Kendall Valenzuela runs through the most pressing NFL news with fantasy football implications.

The NFL Scouting Combine is just in the rear-view mirror, and now NFL Free Agency is beckoning. In some places, it would be the calm before the storm. Not in NFL circles. There's always news, and with that news come plenty of fantasy football implications. Let's run through some of the biggest headlines and break them down for how they impact our great game.

Jets Release Davante Adams

Davante Adams is now a free agent after the Jets released him on Tuesday afternoon. The team is also allowing Allen Lazard to seek a trade, but let's be honest that doesn't impact us too much for fantasy football (sorry Lazard, it's you not us). 

The Jets moving on from Adams isn't a big surprise to anyone—he was going to count $38.3 million against the salary cap and now New York will be clearing $29.9 million. Now let's talk about the best fantasy landing spots for Davante Adams. I was out on Adams last summer during drafts, but I got nervous once he was dealt to the Jets. Overall, Adams had a strong finish to the season and ended up with 67 catches, 854 yards and 7 touchdowns in those 11 games. Sure, his BFF Aaron Rodgers targeted him 112 times, which was the third-highest in the NFL, but it feels like Adams still could have some juice left.

Out of the wide receiver-needy teams I do like the idea of him ending up back with the Green Bay Packers. Christian Watson's unfortunate late-season injury leaves a hole in a receiver corps that seemed to be lacking a real investment. Adams could be a cheap option—no group of wide receivers had more total drops than the Packers (25), according to Ian Hartitz's team needs article. 

Another solid fantasy landing spot could be the Los Angeles Chargers, who really need to focus on getting more solid weapons for Justin Herbert. Ladd McConkey had a stellar rookie season tallying 112 targets, 82 receptions, 1,149 yards and 7 touchdowns. While adding another solid receiver like Adams could hurt his 2025 outlook, it could also open things up for McConkey. Let's just hope he doesn't follow his BFF …

Fields Over Wilson

According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, it looks like the Steelers are leaning toward keeping Justin Fields as their quarterback for 2025 and moving on from Russell Wilson. The Steelers started the season 4-2 with Fields under center, and he actually had a solid performance before Wilson was named the starter for the remainder of the season. Fields produced his highest career passer rating (93.3) and locked down 18.9 fantasy points per game in 2024. 

Things then turned south for the Steelers. They not only lost their final four regular-season games, we also can't forget their atrocious wild-card exit against the Ravens. During that span they also scored only 14.2 points per game. Turning back to Fields, who will only be 26 years old this season, and trying to maximize his potential would not be the worst idea. 

However, there have also been reports that he does have a "really good market" going into free agency. 

If the Steelers don't get a deal done with Fields, the New York Jets also seem like a logical landing spot. Fields already has a connection with Garrett Wilson from their Ohio State days, and Wilson could be much happier now that Rodgers is going to be out of the picture. PFF projects Fields' contract to be around a one-year, $11 million, and if they give him a prove-it deal then they will also be able to draft a quarterback prospect, too. 

While he has more to prove as a passer, we know what he brings to fantasy with his rushing upside and that will always keep him on our radar. He's currently being drafted as QB24 on Underdog, but depending on how this free agency shakes out we could see him jump up draft boards. 

The Rich Get Richer—Congratulations Saquon Barkley

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Saquon Barkley? He not only went to the Philadelphia Eagles and had the time of his life, he also had the best season of his career. Barkley finished 2024 with 2,005 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, and also added 278 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. And now he got PAID. 

After a historic season, the Eagles are giving Barkley a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension that includes $36 million guaranteed at signing, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history! 

We know that Philadelphia is probably already making plans for a Saquon Barkley statue—can we talk about his postseason performance? He rushed for 499 yards and 5 touchdowns, which was the third-most rushing yards in a single NFL postseason. The Eagles' single-season rushing record never stood a chance against Barkley, and during that postseason run he also broke Terrell Davis’ single-season record for most combined rushing yards (2,504 yards). This move now keeps Barkley with Philadelphia through the 2028 season.

He's currently going off draft boards as the second overall pick on Underdog, but all offseason I can imagine drafters going back and forth between Barkley and Ja'Marr Chase as the top fantasy pick.