Things move fast in the NFL. Yesterday, I tried to keep up with the first day of free agency live, and 24 hours later there have been nearly a dozen new moves with big fantasy football implications. Without any further ado, let’s get started breaking down today’s (and last night’s) action:
Derrick Henry Signs With The Ravens
This is definitely the biggest news of the day. Over the last few years, the Ravens have had an elite running game without an elite running back, thanks to good O-line play and the incredible impact of Lamar Jackson. Now they add perhaps the best pure rusher of our generation in King Henry. Henry had a down season in terms of production in his final year in Tennessee, but he still graded out as a top-10 back in PFF rush grade, yards created (per SumerSports), and yards after contact per attempt. Given that Henry was never much of a pass-catcher anyway, he also won’t suffer as much as some other backs might from the “rushing QBs don’t check down” issue. This is a dream fit. Henry’s ADP before this move was RB15, but I’m tempted to move him as high as RB5 in his new home.
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Aaron Jones Lands Quickly With The Vikings
This is kind of a sideways move for Jones. It’s definitely better than if he had stayed in Green Bay following the arrival of Josh Jacobs, but I don’t think it’s as good as his situation was prior to Jacobs’ arrival … especially if the Vikings are really going to roll out Sam Darnold under center (more on that later). I still like Jones’ talent both as a rusher and out of the backfield, and landing a starting gig with a solid offensive situation should keep him in the high-end RB2 mix.
Zack Moss Signs With The Bengals
This is a shockingly great landing spot for Moss, stepping into what will presumably be a large role on an elite offense. Moss isn’t the most electric player, but neither was Joe Mixon, who still managed a top-five finish last year on this Cincinnati offense. I certainly don’t expect that level of production from Moss, and second-year RB Chase Brown will be involved, but don’t be surprised if Moss rumbles his way to RB2 numbers next to Joe Burrow next year.
Joe Mixon Traded To The Texans
Mixon was leaving a near-ideal situation in Cincinnati, but he has lucked into another one here in Houston. There are still rumors that the Texans aren’t done adding to their backfield, but Mixon will still likely be the lead guy on an offense with a young stud QB in C.J. Stroud and a great playcaller in Bobby Slowik … where have we seen this before?
Darnell Mooney Signs With The Falcons
This is about as good a landing spot as Mooney could have hoped for, as the Falcons have been lacking at the WR2 position for years and should be more pass-happy with Kirk Cousins in town. With that said, I don’t see him being more than a flex play at best while competing for touches with Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson.
The Vikings Sign Sam Darnold
For now, Darnold is the Vikings’ starting quarterback. We will see if that lasts through the rest of free agency and the NFL Draft, but I haven’t seen any real sources indicating it won’t — the Vikings aren’t currently in a position to land any of the rookie quarterbacks who are likely to be Week 1 starters. I’m not going to downgrade Justin Jefferson, who could probably average 100 yards a game with a JUGS machine under center, but Darnold under center would be a downgrade for Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and the rest of the Vikings’ offense. On the other hand, all those weapons I just mentioned make this a great spot for Darnold, who could be a solid QB2 for fantasy.
Marcus Mariota Signs With The Commanders
Unlike the Vikings, the Commanders are in a position to land a top-tier rookie QB with the second-overall pick. I don’t see them passing on that opportunity, and I don’t see Mariota holding off whoever they draft with that pick for long. I’ve seen suggestions on Twitter that this means they are more likely to draft a mobile QB who is stylistically similar to Mariota (cough cough Jayden Daniels), but I wouldn’t put too much stock into that. The Commanders needed to add to their QB room, and Mariota is a solid bridge/backup option.
Jacoby Brissett Returns To the Patriots
Everything I just said about Mariota applies to Brissett. This is a good deal and a good move for the Patriots, but I don’t expect giving $8 million to Brissett to preclude the Patriots from drafting a quarterback with their third-overall pick. And I don’t expect Brissett to hold off that third-overall pick, whoever it may be, for long.
