The Fantasy Football season is right around the corner. What better way to get adjusted with the offseason moves in a fantasy perspective. Some of the leagues biggest names were on the move, which old face in a new place will help you claim your fantasy football championship in 2015?
- Jimmy Graham – Seattle Seahawks, Stock Rising
Let’s start with the biggest move, tight end Jimmy Graham. The Saints traded Graham in exchange for a 1st round pick and Center Max Unger. The trade does create an interesting dynamic from a fantasy stand point. Graham was now traded to the one true team that can stop him. Jimmy now becomes the man in terms of weapons for quarterback Russell Wilson. Doug Baldwin and Jermain Kearse are nice weapons, but with Graham in the fold this adds a totally different situation. The acquisition likely gives more red zone touchdowns to Graham and less to Marshawn Lynch. Even though Seattle throws the ball less than New Orleans, I expect him to improve upon the 10 touchdowns he caught last season. The new Seattle Seahawks tight end will be motivated by the start of the season. I would expect Graham to be the 2nd tight end taken in fantasy drafts behind Rob Gronkowski.
- Demarco Murray – Philadelphia Eagles, Stock Falling
Chip Kelly seems to keep baffling us left and right this offseason. I’m not so sure Demarco Murray is the greatest fit for his high paced offense. Last season Murray ran behind the leagues best offensive line toting the rock 392 times. With Ryan Mathews, Chris Polk, and Darren Sproles already on the roster, Murray’s fantasy numbers appear to be in decline this season. In addition to the decreased role fantasy owners should not forget to factor in his past injury history. 2014 was the first year in his four year career that he managed to play all 16 games, go figure during a contract year. A first round pick for Murray seems outlandish even after the strong 2014 campaign.
- Jeremy Maclin – Kansas City Chiefs, Stock Falling
This move just worries me. A five year, $55 million dollar deal is simply to much money for Maclin. In Philly Maclin was the man in a high powered offense often times catching deep balls for scores. A move to Kansas City with Alex Smith throwing the ball could spell a nightmare. A Chiefs wide receiver has not caught a touchdown in over a year, bad news for Maclin. The biggest thing to watch for receivers is who is going to be the quarterback. Stay away from players with bad signal callers. The third option in a Denver or New England is often a better option than big name wide outs on bad teams. Emanuel Sanders proved that point last season. Expect Maclin to be over drafted based of his 2014 production in Philadelphia.
- Torrey Smith – San Francisco 49ers, Stock Falling
This contract has Mike Wallace written all over it. Smith was a one trick pony in a great organization that utilized him properly. Now Smith leaves his home state to play with a mobile quarterback. Smith likely gets less shot down the field due to Kaepernick constantly fleeing the pocket. The loss of Jim Harbaugh along with Kaepernick’s mobile prowess makes to move weird. As a fantasy owner I would completely stay away from this team unless you think Carlos Hyde can be an impact runningback this season. The 49ers may finish in last place this season following the personnel upgrades St. Louis made.
- Julius Thomas – Jacksonville Jaguars, Stock Falling
Trading Peyton Manning for Blake Bortles is never a good thing. Blake Bortles threw 11 touchdowns last season. By comparison Julius Thomas caught 12 touchdowns from Peyton Manning last season. It is safe to say Thomas will not come close to 12 touchdowns this season in Jacksonville. Even if Thomas turns out to not be a product of the system I’m not so sure I still wouldn’t rather have Owen Daniels who is now a Denver Bronco.
- Frank Gore & Andre Johnson – Indianapolis Colts, Stock Rising
I really like the fantasy implications for both of these former Miami Hurricanes. Gore seems to the workhorse in Indy. A multitude of 1 yard scores could be in his future. Johnson likely fills the Reggie Wayne role with the team. With Hilton the deep threat, Johnson could be a nice possession man for Andrew Luck. Andre should find Mr. Luck is a giant upgrade from any quarterback he had in Houston. Both veteran players will need to stay healthy of course to fulfill their fantasy potentials. If not Boom Herron and Dante Moncrief could be some fall back options to consider.
- Brandon Marshall – New York Jets, Stock Falling
While the Jets may be improving, the offense is still a dumpster fire. Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the next savior Jet fans don’t get your hopes up. Jay Cutler was not all the productive in Chicago at least he had Alshon Jefferey to draw attention away. In New York Marshall is the number one guy with mediocre Eric Decker to the opposite side. The golden fantasy rule still up holds, stay away from wide outs with bad quarterbacks.
