Filling the Target Void: Looking Ahead to 2018 Free Agency

This is one of my favorite times of the year in dynasty leagues. You’re either worrying about what to do in the playoffs or you’re wondering what great player you’re going to get in the rookie draft. However, if you’re not in the playoffs, now is not the time to ignore the waiver wire. A while ago on Twitter, I highlighted some notable free agents for this coming off-season. Now, I want to highlight some players who may get additional opportunities if those players were to leave in free agency. It’s the perfect time to stash them from your waiver wire just in case.

In this format, first I’ll highlight the free agent and then I’ll name the player/players it could open opportunities for and give you some background on them. That information should hopefully provide you with enough insight to decide on whether you have room to stash the player or not. Let’s get rolling.

Free agent: Sammy Watkins, WR LAR

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Player it could open additional opportunities for: Josh Reynolds

Josh Reynolds was a favorite of mine during rookie drafts in the off-season, especially since most of my drafts took place before Sammy Watkins got traded to the Rams. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Reynolds was a fourth round pick in the 2017 draft out of Texas A&M. In his senior season at Texas A&M he caught 61 balls for 1039 yards and 12 touchdowns. In his three-year career he had 30 touchdowns total. Not bad at all.

I recognize that Sammy hasn’t played a huge role on this offense this season, but if he were to leave, the Rams would be looking for a receiver they could play on the outside along with Robert Woods. Reynolds is the only other receiver the Rams currently have on their roster for next season that would have the prototypical size of an outside receiver. Keep an eye on him.

Free agent: Davante Adams, WR GB

Player it could open additional opportunities for: Geronimo Allison

I really wanted to write Jeff Janis here. The problem is that Janis will be a free agent too. Then I thought about Trevor Davis. It’s possible that he could take over if Adams were to take off, but he hasn’t seen as much game action in a limited sample size as Allison.

Allison may not be the athletic freak that Jeff Janis is, but he did show the capability to have a big game back in week two of this season against the Bengals. In that game, Allison caught six of eight targets for 122 yards. I think it’s likely that the Packers re-sign Adams, but Allison doesn’t make a bad end of the bench stash just in case.

Free agent: Jarvis Landry, WR MIA

Player it could open  additional opportunities for: Leonte Carroo

I believe this is one I don’t have to tell you all that much about. In fact, I know my good friend Zac Reed has been screaming from the mountain tops about Leonte Carroo. It seems to many of us to be a foregone conclusion that Landry will find himself on a new team next year.

So, what’s the deal with Carroo then? Why is Zac so excited? Well, Carroo is a former third-round pick from the 2016 draft out of Rutgers. He ended his career at Rutgers with back-to-back ten-touchdown seasons. Additionally, Carroo operates out of the slot making him the ideal heir apparent to Landry’s role.

Free agents: Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, WRs JAC

Player it could open additional opportunities for: Keelan Cole

I’m not listing Dede Westbrook here because this is supposed to be about guys you can get on the waiver still. If there is any reason Dede Westbrook is on your wire, go grab the former Biletnikoff award winner immediately. He has no business being there.

Anyway, it stands to reason at least one of these receivers won’t be with the team next year.  This could mean that Keelan Cole gets additional opportunities, but did you know that he’s already the third-most targeted pass-catcher on the team? In fact, he’s only one target behind Allen Hurns. The Jags clearly like him a bit, though you do also need to watch for a potential quarterback change next season.

Free agents: John Brown and Jaron Brown, WRs ARI

Player it could open additional opportunities for: Chad Williams

The potential departure of John Brown doesn’t mean what it once would have. He was once behind only Larry Fitzgerald in targets, but this season he’s only fifth. That could have something to do with injuries considering he’s played in four fewer games than Jaron Brown or JJ Nelson but only trails them by a maximum of six targets. Still, if he bid the team adieu it wouldn’t quite open up the opportunity it would have in the past.

That doesn’t mean you should ignore Chad Williams.  Chad Williams has been a favorite of mine since the off-season. With Larry Fitzgerald nearing the end of his career, and J.J. Nelson only having 2018 on his contract the team seems ripe for someone to step up and make it theirs. Williams was a third-round pick out of Grambling in the 2017 draft. The fact that the Cardinals took a small school prospect with such a high pick shows they clearly believe he can be a key part of the future.

Free agents: Mike Wallace and Michael Campanaro, WRs BAL

Player it could open  additional opportunities for: Chris Moore

What you were expecting I was going to say Breshad Perriman? It might, but I have given up all hope on Perriman. Instead, I rather turn my attention to Chris Moore. Those of you who are familiar with my Chasing The Targets series know that Chris Moore is a favorite deep guy of mine.

I’m not going to bring you back to his college career. Instead, I’m just going to let you know that very quietly he’s been increasing his efficacy lately. In his past two games, he’s seen seven targets, of which he’s caught six for 68 yards. His catch rate hasn’t been the best this season, but who can blame him when he’s catching passes from Joe Flacco? The Ravens need to start getting younger on the offensive side of the ball, and I believe Moore can be a part of that.

There are other guys I could have mentioned such as Terrelle Pryor. However, with Pryor, he’s already been so irrelevant this year that it doesn’t feel like other guys would get much of an additional opportunity by his saying sayonara.  Or I could mention that Dontrelle Inman, Kendall Wright, and Josh Bellamy could all leave the Chicago Bears, but that leaves me essentially no one on their roster to highlight. Additionally, I didn’t mention the potential departure of Donte Moncrief because nothing left on the Colts roster after him really intrigues me.

I know I didn’t go into any other positions outside of wide receiver, but I believe they make the best long-term stashes. However, if you want to check out the list of free agents in 2018 I highly encourage you to go to Spotrac.com. They are my website of choice for figuring out NFL contract situations.

As always if you have any questions feel free to find me on twitter @RekedFantasy.

Until next time,

Rek.

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