Teams in the NFL are always looking for veteran players to help them in many different scenarios. From being a veteran in the locker room or even getting to the playoffs and maybe even the Super Bowl. Even though training camps have started, there are still some veteran free agents that would help many teams and also give some depth and value to your dynasty rosters at the same time. Here are a few veteran players you should pay attention to in case they are available in your dynasty leagues.
Ezekiel Elliot, RB
Former #DallasCowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott 🏈
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) August 8, 2023
His jump cuts look quick and smooth
(🎥: @3hunnidGuru on IG) pic.twitter.com/JXvqRvOQgm
The perfect situation for Ezekiel Elliot would be for him to sign with a playoff contending. In 2022 Elliot had his worst season in terms of fantasy football. He scored 37.9 points less than any other season in PPR scoring. Yes, Elliot had a down season, but the perception in fantasy football is that he has lost all his value. That is hard to believe since his fantasy scoring was still at RB21 in the worst season of his career. At 28 years old, he has hit the age cliff where his dynasty value has and will have a significant dropoff.
Dallas Cowboys
Elliot would be the perfect readdition to a Cowboys backfield that does not have much depth behind Tony Pollard. With running back contracts being part of the issue, returning to a familiar team seems like a perfect situation for Elliot. Head Coach Mike McCarthy has taken over playcalling duties and has stated that the Cowboys will run the ball more often in 2023. If he resigned with the Cowboys, he would immediately become the RB2 on the depth chart. Even with a loss of production due to him no longer being a bell cow running back, Elliot could still be an RB4 or RB5 on your dynasty rosters. I would be okay if you are a contending team in your leagues. The longer Elliot is a free agent; I believe this is more inevitable than just a possibility.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have a potential fantasy top-five running back in Austin Ekeler. But they should still consider signing Elliot to their roster. For the Chargers to have a successful season, they must get to the playoffs and have at least one playoff win. Behind Ekeler, the Chargers only have Joshua Kelley and Isiah Spiller, and that’s not enough. Elliot is very familiar with the Chargers’ new offensive system. The new offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, was the coordinator in Dallas for the last four seasons.
Since 2019, Ekeler has led the league in running back targets. In that same timeframe, Elliot was seventh in running back targets. Elliot would be the perfect complementary piece to give Ekeler rest and keep him fresh for a playoff push. For fantasy, he would be an excellent second flex in start 11-player leagues. Elliot would also be a perfect injury or bye-week replacement.
Jarvis Landry, WR
Many teams in the NFL would relish the opportunity to have a veteran like Landry in their locker rooms. Yes, Landry is 30 years old, but he can still be productive as a mentor and also in a limited role at wide receiver. In 2022 with the Saints, Landry only played nine games due to an ankle injury that put him on injured reserve. That was the least amount of games he has played in a season throughout his career. He has predominately been a slot receiver, and in the last two seasons, he has played 65% and 75% from the slot, respectively. Two teams should consider signing Landry before the season starts.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are still a run-first team, but they have top young talent at wide receiver and tight end in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. They are not a contender for the Super Bowl, but you never know what could happen in the wide-open NFC South. Signing the nine-year veteran would be the perfect move to help mentor the young talent on the offense. They also could use Landry in the slot. The Falcons are not a high-volume passing offense, so this would be more of an NFL move than a fantasy football move. However, it is still something to monitor if it occurred.
Green Bay Packers
Yes, the Green Bay Packers have a full wide receiver room; the only issue is youth. The top five wide receivers on the Packers’ depth chart are either rookies or have one year in the NFL. Christian Watson shows some promise, but he was a rookie last season. Jayden Reed, who is assumed to be the slot receiver this season, is a rookie. This is the perfect situation for Landry to be in for a year or two. He can be a mentor for the super young wide receiver group, but he could also give your fantasy teams WR3/flex performances a few times throughout the season.
Carson Wentz
Free-agent QB Carson Wentz shared these pictures of him training in a #Commanders jersey, #Eagles helmet, and #Colts shorts, as he's trying to get back to the league.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 6, 2023
He captioned the post: "Back in the lab.. just looks a little different so far this year 🙃 #alternateuniforms… pic.twitter.com/ZjQJ5LfGCA
In 2022 Carson Wentz had a disappointing season in Washington, only being able to play in eight games. Playing for the third team of his career, it seems that Wentz may have played his last season as a team’s starting quarterback. Wentz could be valuable as a backup in the NFL, as a mentor, or even as a plug-and-play backup. Many people have forgotten that he was having an MVP-caliber season before his knee injury in 2017. He was also once a 4,000-yard passer and still has some left in the tank.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are a contender in the AFC, and Joe Burrow is one of the main reasons. However, backup Trevor Siemian is not likely the answer if Burrow misses any games this season. And in training camp on July 27th, Burrow strained his calf and is due to miss several weeks. If Burrow is to miss anytime in the regular season, the Bengals should bring Wentz as his primary backup. The Bengals are in win-now mode, and having Wentz as the backup could keep that window open more than with Siemian. If Wentz were to play, he would be fantasy viable in superflex leagues. With the weapons the Bengals have at the skill positions, he would likely be a top-24 quarterback.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers believe they are set at starting quarterback with Jordan Love. However, they are currently not deep at the backup position. Currently, the backup quarterback is rookie Sean Clifford. No matter what situation teams are in, having a rookie be the backup for an inexperienced starter is risky. Wentz would give the Packers a mentor for Love and Clifford. Wentz is also a veteran that could step into the starting lineup if need be. If Love does not become who the Packers believe he can be, then Wentz would be the perfect type of player to keep the offense on schedule. Unfortunately, I do not believe he would have much fantasy value in the Packers’ offense. If he is still on your roster, I could see him being a matchup play or bye-week replacement, but not much more.
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