Fantasy Football News

Doug Baldwin will have sports hernia surgery April 4. Head coach Pete Carroll did not provide an ETA for when his No. 1 receiver will be healthy again. (Source: Bob Condotta on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Baldwin's fall in fantasy has been precipitated by a handful of nagging injuries. After having knee and shoulder surgeries following Seattle's playoff loss, he told former teammate Cliff Avril recently that he has more surgeries on the way before training camp. After missing three games last season, his recent injury history should give pause for concern when drafting him in 2019. It'll be worth monitoring how he feels during preseason.

Marqise Lee will not be ready for action until late in the preseason according to head coach Doug Marrone. (Source: Daniel Popper on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Lee continues to recover from a knee injury that he suffered during preseason last year. When healthy, he's the clear No. 1 receiver for Jacksonville after disappointing seasons from Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole.

Derrius Guice has been recovering from a torn ACL and head coach Jay Gruden anticipates he'll be fine heading into training camp as a full participant. (Source: Tarik El-Bashir on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It's positive news for Washington that their second-round pick is poised to be healthy going into the year. With Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson still in the mix, the time-share can get a bit murky, but Guice is unquestionably the high-ceiling player out of the bunch.

According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Saints have agreed to terms with tight end Jared Cook on a two-year deal worth $15.5 million. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The deal includes $8 million guaranteed in 2019, so Cook will be out there catching passes from Drew Brees in Week 1. Some would say that the upgrade from Derek Carr to Brees should promote even more production, but don't forget that Cook played with Aaron Rodgers before he went to Oakland. Despite high expectations for the physically gifted tight end, 2018 was the first time in his 10 years in the league where he topped 800 yards. He's still yet to score more than six touchdowns in any season, so don't go selling the farm to acquire Cook in dynasty or redraft leagues. The Saints did have a clear void at the position, so he's going to be targeted, but with Brees' pass attempts dipping the last few years while they have a much-improved defense, it's unlikely we see Cook get close to the 101 targets he had with the Raiders last year. He should be considered a low-end TE1 in redraft formats despite the upgrade at quarterback.

Rob Gronkowski announced on Instragram Sunday that he is retiring. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This doesn't come as a huge surprise as Gronkowski has been considering retirement since last off-season. Despite hanging up his cleats before his 30th birthday, Gronk will still go down as the best tight-end of all time, or at least the most dominant. The 2010 second-round draft pick finishes his career with 521 catches, 7861 receiving yards, and 79 receiving touchdowns in 115 games. Had he stayed healthy this whole time there's seemingly no limit to the types of eye-popping numbers he could've put up. Gronk was also a part of multiple championship teams in the latest Patriots' dynasty.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports former Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston is signing with the Colts. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Adam Schefter of ESPN adds the deal will be for two years and $24 million. Houston was released by the Chiefs earlier this off-season since they could free up $14 million in cap space by doing so. The 30-year-old certainly helps beef up Indy’s defense.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Ravens are re-signing quarterback Robert Griffin. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Griffin was reportedly a great influence on Lamar Jackson last year, and he’ll continue to serve as a mentor for him in 2019.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Texans are signing AJ McCarron as their backup quarterback. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: McCarron will replace Brandon Weeden as Deshaun Watson's backup. The 28-year-old is unlikely to ever get another starting job in the NFL.

Clay Matthews and the Rams are in agreement on a two-year contract according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The deal has a max value of $16.75 million. Matthews reportedly passed up more lucrative offers elsewhere because he wanted to play closer to home. The 32-year-old will team up with Dante Fowler to provide an edge rush for the Rams this season.

The Raiders are signing Vontaze Burfict to a one-year contract. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The signing makes sense when you consider Oakland's defensive coordinator spent years with Burfict in Cincinnati. The 28-year-old linebacker plays an extremely violent brand of football, which has resulted in numerous injuries and suspension over the past few years. He should get plenty of run with the Raiders when healthy, however.

Jay Glazer reports the Cowboys are signing free agent slot receiver Randall Cobb. (Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Adam Schefter of ESPN adds that the deal is for one year and $5 million. Cobb essentially replaces Cole Beasley’s role in the offense. He’ll work in the slot with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup manning the outside receiving positions. Over the past few years Cobb has been injury prone and hasn’t come close to replicating his breakout 2014 season.

The Panthers have signed DE Bruce Irvin to a one-year deal. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Panthers have been in the market for an end that can rush the QB, and they found their man in Irvin. Formerly with the Seahawks, Falcons, and Raiders, Irvin's better days are likely behind him. Still, the former first-round pick did record 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 2018 with the Falcons.

ESPN's Jeff Darlington reports Blake Bortles is finalizing a deal with the Rams to become Jared Goff's backup. (Source: Jeff Darlington on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Rams were in the market for a backup quarterback and they get their guy in Blake Bortles, who recently visited the team. Bortles was released a couple of weeks ago after the Jaguars signed Nick Foles. It appears as if Bortles' days of being a starter in this league are over.

The Vikings have re-signed RB/KR Ameer Abdullah to a one-year contract. (Source: Minnesota Vikings on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It was only a few years ago when Abdullah was considered one of the most promising young running backs in football. He was claimed mid-season off waivers from the Lions in 2018, and managed to carve out a role for himself on special teams. He'll likely remain Minnesota's main return man after averaging 25.8 yards per return last season. He'll also help back up Dalvin Cook with Latavius Murray now in New Orleans.

Darren Fells has agreed to a one-year contract with the Houston Texans. (Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Fells spent 2018 with the Browns and managed to catch 11-of-12 targets throughout his 16 games played. He's considered a great blocking tight end, which makes for a nice fit in the Houston offense.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports Jordy Nelson will visit the Seahawks on Tuesday. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The ex-Packer and Raider, Nelson is also drawing interest from the Chiefs, Patriots, and Titans according to Schefter. Nelson isn't the dynamic playmaker he once was but should still have enough left in the tank for 2019.

Tyler Eifert has re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year deal. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The 28-year-old played in just four games last year before being lost for the season with a broken ankle. His size and speed would translate to big time fantasy production if he could ever stay healthy, but right now fantasy players can't count on that.

Mark Barron and the Pittsburgh Steelers have come to terms on a two-year, $12 million contract. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Barron spent last year with the Rams, who reportedly had interest in re-signing him. He instead lands in Pittsburgh where he will have to improve his play after a disappointing 2018.

The New York Giants are re-signing Cody Latimer to a one-year contract. (Source: Cody Latimer on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Latimer dealt with a mid-season hamstring pull last year and wound up playing in just six games for New York. He totaled 190 receiving yards on 11 receptions, and will serve as depth behind Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard. Latimer will compete with Corey Coleman for snaps in three-wide sets.

The Dolphins and Ryan Fitzpatrick have agreed on a two-year deal, according to Adam Schefter. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Fitzmagic is coming back to the AFC East, as Fitzpatrick will now start for his third team in the division. After his hot start with the Bucs last season, Fitzgerald came back down to reality before being replaced by Jameis Winston. He is what he is at this point - a veteran signal caller who will likely single-handedly win as many games for a team as lose them. The move raises the fantasy outlook of the Dolphins' offensive skillplayers, though pretty much any quarterback other than Luke Falk would have done the same.