The Eagles and RB Saquon Barkley have agreed to terms on a three-year, $37.75M contract. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The deal is worth up to $47.65M and includes $26M fully guaranteed. Barkley spent six years with the Giants and will now move to the division rival in Philadelphia as the team’s RB1. The veteran running back will be a highly sought after player in 2024 fantasy drafts.
Veteran QB Kirk Cousins is signing a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, per his agent. (Source: Mike McCartney on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Cousins was arguably the biggest domino that needed to fall in this free agency period, and with the Falcons getting a deal done, they are secure at the position for now. The Vikings will suddenly become players in the QB market with plenty of options to chase after in free agency or the draft. Cousins has averaged 4,602 yards and 33 touchdowns to 11 interceptions per 17 games over his last three seasons, pairing him with WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson.
The Packers are expected to sign RB Josh Jacobs. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The move will pair Josh Jacobs with Aaron Jones in the Packers’ backfield. This will definitely impact both of their fantasy values in 2024 as fantasy managers will likely have to wait to see how Matt LaFleur chooses to deploy both running backs.
The Jaguars are expected to sign WR Gabe Davis to a three-year deal. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The Jaguars were able to strike early in the wide receiver marker by landing Davis. The 24-year-old wideout tallied 746 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 45 receptions last season. Davis should be a key player in the Jaguars’ offense in 2024.
The Titans are expected to sign RB Tony Pollard. (Source: Ari Meirov on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Pollard is coming off his second consecutive 1,000 yard season with the Cowboys. The move will give the Titans a strong duo of Pollard and Tyjae Spears as they prepare for their first season without Derrick Henry. Pollard should remain a top fantasy running back option heading into the 2024 season.
Mon, Mar 11th 12:14pm EDT
By Jesse Garcia
The Bears have agreed to terms with free agent RB D'Andre Swift on a three-year, $24M deal. (Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Swift ends his time with the Eagles after spending just one season in Philadelphia. The 25-year-old will cash in on his career season that saw Swift post 1,049 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 229 carries. Swift will enter the 2024 season as the lead back for the Bears’ offense.
Tee Higgins has requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals after extensions talks have ceased since last year and receiving the franchise tag earlier this offseason. (Source: Adam Schefter via Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: According to Schefter, Higgins wants to remain in Cincy but after no talks of an extension have materialized, he wants to find a new home instead of playing on the franchise tag. This is huge news to the wide receiver market and no doubt teams around the league will be calling Cincinnati about their young star.
Veteran QB Russell Wilson plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a "team-friendly, one-year deal." (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Wilson has not yet been officially released by the Broncos, but when he is released, he will join the Steelers. Wilson can take a light contract given the hefty price the Broncos will continue to pay him while he is on another team. He threw for 3,070 yards and 26 touchdowns last season.
The Patriots are finalizing a deal to send QB Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to a report from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. The deal is expected to be for a late-round draft pick. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Jones had a disappointing season in 2023, throwing 10 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 11 games. The Patriots moved on from HOF HC Bill Belichick this offseason, and they currently hold the No. 3 overall pick in what is expected to be a talented QB class. In Jacksonville, Jones will back up starting QB Trevor Lawrence. There is virtually no chance the Jaguars will pick up Jones's fifth-year option for 2025, so he will likely be a free agent after this upcoming season unless he agrees to an extension in Jacksonville.
The Browns have acquired WR Jerry Jeudy from the Broncos for a pair of draft picks. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The Browns were interested in acquiring Jeudy at last year’s trade deadline. The 24-year-old should provide the Browns with a much needed dynamic weapon at wide receiver. Jeudy is entering the last year of his contract but could benefit from entering into an offense without a major question mark at quarterback.
Mike Evans has agreed to a two-year, $52 million deal to stay with Tampa Bay. (Source: Adam Schefter via Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Evans has spent his entire career with Tampa, and it looks more and more likely he will finish it there. The speculation was he would enter free agency and test the market, but he is staying put with the team that drafted him. He’ll be the unquestioned top wide receiver for next season for whomever the Bucs bring in at QB, whether Baker Mayfield or a new face in 2024.
Will Anderson Jr. has taken home the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Adam Schefter noted that this is the second year in a row that teammates have taken the rookie awards, Anderson and C.J. Stroud in 2023, Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson in 2022. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Anderson showed huge potential in his rookie year, with 7 sacks, 22 QB hits, and 45 combined tackles to his name in 2023. The young star will look to only improve upon those numbers in year two and appears to be a great asset for those in IDP leagues.
Myles Garrett has won the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, beating out Steelers T.J. Watt and Cowboys Micah Parsons. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Garrett had a fantastic season, ending his season with 14 sacks. While it might not have been the most statistically dominant season overall, Garrett's presence on the field commanded attention from opposing offenses, opening up things for his teammates to make plays. He's a defensive cornerstone for the Browns and he'll look to build upon his season in 2024.
C.J. Stroud has won the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year. This is the second year in a row that a Buckeye has won the award after his former teammate, Garrett Wilson, won the award last season. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Even with several strong candidates to compete with, such as the Rams Puca Nacua, Stroud came home with the prestigious award. He was 8th in the NFL in total passing yards and led the NFL in passing yards per game. His 1.0% interception rate was also the best in the NFL and he led the Texans to a playoff win in what was believed to be a rebuilding year. He has a bright future ahead of him and the Texans have found their franchise quarterback.
Zach Ertz will not be activated from the Lions practice squad ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Ertz signed with the Lions at the beginning of this past week. The veteran TE requested and was granted his release from the Cardinals back in November. Ertz was hoping to be ready to get on the field for the Lions this Sunday, as he reportedly worked very hard all week toward that goal. The Lions have ultimately decided against it. Sam LaPorta getting in a full practice Friday likely had something to do with the decision.
Deebo Samuel (shoulder) is being considered "50-50" to take the field for Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Lions. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: After catching two passes for 24 yards before halftime, Samuel did not play at all in the second half of the 49ers' Divisional-Round win over the Packers this past Saturday due to a shoulder injury. Following the game, Samuel told reporters he was "OK," but the team is giving the star playmaker a 50-50 chance to play Sunday.
The Atlanta Falcons have officially fired Head Coach Arthur Smith, according to multiple reports. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: There has been a lot of recent speculations that the Falcons will fire Smith, and less than a day after their 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta has officially made the decision to move on from him. He had a 21-30 record over the course of his three seasons with the team, and he was widely criticized for how he chose to utilize players like Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson in that time, both in the fantasy community and in real life. The Falcons are now one four teams who are currently in the hunt for a new head coach, and they'll likely conduct interviews and narrow down prospects in the coming weeks. Barring any unforeseen candidates getting the job, this projects to be good news for Atlanta's skill position players, and they could have a major fantasy resurgence in the 2024 season under a new scheme if the team can find some competent QB play in free agency or the draft.
Rams WR Puka Nacua is officially active for a Week 17 matchup with the Giants.
Fantasy Impact: Nacua appeared on the injury report as questionable with a hip injury. The rookie wide receiver will play and will have a chance to add to his amazing first season. Nacua remains a must start fantasy option.
Alvin Kamara is officially active for the Saints' Week 17 game against the Buccaneers.
Fantasy Impact: Kamara had dealt with an illness during the week. He is an RB1/2 for Week 17.
Zay Flowers is officially active for Baltimore's Week 17 showdown against Miami.
Fantasy Impact: Flowers dealt with a calf injury during the week, but one of Lamar Jackson's favorite targets will be on the field. Fire him up as a WR2.
