Welcome to the We Know Fantasy Free Agency Frenzy. Here, over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll talk NFL free agency. A panel of our contributors will each give their expected landing locations for the top free agents position-by-position and highlight the fantasy impact of the potential move. Some of the suggested landing spots offered in these future articles are with fantasy football on the mind, where as the preferred location would be ideal for the 2020 fantasy football season. We’ll kick this series off with Brian (@BrianWentwrthFF), Cody (@MasterSmithers) and Nick (@FBMEchnaic) as they talk the top five free agent quarterbacks.
Ryan Tannehill
Brian
Ideal Landing Spot: Tennessee Titans
Realist Landing Spot: Tennessee Titans
Although my first pick isn’t anything special, the Titans and Tannehill found lightning in a bottle when he took the starting job in the 2019 season. Allowing A.J. Brown to break out, Derrick Henry to emerge as the animal we knew him to be and give the Titans their first playoff berth under Mike Vrabel. With Brown expected to take a step forward in 2020, the Titans should stick with Tannehill as the quarterback position is so hard to get right in the NFL.
Cody
Tennessee Titans
I believe Tannehill is best off playing somewhere with a prominent running game. I can’t see the Titans letting Derrick Henry walk; therefore, I believe Tannehill stays put as well, perhaps under a franchise tag. Tannehill proved last season he can lead a solid team deep into the postseason as nothing more than a game manager. Tannehill found great success in 2019 targeting rookie wide-out A.J. Brown. If Tennessee can bring in another solid wide receiver to complement Brown, Tannehill could continue the torrid streak he went on late last season, posting QB1 numbers from Week Six on.
Nick
Tennessee Titans
The thought is the Titans will pay up for runningback Derrick Henry, so they will look to save money somewhere, and Tannehill may give the `hometown discount.’ Tannehill developed a good rapport with rookie wide receiver A.J. Brown after becoming the starter. With other young and rising talent such as tight-end Jonnu Smith, this seems like a good fit for both Tannehill and the Titans. Tannehill could replicate his 2019 performance. However, I’m more curious to see if the A.J. Brown hype is legit.
Tom Brady
Brian
Ideal Landing Spot: New England Patriots
Realistic Landing Spot: Oakland Raiders
As a Patriots’ fan this one pains me. I do think it is best that Brady stays in New England, he has been successful there and with the Pats in a position to reload and retool for 2020, we could see Brady as a value in redraft leagues. The Raiders are prepared to give Brady nearly $60 million to be their franchise quarterback. Darren Waller, Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow and a big-ticket free agent wide receiver or trade target (Stefon Diggs) could boost this Raiders team to championship status. Josh Jacobs would gain a major boost, with Brady’s old age Oakland will need to run the ball more and play tighter football. If Brady implements his own offense, Jalen Richard could fill a James White role and be a good RB3 flex play in any form of PPR.
Cody
Los Angeles Chargers
As much as I’d love to see Brady head to San Francisco and replace Jimmy G, I believe it's more realistic and a better fit for him to end up in Los Angeles. As a Charger, Brady would have weapons even better than those he had in New England. Kennan Allen would fill the Julian Edelman role, while (assuming he returns) Hunter Henry would be the big-bodied tight end that Brady loves to target so much. Austin Ekeler also fits the mold of the pass-catching running back that Brady used so much in his New England days. Brady is a more efficient passer than Philip Rivers who turned the ball over a ton over the course of his career. Brady has thrown just 179 interceptions in nearly 10,000 pass attempts over the course of his career, while Rivers has thrown 198 interceptions on nearly 3,000 less pass attempts.
Nick
Los Angeles Chargers
This would be the most interesting quarterback free agent signing this offseason. Assuming the Chargers franchise tag tight-end Hunter Henry. Brady would have an awesome quartet of weapons in running-back Austin Ekeler, wide receiver Keenan Allen, wide receiver Mike Williams and Henry. In this scenario all five players get an uptick in fantasy value. Brady can still ball with the right supporting cast. Not only would Brady’s signing with the Chargers impact the fantasy values but dare I say, they become a Super Bowl contender.
Philip Rivers
Brian
Ideal Landing Spot: Chicago Bears
Realistic Landing Spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I think Chicago needs a good quarterback who can manage a game well. Allen Robinson should be able to make it work with Rivers who is competent and he’s already made it work with Mitchell Trubisky. Tarik Cohen could be his Austin Ekeler and Trey Burton (if he is still a thing) could be a competent Hunter Henry/Antonio Gates for him. Rivers is rumored to have played through an injury last season. If he is healthy, he could get Chicago over the hump that Trubisky cannot. The Bucs are more likely to make a move. Bruce Arians needs a quarterback to win now so the Bucs can invest in defense. Chris Godwin would be a locked and loaded WR1 with Rivers, being his Keenan Allen, while being Arians’ Larry Fitzgerald.
