Change brings more opportunities and a better attitude to our lives. It also provides hope for the future. In my last piece, I concentrated on Players on New Teams in the NFC and provided player predictions.
Examining players changing uniforms continues with a look at 20 Players on New Teams: AFC Predictions.
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Changing Scenery: AFC
Here are 20 players on new teams in the AFC and what we can expect from them this year.
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR – BAL)
We haven’t seen Beckham since he tore his ACL in Super Bowl 56, forcing him to miss the 2022 season. The wide range of outcomes surrounding Beckham always seems to be the storyline. The Ravens suddenly have a crowded wide receiver room with Rashod Bateman returning from injury, Devin Duvernay, first-round rookie wideout Zay Flowers, and newly-signed Nelson Agholor. Now that Lamar Jackson got his money, he can concentrate on creating chemistry with his wide receivers, with most eyes looking to see what Beckham can still do on the football field. Fantasy managers will take the plunge on Beckham in their drafts, but hopefully it’s not a steep price and you won’t have buyer’s remorse.
Damien Harris (RB – BUF)
Damien Harris stays in the AFC East, joining the reigning division champions, the Buffalo Bills. Harris is suited for the power back role that the Bills sought to upgrade from Devin Singletary, who averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns. Harris was hampered by injuries last season and scored only three touchdowns, a far cry from his 15 touchdowns in 2021. This is a one-year prove-it deal for Harris, who will battle James Cook and fellow newcomer to the Bills’ backfield Latavius Murray. Cook is cemented in the pass-catching role, so Harris must beat out Murray for the short-yardage and goal-line work. However, let’s not forget quarterback Josh Allen‘s ability in short yardage. Allen is the best option at the goal line for the Bills, which will limit Harris’ fantasy production and decrease his value.
Irv Smith Jr. (TE – CIN)
Irv Smith was signed away from the Minnesota Vikings, who were not aggressive in retaining the former Alabama tight end. The Vikings drafted Smith in the second round with plenty of promise, however he has been quite disappointing. Smith has a difficult time staying on the field. He has exhibited flashes, including five touchdowns scored in 2021, but overall, he is a late-round dart throw that you hope finally lives up to his lofty potential.
Elijah Moore (WR – CLE)
Elijah Moore shined in his rookie season, with 43 catches for 538 yards and five touchdowns. Moore was on plenty of breakout prediction lists heading into last season. However, he fought with everyone on the Jets’ coaching staff and fellow players, resulting in a bust of a season with only one score in 2022. His discontent led to the Jets moving Moore this past offseason to the Cleveland Browns. Moore has been a star in the Browns’ camp and looks like a possible breakout option for fantasy managers.
Samaje Perine (RB – DEN)
Samaje Perine was a valuable and, some would say, essential backup to Joe Mixon with the Cincinnati Bengals. Perine played a more significant role in the Bengals’ offense and had a career season that helped propel the Bengals’ playoff push. Perine left the team in free agency to sign with the Denver Broncos, even though the Bengals offered similar money. He will play a valuable role in Denver, with the Broncos’ star running back Javonte Williams still rehabbing an ACL tear. The former Sooner has pass-catching upside and Perine should immediately impact Sean Payton’s new offense in Denver.
Dalton Schultz (TE – HOU)
Dalton Schultz left the Dallas Cowboys but he’s still staying in Texas after signing with the Houston Texans. Schultz was a reliable security blanket for Dak Prescott across the past three seasons. He averaged 66 receptions for 667 yards and six touchdowns over the past three years. He will now become the security blanket for the Texans’ first-round pick C.J. Stroud, who is taking over as the team’s signal caller. Look for Schultz to produce similar stats in Houston.
Devin Singletary (RB – HOU)
Devin Singletary didn’t feel appreciated in Buffalo, so he decided to leave the Bills in free agency and sign with the rebuilding Houston Texans. In Houston, Singletary will once again enter a backfield by committee, with Dameon Pierce as his partner-in-crime in the Texans’ backfield. Pierce was a fantasy darling last season, but now some of the shine has rubbed off the workhorse running back with the addition of Singletary. New head coach DeMarco Ryan comes from the San Francisco 49ers coaching tree, where using multiple running backs is almost required. This philosophy leaves Singletary as an RB3 at best, and it will be hard to trust a Texans running back for your fantasy team this season.
Robert Woods (WR – HOU)
Robert Woods was a shell of his former self last season, primarily because he was not completed recovered from the ACL tear he suffered in 2021. He was also hampered by erratic quarterback play in Tennessee, catching 53 passes on 91 targets for 522 yards and two scores in his first season with the Titans. Woods will now head to Houston, where he gets to catch passes from former Buckeye quarterback C.J. Stroud. It’s hard to imagine Woods being fantasy relevant this season.
Isaiah McKenzie (WR – IND)
The Buffalo Bills released Isaiah McKenzie in March to save on their 2023 salary cap. McKenzie was expected to break out last season with Cole Beasley being released, but he was very inconsistent and couldn’t establish himself as the slot option for the Bills. The Indianapolis Colts stepped in and signed McKenzie to help offset the loss of veteran slot man Parris Campbell, and he now joins an unproven but crowded Colts wide receiver room. McKenzie could play a role as a gadget option, but he will quickly need to establish himself as a viable option for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Gardner Minshew (QB – IND)
Minshew Mania has arrived in Indianapolis! Minshew, a capable backup quarterback, was brought in as a safety measure if Anthony Richardson failed. However, reports about Richardson have been promising. Hopefully, we will not see Minshew in the 2023 regular season.
