Here is a quick recap of the free agency moves made on Wednesday (3/14) and some of the fantasy implications behind them!

Tuesday’s (3/13) Recap

QUARTERBACK

Chase Daniel signs with the Chicago Bears ($10mil/2 yrs) – Daniel is more of a player/coach at this point than just a backup QB. He will help Matt Nagy groom Trubisky in much of the same way he worked with Wentz and Pederson in Philadelphia.

Trevor Siemian traded to the Minnesota Vikings – Siemian is a plus backup for the Vikings for 2018 and little else. Look for him to rehab his value some in Minnesota before trying out as a stopgap QB once again in 2019.

Tom Savage signs with the New Orleans Saints ($1.5mil/1yr) – Savage provides depth behind Brees for 2018 as the Saints continue to groom #3 QB Taysom Hill into an NFL QB.

Jake Rudock re-signs with the Detroit Lions ($630k/1 yr) – For some reason the Lions continue to put their entire season on the shoulders of Matt Stafford by not bringing in a viable backup. Rudock is an extremely cap friendly backup QB and little else.

AJ McCarron signs with the Buffalo Bills ($10mil/2 yrs) – This is very little money for a player that had starter aspirations coming into this offseason. McCarron is being paid like a mid-level clipboard holder (See: Chase Daniels) but may be the starter at the beginning of 2018 for the Bills. Look for the Bills to draft a rookie to take over starting duties sooner than later, ending McCarron’s chance for fantasy relevance. If McCarron does manage to hold the rookie off for 2018, I’d downgrade all Bills for what could turn out to be a very ugly season for them.

RUNNING BACK

Carlos Hyde signs with the Cleveland Browns ($15mil/3 yrs) – Carlos Hyde represents a big upgrade on early downs over plodder, Isaiah Crowell. While Joe Thomas also announced his retirement today, the Browns should still boast a formidable offensive line for 2018 and beyond, giving Hyde plenty of space to work. Hyde will lose out on passing down work to receiving back, Duke Johnson, but should see enough carries on 1st and 2nd down in addition to goal line work to place him squarely on the RB2 radar for 2018. Hyde will be 28 at the start of 2018, so look for the Browns to draft a RB to be at least a COP back for 2018 and possibly supplanting Hyde as the starter as early as 2019. This does probably remove the Browns from possible destinations for Super-Rookie Saquon Barkley, which may be the biggest impact of this signing for dynasty owners.

Jerick McKinnon signs with the San Francisco 49ers ($30mil/4 yrs) – McKinnon’s contract makes him the 4th highest paid RB in the NFL, so I expect a lot out of him in the Devonta Freeman role of the Kyle Shannahan offense. McKinnon hasn’t shown the vision or lower body strength that Freeman has, but he offers plus value in PPR leagues as he’s almost a lock to go for over 50 receptions. This does hurt the value of Matt Breida as he gets pushed more into the Tevin Coleman role of the offense. I’d look for the 49ers to bring in at least one more back to help in short yardage situations, limiting both McKinnon and Brieda’s TD potential.

Rex Burkhead re-signs with the New England Patriots (3 yrs) – If Burkhead can manage to stay healthy in 2018, he has a golden opportunity in front of him with the departure of Dion Lewis. Mike Gillislee will allegedly get “another” chance next year but Belichick seems quick to put him in the doghouse and I don’t expect him to be a factor. That leaves Burkhead to compete with James White and whoever else the Patriots bring in to further muck up their fantasy RB situation. If the Patriots stand pat….. With the 3 RBs they have, look for Burkhead to potentially put up similar numbers to what Lewis did last year.

WIDE RECEIVER

Brian Quick re-signs with the Washington Redskins – Quick is a personal favorite and huge miss of mine, so I’m probably the only one excited to see a team (somehow) giving him another chance. Quick will already be 29 at the start of the season and on his way out of the NFL after a very disappointing career.

