Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
Player News: Brandin Cooks has been traded from the LA Rams to the Houston Texans. The Texans will receive Cooks and a 4th-round pick, while the Rams will receive the Texans 2nd-round pick (No. 57).
SportsGrid’s Take: In summary, the Texans have now added Cooks, David Johnson, a 2nd-round pick, a 2020 4th-round pick, and 2021 4th-rounder. They have given up Deandre Hopkins, and a 2nd-round pick. This nets out to a trade of Hopkins for Cooks, David Johnson, and two 4th-round picks.
From a fantasy perspective, this is probably a slight boost for Cooks who goes from one of 3-4 targets in LA to a top-two option in Houston. The fantasy relevance of Cooks was always going to be his health, and while that doesn’t change, he should command a higher marketshare of targets in Houston than he would have in LA. The Rams will likely use Josh Reynolds in 3-man sets, while also utilizing more two tight-end looks featuring Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett.
Source: Rapsheet
Cam Newton, Free Agent
Player News: The Panthers have released Cam Newton
SportsGrid’s Take: FanDuel lists the Dolphins, Jaguars and Chargers as the three favorites to land Newton following his release. The odds have changed significantly in the past few days as the Redskins were the favorites as recently as two days ago. This situation remains fluid and, despite his health concerns, it seems likely he lands somewhere if only as a backup QB.
Source: Adam Schefter
Dion Lewis, New York Giants
Player News: Dion Lewis has agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Giants.
SportsGrid’s Take: Lewis moves from playing behind a workhorse RB for the Titans to playing behind one for the Giants. If anything, it is a worse scenario for him in NY given Barkley’s passing game chops are greater than Henry’s. Lewis is most likely a depth role and would only have a marginal impact on Saquon’s PPR value.
Source: Josina Anderson
PJ Walker, Carolina Panthers
Player News: XFL star PJ Walker has signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers
SportsGrid’s Take: The 2016 Temple Grad was the front-runner for the XFL MVP this season and it is good to see him get a job in the NFL. The QB had a 5-0 record including nearly 1400 yards passing, 7.3 YPA and 15 TDs. He will back-up the newly signed Teddy Bridgewater.
Source: diannaESPN
Brian Hoyer, New England Patriots
Player News: Brian Hoyer has signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots.
SportsGrid’s Take: Brian Hoyer will compete with Jarrett Stidham for the Patriots starting QB role. It is uncertain whether the Patriots will add another QB prospect in the NFL Draft, but depending if / where they select one it could tip their hand on how they feel about Stidham’s long-term prospects.
Source: Ian Rapaport
Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
Player News: Melvin Gordon signs with the Denver Broncos. The terms of the deal are unknown at this time.
SportsGrid’s Take: The Broncos already have Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman in the roster but any time you can add another running back you just have to do it. Lindsay will still be relevant for this team and for Fantasy but Freeman is going to get coffined with these news as Gordon will take over his role and some of Lindsay’s as well.
Source: Stephen Watson
Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers
Player News: Eric Ebron is signing a two-year, $12 deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
SportsGrid’s Take: The Steelers add another talented TE to the roster. Ebron could take over the TE1 role for the Steelers, though that’s a spot that’s already occupied by Vance McDonald. The biggest question mark surrounding the Steelers’ passing game is can Ben Roethlisberger return to 100% health and be productive at age 38?
Source: Adam Schefter
Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons
Player News: Todd Gurley is signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
SportsGrid’s Take: The 25-year old Gurley who was recently released by the LA Rams gets a 1-year “prove it” deal with the Falcons. The Falcons appear to be turning to Gurley to fill in for the recently waived Devonte Freeman. The Falcons have operated in more of a committee in recent seasons than the Rams, so Gurley’s fantasy upside is similar, with the downside of losing some workload. From a betting perspective #RBsDontMatter and this should be immaterial for futures markets.
