Fantasy Football Players on New Teams: Stock Up or Down?

This was one of the more busier offseasons in recent history. A lot of fantasy football-relevant players have found new homes that will definitely make an impact on their value. For some, that value will soar them to new heights; for others, it might make a once prominent player someone you should leave off your roster.

Let’s look at a few fantasy football players on new teams and if their stock went up or down.

Fantasy Football Players Who Changed Teams

Fantasy Football Stock Up

Antonio Gibson (RB – NE)

After playing second fiddle to Brian Robinson over the last couple of years, Gibson moves on to New England, which is a better situation. He’s a great dual-threat running back, and last year, he was tenth in receiving yards by a running back and seventh in yards per reception among those ten.

He will likely enter the season as the RB2 behind Rhamondre Stevenson, but don’t be surprised if he takes over that feature role as the season progresses. Stevenson is coming off an awful year with a career-worst 4.0 yards per carry and 4.4 scrimmage yards per touch. Injuries are also a problem, as he’s missed time throughout his career.

Russell Wilson (QB – PIT)

Wilson’s tenure in Denver wasn’t a success, but when you look at his numbers from last year, he wasn’t as bad as one might think. He still threw for 26 touchdowns and 341 rushing yards, both his best since 2020.

The one regression in his game is his ability to throw long. His 6.9 yards per pass were the lowest of his career. However, he does have guys who can extend plays. Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris are both talented dual-threat running backs, while George Pickens led the league in yards per reception (18.1).

Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI)

Barkley’s talents were squandered during his tenure in New York. He continually excelled with a team with losing records and very few offensive options outside the All-Pro back.

One of the larger problems he dealt with was a below-average offensive line. Now, he gets the best in Philadelphia, even with Jason Kielce retiring. In a fast-paced offense with a quarterback who can run the ball himself, Barkley should still be one of the focal points of his dual-threat back.

Fantasy Football Stock Down

Justin Fields (QB – PIT)

Early in the off-season, the debate was whether the Bears should continue to be led by Fields or move on and use the No. 1 pick for Caleb Williams. They chose the ladder and traded Fields.

Some believed that, with his abilities to make plays with his feet and his ability to elevate that offense at times, he would go to a team where he would be the starter. That didn’t happen.

He will sit behind newly acquired quarterback Wilson in Pittsburgh. As we mentioned, Wilson’s stock went up with his move, so Fields’ stock goes down as the backup.

Tony Pollard (RB – TEN)

After the 2022 season, the Cowboys had no problem moving on from Ezekiel Elliot because they had Pollard, who excelled in the backup role with over 1,007 on just 193 carries.

There was regression in his 2023 year; he averaged 1.2 yards less per carry and four yards less per reception, had no receiving touchdowns, and went eight weeks without a rushing touchdown.

Going to Tennessee, there is no guarantee that he will be the feature back. Derrick Henry is gone, but Tyjae Spears was an exceptional backup, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 7.4 yards per reception.

Training camp will decide who gets the RB1 role, and don’t be surprised if Pollard is still behind on the depth chart.

Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)

We’ll continue highlighting the Titans because they made headlines throughout the offseason. Ridley got his bag with a four-year, $92 million contract, but will he be able to live up to it?

It was an inconsistent year for Will Levis: 58.4% competition rate, 18th in yards per completion, and 33rd in true passer rating. He will need to elevate those numbers exponentially to satisfy all of the receiving options.

That includes DeAndre Hopkins on the other side. Hopkins is used to being the No. 1 option throughout his career, so will it be him or Ridley playing second fiddle in this offense?

As mentioned, Spears and Pollard are exceptional pass-catching backs. Ridley’s biggest benefit is Nick Holz as offensive coordinator, who served as the Jaguars passing game coordinator last year. Still, there might be too many mouths to feed in this offense to see a significant impact from Ridley.

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