Get the skinny on a wild NFL offseason, where a lot of big names found new homes, shaking up the fantasy landscape at every position.

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2024 NFL Offseason Fantasy Impact Report

With many star players changing teams during a wild NFL offseason, there are significant fantasy implications across the board. Below, we break down the most impactful trades and signings, helping you understand each player’s fantasy value in a new situation as you prepare to draft your squads.

Read today’s full newsletter to see brand new fantasy football games, an interview with Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown and more updates from Sleeper

Quarterbacks

Falcons Sign Kirk Cousins

Cousins is tied to Atlanta for at least three years, with $100 million guaranteed (he inked a four-year, $180 million contract). For fantasy purposes, Cousins’ arrival should boost the value of the Falcons’ top skill players – RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts – more than his own stock.

With Cousins coming off an Achilles tear, think of him as a fringe fantasy QB1 (12th-round Sleeper ADP of 136; QB18), where his fantasy value is tied entirely to his passing stats. Sleeper currently projects 3,990 passing yards (10th) and 29 passing touchdowns (sixth).

Steelers Sign Russell Wilson, Trade for Justin Fields

The Broncos are on the hook for Wilson’s $39 million salary in 2024, and the Steelers are the beneficiaries of a one-year veteran minimum deal at $1.2 million. Wilson quietly averaged more passing touchdowns per game than Patrick Mahomes last year, and there’s a chance he thrives in Pittsburgh with a run-heavy scheme that doesn’t require too much from the veteran signal caller. Fields, meanwhile, was traded to the Steelers for a 2025 sixth-rounder, and he’s expected to lose the QB competition during training camp.

Sleeper projects Wilson for 3,219 passing yards, 333 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns across roughly 14 games. Fields is only projected for 784 passing yards and 192 yards on the ground. Neither has an ADP inside the top 24 QBs in redraft, with Wilson’s 219 ADP slightly ahead of Fields’ 235.

Wilson is coming off a QB12 finish in fantasy points per game with the Broncos, though his passing touchdown rate – and fantasy points by extension – should fall significantly. Fields has fantasy QB1 potential anytime he starts, but it’s unclear if he’ll ever get that chance in 2024.

Raiders Sign Gardner Minshew

Minshew signed a two-year, $25 million deal with Las Vegas, and he’s in a good position to be the team’s Week 1 starter. Aidan O’Connell looked overmatched last year when filling in for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo. Pair that with Minshew’s $15 million in guarantees, and it’s clear this is a prove-it season, where Minshew is most likely the bridge quarterback to an alternative solution in 2025.

Sleeper projects 2,192 passing yards for Minshew and 1,523 for O’Connell. The Raiders’ supporting cast is well above average, but this should be a run-heavy team that relies on defense to win games. Keep Raiders QBs off your fantasy radar in ‘24.

Running Backs

Eagles Sign Saquon Barkley

Barkley was the biggest domino to fall in the RB market, signing a three-year, $37.75 million deal. Sleeper projects 261 carries, 44 receptions, 1,468 total yards and nine touchdowns, which helps justify his RB6 half-PPR price tag (second-round ADP of 14). Christian McCaffrey and Breece Hall are the only other backs that Sleeper expects to get more than 300 touches in 2024.

Barkley gets a massive offensive line boost in Philly compared to what he had in New York, and mobile QB Jalen Hurts will also help his overall efficiency – though at the goal line, the “Tush Push” could limit his scoring potential. No other Eagles runner is expected to be a factor this year, as fourth-round rookie Will Shipley and veteran Kenneth Gainwell both have ADPs after 200.

Ravens Sign Derrick Henry

The Big Dog signed a two-year, $16 million deal, with over half that money guaranteed. Henry was frequently taken off the field last year with Tennessee due to negative game scripts, but the Ravens figure to be tied or winning significantly more. Henry just led the NFL in carries, and his efficiency should skyrocket playing alongside the hyper-mobile Lamar Jackson.

