Players competing at the highest level here don’t need a contract year to provide motivation. If that were most player’s incentives, they’d likely be gone after their first contract.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t a push for these players to perform. There’s something to be said about continuity in an NFL system — and continuity in life with them not having to move their families — to warrant an uptick playing in contract years. That being said, it’s important not to get too caught up in this narrative. I’m not here to argue the validity of that line of thinking, but instead, just to present you with players that are entering this situation heading into the 2019 season.
We’ve already covered these types of players in the AFC. Now let’s go over the more fantasy-relevant players from the NFC that are seeking a lucrative extension in the near future.
Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winston’s had a tumultuous career to this point, and as such, the team has waited to drop big contract money on their current starting quarterback. Currently in a prove-it year, Winston will have to not only pick up Bruce Arians’ system, but he’ll have to execute it well to warrant Tampa Bay giving him a new deal.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas wants to keep Prescott long term, but both sides are continuing to work out the right number. Big recent contracts to Carson Wentz (four-year, $128M) and Russell Wilson (four-year, $140M) have complicated negotiations, but there’s little reason to expect both sides don’t come to an understanding.
Eli Manning, New York Giants
After drafting Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick, the writing is most likely on the wall for Manning as he enters his age-38 season. Manning is expected to retain the starting position entering the season, but who knows how long of a leash he’ll be given if things go south with Jones sitting on the bench. Drafting Jones all but means this is the final year we see Manning in a Giants uniform.
Teddy Bridgewater, New Orleans Saints
Bridgewater’s career has been fascinating. He still maintains a plethora of die-hard fans waiting for him to get his second chance as a starting quarterback in the league, but it’s been four years since he last started for the Vikings (2015). Drew Brees should be able to remain a Saint for as long as he desires, and it wouldn’t be that surprising to find Bridgewater elsewhere in 2020 competing for a starting gig.
Running Backs
Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles
Traded to Philadelphia for a sixth-round draft pick, could the Eagles re-sign Howard to a lucrative extension? Chances are they wait to see how he fits in with this squad. Destined to be a committee to start the year, Howard will have to fend off second-round draft pick Miles Sanders from taking over lead back duties. In previous years, the Eagles have offered extensions to these types of pickups mid-season if off to a hot start. Howard could be next in line for one of these type of deals.
Theo Riddick and C.J. Anderson, Detroit Lions
Detroit’s identity with Matt Patricia is centered around a strong run game complemented with a strong defense. Bringing in Anderson for a one-year deal to backup Kerryon Johnson and hiring run-specialist Darrell Bevell as OC exemplifies this creed. Last year we saw the Lions attempt to limit Johnson from handling a massive workload, letting him see more than 20-plus touches a game just once. Riddick and Anderson should continue to alleviate Johnson from heavy touches, but both could simply be short-term rentals given their respective lack of diversity. Don’t be shocked if Anderson — 19.2 touches per game with the Rams last year (including playoffs) — has a bigger role in this offense than most anticipate.
Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins
Washington’s Chris Thompson is a year removed from back-to-back RB28 fantasy campaigns, but with Adrian Peterson and Derrius Guice now both competing for touches, can he get anywhere close to that fantasy finish? Odds are against it, and the team has plenty of youth on cheap deals to let Washington move on from him. I’d expect Thompson to hit the open market in 2020.
Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers
A versatile do-it-all back, Breida excelled in San Francisco last year despite battling weekly nagging injuries. His fantasy points per touch (0.91) fell right in line with Nick Chubb (0.92), Dalvin Cook (0.90), and Ezekiel Elliott (0.87). Breida has a crowded depth chart in SF once again to battle for touches and snaps. Getting out of San Francisco may actually be a good thing for the uber-athletic, 24-year-old.
Peyton Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Barber saw the ninth most carries last year but ranked 31st in fantasy points. That’s essentially a microcosm of exactly what’s wrong with the Buccaneers. They have no run game. Perhaps Ronald Jones sees some improvement from last year’s dreadful performance, but the easiest way for them to improve the position is to add from outside the building. Barber’s been serviceable out of necessity for Tampa Bay, but I don’t expect him to get re-signed this offseason unless he vastly improves his receiving game.
Wide Receivers
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Few receivers have started out their careers as well as Thomas. Through his first three seasons in the league, Thomas ranks first in receptions (321) and fourth in receiving yards (3,787) all-time. The Saints are going to need to back up the Brinks truck to keep Thomas happy. Latest update has the squad roughly $4M off from where Thomas wants ($22M per year vs $18M per year). The Saints can’t afford to let a player of Thomas’ caliber hit the open streets. A deal will get done here.
Amari Cooper and Randall Cobb, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas didn’t give up a first-round pick just to let Cooper walk after a year and a half rental. The team signed him to his fifth-year option this offseason, bringing with it a $13.9M cap hit. Dallas can’t afford to take an even more costly cap hit two years in a row with a franchise tag. Expect a massive contract for Cooper in the near future with Dallas locking up their No. 1 wideout for a long time. Randall Cobb took a one-year flier deal with Dallas to prove he still has it. Entering his age-29 season, Cobb should have plenty left in the tank to warrant an in-house contract extension with the Cowboys next offseason.
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
A life-long Cardinal, Fitzgerald could be reinvigorated with Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and working with Kyler Murray so much that he wants to play another year. Fitz won’t be playing outside Arizona, and I honestly think we see him play another season beyond this year provided he stays relatively healthy. Arizona signed him to a one-year, $11M deal this offseason. A similar deal — or one that’s more incentive-laden — could be in the cards for next season if Fitz wants to keep playing.
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have a habit of rewarding their own, but the draft selection of J.J. Arcega-Whiteside could mean changes are on the way in Philadelphia. Agholor’s ineffectiveness on the outside limits his potential, leaving him operating mostly out of the slot. Agholor’s name was tied to several teams during the draft as potential trade bait. A 2020 extension may come down to how well Agholor performs this season.
Geronimo Allison, Green Bay Packers
Allison started off the 2018 campaign red-hot before injuries piled up and derailed a promising campaign. Currently slated to operate mostly of the slot this year, Allison has a chance to put up some big numbers in this Packers offense. Green Bay’s lack of experienced wide receivers led to their demise last year. I’d expect Allison — a three-year vet — to remain with Green Bay and sign a long term deal in the near future.
Tight Ends
Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons
After sporting career-high numbers across the board — 71 receptions, 660 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns — do the Falcons re-sign Hooper next offseason? It wouldn’t shock anyone to see him command some type of Trey Burton-esque deal (four-year, $32M), but the Falcons have a large number of impending unrestricted free agents, chiefly Deion Jones, De’Vondre Campbell, and Vic Beasley. With only $21M in cap space next year, Hooper could be in a new jersey come 2020.
Charles Clay and Ricky Seals-Jones, Arizona Cardinals
Both Cardinals tight ends will be available come 2020. We don’t know how heavily Kingsbury will rely on his tight ends in Arizona so this situation is surrounded with question marks. Clay is entering his age-30 season, but Seals-Jones remains a spring chicken at just 24. His size and athleticism could lead a to nice new contract.
Nick Vannett, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle’s lack of tight end usage can simply be attributed to their lack of overall passing. Vannett led the Seattle tight ends in targets and snaps last year, but with Brian Schottenheimer still calling plays, don’t expect Vannett to see a sizable uptick in volume this year. As such, he’ll likely command very little on the open market in 2020.
