Fantasy: Takeaways, projections from the start of free agency
With legal tampering underway, several players have already made their intentions known by agreeing to deals with new teams.
Let's take a look at all the notable skill-position transactions so far and what they'll mean for fantasy managers.
MORE: Dan Wilkins's analysis of all major moves from free agency
Buccaneers re-sign WR Chris Godwin
Contract: 3 years, $66 million
Godwin stays in Tampa Bay where he's been a strong fantasy starter, with top-20 finishes in five of the last six seasons.
With teammate Mike Evans turning 32 before Week 1, Godwin will likely be asked to take on an even bigger role in the Bucs' passing attack. It's a scenario fantasy managers should be excited about considering Godwin has been a top-12 receiver in fantasy points per game three times in his career, with the most recent occurring last season.
The 29-year-old should be drafted as a fantasy WR2 with the potential to deliver another WR1 campaign if he stays healthy.
Godwin's 2025 projection (17 games): 97 receptions, 1,106 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Jets sign QB Justin Fields
Contract: 2 years, $40 million
Fields has found himself a seat as the game of quarterback musical chairs continues.
After leading the Steelers' offense early last season before Russell Wilson took over, Fields has signed up for a starting job in New York, where he'll have the opportunity to prove he deserves the spot long term.
This is an intriguing situation for fantasy considering Fields' rushing ability and the Jets' pair of young skill-position stars in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.
The 26-year-old Fields immediately becomes a late-round fantasy sleeper who could produce QB1 numbers - like he did over the first six games a year ago.
Fields' 2025 projection (17 games): 3,194 passing yards, 18 TDs, 14 INTs, 169 carries, 704 rushing yards, 4 TDs, 5 FL
Seahawks sign QB Sam Darnold
Contract: 3 years, $100.5 million
It was obvious the Seahawks had something up their sleeve when they traded Geno Smith over the weekend, and now we know Darnold was the reason.
However, Darnold inherits a much different offense than Smith had in Seattle since DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are no longer with the team. The 27-year-old passer will also have to prove he can succeed outside of the security of Kevin O'Connell's system - something he couldn't do before joining the Vikings.
Consider me skeptical that Darnold will be able to replicate the stats he posted in Minnesota, making him a low-end QB2 or streamer for fantasy. Fortunately, Jaxon Smith-Njigba's projected volume will insulate him from any potential downgrade at the quarterback position.
You should also anticipate a heavy dose of the run game in Seattle, which means Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet are players to target at their current ADPs.
Darnold's 2025 projection (17 games): 3,844 passing yards, 19 TDs, 13 INTs, 46 carries, 157 rushing yards, 4 FL
Steelers trade for WR DK Metcalf
Trade: Steelers get Metcalf, Seahawks get 2025 2nd-round pick
The Steelers finally found a playmaking receiver to pair with George Pickens or to help replace him if they elect to move on from the 24-year-old. For the time being, their offense boasts one of the most dangerous downfield tandems in the league, which should attract a quality free-agent quarterback.
Metcalf has finished as the WR8, WR21, WR27, WR20, and WR33 in fantasy points per game over the last five years, but his arrival in Pittsburgh creates uncertainty when it comes to target volume. Arthur Smith's affinity for running the ball led to the offense ranking bottom five in pass attempts last season. Barring a major change in philosophy, we'll likely see Metcalf and Pickens become even more volatile fantasy producers.
We won't be able to accurately assess their fantasy outlooks until we know the identity of the Steelers' starting QB, but Metcalf should still be viewed as a borderline low-end WR2/high-end WR3, with Pickens being a boom-or-bust WR3/flex option.
Metcalf's 2025 projection (17 games): 66 receptions, 978 receiving yards, 6 TDs
Rams sign WR Davante Adams
Contract: 2 years, $44 million
Adams is joining forces with Puka Nacua to give Matthew Stafford a new dynamic duo on the outside since the team expected to move on from Cooper Kupp.
He's a year older than Kupp, but Adams appeared to have more left in the tank last season en route to a fifth straight 1,000-yard campaign. He remains one of the most lethal touchdown scorers among wideouts, which helped him finish as the WR9 (fppg) in 2024.
With the Rams, Adams will play second fiddle behind Nacua but still offers fantasy managers WR2 value, while Nacua holds his place as a top-five receiver.
Adams' 2025 projection (17 games): 87 receptions, 1,079 receiving yards, 7 TDs
Vikings re-sign RB Aaron Jones
Contract: 2 years, $20 million
Jones returning to Minnesota made the most sense for everyone involved. The 30-year-old had a resurgent year in the Vikings' offense, amassing 1,546 scrimmage yards, 51 receptions, and seven touchdowns while finishing as the RB20 (fppg).
It's hard to put too much faith in a running back his age, so expect the Vikings to add depth to their backfield and perhaps even shift Jones into more of a committee in 2025.
For now, I'm projecting him as a high-end RB3 with RB2 upside with the assumption he'll be sharing the load with a rookie or free-agent acquisition.
