The right offseason moves can have a huge impact on a team or even just an individual player. One example is the Patriots trading for Chad Ochocinco. I expect Ochocinco to provide the reliable deep threat the Brady has missed since the departure of Randy Moss. Another example would be the signings of Danieal Manning and Johnathan Joseph whom should pay immediate dividends on last year’s most porours secondary in Houston.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Player Name/Position/Status/2010 Team/2011 Team
Nmandi Asomugha/ CB/ UFA/ 8 Seasons/ Oakland/ Philadelphia and
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie/ CB Traded/ 4 Seasons/ Arizona/ Philadelphia
Two of the tope 5 corners in the league join one of the top defenses. Both these men should start in Philadelphia to form a formidable tandem (unless Samuel holds him DRC off). Regardless of who starts opposite Asomugha, this is a secondary to sit your WRs against. PHI defense should be the first defense off the draft board.
Johnathan Joseph/ CB/ UFA/ 5 Seasons/ Cincinnati/ Houston and
Danieal Manning/ SS/ UFA/ 5 Seasons/ Chicago/ Houston
These were two huge pickups for Houston. Scoring has never been the problem for them, it’s been keeping opposing WRs out of the endzone. These are two talented players coming into their prime. I expect major upgrade to a porous pass defense. Another key pickup to improve the HOU pass defense. I would target drafting this defense late. They could end up being a steal.HOU defense is actually worth owning this year.
Jason Babin/ DE/ UFA/ 7 Seasons/ Tennessee/ Philadelphia
The rich just keep getting richer! Excellent (arguably the top FA DE) defensive end joins an already talented defense. This is further confirmation that PHI is the #1 fantasy defense.
Ray Edwards/ DE/ UFA/ 5 Seasons/ Minnesota/ Atlanta
Middle-of-the-pack defense gets scarier with this acquisition. Ray Edwards is a pro-bowl caliber DE. Edwards will step in and fill an important void. His acquisition makes ATL a top 10 fantasy defense.
Paul Posluszny/ ILB UFA 4 Seasons Buffalo Jacksonville
Like Houston, defense was a big issue for Jacksonville. Last year the eyes of Fantasy GMs would light up every time their RB got a start vs the Jacksonville defense. Enter Paul Posluszny. Posluszny is a tackling machine. I expect him to have an immediate impact on a vastly improved JAX DEF. Big upgrade for the now solid JAX defense.
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
Player Name/Position/Status/2010 Team/2011 Team
Kevin Kolb/ QB/ Traded/ 3 Seasons/ Philadelphia/ Arizona
He will have one of the best WRs in the game (Larry Fitzgerald) at his disposable. The lock-out shortened offseason will have an effect on Kolb. I expect Kolb to overcome a slow start to finish somewhere between 10-15 in fantasy points for QBs.
Reggie Bush/ RB/ RFA/ 5 Seasons/ New Orleans/ Miami
This versatile RB could really open up this offense. His run-after-the-catch ability will help the underwhelming Chad Henne. I expect him to get 10-15 touches per game and should be a solid RB2 in PPR leagues and a high-upside RB3 in standard leagues.
Zach Miller/ TE/ UFA/ 4 Seasons/ Oakland/ Seattle
Any passing offense has to upgrade over the Raiders. Miller will be working with a passer (Tarvaris Jackson) who throws an inaccurate deep ball. Jackson will try to compensate for this deficiency by throwing across the middle to his sure-handed TE. Miller has the potential to be a top 5 fantasy TE and is a rock solid TE1.
Plaxico Burress/ WR/ Released/ 9 Seasons/ New York Giants/ New York Jets
Buress hasn’t played since 2008, which leads to two key questions. Is he still an elite WR? Will his body still be able to hold up to the punnishment of a 16 game season? On draft day he will be a high risk reward player. I expect him to have a decent but not spectacular season for the NYJ. I have him as a WR3/4.
Chad Ochocinco/ WR/ Traded/ 11 Seasons/ Cincinnati/ New England
The Ocho Show heads off to NE to join arguably the top QB in the league. Ochocinco should have numerous scoring opportunities for this offensive juggernaut. I expect him to have strong WR2 value, with potential to be a WR1. This is a big upgrade for Brady’s potential fantasy stats.
On draft day do not forget to consider the impact of offseason moves on player and teams. They can have a huge impact on your player’s performace this upcoming season. Best of luck on your draft and season!
By Nick Domanico
Co-Founder of fantasy football website, www.fsfans.com.