With the fantasy season winding down, dynasty managers should always have their eyes on what’s next. Right now that’s looking at what players are about to hit the free agency market. It’s always good to start paying attention to this as free agency and the draft start to take over the discussion. Changing teams might sound like a good thing, but going into the wrong situation can tank a player’s value. On the flip side, staying put might be the best thing for everyone involved. Let’s dive in.
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Dynasty Players to Watch: 2023 NFL Free Agency (Fantasy Football)
All signs point to Smith staying in Seattle after the year he’s had. Heck, fantasy managers are happy with his performance as well. Through 14 weeks, Smith is QB6 overall and QB7 in points per game. Whether or not he’s re-signed by the Seahawks, I am optimistic about Smith’s future potential. If he ends up signing somewhere else I doubt his value goes up, but if he stays with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, I think he’s got a shot at another top-ten QB finish. We’ll have to wait until March to see what happens, but it’s nice to see a 32-year-old veteran QB finally get his day in the sun.
One of the crazier things we’ve seen in 2022 is the resurgence of Mayfield. A lot of fantasy managers had high hopes when he was traded to the Panthers, but that never panned out. It was so bad that the team ended up cutting him and just saying goodbye. The Rams claimed him off waivers and just two days later, Mayfield led the team to an amazing come-from-behind victory on Thursday Night Football. Even with how this all played out it’s hard to imagine the Rams signing him next year with Matt Stafford set to return. That being said, this revival could allow Mayfield to find a new home somewhere else. If that happens, and the fit is right, he could be a fantasy league winner in SuperFlex formats. Definitely one to keep an eye on.
Robinson is the youngest (24) and probably the most confusing name on this list. He was traded from the Jaguars to the New York Jets during the season, presumably to help after the team lost Breece Hall to injury. However, not only have the Jets barely used him, they haven’t even had him active on some Sundays. Now the team has turned to Bam Knight and Michael Carter, leaving Robinson on the outside looking in. I highly doubt his career ends this way. I believe in his talent and think someone signs him in free agency and he becomes a valuable flex option for fantasy in 2023 and beyond. It all depends on where he lands though. If he’s part of a committee, I’m out, but if he’s given the chance to lead the backfield, I’m in.
Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB – MIA) and Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA)
The Dolphins took a page out of the 49ers’ playbook after signing Mike McDaniel to be their head coach. He went out and acquired Wilson and Mostert, both former teammates in San Francisco. Through 13 games, Wilson is the top fantasy option, but he and Mostert both have an identical 136 carries on the year. Wilson has more yards and more touchdowns, but it’s close enough that we can definitely call them 1A and 1B on the offense. But who stays and who goes? I’m not sure the team signs them both next year, but whoever stays in Miami is the one I want. They’ll have familiarity with the offense and have the coaches behind them. However, if both stay, then I’m probably passing on either as a solid starter for fantasy. Splitting carries like they’ve done this year is just frustrating and not something I’m all that interested in myself.
It’s strange to think of Slayton as a top WR option, but that’s what he’s been to the Giants this year. The team drafted and later traded WR Kadarius Toney and former factor WR Kenny Golladay has been a nonfactor in 2022. Rookie WR Wan’Dale Robinson and veteran WR Sterling Shepard both found themselves on IR for most of the year. That left Slayton alone in the WR room to absorb the majority of Daniel Jones‘ targets in 2022. With the way the team is shaping up, I wouldn’t be at all shocked if Slayton doesn’t come back and finds a new home next year, and that could be just what the doctor ordered for him. I’m watching to see where he lands because he’s got the talent and the speed, he just needs the right offense to succeed.
Davante Adams has been insane this year, no doubt about it. But behind him as the WR2 on the Raiders has been Hollins, thanks in large part to the injuries to WR Hunter Renfrow and TE Darren Waller. As those players return to the lineup to finish 2022, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Hollins ride the bench again. However, he’s shown enough for me to follow him in free agency and see where he lands. If he goes to a high-powered offense and can be a solid WR2 there, he could easily be a flex candidate on my fantasy teams. The Raiders might bring him back too, which wouldn’t be the worst option either, he’s just that good.
Ah, what could have been? Smith was supposed to be the TE to ascend this year with the high-powered Minnesota offense. Instead, he found himself on IR and the team replaced him with TJ Hockenson halfway through the season. Smith could return, but given his injury history and the fact that the team signed a better TE to replace him, I think the writing is on the wall. Smith isn’t dead though, and if he finds a good home that can feed him targets, I could see his fantasy value rising from the ashes like a phoenix. He just has to stay healthy which hasn’t been that easy for him so far. We will have to wait and see how free agency treats him to make a decision for next year.
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Andrew Hall is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, follow him @AndrewHallFF.
