Andy Richardson
Everyone is talking about the Donovan McNabb trade, and why not: it's a pretty big deal. The NFL and fantasy ramifications are far-reaching, and although some are obvious, some are less so. Here are my quick thoughts on the most and least affected players.
Donovan McNabb: It seems likely his value will be hurt by this trade. Washington's offensive line is decidedly worse, and overall, so are the team's receivers. Washington's trio of running backs also appears to be essentially a washed-up bunch of players, but it's not yet clear whether LeSean McCoy is a quality starter; he's likely a step down from Brian Westbrook the last few years. The talent around McNabb now is worse, and he'll get less protection from his line. On the plus side, he should have the kind of motivation that Brett Favre had since being dealt from the Packers, so maybe he'll have a big year anyway. If he stays in one piece.
Kevin Kolb: A lot of pressure on Kolb, especially given the reports that Philadelphia thinks they've got the next Aaron Rodgers. I'm wary of overrating Kolb's 300-yard games in his two starts last year, given that one was in a blowout loss to New Orleans and the other was against a horrible Kansas City defense. A year earlier, remember, he was pretty shaky after replacing McNabb at halftime (albeit in a tough situation at Baltimore). I think he'll be fine, but let's not project huge numbers from him in his first year as a starter. That doesn't happen very often.
Washington receivers: Good news for all of them; McNabb's definitely better than Jason Campbell. I've always liked Santana Moss and Chris Cooley anyway, and now they get the best quarterback they've had in some years. McNabb likes throwing to the tight end, so good news for Cooley. (Granted there's the Fred Davis factor, but that was there anyway.) He also likes to air it out, and can, so I'm particularly intrigued by Moss. Of course, playing behind an inferior line that might get him hurt is a factor, as well. Devin Thomas should also benefit.
Philadelphia receivers: A while back I pointed out how DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek were even better with Kolb in the lineup for two games than McNabb last season. While true, I think Kolb's shorter track record makes those players slightly riskier picks. If Kolb is as good as the Eagles think, they'll be fine, and long-term they should benefit as well. But there may be some growing pains, particularly for a player like Jeremy Maclin, who may not be as explosive as Jackson or an outlet receiver like Celek.
Various running backs: Philadelphia should run more; Washington should run less. I'm a little wary of McCoy, plus the Eagles might decide to add another runner with their sudden bounty of draft picks (given the Sheldon Brown trade a day earlier). I wanted nothing to do with Washington's trio of veterans anyway.
Washington and Philadelphia: This looks like sort of a rebuilding effort by the Eagles, who have acquired 2nd-, 4th- and 5th-round picks in the last two days, dealing away their starting quarterback and cornerback. No longer do they look like an NFC East favorite this year, but if they make good picks, they're loading up for a pretty scary team in 2011. Especially if Kolb is the real deal. For Washington, which wanted to land Jay Cutler and then Mark Sanchez a year ago, they've got their quarterback, and even though he hasn't signed an extension yet, he likely will. If they can rebuild their offensive line (their top pick should go that way), they'll be relevant again in the NFC East.
Sam Bradford: There was some thought that Washington would try to trade up for him. Now, there's no doubt (not that there was much anyway) that he's headed for St. Louis.
Jimmy Clausen: I figured him for Washington at No. 4. Now he'll slide at least out of the top 5, and perhaps further. It's not clear if Cleveland or Buffalo wants him; reports are that they don't, but who really knows. Mike Holmgren has expressed reservations, but that could easily be deception; remember, Rex Ryan said he was happy with the team's quarterbacks a year ago, when he coveted Mark Sanchez. In any case, Washington's acquisition of McNabb will probably cost Clausen a lot of money.
Fantasy owners: With McNabb and Kolb on the same team, there would only be one decent fantasy starter. With McNabb going to the favorites, Oakland, that might have still been the case. Now? It's possible both McNabb and Kolb will be top-12 quarterbacks next year. We win.
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