Hayden Hurst, TE CAR (B)
Another average tight end was given some money as Hurst signed a three-year $21 million contract with $18 million guaranteed. Hurst has never lived up to the first-round draft capital he was selected for. He has only eclipsed 500 receiving yards once in this five-year career. The Panthers giving $18 million guaranteed to a tight end that has not been productive makes this a questionable signing. That being said, the Panthers under Frank Reich love to use his tight ends in the offense, so Hurst has a shot to be productive. Since the Panthers don’t have many pass-catching weapons, Hurst could be a sneaky tight end to own in a dynasty.
Jamaal Williams, RB NOS (A)
I love this signing for Williams! He agreed to a three-year deal worth $12 million with the Saints. The Saints generally use multiple backs to run the offense, especially with Alvin Kamara being more of a pass-catching back. We can expect almost similar production for Williams, with Kamara being more involved than D’Andre Swift in 2022. One hundred eighty carries are seeable for Williams because what is best for Kamara is not to be used as much on the ground as he has been the last two seasons. Let’s not forget that Kamara’s off-field situation could cost him games in 2023. Williams would likely be an RB2 during that time and be as valuable as he was during his 2022 season. He is a good sell-off, as touchdown regression is likely, and owners know about the Kamara situation.
Alexander Mattison, RB MIN (C+)
I was not a fan of this as an owner of many Mattison shares; I hoped he would find a new home. Mattison decided to return to Minnesota on a two-year deal worth up to eight million dollars. This could change if this signing is so that the Vikings could release or trade Dalvin Cook, but we’ll have to wait and see. Mattison’s standalone value has dropped each of these four years, which isn’t promising. In five of six games that he did start, he produced at least high-end RB2 numbers. You could try to buy low since he is just returning as the backup and then hope the Vikings decide to move on from Cook.
Jacoby Brissett, QB WAS (B-)
This was a brilliant signing for the Commanders to bring Jacoby Brissett to compete for the starting quarterback spot. He signed a one-year deal worth up to $8 million. Brissett played decent as a QB2 as the fill-in for the Browns last year and deserved opportunities like this. A good team surrounds him, so he can be a nice QB3 if he wins the starting job. Unfortunately, if Brissett is to start, the Commanders will look for a quarterback in 2024. Brissett is a solid depth piece but doesn’t have starting long-term dynasty value.
James Robinson, RB NEP (D+)
This signing doesn’t make sense to me, but it is a Patriots move. Robinson started hot with the Jaguars with three straight games with 15 plus fantasy points. He fell apart with the Jets and did not do anything with them. Robinson was coming off a torn Achilles and should now be two years out from the injury. The Patriots have a star in Rhamondre Stevenson and two young players who could have stepped up in 2023. Robinson signed a two-year deal worth up to $8 million. The Patriots could have wanted another back to do what Stevenson could and be used on any down. Robinson is a strong runner who can pass catch, as shown in his rookie season. Robinson’s role is a mystery as I don’t see him as anything more than a low-end RB3, and it doesn’t have long-term dynasty value. He is a thrown-in piece at best right now.
Ashton Dulin, WR IND / Deonte Harty, WR BUF / Freddie Swain, WR MIA
Dulin signed a two-year contract worth up to $7.2 million to return to the Colts. He is a WR4 for the team who likely will work on special teams. Harty is a speedy receiver who signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. Harty fell off after a promising 2021 season, averaging 15.7 yards per reception. He is a borderline bench piece with some boom weeks in 2023. Swain signed a three-year deal worth up to $6 million with the Miami Dolphins. Swain, like Harty, showed some promise in 2021 with 343 yards with Seattle. Miami will need a new WR3/4 for the offense. I don’t see any of these guys having long-term value or much in 2023.
Justice Hill, RB BAL / Myles Gaskins, RB MIA
We have two running backs returning as their teams’ third string. Justice Hill signed a two-year contract worth up to $2.4 million. Hill is likely a signing for special teams and depth for the Ravens. Myles Gaskins signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins. A surprising move, as the Dolphins had already brought back Jeff Wilson and Rasheem Mostert. Neither present dynasty value unless an injury occurs.
Tyler Huntley, QB BAL / PJ Walker, QB CHI
We have two backup mobile quarterbacks that will likely be borderline bench spots in Superflex leagues. Ravens placed a low-end tender on Huntley worth up to $2.6 million. There is a long shot; he is the team’s 2023 starting quarterback since Lamar Jackson hasn’t committed. Walker signed a two-year deal worth up to $5 million to join the Bears as Justin Fields’ backup. Both don’t have good dynasty value.
Eric Saubert, TE MIA
Good blocking tight end – likely to have no value for your dynasty team.
