2024 NFL free agency - Fantasy football impact of signings and ...

The fantasy football offseason heats up with NFL free agency. This column is designed to be a one-stop shop for quick-hitting analysis of the most impactful player movement -- trades and free-agent signings, including those who re-signed with their teams.

ESPN Fantasy writers Tristan H. Cockcroft, Eric Karabell, Liz Loza and Eric Moody offer their insights into what each move means for a player's fantasy value in 2024.

Gardner Minshew signs with the Las Vegas Raiders Fantasy Impact: Neutral to Positive

Landing on this fourth team in six years, Minshew inked a two-year deal worth a reported $25 million ($15 million guaranteed) with the Raiders. He recorded just over 3,300 yards and 15 TDs (plus three rushing scores) on 490 pass attempts while subbing in for Anthony Richardson last year. The vet averaged 13.75 fantasy points per game (QB21) over his 13 starts in 2023.

A fine bridge for a team in the throes of a rebuild, Minshew appears in line (right now) to compete with (and likely beat out) Aidan O'Connell for the starting gig in Vegas. While his talents aren't exactly elite, Minshew's experience and savvy figures to buoy both Davante Adams' and Jakobi Meyers' fantasy floors. It's unlikely that Minshew will crack the top-25 fantasy producers at the position, but he could retain value as a backup in super flex leagues. -- Loza

Kirk Cousins signs with the Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Impact: Positive

The Falcons' offense just keeps getting more interesting this offseason, as after the hiring of coach Raheem Morris, the team now signs Cousins, a very-good-albeit-unspectacular quarterback who represents a sizable upgrade upon the Marcus Mariota/Desmond Ridder/Taylor Heinicke rotation the team had in 2022-23.

Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles' that does present some injury risk at the season's onset, but he averaged 18.7 fantasy points in eight starts before getting hurt, sixth-best among quarterbacks who started at least that many. He's a borderline QB1, probably best ranked 12th-13th at his position, but his arrival is plenty promising for the futures of running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts. -- Cockcroft

Russell Wilson signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Impact: Neutral-to-positive for Wilson, Negative for Pickett

The move sets up a genuine quarterback battle, between Wilson, whose 16.1 fantasy points per start during his two seasons in Denver ranked 18th among quarterbacks (minimum 10 starts), and Kenny Pickett, whose 10.3 points ranked 41st. Wilson presumably wouldn't have selected a team unwilling to let him start, so he'll probably be under center in Week 1 unless he has an awful preseason. He'll have a decent pair of receivers to throw to in Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, and could benefit from Arthur Smith's run-oriented offense that should more frequently rely on play-action. Wilson still seems most likely to be a matchups quarterback, even with a standout preseason that nets him a starting job. -- Cockcroft

Austin Ekeler signs with Washington Commanders Fantasy Impact: Negative

We have another running back reunion! Austin Ekeler penned a two-year deal with the Commanders. Anthony Lynn (who will work as Washington's RBs coach in 2024) was the Chargers head coach when Ekeler entered the league in 2017. Lynn -- a former RB himself -- was instrumental in Austin's ascent from UDFA to fantasy superstar.

Ekeler isn't likely to shoulder the load alone in Washington but rather, work as a complement to Brian Robinson Jr., who should continue to thrive on early downs and in a short yardage capacity. Given that the Commanders offense is very much a work in progress, Ekeler's rushing efficiency isn't likely to rebound anytime soon. His pass-catching prowess should be on full display though, as he emerges as a safety valve for whichever rookie QB the team drafts in April. With Washington likely to be playing from behind, Austin should deliver low-end RB2/high-end RB3 numbers in PPR friendly formats. -- Loza

Gus Edwards signs with Los Angeles Chargers Fantasy Impact: Neutral

The Gus Bus is heading west for a reunion with his former OC Greg Roman in SoCal. Edwards broke every rule about TD regression, recording 13 total scores (RB4) in 2023. He is a two-down grinder with an undeniable nose for the end zone and figures to work as the Chargers short yardage option. His efficiency will probably take a hit without Lamar Jackson beguiling defenses, but the complexion of the Chargers retooled offense should allow Edwards to retain flex fantasy value. -- Loza

Devin Singletary signs with the New York Giants Fantasy Impact: Neutral

After leaving Buffalo for Houston, Singletary is heading back to the northeast, this time on a three-year deal with the New York Giants. Saquon Barkley's departure created an enormous chasm in the team's RB room, a void that Singletary won't fill alone. The Giants are expected to employ a committee approach in the backfield and Singletary had flashes down the second half of the 2023 season, averaging over 14 fantasy points per game from Weeks 10 through 18. That is less likely to occur with the Giants however, the team's offense lacks both zip and leadership (particularly in comparison the Texans' offense). Consider Singletary a reliable but middling RB3 for fantasy purposes heading into 2024. -- Loza

