Hey!
Day 2 of NFL Free Agency wasn’t as chaotic as Day 1.
But a few under-the-radar moves created more fantasy winners.
Here are the sneaky risers you need to know:
Jahmyr Gibbs keeps winning this offseason
The Lions signed Isiah Pacheco, and for fantasy, this is great news. Pacheco is limited as a pass catcher and hasn’t looked the same since the 2024 fibula injury.
More importantly, this is a clear downgrade in backfield competition compared to David Montgomery. Gibbs is shaping up as a Top 2 pick this summer…
Garrett Wilson is a Day 2 winner
The Jets traded for Geno Smith, and assuming Geno starts, it raises the passing ceiling immediately compared to the previous JustinFields/Brady Cook QB room.
Before playing for a historically bad Vegas team last year, Geno put up 3 straight seasons of 3,600+ yards & 20+ TDs.
He averaged 4,075 yards and 23.7 TDs during that span. That’s a upside at QB for Garrett Wilson…
George Holani continues to be a free agency winner
Kenneth Walker left, and Charbonnet had ACL surgery in February.
As of today, Holani is Seattle’s Week 1 starter, and Charbonnet may not be back until November…
This is a situation to monitor closely. If Seattle signs a veteran (they’ve been linked to Rachaad White), that player becomes fantasy relevant instantly…
These RBs have survived the first 2 days
So far, these backs have avoided real competition:
Tony Pollard, Jordan Mason, Cam Skattebo, Bhayshul Tuten, Chuba Hubbard, and Chase Brown.
The best remaining free agent RBs are Brian Robinson, Najee Harris, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker…
Aside from Robinson, most of these names don’t seriously threaten an early-down workhorse role. But Skattebo and Pollard still have one big threat: the NFL Draft.
The Titans and Giants both have Top 5 picks, and there’s a real chance one of them takes Jeremiyah Love. If that happens, it wipes out the fantasy relevance of either Pollard or Skattebo overnight…
Quinshon Judkins is quietly winning
Cleveland keeps improving their offensive line: they’ve signed Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, and traded for Tytus Howard.
That’s a big boost for Judkins efficiency, and the Browns haven’t added any new competition in the backfield…
Drake Maye is a winner from Day 2
New England signed Alijah Vera-Tucker to a 3-year deal, which could be a major upgrade for Maye’s protection.
The risk is durability. Vera-Tucker missed 2025 with a torn tricep and has had 3 major injuries in 5 years. But the last time we saw him healthy, he was both a strong pass protector and run blocker.
And then the Patriots made another key move…
Romeo Doubs is now a Patriot
He signed a 4-year deal worth up to $80 million, giving Maye a nice perimeter option.
With Diggs gone, the WR room is now Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas. None of them are proven WR1s.
New England feels like a team that could add a WR in the draft, they currently pick at #31 in Round 1…
The Bears signing Kalif Raymond helps Odunze and Burden
Raymond should step into the slot role with DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus gone, but he’s unlikely to be fantasy relevant on his own.
The real impact is target share.
Chicago going from DJ Moore to Kalif Raymond in the WR room should create more volume for Rome Odunze and Luther Burden this season…
Houston starts to improves their O-Line
The Texans signed tackle Braden Smith to a 2-year deal. He’s a solid pass protector, but he ranked 153rd out of 219 linemen in run blocking.
Expect Houston to keep adding O-line help this offseason…
— Sal
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