NFL Free Agency: Day 1 Fantasy Impact
NFL Free Agency: Day 1 Fantasy Impact The NFL free agency tampering period kicked off on March 10, 2025, and Day 1 delivered a flurry of moves that promise to reshape fantasy football rosters for the 2025 season. While contracts can’t be finalized until March 12, teams and players wasted no time agreeing to terms, impacting quarterback, running back, and wide receiver values. FullTime Fantasy‘s NFL Free Agency: Day 1 Fantasy Impact breaks it down. Here’s a fantasy-focused breakdown of the biggest storylines. Also, bookmark our 2025 Free Agency Tracker. 1. Sam Darnold Lands with the Seahawks Sam Darnold, fresh off a 2024 breakout with the Vikings (4,319 yards, 35 TDs), reportedly agreed to a multi-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, potentially exceeding $100 million (per FTN Fantasy projections). Darnold is younger than Geno Smith and now takes over in Seattle’s re-boot. Fantasy Impact: Darnold’s arrival in Seattle turbocharges the passing game. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba ascending, Darnold could maintain QB1 status. Smith-Njigba emerged as a viable WR1/2 down the stretch and now will be peppered with targets. Look for JSN to be a popular pick in Round 2 or 3. Kenneth Walker III might see fewer carries in a pass-leaning offense, settling as an RB2. 2. Laremy Tunsil Traded to the Commanders The Houston Texans traded LT Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders for draft picks, bolstering protection for QB Jayden Daniels (reported by The Athletic). This move boosts Daniels’s protection, assuring his emergence into the top tier of fantasy signal-callers. Fantasy Impact: Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, gets a massive upgrade with Tunsil anchoring his line. Improved pocket time could push Daniels into top-10 QB territory, enhancing his passing and rushing upside. Terry McLaurin re-enters WR1 discussions, and Jahan Dotson’s value ticks up as a flex option. 3. Najee Harris Joins the Chargers Najee Harris, after four straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Steelers, reportedly agreed to a one-year, $9.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers (per The Athletic and ESPN). Harris has been consistent and durable, making him a terrific fit in John Harbaugh’s run-heavy offense. Fantasy Impact: Harris slots into Jim Harbaugh’s run-first scheme, replacing J.K. Dobbins (still a free agent). Paired with Justin Herbert, Harris could see increased receiving work, elevating him to RB1 status in PPR leagues. Herbert benefits with a dependable check-down option, while Ladd McConkey holds steady as a WR2. This also impacts the Steelers backfield where Jaylen Warren becomes the defacto RB1 until they’re able to address this with free agency or the draft. 4. Davante Adams Signs with the Rams Davante Adams, after a 2024 split between the Raiders and Jets, reportedly agreed to a two-year, $26 million guaranteed deal with the Los Angeles Rams (per NBC Sports). The Rams chose to sign the older veteran and will part ways with Cooper Kupp. Fantasy Impact: Adams joining Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and RB Kyren Williams creates a fantasy feast. Adams could reclaim WR1/2 status, Nacua settles in the same area, and Stafford leaps into QB1 contention. 5. DK Metcalf Traded to Pittsburgh It didn’t take long for the Seahawks to find suitors for DK Metcalf. Seattle shipped the star wideout to Pittsburgh for a second-round pick and swap of late-rounders. Subsequently, the Steelers then signed Metcalf to a five-year $150 million extension. Fantasy Impact: Hard to gauge right now, since the Steelers don’t have a starting quarterback. However, with Mike Tomlin still running the show and George Pickens also there to absorb targets, it seems like a lateral move or downgrade for Metcalf’s 2025 fantasy prospects. 6. Chris Godwin Re-Signs with Tampa Bay Chris Godwin, recovering from a 2024 ankle injury, has signed a multi-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (per user update). Godwin was a top-10 fantasy wideout before last season’s unfortunate injury. Therefore, it is great to see him re-sign in Tampa and have a chance to pick up where he left off. And this time making a lot more money. Fantasy Impact: Godwin’s return to Tampa locks him in as Baker Mayfield’s top target, assuming Mayfield stays. Post-injury, he’s a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside in PPR formats. Mike Evans, if re-signed, remains a TD-dependent WR2. 7. Aaron Jones Re-Signs with Vikings This was another best-case scenario move. Jones had the most carries of his career last season in Minnesota and stayed healthy for all 17 games. Meanwhile, the Vikings depth chart was topped by Ty Chandler until Jones agreed to return. Fantasy Impact: Kevin O’Connell proved he values Jones. With J.J. McCarthy taking over at quarterback, it was essential to have Jones back. The veteran running back will be a strong RB2 candidate for fantasy managers to target in the middle rounds. 8. Justin Fields Joins the Jets There was speculation that Fields would not attract starting offers. However, the Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $20 million deal that says otherwise. New York has a good ground game that will only be boosted by Fields’s elite running ability. Fantasy Impact: It’s still to be determined if the Jets will be in the QB market with their first-round pick. This move likely means they will go in a different direction. Fields has limited upside as a passer but is one of the top rushers in the league, giving him solid QB2 potential. He also reunites with college teammate Garrett Wilson and currently he’s the only show in town for the Jets. Both the WR and TE room is incredibly thin after losing Adams, Lazard, Conklin and even Mike Williams (last season). Day 1 Winners Jayden Daniels (QB, Commanders): Elite protection amplifies his dual-threat potential. Sam Darnold (QB, Seahawks): Prime weapons keep him in the QB1 mix. Chris Godwin (WR, Buccaneers): Stability in Tampa restores his WR2 floor with WR1 upside. Najee Harris (RB, Chargers): A fresh start maximizes his volume and PPR value. Javonte Williams (RB, Dallas): Nice value, but the Cowboys are still expected to draft a rookie. Day 1
