Navigating the NFL offseason landscape as a whole can be an intimidating process, but then breaking it down further to IDP fantasy standards can be flat-out hard. You have everything from surprise trades to head-scratching cuts to new beginnings for old familiar names. So, who is on fire, and who do we need to simmer down on? These are the interesting moves of the offseason that need to be top of mind for your next season plans!
Let's start with the big names...
Khalil Mack traded to the Chargers: It's no shock that this move has all the potential to return Khalil Mack to IDP relevance. Coming off an injury-riddled year on an underwhelming team, Mack now finds himself as a part of a dominant 1-2 punch on the edge partnering with Joey Bosa. He also finds himself part of a defensive front that includes the under-the-radar signing of Sebastian Joseph-Day (who we will get back to later). No longer being the sole focus of offensive blocking schemes, barring any injury setbacks Mack could be poised for a year similar to his 2017-2019 production and would be a prime selection amongst edge rushers for an IDP fantasy league. Look for Mack to remind the league why he was once a two-position all-pro.
Von Miller signs with Buffalo: From one sure-fire Hall of Fame pass rusher to another, Miller signed a massive six-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, worth $120 million. Coming off a resurgent end-of-the-year explosion with the Rams to secure another Super Bowl ring, Miller seems to have been rejuvenated since leaving Denver. Since his trade just before the deadline, he registered eight sacks through the Super Bowl and showed no signs of age. Putting him on the edge in Buffalo gives them a significant threat to apply pressure on the quarterback. While he may receive a steady amount of double-teams, his presence will benefit the likes of Shaq Lawson, Carlos Basham, and Gregory Rousseau. Due to inconsistent tackle totals, Miller has always been boom or bust in terms of fantasy football. This move helps his teammate's value more than it helps his although he has proven he can and will get to the quarterback.
Chandler Jones signs with Las Vegas: It's no secret in the NFL that a solid pass rush can ultimately determine the flow of the game. The Raiders now have their dynamic duo of pass rushers to keep up with the arms race of the AFC West. Chandler Jones signed a 3-year deal worth $51 million with the Raiders to play alongside Maxx Crosby. This is a great move for the Raiders, but one you should shy away from in fantasy terms. A 32-year-old sack-dependent pass rusher is not someone you build your team around. This ultimately helps Maxx Crosby's value and can open up opportunities for him to shine since he is no longer the only credible pass rusher this team has. Look for an even better year from Crosby than his DE10 performance a year ago.
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Bobby Wagner signs with Los Angeles (Rams): The rich get richer in LA! Wagner has laid claim to LB1 more than once in his illustrious career. Even playing alongside the likes of Jordyn Brooks and K.J. Wright in his Seattle days, Wagner is an absolute must-have on any team. Although he will be 32 years old at the start of the 2022 season, he signed a 5-year deal worth $50 million, so expect him to be a focal point of their defense. Don't expect him to be the LB1, but you should get top-10 production from him. He is a great trade candidate both for teams looking to move him and teams looking to get him. His value is the highest it will be as of this writing, and this is likely his last year before a reduction in statistics. Both parties can win now!
We all saw the headlines these four moves made, so let's dive into what you may have missed while also following the quarterback carousel. These next few names are the ones who will likely make the most impact on the upcoming season.
Foyesade Oluokon signs with Jacksonville: A waiver-wire darling last year, Oluokon quietly posted the No. 1 linebacker scoring year. Re-read that and soak it in. The No. 1 fantasy linebacker! In what has to be the shock of the year, he posted a monster stat line of 191 total tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions. He was simply a tackling machine for Atlanta. He signed a 3-year deal worth $45 million to be the middle linebacker for the Jaguars. This move comes on the heels of the team moving away from Myles Jack. Jacksonville is known for having fantasy-relevant stud linebackers (Telvin Smith Sr and Paul Posluszny). Adding LB1 from last year can only mean one thing, production! This is a slam dunk signing and one that all IDP managers need to recognize.
Haason Reddick signs with Philadelphia: It's wise to be skeptical about edge rushers (although of the six total players mentioned to this point, four have been in this position). The position is boom or bust in terms of fantasy production and can burn you if you don't have the correct guy. A great reason to be high on Haason Reddick is position classification. Last year he was classified as a defensive end and finished as DE6. For context as to why this is so important, he would have finished outside the Top 32 linebackers. If he is classified as a defensive end he is a must-have player, but that's it. Signing a 3-year deal worth $45 million means this team has plans for him, but the position is all that matters to me.
Sebastian Joseph-Day signs with Los Angeles (Chargers): Defensive tackle has most likely never been termed sexy, but they're integral to a formidable interior pass rush. Coming off an injury, this is your value pick of the year for this position. Through seven weeks he had 38 total tackles and three sacks. This comes from playing alongside arguably the NFL's best player Aaron Donald which means that when the team's best player was doubled, he feasted. He is now paired alongside Joey Bosa and Von Miller on the edges. If he remains healthy throughout the year he will be a top-five interior defensive lineman. He signed a three-year deal so get used to hearing his name in talks amongst the game's best defensive linemen.
Myles Jack signs with Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh is always a notable place for any defensive transaction. Linebacker is the most influential IDP position, so be prepared for the hype. This move comes after the team elected to cut Joe Schobert, a top 32 linebacker. Jack in this defensive scheme can be a top-tier fantasy linebacker. Outside of his rookie year, he has only failed to eclipse 100 tackles two times in his seven-year career. A reason for skepticism of this move is that he isn't a stat-sheet guy and has to have tackle production to be a fantasy-relevant player. He is a perfect candidate to sell high because his value may never be greater.
Alex Singleton signs with Denver: Singleton is a very interesting player to keep your eye on. An eight-year player who has only registered two stat compiling years, he signs a one-year prove-it deal with Denver as an inside linebacker. Of the two years he's played significant snaps, he has yet to record under 120 total tackles. He now finds himself in a prime position to compete with Josey Jewell for IDP relevance in this linebacking corps. Jewell, who is coming off a torn pectoral and missed almost all year now finds new competition at inside linebacker. This hurts Jewell and ultimately Singleton finds a way to get another 120-tackle season and is a must-own for your IDP team.
Jordan Whitehead signs with the NY Jets: Safeties can be a dime a dozen, but if they're in the right situation and used the correct way they can be team-altering players. Whitehead signs a two-year deal worth $14.5 million to be the starting free safety for the New York Jets, a team we've seen in the past that will utilize players in a hybrid role and not just sit deep in coverage. Whitehead has yet to have a season less than 70 tackles and there's no reason to see him regress now. A relatively unknown player who is as productive as anyone in a situation now where he could ascend to the Top 15 at the position. Buy stock now before you miss out.
Stephon Gilmore signs with Indianapolis: Cornerbacks in terms of fantasy football aren't usually the prized possessions of the team, but a former Defensive Player of the Year adding to a defense that is already full of playmakers is a big-time signing. Gilmore may not be the beneficiary of the points here, but his value will be felt by the rest of the secondary even if he is half as productive as his averages. Kenny Moore finished as CB2 last year and was Indy's No. 1 threat in the secondary. He now finds himself with a more than competent No. 2 (If that's what you wanna call it) to force teams to throw at him, so he should see an increase in statistics. Say what you will about the cornerback position in IDP fantasy, this is a big-time move for a team that keeps on going for it.
There are still significant moves to be made and an entire NFL draft to study, but these are my way too early picks for IDP transactions of the offseason. It's never too early to start preparing your team and eye targets for trade, draft, or acquisition. Make no mistake, if you aren't someone else is...
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