Breaking down the fantasy impact of 2020 offseason quarterback moves

We’ve seen a few significant signal callers change teams this offseason. Tom Brady ending his time with the New England Patriots to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the biggest move, but other quarterbacks are sure to shake things up with some new weapons around them. Let’s take a look at some players with major fantasy football upside.

Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from New England Patriots)

The Buccaneers had two top top receivers in standard formats with Jameis Winston under center, so it’s not crazy to think Brady can’t produce at a high level with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans at his disposal. Rob Gronkowski coming out of retirement to join Brady will only raise his ceiling. Although Brady finished outside the top 10 last year with a subpar receiving corps, he should easily climb into the top 10 with this personnel around him. He doesn’t have Winston’s arm power, but his precision will make a huge difference.

Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (from Los Angeles Chargers)

Rivers had a down year and barely cracked the top 20 among fantasy quarterbacks despite having Keenan Allen, Hunter Henry, and two capable pass catching running backs. The Colts aren’t nearly as capable on offense though, so we shouldn’t expect his stats to jump in his age 38 season. A healthy T.Y. Hilton should get a boost after battling lingering injuries for all of 2019 if he can stay healthy, and other Colts pass catchers should too. He should be an upgrade from Jacoby Brissett.

Cam Newton, New England Patriots (from Carolina Panthers)

Newton is the frontrunner to start for the Patriots in 2020 after signing with them in free agency this offseason, but it’s not a done deal just yet. He’s expected to get some resistance from Jarrett Stidham, who learned the system behind Brady in 2019. Newton has a much higher ceiling than Stidham. The 2015 MVP has taken a mediocre receiving corps to the Super Bowl in the past and has top five fantasy upside when he’s mobile. If healthy, Newton has a good chance to crack the top 10.

Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers (from New Orleans Saints)

Bridgewater is set to become a Week 1 starter for the first time since 2015. The Panthers were without Cam Newton because of a foot injury and went with Kyle Allen under center for most of last season. He was QB28 and had some good games here and there, but couldn’t really establish himself as a consistent threat. Bridgewater posted strong numbers while filling in for Drew Brees last year and has a ton of speed to work with out wide. D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Robby Anderson will be the core members of the receiving corps while Christian McCaffrey retains his spot as the top pass catching running back in the NFL. Bridgewater has the tools to be a top 10 fantasy quarterback, but McCaffrey seems like the only other lock to rank that high at his position.

Nick Foles, Chicago Bears (from Jacksonville Jaguars

Foles isn’t the outright starter like many of the aforementioned quarterbacks, but his contract suggests that he’s the frontrunner to win the job from Mitchell Trubisky. Both players could start in 2020 at some point in time, but it’s hard to say whether Foles is an upgrade from Trubisky. Foles hardly played in 2019 after breaking his collar bone and losing his job to Gardner Minshew. We’ll likely have to wait until camp to see who has the edge in this competition.

Marcus Mariota, Las Vegas Raiders (from Tennessee Titans)

Mariota isn’t as well off as Foles. He’ll start as Derek Carr’s backup on the Raiders after losing his job to Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee. He was QB33 in 2019 despite only playing in seven games but could move up the depth chart if Las Vegas struggles early. Carr was QB16 last year but lacks the mobility Jon Gruden covets. Mariota is a better athlete and could make the the most of a Raiders offense that should improve with the addition of Henry Ruggs III.

Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Winston went from leading the NFL in passing yards to being a backup, but that doesn’t mean he won’t play in 2020. Brees will be on his way out soon, and Michael Thomas has some of the surest hands around. If you give Winston a capable receiving back like Alvin Kamara and last year’s WR1, it’s hard to not see him being one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league. With steady playing time and a pass-oriented offense, Winston would easily be a top-notch fantasy pick. However, he won’t get to play unless there’s an injury.