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Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

These players all have new homes and/or roles that offer the opportunity for a significant increase in fantasy relevance. Perhaps even stardom.

But it's also a group that (for one reason or another) I look at and say, "I hope they'll be better," as opposed to "I think they'll be better."

Still, each bears mentioning.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

As the lead back for Doug Pederson, a head coach who likes to run the ball, Blount has upside if the workload's there. However, we're talking about a 30-year-old bruiser of a tailback who has played in 16 games once in four years and is coming off a career season that included an unsustainable 18 rushing touchdowns.

Pierre Garcon, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Garcon is generating a lot of "sleeper" buzz in fantasy circles. He's a proven producer coming off a 1,000-yard season in Washington and will be the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver for the 49ers. But I just can't include Garcon as a player sure to thrive in fantasy football when the majority of his statistical production in 2017 will probably occur in garbage time.

Mike Gillislee, RB, New England Patriots

Gillislee averaged 5.7 yards a carry last year for the Buffalo Bills and could have a huge season if the Patriots make him their featured back. But with James White, Dion Lewis and newcomer Rex Burkhead also part of a crowded stable of backs, we appear headed toward another maddening fantasy season of running back roulette in New England.

Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Hill emerged as one of the NFL's most dangerous open-field weapons as a rookie last year, and the Chiefs' release of Jeremy Maclin leaves Hill as the No. 1 wideout in Kansas City. But that new status will come with extra attention from defenses as the focal point for a passing attack that no one will confuse with the run and shoot.

Brandon Marshall, WR, New York Giants

Don't get me wrong. Expect Marshall (who was long a fantasy football stalwart before injuries ruined his 2016) to a have a bounce-back year of sorts as the new No. 2 receiver for the Giants. But playing opposite Odell "Write the Check" Beckham Jr., Marshall will be just that: a clear second-fiddle in the passing game. Optimism's great, but don't pay for that which has already happened.

Paul Perkins, RB, New York Giants

Perkins is a solid play this year as a relatively inexpensive flex option in fantasy leagues that award points for receptions, and he has top-20 upside. And given how bad the Giants' run blocking was a season ago, Perkins' 4.1 yards a carry isn't that bad. But while Perkins is the lead back for the Giants, Shane Vereen (passing downs) and rookie Wayne Gallman (short yardage/goal line) both lurk as touch vultures.

Adrian Peterson, RB, New Orleans Saints

If Peterson repeats his 2015 numbers (1,485 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) in 2017, he'll be fantasy's MVP given how late he's being drafted. And he's proved the naysayers wrong before. But he's also a 32-year-old running back on a crowded depth chart who has missed most of two of the last three seasons and averaged less than two yards a pop last year before tearing up his knee.