Source: Atlanta Falcons
Clay Matthews, Los Angeles Rams
Player News: Clay Matthews released by the Rams as well
Source: Mike Garafolo
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams
Player News: Todd Gurley officially released
SportsGrid’s Take: With Gurley officially released, the Vegas favorite to sign him is currently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers followed by the Atlanta Falcons. Many teams will likely give him a long look but he is no longer a member of the Rams. By cutting him, the team avoided paying him a $10.5 million bonus.
Source: Ian Rapoport
De’Vondre Campbell, Arizona Cardinals
Player News: De’Vondre Campbell signs one-year deal with Cardinals
SportsGrid’s Take: Campbell is not a special player in coverage nor a great pass rusher but he should solidify the defense’s tackling ability a bit.
Source: Adam Schefter
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams
Player News: Todd Gurley could be traded or cut by Friday
SportsGrid’s Take: The Rams are clearly open to moving on from Todd Gurley who was slowed down by a knee issue last year even though tthe team seemed opposed to admitting such a thing. The team will almost assuredly look for help at the position via the draft but, as of now, Malcolm Brown appears to be the top man on the totem pole in the backfield.
Source: Gary Klein
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Player News: Jared Goff’s incentives hit on his contract
SportsGrid’s Take: Goff reportedly will have $21 million of his roster bonus paid plus will have $43 additional million guaranteed today. He signed this contract last season but the team remains committed to him under center.
Source: Adam Schefter
Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles
Player News: The Eagles are working on a trade that would land them Darius Slay.
SportsGrid’s Take: The Lions just signed Desmond Trufant to a multi-year deal and the Eagles have needed cornerback help for years. This trade hasn’t been completed yet but it’s increasingly likely that it will be completed in the foreseeable future.
Source: Josina Anderson
Desmond Trufant, Detroit Lions
Player News: Desmond Trufant has signed a 2-year, $21 million deal with the Detroit Lions.
SportsGrid’s Take: Trufant’s best years are behind him, but he’s still an above average cornerback. The Lions will likely continue to shop Darius Slay, especially now that they’ve signed Trufant.
Source: Jordan Schultz
John Miller, Carolina Panthers
Player News: John Miller has signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Carolina Panthers
SportsGrid’s Take: Miller is a starting offensive guard. He’ll continue to serve that role with the Panthers.
Source: Adam Schefter
Anthony Brown, Dallas Cowboys
Player News: Anthony Brown has re-signed with the Cowboys to a three-year, $15.5 million deal.
SportsGrid’s Take: Brown has been a starter and a depth CB for the Cowboys in his four year career. Expect more of the same moving forward.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Bruce Irvin, Seattle Seahawks
Player News: Bruce Irvin heads back home to the Seahawks
SportsGrid’s Take: After leaving the Seahawks following the 2015 season, Irvin posted seven-plus sacks for the third time last year. He will now return to where his NFL career began.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams
Player News: Andrew Whitworth has re-signed with the Rams on a three-year deal.
Source: Adam Schefter
Chris Harris, Los Angeles Chargers
Player News: Cornerback Chris Harris chooses to sign with the Chargers
SportsGrid’s Take: Harris had a bit of a down year in the coverage department last year but is still generally considered one of the upper-echelon corners in the league. Once again, he graded well in the run stopping department, and he had graded as one of the top cover corners in the league for some time now. Make no mistake; this enhances the secondary for the Chargers.
