2020 Free Agent WR Class and 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.
While this wide receiver crop has a good level of options this offseason, the dollar figures may not get over-inflated with an NFL draft class loaded at the position. With that, there is a noticeable drop off in talent as you climb down the free-agent list, but still hold names that could help teams right away. Let’s dive into the potential impact these free agents may have in 2020.
Free Agent Wide Receivers:
Amari Cooper (DAL)
AGE: 26 | 2019 Salary: $5,665,779 | FA Rank: 1
There simply can’t be any argument to suggest that Amari Cooper isn’t the top commodity on the open market at the position. Coming off a sound campaign, and rebounding after his split season with the Raiders and the Cowboys in 2018, Cooper showed why he is a top talent. The question remains and will continue to be debated on if the Cowboys will shell out big money to lock-up this receiver they gave up draft picks to get.
Over his career, Cooper has dealt with his share of drops and inconsistent play, but after witnessing him on a very strong offense, he has earned the money owed to him. Of all the players Dallas has to lock up, we could see Cooper find his way to the open market as there is only a certain amount to go around. Dak Prescott is looking to get paid handsomely, and already having Zeke Elliott on the books to a big-money deal, Cooper may be the odd man out.
If Cooper is let free to search for a new team, there will be no shortage of suitors vying for his services. Provided Cooper lands on a club with a sound quarterback – his outlook will again be strong.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: High
AJ Green (CIN)
AGE: 32 | 2019 Salary: $15,000,000 | FA Rank: 2
Typically, we would’ve had no reservations about placing the Bengals superstar AJ Green on the top of the list, but due in part to his age and recent medical issues, we have a choice but to drop him down. Needless to say, if healthy, Green is still one of the best in the business and would be a massive upgrade to any club. However, Green has been on record to suggest he wants to conclude his career in Cincinnati but dollar figures will be the only sidestep.
When we go and review the Bengals roster, they have many key pieces to the puzzle that will continue this growth. With Joe Mixon looking the part as the lead back and the Bengals likely drafting college superstar Joe Burrow, it’s easy to see why Green wants to return. Regardless, but if a reunion is made and Green stays in Cincinnati or finds his way to another team – his value will still be strong barring injury.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: High
Robby Anderson (NYJ)
AGE: 27 | 2019 Salary: $3,095,000 | FA Rank: 3
One player we’ve had a difficult time dissecting is the Jets Robby Anderson. Having talent for days teamed with what appears to be elite-level speed, Anderson has never seen the fruits of his labor come together consistently. With the Jets looking to improve and possibly revamp their operation, we definitely could witness Anderson wearing different colors next season.
When going back to review the body of work laid out on the stat sheet, a 1000 yard season has never come to fruition with maxing out at seven touchdowns as his career-high. While we feel a change in scenery would be best for both parties, landing with a team like the Eagles could bring with it a great level of achievement. Everything will be contingent on who is throwing him the ball, but Anderson has boatloads of ability.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/High
Emmanuel Sanders (SF)
AGE: 33 | 2019 Salary: $11,000,000 | FA Rank: 4
With the top three pass-catchers already spoken for, this is where the list begins to fade just a little bit. Our great affinity for Emmanuel Sanders and the way he plays the game should provide no bias as his age is climbing daily. Sanders clearly proved he still has fuel left in the tank, but opportunity will be the biggest obstacle. We can’t see any team willing to pay Sanders his current rate of return, as a haircut will absolutely be had on his salary.
At this point in his career, Sanders would act as a fantastic secondary piece to a club on the fringe of winning titles. Perhaps if the rumors are true and Sammy Watkins takes a year off, Sanders could take that role on the team which just beat him in the Super Bowl. The New England Patriots are also a club that could be a nice landing spot to keep Tom Brady in town. Nevertheless, his value will fall but should provide flex appeal depending on his landing spot.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate
Randall Cobb (DAL)
AGE: 30 | 2019 Salary: $5,000,000 | FA Rank: 5
Many wanted to write off the Cowboys Randall Cobb when he latched on in free agency with Dallas last offseason, but we continued to throw support this way. In that support, something of resurrection came to pass and Cobb was utilized in the perfect way with Dak Prescott. Being the primary slot presence, we witnessed many contests of sound production.
And as we stand today, it’s nearly impossible to believe a return to Big-D will be a formality. At the ripe age of 30 years old and making it through the 2019 season without many trips to the medical room, Cobb’s value is back to positives and should remain based on his landing spot. Perhaps the Detroit Lions replace Danny Amendola with Cobb to create a trio of pass catchers that would be nearly unstoppable. We still like the odds of stats coming to this man.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate
Breshad Perriman (TB)
AGE: 26 | 2019 Salary: $4,000,000 | FA Rank: 6
Even as we rank Breshad Perriman as the sixth-best free agent receiver, we do so with a great deal of skepticism. We completely believe he’ll be overpaid this offseason and will again not live up to the hype. Perriman was given his opportunity this season when injuries dismantled the core. With that said, Perriman found ways to be productive, but in our eyes, it should be short-lived.
Depending on price, we could see the Packers take a shot on this speedster to help provide assistance to Davante Adams. The Las Vegas Raiders also seem like a fit as they could use all the help they can get at the position. Either way, temper the expectations on Perriman.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/Low
Nelson Agholor (PHI)
AGE: 27 | 2019 Salary: $2,344,344 | FA Rank: 7
At this point, the Eagles Nelson Agholor will be on his way out of Philly and will for sure land with another team. Not gifted with extreme speed, Agholor will be a solid slot receiver for those looking to upgrade. The issue for this receiver has been and will likely continue to be the amount of dropped passes in his game. The days where the ball stuck to him like glue, Agholor looked like a machine - but those days didn’t happen near enough.
We could see a one- or two-year deal come his way this offseason in hopes to earn more on a ‘prove it’ contract. There is talent here, but the right offense will be the only way we see him get back in the good books.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/Low
Devin Funchess (IND)
AGE: 26 | 2019 Salary: $10,000,000| FA Rank: 8
When we go back to discuss the future of Devin Funchess, we struggle to promote him to very high levels. Granted, last season was a wash simply due to an injury, so we can’t fault him too much. However, there is no question he won’t come close to his 10-million-dollar cap hit this season to which the Colts paid him last offseason.
In terms of skillset, Funchess does hold a sound amount of ability that could help any organization looking for a big body wide receiver. The Steelers jump out right off the bat to have a capable secondary option to support Juju Smith-Schuster. A team like the Bills also looks appealing with Carolina ties in Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane. Perhaps the Raiders could also be a solid fit, but time will tell. If Funchess finds himself with a decent quarterback to throw him the ball, we could see a massive fantasy sleeper in 2020 here.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/Low
Danny Amendola (NE)
AGE: 34 | 2019 Salary: $4,500,000 | FA Rank: 9
Father time waits for no man, and the end is nearing for the career slot receiver. When Danny Amendola found his way to the Lions, we were enthralled to believe it was a match made in heaven. While we did witness many contests where statistical achievements were had, far too often Amendola disappeared with nothing to show.
Moving forward, we have no qualms that he’ll find his way to another roster, but the situation will absolutely dictate terms in 2020. Amendola is a great slot receiver and would be a giant support for a team on the cusp of doing great things. His value will be determent on who’s throwing him the ball.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Low
Geronimo Allison (GB)
AGE: 26 | 2019 Salary: $2,800,000| FA Rank: 10
Placing the Packers Geronimo Allison on the list was something we also struggled with. While we do like the skillset and ability, it definitely hasn’t translated on the field consistently. As the Packers changed their offensive approach to become more balanced, Allison and the other supportive pieces took a back seat. At this point, we would be shocked to see Green Bay re-up this receiver which should place him free on the open market.
The attractive thing about Allison is that he does have the ability to make things happen and will fetch a very comfortable cap hit. Obviously, Allison will have to prove his worth if signed, but we still have faith things will come together. You could suggest a team like the Rams would be a good fit as they will have to cut either Robert Woods or Brandin Cooks due to salary cap constraints. Allison could jump into that role and be an absolute bargain for Sean McVay. Nevertheless, we won’t give up just yet on this man in hopes he turns it out in 2020.
2020 Potential Fantasy Impact: Low
Honorable Mention:
Phillip Dorsett (NE) 2019 Salary: $2,600,000, Rashard Higgins (CLE) 2019 Salary: $2,025,000, Pharoh Cooper (ARZ) 2019 Salary: $720,000, Tajae Sharpe (TEN) 2019 Salary: $653,721
