Fantasy: Analysis and projections from 5th day of free agency

Justin Boone• ·
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Let's look at the latest wave of notable signings and trades - and what they mean for fantasy managers.

Big moves

Texans trade QB Deshaun Watson to Browns

Watson's new contract: 5 years, $230 million

In a shocking twist, after telling the Browns they were out of the running - Watson reversed course and chose Cleveland after all.

The 26-year-old reportedly changed his mind after being offered a fully guaranteed contract that blows away any previous deal of that nature.

We still don't know if the NFL will suspend Watson under the league's personal conduct policy due to the 22 lawsuits he's facing from women who have accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

Though it feels wrong to discuss his fantasy outlook while his off-field situation remains unresolved, this is a fantasy football article, and therefore we're going to look at it through that lens.

Whenever Watson does take the field again, he projects to regain his place as one of the league's best quarterbacks. His arrival in Cleveland represents a massive upgrade over former starter Baker Mayfield, who will now be traded to one of the many QB-needy teams that remain.

On a per-game basis, Watson has the ability to challenge for a top-five fantasy finish in an offense that's filled with quality talent at almost every position, including a strong offensive line.

Amari Cooper, who was recently acquired in a separate trade, has a chance to write a new chapter in his career playing alongside Watson. The 27-year-old streaky wideout is a top-20 fantasy option with a path to rise even higher if things click right away.

With Austin Hooper no longer with the club, promising tight end David Njoku will finally get his shot to become the player the Browns thought they were getting in the first round of the 2017 draft. He has an opportunity to enter the TE1 mix in fantasy.

Meanwhile, the backfield duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt will also see their fantasy stock increase as the entire offense becomes more dangerous with Watson at the helm. Increased scoring opportunities and an uptick in positive game scripts will especially benefit Chubb, who's locked in as a top-10 fantasy back.

Donovan Peoples-Jones is currently the second receiver on the depth chart, but Watson's presence will no doubt attract free-agent interest - perhaps even his former teammate Will Fuller. That makes DPJ an intriguing add - just don't go overboard in case the team signs someone else.

Watson's 2022 projection: To be determined after league decides on potential suspension

Chiefs sign WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Contract: 1 year, $10.75 million

Smith-Schuster was linked to the Chiefs last offseason before ultimately electing to re-sign with the Steelers.

While some blame Ben Roethlisberger's decline for JuJu's dip in production, there's also a case to be made that injuries took away some of the young wideout's explosiveness. He simply hasn't been the same receiver he was when he broke onto the scene during his first two years, playing alongside Antonio Brown.

The hope will be that Patrick Mahomes can restore Smith-Schuster's average depth of target, which dwindled as Big Ben's arm lost power.

The problem is, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce draw such big target shares that we haven't seen another pass-catcher have a big season playing next to them.

Despite the excellent landing spot, keep your expectations in check for JuJu, who's more of a borderline fantasy WR3 in Kansas City.

Smith-Schuster's 2022 projection (15 games): 63 receptions, 709 receiving yards, 7 TDs

Titans sign TE Austin Hooper

Contract: 1 year, $6 million

Tennessee is a sneaky good free-agent destination for a tight end and might be a spot where Hooper could draw a sizeable target share.

Following the release of Julio Jones, there aren't any reliable pass-catchers on the roster outside of superstar A.J. Brown.

Hooper immediately slides into the starting tight end spot ahead of Geoff Swaim. Depending on who the team adds over the next couple of months, Hooper could turn into the de facto second receiver.

That likely won't come with enough volume to put him in the TE1 conversation in fantasy, but he's a solid TE2 worth deploying during bye weeks.

Hooper's 2022 projection (17 games): 51 receptions, 484 receiving yards, 5 TDs

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