National Football League

NFL Free Agent Fantasy Football Impact

Published Mar. 9, 2015 8:27 p.m. ET

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Before we submerge ourselves in the NFL Draft with players who may or may not impact the 2015 fantasy football season, here are some chess pieces who made waves in the free agency market this offseason…

March 12, 2015 NFL Transactions and Free Agent Movement – Meyer

Andre Johnson, IND – It wasn’t long after Johnson became a free agent that he was on a flight to Indianapolis. He will join his college teammate, Frank Gore, as the newest member of the Colts. Johnson is entering his 13th season in the NFL and yet he still tallied over 900 receiving yards in three-straight years. Last year, Johnson was 15 receptions short of the 100-catch plateau, but he also had to deal with multiple quarterbacks.

DeMarco Murray, PHI – The rushing leader of 2014 is jumping teams and staying within the NFC East. Murray inked a five-year deal worth $42 million. Last year, Murray recorded 392 rushing attempts, 175 carries more than 2013. Along with Murray, the Eagles also landed Ryan Mathews.

Frank Gore, IND - Things got weird between Gore and the Eagles and you have to wonder if that destination ever stood a chance with Chip Kelly running what would be classified as his own fantasy football team at the moment - more on that in a second. 

Julius Thomas, JAX - Was he a by-product of a Peyton Manning offense or can he live up to the Jaguars expectations to help Blake Bortles take next steps? 

Thomas caught 108 passes for 1,277 yards and 24 touchdowns the past two seasons (27 games) with one of the best quarterbacks targeting him.  At 26, Thomas joins a young offensive nucleus that includes Marquise Lee and Allen Robinson on the outside and a to-be-determined running back situation - although Denard Robinson looked good for a stretch in 2014 before a foot injury.

Shane Vereen, NYG - Giants' running back Andre Williams had a lot thrown his direction during his rookie campaign and he's not that familiar with receiving.  Boston College didn't throw him the ball during his collegiate days and Williams only caught 18 of 37 passes in 2014.  The veteran pass-catching tailback could take some pressure off as well as tutor the youngster. 

Nick Foles, STL - A year after throwing 27 touchdowns with only two interceptions (13 games) in Chip Kelly's offense, Foles' fantasy football dominance came crashing back to Earth to the tune of 13 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in eight games before losing the gig to Sanchez.  But it wasn't like Sanchez lock the job down - he finished with 14 touchdowns with 11 interceptions and a slightly higher completion percentage last season.

The concern with Foles-to-St. Louis is what are the Rams' truly trying to acheive on offense?  Kenny Britt was their leading receiver last season with 788 yards with a hodge podge of starting quarterbacks behind center.  Lance Kendricks led the team in touchdowns with five. Tre Mason looked OK after they were done playing musical running backs.  Maybe Brian Quick and Tavon Austin finally live up to the hype with a new arm in town.

March 9, 2010 NFL Transactions and Free Agent Movement

Andre Johnson, FA – The Houston Texans officially released Johnson on Monday. Johnson would boost almost any quarterback wherever he lands.

Ted Ginn Jr., CAR – Carolina has signed Ginn Jr., again. He will return kicks and join the wide receiver corps.

Ryan Mallett, HOU – This isn’t exactly a “new face in a new place,” but Houston has resigned Mallett for two years. Mallett joins Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tom Savage, and Case Keenum (exclusive-rights free agent) in a jam-packed depth chart. Rumors are also floating around that Brian Hoyer will become a Texan, too.

Frank Gore, FA – After playing his entire 10-year career with San Francisco, Gore will move on. It looked as though Philadelphia was going to land him, but Gore has received interest from the Colts, too. Gore has rushed for over 1,000 yards in four-straight seasons.

Jeremy Maclin, KC – After recording his first 1,000-yard receiving season, Maclin is moving back to the coach who drafted him, Andy Reid. Maclin becomes the Chiefs No. 1 receiver instantly (sorry, Dwayne Bowe). Kansas City’s wide receivers went the entire 2014 season without catching a touchdown. Maclin caught 10 last year.

LeSean McCoy, BUF – So far, the biggest name to change teams from a fantasy football standpoint is McCoy. His six-year run as a member of the Eagles came to an end when Philadelphia traded him to Buffalo in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso. Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller platooned the backfield for the Bills last year.

Brandon Marshall, NYJ – On Friday, news broke that the Bears were going to deal Marshall to the Jets. Though it cannot become official until Tuesday, reports are that Chicago will receive a fifth-round pick for Marshall. The Jets added Eric Decker and Percy Harvin to the roster last year. This move could send Harvin elsewhere.

Josh McCown, CLE – The Browns might be adding a new last name to the infamous quarterback jersey. McCown was 1-10 with Tampa Bay in 2014, but Cleveland could use a QB. McCown has thrown for 24 TDs in the past two seasons combined.

Brian Hartline, CLE – A potential target for McCown will be Hartline. The Ohio native leaves Miami and heads to Cleveland (no, not LeBron). After back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons, Hartline only tallied 474 yards in 2014.

Fantasy Relevant Free Agents

DeMarco Murray - FA, but could Oakland snipe him for their needs?

Charles Clay - FA, but Bills and Browns in the mix

Ryan Mathews

Michael Crabtree

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