2020 NFL Free Agency Dynasty Preview: Wide Receivers
This time next week (hopefully), dynasty fantasy football players will be fully engulfed by free agency frenzy. The excitement and activity that comes about when players change teams is one of the best parts of following sports, but in many years, the mid-March free agency period ends up being a cruel joke. Players are franchised or re-signed and the “big names” rarely actually move. This year feels different.
In this series, I’ll provide an overview of the upcoming free agency period, focusing on the neediest teams at each position and the player who are (or could be) on the open market.
Finally, here’s a look at the wide receiver position, beginning with team needs.
Shopping for a WR1
Buffalo Bills
The Bills’ offense enjoyed surprising success last season despite a subpar receiving corps. Free agent signee John Brown played the best football of his career, seeing a new high mark for fantasy points scored. Veteran slot man Cole Beasley also set a new career-high, but Robert Foster was a huge disappointment. Both Brown and Beasley are more suited to be complementary wideouts behind the true alpha the Bills should be looking for this off-season.
Baltimore Ravens
An offense that leads the league in passing touchdowns isn’t typically one that needs a major addition at the wide receiver position. That’s especially true when that same team used their most recent first-round pick on a wideout. However. this is the situation the Ravens find themselves in after Willie Snead and Seth Roberts played significant roles in 2019. Speedster Marquise Brown is a fine second option, but given his injury history and inconsistency, Lamar Jackson needs a WR1.
Dallas Cowboys
One of the most-watched free agents in the coming days will be receiver Amari Cooper. The Cowboys have an inside track to retain their star, but that is far from a certainty. If Cooper does bolt, Dallas has promising young wideout Michael Gallup next in line. Of course, there is uncertainty if he can be relied on as a top option, so Dallas would need to add a piece or two.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders thought they had their WR1 last year when they bought low on Antonio Brown. After that flopped, they were left with deep threat Tyrell Williams and undersized rookie Hunter Renfrow. This team needs a top wideout more than any other in the league. Assuming bringing Cooper back is not an option, that likely leaves the Raiders using a first-rounder on CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy.
New York Jets
The Jets pieced together a wide receiver corps last season, signing Jamison Crowder away from Washington and actually giving the Patriots a draft pick for veteran Demaryius Thomas. Likely losing free agent Robby Anderson, the Jets will need to make multiple moves to add some depth to the position and will have to overpay to make it happen.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have some nice names on their roster, including veterans Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, along with JJ Arcega-Whiteside who is coming off a disappointing rookie season. Unfortunately, that trio flopped last year, mostly due to injuries. Veteran Nelson Agholor is expected to leave via free agency and the team that views itself as a perennial contender has no real top-option for Carson Wentz.
Shopping for a WR2
Denver Broncos
In his second season, Courtland Sutton established himself as the Broncos WR1, but the team dealt away veteran Emmanuel Sanders and DaeSean Hamilton busted, leaving Denver thin at the position.
Green Bay Packers
Fantasy players spent a lot of time last off-season debating which young wideout would step up as the Packers WR2 behind Davante Adams. There were several options, including Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, Allen Lazard and even Jake Kumerow. In the end, each of those players were disappointments with none exceeding 35 receptions or 500 receiving yards. Aaron Rodgers needs a deep threat and there are some strong options available both in free agency and the NFL Draft.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts used a day two pick on versatile receiver Parris Campbell last season but due to a slow start and injuries, he gave the team very little. Veteran TY Hilton dealt with injuries and journeymen like Zach Pascal became every-down players. It can be argued this team should be looking for a WR1, not just as running mate for Hilton.
Jacksonville Jaguars
It appears the Jaguars are already looking ahead to 2021, so it becomes difficult to project what they might do. What we know is they have breakout receiver DJ Chark and a collection of under-performing pass catchers. Dede Westbrook was a big disappointment last year but has shown he can be a solid contributor. This team needs multiple additions to their receiver depth chart though they are unlikely to do that via free agency.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Super Bowl champion Chiefs are likely to move on from veteran Sammy Watkins, leaving them with the two Spiderman GIF version of wideouts in the form of Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman. They could also lose Demarcus Robinson to free agency. No matter your level of confidence in the speedster Hardman, the Chiefs will need another weapon for Patrick Mahomes.
