Free Agency Roundup: The Dynasty Impact of the Wide Receiver Second Wave
While many dynasty owners are turning their attention to the upcoming NFL Draft (we’ll obviously have unrivaled coverage of that over the next few months), it’s important to also keep up with the impact of all the recent free agent signings as well. While most of the big names have found new homes, some second tier wide receivers signed over the past couple of days and their additions have impacted the dynasty value of several players. Let’s examine the dynasty ramifications of each signing.
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Mike Wallace signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Wallace is coming off a sub-par year with Baltimore where he posted 52 catches for 748 yards and four touchdowns, though that actually led the anemic Ravens passing offense. In Philadelphia, Wallace will replace the departed Torrey Smith, who has moved on to the Carolina Panthers. Wallace is still a great deep threat and should help keep defenses honest, leaving more windows for Carson Wentz to find playmakers like Zach Ertz, Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor. For his career, Wallace has posted a healthy 15 yards per catch en route to 538 career receptions for 8,072 yards and 57 touchdowns. He’s a better player than Smith but this signing has the looks of an addition that helps the Eagles and dynasty owners in reality more than fantasy.
Expecting anything other than a few big games combined with several clunkers from Wallace wouldn’t be advised. After all, he has a long and storied history of giving us precisely that. His presence likely helps the other receivers on the team more than it hurts since he simply has to be accounted for. Wallace is what he is – he’s prone to big plays but disappears far too often. The biggest impact felt in dynasty leagues is really to the value of Mack Hollins and the other young receivers for the Eagles. Owners of Hollins were certainly expecting a bit of a breakout when Smith left and now that looks more and more unlikely with the addition of Wallace.
Allen Hurns signed a two-year deal with Dallas for $12 million, which seems like a bit of a bargain compared to some other contracts that have been handed out over the past week or so. Hurns was a revelation in Jacksonville just two years ago when he posted 64 catches for 1,031 yards and ten touchdowns. However, injuries and ineffectiveness made him expendable for the Jaguars. There is speculation now indicating the Cowboys could move on from Dez Bryant and his guaranteed money here shortly. However, many Dallas executives are refuting those reports. It’s an interesting scenario nonetheless as Dallas has added Hurns and Deonte Thompson over the past few days.
Regardless of what happens with Bryant, expect Hurns’ ADP to start climbing up a bit now that he’s found a new home. The prevailing thought is even if the Cowboys keep Bryant, Hurns will likely replace Terrance Williams in the starting lineup, allowing Dallas to keep Cole Beasley in the slot. If that happens, he’ll have every opportunity to rekindle his value and would really tank the value of Williams in the process. Time will tell here and something tells me this story isn’t quite over. Regardless, expect Hurns’ ADP freefall to stop now.
Terrelle Pryor signed a deal to play with the New York Jets. Pryor is fresh off a disastrous campaign in Washington that featured just 20 catches for 240 yards and one touchdown. The former quarterback bet on himself last year and signed that one-year contract with the Redskins after posting 77 catches for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns with the Browns in 2016. In the end, that risk didn’t really pay off as Pryor was relatively ineffective with Washington, dropping multiple passes and failing to fit in before having his season cut short after nine games with ankle issues.
On the plus side, Pryor joins a Jets team starving for talent at the position. After all, the combination of Jermaine Kearse, Robby Anderson, the newly signed Andre Roberts and Quincy Enunwa (if he returns after he was given a second round tender) isn’t exactly keeping the Patriots up at night. On the down side, the Jets are still looking for a quarterback and don’t exactly boast an explosive offense. Still, there’s enough short-term appeal with Pryor to keep him on most rosters. Just keep in mind he’s pushing 30 already and the chances of him suddenly becoming a dynamic force in fantasy or reality seems a bit far fetched at this point.
While most other web sites are sleeping, we’re doing our best to bring you the best coverage on the planet and continue to cover all the happenings in free agency. After all, that’s why you come here. Keep it here and we’ll keep you updated on all the happenings as they continue to roll in.
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Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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