Reggie Wayne still a Colt: In a surprising move, the Colts kept Wayne with a three-year deal. A former fantasy star, Wayne projects to be the top option in the pass attack for presumed No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Wayne is 33 and past his prime, so don’t expect a major rebirth like the one Steve Smith experienced with the Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton last season. While a slight increase in his 2011 numbers should be expected, I still see Wayne as a No. 3 fantasy wideout and worth a middle- to late-round choice.

Saints retain Marques Colston: Fantasy owners breathed a sign of relief Tuesday when it was reported that Colston had re-signed with the team that drafted him out of Hofstra. The move keeps the veteran wideout in New Orleans, where he’ll continue to catch passes from superstar quarterback Drew Brees while retaining much of his fantasy appeal. Colston is a bit of a risk because of his problematic knees, but he does have three straight 1,000-yard seasons under his belt and will remain a high-end No. 2 fantasy wideout in most formats heading into 2012.

Chargers add Robert Meachem: With Vincent Jackson now out of the mix, the San Diego Chargers agreed to terms with Meachem on a four-year deal. It’s a nice fit for the veteran wideout, who will have Philip Rivers throwing him the football and figures to step right into a starting role opposite Malcom Floyd. However, I am hesitant to consider Meachem a potential breakout player in fantasy land. He’s already been in the league for five years and played in a pass-laden offense led by a stud quarterback in Brees. Despite those advantages, he never emerged into a reliable fantasy option. Still, I consider him a risk-reward No. 3 wide receiver.

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In another major move involving a wide receiver, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to terms with Vincent Jackson on a five-year contract. It’s a move that gives the veteran wideout the long-term deal he’s desired for years, but it’s not going to help his fantasy appeal.

In fact, I think this move makes Jackson a bit less desirable.

Sure, he’ll step right in and become the team’s unquestioned No. 1 wideout. But new coach Greg Schiano is expected to utilize a run-based offense that won’t allow Jackson the chance to put up huge fantasy numbers. Also keep in mind, the Bucs still have Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn and Kellen Winslow in the pass attack – and Jackson won’t have Philip Rivers throwing him the football. Josh Freeman is a good quarterback and his fantasy appeal increases with Jackson in the pass attack, but he’s clearly no Rivers – at least not at this point in his career.

On a positive note, Jackson will face one of the more favorable schedules (based on fantasy points) at his position – he’ll even square off against his old team, the San Diego Chargers. But I now see him as more of a high-end No. 2 fantasy wideout rather than a true No. 1 option.

In San Diego, I don’t think Jackson’s absence is a statistical death sentence for Rivers. Keep in mind, he threw for a career-best 4,710 yards with 30 touchdowns in 2010 – that’s the same year Jackson held out and missed 11 games. So instead of worrying about Rivers, think about who might step up and be more valuable in the pass attack – Malcom Floyd and Robert Meachem immediately come to mind as possible fantasy sleepers for next season.

Oh, and then there’s Antonio Gates. If he can avoid injuries, Gates could be a beast.

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The Washington Redskins sure have been busy over the last few days.

First, the team pulled off a blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Rams to land the No. 2 overall selection in April’s draft (in an effort to land Baylor’s Robert Griffin III). Now they’ve agreed to terms with Pierre Garcon – a piece of news that was posted on Garcon’s Facebook page. While it’s a nice fit for Garcon, it’s not going to make him more valuable in fantasy land.

The veteran finished a respectable 23rd in fantasy points at his position in 2011, but Garcon was horribly inconsistent overall. And while he will be a nice option in the vertical pass attack for Griffin and coach Mike Shanahan, he isn’t going to become the next Art Monk. In fact, I still see him as more of a No. 3 fantasy wideout and worth a middle rounder in most formats.

Garcon’s presence in the offense will have a slightly negative effect on Santana Moss, but he’s on the downside of his career and isn’t likely to re-emerge into a top-20 fantasy receiver. In fact, Garcon will be selected ahead of Moss in most fantasy drafts. With the addition of Josh Morgan, however, Moss isn’t even a lock to remain in D.C.

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Reunited, and it feels so good.

That’s the song fantasy owners will hear in Chicago, as the Bears acquired Brandon Marshall from the Miami Dolphins for a pair of third-round picks. The move puts Marshall back with Jay Cutler – the two combined to form one of the best quarterback-to-wide receiver combos in fantasy football during their time in Denver. It also gives the Bears their first No. 1 wide receiver in well, maybe forever (apologizes to Marcus Robinson and Marty Booker).

An athletic receiver with five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, Marshall is now a borderline No. 1 fantasy wideout heading into 2012. Not only is he reunited with Cutler, but Marshall will no longer have to face Jets CB Darrelle Revis twice a year. What’s more, he now has one of the easiest schedules in the league (based on fantasy points) at his position.

