2022 NFL Free Agency Recap- Part 2: The Signings
While the 2022 NFL Offseason was certainly memorable for the blockbuster trades, one thing that is being overshadowed is some of the signings that will definitely impact the upcoming fantasy football season. Now, many of these signings are not as compelling as these blockbuster trades but a lot of them will have an impact for Fantasy in 2022 - 23.
I think the best thing to do is just go team by team and discuss the signings I found most interesting and their impact on the team. There were also some key re-signings that happened as well that will also be discussed. The final part of this Free Agency Rear View is to look back at some of the notable signings that will impact players for fantasy for the 2022-23 fantasy season.
It goes without saying but these are my personal opinions on these moves, if you disagree that’s fine but please state your disagreements in a respectful manner.
Buffalo Bills
The team certainly made sure to keep a plethora of Back up players and veteran talent in the Quarterback room. The team acquired Matt Barkley through Free Agency and Case Keenum in a trade with Cleveland. Keenum showed he is a competent player as a backup and won’t hurt your team.
However, the pass catchers are what really caught my eye. The team re-signed Jake Kumerow and Isaiah McKenzie, both players who have been in the system for quite a while. But I am really intrigued by the signing of former Jet and Commander Jamison Crowder. The Bills released Cole Beasley and Crowder can easily step into his role. That leaves Kumerow, McKenzie, and Gabirel Davis to fight for that #2 spot opposite of Diggs and after his performance against the Chiefs, I expect Davis to win that job.
Miami Dolphins
The signings of both Running Backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert create a power vacuum in Miami’s backfield. Myles Gaskins truthers are going to have a hard time justifying his value after this. Mostert’s one year $3.1 Million deal intrigues me the most because if he stays healthy and has recovered from last year's injury, then the Dolphins got him at a bargain because he will be the best runner in that backfield. The team also re-signing Tight End Mike Gesicki was also a big move for the team as well as it gives Tua a great field stretcher in the middle.
However, with the acquisition of Tyreek Hill, the receiver room is now packed with other players like Waddle, Preston Williams, Trent Sherfield, and Cedrick Wilson. Even with Davante Parker traded to Miami, it still raises the question of fantasy value for the Miami receivers outside of Hill? Does Waddle’s value take a hit? These are questions that will have to be answered by training camp.
New England Patriots
If the team had not acquired DaVante Parker, then there would be nothing to talk about for the team. Free Agency Wrap Up was submitted before the Parker trade so I am not complaining that we talk about him here. Parker makes New England’s receiving room much more interesting. The team tendered Jakobi Meyers and also has Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor, but Parker steps in as the clear #1 for the team. I think that Bourne, who was the leading fantasy receiver, takes the biggest hit. Meyers, I think stays at the same level and could also see a bump with the presence of Parker.
New York Jets
The Jets are desperate to find a big time receiver for Zach Wilson, they almost had a deal for Tyreek Hill before Miami stepped in and they are rumored to be trying to obtain DK Metcalf. However, all they could do is re-sign Braxton Berrios, who worked well with Wilson, and also signed Tight Ends Tyler Conklin and CJ Uzomah, we will see how these players pan out for the team.
Baltimore Ravens
The team has made no significant fantasy free agent moves.
Cincinnati Bengals
The AFC Champions definitely made some big moves by signing key pieces for their offensive line. However fantasy-wise I really like the signing of Tight End Hayden Hurst formally of the Ravens and Falcons. Hurst is a good tight end who has been reliable but never really had a chance to be the #1 in the systems he’s played in. I think this is his best (and possibly final) shot to prove that he can be a big play tight end for fantasy.
Cleveland Browns
Outside of the team trading for Watson and Cooper the teams only other big move for fantasy was tagging Tight End David Njoku. The team obviously values Njoku so can this be the year he moves into true Tight End 1 range?
Pittsburgh Steelers
The most notable move the Steelers made was signing Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to a 2 year $14.25 Million deal with a boatload of incentives. Trubisky now competes with Mason Rudolph for the starting job, which I think Trubisky wins. If he is able to be the Steelers starter I see his career going one of two ways: He goes the Ryan Tannehill path and is able to revitalize his career in a big way or he once again shows why he is one of the biggest draft busts in the modern draft era. Even if the Steelers draft a QB (which I think they do) my opinion really doesn’t change here. I have a lot of hope since Trubisky was able to lead the Bears to two playoff appearances despite horrendous team management, so this is a great opportunity for both the Steelers and Trubisky.
Houston Texans
The team signed both Running Backs Royce Freeman and Marlon Mack to contracts. This tells me that David Johnson is done with the team. Freeman was able to successfully revitalize his career in Tennessee and Mack is now a full year removed from his achilles tear so I am interested to see how this tandem works in Houston, if the team doesn’t select a rookie to come in and compete for touches.
Indianapolis Colts
I know that the re-signing of Tight End Mo Alie-Cox doesn’t seem like a big deal but I think this is more significant than analysts think. He is a 6-5’ mammoth with great speed and reliable hands. While his catch percentage dropped in 2021 with Carson Wentz, his yards per catch was 13.2. Matt Ryan loves his Tight Ends and I am making the early prediction that Mo Alie-Cox will be an undrafted steal in Fantasy Football!
Jacksonville Jaguars
The teams moves this offseason were… interesting? The team signed receivers Zay Jones, Christian Kirk, and Tight End Evan Engram to big deals despite emerging talents like Lavishka Shenault and Dan Arnold on the roster. I understand the necessity to surround your young and emerging Quarterback with as much talent as possible but none of his pass catchers outside of Marvin Jones have done anything of note to warrant such big deals. Zay Jones was able to revive his career in Vegas with Carr but he wasn’t a world beater. Kirk was injured so much in Arizona that we don’t know if he is a true number 1. We all know the story about Evan Engram so it’s not even worth discussing any more.
Tennessee Titans
The trade for Robert Woods was a great move by the team, but the signing of Free Agent Austin Hooper, to me is even better, Tannehill loves a good receiving Tight End and no offense to Swaim but Hooper is faster and has a more proven track record as a solid between the 20’s and Red Zone target for all of his quarterbacks. Hooper is another potential candidate that I think can be the next great Tight End 1 for fantasy football.
Denver Broncos
Aside from the trade for Russell Wilson, the Broncos have made no significant Fantasy Football relevant moves in Free Agency. Please refer to my first column on NFL Free Agency for my thoughts on the Russell Wilson trade and how it impacts the team.
Kansas City Chiefs
I touched upon this in the last column as well so please check out the first Free Agency Wrap up but the signings of Running Back Ronald Jones, plus Wide receivers Juju Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdez-Scantling were not insignificant moves. They were pretty big moves that tells me that the offense is going to switch to a different style. I honestly believe that Ronald Jones and Juju will be the more fantasy relevant players in this system after Travis Kelce. But I also believe that Fantasy owners need to beware of Patrick Mahomes because this system is going to be new and it’s going to have an early impact on his fantasy production.