Quincy Enunwa is RFA tendered by the New York Jets – Enunwa will enter the season as one of the Jets top two receivers in 2018 even if they draft a rookie early with Robby Anderson probably facing a suspension to start 2018. This should give Enunwa time to establish a rapport with new QB Teddy Bridgewater or re-establish the strong connection he had with Josh McCown in 2016. Either way, Enunwa is the favorite to lead the Jets in receiving next year with Anderson’s status completely up in the air and little else on the depth chart currently. Take a shot on Enunwa late in your drafts for WR3 potential but be wary buying into him long term as he is playing on his RFA tender for 2018 and may be in a completely different situation the following year.

DeAnthony Thomas re-signs with the Kansas City Chiefs – Thomas is a pure special teams player and offers little else to the team at this point. He isn’t even a great play in leagues that award lots of return yards due to the presence of Tyreek Hill.

TJ Jones is RFA tendered by the Detroit Lions – Jones is multiple injuries away from any fantasy relevance with Marvin Jones, Golden Tate and up-and-comer Kenny Golladay ahead of him on the practice squad.

Bruce Ellington re-signs with the Houston Texans (1 yr) – Ellington should split slot duties with oft-injured Braxton Miller next year. With Deshaun Watson bringing excitement to the Texans offense and how fragile the Texans WRs have been behind DeAndre Hopkins, Ellington is an intriguing late round flier for 2018 but hard to bet on with his own extensive list of injuries.

TIGHT END

Darren Fells signs with the Cleveland Browns ($12mil/3 yrs) – Fells offers very little in the passing game but is a stout blocker. He will be used as a blocking TE to round out their group with pass catchers Njoku and Seth DeValve on the roster.

Lee Smith re-signs with the Las Vegas Raiders – I would imagine only one of the two blocking TEs the Raiders have signed so far will make the roster. So expect one of Carrier or Smith to be cut before the season begins. Neither should be on your fantasy roster.

Niles Paul signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars – The Jaguars have brought in Paul to compete with Ben Koyack as the pass-catching TE for this offense while Lewis gets used primarily as a blocker. Even with Julius Thomas in this role last year it offered little fantasy relevance, so Paul is a player to pass on.

Virgil Green signs with the Los Angeles Chargers – Green stays in the AFCW, flipping from the Broncos to the Chargers. He will be a pure backup in LA and probably won’t see the field nearly as much as Antonio Gates did in 2017 behind stud TE, Hunter Henry.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Nate Solder signs with the New York Giants ($62mil/4 yrs, $35mil gtd.) – Solder is a massive upgrade for this offensive line. This should excite owners of the 1.01 in their drafts this year as it now looks like Barkley will be available for the Giants to take with their 2nd pick. Eli Manning and the rest of the Giants offense get a bump as they may have enough time to get a few plays off this year.

Michael Schofield re-signs with the Los Angeles Chargers (2 yrs) – Schofield is an experienced Tackle who is best when not relied upon as a full time starter. He will slide in behind Joe Barksdale again for 2018.

Brent Qvale is RFA tendered by the New York Jets – Qvale just tackle depth behind 2016 5th round pick Brandon Shell.

Andre Smith signs with the Arizona Cardinals ($8mil/2 yrs) – Smith will be brought in to compete with all of the other low-level Tackles the Cardinals already have. He is an adequate run blocker, so if he wins a job it’s not necessarily bad news for David Johnson. But owners of fragile Bradford should also invest in Mike Glennon if Smith becomes a starter, as he is a big liability as a pass blocker.

Josh Kline re-signs with the Tennessee Titans ($26mil/4 yrs) – Kline returning keeps continuity for the Titans OLine, which will return all 5 starters for 2018. This should mean more clean pockets for Mariota and lots of large holes for Derrick Henry as well as newcomer Dion Lewis.

Spencer Long signs with the New York Jets – Long should come in and compete immediately for an interior role. He has experience at both Guard and Center so the Jets may use him as a versatile backup. They could also cut LG James Carpenter if they believe in Long enough after a lost season in 2017, saving the Jets $4 mil in the process.

Zach Fulton signs with the Houston Texans – The Texans need help all across their OLine and get a player they can count on to lead the way in Fulton. The Texans still need more help, especially at tackle, if they want to keep Watson healthy and take this offense to the next step.

Quinton Spain is RFA tendered by the Tennessee Titans – Spain may get offers from other teams, being a former UDFA they wouldn’t have to pay any compensation, but I would expect the Titans to match any reasonable offer anyway. He will be back as the starter next to stud tackle Taylor Lewan to form a solid left side.

