New face in new places takes a look at players who have recently changed teams and determining if their new situation/personal growth will allow them to improve from there 2021 campaigns.
WR – Allen Robinson
Better
After four up and down years in Chicago, Allen Robinson is headed to the Las Angeles Rams. He is coming off an extremely down year, finishing as the WR86 and letting everyone who drafted him in fantasy down, potentially costing people their season. The community was beginning to think he may be done for, but he is now in a much better situation as a Ram. Matthew Stafford is under center in one of the league’s pass-heaviest offenses (601 attempts last year), a big improvement from rookie Justin Fields and Andy Dalton in a bad Chicago offense (506 total targets), and Robert Woods and OBJ are gone. Robinson is expected to be the clear-cut WR2 on the team, only behind Cooper Kupp. Woods and OBJ had a combined 114 targets, but both played only half the season, meaning Robinson should see at least 120 targets, up from his 66 last season in Chicago. I believe the situation, not the talent, caused his fluke season last year. Robinson should be back to his usual self this year and have a solid fantasy year, possibly finishing inside the top 20 at the position.
WR – Davante Adams
Same
Rarely do we see such a dominant talent switch teams during a prime portion of his career, this offseason we did. Davante Adams reunites with college QB Derek Carr in Las Vegas as he joins a talent Raiders receiving core, now looking to compete with Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow there are some concerns his production will stay at its usual pace without star QB Aaron Rodgers slinging Adams the ball. I don’t consider Adams to be a hard player to read going into this season, his level of talent mixed with QB play that has actually been more similar than worse than his old situation. This is a lateral move for the 29 year old receiver, I’d guess a light decrease in TDs but his overall numbers should stay stagnant.
WR – Juju Smith-Schuster
Better
The Chiefs have one of best passing offenses in the league, and with the loss of star receiver Tyreek Hill, as well as Byron Pringle, and Demarcus Robinson there are 260 targets up for grabs. Juju Smith-Schuster is the prime candidate to take over the WR1 role in a Patrick Mahomes led offense, and that is a very lucrative role in fantasy football. Juju is returning from season ending injury in week 5 and looking to bounce back in his new home. I can’t see Juju finishing worse than a low-end WR2 in 2022, a big boost in situation for Smith-Schuster.
QB – Russell Wilson
Better
Wilson this offseason, was traded from the Seahawks, the team that drafted him, to the Denver Broncos. Wilson gets a drastic roster upgrade at almost every single position except maybe wide receiver. Wilson will now throw to unproven receivers Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton (Minus one season) and K.J. Hamler. Though this arguably a downgrade from Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf and DJ Moore, Wilson should have a great season considering the team has one of the best running back duos in the NFL (Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon). Wilson is primed for a resurgence and a potential top 5 QB finish this year.
RB – Chase Edmonds
Better
Edmonds lands in a very tough spot this year as he got the bag from the Dolphins but joins a very crowded backfield. Yes Edmonds is the favorite to lead the Dolphins RBs but he will compete for touches with Sony Michel, Raheem Mostert and Myles Gaskin. This is one of the most crowded running back rooms around the NFL which is scary for Edmonds upside but he does have the benefit of being paid the most, hopefully that leads to opportunity. Edmonds in the past has shown flashes of great play and breakout games but has never been able to string together multiple good games. Edmonds’ best fantasy finish was RB25 and has never had more than 159 total touches (carries+catches) in a single season.