As the second week of free agency comes to a close, it’s worth reviewing the action that went down. If unaware, we’ve been keeping up-to-date tabs on all the top free agency signings with our Free Agency Tracker. That’s a great resource for tracking all signings in one spot, but let’s get into some analysis! The name of the game in this piece will be to review the top signings and provide a fantasy spin on what the future will hold. What will the future of the player in question look like? Also, what will the effect be on their new team and the one they left behind?
Week two of Free Agency didn’t bring the heat like week one (as expected), but there were a few fantasy relevant signings that should be reviewed. We’re reaching the “prove it” section of the offseason, where players who have struggled with injuries or to get on the field early in their careers are finding teams.
Quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dolphins) – Fitzpatrick signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. Fitzpatrick earns another year as a starting quarterback. At this stage, even the casual fan knows what Fitzpatrick is as a player. An incredibly talented, but inconsistent quarterback who displays immense highs and horrific lows. This was on display in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Fitzpatrick put together 2,366 passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns in just 8 games, but also threw 12 interceptions. Much like some of his seasons with the Jets and Bills, Fitzpatrick starts out the year strong, but by the end of every season, the jig was up and opposing defenses adjusted. For fantasy purposes, this is potentially great news for whatever receiving options do end up in prominence. Between Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker and Mike Gesicki (barring them bringing a receiving option in through the draft), one of them should significantly exceed expectations with Fitzpatrick at the helm.
Running Back
Ameer Abdullah (Vikings) – Abdullah re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings (Details unknown). Abdullah has had an incredibly difficult couple of seasons. Between injuries, mistakes on the field and overall mediocre play, the very talented Abdullah is fighting for his football life. As a running back prospect out of Nebraska, there was what appeared to be a fantastic skillset that could contribute in a lot of ways. Abdullah was incredibly productive in college and tested out in a special fashion in agility drills (98th percentile burst score and a 99th percentile agility score) at the combine. Abdullah was drafted in the second round by the Detroit Lions, which is a significant investment, and they tried multiple times to make it work. Regardless of the reasons, Abdullah will need to do some dirty work (special teams) to work his way up the depth chart but could be a nice add in deep dynasty leagues. Dalvin Cook hasn’t been a model of health so far in his career, and with LaTavius Murray gone. There could be touches to go around in the future.
Wide Receiver
Randall Cobb (Cowboys) – Cobb signed a one year, $5 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys. There’s a point in every players career where the term “injured” doesn’t do the situation justice. It’s clear at this stage that Cobb will consistently have injury issues, and it’s tough to tell how much that has inhibited a once special skill set. There’s no denying that the Cobb of old (2012-to-2014), was a fantastic slot weapon and great fantasy asset, but that was five years ago now, and there hasn’t been a healthy season since 2015 (four years ago). If Cobb can stay healthy, he could certainly fill a need for the Cowboys, as they recently lost Cole Beasley to free agency, but ultimately staying on the field is where things have gone wrong. Cobb’s name value is worth more than what he’s been at this stage, but there’s no denying he could help the Cowboys in 2019.
Kevin White (Cardinals) – White signed with the Arizona Cardinals (Details unknown). Much like Cobb, except on a much more extreme scale, injuries tell the story for White and his NFL career. After sustaining three major injuries in his first three seasons, it’s unfair to assess what has become of White’s career. There’s almost no track record for a player coming back from that type of adversity, and to happen that early in a career after an injury-free college career is shocking, and more importantly, disappointing. White BLAZED at the 2015 combine, posting a 4.35 forty-yard dash at 215 pounds (98th percentile speed score). White exited the combine as a 99th percentile SPARQ-x athlete and ended up being drafted seventh overall by the Chicago Bears. As mentioned, it’s unclear how much White has left in the tank (both physically and mentally) after his traumatic first four seasons, but based on draft profile alone, he’s an intriguing depth signing for the Cardinals.
Tight End
Jared Cook (Saints) – Cook signed with the New Orleans Saints (Details unknown). This move is easily the most fantasy-relevant of Week 2. Cook is coming off the best season of his career and is moving to a team that has Drew Brees at quarterback. Cook will be entering his age 32 season but has legitimately played his best football over the last three seasons (played well in when healthy in Green Bay). The Saints have hardly used tight ends at all since parting ways with Jimmy Graham, but the signing of Cook is a signal they’re interested in getting the position back involved in the passing game. Cook’s 2018 resulted in 896 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 101 targets, and, it was as the clear top target in the passing offense. If Cook can use his immense size-adjusted speed and athleticism to find holes in the zone as the third weapon in the passing game (behind Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara), he could be in for another huge season.
Tyler Eifert (Bengals) – Eifert re-signed, on a one-year deal, with the Cincinnati Bengals (details unknown). Eifert is adamant on making a comeback, and despite losing three of the last four seasons to major injury, there’s unquestionably a talented skill set to value. Eifert has played only 48 games in his six-year career, with three seasons being ended at Week 4 or before. Eifert is currently rehabbing an ankle injury that ended his 2018 season. Based on his comments and videos posted to his Instagram account, he should be in line to make a full recovery, but there’s a reason he only signed a one-year deal and wasn’t the first tight end the Bengals signed this offseason (C.J. Uzomah).
