2020 Free Agent QB Class & Fantasy Football Impact
With the NFL season concluded, now comes the time for great speculation on where free agents may land. Offseason activities provide a good level of entertainment and afford all fantasy managers to navigate their rosters.
When discussing the quarterback position, there are a number of names on this list that could be of benefit come the new season. While some will resign with their current club, others will find different pastures to promote their talent. Let’s dive into the potential impact these free agents may have in 2020.
Free Agent Quarterbacks:
Dak Prescott (DAL)
AGE: 26 | 2019 Salary: $680,848 | FA Rank: 1
Simply based on youth and the fact that Dak Prescott is coming off his best season as a pro, we have no choice but to place him as the top free agent quarterback. With that said, we can’t envision any situation where he’s allowed to taste the fruits of the open market, as the Dallas Cowboys should view him as a true priority sign. If no long term deal can be reached – the franchise tag will absolutely be used.
Prescott is an interesting player who has shown levels of being a game manager, but this past season proved he could be much more than that. Surrounded with an offense loaded with playmakers, nearly 5000 pass yards and 30 touchdowns was the outcome. With a new head coach (Mike McCarthy) ready to place his stamp on the team, it should be a formality to witness Prescott don the Dallas star for many years to come. While a hefty raise should be on the horizon, locking up Amari Cooper will only continue to increase the offensive output.
Nevertheless, Prescott is the top commodity for free agent quarterbacks in 2020.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: High
Jameis Winston (TB)
AGE: 25 | 2019 Salary: $6,337,819 | FA Rank: 2
When we placed the Buccaneers Jameis Winston as the number two ranked passer on our list, we found ourselves with a little throw up in our mouths. But in all seriousness, Winston is a true enigma for the position as we struggle to appropriately evaluate his worth on the open market. It’s not that Winston isn’t full of arm strength and talent, it’s his carelessness with the ball that leaves us always wanted more. Concluding a season which saw him throw for over 5000 yards and 33 touchdowns, he should have clubs beating down his door offering contracts.
With that said, Winston’s problem has always been in the form of turnovers which has crippled fantasy teams on a weekly basis. Throwing 30 interceptions in 2019 was the massive blemish on his resume with nothing to suggest it will improve. At this point we truly don’t know if he’ll return to Tampa Bay, but he will have teams vying for his services. While the stats should always be good, the minus points will also continue to be an issue.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/High
Drew Brees (NO)
AGE: 40 | 2019 Salary: $25,000,000 | FA Rank: 3
As it stands today, the Saints Drew Brees has gone on record to suggest he needs time to mull over his NFL future. Having no interest to leave the state of Louisiana, we can only see him re-upping with New Orleans. In that assessment, many obstacles will come about if the Saints have interest to bring back the future hall of famer.
While the price tag will be large once again, New Orleans must decide on who they want as the heir apparent to Brees. Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill are also in need of a contract which will complicate things. Furthermore, it’s been reported that sharing time at the quarterback position could come to fruition if Brees comes back with Hill. If that is the case, Brees numbers will take a drastic hit making him less valuable in fantasy football. This is a very interesting situation and one to keep your eye on.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/High
Tom Brady (NE)
AGE: 42 | 2019 Salary: $23,000,000 | FA Rank: 4
Much speculation has already been swirling around the Patriots Tom Brady and his future in New England. Hearing rumors that he is selling his Boston home and looking to the next chapter in his life, we really wonder how this will unfold. With that, Brady has never been one to pull record breaking pay days upon his free agent status as he understands what it takes to build a team and win. This offseason however could tell a different tale.
Brady has already affirmed that supporting talent was the key issue last season with the Patriots which ultimately lead to their demise. If New England does convince Brady to return, adding weapons to help move this offense will be the primary influencer in his decision. While it’s also clear that Brady isn’t the player he once was, perhaps joining a club that has a roster already built for the Super Bowl will pull him to new pastures.