At the goal line, the 30-year-old Henry should be fantasy gold, since Jackson has never eclipsed seven rushing touchdowns in any season. Sleeper conservatively projects 1,089 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, though the upside here is closer to 1,500 and 20. He’s an early third-round pick in half-PPR formats with an ADP of 26 on Sleeper.

Packers Sign Josh Jacobs

Green Bay gave Jacobs a hefty four-year, $48 million contract, though there is shockingly only one year of guaranteed money. The Packers are heavily incentivized to ride him into the ground, and Sleeper projects a large workload of 233 carries and 35 receptions for 1,284 total yards and 10 touchdowns.

He’s the RB11 in PPR and half-PPR formats with a third-round ADP of 27. Third-round rookie MarShawn Lloyd is projected for fewer than 100 touches, and AJ Dillon has plummeted off the radar, as this looks like Jacobs’ backfield to begin the season.

Texans Trade for Joe Mixon

Mixon was dealt from the Bengals to the Texans for a 2024 seventh-round pick, then immediately signed a three-year, $27 million extension. The reliable veteran has at least 270 touches in five of his past six seasons, and he’s topped 1,250 total yards in five of six, too.

The Texans’ offense has top-three potential behind C.J. Stroud and a stacked receiver room, so there’s real upside to Sleeper’s projection of 227 carries, 38 receptions, 1,218 total yards and seven touchdowns. Mixon is the RB15 in half-PPR leagues with a fourth-round Sleeper ADP of 48.

Vikings Sign Aaron Jones

Jones signed a modest one-year, $7 million deal with the Vikings, and he’ll be a reliable option for journeyman veteran Sam Darnold and rookie JJ McCarthy at QB. Jones dealt with injuries last year, but he really excelled down the stretch, showcasing his signature burst and vision.

He’s the RB18 (fifth-round ADP of 60) in half-PPR formats, with Sleeper projecting 203 carries, 36 receptions, 1,152 total yards and eight touchdowns. Backfield mate Ty Chandler is the RB48 (13th-round ADP of 148) and is projected for 143 touches in a complementary role.

Titans Sign Tony Pollard

Pollard signed a three-year, $21.75 million deal with Tennessee, and he should slot in as the 1A in this backfield ahead of Tyjae Spears. After frustrating fantasy managers who drafted him in the second round last season due to lofty expectations in Dallas, Pollard now goes in a more palatable range as the RB24 (seventh-round ADP of 81) in half-PPR leagues. Spears is relatively close behind at RB35 (10th-round ADP of 109).

Sleeper projects 200 carries and 31 receptions for Pollard, with 154 carries and 41 receptions for Spears. Both are expected to score six touchdowns, though Pollard has a slight edge in total yardage, 1,081 to 966. The fantasy success of both backs will be strongly tied to second-year QB Will Levis and his progression.

Commanders Sign Austin Ekeler

After a rough 2023, Ekeler signed a humbling two-year, $8.4 million contract with only one year guaranteed. The Commanders will be starting electric rookie Jayden Daniels at QB, and one of his calling cards is his legs. A mobile quarterback doesn’t set Ekeler up for a high pass-catching ceiling and Sleeper projects just 42 receptions, 859 total yards and six touchdowns.

With an eighth-round ADP of 96 in half-PPR formats, drafters can grab Ekeler as the RB31 if they think his struggles last year were due to injuries rather than a general decline. Brian Robinson (10th-round ADP of 112) goes slightly later in drafts, but he’s expected to pace Washington’s backfield in carries (201), total yards (991) and touchdowns (seven).

Bears Sign D’Andre Swift

When healthy, Swift has been one of the NFL’s more explosive runners and receivers out of the backfield. The Bears signed him to a three-year, $24 million deal with significant guarantees for the first two seasons.

Playing alongside top QB prospect Caleb Williams, Sleeper projects 191 carries, 37 receptions, 1,075 total yards and seven total touchdowns for Swift. He’s currently going in as RB21 in PPR formats (sixth-round Sleeper ADP of 66), far ahead of backfield mates Roschon Johnson (ADP 193) and Khalil Herbert (ADP 194).

