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The opening of the 2024 NFL free agency certainly did not disappoint. Many high-profile stars and dynasty-relevant players changed teams at the start of the new league year.
One of the most intriguing aspects of playing in dynasty leagues is capitalizing on value fluctuations brought about by free agency, the NFL draft, and injuries.
Let's dive in and take a look at some of the top dynasty fantasy football risers and fallers following free agency.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers
Drake London, Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons)
The entire Atlanta offense gets a big boost as the Falcons made a big splash in free agency, bringing in quarterback Kirk Cousins on a four-year, $180 million contract. Cousins instantly becomes the best quarterback that London and Pitts have played with in their NFL careers.
While the recovery status of Cousins' surgically repaired Achilles tendon is a bit of a concern, London and Pitts both have a chance to fulfill the promise that made them highly valued dynasty rookie picks a few years back.
Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles)
Barkley's landing spot with an explosive Eagles offense isn't as great as one would assume as Jalen Hurts will vulture plenty of short rushing touchdowns and doesn't throw many passes to running backs, but this still shakes out as a win for Barkley.
Barkley escapes a New York Giants offense that was one of the worst in the league last season and should be able to rack up plenty of yardage in Philly as the Eagles are just one season removed from being one of the top offenses in the league. Barkley is back in the conversation as a midrange RB1 in dynasty leagues thanks to the move.
D'Andre Swift (Chicago Bears)
Swift has been frustrating from a dynasty perspective as he has never quite reached his full potential. The Eagles featured him in 2023 after acquiring him from the Lions but they were also willing to let him walk in free agency, choosing to upgrade by bringing in Barkley.
Swift wasn't without a home for long, however. The Bears struck quickly in adding Swift, giving him a three-year, $24 million contract, significant money for the 25-year-old.
The Chicago offense will be an up-and-coming unit this season after they presumably draft Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in April. If Swift can put it all together in the Windy City, he could be knocking on the door as a low-end RB1 in dynasty. For now, he's an upside RB2.
Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers)
Jacobs landed with an ascending Green Bay offense, signing a four-year, $48 million deal to take over as the team's RB1 after they let Aaron Jones leave via free agency. Jacobs operated as a bell-cow with the Raiders for many years, but he may share more work than he is used to on a Green Bay offense that likes to rotate its backs. That being said, AJ Dillon is not a threat to Jacobs and the offense upgrade is a plus. Jacobs stays in the conversation as a rock-solid RB2 in dynasty.
Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens)
Henry finds himself in a great spot as he will take over as the primary back in Baltimore after signing a two-year, $16 million deal. The Ravens reportedly made a run at trading for Henry at the trade deadline last season, but they ultimately couldn't hammer out a deal with the Titans. This is a great fit for Henry, who is not showing signs of slowing down.
With the explosive and mobile Lamar Jackson under center to occupy defenses, King Henry should find more room to run than he ever enjoyed as a member of the Titans while the Ravens should visit the red zone much more frequently than the Titans did. Henry shapes up as an RB2 for contenders in dynasty while also opening up a sell window for rebuilders thanks to his prime landing spot.
Zack Moss (Cincinnati Bengals)
Moss got a chance to show what he could do last year in filling in for an injured Jonathan Taylor. The Bengals saw enough to give him a two-year, $8 million contract while also trading incumbent starter Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans.
While Moss' contract is modest when compared to what Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and D'Andre Swift got, he is still in line to at least see 50% of the backfield work and possibly more depending on how second-year running back Chase Brown develops this offseason. Moss initially looks to be a decent investment as an RB3 in dynasty for contenders.
Marquise Brown (Kansas City Chiefs)
Brown landed in the top spot for a free-agent wide receiver as he will be catching passes from Patrick Mahomes after signing a one-year, $7 million deal. Brown's dynasty value faded last year after struggling with injuries, but he's a good bet to bounce back on a Kansas City offense that leaned less on star tight end Travis Kelce during the regular season last year and is in need of secondary options in the passing attack.
Brown will also be motivated to play well as he will be a free agent again next season with a chance to score a lucrative long-term deal somewhere. He can be treated as an upside WR3 in dynasty for the upcoming season.
Other risers:
Curtis Samuel, George Pickens, Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, Quentin Johnston, Zamir White, Devin Singletary
Dynasty Fantasy Football Fallers
Austin Ekeler, Brian Robinson Jr. (Washington Commanders)
Ekeler brings more passing-game experience to the table than Antonio Gibson did, which is an issue for Robinson. Robinson caught 36 passes and four touchdowns in 15 games last season.
With Ekeler now in town, Robinson is likely to operate as the early-down grinder and short-yardage back while the former will be on the field for passing downs. This will cap the upside of both players. Robinson settles in as an RB3 in dynasty while Ekeler is a rapidly declining flex option/RB4 these days.
Tony Pollard (Tennessee Titans)
Pollard got one year, 2023, to prove he was capable of carrying the load as the lead back. He did not take advantage and the Cowboys opted to let him leave via free agency despite their running back room being very thin.
It is hard to get excited about Pollard in Tennessee on an offense that is worse than the Cowboys and where he will have more competition for touches with ascending sophomore Tyjae Spears in town. Pollard is an RB3 in dynasty and is moving in the wrong direction.
Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins (Tennessee Titans)
Ridley was rumored to have several suitors, but he ultimately landed a four-year, $92 million deal with Tennessee. Ridley was inconsistent with a more proven Jacksonville offense in 2023 and he now will play for a Titans offense loaded with question marks. It is hard to say what Tennessee has in unproven second-year QB Will Levis, but it is safe to say he still has a lot to prove.
The Titans should be more pass-heavy under first-year head coach Brian Callahan than they were under Mike Vrabel, but Callahan is a first-year head coach and is unproven. Ridley also will have to contend with certified target hog DeAndre Hopkins in Tennessee. Ridley should be valued as a midrange WR3 in dynasty moving forward.
Other Fallers:
Justin Herbert, Justin Fields, Ty Chandler, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, Khalil Shakir, Cole Kmet
How to Approach the Remainder of the Offseason
Free agency is just the tip of the iceberg as it comes to the NFL offseason with the draft looming on April 25. Players whose roles survived free agency aren't in the clear just yet as teams will still have a chance to acquire their replacements in the draft.
Dynasty players should be sending offers to acquire players who they like for their squads but be careful not to overpay, especially as it comes to buying running backs who look like their value has increased.
A perfect example is a player like Zamir White. White appears to have the No. 1 RB role locked down with Josh Jacobs in Green Bay, but the Raiders could still take a running back in the draft. If that selection comes in the form of a second- or third-round rookie, White could be returning to a reserve role in 2024. Stay tuned as the landscape still has the potential to change drastically over the next month.
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