Source: Josina Anderson
Eli Apple, Los Vegas Raiders
Player News: Raiders sign Eli Apple
Source: Ian Rapoport
Leonard Floyd, Los Angeles Rams
Player News: The Rams have signed ex-Bear Leonard Floyd
SportsGrid’s Take: Well, Floyd and Quinn have essentially swapped teams with one another, and Floyd will take Quinn’s spot as one of the team’s top pass rushers.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Seth Roberts, Carolina Panthers
Player News: Panthers land former Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts
SportsGrid’s Take: Roberts will provide the team with depth at a position that is a strength. Both D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel took their games to new heights last year and are not at risk to lose their job. Teddy Bridgewater’s accuracy should be helpful to all the pass catchers involved. He has a chance to win the number four receiver role if all goes well.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Dante Fowler, Atlanta Falcons
Player News: Falcons win the bidding war on Dante Fowler, sign him to three year deal
SportsGrid’s Take: Only two teams produced fewer sacks than the Falcons last year so pass rush was clearly a priority.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Tyrod Taylor, Los Angeles Chargers
Player News: Chargers moving forward with Tyrod Taylor as their starting QB
SportsGrid’s Take: Apparently Cam Newton and Jameis Winston are not options for the starting gig in Los Angeles. Taylor’s presence should depreciate the value of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams as it remains to be seen whether or not the offense morphs into a more run-heavy scheme. It should be noted he does like to throw down the field so the big play potential is still there. By the way, Anthony Lynn was his offensive coordinator with Buffalo, so he knows the QB well.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Linval Joseph, Los Angeles Chargers
Player News: Chargers agree to two-year, $17 million deal with Linval Joseph
SportsGrid’s Take: He is a solid defensive tackle who should provide depth to the Chargers’ defensive line. They had spent much of the offseason working on the offensive line to this point.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Nick Foles, Chicago Bears
Player News: The Jaguars are trading Nick Foles to the Bears for a compensatory fourth round pick
SportsGrid’s Take: Nick Foles was outplayed by Gardner Minshew last year after the team signed him to a lucrative deal so he became expendable. Foles will likely start over Trubisky although we are not sure he is much of an upgrade. He has a history of feeding the ball to his top receiver so we feel confident in Allen Robinson’s value holding strong if nothing else.
Source: Adam Schefter
Eric Reid, Panthers
Player News: Panthers release Eric Reid.
Source: Jeff Darlington
Malcolm Jenkins, Saints
Player News: Malcolm Jenkins close to re-joining the Saints
SportsGrid’s Take: Coach Sean Payton was quoted as saying letting him go was one of the team’s bigger mistakes. They appear to be on the verge of righting that wrong.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Ted Karras, Miami Dolphins
Player News: Ted Karras signs with the Dolphins for four million dollars
SportsGrid’s Take: Karras is one of the league’s better pass-blocking centers so he is a welcomed addition to a Dolphins squad looking for any semblance of talent on the offensive side of the ball.
Source: Jeff Howe
Duron Harmon, Detroit Lions
Player News: Lions trade for Duron Harmon
SportsGrid’s Take: The teams only swapped late-round picks along with the inclusion of Harmon.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Joe Flacco, Denver Broncos
Player News: Joe Flacco to be released
SportsGrid’s Take: With the team taking on the Jurrell Casey contract, they can no longer afford Joe Flacco. Teams looking for QBs now have one more option to choose from.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Jurrell Casey, Denver Broncos
Players News: The Broncos trade a seventh-round pick for Jurrell Casey
SportsGrid’s Take: Casey is one of the game’s better run-stopping defensive tackles but came with a huge salary. Apparently, the Titans had no interest in paying that salary any longer, which was the reason for the move.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Danny Shelton, Detroit Lions
Player News: Danny Shelton signs with the Lions for three-years, eight million
SportsGrid’s Take: While not an Earth-shattering piece of news, Shelton graded as a top 20 pass-rusher at this position last year, per PFF, so he is a nice little addition to the Lions’ defensive line.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Gerald McCoy, Dallas Cowboys
Player News: Gerald McCoy signs a three-year deal with the Cowboys
SportsGrid’s Take: McCoy started all 16 games last year after a nine-year run with the Buccaneers. He will now take his talents to Dallas.
Source: Todd Archer
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Player News: Barring anything unforeseen, Brady will be signing with the Buccaneers.
