You’ve now read my piece about my Top 25 ranked free agents going into the 2014 season. Now let’s take a look at my 26-50 Free Agent Rankings. These picks reflect overall rankings and suggested contract values for those players, a lot of which I’m recommending on one year deals:
| Rank |
Player |
POS |
% Owned |
Rec Contract Value |
| 26 |
Lance Dunbar |
RB |
1% |
2yrs, $8m |
| 27 |
Ben Tate |
RB |
49% |
2yrs, $10m |
| 28 |
Ryan Tannehill |
QB |
26% |
3yrs, $15m |
| 29 |
Donald Brown |
RB |
3% |
2yrs, $12m |
| 30 |
Reggie Wayne |
WR |
31% |
1yr, $5m |
| 31 |
Greg Jennings |
WR |
31% |
1yr, $5m |
| 32 |
Jay Cutler |
QB |
15% |
2yrs, $11m |
| 33 |
Greg Olsen |
TE |
27% |
1yr, $6m |
| 34 |
Ben Roethlisberger |
QB |
11% |
1yr, $6m |
| 35 |
Carson Palmer |
QB |
11% |
1yr, $2m |
| 36 |
Eli Manning |
QB |
41% |
2yrs, $11m |
| 37 |
Ladarius Green |
TE |
0% |
2yrs, $12m |
| 38 |
Danny Woodhead |
RB |
9% |
1yr, $7m |
| 39 |
Ronnie Hillman |
RB |
14% |
2yrs, $8m |
| 40 |
Marvin Jones |
WR |
1% |
3yrs, $17m |
| 41 |
Bryce Brown |
RB |
32% |
2yrs, $10m |
| 42 |
Jarrett Boykin |
WR |
1% |
1yr, $5m |
| 43 |
Cecil Shorts III |
WR |
38% |
1yr, $7m |
| 44 |
Alex Smith |
QB |
18% |
1yr, $4m |
| 45 |
Knowshon Moreno |
RB |
5% |
1yr, $4m |
| 46 |
Brian Hartline |
WR |
9% |
1yrs, $4m |
| 47 |
Golden Tate |
WR |
14% |
1yrs, $6m |
| 48 |
Kenny Stills |
WR |
47% |
1yr, $3m |
| 49 |
Heath Miller |
TE |
4% |
1yr, $4m |
| 50 |
Doug Baldwin |
WR |
0% |
2yrs, $8m |
26. Lance Dunbar, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Scott Linehan is the new Offensive Coordinator in the Big D. That essentially makes Dunbar the Darren Sproles/Joique Bell type in Dallas. Add in the fact that DeMarco Murray is injury prone and in a contract year, while Dunbar is a restricted free agent in 2015, and Dunbar’s outlook is pretty awesome. He can play in the slot and be a great PPR option or flex play as well. Love his upside.
27. Ben Tate, RB, Cleveland Browns
When he was signed by the Browns, most people were way more excited about Tate’s prospects. Then he sat out OTAs and Terrance West was picked in the third round by the Browns. Tate could have been sitting out as a precaution as new OC Kyle Shanahan likes to lean on a “bell-cow” type running back as no #2 back in Shanahan’s system has had 100 or more carries. Head coach Mike Pettine recently mentioned a running back by committee and West does have serious upside both this year and in dynasty. Still, if Tate can stay healthy, he figures to get plenty of run on a team that is more than committed to it in 2014. He’s on a two year deal with the Browns, so in spite of the fact that Tate is 25, he’s a banged-up 25 and shouldn’t get more than two years from any RSO owner in the Free Agent Auction.
28. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins
Bill Lazor was brought in as OC from Philadelphia to spice up the Dolphins offense, which was pass heavy in 2013. The offensive pace figures to pick up immensely, which should limit the league leading 58 sacks Tannehill suffered last year and result in more deep balls thrown. 2014 is a critical year for Tannehill to make the leap to the first round quarterback that he was drafted to be and a lot of money and draft picks were spent to improve the offensive line this year, which should only help after last year’s mess.
29. Donald Brown, RB, San Diego Chargers
It was quite puzzling that Brown decided on the Chargers crowded backfield when he was coming off a very solid season. The Chargers want to keep Ryan Mathews healthy in 2014, so Brown may get more carries to keep Mathews’ quality high. These carries probably come at the expense of Danny Woodhead, who factors in more as a pass catcher. Brown’s real value will be in 2015 when both Mathews and Woodhead are free agents. Given the reduced value of starting running backs these days and the contract that Brown signed, he could be the Chargers starter in 2014 or more likely, 2015. There’s value in that.
30. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
No player seems to defy age lately more than Reggie Wayne. Make no mistake, he is still one of Andrew Luck’s favorite targets on a good offense. He works incredibly hard and still has some gas in the tank. He’s certainly worth a one year deal and should still produce around 80 catches and 1,000 receiving yards.
31. Greg Jennings, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Nobody was happier that Matt Cassel was coming back as the potential starter in Minnesota more than Jennings who had his better games with Cassel at the helm. He had 68 catches for 804 yards and 4 TD’s in 2013, which was a down year, especially when Christian Ponder was at the helm. In Week 15 last season, Jennings showed he still has serious talent with an 11 catch, 163 yard performance with a touchdown. With new OC Norv Turner in the fray, Cordarrelle Patterson is viewed as the #1 wide receiver, but Jennings figures to be involved plenty. He’s still making big money, so look for the Vikings to keep him involved.
32. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
By virtue of having one of the best wide receiving tandems in the NFL in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery and an offensive mastermind for a head coach in Marc Trestman, Jay Cutler is a serious upside play for the next few years in fantasy football. If he can remain healthy, he has Top 5 fantasy points potential at a seriously reduced cost. Definitely target him if you are coming into your auction without a QB as a “Late Round QB”, but make sure you don’t overpay in dollars, and especially in years.
33. Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina Panthers
One of the better tight ends in the NFL and now part of Carolina’s depleted receiving corps. Olsen had a solid 2013 with 73 catches for 816 yards and 6 touchdowns. Cam Newton definitely looks his way frequently. If need be, he’s a Panther for a few more years and you could up the years, but as my rankings reflect, there are lots of options at tight end, so don’t overpay.
34. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben seems to be getting up to speed in OC Todd Haley’s offense. He has a good deal of options on offense, headlined by Antonio Brown, complimented by a solid running attack with Le’Veon Bell and free agent signing LeGarrette Blount. Roethlisberger remains a QB2 with upside and definitely worth a look as a backup or spot starter, with the potential to be more.
35. Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Similar to Cutler’s situation in terms of offensive weapons and a Head Coach in Bruce Arians that is an offensive genius. If Palmer gets improved offensive line play with the additions of Jared Veldheer and getting Jonathan Cooper back from injury, he figures to reduce the high amount of sacks he took last year and 22 interceptions which loomed large. As mentioned in my 1-25 rankings, Michael Floyd is a star in the making and Larry Fitzgerald remains a top option and the coaching staff is comparing rookie John Brown to T.Y. Hilton. All of these things make Palmer a very attractive cheap option.
36. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
Every few years Manning seems to make himself fantasy relevant again. Manning has good receiving weapons and finally an offensive coordinator in Ben McAdoo (formerly of Green Bay) that figures to open things up a bit. Look for a bounceback in 2014 and consider the younger Manning brother a potential value this fantasy season.
37. Ladarius Green, TE, San Diego Chargers
After coming on strong at the end of 2013, Green seems to be the heir apparent to Antonio Gates in San Diego. He shows the ability to make plays that nobody else on the team can and is improving his route running as well. You probably want to speculate and lock Green up for two years to not miss out on this season’s Julius Thomas at the tight end position, who could also double as the #2 passing option in San Diego behind Keenan Allen.
38. Danny Woodhead, RB, San Diego Chargers
I personally love Woodhead. He had over 100 carries last season and was a Top 20 fantasy running back, especially in PPR leagues. He does all the little things and is quite effective despite his size. The addition of Donald Brown certainly crowds the rushing attempts, so I’m thinking Woodhead will revert more to a third-down back type in 2014. As such and given that he’s a free agent following the season, I’d stick to a reasonable one year deal for Woodhead.
39. Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos
Hillman once was the starter in Denver and then his fumbling issues caused him to lose his job to Knowshon Moreno, who had a career year. Hillman still has impressive edge speed and is only 23 years old, so if he can shore up his fumbling issues, he could still get a good run in Denver’s offense behind Montee Ball and potentially emerge as the pass-catching back for the Broncos too. C.J. Anderson stands in his way as the #2 running back position is an offseason battle to pay attention to.
