The Top Ten Free Agent Offseason moves that will have a big impact on the way you draft your squad in 2013.

The Top Ten Free Agent Offseason moves that will have a big impact on the way you draft your squad in 2013.

by: S. Billings

The 2013 free agency period isn't even a week old and we already have quite a  few moves that should have a big implications on the fantasy football season. So let’s dive into an internet format favorite: The Top 10 List.  *Our analysis includes trades as well as players signing new contracts.
 Let’s get started.

• #10, #9.  Joe Flacco, Alex Smith:
• These first two moves I lump together as they are both quarterback related, and both are far more important to their respective teams than they would to your fantasy team.  Flacco signed a record deal this offseason to remain in Baltimore, after playing really well throughout the Ravens playoff march to a Super Bowl victory.  While he does lose top receiving target Anquan Boldin, we should see Torrey Smith continue to make strides in the coming season.  Alex Smith is in a similar situation, as he was a good game manager that happened to also have his best pro year last year (despite eventually getting the boot for Kaepernick).  Smith will continue to put up average/decent numbers in Kansas City throwing to Dwayne Bowe, but nothing worth a look in fantasy.  I wouldn't want either to be my #1 QB, however, both could be pretty solid Bye week fill ins.
• #8. Reggie Bush:
• Reggie Bush has averaged just north of 1,300 all-purpose yards in his past two seasons with the Dolphins, which are by far the best numbers of his career. He’s made the jump this offseason up to Detroit, where he should continue to thrive in Detroit’s wide open offense starring Calvin Johnson and Co. He will remain a solid #2 Running Back that rarely leaves your lineup.
• #7. Anquan Boldin:
• Let me preface this selection with an anecdote from the past fantasy season that many of you will relate to all too well.  In one of my leagues, I had Boldin in addition to James Jones of Green Bay on my roster.  Both would have big games when they were on my bench, but never when I put them in my starting lineup. I know many of you have experienced this curse (I think it's rooted in Voodoo).  No matter what I did, the one I started just bombed.  Eventually, the curse cost me a championship game appearance (James Jones had an out of his mind game in Week 15...from my bench. I don’t think Boldin caught a pass). This is why he’s this low on the list; just a personal vendetta.  All that being said, with Boldin going to San Francisco he should continue to be what he has been nearly his entire career.  A nice compliment to an explosive receiver (Larry Fitzgerald, Torrey Smith, Michael Crabtree). Though he might lose some catches due to the plethora of weapons Kaepernick has at his disposable.
• #6. Victor Cruz:
• Cruz has yet to sign with a team.  He went from being the most underrated receiver in the NFL to the most overrated one in the span of one year.  Very impressive feat, I’d say.  Regardless, Cruz will probably end up getting drafted too early in your league again as a #1 WR, killing the playoffs hopes of the sorry fool who goes autodraft. That owner’s hatred for him will  grow to an unhealthy level by week 4. Don’t let this happen to you.
• #5. Wes Welker:
• Wes Welker’s career could be used as evidence that Karma exists.  After spending his first three seasons suffering through the quarterback play of losers like Joey Harrington, Gus Frerotte, and Daunte Culpepper, the gods shone down on poor Welker and sent him to the promise land; AKA New England and Tom Brady.  Welker became an elite receiver with the Patriots over the past 6 seasons, putting up some league bests in yards and receptions. However, New England got stingy this offseason and essentially gave Welker his walking papers. But Welker going to the Broncos and Peyton Manning was just about the best possible outcome for his fantasy statistics.  You might be thinking that Denver has a crowded receiving corp already with top guys Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker sucking up catches. But this is Peyton Manning folks. During the mid-2000s Manning managed to make Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokley (also in Denver), and Dallas Clark viable fantasy options.  Welker will get his touches.
• #4. Steven Jackson:
• Jackson is going from the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.  Turf to Turf. While Jackson’s numbers have been on the steady decline typical of running backs when they hit that 30 year age wall, the move to Atlanta and its high powered offense, may be just thing to give Jackson’s numbers a jolt next year. He’ll be a serviceable #2 RB next year in fantasy.  He may be the Greatest Show on Turf(s).
• #3. Danny Amendola:
• If New England had a better receiving corp this would be #1 on my list.  Amendola could be the 2nd coming of Welker. Both receivers are great short yardage, but Amendola might be a able to stretch the field a bit better than Welker was. Amendola is more established coming from St. Louis than Welker was when he came from Miami. Its a great pickup by the Patriots to replace the gaping hole that Welker left. Amendola will get his catches, but Gronk and Hernandez are the real receivers you want in this high powered offense.
• #2.  Tony Gonzalez.
• After Atlanta's disappointing loss to San Francisco in the playoffs, Tony Gonzalez said he had just played his final NFL game... despite being a top 3 fantasy TE in 2012. The guy is an ageless wonder; he looks like he could play another 10 yrs. Well, after looking in a mirror, It seems T-Gon feels the same way, and “unretired”.  Thank God BTW; I own Gonzalez in a dynasty league. He was pretty much the reason I made the playoffs last year. Ryan loves targeting him in the red zone so he should get TDs.  Last year was his best year in Atlanta -- at 36.  The guy is a physical freak.  Continue to view him as a top fantasy TE next year.
• #1. Percy Harvin.
• The biggest splash in the NFL offseason thus far was the Harvin trade to Seattle.  As long as he stays healthy he should remain a great, if not better Fantasy WR with the Seahawks.  He is going to a more explosive offense that already stars the consistent QB play of Russell Wilson, and RB Marshawn Lynch.  Good QB play was definitely something that was lacking in his time in Minnesota.  Pete Carroll will make great use of this hybrid receiver in their offensive scheme.
• Seattle’s Needs = Ballers
• Harvin = Baller

PHOTO CREDIT:
By Robert Polhill Bevan (1865 - 1925) (British) (Artist, Details of artist on Google Art Project) (Google Art Project:  Home - pic) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons