Fantasy: Ideal landing spots for top WR, TE free agents
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Free agency is always an exciting time for fantasy owners.
A new home can generate hope that a star player will take their game to even greater heights, that a backup will finally get the volume they deserve, or that a third-stringer will find a coaching staff capable of maximizing their talents. At the same time, a player staying in the perfect situation for another season can sometimes be the best path to production.
While we know that not every free-agent journey will end in triumph, anything is possible a week before the new league year kicks off.
With that in mind, this article isn't setting out to predict where free agents will sign, but instead where they would ideally end up if fantasy value was the most important factor in their decision.
Ideal landing spots
- QB/RB
- WR/TE
Wide receivers
Amari Cooper - Cowboys
Cooper has expressed a desire to remain a Cowboy for life, and the team is currently in the process of negotiating a deal with him. It's great news for fantasy owners who've watched the 25-year-old excel through 25 games since being acquired via trade. Immediately emerging as Dak Prescott's favorite target, Cooper played at a 94-catch, 1,289-yard, 11-touchdown pace over his first nine outings. He finished with 79 receptions, 1,189 yards, and eight scores while battling injuries most of 2019. As long as Cooper and Prescott remain in Dallas, we'll continue to see many celebrations like the one pictured above.
A.J. Green - Bengals
There have been rumblings that Green wants out of Cincinnati, but the Bengals will reportedly use the franchise tag if a long-term contract can't be agreed on, and for good reason. Green was a borderline elite receiver prior to his recent string of injuries, so it would be foolish for the organization to let him walk for nothing. With top pick Joe Burrow about to join an offense that attempted the sixth-most passes in the league last year, the 32-year-old Green will finally find out what it's like to play with a quarterback not named Andy Dalton. If he can stay healthy, Green will be positioned for a massive bounce-back.
Robby Anderson - Packers
The Jets have kick-started contract talks with Anderson, so a return isn't out of the question. However, anyone who wants to see Anderson reach his full potential should be hoping he can escape from New York. Though he's had brilliant stretches of production at various points over the last three years, the Jets haven't maximized his talents. There will be several teams lined up to sign him if he hits the open market, but the Packers offer a perfect setting with a quality offense, future Hall of Fame quarterback, and established No. 1 wideout in Davante Adams who can draw coverage away.
Emmanuel Sanders - Eagles
Injuries decimated the Eagles' receiving corps last season, which resulted in a toothless passing attack. Crossing fingers and hoping for better injury luck isn't enough, Philly needs to bring in another reliable set of hands to complement Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson while helping sophomore J.J. Arcega-Whiteside develop into a future contributor. Sanders isn't suited to be a team's No. 1 option, but his veteran savvy out of the slot would be lethal and make the Eagles' offense dangerous at every position.
Breshad Perriman - Cardinals
Upgrading the talent around Kyler Murray should be the top priority in Arizona, and with Larry Fitzgerald's career winding down, the Cardinals lack weapons in the passing game. Christian Kirk has a chance to become a special player, but Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler remain unproven after disappointing rookie years. Perriman would help stretch the field on an offense that was near the bottom of the league in big plays through the air. Despite a strong finish to the 2019 season, which included stat lines of 5-87-0, 3-70-1, 5-113-3, 7-102-0, and 5-134-1 over his last five outings, Perriman would be a lower-cost investment compared to some of the more notable free agents at the position.
Other options
- Devin Funchess - Bills
- Randall Cobb - Cowboys
- Nelson Agholor - Chiefs
Tight ends
Hunter Henry - Patriots
Injuries have prevented us from seeing Henry produce as a full 16-game starter. After missing all of the 2018 season with a torn ACL, the 25-year-old fractured his tibia in Week 1 this year - sidelining him for another month. He returned as a dominant force, scoring the most fantasy points of any tight end from Week 6 to Week 11. The Chargers' quarterback situation is up in the air and there's some fierce competition for targets with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler, so it would be nice to see Henry go to a team that would let him shine. The Patriots are desperate for a playmaker at tight end and Henry has the ability to fill the void left by Rob Gronkowski. Unfortunately, the Chargers are reportedly preparing to slap the franchise tag on Henry, so expect to see him back in Los Angeles.
Austin Hooper - Falcons
Hooper could also be an option for the Patriots, but it's hard to envision him landing in a better situation than the one he had in Atlanta. With the Falcons always trailing and defenses far more concerned with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, Hooper was a safety valve for Matt Ryan. Prior to getting injured in Week 10, Hooper was on pace for 119 targets, which would have ranked third among tight ends behind only Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz. The front office's decision to let him test the free-agent waters makes a return to Atlanta about as likely as Hooper is to see that kind of volume elsewhere. Don't be surprised if he disappoints at his next stop.
Eric Ebron - Cardinals
The top three free-agent tight ends all offer something different this year. Henry is the most complete player, Hooper is a steady compiler, and Ebron is a pure pass-catching weapon. No team interested in Ebron should be expecting him to block very often, which leads us back to the Cardinals and their search for difference-makers in the passing game. Ebron is just one year removed from a 14-touchdown campaign with the Colts and could be a much-needed threat in the red zone for Kyler Murray. At worst, Ebron would represent a serious improvement on the Cardinals' leading tight end in 2019 - Charles Clay - who caught just 18 balls for 237 yards and one touchdown.
Other options
- Tyler Eifert - Jaguars
- Jason Witten - Cowboys
- Jimmy Graham - Redskins
Ideal landing spots
- QB/RB
- WR/TE