Under The Radar Free Agency Signings & Re-Signings

Chew hits on some under the radar moves in NFL Free Agency and what it means for dynasty.

The NFL’s legal tampering period is behind us and the new league year has begun! There has been plenty of fanfare leading up to free agency but the real meat and potatoes began on Monday. And we all know and trust that teams actually waited until then to begin negotiations with players/agents.

Now that we have had a few days to digest all the free agent activity, let’s take a look at some under the radar moves and how they impact our dynasty rosters.

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Returning

Jaylen Warren - PIT

The Steelers’ offseason has included letting Najee Harris head west to the Chargers and signing/re-signing Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren. The likely scenario is that Pittsburgh drafts a running back in day two but that leaves plenty of touches for Warren. And while Gainwell proved to be a capable backup in Philadelphia, it is Warren’s job to lose.

Warren heads into his fourth season after joining the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Knee and hamstring injuries slowed the beginning of Warren’s 2024 season; however, he remains a receiving threat in the Arthur Smith-orchestrated offense. At the moment, the Steelers are slated to start the 2025 season with Mason Rudolph under center. Regardless of who is at the helm, look for Warren to lead the backfield in receptions and serve as an occasional flex play in PPR formats.

Kareem Hunt - KC

The Chiefs did not make many moves in terms of offensive playmakers in free agency but one notable signing was the return of Kareem Hunt. The only other backfield signing, which is also intriguing, is the oft-injured Elijah Mitchell. While I am a huge fan of Mitchell, I think this serves as a low cost depth move for the Chiefs who are no strangers to injuries at the running back position.

Upon stepping in for Isiah Pacheco after breaking his Fibula in Week 2, Hunt led the backfield with his inefficient but serviceable brand of rushing. Do I think Pacheco can return to something close to the tenacious, maximum effort running back we all know and love? Yes. However, the Chiefs are not heavily financially invested in any one running back so Hunt could see more touches than objectively makes sense. And what benefits Hunt greatly is playing on a top-tier offense that grants him ample scoring opportunities.

Ty Johnson - BUF

Josh Allen will remain with the Bills for the foreseeable future after resigning this offseason, as if there were any doubt. Another less significant but still impactful resigning this offseason was Ty Johnson. There was no doubt that James Cook is the lead dog in this backfield and rookie Ray Davis spelled him well, but Johnson has carved out a solid role.

Johnson enters his fourth NFL season and has gently improved his fantasy output since his rookie season from 2.5 points per game (2022) to 5.4 points per game (2024). His role has grown due to his all-around skillset as a rusher and receiver. The biggest selling point for running back depth in fantasy football is the injury carousel. And nabbing Johnson now would mean flex-worthy upside if one of James Cook or Ray Davis were to miss time in 2025.

Adam Thielen - CAR

Age is just a number and no one knows that better than Adam Thielen. The undrafted veteran receiver will turn 36 during his 2025 season and despite dealing with injury in 2024 his fantasy production is not wavering.

Despite playing on a run-first offense, Thielen garners ample targets and is no stranger to doing damage in the red zone. After a wave of free agent signings and big name trades at the receiver position, the Panthers are set with the same top-3 receivers they ended 2024 with: Thielen, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. I fully anticipate the Panthers will draft a receiver in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft; however, Thielen has a clear connection with the budding Bryce Young. The 2026 season is not promised for a then-37 year old Thielen, but for 2025 it’s wheels up in fantasy football.

Tutu Atwell - LAR

The Rams hit on so many draft picks in the last two years which propelled them to a deep playoff run in 2024. But once the offseason began there were decisions to be made and that included releasing the former triple crown winner Cooper Kupp and signing the similarly-aged Davante Adams. Another name of note that was retained was slot specialist Tutu Atwell on a one-year deal.