SportsGrid’s Take: This is an upgrade in terms of overall weapons as Mike Evans/Chris Godwin constitute one of the top receiving duos in the entire league and under-utilized O.J. Howard is a talented player as well. We do not expect this team to lead the league in passing once again but the Coach Bruce Arians scheme should create more inherent upside for Brady. This could prove to be a solid fit.
Source: Adam Schefter
Tre Boston, Carolina Panthers
Player News: Panthers sign Tre Boston to a three-year, $18 million deal
SportsGrid’s Takes: Boston ranked 17th in coverage amongst cornerbacks last season according to Pro Football Focus so he is a solid addition to an already strong secondary.
Source: Adam Schefter
Matt Breida, San Francisco 49ers
Player News: 49ers tender Matt Breida
SportsGrid’s Take: Those hoping for a clearer backfield picture from the 49ers in 2020 received bad news today as Breida will remain a part of the three-headed backfield. Raheem Mostert emerged as the guy towards the end of the season and he remains the favorite to lead the backfield in touches.
Source: Sacramento Bee
Trae Waynes, Cincinnati Bengals
Player News: Trae Waynes signs for three-years and $42 million with the Bengals
SportsGrid’s Take: Amongst cornerbacks who played at least 50-percent of their respective team’s snaps last year, Waynes was targeted the seventh fewest times per snap. He should only help solidify the secondary.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Vic Beasley, Tennessee Titans
Player News: Vic Beasley signs for one-year, $9.5 million
SportsGrid’s Take: Beasley should be a starting tackle for the Titans this season. His 15.5 sack season in 2016 was an outlier and not the norm but he’s still a productive player.
Source: Dianna Russini
Maliek Collins, Las Vegas Raiders
Player News: Maliek Collins agrees to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders
SportsGrid’s Take: The Raiders were in desperate need to upgrade their defensive line. Signing Collins shores up some of those problems but they still need additional signings in order to elevate this bottom of the barrel defense.
Source: Michael Gehlken
DJ Reader, Cincinnati Bengals
Player News: DJ Reader signs for four-years, $53 Million
SportsGrid’s Take: This is a clear upgrade to the Bengals’ defensive line. Unfortunately, they’re going to need significantly more than an upgrade at DT to compete at a high level.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Bryan Bulaga, Los Angeles Chargers
Player News: Bryan Bulaga signs for three-years, $30 Million
SportsGrid’s Take: Well, whomever will be under center for this team gets an upgrade at right tackle, but it remains to be seen who ends up starting.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Jason Witten, Oakland Raiders
Player News: Jason Witten signs with the Raiders
SportsGrid’s Take: Darren Waller busted out in a big way last year so Jason Witten will only act as the team’s second tight end and mentor to Waller and the offense. He is no longer fantasy relevant.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Joe Schobert, Jacksonville Jaguars
Player News: Joe Schobert signs with the Jaguars for five-years, $53.75 Million
SportsGrid’s Take: Letting Calais Campbell go allowed the team to sign Schobert who registered over 130 tackles last year for the second time in three years.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Jordan Howard, Miami Dolphins
Player News: Dolphins closing in on deal with Jordan Howard
SportsGrid’s Take: The Dolphins backfield was a fantasy wasteland last year so Howard is being in too provide some stability. Fantasy folk legend Patrick Laird will likely move down the depth chart and the potential for 200-plus touches in once again a real possibility for Howard (who touched the ball by far a career-low 129 times last year).
Source: Ian Rapoport
Geoff Swaim, Jacksonville Jaguars
Player News: Jaguars release Geoff Swaim
SportsGrid’s Take: Youngster Josh Oliver was injured for most of his rookie season but he is the most talented pass-catching option the team has to offer at the tight end position. Taken 69th overall in last year’s draft, there is now a clear path to playing time for the youngster in 2020 assuming he can stay healthy.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers
Player News: Panthers are reportedly closing in on Teddy Bridgewater
SportsGrid’s Take: The Panthers receiving core was productive last year despite suffering through an injured Cam Newton and Kyle Allen’s sporadic effectiveness. Bridgewater will bring badly-needed stability to the position for the Panthers which increases the already sky-rocketing value of D.J. Moore.
