Free Agency Breakdown

Welcome to what will probably be my longest post, ever.

A team by team breakdown of notable free agent signings (and trades!) for 2008 is coming at you. I'll include a brief one or two sentence analysis pertaining to the fantasy impact of that particular signing or trade. Only new additions to the team (read: no resigns will be mentioned) will be noted. I will ignore obviously inconsequential (in fantasy terms, anyway) signings, such as Rb3s, old and done QB2s, etc.

I have also left out defensive signings. I will address those later in the year in a comprehensive defensive ranking.

If any more notable free agent pickups happen later in the year, I will post them.

Other than that, enjoy the update and I will post again after the draft.

Cincinnati Bengals

Ben Utecht, TE: A promising young TE who won't be stuck behind Dallas Clark any longer. He's had over 30 receptions his past two seasons with the Colts, and should put up low-end TE1 numbers in the Bengals' offense. He drafts as a mediocre TE1 with high upside.

Buffalo Bills- No noteworthy offensive signings.

Indianapolis Colts- No noteworthy offensive signings.

Chicago Bears

Marty Booker, WR: Welcome back, Marty! Since you left Chicago after 2003, the Bears managed to get quarterbacks worse than Kordell Stewart and get rid of any receivers who done something significant in their career. Enjoy lining up across from Brandon Lloyd and catching balls from Grossman/Orton/the next terrible QB that comes to Chicago!
Worth a roster spot in deep leagues, nothing more.

Brandon Lloyd, WR: Ironic that his glory days got left behind back in San Francisco... Not draftable.

Philadelphia Eagles

Dan Klecko, FB: He'll be the new lead blocker for Brian Westbrook. Huzzah. No fantasy value.

Green Bay Packers- No noteworthy offensive signings.

Oakland Raiders-

Javon Walker, WR: Ah, Oakland. Where WRs go to die. As much as I was on the Javon Walker bandwagon last season, I wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole this season. Oakland is a mess, as usual. I would be surprised if he puts up WR3 numbers, especially if his knee problems continue. Draft him at your own peril. Personally, I wouldn't take him as anything higher than a WR4.

St. Louis Rams

Josh Brown, K: I will never advocate drafting kickers in any round other than the last, but, if you can pick Josh Brown with your last pick, he should do well kicking in a dome.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jerry Porter, WR- As previously mentioned, Oakland is where receivers go to die. Getting out of there should resurrect Porter's career, and Jacksonville suddenly has a solid trio of receivers. Porter should be a great buy-low candidate. Aim for a WR3 selection on him and he should have WR2 upside.

Troy Williamson, WR- Williamson failed to live up to expectations in Minnesota, but it's hard to put all the blame on him with Tavaris Jackson at QB. The speedster will likely battle for the third or fourth wide receiver spot on the roster. He's worth a late round pick in deep leagues.

Minnesota Vikings

Bernard Berrian, WR: Amazingly, he's probably worse off than he was in Chicago. He becomes the primary option in a weak group of receivers with a terrible QB. Draft him as a WR4 or 5, if you must, but be prepared for more than a few 2 catch, 20 yard days.

Washington Redskins- No noteworthy offensive signings

Denver Broncos

Keary Colbert, WR: Coming into his 5th season, Colbert never developed into the WR2 the Panthers were hoping for. With Brandon Marshall as the number one receiver and Javon Walker departing, Colbert or Stokley will be the number two receiver on the Broncos. Don't be surprised if the Broncos draft a receiver early.
Colbert is not draftable in any format.

Arizona Cardinals- No noteworthy offensive signings.

New Orleans Saints- No noteworthy offensive signings.

Detroit Lions- No noteworthy offensive signings.

Cleveland Browns

Donte Stallworth, WR: I think this was a great sign for Cleveland. Joe gets to move down to the third WR spot, which he wants, and Donte gets to line up across from another explosive receiver, except this time Wes Welker won't be stealing all of his catches. I project WR3 or even borderline WR2 numbers from Stallworth if the Cleveland offense continues to produce.

Tennessee Titans

Alge Crumpler, TE: Once a top fantasy TE, now disposed of by the Falcons. Tennessee is a great landing spot for Alge, as he will become a safety valve for Vince Young (Michael Vick 2.0) in an offense that has typically generated a lot of production out of its TEs. I would put him at the bottom of the TE1 list.

Justin McCareins, WR: I would expect Justin to take over WR2 duties in Tennessee. If the offense gels a bit more this year and Vince Young improves, he may have some value, but belongs on your bench as a WR5, for now.

