fantasy football it is that 32 year old running backs disappear off the face of the planet and it does not seem to matter how high a level they were playing at.  If you don’t believe me, see Eddie George, Shaun Alexander, Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin, etc, etc, etc all fantasy studs and then….gone.  Watching Thomas Jones play last year, you might not have noticed his production diminishing but history is pretty clear on this one.  You might see Jones remain a factor in KC as a goal line back.  Marcus Allen and Emmit Smith extended their careers with a similar role change, but if you are looking for Jones to take over the starting role from Jamaal Charles and repeat his 1400 yard production, you will be sadly disappointed.  Charles should be downgraded slightly from a fantasy perspective because he will lose some work.  Shonn Green of the Jets should be moved into the top 10 fantasy football running backs with young legs great vision and that huge Jets offensive line to run behind, he is the big winner here.

Irrelevant Moves:

Chester Taylor to the Bears – Taylor will continue his role as player teacher, but now it will be for the Bears instead of the Vikings.  The Vikings will most likely sign a veteran back up to take Taylor’s role as sideline cheerleader.

Atwaan Randle El, Pittsburgh Steelers - Randle El was irrelevant in Pittsburgh the first time, he was irrelevant in D.C. and he will continue his perfect streak with his Pittsburgh stop part 2.

Antonio Byrant, Cincinnati Bengals – Bryant has had one great season in the last 9 and although he is might be in a better system in Cincy, his numbers will not change.  WR3  or flex player.

Stay Tuned for more off season activity…….

Top Targets for Week 16 (Free Agents dummy)

It is finally here. Championship Week!!!!!! If you are still playing, you do not need help with free agents, your team is STACKED. What you may need though is some insight into who is going to go off this weekend. The chances are that you have a team of super studs and you can play any of them at this point, but…there is a chance that you happened to have both Brandon Marshall and Jerome Harrison on your team and now you are terrified because you know you have no business being here and now you need help figuring out who is going to save your ass this week!!!!! Well we at FDM have always said that our only mission is to help you win, and that is what we are going to do. Here are some players that may be on your team, have great match ups and should put up numbers you can count on to keep you competetive, even this week.

Jason Snelling, Atlanta- Snelling is going to be the ground artillery this weekend against the Buffalo Bills worst run defense in the league and with Turner out and Norwood limited, Snelling should have no one poaching carries goal line or otherwise.

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati- You probably rode this horse from week 1 through injury and then you sat and watched Bernard Scott and Larry Johnson get all the carries in his stead. But Ced-Ben is back and the Chiefs are TERRIBLE against the run. Play him with confidence.

Malcolm Floyd, San Diego- The double coverage in San Diego goes to Vincent Jackson, this will leave Floyd one on one all the time. He is definitely not as talented Jackson but it is easy to be as productive when Jackson has to carry 2 or 3 guys on his back all the time. Look for 6-8 receptions from Floyd this weekend and since the Titans have the 30th ranked pass defense in the league it is not out of the realm of possibility for him to find the endzone as well.

Alex Smith, San Francisco- Alex Smith has been one of the great comeback stories of 2009. Since he took the starting job and transitioned into a lot more shotgun formations Smith has started the conversation that maybe he can be the franchise quarterback he was supposed to be in the first place. Look for him to tear up the happless Lions this weekend. He should throw a couple TDs to Vernon Davis and maybe even one to Michael Crabtree.

Good Luck this week champions!  follow us throughout the offseason and we will keep you up to date on any movements of big names and players who are not yet big names but you should know them. 

Look for our email in the spring to take advantage of our earlybird specials on the UberRank for 2010!!!!!!

Top Targets for Week 15 (free agents dummy)

It is with a heavy heart I write this Top Targets post. Not because of the idea that I will not get to communicate with our fans, but because I can no longer prosper from my own advice. I was a one and done this year!!!!!! What are the odds of me facing Brandon Marshall in all 3 of my leagues? Anyway, now that I have exorcised that from my soul, here are your pick ups for the second last week on the season.

At this point everyone obvious should be gone, so I am not going to waste my time telling you to pick up guys like Brandon “f-ing” Marshall or Andre Johnson. I am going to throw out a couple of players that might still be available.

Quinton Ganther, Washington- Ganther has taken most of the work away from the aged Rock Cartright, and rightly so. There is a reason that Rock has been a career 3rd stringer. Ganther has made the most of his opportunities putting up big fantasy numbers each week and with Washington actually playing well… Head Smacker

Jason Snelling, Atlanta- Even with Norwood back in the line up, Snelling has been the better runner, look for them to split carries until Michael Turner gets back but Snelling will get most of the looks at the goal line making him more valuable than Norwood. Not So Obvious

Hakeem Nicks, NY Giants- The explosive rookie looks to have snatch a starting job away from Mario Manningham. He has been getting progressively more consistent down the stretch and looks to get even more looks since he is a better route runner and has so much more upside than Mannningham.

Jason Campbell, Washington- Campbell has been much better lately and might be a good long shot if you really need a QB. He has averaged more that 20 fantasy points a game over the last 3 weeks and has the beat up Giants defensive backs and the Cowboys secondary coming up, both teams can give it up through the air.

Top Targets for Week 14 (Free Agents Dummy!)

What time is it? GAME TIME! What time is it? GAME TIME! What time is it? GAME TIME!

Playoff time!!!

If your league is worth its salt most of the decent players have been snatched by someone and like I always say, if you are in a league where there are head smackers still available…you don’t need my help.

So, here are some Not So Obvious pick ups for you that should produce well in the next 3 weeks.

Cardinals Defense- I know that i don’t usually list defensive teams in this column but I have to mention the Cards. Arizona’s defense are notoriously slow starters but if you remember last season’s playoff run, they seem to come on at the end of the year. Plus, the have the 49ers, the Rams and the Lions down the stretch…JUICY! I can almost hear Rodgers-Cromartie salivating.

Kenny Britt, Tennessee- 15 points per game over the last three games and with Nate Washington missing every ball thrown his way Britt is becoming a very attractive target. The Titans also have the Rams, Dolphins, Chargers coming up and only one of these is in the top 20 pass defenses.

Davonne Bess, Miami- Has become the go to guy in Miami. He is playing the role that the fish thought Ted Ginn would play with the departure of Wes Welker and catching 100 balls again. Henne is getting him the ball often and it should continue with the Jags, Texans, Titans (all bad pass defenses) down the stretch.

Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay- With the emergence of Josh Freeman as a real NFL quarterback has come the resurgence of Bryant.

Chad Henne, Miami- (See Davonne Bess) Henne has finally been looking like the pro he was projected to be. Also, he is playing 3 of the worst pass defenses in the league in weeks 14, 15 and 16.

Remember it does not matter where they were ranked coming into the season, if you have to drop a marquis name to pick up a hot player, do what you have to do…THERE IS NO TOMORROW