Fantasy Breakdown: Brandon Marshall Traded to the Jets

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In one of the busiest NFL trade weeks in some time, the Chicago Bears have sent wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Jets in exchange for a 5th round pick. The trade is pending a physical from the Jets doctors but should be official come Tuesday, March 10th.

The Jets will now more than likely cut WR Percy Harvin with Marshall on board. Marshall’s 2015 contract ($7.7 million) is much less than Harvin’s ($10.5 million). By making this trade the Jets get an upgrade at the wide receiver position and could save a few bucks in the process with Harvin’s release. While Marshall is a workhorse and has an elite mix of size and speed he is no spring chicken. Marhsall will be celebrating his 31st birthday at the end of March. Still, even at 31, Marshall drastically improves the Jets passing game.

Paired up with WR Eric Decker the duo should create a lethal combo for quarterback Geno Smith -who currently is slotted as the starting QB. At this point in time it’s uncertain what the Jets new coaching staff plans are with their quarterback situation. With so much payroll wrapped up in the Jets receiving crops it’s unlikely the team hands the offensive keys to a rookie. If I had to make a prediction, I would guess the Jets run with Geno as their starter for 2015 but invest a high day 2 draft pick on a quarterback that can be groomed. Also a veteran like Jake Locker or Colt McCoy could serve as a smart backup investment.

The AFC East has seen a significant upgrade in talent this week with the today’s trade for Brandon Marshall, the Bills adding LeSean McCoy on Tuesday and Matt Cassel on Wednesday. Not to mention the rumors the Miami Dolphins are top choice to reel in Ndamukong Suh. The division is doing it’s best to upgrade quickly this offseason in hopes of challenging Super Bowl Champs the New England Patriots.

Fantasy Breakdown

The ripple effect of Brandon Marshall leaving Chicago will increase the amount of targets Alshon Jeffery will see per game and add even more pressure to the less than popular Jay Cutler. The Bears could be targeting a WR high in this years NFL draft and made the Marshall trade in hopes of freeing up cap room. Cutler is a streaky, frustrating fantasy quarterback. I have just moved him further down my rankings (which are coming soon) after losing his favorite go-to target.

Brandon Marshall has done wonders with average quarterback play throughout his career. If he has a good rapport with QB Geno Smith who’s to say he doesn’t continue being a productive weekly fantasy starter. But in all honesty his stock should drop. The Jets are in a rebuilding process and Geno Smith has never shown he can be a full time gunslinger. Value is always key in fantasy football and if this summer Marshall’s stock hits the floor he could become a bargain player. Only time will tell but if I had to guess I would say Marshall’s 2014 ADP from a season ago (4.01) see’s a small drop.