NFL Fantasy Football: 5 Players Increasing in Value After 2 Days of Transactions

NFL free agency has arrived with a bang with established quarterbacks changing teams, a Super Bowl MVP (Santonio Holmes) resigning with the Jets, the top running back on the market (Deangelo Williams) resigning with the Panthers, and several other potentially vital moves. While these moves obviously change teams, they can also have implications on the fantasy value of individual players. Here are the 5 individual players poised to perform well in fantasy football this year based on moves their teams have made.

5. Cam Newton

I realize that Cam Newton is a rookie quarterback, which does not bode well for his fantasy value. However, some fantasy players could take a chance on him in later rounds as he is the only rookie QB taken in the 1st round in this year's draft that is poised to start at the beginning of the season.

Carolina's resigning of DeAngelo Williams ensures that Newton's learning curve will lessen, with a great tandem at running back along with Jonathan Stewart behind him. The Panthers also resigned pass rusher Charles Johnson and signed former Chief defensive tackle Ron Edwards, bolstering their defensive line.

A defense on the rise plus a strong running game has been the necessary equation for successful rookie quarterbacks (see Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco). If Carolina can also have Steve Smith return, Newton could be an unexpected spot starter for fantasy players.

4. Kenny Britt

Before he got injured once last season and arrested several times in the offseason, Britt was a rising star at wide receiver, but an uncertain quarterback situation left his potential fantasy opportunities in flux. While Jake Locker could very well end up being a strong player, the consensus after draft day was that he does not possess NFL readiness at QB. Enter Matt Hasselbeck.

Hasselbeck is not the same guy that led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl, but he is still one of the smartest players in the game, and he'll definitely be wise enough to target his best receiver.

3. Dwayne Bowe

Mr. Bowe had a monster season last year, with 15 receiving touchdowns. But with teams keying on him defensively plus quarterback Matt Cassel undergoing injuries, Bowe had only one receiving touchdown in the final 5 games of the regular season.

In addition to drafting receiver Jonathan Baldwin out of Pitt, Kansas City signed Steve Breaston away from Arizona to reunite him with former Cards offensive coordinator and current Chiefs coach Todd Haley. Now, Matt Cassel has more viable targets, and teams won't be able to shut him down.

Bowe won't be disappearing breaking his fantasy owners' hearts during the stretch run this time around.

2. Percy Harvin

Percy Harvin has occasional problems staying healthy, but when he plays he is among the best weapons able to be utilized in both the passing and running games.

New Viking Donovan McNabb will be looking to prove himself, and one only needs to look as far as Brian Westbrook to see how much the former Eagle and Redskin quarterback likes to use offensive weapons with offensive versatility. In addition, Harvin will probably be given a larger role in the offense with the departure of Sidney Rice.

1. Marshawn Lynch

Here we have another beneficiary of the Sidney Rice move to Seattle. The Seahawks raided Minnesota's team, signing away Rice, kicker Ryan Longwell, and quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Seattle also signed former Raider guard Robert Gallery, who flourished under former Raider and current Seahawk offensive line coach Tom Cable.

With Hasselbeck's departure, Tarvaris Jackson will compete with Charlie Whitehurst for the starting QB position, and whoever wins the job will have a good surrounding cast with Sidney Rice and Mike Williams demanding coverage at receiver. Rice stretching the field will provide Marshawn Lynch with ample running room, which he'll be able to do much easier with run-blocking specialist Robert Gallery helping to clear the way. So far, future fantasy owners of Marshawn Lynch will greatly from the most recent NFL developments.