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| Friday, March 8, 2024 |
| The NFL Combine serves as the venue for handshake agreements between player agents and front office execs. While free agency officially kicks off on March 13, many teams leave Indianapolis with an idea of their targeted free agents. The legal tampering window opens on March 11, so in just a few days, we'll hear whispers about where top free agents might land. |
| This week, Jamey Eisenberg and Dave Richard began their position-specific free agent previews, covering quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. These previews include potential landing spots for key free agents and teams in search of talent in these positions. Additionally, Heath Cummings just released his Fantasy Football Opportunity Index, providing insight into the opportunities each team needs to fill. |
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| There are some interesting numbers from Heath's spreadsheet that Fantasy managers won't want to miss out on, so be sure to give it a read before the start of free agency. |
| Free Agent Quarterback Fantasy Preview |
| The Minnesota Vikings clearly want Kirk Cousins back, but looking at it from a financial perspective, Minnesota may be inclined to let him walk. Cousins is widely regarded as the top quarterback in this free agent class, but they could elect to take a quarterback in the draft. The Vikings have the 11th pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft but they may not need to use their first-round pick to get a good one. Quarterbacks like Michael Pennix, Spencer Rattler, or Bo Nix could be available by the time their second-round pick rolls around. |
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| If Cousins does sign with a new team, Jamey Eisenberg believes Atlanta would be a good fit for him. I think he fits better in Las Vegas with Luke Getsy as the offensive coordinator. Getsy believes in establishing the run. Whether Las Vegas brings Josh Jacobs back or ends up relying on Zamir White's legs they're, going to run the ball often and take downfield shots off of play action on a regular basis. With Getsy as the offensive coordinator, the Bears ran play action 33.3% of the time when the league average was down to about 23.2%. Cousins could end up having a big year, especially with Davante Adams as his primary target. |
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| Free Agent Running Back Fantasy Preview |
| We've discussed the potential of young running backs like Breece Hall, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs ad nauseam, but no one really speaks of just how talented Saquon Barkley is anymore. His lack of availability over the years shaped Fantasy Managers' perceptions, but if he ever gets into the right system and stays healthy, he'll once again be heralded as one of the premier running backs in the game. |
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| Given the fact that the cupboard is a bit empty when it comes to running backs in the 2024 NFL draft, Barkley could re-emerge as a top Fantasy running back. Dave Richard believes that Barkley would be an excellent fit in Dallas. While I agree that he'd do well in Dallas, I think he'd be that much better in Baltimore. Pairing Barkley with Lamar Jackson would be incredibly difficult for opposing defenses to stop. Worrying about keeping outside contain on Jackson while chasing down Saquon from the backside seems like a nightmare-ish task for a defensive end. Baltimore would be wise to add a weapon like Barkley to their offense. |
| Free Agent Wide Receiver Fantasy Preview |
| The Jacksonville Jaguars and Calvin Ridley may be heading for a split despite his impressive numbers last season. In his first season back after a year-long suspension, Ridley recorded 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns on just 76 receptions. Although Ridley will turn 30 before the 2024 season, he remains highly skilled with plenty left in the tank. |
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| Having observed Ridley's training sessions in South Florida multiple times, I've noticed he often appears to be the most explosive and fluid in change of direction among the NFL wide receivers in his training group. Ridley, a proven NFL wide receiver, could significantly benefit the Jaguars if they choose to retain him. Improving his receptions-to-targets ratio might pave the way for an even more substantial season in 2024. |
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| Dave's key argument for keeping Ridley is the Jaguars owe the Falcons a third-round pick whether they re-sign him or not. Waiting until after the new league year (March 13) would prevent owing Atlanta a pick higher than that. |
| 2024 Fantasy Football Opportunity Index |
| With several backs and wide receivers on the market, there will be plenty of receptions and carries left unclaimed. If free agents like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown, and Tyler Boyd don't return to their respective teams, their production will need to be replaced. |
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| Each year, Heath puts together a spreadsheet containing how many opportunities need to be replaced. Heath concluded that there are 12 teams with at least 249 running back opportunities (targets plush rush attempts) that need to be fulfilled. To better project what your favorite team may do in the draft or in free agency, be sure to view Heath's full Opportunity Index. It's certainly worth the read. |
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| | | | | College Basketball on CBS | | USA vs. Brazil | This weekend, March college basketball is in full swing on CBS. Saturday, watch a tripleheader beginning at 12 PM ET. Then on Sunday, watch the best of championship college basketball featuring the Big Ten Women's Championship beginning at 12 PM ET. Catch it all on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
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| | The road to the ConcacafW Gold Cup ends here, as the USWNT takes on Brazil in a final you won't want to miss. Coverage begins Sunday at 7 PM ET streaming on CBS Sports Golazo Network and Paramount+ with game coverage starting at 8:15 PM ET exclusively on Paramount+.
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