Ah, NFL Free Agency. Where contenders become bottom-feeders, trash teams become offseason darlings and the Panthers continue to be the model for how not to run a franchise.
With the 2024 NFL Free Agency period underway, we have already seen some monster names move around the league. Some players, who will be mentioned below, didn’t have to go far. Others shocked us by choosing a team we never expected.
There are so many more moves to be made, but in the meantime, I am hyped to bring you the 2024 NFL Free agency fantasy football winners and losers from day one!
2024 NFL Free Agency: Fantasy Football Winners & Losers
Winners
Zack Moss (RB, Cincinnati Bengals)
The Zack Moss truthers are victory-lapping like… well, you know. Yes, Moss secured a two-year, $9-million deal to supplant Joe Mixon (traded to the Texans for a conditional seventh-round pick) as the lead back in Cincinnati.
Moss was electric when filling in for an injured Jonathan Taylor last season, and apparently, the Bengals saw enough to let their four-time 1,000-yard rusher go.
At first glance, this is shocking. However, Joe Mixon has always been a product of volume over explosion. He can get you four yards consistently but wasn’t given enough of passing work that would have opened his game up. Joe Burrow isn’t a check-down quarterback, so Mixon was more affordable to ship out of town. Depending on how the team utilizes second-year back Chase Brown, Moss has an RB2 finish well within reach.
Antonio Gibson (RB, New England Patriots)
Antonio Gibson should be a star, dammit! He is explosive with the ball in his hands and a great pass-catcher. The problem for Gibson has been keeping the ball in his hands. A converted wide receiver, he brings the route running and hands to be an elite third-down back.
Now with New England on a three-year, $11.3 million deal, we know that there is room for Gibson to operate out of that role. For years, James White was the back to roster in Points Per Reception (PPR) leagues. Gibson may very well see his fantasy production increasing, working as the 1B to Rhamondre Stevenson. He can also do it on the ground. Remember, he went for over 1,000 yards in 2021.
Atlanta Falcons Skill Players
I do not care that Kirk Cousins is old, recovering from the Achilles tear and doesn’t win in the playoffs. This is fantasy football, and I care about my players compiling!
With Cousins now the Falcons quarterback on a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons, Kyle Pitts is going for a thousand yards. Drake London is going for a thousand yards, and Bijan Robinson will be an RB1! Book it.
Cousins may not have Super Bowls, but his teammates always put up numbers. Jordan Reed, T.J. Hockenson, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison; the names go on and on for players who have put up big years with “Captain Kirk” under center. All three of the returning Atlanta skill players get a bump following the fallout of the 2024 NFL Free Agency period. However, London, in particular, vaults himself into the top-36 pick conversation in best ball and redrafts.
Saquon Barkley (RB, Philadelphia Eagles)
Saquon Barkley made the best move he could by going to the team with arguably best offensive line in the league. Yes, Barkley is now an Eagle, returning to his home state on a three-year, $37.8 million deal.
I think this is a win for his value based on one thing and one thing only: Blocking. The Giants last season couldn’t open a hole large enough for a field mouse to squeeze through. Now, Barkley gets to run behind a dominant O-line (even minus Jason Kelce) and we could see a return to form.
The Penn State product might not see as much passing work, though. Jalen Hurts is not big on dump-off passes, so we might need to rely on less tush-push luck and get Saquon into the endzone.
Regardless, I think this is an upgrade in every way. Fewer opportunities on an elite offense are usually better than a bunch on one of the worst offenses. He’ll be a big part of that offense with the money they gave him and should remain an early second-round pick at worst in redrafts.
Devin Singletary (RB, New York Giants)
Barkley is gone. Devin Singletary is in. Let’s be real, though; The Giants will probably be bad again. Yes, they probably have the best defensive line in the NFL now that they’ve traded for Brian Burns. But that offense? Gross.
Singletary reminded everyone in 2023 that he was good enough to lead in a backfield, crushing the hopes and dreams of every Dameon Pierce believer, finishing as the PPR RB32. With decent pass-catching skills, Singletary is a sleeper player who could be a high-upside play based on volume and role alone!
Losers
Tyjae Spears (RB, Tennessee Titans)
With Derrick Henry skipping town, I thought this was Tyjae Spears‘ bell-cow opportunity. Turns out Tony Pollard is coming to ruin that.
I don’t know what to make of Spears yet, but this committee could infuriate managers, as a “hot hand” approach could very well be on the table. Pollard is a dynamic runner. He wasn’t built for the 250-carry life, but he will eat into passing and between-the-20s work.
Spears finished as the PPR RB34 as a rookie. If you need a FLEX, he’s still in play. Just don’t take him at the 73.1 overall Average Draft Position (ADP) he was going at on Underdog Fantasy before this surprising 2024 NFL Free Agency signing.
Jordan Addison (WR, Minnesota Vikings)
Cousins left, and as of now, Sam Darnold is the replacement. Ew.
Many probably would expect to see Justin Jefferson as a loser, but that man is so talented I think he could have a WR1 season with me at QB. Jordan Addison, on the other hand? I’m not so sure. We saw him fade with Joshua Dobbs and the other shit-heap that Minnesota rolled out after Cousins went down. This doesn’t bode well for Addison, who was the PPR WR36 from Week 9 on without Cousins. I am nervous. You should be, too.
Davante Adams (WR, Las Vegas Raiders)
Gardner Minshew appears to be the stopgap at quarterback for the Raiders, and this is a travesty. Las Vegas has done Davante Adams dirty in so many ways, and I just cannot take it anymore. Trade him, spare him this trainwreck, or trade for Justin Fields. But for the love of all that is holy, please stop the torture of this man.
Even at 31 years old, Adams is an elite receiver and will put up numbers. He’s finished as a PPR WR1 in each of his last six seasons where he’s played at least 13 games. Still, he needs a quarterback who can deliver some dots. He is always open; he needs targets and good ones! For f*cks sake!
Bryce Young (QB, Carolina Panthers)
Look, Bryce Young isn’t a good NFL quarterback. I am sorry to say it, but it’s true.
But, man, do the Panthers have to make it so apparent that they’ve given up already? They traded Burns for way less than they were offered last year, didn’t sign a wide receiver and grabbed a few O-linemen who might help Chuba Hubbard. Still, unless they can also put up receiving yards, it’s pretty pointless. The Panthers have taken the mantle as the NFL’s sorriest franchise, leaving both Bryce Young‘s dynasty and best ball fantasy football value shaky at best following 2024 NFL Free Agency.
Aaron Jones (RB, Minnesota Vikings)
And now, Aaron Jones is a Viking. It’s the latest in the stunning fallout from the team signing free agent RB Josh Jacobs.
Minnesota is fine, but who’s the quarterback? The line isn’t the best, and the running game isn’t exactly a focus. Fantasy-wise, this is an “L” for Jones and an “L” for fans. Maybe in real life, it works, but fantasy managers are left holding the pieces of a former RB1 who leaves an up-and-coming offense for one filled with question marks. I guess we can all we can do is hope.
Thanks for reading my 2024 NFL Free Agency fantasy football winners and losers. For more entertainment and sports takes, find me on Twitter, @Steve_Lawson93.
*Photo Credit: Brett Davis – USA TODAY Sports*