Last years number one fantasy receiver Brandon Lloyd has been traded to the St. Louis Rams to reunite with former head coach and Rams current offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
As mentioned above this move is a serious boon for both the aerially inept Rams and for Brandon Lloyd’s fantasy value, as both needed a major change to affect their respective season outlooks.
Fantasy Impact:
Brandon Lloyd is a huge winner in this trade as he gets to make a move to St. Louis to play with one of the top quarterbacks in the game today. The fact that he is going from a questionable QB like Tim Tebow to an elite one like Sam Bradford cannot be understated for his fantasy value. Lloyd barely drops his targets and Sam Bradford, when he returns from his high ankle sprain will have a new favorite toy to play with. Look for Lloyd to reclaim WR2 status once Bradford returns to the lineup and they start to build on-field chemistry.
Mike Sims-Walker was released to make room on the roster for Lloyd. He should be picked up by a team in short order, perhaps the Dolphins, Browns or Texans.
Danario Alexander is fantasy value takes a hit with this move as he was begging to emerge as the Rams number one option in an underwhelming passing attack. Alexander should benefit from Lloyd’s presence as the number one receiver but will likely be rotating snaps with Brandon Gibson. Alexander has a lto more talent but is a constant injury risk. Alexander is a bye week filler with flex2 upside in deeper formats.
Greg Salas’s fantasy value takes a major hit with this news. Lloyd will come in and dominate the targets and Sam Bradford’s eye. The slot receiver is still an important part of a Josh McDaniels attack and Salas’ role should continue to expand, but he is not the top pickup he was before news of this trade broke. Salas looks like a PPR injury replacement with flex2 upside in deeper leagues.
Sam Bradford gets a new number one receiver and we expect him to responfd the same way he did last year when he got Mark Clayton. The good news here for Bradford owners is that once he returns from his high ankle sprain he will not only have last years number one fantasy receiver to throw to but also his favorite target from last season Mark Clayton who is due back from injury. Lets hope he finally enters the QB1 territory we all know he has the ability to be a part of.
Steven Jackson should see some less stacked boxes and defenses must now account for the dangerous Brandon Lloyd. Jackson remains a RB1 when healthy.
Eric Decker is the Broncos new number one receiver for now and he has flashed a ton of after the catch ability and his play style complements Tim Tebow’s limitations very well. Decker will become a big play threat as well as the teams possession receiver and has been thrust into WR3 territory in deeper leagues. Start Decker with confidence as a flex option as long as he remains the Broncos number one receiver.
Demaryius Thomas is set to return from injury this week and it is this writers firm opinion that Thomas will take over as the number one receiver by the start if next season. We expect to see a changing of the guard from Decker to Thomas this year as Thomas is the only player on the Broncos roster with the talent to be a true NFL number one receiver.
Eddie Royal should finally get a chance to reclaim some of the fantasy value he displayed with his terrific rookie season with Jay Cutler under the helm. Tim Tebow is no Cutler but Royal’s reliable hands, possession and separation skills should endear him to Tim Tebow rather quickly. Royal is worth the speculative add in al formats, especially PPR leagues.
