Brownout: The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact of Antonio Brown’s Release
All good things come to an end. Apparently, bad things come to an end, too. The Raiders released Pro-Bowl receiver Antonio Brown this morning after an off-season full of drama. Just to put this into perspective, here’s a brief timeline of events:
Early March: Brown is traded to Oakland after possibly nixing an overnight trade to Buffalo. He preaches a new start and that he prides himself in accountability.
July: Brown shows up to training camp with frostbite, apparently from a cryotherapy mishap. That doesn’t stop him from taking a hot air balloon ride to show the community he had arrived.
August: The month is full of grievances in relation to Brown wanting to wear his preferred helmet, even though it’s been tested and deemed unsafe by the NFL. He eventually loses.
Early September: Brown is fined for his antics after getting into a heated exchange with General Manager Mike Mayock where he may or may not have referred to him as a “cracker.”
Friday: Brown apologizes to the team in an emotional fashion, Coach Jon Gruden claims Brown will play on Monday night. Later that night, Brown starts posting YouTube videos of private conversations between he and Gruden.
Today: The Raiders fine Brown $215,000 for conduct detrimental to the team, which voids the nearly $30 million in guarantees on his contract, leaving Brown basically playing on a week-to-week basis. After a social media firestorm, Brown asks for and gets his release from Oakland without ever playing a game for the Raiders.
The circus of the past few months has made the behavior of Terrell Owens look like that of Mother Theresa. Brown is now left without a team and will be free to sign with another team as soon as today. The end of his short Raiders tenure has an enormous impact in dynasty leagues. Let’s take a look at the players involved.
Antonio Brown, WR FA
This is going to be interesting. On one hand, Brown is one of the few game changing talents in the NFL. He immediately makes any offense better and gives his team a better chance to win. On the other, his selfishness and need for the spotlight as he does things “his way,” just don’t fit in today’s NFL. When you look through the landscape of the NFL, teams like Buffalo, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville, Miami, New Orleans, New England, both New York teams, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington could all have a need for a dominant receiver. However, many of those teams can immediately be taken off the list as they’re not contenders. Others on the list who are vying for the Super Bowl could do some research and take a look, but at this point, I’m going to be surprised if we see Brown again soon. Owners, General Managers, players and Coaches aren’t too keen on players with a “me first” mentality.
Eventually, I do believe Brown will resurface. However, I don’t think it will be immediate. However, with how weird this story has become, it would’t be a total shock, either. As for Brown’s dynasty value, it’s in the tank. Any owner has to just put him on their bench and cross their fingers that he comes to his senses. Over the last year and half, Brown has seen his ADP go from #7 overall to #25 and now that’s going to tank. The problem for his owners is obvious – you can’t really cut him right now and nobody is going to give anything of real value for him. In short, you’re stuck.
JJ Nelson, WR OAK
If there are winners in this situation, it’s going to be the receivers for the Raiders. JJ Nelson looks like a starter at the moment and has the speed to be the deep threat the Raiders thought they had with Brown. His ADP will rise a bit with this move.
Tyrell Williams, WR OAK
Williams has always been a hit and miss fantasy performer, but he’s going to get all he can handle now with the Raiders. He was certainly slotted to be their second option, but he’s now thrust into a position he’s never been in as the alpha receiver for an offense. It’s fair to wonder how this is going to play out because he’s also going to now face the opposition’s best corner each week.
Hunter Renfrow, WR OAK
Renfrow had a shot at the third receiver spot with the Raiders prior to Brown’s departure. He should now have an easy path to it. Renfrow has run circles around Ryan Grant all off-season and not could have a real role in the Raiders offense. He’ll be moving up our rookie rankings soon.
Derek Carr, QB OAK
You have to feel bad for Carr. He’s back from injury, has a great supporting cast, got a vote of confidence from his coach and now lost his best weapon. It’s going to hurt Carr’s ADP as Brown simply makes every quarterback he plays with a lot better.
Josh Jacobs, RB OAK
Jacobs is going to see much more attention with Brown out of the picture. While this is a concern, owners really shouldn’t panic too much. If Jacobs is as advertised, he’ll be a solid performer.
Darren Waller, TE OAK
The sleeper appeal of Waller just got hyped up a little more.
Mike Tomlin, HC PIT
Can I just give him Coach of the Year right now? He made the right call to rid himself of the heartache.
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
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