Cody
Indianapolis Colts
We already know that the Chargers are moving on from Rivers and he will have to find a new home. Though it wouldn’t surprise me if Rivers ends up hanging up the cleats, there are a few teams that could use him to upgrade their quarterback play. Rumor has it Rivers will end up in Indianapolis, and I believe it would be a good fit. Rivers would have a solid running game led by Marlon Mack and a stable of young receivers led by veteran T.Y. Hilton. Even in his 30s, Hilton would be a solid target so long as he stays healthy. Young receivers Parris Campbell and Zach Pascal would also benefit from experienced quarterback play. Rivers would also have a solid tight end target in Jack Doyle. All of this combined could help Rivers reach his full potential in 2020.
Nick
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bruce Arians is a “gunslinger” quarterback friendly coach. Rivers loves to throw the ball all over the field. Tampa has two top ten wide receivers in Godwin and Mike Evans. Wow, the numbers those two could put up with a quarterback like Rivers is scary. Also, tight-end O.J. Howard could be the benefit of a Rivers’ signing. Think Hall-of-Fame tight-end Antonio Gates and star tight-end Hunter Henry. Rivers could throw for 400 plus yards and three TDs a game in this offense... with three interceptions!
Jameis Winston
Brian
New England Patriots
Arians couldn’t fix Jameis, but maybe a combination Bill Belicheck, Josh McDaniels and Lasik eye surgery can. Winston has shown a willingness to use the slot, meaning Edelman is still a valuable piece for fantasy football. N’Keal Harry still has time to grow, and with Winston’s deep ball Harry could emerge as the team’s WR2, and perhaps one for fantasy too. Winston should be one of the cheaper quarterbacks on the market allowing the Patriots to spend more up on their defense. Winston is a free agency wild card in my eyes, and I think other teams who could be in on signing him are the Bucs, Panthers, or the Colts.
Cody
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jameis’ best landing spot would be to stay exactly where he is at. He is familiar with the offense under a coach in Bruce Arians who loves to throw the ball. Winston also has familiarity with two stud wide receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Winston recently had surgery to correct his vision which should only increase his upside more. Obviously interceptions are something a coaching staff is going to have to deal with while having Winston under center. Is that something Arians wants to put up with for seasons to come? I believe the reward outweighs the risk for Tampa and the Bucs end up signing him to a three-year deal come free agency.
Nick
Indianapolis Colts
Head coach Frank Reich is itching to get that Carson Wentz like quarterback. The Colts arguably have the best offensive line in the NFL. Winston would benefit immensely from a stable o-line. He would have the time, but will he have the patience to let plays form? Wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and Zach Pascal are not Godwin and Evans, but there is talent there. Don’t forget second year wide receiver Parris Campbell. If Campbell plays in the slot position, he could be the biggest beneficiary.
Teddy Bridgewater
Brian
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Giving Arians a quarterback who is still young and can manage the game and throw it to Godwin in the slot is what the Bucs need. Under Bridgewater, I think we could see Godwin fully emerge as the Bucs’ WR1 as opposed to a 1B. We might see Jones run the ball more as David Johnson did. Allowing the Bucs to build up a defense and allowing the Bucs to get a potential playoff berth. Bridgewater is another wildcard but I could see the same teams being in on him as I do with Jameis. Both should find themselves going to teams looking for a young but competent quarterback to build their team around.
Cody
Chicago Bears
Bridgewater is an interesting guy. There will be a large market for Bridgewater, and he doesn’t quite fit in perfectly anywhere in my eyes. I like Teddy in Chicago, where a solid camp could see him replace Mitch Trubisky under center. Here Bridgewater would have a stud receiver in Allen Robinson, much like he used Michael Thomas in his few starts in New Orleans. Having a quarterback that actually completes over 65% of his passes could also help take some pressure off of David Montgomery and the running game, perhaps opening things up more for him in his sophomore campaign.
Nick
Chicago Bears
Let’s face it, Mitchell Trubisky is a flop. Teddy would bring a stable, patient quarterback to the Bears’ offense. Coach Matt Nagy knows offense. He hasn’t had the right quarterback for his system yet. Bridgewater isn’t a stud, but is an upgrade from Trubisky for sure. The Bears do have players at the skill positions. Allen Robinson had an outstanding 2019. Anthony Miller may be the breakout wide receiver of 2020. Let’s face it, David Montgomery was over hyped. However, I do think Montgomery is talented and could use a better offensive line and more opportunities. Bridgewater in the Bears’ offense gives you a safe floor of 11-14 PPG with a ceiling of 20-23 PPG.
Andy Dalton
Brian
Ideal Landing Spot: Los Angeles Chargers
Other Landing Spots: Chicago, New England and Tampa Bay
All of these quarterbacks could go to the same places. Dalton won’t be better than Rivers, but with Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, *potentially* Hunter Henry, Dalton can bring the Chargers back to the playoffs. Williams will bump back to a high end WR2 with more boom than bust, while Allen is still the team’s WR1 and a must own fantasy asset. Dalton will give the Chargers enough success for them to draft a guy to build up.
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