Last week we briefly discussed the changing value of AFC players in the wake of the first week or so of free agency. Today, we'll take a look at the NFC, which seems to be a whole lot quieter.
Arizona: The Cardinals will be going with Drew Stanton, most likely, or Brian Hoyer as their starting quarterback in 2013. I suspect both players will start some games, and I don't think you can rule out Arizona drafting someone, either. Stanton was a semi-hot prospect last offseason, briefly joining the Jets before they dumped him after trading for Tim Tebow. I don't understand it. He had a couple of nice games for the Lions a few years ago, running a pass-first offense with some nice weapons. He's not going to solve things for Arizona, and Hoyer has long been more hype than anything. ... Rashard Mendenhall is your new starting running back. Unexciting, and Ryan Williams will factor in until he gets hurt. Mendenhall has some potential as a functional fantasy option in what should be more of a run-based offense.
Atlanta: The Michael Turner for Steven Jackson swap is a big upgrade. Hope dynasty owners didn't trade for Jacquizz Rodgers, who will probably play even less this year than last. Jackson should be pretty good. ... Tony Gonzalez can't go on forever, but one more good year seems reasonable in what will be a high-powered offense again.
Carolina: The Panthers continue to frustrate fantasy coaches by keeping both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart around. Oh, and they've got Mike Tolbert and Cam Newton around to score the short rushing touchdowns. Frustrating team.
Chicago: Marc Trestman might be good for Jay Cutler, but I'm not sold on him working out as a head coach. Chicago's defense isn't going to be as good, in NFL or fantasy terms. The big news from here is Martellus Bennett signing on, which drew a lot of praise; what's interesting is that Chicago had a very good receiving tight end a couple of years ago until they foolishly gave away Greg Olsen. Bennett should be good and a positive for Cutler, but he fills a hole they created themselves. Brian Urlacher being gone and Devin Hester being strictly a returner are the other developments.
Dallas: Not much doing here. No cap room.
Detroit: Hard to be sure what's up with the Reggie Bush signing. The Lions are paying him like a starter, which seems to negate Mikel Leshoure's appeal, but they also claim they're going to use him more like he was used in New Orleans. All we can say for sure is he'll catch a lot of passes and have some PPR value, and most likely Leshoure will handle goal line carries. Detroit isn't suddenly going to be a running team, so I suspect both players will be overrated next season.
Green Bay: Greg Jennings is gone, which looks good for Nelson, Cobb and Jones, who should pretty much play full-time. They didn't sign Steven Jackson, so the team will again lean on the pass, with DuJuan Harris probably being the main running back (although James Starks and Alex Green are still around). Not much to see here, except the remaining receivers (including Jermichael Finley) look good.
Minnesota: To me Greg Jennings is underrated; whenever I saw him I saw a receiver who could do pretty much anything, both downfield and around the end zone, and wasn't strictly a beneficiary of Green Bay's offense. I think he'll be a legit No. 1, with Kyle Rudolph again the No. 2, in an offense that granted won't have an upper-level passing game. Minnesota will probably draft a wideout early, but won't get an immediate impact from that player.
New Orleans: Nothing to see here, though I'm intrigued by second-year wideout Nick Toon maybe making an impact as a No. 3 or 4 receiver.
N.Y. Giants: Brandon Myers looks like a nice get at tight end, but is he a good enough blocker? New York may use a couple of players there. I'm very intrigued by the Andre Brown-David Wilson tandem in what should be a strong offense again. Victor Cruz, I think, will get a new deal before training camp.
Philadelphia: Have to be intrigued by Chip Kelly's offense, but I am not buying Michael Vick having another career resurgence. Old, beat up, not a quick enough decision-maker. I think the Eagles backed him strictly because of the paucity of other options, but doubt they really believe what they're selling. James Casey is intriguing, but I suspect he and Brent Celek will both be involved in the passing game, which might make it difficult to produce a viable fantasy starter.
St. Louis: As I wrote on Saturday, I have some interest in this offense. New starters at running back, wide receiver and tight end, and there's some talent here: Jared Cook, and second-rounders, potentially, as the No. 1 runner and receiver (Isaiah Pead and Brian Quick). This could be a team to keep a close eye on in the preseason.
San Francisco: Anquan Boldin is the new No. 2 wideout, and with a ton of picks I think you'll see San Francisco draft some more receivers (wideouts and tight ends), too. In dynasty terms I'm wary of the backs and receivers there currently, because there should be additional bodies. You know they'll draft someone to replace Delanie Walker behind Vernon Davis. Maybe yet another running back will join the Gore-Hunter-James-Dixon mix, too.
Seattle: The Seahawks have loaded up on both sides of the ball. I may be in the minority, but I'm a little concerned about Percy Harvin. Better quarterback, but more competition for catches.
Tampa Bay: The Bucs don't really have a No. 1 tight end, so I'm intrigued by what they might do in the draft. Elsewhere they seem pretty much set on offense, and relatively unchanged.
Washington: Fred Davis is still out there; it sounds like Buffalo is a possibility. Washington needs somebody at receiver after Pierre Garcon, although right now everyone is just focusing on Robert Griffin III. Who like every injured player, is "ahead of schedule" on his recovery. Who sets these recovery schedules, anyway? No one is ever "behind schedule." Anyway, Davis should essentially be the No. 2 receiver if he returns; if not, it's a major question mark.