Fantasy Football Winners and Losers of Free Agency (So Far)

There are still some big names out there unsigned, but with one week of 2022 NFL free agency in the books, let’s take a quick look at the winners and losers so far.

(We’re including all the trade activity as part of the free agency period, as well.)

Winners

Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Adding one of the league’s best WRs in Davante Adams is a clear boon to Derek Carr’s fantasy value. He’s always been just a mediocre streaming option, but this move alone may bump him into “weekly streaming option” territory (think Kirk Cousins from the last few years).

Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals did the right thing this offseason by focusing on the offensive line. They have added La’el Collins, Alex Cappa and Ted Karras to protect Joe Burrow, who was sacked a league-high 51 times last year.

James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

James Conner shined without Chase Edmonds last year, and now it looks like he’ll have a three-down workhorse role for all of 2022. Conner is arguably the biggest free agency winner.

Jerry Jeudy/Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

The QB upgrade from Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater to Russell Wilson cannot be understated. This is huge for the duo, and especially Courtland Sutton, who should benefit the most from Wilson’s deep ball prowess.

Allen Robinson, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Allen Robinson goes from an afterthought in Chicago’s TBD offense to the (for now, Odell Beckham-pending) No. 2 position in one of the league’s most potent offenses with the Rams. Robinson is still only 28, and he’s one year removed from a 102-catch, 1,250-yard, 6-TD season with the Bears. It’s hard to believe he suddenly forgot how to play football last year. If this move doesn’t revitalize Robinson ASAP, it’s fair to call him toasted. 

Allen Lazard, WR, Green Bay Packers

Allen Lazard gained more of Aaron Rodgers’ trust in 2021, hauling in an impressive 8 TDs on just 40 receptions. And now he finds himself atop the Green Bay depth chart (at least until the draft). That existing connection with Rodgers should go a long way toward making Lazard viable weekly.

Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys shipped Amari Cooper to the totally functional Browns and gave Michael Gallup a promotion to the WR2 spot behind CeeDee Lamb. The team also signed James Washington, but he profiles as a WR3 and shouldn’t be viewed as a threat to an increased role for Gallup. Gallup was on the verge of a breakout career when he posted a 66-1,107-6 line back in 2019 before he took a backseat to established, high-pedigree stars like Cooper and Lamb. It’s his time to shine again.

Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Everybody makes fun of Kirk Cousins, but him re-signing with the Vikings was low-key huge for Justin Jefferson and will be one of the most unheralded fantasy moves of the offseason. The Cousins-Jefferson connection is fantastic, and it would have been painful to watch Jefferson enter his prime with a complete bust at QB attempting to throw him the ball.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

JuJu Smith-Schuster lands in the league’s most creative, talented offense as a 25-year-old receiver who was laughably misused over the last few seasons as Pittsburgh did everything they could to get by with Ben Roethlisberger’s failing arm. 

Losers

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

The loss of Adams is devastating for Aaron Rodgers’ fantasy appeal. There’s no other way to say it. Adams provided everything: Big plays, drive-extenders and, most importantly, near-automatic TDs.

Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots

Even though Mac Jones was overall impressive as a rookie, the 2021 Patriots offense could best be described as boring. The best offensive player they’ve added so far this offseason is … Ty Montgomery. 

Myles Gaskin, RB, Miami Dolphins

Myles Gaskin’s time as a featured back was never going to last, but Miami absolutely annihilated any remaining appeal by adding both Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert this offseason. 

Tyler Lockett/DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

When your QB goes from Russell Wilson to Drew Lock, you end up on this list no matter how good you are individually.

DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers

All of the QB action this offseason, and we still can’t find a good one for DJ Moore. 

Laviska Shenault/Marvin Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags added Zay Jones, Christian Kirk and Evan Engram in free agency, which could be viewed as a scathing remark on what they think about their current WRs, especially Laviska Shenault.