Analysis
3/20/23
6 min read
Fantasy Football NFL Free Agency Impact: Quarterbacks
Free agent signings and high-impact trades have changed the landscape for several NFL teams. What kind of impact will those moves have in fantasy football? Josh Larky and Ryan Reynolds explore fantasy-relevant quarterbacks that have changed places or re-signed.
All contract figures are from Ari Meirov's Free Agent Tracker, and all data comes from our flagship tool, The Edge.
Other Fantasy Impact Stories: TE | WR | RB
Fantasy Free Agent QB Impact
Lamar Jackson
Non-Exclusive Franchise Tagged by Ravens
- Lamar Jackson is a former MVP, who has missed five games in each of the last two years.
- Since Jackson is a run-reliant fantasy option, the time he missed is somewhat concerning.
- Jackson’s situation remains in flux as of this writing.
- If Jackson remains with the Baltimore Ravens, we expect new offensive coordinator Todd Monken to be more pass-happy than former offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
- When Jackson played last season, he was sixth among quarterbacks in fantasy points per game.
- Jackson’s ADP is starting to slide in best ball drafts. He’s a fantasy option with a premium ceiling and an uncertain floor since we don’t know where he’ll play this season.
Daniel Jones
Re-Signed With Giants for 4 Years, $160M
- New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was fifth among quarterbacks in yards rushing (708) and tied for third in rushing TDs (seven) last season.
- Jones was ninth among quarterbacks in fantasy points per game last season.
- The additions of Darren Waller and Parris Campbell are upgrades for Jones’ passing attack.
- Jones enters his second season in Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka’s offense.
- We are currently targeting Jones in best ball drafts.
Geno Smith
Re-Signed With Seahawks for 3 Years, $105M
- Geno Smith won the Comeback Player of the Year award thanks to his shockingly strong play last season.
- Smith was eighth among quarterbacks in fantasy points per game and eighth among quarterbacks in yards rushing (366) last season.
- Pairing running back Kenneth Walker with wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett gives the Seattle Seahawks a top-10-caliber offense.
- We want around an 8 percent exposure to Smith in best ball, while we’re targeting him when completing stacks with Metcalf or Lockett.
Derek Carr
Signed With Saints for 4 Years, $150M
- Derek Carr was 19th in fantasy points per game last season.
- Carr’s signing is a positive for the New Orleans Saints pass catchers, but he’s more of a matchups-based streaming option in fantasy.
- We have Carr ranked a spot or two below consensus in best ball.
- We’d slightly elevate Carr to complete stacks with Chris Olave or Michael Thomas.
Jimmy Garoppolo
Signed With Raiders for 3 Years, $67.5M
- Jimmy Garoppolo was 20th in fantasy points per game last year.
- Keep in mind Garoppolo benefited from high-end playcalling and an elite supporting cast with the San Francisco 49ers.
- The Las Vegas Raiders' below-average offensive line could be problematic for Garoppolo.
- From a pure football standpoint, Garoppolo is a relatively lateral move from Carr while being a moderate downgrade in fantasy.
- Consider Garoppolo a matchup-based streaming option in fantasy.
- We are below consensus on Davante Adams in best ball due to the addition of Garoppolo.
Baker Mayfield
Signed With Buccaneers for 1 Year, $4M
- There is a strong chance Baker Mayfield beats out Kyle Trask for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' starting job.
- The dropoff from Tom Brady to Mayfield or Trask is enormous.
- Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are a top-10 wide receiver duo in the sport, giving Mayfield some spike game potential.
- Consider Mayfield a high-risk, matchup-based streaming option and a back-of-the-draft dart throw in best ball.
Jacoby Brissett
Signed With Commanders for 1 Year, $8M
- Jacoby Brissett boosts all of the Washington Commanders' pass-catchers, as we expect him to beat out Sam Howell for the starting job.
- Ron Rivera’s seat is hot, and Brissett is their best chance at squeaking into the playoffs.
- Brissett’s 7.1 yards per attempt last year tied him with Kirk Cousins and put him slightly ahead of Trevor Lawrence.
- He’s a nice late-round pick in best ball since he’ll be surrounded by one of the NFL’s better pass-catching groups.
Gardner Minshew
Signed With Colts for 1-Year, $3.5M
- Gardner Minshew reunites with former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.
- The Indianapolis Colts will likely select a quarterback in the draft, making Minshew a bridge quarterback.
- Minshew threw for 355 yards passing and two scores against Dallas last season, showing some spike game potential.
Andy Dalton
Signed With Panthers for 2-Years, $10M
- Andy Dalton is a mentor for whichever quarterback the Carolina Panthers select at the top of the draft.
- If Dalton plays, the Panthers have arguably the worst wide receiver room in the league.
Sam Darnold
Signed With 49ers for 1 year, $4.5M
- Assuming Brock Purdy misses the start of the season, Sam Darnold could see time if Trey Lance struggles early in the year for the San Francisco 49ers.
- In that scenario, Darnold will benefit from elite playcalling and one of the league's best offensive supporting casts.
- Darnold has been inconsistent to this point in his career, but he had some better moments with Carolina in the last two seasons.
Mike White
Signed With Dolphins for 2 years, $8M
- Mike White is a handcuff QB, though he’s behind the oft-injured Tua Tagovailoa for the Miami Dolphins.
- For fantasy, this insulates the values of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who suffered in the games started by Miami's backups last season.
Taylor Heinicke
Signed With Falcons for 2 years, $14M
- The contract implies Taylor Heinicke could have an opportunity to start over Desmond Ridder for the Atlanta Falcons.
- Even if Heinicke does start, he’s a bottom-tier fantasy option.
