Former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has narrowed his free-agent suitors to the Eagles, Jets, and Bengals. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Schefter also notes in his Tweet that Elliott hopes to make his decision by the end of next week. The Cowboys released Elliott after he rushed for a career-low 876 yards in 2022 although he still capitalized near the end zone with 12 touchdowns on the season. Two two-time NFL rushing leader is likely best suited for short-yardage situations moving forward.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, QB Russell Wilson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery following the 2022 season to fix an issue that had nagged for multiple years. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Wilson is expected to be ready for OTAs and at full health for the 2023 season, according to Rapoport, and he is already back to working out. Wilson struggled heavily in his first season in Denver, completing a career-low percentage of passes, touchdowns and adjusted yards gained per pass attempt. With health on his side, and a new head coach in Sean Payton, Wilson, who was fantasy QB16, could maybe vault himself back into the QB1 range.
The Colts are rumored to be looking at QB Gardner Minshew II as a possible addition. (Source: Zak Keefer on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Minshew played for Shane Steichen for the past two years in Philadelphia. In 32 career games, the 26-year-old has thrown for 6,632 yards, 44 TD, and 15 interceptions.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Carolina Panthers will be hosting WR Adam Thielen for a visit on Wednesday. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Thielen is currently 32 years old, but the veteran WR has caught 30 touchdown passes over the last three seasons. Thielen has 6,682 yards in his career and could provide veteran leadership to a young WR group in Carolina as well as a reliable target to, presumably, a young QB added in the NFL Draft.
According to Zach Klein of WSB-Ch.2 Atlanta, the Indianapolis Colts are expected to release QB Matt Ryan. The move will clear $17 million in cap space. (Source: Zach Klein on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Ryan was traded to Indy to take over for QB Carson Wentz, but the pairing was not successful. Ryan had 15 fumbles and 13 interceptions in 12 games and was benched down the stretch. The Colts clear up cap space and move on to their next phase at QB, and Ryan is free to potentially join his third team in three years.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, WR Michael Thomas has agreed with the New Orleans Saints on a restructured deal, essentially giving Thomas a one-year, incentive-based deal. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: According to Adam Schefter, the deal is worth $10 million with a value of up to $15 million as the Saints aim to retain the former Offensive Player of the Year. Thomas’ cap hit has been a key topic of discussion when regarding Thomas’ future in New Orleans, and the Saints are making an effort to keep him around to pair with new QB Derek Carr. Thomas has played 10 games over the last three seasons.
According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, the New York Jets have received a “wish-list” of players from QB Aaron Rodgers that includes Odell Beckham Jr. as well as Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard and Marcedes Lewis. (Source: Dianna Russini on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Beckham recently hosted a workout with teams in attendance as part of his effort to return to the NFL after his ACL tear. According to Russini, Rodgers would want to pair up with Beckham in New York, should the veteran QB go there. Beckham last played in 2021 with the Super Bowl-winning Rams where he was a key part of their postseason run.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, TE Marcedes Lewis has received interest from both the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lewis caught just six passes for 66 yards in 2022 but still played in all 17 games for Green Bay and 41% of the team’s snaps. Even heading into his 18th season, Lewis’ ability as a veteran presence and as an impactful blocker drives interest from a run-heavy team like the Raiders and a Rodgers-connected team like the Jets.
Allen Lazard is reportedly in contract talks with the Jets. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The move would reunite Lazard with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and potentially Aaron Rodgers. The 27-year-old is coming off a career year, where he posted 788 yards and six touchdowns on 60 receptions in 15 games. Lazard’s fantasy value is going to be directly tied to who starts at quarterback for the Jets in 2023, which is currently still in question.
Mack Wilson is drawing interest from the Texans, Browns, Patriots and Cowboys. (Source: Brad Stainbrook on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The talks between Wilson and Cleveland occurred on Monday. He recorded 30 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season for New England.
Mon, Mar 13th 3:09pm EDT
By Jesse Garcia
The Buccaneers are considered a strong contender for Baker Mayfield, per Rick Stroud. (Source: Rick Stroud on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Mayfield is reported to have a few suitors once free agency officially begins. The Buccaneers are rumored to be interested in a few quarterbacks to pair with Kyle Trask, as they look to determine who will lead the Tampa Bay offense in 2023.
Laremy Tunsil is the subject of trade talks between Houston and Kansas City. (Source: Dov Kleiman on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The Chiefs could be looking to secure another tackle via trade with Houston based on the troubles they have had with re-signing Orlando Brown. Tunsil is only signed through the 2023 season and has stated that he wants to reset the offensive tackle market with his next contract.
Mon, Mar 13th 1:52pm EDT
By Jesse Garcia
The Cowboys and Bobby Wagner have reportedly had discussions, but the team is waiting for the free agent market before doing anything with Wagner. (Source: Calvin Watkins on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Definitely an odd position by the Cowboys, considering a few linebackers have already re-signed with their teams or moved in the early part of free agency. Wagner was released by the Rams, but did register six sacks and two interceptions in 17 games last season.
The Panthers reportedly would be willing to move QB Matt Corral. (Source: Mike Giardi on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Corral, who was drafted in the third-round of the NFL Draft last year, missed his whole rookie season due to a Lisfranc injury. With Carolina trading up to the No. 1 pick, that quarterback they select figures to start from day one. The cost is not expected to be high for Corral.
According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, multiple teams believe the Denver Broncos could potentially trade KJ Hamler or any of the other Broncos' WRs. (Source: Dan Graziano on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Graziano said that the Broncos were asking for high prices on their WRs and were not just looking to send them away, but Hamler could make sense as a trade candidate. Hamler looked frustrated on the field at times in 2022 and recorded a career-low 23.6 receiving yards per game. Hamler has struggled with health in his career but has shown promise when healthy and on the field.
Sources with multiple teams believe the Broncos could trade a WR. Denver has had talks with teams about Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. (Source: Dan Graziano on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Broncos have received interest from all three of Sutton, Jeudy and Hamler. Sutton seems to be the most likely trade candidate of the three of them. His injury history could limit what Denver can acquire for him. Where he lands if he is traded will have to be monitored in regards to his fantasy value.
Sources with multiple teams believe the Broncos could trade a WR. Denver has had talks with teams about Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. (Source: Dan Graziano on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: It sounds likely that one of Sutton, Jeudy or Hamler will be traded. The question becomes who it will be. Jeudy figures to likely hold the most trade value out of the three of them.
The Chargers are reportedly going to pursue John Johnson III once he is released by the Browns. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: With the Browns expected to move on from Johnson this week, the Chargers will look to reunite him with Brandon Staley with the Chargers. The 27-year-old registered four interceptions and 162 tackles in his two seasons with the Browns.
The Buccaneers are exploring trading or cutting Shaq Mason. Mason currently carries a $9.6 million cap hit. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Mason could be a cap casualty for Tampa Bay, who need to clear cap room. The 29-year-old is likely to be moved at some point this off-season, with a team having an opportunity to bring in a good addition to their offensive line.
Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to draw interest by the Raiders, with Garoppolo having familiarity with some of the coaches on the Raiders’ staff. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Garoppolo had success in Josh McDaniels’ system when he started briefly during Tom Brady’s suspension. The 31-year-old posted 2,437 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games last season before missing the remainder of the season with a foot injury.
