The Final Free Agency Dominoes Are Starting To Fall
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by New Era, we break down how the latest FA moves affect the outlook for the NFL draft.
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by New Era:
Well, the final Free Agency dominoes are starting to fall.
Last week, we shared our somewhat tongue-in-cheek predictions, and at least one of them came true (all I do is eat Ws).
One I ended up being close but incorrect on was Stefon Diggs, who signed with the Patriots on Tuesday evening (I had guessed him to Dallas and Keenan Allen to New England).
What’s interesting about both of these recent moves—Russell Wilson to the Giants, Diggs to the Pats—is what it means for the top of the NFL Draft.
You could certainly argue that the Giants signing of their second QB in the past week would mean that they are out of the Shedeur Sanders sweepstakes with their No. 3 overall pick.
Same deal for the Patriots with Diggs and perhaps no longer being in the running to select Travis Hunter at No. 4.
On the other hand, these signings hardly shore up the massive deficiencies each team has at those respective positions. Because let’s be honest, Russ is cooked, and Diggs is going to have a meltdown when he gets out-targeted by Kayshon Boutte.
In fact, I maintain that the Giants should absolutely take Sanders if he’s there and the Patriots should run to the podium to select Hunter if available. You don’t pass on potential franchise-altering players because you found some bubble gum to slap over a leak.
If you really want to put on your galaxy brain cap (a viable alternative to wiping your face with a banana peel), you could theorize that these moves point to the Browns pulling the trigger on Sanders at No. 2.
If this information were known, it would certainly make sense that the Giants would scramble to beef up their QB options and that the Patriots would be spooked, Hunter would go to the Giants at three.
But I’m out over my skis at this point. Fortunately, we employ legit mock draft wizards here at Fantasy Life—check out Thor’s latest below—and I will be deferring to their ability to read the tea leaves.
If you’d like to see how our crew is now valuing Diggs in fantasy, be sure to check out our constantly updating rankings hub.
SEE WHERE WE HAVE DIGGS RANKED
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A Giant Conundrum
Russell Wilson to the Giants and Stefon Diggs to the Patriots are moves bound to shake up the draft board, as Pete noted in the intro. So, what changes, now?
With Wilson and Jameis Winston in New York, Thor Nystrom sees the Giants drafting Shedeur Sanders as increasingly unlikely and, instead, thinks they’ll opt for his teammate, Travis Hunter.
A generational prospect who would be your CB1 and moonlight as Robin to Malik Nabers’ Batman? As Thor mentions, that would make the Giants’ passing game fun for the first time in a long time.
With Hunter off the board at 1.03, where does Sanders land? If anything, this might have improved his draft stock. 👀👇
PICK-BY-PICK ANALYSIS FOR ROUND 1
Buy or Sell Christian McCaffrey in 2025?
About a month ago, we rounded up 12 Fantasy Life analysts for a standard, 0.5-PPR mock draft. Christian McCaffrey slid outside of the first round for the first time in years, drafted as the fifth pick in the second round by Sam Wallace.
In our latest Superflex mock draft, McCaffrey went with the last pick in the second round, a pick that Ian Hartitz was thrilled with.
Too rich? Not high enough? The verdict is still out, but what to do with him in dynasty leagues is a totally different conversation.
That conversation is easy. He’s a screaming buy. Why? 👇
CMC AND MORE BUY-LOW CANDIDATES
The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds:
👀 Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen at 1.01? Where do you lean in Superflex leagues?
🤷 Are Russ and Jameis going to save the Giants? Vegas doesn’t think so.
🕷️ Spiderman meme for the top QBs? At least when it comes to deep balls.
🤔 Will the Titans add to their backfield? An intriguing prospect visited them yesterday.
🚨 ICYMI: Full breakdown of a way-too-early fantasy mock for 2025.
🗳️ Still time to vote for the cover of the next Fantasy Life magazine.
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