By Enea Zhonga
Fantasy Sports 101 Football

March 22, 2008 - A lot of great players have switched teams this offseason, and more change will be in the air with next weekend's NFL draft. We take a look at this year's impact trades and signings in preparation for another possible flurry of activity.

In no particular order:

FB Tony Richardson, New York Jets
Richardson isn’t going to be drafted by any fantasy owners, being that he’s only a fullback. But the last two running backs that ran behind him, Priest Holmes and Adrian Peterson, have set NFL records. Expect Peterson’s production to fall this year and Thomas Jones’ to rise.

WR Randy Moss, New England Patriots
Don’t expect 23 touchdowns again, in part because the Patriots lost Donte' Stallworth to the Browns and Moss will get even more attention from opposing defenses. Still, it was critical for the Patriots to re-sign him. He might not set any more NFL receiving records, but he’ll be a force and add a dangerous vertical element to the Patriots offense. Not bad for a player who was supposed to be past his prime.

WR Donte' Stallworth, Cleveland Browns
Signing Stallworth affected not just the Browns, but the Patriots as well. As much as his loss will take away from the Patriots offense, his presence will add to the Browns and top pass catchers Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards. He’ll divert some attention away from those two and stretch the field for Pro Bowl QB Derek Anderson. This should be an entertaining team to watch.

TE Alge Crumpler, Tennessee Titans
Crumpler was a crucial pick up for the Titans. Vince Young knows how to win and should improve in his third season, but has lacked a big name receiver. That's where Crumpler comes in. Tight ends are a mobile quarterback’s best friend, so assuming better health, Crumpler should have a great first year in Tennessee.

TE Ben Troupe, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Troupe’s had an injury plagued career, but he’s a great athlete with potential that was once considered on par with Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey. He hasn’t lived up to expectations, but with a fresh start and an offensive guru like coach Jon Gruden, Troupe should push starting tight end Alex Smith to be better. Or he might win a starting job and surprise a lot of people.

WR David Patten, New Orleans Saints
Patten had a career year in 2007, surging around midseason to finish with 54 catches. He provides veteran leadership and a capable second option for QB Drew Brees, making him an important piece to re-sign and keep around. His reception numbers should stay in the neighborhood of 50-60, but he should be good for at least five touchdowns in 2008.

DT Marcus Stroud, Buffalo Bills
Stroud provides depth and some beef up front for a Bills defense that overachieved and kept the team in a lot of games last season. Stroud's arrival solidifies the Bills as one of the league's top defenses, as he helps clog the middle. A lot of fantasy owners should pick up this defense early, the Bills aren't likely to give up many points next season.

RBs T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks
Whether Shaun Alexander is done or not, the Seahawks aren’t taking any chances. They loaded up with these two backs. Last season, the Seahawks changed their offensive schemes and won games without Alexander's presence in the lineup. These two signings are insurance for them in case Alexander is cut, traded or injured again.

WR Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders
Walker is a key, key pickup for Al Davis. Don’t make things hard for second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell, surround him with playmakers. This was the first step, signing a quick receiver with seemingly limitless potential if he stays healthy. If the Raiders can add some more playmakers, Walker figures to benefit tremendously.
 
QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers is not a free agent, but he makes the list of great transactions because he finally gets his starting chance. He may not rank among the top 10 quarterbacks in fantasy, but if all the top choices are off the board, Rodgers is worth a flyer. He’s got great weapons with Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Donald Lee and strong running game with Ryan Grant. There are few quarterbacks in the NFL with those kinds of luxuries.

RB Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Turner doesn't arrive in the prettiest situation with the Falcons, but he can be part of the organization's solution while becoming a feature back. Atlanta's offensive line won't do Turner any favors, but he's built more for success than either Warrick Dunn or youngster Jerious Norwood. His quick, physical style will earn a majority of carries and be complemented by Norwood's lightning quick change of pace.

QB Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns
Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers know how Brady Quinn feels. Unfortunately for Quinn, he’ll have to wait for his shot like they did. But Cleveland fans have to applaud this move. They kept Anderson around and are giving him every chance to succeed with another great receiver in Stallworth. He will have another great fantasy season, likely as one of the top five quarterbacks off your draft board.

VP Bill Parcells, Miami Dolphins
He’s not a player obviously, but it’s a great move regardless. He knows football and runs a tight ship while paying great attention to detail. Parcells will likely trade defensive end Jason Taylor for picks and draft defensive end Chris Long out of Virginia with the first overall pick. If he can fetch a good price for Taylor, Parcells could add multiple picks in a draft stocked with good talent at the receiver and running back positions.

WR Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings made a good move, picking up a receiver in Berrian who succeeded in spite of the Bears' ugly quarterback situation. He finished with 71 receptions and five touchdowns in 2007, lowly numbers to earn a six-year, $42-million contract. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson did show some promise in his first year as a starter, and Berrian figures to make a nice duo with second-year WR Sidney Rice.

CB Asante Samuel, Philadelphia Eagles
Samuel is one of the top two corners in the league, certainly a great pick-up for the Eagles. The Eagles have a loaded secondary with Samuel joining Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown, Brian Dawkins and Sean Considine. Philadelphia will be a hard team to beat through the air and score points against, things to keep in mind for fantasy decisions.

WR Isaac Bruce, San Francisco 49ers
He’s going to be a teacher. Otherwise San Francisco just wasted a lot of money for an aging receiver. Arnaz Battle and Ashley Lelie need a lot of guidance. Bruce can provide that and some help as a possession receiver. Expect Battle’s and Lelie’s numbers to grow, but stay away for Bruce in fantasy leagues.

OG Jake Scott, Tennessee Titans
He’s and offensive guard and you’ll rarely hear his name, but it’s a significant move regardless. Not because Scott will protect the most mobile quarterback in the league, but he’s no longer protecting Peyton Manning. The Titans took a great guard from a division rival. Even if it doesn’t make much of a difference with Young, at least it will make things harder for Manning.

The New York Jets
As a team, the Jets have filled the most voids. Richardson is mentioned above, but New York also added to its offensive line with guard Alan Faneca and tackle Damien Woody. On the defensive side, they also traded for DT Kris Jenkins, sent oft-injured LB Johnathan Vilma to New Orleans for picks and gave big money to LB Calvin Pace. The Jets had a hard time run-blocking and stopping the run and spent some $138 million to turn weaknesses into strengths. Starting running back Thomas Jones and/or Darren McFadden, should he be available with their sixth overall draft pick, will benefit from the added push upfront.

WR Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
What a great move. If taking a receiver from Oakland works out as well as it did for the Patriots, this should pay off for Jacksonville. Not likely, but it gives emerging quarterback David Garrard a valuable weapon in the passing game. He created much of the Jags' offense himself in 2007 and had a career year. Bringing Porter into the equation can only add a touch of explosion to his steady and reliable fantasy game.

CB DeAngelo Hall, Oakland Raiders
Talented, but troubled cornerback Hall signed with the Raiders last week for seven years and $66 million, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The Falcons received a 2008 second-round pick and a fifth-round pick in 2009. The Raiders were already stingy against the pass, so Hall's signing will serve as added effect. As an additional note, admitted speed freak owner Al Davis will likely have a chance at drafting RB Darren McFadden (and his 4.33 40) with the fourth overall pick in next weekend's draft.

Other Opinions: NFL Draft Dog's 2008 Mock Draft