Moves I Like:
Kenny Golladay – New York Giants: Kenny Golladay had plenty of suitors this offseason, he was regarded as the top available WR on the free agent market. The Giants had the 31st ranked offense last year, so there was no doubt they had improve their receiving corps. They finally have a true number one receiver for the first time since Odell Beckham Jr. Golladay, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton headline the receiving group, and with Saquon Barkley coming back from injury this should vastly improve QB Daniel Jones’ value in fantasy as well. The offensive line needs to be improved, but regardless they should have an exciting year on the offensive side of the ball. Even though Golladay was banged up for most of last year, he can make a big impact in fantasy this season. I expect him to be a solid WR2 in most lineups.
Stat Prediction: 85 receptions, 1105 yards, 9 TDs
Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry and Nelson Agholor – New England Patriots: Last year was a rough year for Bill Belichick and the Patriots. It was bad enough having a lot of key injuries and virtually no offense, but watching Tom Brady go to Tampa to win his 7th Super Bowl made it sting even more for Belichick. He wasn’t going to sit back and have a mediocre team any longer. Since Gronk’s departure, the team hasn’t been able to find consistent production from the tight end spot. Adding Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry gives Belichick and OC Josh McDaniels the option to run two tight end sets like they did in 2010 with Gronk and Aaron Hernandez. Also, Nelson Agholor had a good bounce-back season in Las Vegas last year and provides much needed depth at the WR position. With the additions of Smith, Henry, Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and the return of Julian Edelman from injury, their offense will be a lot better. The only problem is the QB instability might prevent them from reaching their full potential. Cam Newton had a poor 2020, and is now a few years removed from having a decent season. His stats should improve with the new weapons and being more familiar with New England, but if he struggles early I wouldn’t be surprised to Jarrett Stidham gets a shot. Smith and Henry’s numbers will cut into each other, but if I had to pick one to start it would definitely be Jonnu Smith. Agholor will likely be a flex/bench player.
Stat Predictions:
Smith: 55 receptions, 640 yards, 7 TDs
Henry: 40 receptions, 410 yards, 5 TDs
Agholor: 43 receptions, 400 yards, 4 TDs
Juju Smith-Schuster – Pittsburgh Steelers: I’m glad Juju Smith-Schuster is back in Pittsburgh. Most Steelers fans either love or hate him, and this past season he was getting a lot of heat from the fans. There was no way the Steelers were going to pay him what he’s worth in today’s market (probably could have gotten close to Golladay money). They have young, improving receivers like Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson. Juju could’ve easily taken a multi-year deal elsewhere, but he loves the Steelers and the fanbase and didn’t want to leave. I admire him for being loyal to the team that drafted him and taking a chance on himself. Enough of that though, he needs to perform in 2021 if he wants even bigger contract offers next offseason, and I think he will. I believe he will regain control as the Steelers #1 WR, but expect big years from all three Steeler WRs.
Stat prediction: 95 receptions, 1027 yards, 10 TDs
Will Fuller – Miami Dolphins: This move provides depth for the Dolphins at the receiver position. Miami will likely draft WRs Devonta Smith or JaMarr Chase, they have a good tight end in Mike Gesicki, and a decent WRs DeVante Parker and Preston Williams. Due to his drug suspension, Fuller will have to wait until Week 2 to make his Miami debut. Assuming Tua is the QB, he will have plenty of weapons on the offensive end. Fuller, like Juju, took a one year deal and wants to prove his worth. He wants to make WR1 money. With the extra motivation and hopefully staying healthy all year, I expect him to put up good numbers. He will likely be regarded as a WR2/flex option in 2021.
Stat predictions: 75 receptions, 950 yards, 8 TDs
Corey Davis and Keelan Cole – New York Jets: The Jets FINALLY have receiving help. Keep Darnold, draft Kyle Pitts. Finally some weapons. Too early to make stat predictions (Jamison Crowder may be cut for finances, depends if they draft a QB or Pitts/WR). New HC Robert Saleh is going to bring a winning culture East. That’s all.
Moves I Don’t Like:
Andy Dalton – Chicago Bears: Not much to be said here, the Bears have a good team. The only thing stopping them from becoming a real problem in the league is a good QB. There hasn’t been a great QB in Chicago in decades. I would rather have Mitch Trubisky. 33 year-old Dalton won’t make a big impact in fantasy in 2021, unless he miraculously turns the clock back to his early Bengals days. Sorry Bears fans.
Kenyan Drake – Las Vegas Raiders: Unfortunately, this decision by the Raiders clogs up their backfield. On top of that, they pretty much lost their whole offensive line and are going to have to start that over. Josh Jacobs is a Pro-Bowl running back, and adding another good back in Kenyan Drake who could easily start elsewhere is kind of puzzling. Jon Gruden has a plan to creatively use Drake as a hybrid back/receiver, so it could turn out well but it demotes Josh Jacobs from one of the top RBs in fantasy to more of a RB2 role.
Stat predictions: 150 rushes, 60 receptions, 910 total yards (rushing and receiving), 8 TDs
JJ Watt – Arizona Cardinals: I like this move for the Cardinals, they are trying to build a winning culture and it will improve their defense. On the contrary, I don’t like this move for JJ Watt and his chances of winning a Super Bowl in the short-term (next 1-2 years). Sam dives into the logistics of Watt to AZ in an informative article you can read here: https://bullseyefantasy.wixsite.com/bullseyefantasy/post/super-bowl-ready-teams-jj-watt-should-have-signed-with-over-az
Image from ClutchPoints