Source: Jason La Canfora
Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts
Player News: Colts are finalizing a deal with Philip Rivers
SportsGrid’s Take: Comparatively to his receiving core with the Chargers, this is a fantasy downgrade for Rivers. T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle are the top two receiving options on the squad currently and Rivers would rate outside the top 15 fantasy QBs if the options are not improved prior to the season.
Source: Jason La Canfora
Leonard Floyd, Chicago Bears
Players News: Chicago Bears release Leonard Floyd
SportsGrid’s Take: The former first round pick only produced 3.0 sacks last year despite playing all 16 games. The team just filled a pass-rushing void by signing Robert Quinn and the team will now focus on filling offensive needs, like QB for instance, via free agency.
Source: Adam Schefter
Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears
Player News: Bears sign pass-rusher Robert Quinn to a 5-year, $70 million contract
SportsGrid’s Take: The Bears strength on defense only gets stronger as they will now have both Khalil Mack and Quinn rushing the passer. Quinn produced 11.0 sacks last year, or 8.0 more than Leonard Floyd, so the team likely views this as an upgrade.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Player News: Cam Newton to be traded
SportsGrid’s Take: The notion that they were going to keep him “depending on health” always seemed like a longshot as the team has shown signs all along they were willing to move on. Per an instagram post, Newton suggests he has not asked for a trade, but either way his marriage with the Panthers appears to be over.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Player News: Drew Brees has been resigned for a 2-year $50M deal
SportsGrid’s Take: This move secures the short-term fantasy prospects for Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara as the offense should operate similarly to the 2019-20 season.
Tom Brady, Free Agent
Player News: Tom Brady has left the New England Patriots organization and is reportedly deciding between the Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Los Angeles Chargers.
SportsGrid’s Take: While Brady’s best is clearly behind him, it is very fascinating to see what direction the Patriots go in. Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, Jarred Stidham or perhaps one of the incoming rookies (Fromm, Eason, Hurts should all be available where NE picks). The Patriots will likely remain AFC East favorites in betting markets but could see the odds shorten on teams like the Buffalo Bills.
Source: NBC
Marcus Mariota, Oakland Raiders
Player News: Marcus Mariota has left the Tennesee Titans for the Oakland Raiders for undisclosed terms
SportsGrid’s Take: Mariota is certainly a more dynamic player than Derek Carr, even in his current lackluster state. Jon Gruden has made it well known that he is not a fan of Carr and it is not unreasonable to think that this is a legit QB competition in Oakland.
Source: ESPN
Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
Player News: Amari Cooper has resigned with the Dallas Cowboys on a 5-year, $100M contract.
SportsGrid’s Take: The Cowboys have been busy, signing Zeke Elliott, franchise tag on Dak Prescott, signing TE Blake Jarwin, and now re-signing Cooper. The Cowboys offense should remain in-tact for the 2020 season and offer stability in fantasy formats, but long-term you have to wonder about the salary cap implications of a top-heavy roster.
Source: Adam Schefter
Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills
Player News: Stefon Diggs has been traded to the Buffalo Bills for a package of picks including a 1st-rounder.
SportsGrid’s Take: Diggs goes from the WR1 on a run-heavy offense to the WR1 on a run-heavy offense. It is hard to get overly excited about Diggs’ fantasy prospects given the lack of passing volume, but the Bills offense does get a bit more exciting in 2020.
Source: Adam Schefter
DeForest Bucker, Indianapolis Colts
Player News: The Colts have traded their 13th overall pick in the first round for DeForest Buckner from the San Francisco 49ers.