Chargers Sign Gus Edwards, JK Dobbins

The big, bruising Edwards and the speedy, oft-injured Dobbins are reunited with their former Ravens offensive coordinator, Greg Roman. The Chargers have a new, run-focused philosophy on offense, and Edwards is expected to shoulder the load on early downs, with Sleeper projecting 197 carries, 844 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Dobbins is coming off a 2023 Achilles tear, so his role is more uncertain, with Sleeper projecting just 70 carries for 290 yards.

Neither Edwards nor Dobbins is expected to reach even 18 receptions. This opens the door for sixth-round rookie Kimani Vidal, who is projected to lead this backfield in receptions (20) and receiving yards (145). Edwards (RB37, 10th-round ADP of 113), Dobbins (RB46, 12th-round ADP of 144) and Vidal (RB53, 15th-round ADP of 173) are all readily available in half-PPR formats, as fantasy drafters seem unsure how to handle this backfield.

Giants Sign Devin Singletary

Singletary signed a three-year, $16.5 million deal with the Giants. While he’s a major step down in talent compared to Barkley, he’s an intriguing RB2 pick for teams that go heavy on wide receiver, as backfield mates Tyrone Tracy and Eric Gray will both go undrafted in most formats.

Sleeper’s RB33 (ninth-round ADP of 103) is projected for 896 rushing yards, 243 receiving yards and six total touchdowns.

2024 Updates from the Sleeper App

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Wide Receivers

Bills Trade Stefon Diggs to Texans

Buffalo shipped the frustrated Diggs to Houston in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick. He may have been unhappy with his previous role, but it’s hard to see him reeling in more than last year’s 107 receptions now that he’s competing with Nico Collins and Tank Dell for targets.

Sleeper projects 82 receptions and 996 receiving yards for Diggs, compared to Collins’ 78 receptions and 1,121 yards. Dell is in a similar range, too, with 78 receptions and 995 yards. Diggs (WR16, third-round ADP of 30), Collins (WR14, third-round ADP of 28) and Dell (WR26, fifth-round ADP of 53) form one of the NFL’s scariest receiver rooms, but unless injuries occur, it’s tough to see any of them finishing as a high-end fantasy WR1 in PPR leagues.

Titans Sign Calvin Ridley

Ridley signed a massive four-year, $92 million contract with the Titans, forming an imposing duo with veteran DeAndre Hopkins. To his credit, Ridley, who hadn’t played since early 2021 due to suspension, performed admirably in 2023, reeling in 76 passes for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns with Jacksonville.

Sleeper projects 71 receptions and 959 yards for Ridley, slightly higher than the aging Hopkins at 67 catches for 850 yards. The two go in a similar range in PPR drafts, with Ridley (WR39, seventh-round ADP of 79) off the board slightly ahead of Hopkins (WR42, eighth-round ADP of 90).

Chargers Trade Keenan Allen to Bears

Allen led the NFL with 8.3 receptions per game in 2023, racking up 1,243 yards in the process. The 32-year-old was then traded to Chicago in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick. With increased target competition and a likely quarterback downgrade from Justin Herbert, Sleeper conservatively projects 84 receptions and 933 receiving yards, with the younger D.J. Moore estimated at 1,034 receiving yards to lead the team. Even rookie Rome Odunze is projected for more receiving yards (961) than Allen.

That being said, neither is projected to reach Allen’s reception volume, which has always been his calling card in PPR formats. Fantasy drafters will need to pay up for Moore (WR18, third-round ADP of 34), Allen (WR30, fifth-round ADP of 59) and Odunze (WR32, sixth-round ADP of 68) in PPR formats, and they make for a slightly less expensive alternative to the Texans trio.

Steelers Trade Diontae Johnson to Panthers

In a surprise trade, Carolina landed the star wideout and a 2024 seventh-round pick, sending the Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson and a ‘24 sixth in return. Adam Thielen was just force-fed 103 receptions from Bryce Young, so there’s significant PPR upside for Johnson this season.