While unlikely, the 49ers could be an intriguing possibility, as San Francisco has an option to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo with a minor cap friendly loss. Either way, we still believe Brady will return to the place he’s called home for over 20 years.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate
Ryan Tannehill (TEN)
AGE: 31 | 2019 Salary: $2,000,000 | FA Rank: 5
Heading back to the offseason when the Titans pulled the trade to bring Ryan Tannehill to Tennessee, we instantly went on record to suggest this club would be better with him behind center. It was abundantly clear in our eyes the coaching staff wasn’t sold on Marcus Mariota, and required an insurance plan to not derail the entire season. Now, with history in the books, Tannehill at the age of 31 has earned himself a very sound pay day.
While it’s unclear the appetite the Titans have to pay Tannehill big dollars to remain the teams pivot, they will have to fork over a handsome sum to keep him aboard. With a roster rounding out nicely with really strong talent, we could be witness to the start of something special. With that, locking up their star running back Derrick Henry will also be paramount to their success, we feel Tannehill is the second option for contract negotiations after Henry. Hard to envision Tannehill not returning, but we wouldn’t be shocked.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate
Philip Rivers (LAC)
AGE: 38 | 2019 Salary: $20,812,500 | FA Rank: 6
While we also struggled for appropriate placement on Phillip Rivers, we do feel given the right circumstances, he could have a couple seasons of good football left. Coming off a campaign which saw him flirt with career high numbers in passing yardage, it was backed by hovering to new levels of interception ratios. Clearly, Rivers has seen better days in terms of ability and is losing steam with weaker arm strength. The Chargers last season fell off a cliff, but we can’t put all the blame on this 16 year veteran.
With news breaking that Rivers has already relocated his family to Florida, the guesswork on his future has been plentiful. While we agree that Rivers is on the tail end of his career, finding a team with sound pieces could provide on last kick at the can. Any fantasy relevance for Rivers this season will come more from the roster he will support.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/Low
Marcus Mariota (TEN)
AGE: | 2019 Salary: $6,053,494 | FA Rank: 7
When it comes to the lesser tier quarterbacks on the open market, let’s begin with Marcus Mariota. Early on his career looked supremely promising filled with skill and poise. However, as time wore on, Mariota began to fade into the darkness and was eventually replaced by Ryan Tannehill.
For the terms of this offseason, we truly believe Mariota requires a change of scenery to provide a career rebound. Perhaps signing a deal similar to the one of Tannehill did, to be a backup for a team with uncertainty at the position would provide the most light. The Chicago Bears come to mind right off the bat with the struggles Mitchell Trubisky has had. Don’t rule out the Los Angeles Chargers as well, as we could see a sound fit with potential to start.
Mariota’s career is far from over, but one to watch. There is potential for a rebound and fantasy earnings provided the situation is sound.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Low
Teddy Bridgewater (NO)
AGE: | 2019 Salary: $7,250,000 | FA Rank: 8
When the Saints paid Teddy Bridgewater to be the backup for Drew Brees, they wouldn’t have thought he would’ve started for the team in 2019. When Drew Brees was lost to injury for those five contests, Bridgewater stepped up to prove he can be a capable passer once again in this league. To complicate matters further, the great affinity coach Sean Payton has for Taysom Hill could preclude New Orleans to offer him a new deal.
Bridgewater was very efficient in his time as the starter piling up nearly 1400 yards, nine touchdowns and only 2 interceptions – impressive. To make matters even better, Bridgewater lead the Saints to a 5-0 record to keep the season in fabulous shape. While we’ve had many debates on what the future has in store for this quarterback, we can’t get past believing Miami would be the best situation. Granted, we know the early NFL draft process has the Dolphins selecting a young passer, we feel Bridgewater would be the better fit, so all draft picks could be concentrated on rebuilding the entire roster.
There are options for Bridgewater to find a place that could provide playing time, and we’ll be watching closely.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Low/Moderate
Honorable Mention:
Taysom Hill (NO) 2019 Salary: $556,667, Nick Mullens (SF) $525,000, Kyle Allen (CAR) $525,000, Cooper Rush (DAL) $556,667