Brandon Fusco signs with the Atlanta Falcons ($12.75mil/3 yrs) – Fusco will probably start over Andy Levitre at LG, who was asked to take a paycut to remain with the team this year. Fusco will look to be the next piece in a slowly improving OLine for the Falcons. This doesn’t impact their fantasy players much though.

Senio Kelemete signs with the Houston Texans ($12mil/3 yrs, $5.5mil gtd.) – Kelemete is the 3rd new OLineman for the Texans in 2 days. This is great news for Watson and the rest of the offense as they had a terrible time in 2017. Foreman and Lamar Miller (if he remains with the team) deserve a bump in rankings as they should get more clean holes to run through this year.

Patrick Omameh signs with the New York Giants – Omameh has had a very up-and-down career for a UDFA entering his 5th year in the league. He does come with a lot of starting experience though and should slide in as the starter at LG in place of former 1st round pick Justin Pugh. The left side of the OLine for the Giants will look much different in 2018, but that should be a very good thing for Eli’s blindside.

Brett Jones is RFA tendered by the New York Giants – Jones became a near necessity to bring back after they let Weston Richburg leave for SF. Look for more struggles in the running game for the Giants as the interior of the OLine still looks to be a weak spot.

DEFENSIVE LINE

David Irving is RFA tendered by the Dallas Cowboys – Irving and Demarcus Lawrence took the Dallas pass rush from bad to good in 2017. Irving is very young and and is definitely worth a look in your big play IDP leagues. As with most DTs though, he doesn’t manage to get a lot of tackles so he isn’t as valuable in tackle heavy leagues.

David King re-signs with the Tennessee Titans – King is just a rotational DE with no clear path the PT. He is a player to avoid in IDP leagues.

Beau Allen signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($15mil/3 yrs) – Allen will man the Nose for the Bucs and won’t offer much fantasy appeal on his own. Look for him to eat up blocks though, freeing up new teammates Gerald McCoy, Robert Ayers and Noah Spence to make more plays.

Jarvis Jenkins re-signs with the Kansas City Chiefs – Jenkins is nothing more than a run-stuffing rotational piece for the Chiefs and holds no fantasy value.

Matt Longacre is RFA tendered by the Los Angeles Rams – Longacre quietly posted 5.5 sacks in Wade Phillips scheme in 2017 and will be back in an even more prominent pass-rushing role this year with the departure of Robert Quinn. Longacre is worth a speculative stash in big play IDP leagues.

Julius Peppers re-signs with the Carolina Panthers ($5mil/1 yr) – Peppers proved he still has it in 2017, logging 11 sacks. He will be a pass rushing specialist again this year and should be on your fantasy radar until he shows major signs of slowing down, especially in big play leagues.

Denico Autry signs with the Indianapolis Colts ($17.8mil/3 yrs) – Autry should be more than just a situational pass rusher at $6mil/yr for the Colts. Look for him to get the start opposite Jabaal Sheard and have a real chance at improving on his career best 5 sacks from last season. Autry is worth a look in deep big play leagues but shouldn’t be counted on as anything more than your DL5.

Dion Jordan is RFA tendered by the Seattle Seahawks – Jordan is a very intriguing player. Cast aside by the Dolphins and presumed a bust just a year ago. Pete Carroll has apparently found a way to tap into Jordan’s supreme potential in Seattle, where he posted four sacks in 5 games to end the 2017 season. Now Carroll has shipped Sheldon Richardson and Michael Bennett out of town, presumably to make room for more PT for Jordan. I’m cautiously optimistic for Jordan this year and wouldn’t blame you for using him as your DL4.

Rakeem Nunez-Roches is RFA tendered by the Kansas City Chiefs – Nunez-Roches played poorly last year and should be nothing more than a rotational piece in 2018. He may get a look at NT with Bennie Logan unsigned but will offer little fantasy value even if he were to win the job.

DaQuan Jones re-signs with the Tennessee Titans ($21mil/3 yrs) – Jones offers more on the NFL field than he does for IDP leagues as a solid edge setter. He doesn’t get a lot of tackles or sacks and shouldn’t be used as anything more than a bye week filler in DE req. Leagues.