Week 18 News & Notes (UPDATED)
Week 18 News & Notes The regular-season finale is often the least predictable week. Many teams have nothing to play for and will rest starters. Before you finalize DFS lineups, our Week 18 News & Notes catches you up on the latest injury updates and developments before you finalize this week’s lineups. And be sure to check out updated weekly rankings. Also, FullTime Fantasy Members will get the latest NFL injury news and advice live each Sunday and Thursday in the FullTime Fantasy Discord. Click below to join us today! Finally, my incentives to target is also a helpful piece to consider this wild week. This will be updated throughout the weekend. REMINDER: There are 2 Saturday games this Week Players Ruled OUT Chase Brown (RB) Cincinnati Bengals Jalen Hurts (QB) Philadelphia Eagles Patrick Mahomes (QB) Kansas City Chiefs – Carson Wentz will be under center. Brock Purday (QB) San Francisco 49ers Matthew Stafford (QB) Los Angeles Rams – Jimmy Garoppolo will start. Anthony Richardson (QB) Indianapolis Colts – Joe Flacco will start. Saquon Barkley (RB) Philadelphia Eagles A.J. Brown (WR) Philadelphia Eagles Kyren Williams (RB) Los Angeles Rams Puka Nacua (WR) Los Angeles Rams Cooper Kupp (WR) Los Angeles Rams Alvin Kamara (RB) New Orleans Saints Deebo Samuel (WR) San Francisco 49ers James Conner (RB) Arizona Cardinals DeVonta Smith (WR) Philadelphia Eagles Tyjae Spears (RB) Tennessee Titans David Njoku (TE) Cleveland Browns Isiah Pacheco (RB) Kansas City Chiefs Kareem Hunt (RB) Kansas City Chiefs Amari Cooper (WR) Buffalo Bills Trey Benson (RB) Arizona Cardinals Gus Edwards (RB) Los Angeles Chargers Josh Palmer (WR) Los Angeles Chargers Kendre Miller (RB) New Orleans Saints Jerome Ford (RB) Cleveland Browns Justice Hill (RB) Baltimore Ravens Pierre Strong (RB) Cleveland Browns Jermaine Burton (WR) Cincinnati Bengals – Suspended. Matt Prater (PK) Arizona Cardinals Tyler Boyd (WR) Tennessee Titans Ja’Lynn Polk (WR) New England Patriots Nick Folk (PK) Tennssee Titans Nelson Agholor (WR) Baltimore Ravens Questionable Tyreek Hill (WR) Miami Dolphins Travis Kelce (TE) Kansas City Chiefs Drake Maye (QB) New England Patriots George Kittle (TE) San Francisco 49ers Chris Olave (WR) New Orleans Saints Hunter Herny (TE) New England Patriots Jaylen Waddle (WR) Miami Dolphins Tony Pollard (RB) Tennessee Titans Darnell Mooney (WR) Atlanta Falcons – Dealing with a shoulder injury. However, Mooney is two yards away from eclipsing 1,000 yards. UPDATE: Mooney is not expected to play. Michael Wilson (WR) Arizona Cardinals Tyler Conklin (TE) New York Jets Miles Sanders (RB) Carolina Panthers Xavier Legette (WR) Carolina Panthers Craig Reynolds (RB) Detroit Lions Sterling Shepard (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Expected to Play Tee Higgins (WR) Cincinnati Bengals Jalen Tolbert (WR) Dallas Cowboys Austin Ekeler (RB) Washington Commanders Kalif Raymond (WR) Detroit Lions Dallas Goedert (TE) Philadephia Eagles Not Expected to Play Tua Tagovailoa (QB) Miami Dolphins – Tyler Huntley will start. Christian Watson (WR) Green Bay Packers Cade Otton (TE) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ameer Abdullah (RB) Las Vegas Raiders Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE) Tennessee Titans Other Notables Trey Lance (QB) Dallas Cowboys – Expected to see significant playing time. Josh Jacobs (RB) Green Bay Packers – Indicated he does not anticipate a full workload. Bailey Zappe (QB) Cleveland Browns – Will start for the Browns. D’Onta Foreman (RB) Cleveland Browns – Should see a lot of work in Cleveland’s backfield. Will Levis (QB) Tennessee Titans – Levis will get one final start but Mason Rudolph will also play. Josh Allen (QB) Buffalo Bills – May only play one drive. This applies to all Buffalo starters. ENTER OUR WEEK 18 DRAFT CONTEST! How it Works: Firstly, draft your team using our On-Demand Simulator. Next, try to stack the team with players you think will do well this week. Finally, the highest Week 18 Score wins. (PLUS: You get to see the Thursday Night game and then draft!) Here’s our Week 18 Player Rankings to help. Firstly, it’s a best-ball contest, so no need to submit a lineup. We’ll optimize the best one. Secondly, you just sit back and watch your team climb the leaderboard. Weekly Prizes and a Grand Prize at the end of the season! Finally, the Grand Prize Winner (highest individual week of the season) gets to choose from the amazing prizes below. If you don’t know just how awesome and amazing the Panini Flawless Football briefcase is, make sure and watch the video starting at the 8-minute mark! Trading cards are back! MEMBER PERK! Fulltime Members get 5 Free On-Demand Drafts each month in our contest! DRAFT YOUR WEEK 18 TEAM and enter the REDEMPTION CODE you received by email.
