With just four teams remaining in the playoffs, most fans are looking forward to the 2018 Super Bowl run. Between now and then, there are going to be a lot of roster moves. My personal favorite transaction type is free agency. The draft is nice, especially when you hit on a hidden gem, but there is no greater feeling than seeing a bonafide superstar land on the home team.
So, as the season winds down, we are going to take a look at the top fantasy free agents at each position starting with Wide Receivers.
Jarvis Landry – Miami Dolphins
Projected Landing Spot: New England Patriots
Talk about a match made in heaven. Julian Edelman will be 32 this upcoming season and is coming off of a major injury. If Landry jumps in and takes over that role he will be a virtual lock for 100 receptions and 1000 yards. With the potential touchdown upside in the New England offense, the LSU product would be in consideration for a 2nd round pick in the 2018 fantasy draft.
Allen Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected Landing Spot: New York Jets
It would be wise for a team to target this talented receiver since Robinson is coming off of his lowest value yet. After making the Pro Bowl in 2015, Robinson had a terrible season amassing just 883 yards and 6 touchdowns, following that, unfortunately, witg a torn ACL tear first game of 2017. The Jets could really use a dominant outside receiver to go along with Robby Anderson’s deep threat ability, and New York has had success in recent years in FA with both Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall. Both of which had topped 1000 receiving yards during their stay with the Jets.
Sammy Watkins – Los Angeles Rams
Projected Landing Spot: Baltimore Ravens
With Mike Wallace likely gone, the Baltimore Ravens need a second deep threat. Unlike Wallace, Watkins has the potential to be one of the best WRs in the entire league. Even though Joe Flacco is not a prolific passer, his deep ball has been known to be very accurate. Flacco/Watkins could be a duo that defenses don’t want to face.
Marqise Lee – Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected Landing Spot: Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck will likely be back for the 2018 season, and that means the Colts passing offense as a whole should get a big boost. Besides TY Hilton, no other receiver has really made an impact for this team. With Phillip Dorset traded to the New England Patriots and Donte Moncrief likely a free agent, Lee could find a nice home with the Colts. Andrew Luck’s arm talent has been known to bump Receivers’ production,making Lee a sneaky fantasy draft pick.
Terrelle Pryor – Washington Redskin
Projected Landing Spot: Cleveland Browns
The failed Terrelle Pryor experiment is over in Washington. There is no doubt the Receiver is a gifted athlete, but sometimes that is not enough. Not many teams will give Pryor an honest look after his poor route running and numerous drops. The only logical outcome would be to return to the team where he had his success. With Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman holding established roles in the Browns offense, so it will be an uphill battle for Pryor.
Eric Decker – Tennessee Titans
Projected Landing Spot: Carolina Panthers
One of the biggest FA disappointments of 2017, the hyper efficient red zone play Mariota had in 2016 seemed to disappear, impacting the Receiver’s effectiveness. Regardless Decker will now be paid for exactly what he is: An aging slot receiver. This means the veteran must join a team that could potentially win right now. The Carolina Panthers have shown they can consistently make it to the playoffs and with Kelvin Benjamin out the Panthers could use some help at receiver thus Decker could be a nice safety valve for Cam Newton.
Donte Moncrief – Indianapolis Colts
Projected Landing Spot: Chicago Bears
Donte Moncrief has been hyped up so much year-after-year. But since Mocrief hasn’t been any productive from a fantasy perspective, and it makes sense for the Colts let him go. The Bears are desperate to fill the deep threat role and with a player like Moncrief they could be getting a huge discount if he reaches his full potential. Moncrief is in the 90th percentile in nearly every measurable category and he is only 24-years old.
Jordan Matthews – Buffalo Bills
Projected Landing Spot: Arizona Cardinals
Larry Fitzgerald is likely retiring after the news that both Carson Palmer and Bruce Arians will not return for the 2018 season. That makes the Cardinals in desperate need of a slot Wide Receiver, and Matthews is more dynamic than your average slot guy. He isn’t the biggest or the fastest at the position but he has reliable hands. Depending on which quarterback steps in in Arizaona, Matthews could be an intriguing late round flier. Although this role previously garnered three consecutive 100 reception/1000 yard seasons, expectations have to be tempered. David Johnson will certainly be the focal point of this offense and with the loss of coaching and veteran leadership, this team should be extremely dysfunctional especially right out of the gate.
John Brown – Arizona Cardinals
Projected Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs
An offense built on big plays and turnovers was bound to backfire at some point: We saw that pop in full effect with Kansas City in the middle of the season. What Kansas City needs is a solid route runner who can create separation and be relied upon on third-down situations. It seems like the perfect fit for John Brown, an uber talented young receiver struggling with Sickle Cell Trait. Sickle Cell is the type of condition that can be managed. Both Tevin Coleman and TY Montgomery suffer from this condition but do not miss games due to complications. John “Smoke” Brown has missed several games the past two seasons(7) and the Cardinals are likely moving on. This provides KC with a solid receiver at a discounted price. Considering Kansas City has the least amount of cap space in the league, this may be the best opportunity they have at upgrading the position.
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