Mitch Unrein signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($10.5mil/3 yrs, $4mil gtd.) – Unrein will rotate in with the rest of the pass rushers for the Bucs. He hasn’t been a fantasy noteworthy player so far in his career and there are no indications that will change.

Williams Hayes re-signs with the Miami Dolphins (1 yr) – Hayes has made a career out of being a plus player on limited snaps but has never been given a full time job. Now 32 and stuck behind pass rushing studs Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn, it appears that’s all he will ever be.

LINEBACKER

Nigel Bradham re-signs with the Philadelphia Eagles ($40mil/5 yrs) – Bradham wasn’t expected to be back with the Eagles as they are strapped for cash but he is a great player for them to get back and should stabilize the position with fellow LB Jordan Hicks for the foreseeable future. Bradham is a solid LB2 and should continue to be one as the Eagles do their best not to rock the boat after all of their success in 2017.

Sam Acho re-signs with the Chicago Bears (2 yrs) – Acho got a chance to play meaningful snaps in 2017 due to injuries but didn’t do much with them and should return to a rotational role next year. Acho has proven he doesn’t have any fantasy value.

Kareen Martin signs with the New York Giants ($21mil/3 yrs, $7.5mil gtd.) – Martin has had an unspectacular start to his career but maybe a change of scenery will help with that. Martin should slide in as the SLB next to BJ Goodson in the middle and newly-acquired Alec Ogletree on the weak side, giving the Giants LB corps a very different look. Albeit different, it’s hard to say this group looks much better than the trio that started for most of 2017. Martin will probably leave the field on 3rd downs, sapping any value he may have gained.

Nick Bellore re-signs with the Detroit Lions – Bellore is just a special teamer and deep reserve. He has no fantasy value.

Trent Murphy signs with the Buffalo Bills ($21mil/3 yrs) – Murphy brings versatility to the Bills front 7 with his ability to play LB or DE. It’s tough saying at this point exactly how Murphy will be used in the Bills defense. They could use him in a rotation with Shaq Lawson at DE, or possibly replace Lorenzo Alexander at SLB, making Alexander a cut candidate, saving the Bills $2.5mil. In either role, Murphy will have to get a lot of sacks to be fantasy relevant and is probably a player to avoid.

Demario Davis signs with the New Orleans Saints ($24mil/3 yrs) – Davis is a perennially underrated LB and often overlooked for IDP leagues. He should continue to rack up tackles in New Orleans as a full time LB with plenty of experience in the 3-4. Draft Davis as your LB1/2 with confidence.

Josh Bynes re-signs with the Arizona Cardinals (3 yrs) – Bynes is a solid run defender but wont see the field enough with all of the other talent on the Cardinals defense to be a relevant fantasy option.

Todd Davis re-signs with the Denver Broncos (3 yrs) – Davis is a classic 2-down run stuffer for the Broncos next to Brandon Marshall. The Broncos have shown that even when Marshall goes down with an injury, they won’t extend Davis’ PT to passing downs, limiting his fantasy potential. Davis is a better option in tackle heavy leagues than big play, but worth a look as a bye week filler in most formats.

Brock Coyle re-signs with the San Francisco 49ers ($11.5mil/3 yrs, $4.1mil gtd.) – Coyle is a valuable backup for the 49ers, especially with the looming fate of Reuben Foster. If Foster is suspended or dropped, Coyle may see full time work. In the final 8 games of 2017, Coyle tallied 64 total tackles so the potential is there if given the opportunity. Coyle is a player to keep an eye on as the Foster situation plays out.

Barkevious Mingo signs with the Seattle Seahawks ($6.8mil/2 yrs) – Mingo should start as the Seahawks strong-side LB for 2018 and may even see some time as a pass rusher on obvious passing downs. He won’t be someone to use in fantasy leagues in this role as he has not proven capable of getting to the QB regularly.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

DJ Hayden signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars ($19mil/3 yrs) – This is a lot of money for a very subpar nickel corner. Look for the NB to be a position to be picked on against the Jags as they don’t have many other weaknesses on defense. Hayden won’t see the field enough to be on anyone’s fantasy radar.

