Martin looks at 20 NFL players on new teams in 2024, and how the change of scenery will affect them in fantasy football. Find out which players in new places to target.
Change can be daunting, but joining a new team can offer many NFL players exciting opportunities (and financial rewards). Veterans frequently move to new teams or get traded during the offseason, aiming for fresh challenges and incentives. Keeping track of these changes and their impact on fantasy football can be overwhelming, but this article will bring you up to speed.
This offseason was especially notable for running backs changing teams. All four of the top fantasy football players who switched teams were running backs. It is crucial to evaluate whether these seasoned players remain elite performers or have diminished effectiveness.
Below, we examine the top 20 fantasy players who have joined new teams and evaluate their potential impact. Will these veterans thrive in their new environments or face challenges adapting to different offenses? Keep reading to determine which players are worth drafting and which ones to steer clear of.
Former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, with the potential to earn up to $46.75 million, including $26 million fully guaranteed at signing.
Last season, Barkley averaged 3.9 yards per carry, down from 4.5 yards the previous year. Despite this decrease, he was tied for seventh in yards after contact, 10th in explosive runs, and 14th in red-zone opportunities. However, he broke only 15 tackles, ranking him tied for 29th.
The Eagles' new lead running back has averaged five yards per carry since 2021. Barkley has caught at least 41 passes in his five full NFL seasons, highlighted by his rookie year with 91 receptions. Last season, 42% of his fantasy points came from receiving.
Health remains a crucial factor for Barkley, who has generally stayed injury-free, missing no more than four games in any season except for the COVID-affected 2020 year. Barkley should thrive running behind the best offensive line of his career.
Saquon Barkley
•Positive game script
•Best team in Barkleys career-
-Top 10 scoring offense
-First in NFL in run block win rate
-Top 5 in yards before contact per running back rush the past two yearspic.twitter.com/g6jHR0wvj3
The Baltimore Ravens signed Derrick Henry to a two-year, $16 million contract this offseason despite concerns about his durability after a high volume of carries over the past five seasons in Tennessee. Henry has averaged 306 carries per year, totaling 1,529 carries during that period.
He will dominate the running back carries in Baltimore and may even surpass Justice Hill in receiving work. Last season, Henry outperformed Hill in both pass blocking, ranking 12th among all running backs, and receiving. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are gone, leaving Henry as the clear bell-cow running back in Baltimore.
He also demonstrated his ability to generate significant yardage, finishing second to Christian McCaffrey with 857 yards after contact. As Henry moves on from his Titans career, his new team could motivate him to prove critics wrong and show that he still has plenty of value left in the tank.
Running back Josh Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Green Bay Packers this offseason. Since entering the NFL in 2019, Jacobs ranks second in rushing yards (5,545), rushing touchdowns (46), and rushing first downs (286).
With the Packers releasing fan favorite Aaron Jones, Jacobs steps into a prominent role, joined only by third-round rookie MarShawn Lloyd and perennial backup A.J. Dillon in the backfield.
While Jacobs will likely see fewer carries per game in Green Bay compared to his time with the Las Vegas Raiders, he will receive more targets, which can significantly boost his fantasy value.
Although there is some uncertainty regarding how running back snaps will be distributed, Jacobs has the potential for a top-5 fantasy season if he adapts well to the role previously held by Jones and performs at a high level.
Two days after acquiring running back Joe Mixon, the Houston Texans signed him to a three-year, $27 million contract extension, including $13 million guaranteed. The Texans traded a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for Mixon.
With Mixon, who rushed for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns last season, Houston aims to strengthen a 2023 rushing attack that ranked 28th in yards per game (92.7). Mixon was the RB6 in PPR formats last season, ranking eighth in snap share, fifth in carries, and 13th in targets.
Despite averaging only four yards per carry and ranking 36th in yards per touch, his high volume kept him in RB1 territory. Mixon will receive a similar workload in Houston, as the team's depth chart behind him includes names like Dameon Pierce and Cam Akers.
Mixon’s experience and versatile skill set should boost the Texans' run game and establish him as a near bell-cow back.
The Buffalo Bills traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans this offseason, along with a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick, in exchange for a second-round pick in 2025.
Since his trade from Minnesota in 2020, Diggs has exceeded 1,100 receiving yards in his four seasons with Buffalo, including leading the NFL with 127 catches and 1,535 yards in his first year with quarterback Josh Allen.
A move to the Texans could provide a fresh start for Diggs, although he will face competition for targets from Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Joe Mixon, and Dalton Schultz. At 30, Diggs can thrive in a high-powered offense under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, likely maintaining strong WR2 production.
Despite his age and past setbacks, Calvin Ridley has secured a significant four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans, highlighting their belief in his potential as their top receiver. He will play a pivotal role under new head coach Brian Callahan, who plans to utilize Ridley similarly to Ja'Marr Chase.
