Fantasy Football Movers & Shakers-AFC East

Here is a look at the players from the AFC East who moved to a new team this off season and their fantasy value.

AFC East


CJ Spiller

 Buffalo Bills-The Bills made a trade this past week sending WR Lee Evans to the Ravens for a draft pick.  Evans' numbers had declined since a career year in 2006, and the Bills decided to move another direction with their receivers. The trade solidifies Stevie Johnson's position as the go to receiver for the Bills and opens the door for Roscoe Parrish to step up and claim a starting job.  Parrish is still not worthy of a fantasy football roster spot and the biggest impact of Evans being traded may be an increased role for CJ Spiller.  Spiller has the skills and versatility to line up in the slot and could see his fantasy value increased especially in PPR leagues.  Spiller was drafted as a RB2 last season but had a disappointing season ceding carries to Fred Jackson.  Look for the Bills to incorporate Spiller in to a Reggie Bush type role allowing him to get 15 touches per game. 

Earlier in free agency the Bills went out and signed former Jets do everything player Brad Smith. Smith's biggest value is in the return game.  If you play in an especially deep league or get credit for return yards Smith may be late round flier, but in normal formats he merely a fantasy afterthought. 

Miami Dolphins-The Dolphins key acquisition was the addition of RB Reggie Bush.  Bush had carved out a niche in New Orleans when he was healthy and hopes to earn more of a feature role in Miami.  Don't read too much in to Bush's placement atop the depth chart.  The Dolphins drafted Daniel Thomas out of Kansas State in the second round with the intention of having him as their workhorse back.  Thomas has the size and build to be a feature back in the NFL, and he will likely end up with many more carries than Bush throughout the season.  Project Bush as a reserve running back in PPR leagues and cross your fingers that he can stay healthy. 



Chad Ochocinco

 New England Patriots-It is easy to get caught up in the sound bite that is Chad Ochocinco and overlook the fact that he is not an elite NFL receiver at this stage in his career.  While he is certainly entertaining and productive he is not a building block for your fantasy football team.  Ochocinco is the latest diva to head to New England in search of a Super Bowl ring and is saying all the right things during camp.  His calling card has always been his route running and while that will endear him to Tom Brady, the Pats offense's calling card is spreading the ball around.  As the season wears on it remains to be seen how a lack of targets will endear the Pats to Ocho. 

For all his antics, Ochocinco has never been in any real trouble and will fall in line with the Patriots in attempting to cap his career off with a ring.  If you target him based on production over name recognition then someone else will likely snatch Ochocinco up before you are willing to spend a pick on him.  I have him slated as a high end WR3 with the potential to turn in WR2 production. Draft with 70/900/8 projections in mind. 

NY Jets-The Jets played receiver roulette allowing Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith to go elsewhere, while signing Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason as replacements.  Burress is already on the sidelines with a sprained ankle after missing the last two years while in jail.  Burress has had a nice career and made some big catches and his size makes him a red zone threat but his age and time away from the game have to be considered as well.  In his last season with the Giants Burress played in ten games catching 35 balls for 454 yards and 4 TDs.  If he were able to play in all 16 games (a long shot) and produce 80% of his 2008 numbers his line is 45/581/5.  In other words, not a guy who has a place on your fantasy football team. 

Derrick Mason is one of those guys who bring much more value to their NFL team than they do your fantasy football team.  Mason is a vet possession receiver who has managed to put together a nice career over a couple of stops, but his days of fantasy relevance of over. 

Where Plaxico Burress Will Not Play In 2011

Much has been made in recent weeks over the release of Plaxico Burress from jail and where he might end up playing in 2011.  The truth of the matter is that I don't know what team will take a chance on Burress, but I do know one team that won't...I can not imagine any circumstances where I would have Plaxico Burress on my fantasy football team in the coming year.

I get the sense in watching interviews with Burress that he is truly contrite for his actions that landed him in jail, and I hope he comes back and performs well, but that doesn't change the fact that he will be a 34-year old receiver, battling to learn a new system in a (likely)shortened training camp who hasn't played a snap in the last two seasons. 

The first thing to consider when evaluating Burress is what team he will end up playing for.  When the labor dispute is settled and free agency kicks in the market will be full of possible receivers for teams to pursue.  Randy Moss, Braylon Edwards, Sidney Rice, Vincent Jackson, and Santonio Holmes headline a list of free agents and will garner more attention from teams.  Combine those wideouts with others like Steve Smith(Carolina), and Chad Ochocinco who may be traded or released and Burress is suddenly an afterthought for a team who misses out on the receiver bonanza. 

Should Burress land with Eagles, like many have suggested where would he fit in?  The Eagles have a young, deep receiving corp lead by DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant and Riley Cooper.  Burress may like his throwback Phillies cap, but don't look for him in an Eagles helmet this season. 

There are two teams that Burress mentioned wanting to play for; the Houston Texans and NY Jets.  The Houston Texans appear to be set at receiver with Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and RFA Jacoby Jones all set to return to the team.  It is hard to see the Texans viewing Burress as an upgrade over Walter or Jones at this stage of his career. 

The Jets have their own issues at receiver, but will likely retain Santonio Holmes.  Brad Smith and Braylon Edwards may end up elsewhere and could open up the door for Burress to return to the Big Apple.  Landing back in NY is the best scenario among the teams that have been mentioned as possible destinations for Burress.   

But once he is able to latch on to a team, what kind of production can you expect?  When he logged ten games with the Giants in 2008, Burress stats were 35/454/4.  IF Burress latches on with the right team, IF Burress earns a starting job, IF Burress can stay healthy and play sixteen games and IF Burress can perform at 80% of his '08 stats, his line only reads 45/581/5. Do you really have a spot on your team for three catches for 40 yards a game with a TD every third week? 

Even in Burress' best year with the Giants in 2007 he had nine games with four catches or less and was held to less than fifty yards nine times.  You learned to live with the disappearing act knowing that Burress was likely to occasionally spring up and have a eight catch game for more than one hundred yards with a TD.  In 2011 I believe you will get burnt by playing Burress far more often than you will have him lead your team to a win. 

Burress will likely return to the NFL in 2011, and may even contribute to a team,  but he should have no place on your fantasy football roster.