With DeSean Jackson in Washington, Robert Griffin III has a pair of speedy playmakers on the outside. What does this do for RGIII's 2014 fantasy value?
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- Michael Fabiano NFL.com Senior Fantasy Editor
Griffin's moving up
I liked Griffin III as a bounce-back candidate before the addition of Jackson, so you can imagine how much I like him now. New coach Jay Gruden loves to throw the football, which was evident in the fifth-place finish of Andy Dalton among fantasy quarterbacks a season ago. I don't know about you, but I think RG3 is a far better and more versatile signal-caller than Dalton. While Jackson's addition will move Griffin III up rank lists and improve his average draft position (ADP), I still think he can be had outside the first five rounds in most formats. He's a player I'll be targeting in 2014.
My goodness, does this offense now look good on paper. RGIII under center, Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson split out wide, Jordan Reed roaming the middle and Alfred Morris holding down the backfield is a fantasy goldmine. Given new head coach Jay Gruden's love of throwing the football and RGIII's cannon arm, I'm tempted to make the former Heisman Trophy winner my fifth-ranked quarterback heading into 2014. Cam Newton has no wide receivers and is undergoing ankle surgery, Nick Foles just lost his top target from a year ago, and Tom Brady is a year older with Gronk returning from another serious injury. Tell me, which of those quarterbacks would you rather have right now than RGIII? Yeah, that's what I thought.
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- Marcas Grant NFL.com Fantasy Editor
Things coming up roses for RGIII
Things are falling into place for Robert Griffin III. He's a full year removed from his latest knee surgery, which should restore confidence in his ability to run and cut. Now he has another option to help stretch defenses -- one who should be very motivated to prove his former employer wrong. The only question that remains is whether Griffin will improve his ability to read defenses, which was the issue that plagued him most in 2013. Nonetheless, having Jackson paired along with Pierre Garcon (not to mention Jordan Reed) makes Washington's offense pretty scary and gets Griffin trending back toward the top five.
There was also a coaching change that figures into the mix here, too. Because it is absolutely no secret Mike Shanahan clearly botched the RG3 injury angle and the relationship was never right. So even before this deal, RG3 was a great rebound candidate under the direction of Jay Gruden. But DeSean Jackson leads me to believe RG3 is poised to be a top six fantasy quarterback this season, with the potential to move into the top five.
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- Jason Smith NFL.com Fantasy Analyst
RGIII's value increases, but...
RGIII's value increases to the point where he's now a mid-level No. 1 fantasy QB. His ability to keep plays alive will allow for more long-range strikes to DeSean Jackson, and prevent the opposing defense from giving over the top help on Pierre Garçon. If he plays a full season he'll put up top five fantasy numbers. But that's the rub: if he stays healthy. Draft Griffin where you normally would, just make sure you get a very good No. 2 behind him, because you may be starting him a lot. Draft your backup a round or so earlier than normal to ensure that you insure the position.