Antonio Gibson signs with the New England Patriots Fantasy Impact: Neutral

Brian Robinson Jr.'s emergence in Washington upended thoughts that Gibson might finally unlock his full potential. Gibson's carries have steadily declined over the past few seasons, though his catches have remained stable, averaging close to three receptions per game for three straight seasons. With New England likely to move on from Ezekiel Elliott, Gibson will join Rhamondre Stevenson in the team's backfield. Gibson's pass-catching ability figures to be utilized in a third down or change-of-pace role, which could benefit PPR enthusiasts seeking a valuable flex option late in drafts. -- Loza

Josh Jacobs signs with Green Bay Packers Fantasy Impact: Neutral

The Packers have switched up their backfield. Green Bay added Jacobs and, in a surprising turn of events, released Aaron Jones, who had one year left on his contract. With AJ Dillon set to test free agency, Jacobs could (at least in the present moment) retain an every-down role on his new team. Clearing 260 touches for the fifth consecutive campaign of his career, the former Raider has been a consistent fantasy producer since entering the league in 2019.

His career-best season -- where he averaged over 16 fantasy points per contest -- came in 2022. While Jacobs' numbers unsurprisingly dipped last year (3.5 YPC), he still recorded top-20 FF stats on a per game basis (13.8 fantasy points per game). More of the same (or better) should be expected -- assuming Green Bay drafts a rookie and employs Jacobs as a bridge -- in 2024. -- Loza

Saquon Barkley signs with the Philadelphia Eagles Fantasy Impact: Positive

Though injuries have been a problem for him throughout his six-year NFL career -- he has missed 25 games in that time -- Barkley has proven himself one of the league's most well-rounded running backs when on the field, averaging a fifth-best-at-his-position 17.6 PPR fantasy points per game since entering the league. He gives the Eagles a much-needed rushing boost, adding a dimension to the offense that at times was lacking in 2023, particularly late in the year. As Barkley's receiving numbers suffered as a result of the frequent injuries to Daniel Jones while in New York, he should rebound in Philadelphia working with Jalen Hurts. A return, or improvement upon, his 2022 numbers is entirely possible, if he plays a similar number of games.

Consider him an 18-carries-a-game player, rendering Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny mere change-of-pace backs. -- Cockcroft

Tony Pollard signs with the Tennessee Titans Fantasy impact: Neutral

He was one of the biggest disappointments in 2023, his first season as a full-time starter, as Pollard saw 59 more carries and 75 more touches but totaled 62 fewer yards. That he did so behind one of the game's better offensive lines, on a team with one of the league's best passing offenses, is especially unsettling. Pollard should have an opportunity to seize a similar amount of work, but in a less optimal environment -- bad offensive line and shaky passing game -- and with Tyjae Spears lurking to steal work if the 2023 struggles repeat. Fantasy managers -- this columnist included -- would've loved to see Spears get a chance instead, but this might quickly morph into a time share. -- Cockcroft

D'Andre Swift signs with the Chicago Bears Fantasy Impact: Neutral

He is an unusual addition for the price, considering his sluggish finish to 2023 -- he averaged 9.9 PPR fantasy points in the season's second half and had 66 total yards in the Philadelphia Eagles' wild-card loss. Additionally, there is the presence of Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert on the roster, but Swift's deal assures he'll probably occupy a three-down role. It's a downgrade in offense, with the Bears likely to draft Caleb Williams as their quarterback, making Swift a low-to-midrange RB2 for fantasy (Mike Clay projects him for 1,054 total yards, 209 fewer than last season). Johnson is now more of an afterthought, after originally appearing like he might be a decent bargain candidate entering 2024. -- Cockcroft

Gabe Davis signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars Fantasy impact: Neutral-to-positive

The presumed big-play receiver replacement for Calvin Ridley, Davis' 14.6 yard average depth of target was second-most in the league, and 27% of his receptions went for 20 yards last season. Some of Davis' success needs be attributed to Josh Allen, whose 60 receptions and 12 touchdowns on throws at least 15 yards downfield ranked fifth and second last season, though his new quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, had a respectable 49 (11th) and 10 (eighth) in that department. While Davis' fantasy value -- that of a matchups-oriented WR4/5 -- might ultimately not change in Jacksonville, there is the path to his gaining a larger role than merely the situational deep threat he was in Buffalo the past two years. There's a hint more upside now. -- Cockcroft

Jerry Jeudy traded to the Cleveland Browns Fantasy impact: Neutral for Jeudy, positive for Marvin Mims Jr.

The substantial takeaway here doesn't pertain to Jeudy at all. It's that his departure from Denver paves the way for fantasy darling Mims to see a huge spike in targets, aligning for a prospective breakthrough. Mims might have WR3 upside, dependent upon the identity of his quarterback. Jeudy, meanwhile, should settle in as the Browns' No. 2 receiver, a role that'll probably bring similar depth/matchups appeal for fantasy rather than grant him a true breakout path. It's bad news for Elijah Moore, who scored 77 PPR fantasy points in his final nine games of 2023 but will now struggle to see consistent targets. -- Cockcroft