NFL Veterans on the Move: Old Faces, New Places

When a veteran player moves to a new team, it can rejuvenate their career, increase their fantasy football numbers and improve the fantasy value of other players around them. Of course sometimes a move to a new team only serves to shine the cold light of reality on aging players, forcing us to acknowledge that guys we once triumphantly grabbed in the early rounds don’t have much fantasy football value anymore. Here’s a look at a few NFL veterans wearing new team colors for the 2009 season.

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- Fred Taylor, RB, New England Patriots: It’s hard to imagine Taylor on any team other than the Jacksonville Jaguars where he spent his last 9 seasons. However, with the recent success of Maurice Jones-Drew and a long history of injuries, 33 year old Taylor was released by Jacksonville this off season and signed by the New England Patriots. The Patriots could be a good fit for Taylor. They have a pretty good reputation for taking recently underperforming players and giving their careers new life (see Cory Dillonand Randy Moss). Unfortunately at this point it’s really a wait and see game with Taylor. He already injured his wrist during a workout and though he is said to be ready for the start of the season, a crowded backfield in New England and his long history of getting hurt, keeps him from having too much fantasy value. Keep an eye on how the Patriots plan to use him though. If they decide to make him their goal line back, he’s worth picking up in the later rounds or in deeper leagues. 

- Tory Holt, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Holt has made 7 Pro Bowl appearances, has 6 consecutive seasons with at least 1300 yards and every year gets closer to being one of the NFL’s all time top 10 in receiving yards. It’s no wonder I’ve called this guy Mr. consistent for so many fantasy football seasons. After a decade on the Rams, the 32 year old veteran receiver has signed a 3 year, 20 million dollar contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. With a stellar running game and what is hoped to be an improved offensive line, Holt should find some success as David Garrard’s#1 wide out. What concerns me is the constant double coverage he may face since there are no other proven receivers on the team. Holt is also coming off a highly disappointing season and though some of that can be attributed to the injury of Marc Bulger and the fact that the Rams were one of the leagues worst teams in 2008, some say Holt has lost the ability to separate from his defenders. Holt is as smart as they come with great work ethic and usually finds a way to make the big play, but for now he is at best a WR3 in fantasy football, with some upside if he can stay healthy. Holt’s biggest fantasy value may come as mentor to the younger wide receivers. Keep an eye on guys like Mike Thomasand Jarrett Dillard who could shape into excellent fantasy football options under the veteran’s expert tutelage. 

- Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons: What do you do when you have a young star-bound quarterback and one of the league’s best running games? You sign a 10-time pro bowl tight end. The Falcons are positioning themselves to be quite an offensive force in the league and with the recent addition of 33 year old Gonzalez defenses are going to have their hands full. Not only does the veteran bring experience, intelligence and the total team player mentality, he holds the NFL record for career td’s (76) and receptions (916) for tight ends. Gonzalez gives 2nd year quarterback Matt Ryan a powerful weapon in the end zone boosting his fantasy football value significantly and should add value to Michael Turner as well. Thanks to Gonzalez’s new home, I am pushing him past Jason Witten, Antonio Gatesand Dallas Clark on my big board of tight ends, right to number 1.

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