Fantasy: Ideal landing spots for top WR, TE free agents

What makes free agency so exciting? It's the promise of greatness that lies in every player hitting the open market.

A new team generates hope that a star player can be the missing piece vaulting it into Super Bowl contention, that a backup can finally get the volume they deserve, or a third-stringer can find a coaching staff capable of maximizing their talents.

Oftentimes, the grass can quite literally be greener thanks to a new contract, and while we know not every free-agent journey ends in triumph, anything is possible a week before the new league year kicks off.

So with that inspiration, 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

Golden Tate - Packers

Randall Cobb leaving Green Bay opens a hole in the slot, and Tate would offer a more reliable option despite being two years older. The 31-year-old has played at least 15 games in each of the last eight seasons, topping 1,000 yards in three of his last five campaigns. Connecting himself to Aaron Rodgers could push Tate back into the top 30 for fantasy receivers and help extend his value beyond 2019.

John Brown - Eagles

A marriage between Brown and the Eagles is almost too perfect. The 5-foot-11, 178-pound speedster was on pace for 1,275 yards and nine touchdowns through the first seven games last season before the Ravens essentially gave up on the pass with Lamar Jackson under center. Philadelphia has lacked a vertical threat in recent years, something Brown would instantly remedy. His stock is sure to build as he makes headlines in free agency, but at the moment, Brown is one of the most underrated fantasy players heading into next season, regardless of his landing spot.

Tyrell Williams - Colts

While many of the pairings in this series are dream scenarios for fantasy owners, a couple signings could come to fruition. Multiple reporters have cited the Colts' strong interest in Williams, which makes sense given head coach Frank Reich’s time with the Chargers. Williams would certainly enjoy the increase in targets as the team has long been searching for another weapon outside of T.Y. Hilton in the receiving corps.

Devin Funchess - Patriots

New England has tried to capitalize on Brady’s final years by surrounding him with as much talent as possible. The team took a chance on Josh Gordon and used a first-round pick on running back Sony Michel, so you can be sure Bill Belichick will remain active in the offseason. Funchess is an underrated asset who was headed for his second consecutive eight-touchdown season before the Panthers began shifting snaps to players who would be with the club long term. In a good offense, the 24-year-old Funchess has an Alshon Jeffery-type ceiling, especially if Rob Gronkowski chooses to retire.

Jamison Crowder - 49ers

With Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin providing ample speed for Kyle Shanahan to keep defenses honest, Crowder could step in as a steady producer in the slot. It would be a significant upgrade on Trent Taylor and Richie James, and would add another security blanket for Jimmy Garoppolo. Crowder isn’t much of a red-zone threat, but could be a low-end PPR starter.

Donte Moncrief - Steelers

Moncrief showed signs of a breakout with the Colts before missing 11 games over his final two seasons in Indy. The 25-year-old managed to play all 16 contests in 2018, though the quarterbacking in Jacksonville capped his upside. The Steelers will be retooling their offense following the impending Antonio Brown trade, leaving Moncrief to handle starter snaps. No one can replace Brown, but Moncrief would check a lot of boxes as a fantasy breakout candidate.

Adam Humphries - Lions

Humphries was a fantasy revelation during his final year with the Bucs, posting 76 catches, 816 yards, and five touchdowns while finishing as the WR24 in PPR formats. Detroit needs to find a successor to Tate, who the team moved at the deadline. At 25 years old, Humphries is a newer model who can thrive underneath in a Lions offense that features dangerous downfield playmakers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones.

Other options

There were reports the Patriots looked into trading for Cobb in the middle of the season, though his fit would be odd given Julian Edelman’s presence in the slot. While joining a potent offense like the Saints would be Cobb’s best hope, the market for a declining receiver with injury issues might be limited.

Michael Crabtree’s release wasn’t surprising. Unless he can catch on as a red-zone specialist with an exciting offense like the Browns, he will be off my draft board.

Tight ends

Jared Cook - Saints

After a career year, the Raiders are letting Cook hit the open market, which means a return to Oakland might not happen. Entering his age-32 season, the veteran tight end is chasing a big-money deal, but if he’s willing to earn less in favor of a winning environment, that could lead him to New Orleans. The Saints haven’t had a true impact tight end since trading away Jimmy Graham, and Cook is the best option available among this year’s free agents. While his targets would drop, his efficiency and scoring chances would rise catching passes from Drew Brees.

Tyler Eifert - Broncos

Due to injuries, Jake Butt has barely been able to get on the field since being drafted to the Broncos, so the front office may want to add another tight end to the depth chart. They need reinforcements and just acquired a quarterback in Joe Flacco who is well-versed in throwing to tight ends after spending 11 years in a Ravens offense that leaned on the position. Eifert has upside that few tight ends possess if he can stay off the injury report.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins - Raiders

The free-agent pool gets shallow fast at tight end, leaving teams to consider underwhelming names like Seferian-Jenkins. The 26-year-old, who hasn’t topped 400 yards or four touchdowns in any of his five NFL seasons, lacks run-after-the-catch ability, so he’ll need a significant amount of targets to sneak onto the fantasy radar. If the Raiders are forced to replace Cook, it would make them one of the few destinations that could offer sizable volume. Cook saw 101 targets in 2018.

Other options

There’s only one other free-agent tight end who moves the needle for fantasy, and it’s Jesse James. The former Steeler would be a savvy low-cost pickup for the division-rival Bengals, a team losing the bulk of the tight ends currently on the roster to free agency.

Ideal landing spots

• QB/RB
• WR/TE