Redskins agreed to terms with WR DeSean Jackson on a three-year, $24 million contract with $16 million guaranteed. This is obviously a terrific move for the Redskins, but fantasy owners want to know how this will change the landscape of 2014 fantasy football drafts. Coincidently, Jackson’s signing in Washington improves the fantasy outlook of most Redskins’ skill position players… with the exception of Jackson himself.
Gang related: Did D-Jax flash gang signs at his new teammate?
Jackson lands in a potentially-dynamic offense under new coach Jay Gruden, but it won’t be as fast paced or high scoring as the Eagles were under Chip Kelly. Jackson probably isn't going to come anywhere close to the 82 catch, 1,332 yards and 9 TDs he posted in 2013. That said, D-Jax is a threat to score any time he touches the ball and will be playing with a playmaking QB in Robert Griffin III.
Gruden is an offensive-minded coach who will find ways to get production out of Jackson. He might not be able to rack up 1,332 yards in his new home but he’s a candidate to score double-digit TDs and will be among the most exciting players in the league to own. The Redskins could easily be among the best offenses in the NFL if RG3 is fully recovered from the knee injury that limited him in 2013. I see D-Jax as an exciting, fun to own, WR2 heading into the fantasy season.
If RG3 looks healthy in the preseason, he now has the weapons to make him an elite fantasy option that should start in all 12-team leagues. He arguably has fantasy-MVP upside in 2014.
As pointed out in the Washington Post, the big winner for fantasy purposes could be Pierre Garcon. Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan and Santana Moss didn’t exactly scare opposing defenses. The arrival of Jackson will free Garcon up to find more space and make more big plays. Garcon will obviously see more single coverage and should enter 2014 as a high-upside WR2 on Draft Day.
Another player who benefits is tight end Jordan Reed. If Reed can manage to stay concussion-free in 2014, the addition of Jackson will create ample opportunities for the athletic TE to become a red-zone monster.
Running back Alfred Morris will also benefit from an improved offense and a dynamic receiver in Jackson that will spread the field and keep defenders out of the box. He’s a low-end RB1 entering the early stages of the 2014 fantasy campaign.
Questions? Hit me on Twitter @briansflood
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