Free Agency Roundup: Blount, Crabtree and Richardson Find New Homes
It’s easy to take a look at all the epic free agency movement this year and focus on the likes of Allen Robinson, Sammy Watkins and Kirk Cousins. After all, they’re going to steal most of the headlines as they find new homes. However, savvy dynasty owners are just as focused on some of the under-the-radar signings as they could have a huge impact on dynasty teams this season and beyond. Three players who found new homes in the past few days were LeGarrette Blount (Lions), Michael Crabtree (Ravens) and Paul Richardson (Redskins). Each of these signings have some far reaching dynasty impact so it’s fitting we talk about them a little more in-depth. With that in mind, let’s look at each of these situations and their dynasty impact.
Crabtree signed a $21 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, including $15 million in the first two years with $11 million guaranteed. This contract came on the heels of a strange series of events that saw the Ravens get out of a contract agreement with Ryan Grant due to a failed physical (many speculate the Ravens had some buyer’s remorse here after the backlash of offering Grant $14.5 million in guaranteed money) and the Raiders signing Jordy Nelson and subsequently waiving Crabtree to make room for him.
[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]
In Baltimore, Crabtree will land directly on his feet and suddenly finds himself as the number one option on a team with a depth chart that features household names like John Brown, Breshad Perriman, Quincy Adeboyejo, Chris Moore, Tim White and DeVier Posey. Crabtree is still a solid route runner and while he may not have the explosive ability of some younger receivers, he’s still managed to post a very respectable 579 catches for 6,870 yards and 51 touchdowns over his nine seasons in San Francisco and Oakland. He’s also proven to be durable as he’s played in a total of 62 out of a possible 64 games the past four seasons. Crabtree may have a hard time cracking yardage totals elite receivers do but he’s a sneaky touchdown threat on a team that doesn’t have many. I’d expect Crabtree’s ADP to rise a bit after experience a total free fall last year and despite him obviously aging. In short, he’s going to be a solid target for a contending team looking for veteran short-term production.
LeGarrette Blount signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, who were dead last in rushing in the NFL last year. Blount will join a crowded backfield that currently includes Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah, Tion Green, Zach Zenner and Dwayne Washington. This move makes it clear the Lions have given up on the idea Abdullah can be their featured ball carrier after he provided them with a disastrous 2017 season that saw him post just 552 rushing yards and score four touchdowns en route to a 3.3 yards per carry average. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Lions simply move on from him in one way or another.
As for Blount, he’s going to likely be part of a big committee but should still hold value because of his ability to vulture goal line carries and produce on first and second downs. Over his eight year career with Tampa Bay, New England, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Blount has recorded 5,888 rushing yards and scored 51 touchdowns, including a league-leading 18 back in 2016 with the Patriots. His role is unclear at the moment, though. Â The NFL Draft is also coming and it wouldn’t be a shock (in fact, it should actually be expected) to see the Lions take the plunge on a running back they feel can truly be their future starter. Blount has some appeal at the moment because of his scoring ability but I’d hesitate in giving up much to acquire him until after the rest of free agency and the NFL Draft comes to a close. Expect Blount’s ADP to rise a bit with this move but it won’t spike. The collective ADP of this group is a bit of a Motown mess at the moment.
Paul Richardson had a breakout season with the Seattle Seahawks last year with 44 catches for 703 yards and six scores, earning him a five-year, $40 million contract with the Washington Redskins that included a $10 million signing bonus and whopping $20 million guaranteed. Richardson should slide in across from Josh Doctson with Jamison Crowder manning the slot in a revamped offense led by the newly acquired Alex Smith. Richardson has battled injuries over his four year career and that’s an obvious concern. However, it’s also clear he has talent and can be a very productive player when given opportunities. As a starter in Washington, he should be targeted a lot and have a chance at a career season. There are concerns here as Richardson is a player who is most effective by using his speed and now finds himself with a quarterback not known for taking advantage of players who have similar skill sets. Still, the Redskins and Smith are smart enough to know how to use a player like this and should find the deep threat replacement they’ve been looking for since the departure of DeSean Jackson.
Richardson’s ADP has seen a nice bump over the past year and should start to creep up a little more after this signing. He’s a player who could be very feast or famine but he’s also a young starting receiver who looks to be coming into his own. To me, Richardson is the perfect type of player to have on your bench in dynasty leagues – you can get him at a relative low cost, he’s a clear starter and he’s still young.
I’ll take that.
Keep it here as we continue to bring you all the news you need to build a championship roster.
[/am4show]
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
- JK Dobbins signs with the Chargers: The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact - April 17, 2024
- Dynasty Running Back Danger Rankings: 24-17 - April 15, 2024
- Dynasty Running Back Danger Rankings: 32-25 - April 9, 2024
