After emerging as an elite fantasy option with the New England Patriots, how did wide receiver Wes Welker affect his fantasy stock by bolting for Denver to join Peyton Manning and the Brocos? Find out how I expect him and his new teammates to do in the coming season right here in this post. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

The second day of free agency in the NFL was just as action-packed as the first. After Mike Wallace and Dannell Ellerbe took their talents to South Beach on day one, it was Wes Welker who stole the spotlight on day two as he headed for the Rockies leaving Tom Brady and the New England Patriots and joining Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

There’s still a lot of offseason to go, but lets take a look at how Welker’s addition to the current Broncos team affects the fantasy value of Welker and his newfound teammates.

Jan 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Peyton Manning

There isn’t a bigger winner in this deal or this offseason so far than Peyton Manning. Manning was great last year, but only had an aging Brandon Stokley as he slog receiver. The upgrade from Stokley to  Welker is immense and will open a whole new set of options for Manning.

One thing that Welker does best is run checkdown and audible routes, so he and Manning should be able to connect and build a rapport that will make Peyton that much more secure in a system he flourished in last season.

So is he the best?

He’s definitely in the elite tier of fantasy QB’s now with Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees. His brother Eli, the newly-rich Joe Flacco, Philip Rivers, Big Ben, RG3, and Luck are definitely in the group behind him for the rankings heading into next year. He may have been in that top group already, but this addition cements his place amont the elit fantasy options. While I’m not usually the first to draft a QB in my drafts, I’d have no objections to someone taking him as the first QB off the board.

Wes Welker

From Tom Brady to Peyton Manning isn’t much of a difference. Coach John Fox does tend to favor a run-heavy offense, but with no clear #1 RB and the weapons John Elway has gotten for Manning expect plenty of passes coming his way. He’ll be a WR1 in point-per-reception leagues and a WR2 with upside in standard scoring. He is a little bit of a higher-risk in a new situation on a new team and another year older, but I don’t see this trade substantially affecting his value.

November 25, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) runs the ball as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers (24) defends in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Demaryius Thomas

Thomas was an emerging superstar last year with 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns. He led the team in targets with 141 and had a true breakout year. The only knock on Thomas was his inconsistency at times. In his 16 games last year, he was over 100 yards in seven but under 45 in four. That may continue since Peyton’s passes will be based on what the defense gives Denver.

Thomas’s upside is capped a bit since Welker is sure to get plenty of looks but his yardage and touchdowns could end up around the same totals making him a solid low-end WR1 in standard leagues and more of a high-end WR2 in PPR leagues.

Eric Decker

Decker may be the player whose stock drops the most due to the Welker addition. Decker just broke 1,000 yards last year but scored almost equal with Thomas in many leagues since he had three extra touchdowns finishing the season with 13.  Decker will still be viable in most leagues and have good games from time-to-time, but barring injury he’ll be a third option in the passing game. I’d probably rank him a little lower than most, but I’d try to have two solid receivers before I started considering Decker.

Jacob Tamme/Joel Dreessen

The Denver tight end duo will also see their looks decline. Peyton has always kept his TE involved, though, so from time-to-time either or both may be worth a look in one-TE leagues based on matchups. Neither should be your top tight end going into the season, but they could make decent injury stopgaps or bye week fill-ins if they’re available on the waiver wire.

So Broncos fans, where are you on all this? Is this the best offense ever assembled? Who do you disagree with me on? Does it need to be balanced, and if so who do  you want to see as the primary running back?

Let me know in the comments section below your thoughts and how far you think this team can go and if Welker is the missing piece to getting the Lombardi Trophy back to the Mile High City.

Mike Wallace departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Miami Dolphins affects his fantasy football value as well as that of his former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. See who else gets impacted by the move and whether the move makes Wallace a top ten WR to target in your draft. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

One of the splashiest signings of the first day of NFL free agency was Mike Wallace joining the Miami Dolphins. With so much time before Week 1, the Dolphins and Steelers rosters have a ways to go before rounding into their final form, but there were definitely several players whose fantasy football stock will be affected by the move. Here’s a quick rundown of the main players affected by “60 Minutes” taking his talents to South Beach.

Mike Wallace

Duh. the obvious one.

Wallace could be in for a decrease in production, but the only thing we can say for certain at this point is that his risk-factor just went way, way up. Ryan Tannehill showed some signs of progression in his rookie year and could be the real deal, but Big Ben is the far more proven QB to have throwing Wallace the ball.

The Dolphins appear to be building a more pass-heavy offense for Tannehill under offensive coordinator Mike Sherman. IF they do, and IF Tannehill is ready, and IF Wallace fits in quickly, and IF the Dolphins get into shootouts, then Wallace could surpass last season’s numbers to be sure. Wallace has the talent to be a WR1 in fantasy football without question, but the move to Miami raises his risk and drops his value in my opinion. I probably would have him ranked outside the top ten as of right now, but there’s a long offseason and plenty of moves still to be made that could change that.

Dec. 23, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is pressured by Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard (55) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Tannehill

The most intriguing part of the move is that the Dolphins seem to think that Tannehill is ready to carry their offense with a pass-heavy look and a full stable of quality wide receivers. The receiving corps is solid now with options at TE and the top three WR spots.

While RG3, Andrew Luck, and Russell Wilson got all the hype in their rookie season, don’t sleep too much on Tannehill to have a solid second year in the league with the weapons he now has assembled in Miami. He’s not a top 12 QB still, but I think in the right starts or in a two QB league he has some serious sleeper potential.

Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben loses a deep threat and one of his favorite targets as Wallace flies south, but it shouldn’t change his overall stock too much since there’s plenty of options in the Pittsburgh passing game. I actually like Ben as one of the better non-elite options at QB based on his play prior to his shoulder/rib injury that hampered him down the stretch. If you can’t get Brady, Brees, Rodgers, or either Manning, Ben is one of the next options to look at and is a great option as a second in 2 QB leagues even with Wallace not in town.

December 23, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) prepares on the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter The Cincinnati Bengals won 13-10. at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown

Brown may actually be the biggest winner in the whole move. When he’s been on the field for the Steelers, he’s been a dynamic option in the passing game although an ankle injury cost him three games this past season. He finished strong with a receiving touchdown in each of his last four games and could be a great pickup if he’s the new number one target for Big Ben. He already averaged over eight targets a game and could easily breakout as a WR1 in fantasy football if he gets more looks with Wallace no longer an option.

Brian Hartline

Earlier this offseason, the Dolphins signed Hartline to a five-year extension. Now it’s clear he’ll be their number two receiver which is a role he fits better than trying to be the true #1. At the end of drafts, he won’t be a bad pick, but he’s likely to be overvalued by many since he needed tons of targets to get the numbers he finished with last year and he’s likely to see dramatically less this season.

Davone Bess

Bess is apparently not in the Dolphins plans whether due to friction over his late-season back injury as some have reported or whether Miami just wanted to upgrade we may never know. Bess will probably be back as a slot/WR3 on the Dolphins but will most likely not get enough looks to merit fantasy football consideration.