Jones' 2025 projection (15 games): 211 carries, 954 rushing yards, 5 TDs, 42 receptions, 329 receiving yards, 2 TDs, 3 FL
Bengals franchise tag WR Tee Higgins
Franchise Tag: 1 year, $26.1 million
While this deal won't be official until Higgins signs his franchise tag or agrees to a new long-term contract, the move all but guarantees he'll be in Cincinnati for the coming season.
That makes things easier on fantasy managers since we know what to expect from Higgins in this offense. Even with Ja'Marr Chase lining up next to him, Higgins finished third among receivers in fantasy points per game this year and from Week 5 on was second in that department behind only his teammate.
Joe Burrow is one of the few quarterbacks who can support multiple WR1s for fantasy, and unless injuries get in the way, Higgins should challenge for top-12 WR stats yet again.
Higgins' 2025 projection (14 games): 84 receptions, 1,062 receiving yards, 9 TDs
Raiders trade for QB Geno Smith
Trade: Raiders get Smith, Seahawks get 2025 3rd-round pick
Instead of rolling the dice on free agency or the draft, the Raiders made a decisive move to solve their quarterback issues by acquiring Smith.
The 34-year-old is still an underrated starter despite playing solid football for the Seahawks the last three seasons. Fantasy managers will remember his breakout campaign in 2022 when he finished as the QB10 (fppg) and the QB5 overall.
We're unlikely to see Smith be a top-10 fantasy QB while in Vegas, but his presence is a massive boon for Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers, and whomever else the Raiders bring in this offseason. Keep Smith in mind as a QB2 or bye-week replacement.
Smith's 2025 projection (17 games): 4,246 passing yards, 22 TDs, 12 INTs, 49 carries, 207 rushing yards, 6 FL
Minor moves
Chiefs re-sign WR Hollywood Brown, sign RB Elijah Mitchell
Brown hasn't been a significant fantasy contributor in a couple of years, but injuries prevented us from seeing what he could do with Patrick Mahomes this season. Though his decision to run it back with the Chiefs is a great real-life move, he'll likely be a role player in the pecking order for targets behind Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce. Without an injury ahead of him on the depth chart, Brown won't be someone you want to start weekly in your fantasy lineup.
Meanwhile, Mitchell is hoping to stay healthy and revive his career in Kansas City. He gives the Chiefs a game-breaking weapon behind the oft-injured Isiah Pacheco. As we saw during his time in San Francisco, Mitchell can be a quality short-term starter if called upon and should be treated as an upside late-round pick in fantasy drafts.
Bills sign WR Josh Palmer
Palmer is an interesting addition for the Bills and should get the attention of fantasy managers looking for bargains. The 25-year-old signed a three-year deal worth $36 million, including $18 million guaranteed, and he immediately slots in as a starter in one of the league's best offenses. Josh Allen's willingness to spread the ball around makes it hard to project any Bills wideout as a fantasy difference-maker, but Palmer should be on everyone's radar as a sleeper.
Bengals sign RB Samaje Perine
Reports that Perine was joining the Buccaneers proved false - the veteran ultimately landed back in Cincinnati, where he was a regular contributor from 2020 to 2022. Though he's on the downside of his career at 29 years old, fantasy managers need to take note of this signing since Zack Moss might not be ready for the start of the season. That would put Perine in the backup role behind Chase Brown - making him a one-injury-away guy if the Bengals don't add anyone else.
Commanders re-sign TE Zach Ertz
Ertz remains in Washington after posting the 10th-most fantasy points per game among tight ends in 2024. Even at 34 years old, he warrants fantasy consideration as a TE2 with TE1 upside in a Jayden Daniels-led offense. However, several obstacles could prevent him from repeating those stats, including the arrival of Deebo Samuel at receiver and the potential emergence of sophomore tight end Ben Sinnott.
Bengals re-sign TE Mike Gesicki
Fantasy managers should know the deal with Gesicki by now. His big performances tend to be spread out and often happen when one of the starting receivers in his offense is sidelined. With Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins likely to stay in Cincinnati, Gesicki is just a TE2 streamer for fantasy purposes.
Jaguars sign WR Dyami Brown, QB Nick Mullens, TE Johnny Mundt, TE Hunter Long
Jacksonville was busy over the past week, moving on from veterans like Christian Kirk and Evan Engram on offense. The Jaguars were active on the first day of the legal tampering period as well, mostly filling out the depth on their roster. Brown, who shone with the Commanders this past season, is the only addition to note. As it stands, he'll step into three-receiver sets with Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis, but it won't move the needle for fantasy unless an injury or two strikes this WR corps.
Rams re-sign QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Garoppolo agreed to be Matthew Stafford's backup once again. Superflex and 2QB managers should keep an eye on this because Stafford has a long injury history and is entering his age-37 season. If he misses time, Garoppolo could put up useable fantasy numbers with the Rams' supporting cast and Sean McVay calling plays.