Rontez Miles is RFA tendered by the New York Jets – Miles is simply a special teamer and has no IDP value.

Terrance Mitchell signs with the Cleveland Browns ($12mil/3 yrs) – For the Browns sake, I hope Mitchell isn’t anything more than a depth player. He looked awful for most of last year. Mitchell is worth keeping an eye on in CB req. leagues if he is forced into meaningful PT as he racks up tackles after he allows the WRs to catch the ball.

Keith Tandy re-signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2 yrs) – Tandy doesn’t offer much for IDP leagues as he is primarily a special teams player.

Tramaine Brock signs with the Denver Broncos ($4mil/1 yr) – Brock looks to be the Broncos answer to losing Aqib Talib for the Broncos. If he plays over Roby in the base formation, he will be worth a look in CB req. leagues as teams avoid throwing to Chris Harris’ side of the field.

Patrick Robinson signs with the New Orleans Saints ($20mil/4 yrs, $10mil gtd.) – Robinson is back for his 2nd stint with the Saints as their NB after being miscast as an outside CB the first time around. Robinson put up decent CB numbers in Philly last year but I’d expect those numbers to slip a bit and for Robinson to stay off of the FF radar.

Don Carey signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars – Carey is another special teams player that will also provide some depth at Safety. He doesn’t have any value in IDP leagues.

TJ Carrie signs with the Cleveland Browns ($31mil/4 yrs, $10mil gtd.) – TJ Carrie should be the last piece the Browns need to add to finish re-making their secondary. Carrie will slot in opposite Jason McCourty as the base CBs with Briean Boddy-Calhoun keeping his Nickel job. Jamar Taylor and Terrance Mitchell will provide depth. Carrie is an interesting CB options in leagues that require them after posting 86 tackles for the Raiders last season. I’d draft him as your CB2/3.

Adrian Phillips re-signs with the Los Angeles Chargers (1 yr) – Phillips may end up as the Chargers starting FS for 2018 with former starter Tre Boston still unsigned. Phillips tallied 50 solo tackles in limited duty last season so he is worth keeping an eye on as a DB3/4 if he starts.

Terrence Brooks re-signs with the New York Jets (2 yrs) – Brooks will play behind the dynamic Safety duo of Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye again in 2018. Even with an injury to either player, Brooks is still probably off of the IDP radar.

Teddy Williams signs with the New York Giants – Williams is part of the special teams player shuffle going on at this time this season. He’s not someone you want on your fantasy squad.

Cody Davis signs with the Jacksonville Jaguars – Davis is backup Safety and special teams player. He isn’t fantasy relevant.

Deshawn Shead signs with the Detroit Lions ($3.5mil/1 yr) – If Shead can return to 2016 form, this is a big win for the Lions. Shead’s return to form would mean the Lions could push Nevin Lawson back into the slot where he seems more comfortable. If Shead gets CB2 duties in Detroit like I expect, he is worth a look in CB req. Leagues.

OTHER MAJOR NEWS

Joe Thomas retires from the Cleveland Browns – Losing Thomas is obviously huge but the Browns seem to already have his replacement signed in recently-acquired Chris Hubbard. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Browns draft or trade for someone else to man the Left side and keep Hubbard on the right. Carlos Hyde and the rest of the Browns offense should be dropped down a spot or two with Thomas’ retirement.

Jeremy Maclin cut by the Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens already signed John Brown and Ryan Grant this offseason, but their receiving corps does not seem solid enough to cut Jeremy Maclin. Cutting him screams that they are planning on drafting one early to me in April to be their new WR1.

Eric Ebron cut by the Detroit Lions – This one was a bit of a shocker. It just seems like very poor management to not be able to get ANYTHING in return for Ebron when lesser players are netting late round picks this year. Either way, this leaves the Lions with a large hole at TE and puts an intriguing move TE in the FA pool. Lions could still take a chance on someone like Tyler Eifert trying to rehab his stock after all of the injuries or give 2017 4th round pick Michael Roberts a shot at starting. It’s hard to say at this point what they will do. Ebron should resurface and offer low end TE1 value wherever he lands. Spots like New England or New Orleans would especially spike his value.