6 players whose fantasy football value will skyrocket because of a major offseason move

Offseason moves have improved these players' fantasy outlook.

The NFL offseason had no shortage of transactions, with the trades of receivers Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. and the retirement of Rob Gronkowski, among other major moves. Naturally, these transactions will have a tremendous impact on how those players’ current and former teams perform.

Major transactions can have just as big of an impact in fantasy football as they do upon real football. Maybe Beckham and Brown are locks in the top two rounds in fantasy drafts this year, just like last year, but there seems to be movement from their supporting cast. So here’s a look at six players who should benefit greatly from the moves that took place this offseason.

QB Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The transaction that matters: the Beckham trade.

Few players have seen their stock improve from last year to this year. Mayfield has gone from being the Browns’ backup — behind Tyrod Taylor — to being QB4 in aggregate ADP on Fantasy Pros. Mayfield appeared to be on the verge of developing into an excellent quarterback in 2018. And perhaps general manager John Dorsey wants to accelerate that development, because he acquired Odell Beckham Jr. and running back Kareem Hunt, who will start the season serving a six-game suspension. Mayfield is on the rise.

QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

The transaction that matters: the Antonio Brown trade, the Tyrell Williams signing and the drafting of Josh Jacobs.

This offseason, no one got more weapons than Carr. He got a new pair of wideouts and a new running back — all of whom should be excellent in their respective positions. Carr is QB24, which isn’t necessarily a flattering fantasy outlook. So while he may not go drafted, he will probably rise quickly in relevance in fantasy for those monitoring the waiver wire once their quarterback gets hurt (or stinks). Carr is probably the quarterback that no one sees coming, but should. Look at all the players he has to throw the ball. His outlook is better than the rankings suggest.

WR Julian Edelman, New England Patriots

Harry How/Getty Images

The transaction that matters: Gronk’s retirement.

With Gronkowski out of the Patriots’ lineup, Julian Edelman stands to benefit greatly. Admittedly, the receiver position is starting to get crowded, with N’Keal Harry, Josh Gordon and Demaryius Thomas. But those receivers will likely thrive outside the numbers. Edelman still figures to get a high volume of catches as a safety valve for Brady. What’s more, Edelman is another year removed from his ACL injury in 2017, and should be even more physically impressive. Whether you’re playing in PPR leagues or not, Edelman should be a strong performer in the void of Gronk.

TE Jared Cook, New orleans Saints

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The transaction that matters: His move to the New Orleans.

Cook may very well be Drew Brees’ second option in the passing game. Michael Thomas has long needed help, but the Saints can’t seem to find a standout receiver to play alongside him. So Cook will probably fill the No. 2 role, particularly in the red zone, where the Saints will be lacking after parting ways with running back Mark Ingram in free agency. Even Brees has openly said that Cook is a good fit in the offense. This will be a nice match, which will benefit the Saints and Cook’s fantasy owners.

RB Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The transaction that matters: His move to the 49ers.

Coleman wasn’t going to win a position battle with Devonta Freeman — and their split of carries made for fantasy headaches. But against Jerrick McKinnon, Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert, Coleman stands a far better chance to win a lead-back role. McKinnon is recovering from an ACL injury which he suffered last offseason. In relief of him last year, Breida and Mostert weren’t particularly satisfactory, otherwise the 49ers wouldn’t have signed Coleman for two years at $8.5 million. There’s definitely a competition, but Coleman is leading it, and Kyle Shanahan has done wonders with running backs (including Coleman in 2016).

RB David Montgomery, Bears

Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

The transaction that matters: The trade of Jordan Howard.

Technically, the Howard trade came before Chicago decided to draft Montgomery. Still, if Howard was on the Bears, Montgomery’s standing with the team — and his stock in fantasy — would be less certain.

With Howard off the team, Montgomery is the favorite to become the Bears’ early-down back. What’s more, Nagy isn’t afraid to use a running back on three downs, which is good news for Montgomery and bad news for Tarik Cohen. “When you have guys that can play all three downs, it’s nice for the play caller and it’s nice for the offense,” Nagy said in April of 2019. In other words, Montgomery could easily supplant Cohen in passing situations, which will mean Montgomery could be Mitchell Trubisky’s check-down option. Montgomery’s fantasy owners should greatly appreciate Howard’s absence from the Bears offense.