Dallas Cowboys- No noteworthy offensive signings.

San Francisco 49ers

Isaac Bruce, WR: While this signing didn't draw too much interest, Isaac Bruce immediately becomes San Fran's #1 receiver. He already knows the offense and there isn't much competition. If you believe in miracles and think the 49ers will be the new 2000/2001 Rams, then Isaac Bruce is worth a pick, but I'd temper your expectations to having him as a WR3, at best.

Bryant Johnson, WR: He'll have a chance at catching more balls with the Niners, but it's hard to project any value for him given the state of the SF offense last season. Don't draft him, but keep an eye on him in case the Niners' offense improves.

Miami Dolphins

Ernest Wiflord, WR: Coming over from Jacksonville, Wilford will be completely worthless fantasy-wise, just like every other member of the Dolphins offense, with the exception of Ronnie Brown, whose estimated worth is still up in the air.

Houston Texans

Chris Brown, RB: A good sign by the Texans as they are currently operating with Ron Dayne and Ahman Green. Serviceable, but I think they hope Chris Brown can be healthy and provide a long term solution. "Can be healthy" is the operative phrase here, as Brown is as injury prone as they come. However, since he runs well when he actually does play, he makes a sneaky pick as a RB4 if you like high risk/reward picks. If you're in a 12+ team league, I can see taking him as a RB3/flex.

Carolina Panthers

D.J. Hackett, WR: He's slated to be the second WR in the offense, behind Steve Smith. He should be a prominent figure in the red-zone and I project him to be worth a WR3 selection. Unless Delhomme gets hurt again, in which case he will be completely worthless.

Kansas City Chiefs- No noteworthy offensive signings.

Atlanta Falcons

Michael Turner, RB- Michael Turner leaving the Chargers was the moment so many dynasty leaguers had been waiting for. Once he signed with the Falcons, they all cursed the football gods. Turner will be a focal point in the new smash-mouth offense taking shape in Atlanta, but he's in store for a rebuilding year or three. With Jerious Norwood likely getting some action on third downs, I think Turner will be over-valued by many in drafts this year. You could do worse for a RB2, but under optimal circumstances, I'd prefer to draft him as a RB3/flex option.

Jason Elam, K: Elam missed more FGs than we were used to last year, but still came through in the clutch. With a poor Falcons' offense, he should have a decent number of opportunities to kick, and will be kicking in a dome now. On a side note, I also predicted doom, gloom, and bad karma for the Broncos for allowing him to walk, and shortly after this, Brandon Marshall slips on a McDonald's bag during "consensual horseplay." Nice.

Pittsburgh Steelers- No noteworthy offensive signings.

Baltimore Ravens- No noteworthy offensive signings.

New York Giants- No noteworthy offensive signings.

Seattle Seahawks

Jeb Putzier, TE: Jeb Putzier flashed some talent in Denver, but never held on to a starting job. He's worth watching in Seattle as he could take over starting duties if Marcus Pollard continues to watch balls go through his hands, but he is not worth drafting.

T.J. Duckett, RB: He'll now be the thunder behind the Julius Jones lightning. Or Mo-Mo lightning. Not sure how the RB situation will pan out in Seattle, other than TJ Duckett is bigger than everyone else, and should vulture some TDs. Worth grabbing in the late rounds if you're in a deep TD league.

Julius Jones, RB: Goodbye, Shaun Alexandar. Hello, Julius. He could be worth something if he's starting, but until Seattle finishes getting rid of Shaun Alexandar and possibly Maurice Morris, it's hard to project value for him. Right now it looks like a RBBC with Morris, Jones, and Duckett.

Olindo Mare, K: He was atrocious last year, and Seattle will miss Josh Brown. There is no need to select him as your kicker. I wouldn't even select him as a K2, if you're one of those people who wastes a roster spot on a K2.

New York Jets

Alan Faneca, G: While offensive don't have a direct fantasy impact, we all know they are keys to production for the rest of the skill positions. Faneca is a solid addition at LG, and the left side for the Jets loots pretty imposing (Ferguson at LT). The Jets could very well take one of the top OL in the draft and could have a very good offensive line going into the season. As it stands now, this boosts the value of Thomas Jones/RB to be drafted. Maybe they'll be able to rush for a TD or two now.

Jesse Chatman, RB: Nothing more than a backup to Thomas Jones or RB that they draft. No value fantasy-wise.

San Diego Chargers- No noteworthy offensive signings.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Warrick Dunn, RB: He'll be a back up to Earnest Graham or Cadillac. No value.

New England Patriots- No noteworthy offensive signings.