Ridley’s deep-threat capability, evidenced by nearly 1,800 air yards last season, aligns well with the Titans' aggressive passing strategy led by rookie quarterback Will Levis. Currently ranked as a low-end WR3, Ridley presents a strong flex option with the potential to exceed expectations and possibly break into the top 15 wide receivers if the season unfolds favorably.
This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Panthers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a pick swap. While the Panthers offense may struggle to support multiple top receivers, Johnson will become the team's primary wideout under new head coach Dave Canales, who was Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator last season.
This change represents a significant upgrade in play-calling from his time in Pittsburgh. In Carolina, Johnson is expected to see a high volume of targets in an offense that helped Adam Thielen make a strong comeback last year.
As a result, Johnson should be a reliable fantasy WR3, with the potential to exceed expectations if rookie quarterback Bryce Young shows improvement in 2024.
A day after being released by the Green Bay Packers, Jones signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. When at his best, Jones is one of the premier running backs in the NFL, known for his explosive running style and strong pass-catching abilities.
From 2019 to 2022, he consistently surpassed 1,100 scrimmage yards and has scored over seven touchdowns each season. However, a hamstring injury in 2023 disrupted this streak, leading to 656 rushing yards, 233 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns in just 11 regular-season games.
While age and injury concerns are typical for running backs, Jones has demonstrated that he can be a key offensive player when healthy. Last season, he showcased his prowess with five consecutive games of over 100 rushing yards, including a standout performance against the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs where he rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns.
As he joins the Vikings, Jones will be their primary running back, ready to lead the offense for whoever plays quarterback in 2024.
This offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers traded wide receiver Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 fourth-round pick. Despite missing four games in 2023 due to a heel injury, Allen still recorded 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns.
Known for his precise route running and reliable hands, the former third-round pick from California will join the Bears receiving corps, which includes DJ Moore and first-round draft pick Rome Odunze, while catching passes from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Allen is unlikely to see the 8.5 or more targets per game he had in each of the past seven seasons. His reduced explosiveness from last season suggests his role may be more limited. With a new team, a deep receiving group, and a rookie quarterback, Allen’s production in 2024 may be more modest, potentially making him a No. 3 fantasy receiver in PPR leagues.
This offseason, the Chicago Bears signed running back D'Andre Swift to a three-year, $24.5 million contract, which includes $15.3 million guaranteed.
Last year, while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Swift set career highs in rushing attempts (229) and yards (1,049), earning his first Pro Bowl selection. He stayed healthy throughout the season, appearing in 16 games -- a personal best since entering the league in 2020.
Swift was one of only six running backs to surpass 1,000 rushing yards and record at least 35 receptions last season. Although Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson showed promise last season, Swift's sizable contract suggests he will be the Bears' clear starter.
Swift's new deal and how swiftly they signed him indicate how highly the Bears value him. Swift represents a solid RB2 option for fantasy football players seeking value that may be available later in drafts.
Former Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason, potentially worth up to $11 million.
Last season, Brown played just over 69% of the Cardinals' snaps, amassing 574 receiving yards and four touchdowns. With Rashee Rice still on the roster, rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy joining the team, and Travis Kelce remaining a focal point in the offense, the receiving corps is now quite crowded.
Despite this, Brown, known for his exceptional separation skills, is expected to enhance the Chiefs offense. Although he has posted solid numbers in the past, he has the highest rate of uncatchable targets among the top 24 wide receivers with the most deep targets over the last five seasons.
Given his speed and playmaking ability, Brown could emerge as a valuable WR2/WR3 in fantasy leagues for Kansas City. However, his return from a shoulder injury, which may sideline him for a game or two, will determine his immediate impact.
The Titans have signed former Cowboys running back Tony Pollard to a three-year, $24 million contract, marking the end of Derrick Henry's era in Nashville. Pollard will team up with emerging second-year back Tyjae Spears as the Titans transition to a new offensive strategy under head coach Brian Callahan.
Although Pollard excelled in an efficient role alongside Ezekiel Elliott, he struggled as the lead back last season, with his yards per carry dropping from 5.22 to 3.99 and his total touchdowns halved despite a significant increase in touches.
In 2023, Pollard ranked 44th in yards per touch and 37th in yards created per touch, but he has indicated that he wasn’t fully healthy at the start of the season and saw an improvement in his rushing performance during the second half.
In Tennessee, Pollard will vie for touches with Spears, and while he will be the primary back, a close division of snaps between the two seems likely.
Devin Singletary has signed a three-year, $16.5 million deal with the New York Giants, which could rise to $19.5 million. He steps into the role of the Giants lead back following Saquon Barkley's departure, marking Singletary’s third team in as many years.
Last offseason, Singletary joined the Houston Texans on a one-year contract and capitalized on the opportunity, rushing for 898 yards and four touchdowns. He even outperformed Dameon Pierce, who had a standout rookie season with 939 yards, to become the team's top running back.
Singletary joins another blue, red, and white team with the Giants, reuniting with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, who were part of the Bills staff when Singletary was drafted.
