NFL free agency fallout: Early impressions for fantasy

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens – Apparently the Ravens are after any player who has ever lined up at receiver. While they did need help at any offensive skill position, they aren’t the team that should be gambling on John Brown’s health (or lack thereof) and giving Ryan Grant a four year contract with $14 million guaranteed. They haven’t addressed anything else in any meaningful way. As of this moment, running back Alex Collins is the only player that fantasy owners should look towards.

Cincinnati Bengals – Aside from their trade for tackle Cordy Glenn, the Bengals have been quiet thus far. Tight end Tyler Eifert may be playing elsewhere in 2018 and there’s not much past the normal suspects of receiver A.J. Green and maybe Joe Mixon in his second year.

Cleveland Browns – The Browns may be futile in real life football, but this offense has potential to be a fantasy gold mine. Their defense isn’t very good at this point and they’ll be chasing points in plenty of games. Cleveland brought in quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who is playing with his best supporting cast ever. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley has a tendency to throw the ball and TyGod will be throwing to Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman and David Njoku. The biggest surprise so far is they signed running back Carlos Hyde to a relatively big contract. If it’s just Hyde and Duke Johnson in the backfield, both guys could be useful for fantasy. If Saquon Barkley gets drafted to make a three-headed monster, it’s going to cap the fantasy points from everyone, including the spectacular Barkley.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Speaking of Bell, there’s still a small question of how the offseason shakes out for him. As of now, he’s due to play under the franchise tag. He’s also taken to social media to air his grievance with not being “in demand” enough by the Steelers. It’s unlikely Bell gets moved but it would be quite a shift if it came to be. Other than that, it’s business as usual. Antonio Brown remains one of the best receivers in fantasy, JuJu Smith-Schuster is an ascending talent and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can be used in the correct spots. If Pittsburgh doesn’t add anyone, tight end Vance McDonald is a nice sleeper. The offense could reach new heights if the defense doesn’t fix itself without linebacker Ryan Shazier.