WR Wes Welker has agreed to a 2-year, $12 million deal with the Broncos. This is easily the most impactful news of free agency — both in real life and fantasy. The balance of power in the AFC shifts as the game’s most productive slot receiver goes from one powerhouse to another. It’s a big blow to QB Tom Brady’s fantasy outlook. He’s always gotten it done regardless of who’s been catching passes in New England, but the loss of Welker will likely knock him out of the top 5 at the position. We’ll see if they can land free agent Danny Amendola to replace Welker. QB Peyton Manning, meanwhile, picks up another big-time weapon to go along with Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker. His ceiling will be as high as any QB in the league in 2013. Welker’s short game should be especially useful for an aging QB who may be losing arm strength. As for Welker, it’s tough to think his stock gets a boost leaving an offense that suited his game perfectly. He won’t see the 155 targets he averaged with the Pats. But he’s going from one future Hall-of-Fame QB to another. Manning will get him the ball. Welker should be able to maintain WR2 value in Denver. We’ll have plenty more on this — and the rest of the fantasy-impact free agency news — in the coming days!