New England Patriots
In some ways, the receiver position is the most stable of the four fantasy-relevant spots for New England, with veteran Julian Edelman and 2019 first-rounder N’Keal Harry, along with veteran Mohamed Sanu, whom the team traded for at mid-season. Each of those players bring questions though, so once the Pats address their quarterback position, they could also find a new pass-catcher.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have the player many consider the best wide receiver in the game in Michael Thomas. They don’t have much behind him, though, as the team has gotten by with veteran Ted Ginn and youngster Tre’Quan Smith. Any player landing in New Orleans will see a nice bump in value.
San Francisco 49ers
The Chiefs aren’t the only Super Bowl team who needs help at the receiver position. The 49ers looked to be in good shape entering 2019 but Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin flopped, forcing the team to trade for the veteran Sanders, who is now a free agent. That leaves San Francisco with Deebo Samuel and little else at the receiver position.
Tennessee Titans
Unless you are banking on a fourth-year breakout from Corey Davis (hey, it could happen), the Titans need help at the wide receiver position. The team got a quick payoff from last year’s rookie AJ Brown, who looks like a true WR1, but should be looking for consistent contributors alongside him.
Washington Redskins
In some ways, the Redskins got bailed out last season. They let Crowder walk in free agency and his expected replacement Trey Quinn struggled. The team’s three leading wideouts were all rookies in Terry McLaurin, Steve Sims and Kelvin Harmon. This is an exciting, but unsettled group for Washington, who could use a veteran to lead the pack. We all know how new head coach Ron Rivera loves to rely on his vets.
Currently Available
Amari Cooper
Cooper has played the best ball of his career with the Cowboys and Dak Prescott. Now, with only hours remaining, the team must find a way to work out a long-term contract with their free agent quarterback or they will risk losing Cooper. His list of suitors should be never-ending. The Colts and Bills have a serious need and are among the top-five teams in available cap space.
AJ Green
After missing a season, it appeared the veteran Green was set to finally escape Cincinnati. Now, reports suggest he’ll be franchise-tagged and with the Bengals another season. If that proves false, many have suggested Green and the Patriots would have mutual interest, though that likely assumes Tom Brady is back in New England.
Robby Anderson
The Eagles have reportedly tried to acquire Anderson via trade on at least one occasion and given their desperate need for a deep threat, the two sides would be a perfect fit. Many teams could use Anderson, including the Packers and a return to the Jets would be disappointing, from a fantasy perspective.
Breshad Perriman
After several disappointing seasons, Perriman enjoyed a career- year in 2019 as the Buccaneers WR3. Now is his chance to cash in, though much like his quarterback Jameis Winston, it seems his best option to put up fantasy points is to stay in Tampa Bay.
Emmanuel Sanders
As previously mentioned, Sanders was dealt to the Niners in mid-season and helped them make a run to the Super Bowl. As a soon-to-be 34-year-old receiver, Sanders options will be limited, but he showed last season he can still play. I expect him to sign with a contender and the Packers make a lot of sense.
Demarcus Robinson
With Hill, Travis Kelce and others in his way, Robinson has never had the chance to be a consistent starter. This is one of the rare cases in which a player could leave one of the league’s best offenses and actually see an uptick in value.
Devin Funchess
Surprisingly, Funchess got a nice payday a year ago from the receiver-needy Colts but didn’t last long. He suffered a season-ending collarbone injury in the season-opener and seems unlikely to return to Indy. Funchess will likely have to take a low-dollar deal from a team willing to take a chance on him.
Randall Cobb
A year ago, Cobb left an ideal situation in Green Bay and found an equally nice landing spot in Dallas. Now, he’s on the open market again, and despite my affection for Cobb, it is difficult to see him ever being more than a depth receiver during his career.
Nelson Agholor
Even on a team desperate for receiver production, Agholor struggled last season for the Eagles. He will likely have to settle for a “prove it” contract, if he finds work at all.
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