I will not stifle my belief in Jordan Whittington’s breakout in 2025; however, that does not stop Atwell from having a role that is worth investing in for fantasy. Atwell’s weekly value will be tough to take advantage of but these are the depth guys that offer flex-level play when necessary. When looking for a bench stash to slide into your starting roster in a pinch you could do worse than Atwell.

Relocating

Khalil Herbert - IND

Shoutout fellow Virginia Tech Hokie Khalil Herbert! Herbert’s first two seasons are more indicative of his ability to produce for fantasy than his 2024 season with the hapless Bears’ offense. What may have helped Herbert was his release from the Bears and opportunity to play for the Bengals following a Chase Brown injury.

Herbert joins the Colts as the clear cut second option behind Jonathan Taylor. Whether it be because of injury or contractual issues, Taylor has not played a full season since finishing as the RB-1 in 2021. There is no expectation of Herbert usurping Taylor but the former’s ability for the home run play offers flex upside for any fantasy manager.

Miles Sanders - DAL

There was little doubt Sanders would be released from the Panthers given his contract; however, he still provides some value as a second option now with the Cowboys. Sanders earned his contract with the Panthers as a member of the Eagles behind their top-tier offensive line.

The Cowboys have thus far had yet another free agency with minimal action. And barring Dallas drafting a rookie Sanders’ primary source of competition for touches is Javonte Williams. Sanders bounced back from a career-worst season in 2023 with modest production in 2024 and a booming finish with 26.6 fantasy points in Week 18 against the Falcons. With that in mind, Sanders is one injury away from meaningful volume in an offense that is still poised to be in the top half of the NFL.

Demarcus Robinson - SF

Another Rams’ receiver made the list, but in 2025 Demarcus Robinson will be a 49ers’ receiver. Robinson enters a receiver room in San Francisco that sent Deebo Samuel to D.C. and is optimistic about the health of Brandon Aiyuk. Not to be forgotten in this group are the pleasant surprise of Jauan Jennings and young up-and-comer Ricky Pearsall (my guy from the 2024 class).

Robinson knows two things: air yards and touchdowns. As a deep threat on the outside, Robinson has a clear role while the remaining receivers play their own roles. The 49ers appear to be shifting their offensive identity as they presumably invest in their future quarterback in Brock Purdy. Robinson is an upside play in weekly fantasy football leagues and is an intriguing deep into best ball drafts.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling - SEA

Speaking of best ball drafts, on to Marquez Valdes-Scantling! MVS saw his role as a deep threat grow substantially following the injury of Rashid Shaheed in New Orleans. This role included scoring four touchdowns in a matter of three games. Guess what the 2024 Saints and 2025 Seahawks have in common? Klint Kubiak.

The Seahawks stripped its receiver room down to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and added Cooper Kupp and MVS. Much like the Demarcus Robinson situation, MVS has a clear role and what is even better is we have seen how he performs in this role just a season ago. Newly signed Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is no stranger to the deep ball so look for he and MVS to establish a connection early. The only concern is how much time Darnold will have to throw before getting obliterated behind a Swiss cheese offensive line.

Olamide Zaccheaus - CHI

Last but not least is the former Cavalier Olamide Zaccheaus. OZ joins his fourth team following stops in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. There is value in who the new regime decides to bring in, as Zaccheaus is set to be the third receiver in an offense constructed by offensive prodigy Ben Johnson.

As we tend to do, transposing the Lions offense onto the Bears current roster has OZ stepping into the Kalif Raymond role. That may not be a compliment for most, but as the Bears offense grows having a player to work out of the slot and get 5-7 fantasy points per game is worth a bench spot.

We now have nothing to do until the NFL Draft starting April 24th. Well nothing but hammer rookie mock drafts and compare the incoming rookies to players currently in the NFL Hall of Fame. I like to take this time to hunt for veteran values like those mentioned in this article while other dynasty managers are blinded by the rookie light. Regardless of how you spend this downtime just remember, we are still months away from needing to set a lineup in dynasty.

So you made it this long and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow dynasty degenerates I would greatly appreciate it!