2017 Free Agency Preview
Welcome to 2017! Hopefully, 2016 was a success in regards to your fantasy teams. We are less than one week away from the start of the NFL Combine which officially starts the NFL offseason activities. While many people will have their attention focused on the incoming rookies, rightfully so, this will also offer the first major opportunity for the rumor mill to start for players set to hit free agency on March 9th. We will have to wait and see which players are ultimately tagged by their team but this could be a great year for dynasty owners that like to take risks on relocating free agents. Along with these free agents, there may be a star-studded group of players that are cut. Once the draft comes around there should be a large number of big names that will be changing uniforms.
To prepare you, the owners of RSO, for the whirlwind that is NFL free agency I’ve gone to the liberty of making a list of the most fantasy relevant players that are either free agents or could be moving teams next season.
| QB | RB | WR | TE |
| Colin Kaepernick (Cut) | Adrian Peterson (Cut) | Adam Thielen (RFA) | Cameron Brate (ERFA) |
| Jay Cutler | Alfred Morris (Cut) | Alshon Jeffery | Gavin Escobar |
| Jimmy Garoppolo (Trade) | Andre Ellington | Brandon Marshall (Cut) | Jack Doyle |
| Josh McCowan (Cut) | Benny Cunningham | Brian Quick | Jared Cook |
| Kirk Cousins | Chris Thompson (RFA) | Cordarrelle Patterson | Jermaine Gresham |
| Mike Glennon | Christine Michael | Danny Amendola (Cut) | Jordan Cameron |
| Tony Romo (Cut) | Danny Woodhead | DeSean Jackson | Julius Thomas (Trade) |
| Tyrod Taylor (Cut) | Darren McFadden | Eddie Royal (Cut) | Lance Kendricks (Cut) |
| DeAngelo Williams | Eric Decker (Cut) | Larry Donnell | |
| Doug Martin (Cut) | Kamar Aiken | Luke Willson | |
| Eddie Lacy | Kendall Wright | Martellus Bennett | |
| Isaiah Crowell (RFA) | Kenny Britt | Ryan Griffin | |
| Jamaal Charles (Cut) | Kenny Stills | Vernon Davis | |
| James Stark (Cut) | Markus Wheaton | ||
| Jonathan Stewart (Cut) | Marquess Wilson | ||
| Latavius Murray | Michael Floyd | ||
| LeSean McCoy (Cut/Trade) | Pierre Garcon | ||
| LeGarrette Blount | Robert Woods | ||
| Le’Veon Bell | Taylor Gabriel (RFA) | ||
| Mike Gillislee (RFA) | Terrance Williams | ||
| Rashad Jennings (Cut) | Terrelle Pryor | ||
| Rex Burkhead | Willie Snead (ERFA) | ||
| Ryan Mathews (Cut) | Victor Cruz (Cut) | ||
| Terrance West (RFA) | |||
|
Coaches |
New |
Former |
|
| Anthony Lynn | Chargers (HC) | Bills (OC/HC) | |
| Chris Ballard | Colts (GM) | Chiefs | |
| Doug Marrone | Jaguars (HC) | Jaguars (OC) | |
| Kyle Shannahan | 49ers (HC) | Falcons (OC) | |
| Mike McCoy | Broncos (OC) | Chargers (HC) | |
| Sean McDermitt | Bills (HC) | Panthers (DC) | |
| Sean McVay | Rams (HC) | Redskins (OC) |
Throughout the offseason I will be working on a collection of articles focusing on some of these players as they sign new deals (either with a new team or their current team) and the impact they will they have as well as what this means for the players around them. I will also look at a couple of coaching and management changes that you should be aware of and what it means for your players that aren’t moving.
In the meantime make sure to buy-in to your leagues and start those trade conversations again with other owners. The best way to prepare for free agency is to have a list of what other owners may be looking for before your rookie draft. As players begin to sign with new teams having an open communication with your league mates will put you atop their list of first contacts when they want to start trading.
If you want to start a conversation about what any player’s impact could be if they move to a new team reach out to me on Twitter @naandrews19.
