Chad Ochocinco has agreed to a one year deal with the Miami Dolphins in a move that many are calling a PR ‘move’.
Hard knocks notwithstanding, Ochocinco, if he can learn the offense, is a solid addition to this team, even if he is primarily acting as a decoy and tying up the oppositions number one corner.
His play really suffered with the Patriots, but he should have a couple more years left in his tank as long as he can familiarize himself with the Dolphins playbook, something he is very motivated to prove he can do.
Fantasy Impact:
Chad Ochocinco: Ochocinco may make more of an impact on his teammates than shows up in the box score. A declining veteran or not, Ocho still commands attention which will free up Bess, Hartline and the Dolphins backfield and give them a little more room to operate. Any actual production from Ocho figures to be a bonus. With Matt Moore at the helm Ocho has flex1 value with WR3 upside, while with Tannenhill he looks like a WR5/flex2.
Davone Bess: A PPR mainstay Bess operates best in the slot and on underneath and crossing routes. The Dolphins signed Ocho because no team should be comfortable with Bess as their number one receiver. Bess is a flex1 option in PPR leagues and a flex2 in standard formats. Ochcocinco should actually make Bess’ life easier this season.
Brian Hartline: Hartline was expected to get a shot at the number two role this year and there is no reason to think that will change. Ocho signed for the veterans minimum and Hartline will be afforded every opportunity to beat him out for the job. Of concern here if he does win the job is that Hartline will be the vertical receiver which will lead to some opponents treating him as the number one, a role he does not seem suited for. Hartline has deep league flex value with some upside.
Bush, Thomas, Miller, Slaton: The run game just got a boost with this news as the Fins now boast a former pro bowl receiver in their aerial attack. This should help open a few more lanes than would have otherwise been seen and should theoretically stop the defense from loading the box on every play.
