NEWSLETTER
The official NFL free agency period begins on Wednesday, March 15th but as of Monday, March 13th teams have been able to start negotiating with free agents. With a few trades, cuts, and moves already starting to materialize, this should be an entertaining few weeks in the NFL. Below is a look at five of the most fantasy football-relevant players on the market in 2023 and the landing spots with the greatest potential for fantasy production.
Head over to 4for4.com for full coverage of the free agency period with their Free Agent Tracker, Fantasy Free Agent Preview, and profiles covering all traded and newly signed players.
Lamar Jackson, QB
The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson on March 7th, meaning he’s free to negotiate with other teams and will be guaranteed a salary of $32.4 million. The Atlanta Falcons would be a great spot for the 26-year-old, but according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, they’re “not pursuing” the former Baltimore signal caller. Carolina was also someplace he could be of service, but the Panthers traded up to the No. 1 spot on March 10th, seemingly to select one of the top QBs in this year’s NFL Draft class.
That leaves the Colts as the best possible place for Lamar Jackson if he doesn’t end up back in Baltimore. Head Coach Shane Steichen comes to Indy from the Eagles, where he worked with mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Colts have been searching for a franchise guy since Andrew Luck walked out the door, and Jackson brings mobility and upside those previous bridge quarterbacks have lacked, along with the NFL experience over any rookie they’d draft at pick No. 4. He’d inherit a star rusher in Jonathan Taylor and bump up the fantasy value of receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, along with tight end Jelani Woods.
Jakobi Meyers, WR
The 26-year-old has been the WR1 in both targets and production for the last three seasons for New England but ended as no better than a fantasy WR3 thanks to subpar quarterback play. With most of the 2019 WR draft class signing extensions prior to the season, Jakobi Meyers finds himself at the top of the free agent list at his position.
There are plenty of receiver-needy teams in the NFL as the position has gained value in recent years. The Packers come to mind as they do whenever receiving help enters the conversation. Green Bay could be losing Allen Lazard to free agency which leaves only Christian Watson to catch balls from most likely Jordan Love, but the quarterback position is also still TBD.
Atlanta is also another team that could benefit from Meyers in town. They are rebuilding their offense around quarterback Desmond Ridder and the former Patriot would be a solid complementary addition on those shorter routes while Drake London and Kyle Pitts fly downfield.
Dalton Schultz, TE
The tight-end landscape has been dull in recent years, but Dalton Schultz has provided some brightness. The 26-year-old has finished as a fantasy TE1 in both half-PPR points per game and total fantasy points for the last two years in Dallas and ended his 2020 season as a TE2 in both statistical categories. His production dipped at the start of last season but the Cowboys were without QB Dak Prescott for five games, yet Schultz still ended as the second-best pass catcher in that offense.
Detroit is in need of a reliable tight end after trading T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings last season. Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra combined for nine touchdowns in 2022 and with the way the Lions’ offense is coming on, Schultz could be a wonderful addition for both real and fantasy football.
Houston hasn’t featured the tight end or had fantasy-relevant production from the position in at least a decade, if ever. It’s a new era (again) for the Texans and perhaps DeMeco Ryans brings with him some fervor for the position. The team has plenty of money to spend under the cap and is in need of offensive playmakers. The Texans did sign Robert Woods on March 10th, and Schultz could be an additional weapon for whichever rookie quarterback Houston will likely draft this offseason.
Miles Sanders, RB
With the top names at running back position franchise tagged at the start of this period, Miles Sanders remains the most fantasy football-relevant free agent option out there. He’s coming off a career season in part due to a stellar offensive line in Philadephia, with highs in carries (259), rushing yards (1269), and touchdowns (11), good enough for a finish as the RB16 in half-PPR points per contest.
Sanders could still end up with a new contract in Philly but there are some other spots boasting fantasy potential. The Dolphins may have a gaping hole at running back as their two top performers from last season are also set to hit the market, and there is plenty of talent surrounding the position in Miami. The run game was a weakness for Mike McDaniel’s offense in 2022 which is not his usual mode of operation, so the addition of Sanders makes sense.
Buffalo is another AFC East landing spot for Sanders, as Devin Singletary is also a free agent, and sophomore James Cook isn’t built for every-down duties. His presence would help alleviate some of quarterback Josh Allen’s running work and add the much-needed rushing pop to an already solid Bills’ offense.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB
Only one quarterback piece of the free agency puzzle has been placed with Derek Carr heading to New Orleans. That leaves a few others to find new homes, including Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers are overloaded with signal callers heading into the 2023 season, which has the 31-year-old searching for a new place to compete for the starting gig. Garoppolo has missed 18 games over the last three seasons and when on the field, produces fantasy QB2 numbers. His average finish in fantasy points per game from 2019-2022 is QB26 with 14.1 points per tilt. He’s looking at a placeholder role at this point in his career and there are a few spots that fit.
The Raiders will most likely draft a quarterback and Garappolo makes for a decent fill-in until that rookie is ready to take the reins. He’d be reunited with Josh McDaniels from his New England days and would inherit some quality fantasy assets in Davante Adams, Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow, and Josh Jacobs. Vegas is reportedly close to a 3-year, $67.5 million deal with the former Patriots and 49ers signal caller.