SportsGrid’s Take: This move might be popular with both fanbases but this is a clear win for the 49ers who get to trade an interior defensive lineman and receive first-round pick. First-round picks are cost-controlled labor for five seasons, something that the San Francisco organization well knows.
Source: NFL.Com
Blake Jarwin, Dallas Cowboys
Player News: The Cowboys have signed TE Blake Jarwin to a 3-year $24.25M extension.
SportsGrid’s Take: This comes on the heels of Dak being franchise-tagged, and shows the Cowboys see Jarwin as the heir apparent to Jason Witten. Jarwin played just 38 percent of snaps last season, 0.12 fantasy points per snap. With a clear uptick in snaps expected, Jarwin has the upside to become a low-end TE1.
Source: Ian Rapaport
Deandre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
Player News: Deandre Hopkins has been acquired by the Arizona Cardinals.
SportsGrid’s Take: Hopkins moves to Arizona where he’ll immediately become the #1 wide receiver for Kyler Murray. This could be a net negative fantasy move for Hopkins given the wide distribution of targets and snaps we saw for Arizona last year. Will Fuller and Kenny Stills will receive a boost in expected market share of targets for the Texans. Kyler Murray was a low-end QB1 last year, and now adds another weapon and year of progression.
Source: Adam Schefter
David Johnson, Houston Texans
Player News: David Johnson has been traded to the Houston Texans, alongside a 2nd round pick and 2021 4th round pick. The Cardinals will receive Deandre Hopkins and a 4th round pick.
SportsGrid’s Take: This should be a neutral move for Johnson’s fantasy prospects as he’ll be competing for touches in a backfield that likes to spread them around. At this point in his career, Johnson is not influencing betting markets.
Source: Adam Schefter
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Player News: The Cowboys have placed an exclusive franchise tag on QB Dak Prescott.
SportsGrid’s Take: The Cowboys chose Dak over Amari, and while they’ll likely still pursue Cooper he will be eligible for free agency. Prescott remains a high-end QB1, particularly in dynasty formats, but with a higher cap hit for both Dak and Zeke, the Cowboys could take a step back in the coming years.
Source: Adam Schefter
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
Player News: The Browns have placed a 2nd-round tender on restricted free-agent Kareem Hunt. In 8 games, Hunt rushed for 179 yards and 2 TDs, while adding 37 catches for 285 yards.
SportsGrid’s Take: Kareem Hunt is currently ranked around RB35 in our fantasy projections and rankings. Hunt’s path to touch volume is capped within the Browns making him an RB3 unless there are injuries.
Source: Cleveland Browns
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Player News: The Tennessee Titans have placed a non-exclusive Franchise Tag on star running back Derrick Henry.
SportsGrid’s Take: With Dion Lewis waived and Tannehill resigned, Henry is locked into a workhorse role again for the Titan’s. Henry should be a 1st-round fantasy pick moving forward and a candidate to lead the futures markets for NFL Rushing Yards leader.
Source: Adam Schefter
Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns
Player News: The Cleveland Browns have signed Austin Hooper, making him the highest-paid TE in the league and taking one of the premier tight ends off of the market.
SportsGrid’s Take: Hooper joins a talented group of weapons for Baker Mayfield, including Odell Beckham Jr, Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb and restricted free agent Kareem Hunt. Hooper’s fantasy value will remain similar to what we saw in Atlanta.
Source: Tom Pelissero
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Player News: Kirk Cousins has signed a two-year $66M deal to remain quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings.
SportsGrid’s Take: No fantasy or betting impact as Cousins remains a QB2. At 31-years old it is a bit surprising to see Cousins not seek a longer-term deal.
Source: Ian Rapaport
AJ Green, Cincinnati Bengals
Player News: The Cincinnati Bengals have placed a franchise tag on wide receiver AJ Green.
SportsGrid’s Take: Green missed half of last season with injuries but will return to the Bengals for another year. Green is a low-end WR3.
Source: Adam Schefter