Calvin Ridley (WR – JAC)
The Jacksonville Jaguars got ahead of the curve, reached out to the Atlanta Falcons late last season, and made a trade to acquire suspended wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Ridley was one of the top wideouts in Atlanta, recording 90 catches for 1374 yards and nine scores in his last full season in 2020. Ridley joins an ascending Jaguars offense that exploded last year. Trevor Lawrence has lived up to the hype and is surrounded by multiple offensive weapons. Adding Ridley to this offense should make opposing defenses nervous.
Richie James (WR – KAN)
After a career season with the New York Giants, Richie James signed with the Super Bowl Champs. He set career-highs in targets (70), receptions (57), and touchdowns (four). James enters a crowded Chiefs wide receiver room with plenty of question marks. He has a chance to make a fantasy impact with the Chiefs and should be added late in your drafts.
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – LVR)
After six years with the San Francisco 49ers, Jimmy Garappolo had plenty of speculation on where he would finally land. Jimmy G. decided to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, this relationship has not gotten off to a hot start. He recently failed the physical to assess his recovery from foot surgery in March, which has created doubt about his ability to play this season. He has yet to practice with the team, and there’s still a chance he will be released if it is proven that he hasn’t healed. Jimmy G. has always been regarded as more of a game manager, but he was able to support the fantasy significance of Deebo Samuel and George Kittle with the 49ers. Davante Adams is anxious, as are his dynasty managers. Let’s hope Jimmy G. is okay and playing next season where he can be considered a QB2 for fantasy managers.
Mike Gesicki (TE – NE)
Mike Gesicki stays in the AFC East with his move to the New England Patriots, where he will compete with Hunter Henry for tight end touches. Gesicki has never been known as much of a blocker, so he will be the most viable pass-catching option in tight end sets. The former Nittany Lion scored five touchdowns last season for the Miami Dolphins, and it would not be shocking to see Gesicki match that production in the Patriots’ offense this season.
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – NE)
JuJu enjoyed a bounce-back season this past year in Kansas City with the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs. He recorded 78 catches on 101 targets and 933 receiving yards with three touchdowns. This year, JuJu will face a massive downgrade in quarterback play with Mac Jones now throwing him passes. However, he is projected to be the Patriots’ WR1. JuJu will struggle to match last season’s numbers unless we see Jones progress.
Aaron Rodgers (QB – NYJ)
This is one football fan that is thrilled the Aaron Rodgers saga finally over. The trade to the New York Jets is official, and now we can analyze the fantasy football impact. The Jets have an excellent core group of young offensive weapons in wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall, who is expected to return from his torn ACL. The Jets also wanted to make Rodgers happy and welcome him to New York by bringing in his buddies Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb from Green Bay. We saw Rodgers’ play starting to slip last season, not surpassing 4,000 yards for the first time in five years, but he is of course a drastic improvement over everyone the Jets brought out under center last year. A return of 4,000 passing yards and 30+ touchdowns seems likely as Rodgers rejuvenates his career in New York.
Randall Cobb (WR – NYJ)
The bromance between Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb pushed Rodgers to pull some strings to have the Jets acquire the veteran slot receiver. Cobb joined the Jets to help Rodgers with a veteran presence, but he is unlikely to move the fantasy needle with his modest production in a crowded wide receiver room.
Mecole Hardman (WR – NYJ)
Mecole Hardman joins the crowded New York Jets after signing a one-year deal as he recovers from his core surgery. He only played in eight games with the Kansas City Chiefs last season, recording 25 receptions for 297 yards and four scores. Hardman is only 25 years old, and his incredible speed is enticing. He has plenty of big-play threat ability, whether as a receiver, rushing the ball, or on special teams. His versatility will be extremely valuable for the Jet, however his fantasy relevance is difficult to measure.
Allen Lazard (WR – NYJ)
It seemed inevitable that Allen Lazard would be a New York Jet, with all the rumors circulating about Aaron Rodgers going to the Jets. Lazard received a generous contract to join the Jets and be the WR2 opposite Garrett Wilson. The Jets pulled out all the stops and left nothing to chance by inking Lazard, who was Rodgers’ favorite target in Green Bay last season. He recorded a career-high 60 catches for 788 yards and six touchdowns, which exhibits how his receptions and yardage have increased each season since 2020. Lazard will have to battle for looks with the likes of Wilson, Hardman, Corey Davis, and Cobb, but Rodgers trusts Lazard, which should play a significant part in him besting last season’s numbers.
Allen Robinson (WR – PIT)
The Steelers obtained veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson in a swap of seventh-round picks in April, hoping for a bounce-back season from the 29-year-old wideout. Robinson is still recovering from a stress fracture in his foot that required surgery, but he insists he will be ready for training camp in July. He is now with his third team in as many years, with his last 1,000-yard season coming in 2020. His play has dropped considerably, but the Steelers are looking for him to join the crowded receiving room and fill Pittsburgh’s No. 3 receiver role. His modest contribution of 33 catches, 339 yards, and three scores last season with the Rams does not inspire any confidence that Robinson carries any fantasy relevance heading into this season.
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Dennis Sosic is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Dennis, check out his archive and follow him @CALL_ME_SOS.