Johnson is Sleeper’s WR43 (eighth-round ADP of 93), with a projection of 78 catches and 817 yards. He’s a solid target for managers going RB-heavy early in drafts.

Chiefs Sign Hollywood Brown

Brown signed a modest one-year, $7 million deal with Kansas City to revive his career after an injury-riddled 2023. Advanced stats have often pegged him as one of the NFL’s better target earners – and now he gets to play with Mahomes.

Sleeper projects 65 receptions and 913 yards, and that latter figure is actually higher than teammates Rashee Rice (873) and Xavier Worthy (793). Brown carries a lot of risk, but he has low-end fantasy WR1 upside at a seventh-round ADP of 80 in PPR and half-PPR formats.

Earlier this offseason, five-year NFL QB Kurt Benkert sat down with Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown and went behind the scenes on how Brown landed in Kansas City.

Watch the full interview to get more insight into Brown’s fantasy football expectations for himself this season:

The Hollywood Brown Episode by Pocket Presence

Broncos Trade Jerry Jeudy to Browns

Denver traded Jeudy to Cleveland in exchange for fifth- and sixth-round picks in this past spring’s draft. The Browns proceeded to give him a three-year, $52.5 million extension, cementing him as the team’s WR2 behind Amari Cooper.

Deshaun Watson has struggled as a passer the last two years, and Jeudy’s fantasy prospects will hinge on the QB’s production. Right now, Sleeper projects modest numbers for Jeudy, giving him 55 receptions and 710 receiving yards. Going off the board as the WR58 (12th-round Sleeper ADP of 134) in PPR formats, Jeudy is merely a bench stash for 2024.

Jaguars Sign Gabe Davis

Davis signed a three-year, $39 million contract with Jacksonville, presumably to operate as a deep threat. He never reached 50 receptions or 850 yards in any season as Josh Allen’s WR2 in Buffalo, and Sleeper projects 52 receptions for 750 yards in 2024.

Davis is nothing more than a late-round pick as part of a crowded Jaguars passing game, and his 13th-round Sleeper ADP is 147 (WR63).

Jets Sign Mike Williams

Williams has been a fantasy force the past three seasons when healthy, but he’s nearly 30 and coming off an ACL tear. After being released by the Chargers, he signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jets.

He has fantasy potential as Aaron Rodgers’ WR2 behind Garrett Wilson, but there’s also a risk that his recovery lasts well into the season. Sleeper projects 54 receptions and 742 receiving yards, solid numbers for the WR57 at an 11th-round ADP of 132.

NFL Rookie Spotlight

Check out Sleeper's position-by-position fantasy analysis of this year's rookie class:

Bonus: Sneaky Signings

Falcons Sign Darnell Mooney

Low pass-volume offenses in Chicago suppressed Mooney’s production, but he’s just talented enough to have fantasy value, especially if London or Pitts were to go down. The Falcons gave Mooney a three-year, $39 million contract, ensuring there is no shortage of weapons for Cousins.

Sleeper projects 674 receiving yards, a decent figure when he’s going off the board as the WR73 in PPR leagues (16th-round ADP of 183).

Dolphins Sign Jonnu Smith

The Dolphins gave Smith a two-year, $8.4 million contract this offseason. He’s coming off career-highs in receptions (50) and receiving yards (582) despite playing alongside Pitts last season in Atlanta. With Miami, Smith is unlikely to have a major role in Week 1; however, should Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle go down due to injury, the athletic Smith could suddenly thrust himself onto the fantasy TE1 radar.

More Headlines from Training Camp

Catch up on some of the big stories and important headlines from 2024 NFL Training Camp:

Time To Get Drafting

Now that you’re all caught up on the busy offseason, it’s time to get ready for your upcoming fantasy football drafts. Do the research yourself for FREE this fantasy season with the fantasy football research tool, mock drafts and more, all available in the Sleeper app.

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