While the team still needs to upgrade its offensive line, this deal is a good starting point in helping Cutler’s appeal. He’s not going to be a surefire No. 1 fantasy quarterback, but the veteran out of Vanderbilt should be a better reserve and matchup-based starter across the board.

In Miami, the Fins are now left with Brian Hartline, Davone Bess and Clyde Gates as their best wide receivers. That’s not saying much – but then again, the free-agent period has just started.

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Randy Moss is back in the NFL, signing a one-year deal with the 49ers just hours after working out for them. Unfortunately, fantasy owners can’t get too excited about his return.

Moss, 35, hasn’t made a significant statistical impact since posting 1,264 yards and 13 touchdowns as a member of the New England Patriots in 2009. He played for three different teams the following year and was one of the biggest busts in fantasy football. His longest stint with a team that season came in Tennessee, where he played in eight games — and caught a mere six passes. I would have had more excitement about Moss if he landed in New Orleans, for example, but playing for the Niners isn’t good news for his potential fantasy appeal heading into 2012.

First, the team hasn’t had a 1,000-yard wide receiver since Terrell Owens in 2003. Second, he’ll be no more than the third option for Alex Smith behind Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree in what will continue to be a run-based offense. Finally, he’s past his prime and hasn’t played a significant amount of snaps since the middle of 2010. That’s a lot to overcome.

At the end of the day, Moss will have more name value than actual draft value from a fantasy perspective. Is he worth a late-round flier in a 10- or 12-team league? Sure. Should you expect him to post consistent enough numbers to be considered a regular fantasy starter?

I’d say no.

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Anyone who doesn’t think the NFL is a 365-day-a-year sport, well, the Redskins and Rams just made huge news on a Friday night in March. In a story broken by FOX Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer, Washington has acquired the No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft from St. Louis in exchange for first rounders in 2012, ’13 and ’14 and a second-round pick this year.

The move was made to ensure that the Redskins can land Baylor QB Robert Griffin III next month, which is great news for his fantasy value. While I think it’s tough to expect him to post Cam Newton-like numbers as a rookie, RG3 will be in a nice position to succeed under coach and offensive guru Mike Shanahan. I like him as a No. 2 fantasy quarterback and matchup-based starter across the board. He’ll be a top-three pick in all dynasty leagues.

The Rams will now move down a few spots in the first round, where Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon would be a very nice fantasy option in an offense without a No. 1 wide receiver. The Browns, now forced to look past a quarterback with their first overall pick, would be a nice spot for Alabama RB Trent Richardson. I see him as a true featured back, and Cleveland would give him the chance to fill that rare role with Peyton Hillis slated to be a free agent.

With the Redskins expected to be set at quarterback, look for them now to go hard after some other offensive weapons to help Griffin in his development – Vincent Jackson and Marques Colston come to mind. They are also out of the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, so his likeliest destinations are now Arizona, Denver and Miami. The Cardinals are, to me, the best fantasy fit.

Manning’s decision will have a domino effect of sorts – and here’s the best scenario from a fantasy perspective. If he lands in the desert, he’s a surefire No. 1 fantasy quarterback and worth an early-round pick. In turn, the Cardinals could release Kevin Kolb – he would be a nice option for the Browns, who are out of the RG3 chase and were never in on Manning. Finally, the Dolphins would sign free agent QB Matt Flynn, who would be a nice sleeper playing for former offensive coordinator and new head coach Joe Philbin. The possibilities are endless.

It’s going to be a great offseason…

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First it was Peyton Manning. Now the Colts have continued their offseason house cleaning with the release Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark, Gary Brackett, Melvin Bullitt and Curtis Painter. The biggest fantasy names, of course, are Addai and Clark — both were once No. 1 options at their respective positions, at least up until recent seasons. Unfortunately, injuries and the loss and Manning might have put a nail in their respective fantasy coffins in 2011.

Neither player will warrant a ton of attention on the open market or in fantasy land, though a potential Manning and Clark reunion somewhere around the league could put the tight end back on the radar. In their absence, the fantasy value of Donald Brown, Delone Carter and Jacob Tamme (assuming he re-signs) will increase in Indianapolis, at least for now.

Brown, who showed flashes of potential last season, looks like the favorite to start at the current time. But I’d keep expectations low, as he’s not a tough runner between the tackles and won’t be a true featured back for coach Chuck Pagano. As for Tamme, he could turn into a popular option for the Colts’ new quarterback (Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III?) if he returns to the team.

With so many players gone and more moves on the horizon, the Colts aren’t going to be a cornucopia of fantasy production like they were in the past with Manning at the helm.

