Which trade or signing hasn't gotten enough attention, and who stands to benefit most in fantasy as a result?
Scott Bischoff: Kenyan Drake signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, clearing the way for a new starting running back in Arizona. Chase Edmonds should get the first opportunity to replace Drake. Edmonds was the most talented runner in Arizona’s backfield last year and has the ability to post RB1 numbers if he opens the season as the starter in 2021.
Dan Hindery: Good call, Scott. We shouldn’t write Edmonds’ name in pen as the starter until after the NFL Draft, but he has a better chance of opening the season with the Cardinals’ starting job than most in the fantasy community seem to think.
There is not much left on the free-agent market and only a few running backs are projected to be drafted early. Arizona is one of the teams who should consider drafting a top running back, but it is easy to envision a scenario where they miss on the elite talents and only add a mid-round back to the mix.
“As far as Chase goes, you’ve seen when he’s had his opportunity, he’s played at a starting running back level,” Cardinals head coach, Kliff Kingsbury, said during a recent press conference. “We all understand that he’s unfortunately been nicked up a couple of times, which we want to keep him on the field. But we have all the confidence in the world in Chase and him being able to be the bell cow if that’s how this plays out.”
Kingsbury qualified his statement but Edmonds as the bell cow back in a very good running offense is a possibility we should take seriously.
Jason Wood: No disrespect guys, but I'm reluctant to sing the praises of Edmonds just yet. It's entirely possible, if not likely, he’ll face stiff competition from a rookie. If you were giving me even odds on a rookie running back leading the Cardinals in total yards over Edmonds, I’d take that bet.
Andy Hicks: I fully expect Arizona to add a running back in the draft too, Jason. Edmonds has only carried the ball more than 11 times twice in three years as a pro.
Jordan McNamara: Don’t forget about the notable free-agent running backs still on the market. Leonard Fournette or James Conner can significantly alter the outlook of Edmonds or any other back whose position atop his team’s depth chart is suspect (Benny Snell, Mike Davis/Ito Smith, LaMichael Perine/Tevin Coleman are some examples). But with only two or three starting-caliber running backs available in this year’s draft, we also shouldn’t be surprised if some of these teams open the year with an unexpected starter.
Sigmund Bloom: I want to circle back on the Kenyan Drake signing for a moment. The way the Raiders dismantled their offensive line could cause major problems for the entire offense if Andre James isn't a hit at the center position and they don't add a right tackle in the draft who can start right away. We’re likely to see a drop in offensive efficiency across the board and limited downfield passing success. The potential problem didn’t go unnoticed by the NFL media, but it wasn't fully noted by the fantasy community after the Drake signing stole the headlines.
Chad Parsons: Switching gears to tight ends, Jared Cook to the Chargers didn’t make big waves but it’s a signing that caught my eye. Hunter Henry vacates 93 targets in LA and Cook could command the majority of those looks from the latest excellent quarterback he gets to play with, Justin Herbert. Cook has three top-12 point-per-game tight end finishes in his career and seven inside the top-20. Even entering his age-34 season, Cook is one of the best seam-stretching tight ends in the league and he landed in another high-quality offense.
Jeff Haseley: Good call, Chad. Cook isn’t getting any younger, but it looks like the Chargers will give him the chance to be a weekly contributor.
I’m going to dig a bit deeper and highlight Dan Arnold signing with the Panthers. He is familiar with offensive coordinator Joe Brady from his time in New Orleans and is quietly coming off a good stint with the Cardinals (an offense famous for underutilizing their tight ends). Arnold can use his six-foot-five frame to help improve Carolina's red zone offense. He has a chance to become an impact player, and at the very least, should see an increase in fantasy production in 2021.
Andy Hicks: The tight end I like here is Tyler Higbee now that Gerald Everett has departed for the Seahawks. Higbee was a fantasy monster at the conclusion of the 2019 season, which coincided with Everett getting injured. Unless the Rams add another pass-catching tight end in free agency, I’m targeting Higbee as a starter in 2021.
Jason Wood: Irv Smith is the tight end flying under the radar. While Kyle Rudolph didn't put up eye-popping numbers in Minnesota last year, his signing with the Giants clears the way for Smith to be an every-down player. In the final month of the 2020 season, when Rudolph was inactive, Smith broke out. He was on pace for 80 targets, 60 receptions, 732 yards, and 12 touchdowns in the No. 1 tight end role. Those are elite fantasy numbers. Even if he settles into a regular role at 80% of that usage, he's an every-week starter.
Sigmund Bloom: The Colts tendered Mo Alie-Cox at a second-round level, a clear sign they don't want to lose him. Indianapolis could still trade for Zach Ertz, but GM Chris Ballard isn't one to overpay for assets. If Ertz isn't a Colt come Week 1, Alie-Cox will be a prominent receiving tight end on a team -- and with a quarterback -- that have a history of featuring the position.
Jeff Haseley: Oh, man. I’d love to see Mo Alie-Cox in a featured role, Sig.
Let’s talk wide receivers. Carolina made another sneaky-good signing with formers Seahawks wide receiver, David Moore. Moore has shown flashes of success with Seattle, and Panthers GM Scott Fitterer, who formerly worked with the Seahawks, has seen it firsthand. Don’t be surprised if he’s the one to fill the target-void left behind by Curtis Samuel.
Sigmund Bloom: Moore and Arnold are great calls, Jeff. Carolina’s offense supported three fantasy-relevant pass-catchers last year with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback.
I found it interesting Tampa Bay didn’t immediately bring back Antonio Brown. Maybe the door is open for Scotty Miller to be a bigger part of the offense? Miller showed natural chemistry with Tom Brady last season.
Jason Wood: Will Fuller signing in Miami could be fantastic. I haven't always been the biggest Fuller fan because of his injury history, but he at least proved to be more than a one-dimensional vertical option in DeAndre Hopkins' absence last year. With a new lease on life on an ascending team, he only needs Tua Tagovailoa to take an expected step forward in Year 2 to become a possible Top-25 fantasy option.
