It’s that time of year again when the sports world is full of early NFL free agency reactions.
What else do we have to do right now?
As a habit, we tend to overreact to the carousel of players changing teams. It’s enough to make your head spin and freak out about your fantasy football assets.
Don’t fret.
I’m here to help you make sense of the most impactful news and moves and calm your fantasy football spirit. Let’s get down to it, folks.
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NFL Free Agency Reactions & Impact
Kirk Cousins Takes His Chain Game to HOTlanta
Falcons fans, rejoice! The Wicked Witch of the East—Arthur Smith—is gone, and Desmond Ridder can’t hurt you anymore.
It’s a new dawn: a new day, a new life in Atlanta.
New head coach Raheem Morris brought in former Rams assistant coach Zac Robinson to run the offense, and former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins jumped at the chance to join this electric squad. He’ll now have WR’s Drake London, Darnell Mooney and RonDale Moore to go alongside RB Bijan Robinson and TE Kyle Pitts.
Sure, Cousins is coming from an Achilles tear in 2023, but we all know he isn’t the mobile type. All reports point to him being ready to start the 2024 season on time, so it’s all systems go for what should be one of the more exciting offenses in the NFL next season.
For fantasy football purposes, NFL free agency is a blessing for Pitts, Robinson, and company. Expect these high draft capital players in fantasy football and the NFL to finally live up to their potential.
Jim Harbaugh Cleans House (Kind Of)
The skill position room in Los Angeles took a significant hit in the last two weeks, folks. New head coach Jim Harbaugh made it clear that this Chargers squad is his team, letting go of receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, as well as veteran RB Austin Ekeler. What does it all mean?
Harbaugh is a known lover of the running game. It’s been a hot topic with the seemingly sparse usage of Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy heading into the NFL Draft, and it looks like QB Justin Herbert might be in for a similar dip in passing volume in 2024.
With Allen, Williams, and Ekeler settling into new cities, there isn’t much left for Herbert or your fantasy squads regarding weapons in Los Angeles. His receiving corps consists of WRs Quentin Johnston, Josh Palmer, and Darius Davis and TEs Hayden Hurst and Will Dissly. Not exactly eye-catching, is it?
No one is rushing out to grab any of these receiving options. The RBs are even worse, with Gus Edwards and Isaiah Spiller heading up the room. For real football purposes, Harbaugh may turn out to look like a genius. While this skill position group is thin, Herbert will still shine because talent always wins. However, be prepared For his 2024 fantasy football performance to be underwhelming compared to expectations.
Steel City Falcons?
Being a Steelers fan right is a case of “be careful what you ask for.”
The voices were loud for the removal of second-year QB Kenny Pickett and offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Well, thanks to NFL Free Agency and general incompetence, they’re gone, Steel City. But what you got in replacement isn’t as shiny as you might have been hoping for.
Former Falcons coach – previously mentioned in this article – Arthur Smith has assumed the OC duties and the team doubled down on a new QB, signing former Bronco and Seahawk Russell Wilson and trading for the Bears Justin Fields.
If what we saw in Atlanta during Smith’s tenure taught us anything, it’s this: just when you thought the Steelers’ offense couldn’t get more bland, here we go.
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are two fantasy assets in Pittsburgh who will benefit from Smith’s addition – end of list.
I’m sorry if you’re a Pat Freiermuth or George Pickens manager. They’re both likely to see an even more significant dip in volume, even with the trade of Diontae Johnson to Carolina. Yes, the QB play is assuredly going to be better, but it doesn’t matter when you throw the ball less than 25 times a game. Wilson could be a viable option in the 2QB and Superflex leagues, but otherwise, this will be an ugly year for a Steelers fan and fantasy managers.
Thanks for reading my NFL Free Agency Reactions & Impact article! I’ll be back in a few weeks with more reactions, insights and advice right here on Razzball! Make sure to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @JenPolvogt.