Daboll served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, while Schoen was the assistant general manager. Given his expected volume, Singletary is well-positioned to deliver RB2/RB3 value and is emerging as one of the top value picks in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.
Zach Moss signed a two-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason worth up to $8 million. This move follows the Bengals’ decision to part ways with Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, freeing up over $6 million in cap space. With Mixon's departure, there are more than 250 rushing attempts, and, along with Tyler Boyd leaving, around 160 targets are available.
Moss, 26, previously played 31 games for the Buffalo Bills from 2020 to 2022 before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in November 2022 in exchange for Nyheim Hines. Last season with the Colts, Moss recorded 794 rushing yards and five touchdowns and 27 catches for 192 yards and two receiving touchdowns in 14 games.
In Cincinnati, Moss will share the backfield with Chase Brown, who could potentially be a high-end handcuff or even challenge Moss for a significant workload. Given Moss’s need for a high volume of touches, his slight reliance on touchdowns, and the emerging competition in Cincinnati, fantasy owners should approach him cautiously.
Austin Ekeler signed a two-year contract with the Washington Commanders this offseason worth up to $11.43 million. This year will be the first time in his career that the longtime Chargers running back will play for a new team and work within an offensive system featuring a dual-threat quarterback.
Ekeler, who turned 29 in May, spent his first seven seasons with the Chargers. Last year, he was involved in a contract dispute with the Chargers and did not secure an extension.
The Commanders value his skills, but Ekeler will share the backfield with Brian Robinson Jr., who will handle most of the running downs, and rookie dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman winner.
Both factors may limit Ekeler's weekly workload. While it's wise to temper expectations if you draft him in the middle rounds, Ekeler could still offer excellent value as an RB3 if he returns to his 2022 form.
The Los Angeles Chargers made former Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards their first free-agent signing of the preseason. Edwards signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with $3.375 million guaranteed.
The Chargers addressed a need at running back and added a player familiar with their new offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, who previously worked with Edwards in Baltimore. Under Roman and Jim Harbaugh, Edwards set career highs in 2023 with the Ravens, including 198 carries, 810 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 12 receptions, and 180 receiving yards.
Despite these impressive numbers, Edwards faces competition from J.K. Dobbins, which could impact his volume this season. While he may not be a significant factor in the passing game, Edwards could still have a strong season on the ground. With the right volume and touchdown opportunities, he has the potential to be a top-24 running back in all leagues.
Former Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, which could reach up to $30 million, including $15 million guaranteed. Buffalo is well-acquainted with Samuel's abilities.
General manager Brandon Beane was part of the Carolina Panthers front office that drafted him in 2017, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady coached him during the 2020 season in Carolina. Samuel brings versatility to the Bills offense, contributing both as a rusher and a receiver from various positions on the field.
This offseason, the Cleveland Browns traded their fifth- and sixth-round draft picks to the Denver Broncos for Jerry Jeudy, a first-round pick from 2020 who will be a critical target for franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Browns also signed Jeudy to a three-year extension worth $58 million, with $41 million guaranteed at signing.
During the 2023 season, the veteran recorded 54 receptions on 87 targets, accumulating 758 receiving yards and two touchdowns across 16 games. Alongside Amari Cooper, who averaged 7.8 targets per game with Watson last season, and tight end David Njoku, who had an impressive season, Jeudy will face considerable competition for targets.
A primary concern remains Watson’s performance, as he may not be at his previous level. While Watson could be considered an upgrade for Jeudy, he is best considered a bench receiver and is worth targeting in the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts.
Ezekiel Elliott signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys, reuniting with the team that selected him fourth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. The contract could be worth up to $3 million. The Cowboys are exploring a committee approach at running back, with Tony Pollard departing in free agency to join the Tennessee Titans.
They have re-signed last year's backup, Rico Dowdle, and added veteran Royce Freeman. Elliott, who had a career-low 184 carries, 642 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns last season with the Patriots, is not the same player he was during his early years with Dallas.
However, he showed he still has value; after Rhamondre Stevenson’s injury last year, Elliott averaged 15.9 PPR fantasy points per game over the final six games, ranking as a top-12 running back. Despite concerns about his age and efficiency, Elliott could be a solid option for those using a Zero RB strategy and needing a reliable starter for Week 1.
The Atlanta Falcons signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract, which includes a $50 million signing bonus. His cap hit for 2024 will be $25 million.
Cousins, who turned 36 last week, is working to fully recover from the Achilles injury he suffered in Week 8 of the previous season, but he seems on track for a complete recovery. He joins an offense bolstered by several first-round talents.
The Falcons feature three first-round offensive linemen -- left tackle Jake Matthews, right tackle Kaleb McGary, and two-time Pro Bowler Chris Lindstrom at right guard -- as well as recent first-round picks at skill positions, including tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson.
With new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson expected to favor a more pass-oriented attack, Cousins is poised to be a high-end No. 2 fantasy quarterback. He is a worthwhile late-round pick in single-quarterback leagues and a solid mid-round choice in Superflex and two-quarterback formats.
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