40. Marvin Jones, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Any wide receiver with 10 touchdowns and 4 in the same game that isn’t named James Jones is always on my radar. Marvin Jones is penciled in as the Bengals #2 starter opposite A.J. Green, one of the top wideouts in the NFL. He’s only 24 years old and is signed through 2016 and has prototypical height and speed. Jones also had 8 catches for 130 yards in a playoff loss to San Diego and has proven himself to be able to get open down the field. A nice multi-year play.
41. Bryce Brown, RB, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills traded for Brown on draft day more with 2015 in mind as both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are free agents after the 2014 season. Brown flashes serious upside and did perform well in 2012 in Philadelphia when Lesean McCoy missed time with a serious concussion. Brown does have some ball control issues, but has significant talent that is worth the risk. Don’t expect too much for 2014, but remember he is behind two running backs who have a history of getting injured.
42. Jarrett Boykin, WR, Green Bay Packers
Filled in admirably in 2013 when the Packers experienced injuries to their receiving corps, as well as when Aaron Rodgers went down. Boykin moves to the outside this season, but faces stiff competition from rookie Davante Adams and Jared Abbrederis. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are free agents after the season, but at least one figures to be back. Don’t overdo it on Boykin, but if he’s around late in your auction, jump on him.
43. Cecil Shorts III, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Shorts is a 2015 free agent and operates out of the slot. He’s a PPR machine and should be better now that the Blaine Gabbert experiment is over in Jacksonville. While the Jaguars did draft two wideouts early in the draft, there should be enough balls to go around for Shorts to be effective.
44. Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Smith is more of a game manager, but was a solid fantasy QB in 2013. He had 23 TD’s and only 7 interceptions in 2013 and fares fairly well as a running QB. The Chiefs schedule gets tougher in 2014, so figure that Smith will have to throw it more.
45. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Miami Dolphins
In spite of a career year in Denver after numerous injury-riddled ones, the Broncos opted not to keep Moreno. He is very effective as a pass blocker and pass catcher and feasted as a runner when Peyton Manning smartly audibled against 6 or less man fronts. Just had arthroscopic knee surgery, but should be ready by training camp. Unfortunately this injury, plus being out of shape has led to Lamar Miller gaining a potential edge as the starter on an Eagles type fast paced offense in 2014. Definitely not worth a multi-year deal due to injuries and timeshare, but after last season’s breakthrough where he essentially was a Top 5 running back, in spite of being picked near the end of auctions, one has to consider Moreno for their team.
46. Brian Hartline, WR, Miami Dolphins
The pillar of consistency from a receiving standpoint the last two years. Hartline has had 76 and 74 catches, respectively the past two seasons combined with two straight 1,000 yard receiving seasons. Hartline did have a PCL injury late in 2013, but figures to be ready by the start of camp. Not a touchdown maker, but very solid, albeit in a quiet way.
47. Golden Tate, WR, Detroit Lions
Turned a career year in Seattle and a Super Bowl ring into a big free agent contract to be the #2 wideout opposite of Calvin Johnson in Detroit. Lots of balls to go around for QB Matthew Stafford. Tate also may be used in the return game if your league rewards that. Expect similar statistics to 2013.
48. Kenny Stills, WR, New Orleans Saints
The deep threat in New Orleans who should get more looks with Lance Moore gone and Marques Colston getting older. In fact, Drew Brees’ QBR was the highest in the league when passing to Stills. He had 5 TD’s and averaged 20 yards a catch. Definite upside-the question is how the targets will be split between Stills and rookie first round pick Brandin Cooks, even if Cooks plays in the slot.
49. Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Don’t be fooled by Antonio Brown’s spike in touchdowns and Heath Miller’s mere one TD last year. Miller is Big Ben’s security blanket, especially in the red zone. He’s fully recovered from the late 2012 knee injury and is signed for a few more years. In a season with tight ends a plenty, Miller is a nice sleeper and good fill-in for Rob Gronkowski if Gronk misses time to start 2014. Catches good volume and 800 yards and 6 TD’s are definitely within reason.
50. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks
One of the most efficient wide receivers in the NFL. Baldwin excelled in the Super Bowl and will a spot on the outside as the “X” receiver. The Seahawks seem like they will keep teams guessing on defense this season, so Russell Wilson may look down the field more and rely less on the power running game this season. Baldwin has good hands and is one of the better route runners in the league. He recently signed a 3 year, $13m contract, so don’t be afraid to offer him more than a year if need be.