Times, they are changing …

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Miami not considered Peyton’s Place? Over the next few days, all fantasy owners will hear about is possible destinations for Peyton Manning. While I think the best fantasy spot is in Arizona, it seems like Miami is the early favorite to land the superstar quarterback. Or maybe not? Manning has always tried to avoid media frenzies and paparazzi-like treatment, which is exactly what he could be dealing with in South Florida. There is already a billboard supporting the website manningtomiami.com, which implores fans to voice their support of the move. Manning has never been confused for a big-city guy, so playing for a team like the Cardinals might actually be more appealing — even if it resides in the NFC. Things are going to get interesting …

Brandon Lloyd interested in Patriots: The 2012 free-agent wide receiver class is a deep one, with big names like Vincent Jackson and Marques Colston (to name a few) on the market. But depending on their landing spots, the best fantasy option at the position could be Lloyd. During a conversation with CSN New England, he said he was “very interested” in playing for the Patriots and OC Josh McDaniels. I felt the same sentiment when I interviewed Lloyd for NFL Fantasy LIVE – I even tried to hand him a Patriots helmet that he laughed off and said he wouldn’t hold just yet. If you’re a fantasy fan, there’s no better place for Lloyd than playing in McDaniels’ offense with a superstar like Tom Brady under center. In his lone full season with McDaniels calling the offensive shots (Denver, 2010), Lloyd was the top-scoring wide receiver in fantasy football.

Redskins have better shot at Griffin: It’s a virtual guarantee that the Redskins will have a new starting quarterback in 2012, but who will it be? Well, a recent report suggests that Manning isn’t interested in joining the ‘Skins. Furthermore, the Washington Post believes the team has “a better chance to complete a trade with the St. Louis Rams for the second overall choice in next month’s draft.” That would lead to the selection of Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, who would instantly become the favorite to start. With an offensive head coach like Mike Shanahan at the helm, it would be a very nice landing spot for RG3, both on the field and in fantasy land.

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Manning on Broncos’ radar: We knew the Broncos would bring in competition for QB Tim Tebow, but their pursuit of Peyton Manning surprised some. Tebow was recently working out in Los Angeles to improve his throwing motion and the results of that training could make a QB competition very interesting. But even in a new fantasy era that values quarterbacks, Tebow isn’t likely to be a regular starter on many rosters next season and shouldn’t be drafted before the fifth or sixth round. Any attempts to elbow Tebow out of the starting job would accordingly sack his draft value.

Manningham says he’s a No. 1 WR: Free agent WR Mario Manningham is walking the thin line between confidence and arrogance when he tells the New York Post that he believes he will be paid like a top-flight receiver next season. While faith is a wondrous thing, Manningham hasn’t done enough to prove he’s worthy of such a contract. In four seasons, he has never caught more than 60 passes and has yet to gain more than 1,000 receiving yards. Last season, Manningham was pushed down the depth chart thanks to the emergence of Victor Cruz. Now he enters a free-agent market that will include Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston and Reggie Wayne — all who have a longer track record of success. It’s entirely possible that some team will consider Manningham the answer to their prayers, but we’re not buying the idea that the contract makes the man. Until he shows otherwise, Manningham is still a low-end No. 2 fantasy receiver.

Falcons sign Snelling: Jason Snelling has agreed to terms to stay with the Falcons. From a fantasy production standpoint, he’s not going to rate on many (if any) draft boards. But as a solid pass-catching back with good pass protection skills, Snelling is likely to find himself on the field for plenty of third downs. That means fewer snaps for Michael Turner. But before you panic too much, the back who’s most likely to be hurt by Snelling’s return isn’t Turner, but Jacquizz Rodgers. While there has been talk of getting Rodgers more involved in the offense next season, it’s hard to see him stealing too many touches from a veteran who is due $5 million in salary next season — even if Turner is 30 years old with quite a few miles on his legs. For now, avoid Rodgers and approach Turner with caution in drafts; he rates as a No. 2 back in most formats.

– Marcas Grant

Saints could sign Moss: After a workout in which he “looked like the old Randy”, free agent WR Randy Moss reportedly could sign with the Saints. The veteran has at least one more visit scheduled with an unnamed team, and other teams — like the 49ers — haven’t ruled him out. But from a fantasy perspective, few teams could provide a better fit than New Orleans. With a wide open offense and the league’s most prolific passer in Drew Brees (provided he signs), Moss should see plenty of chances to succeed. And if Marques Colston and/or Robert Meachem leave through free agency, Moss could find himself closer to the top of the depth chart than anyone would have thought. Right now, the six-time Pro Bowl selection rates as a No. 3 WR, but that could change.

Wayne “open” to signing with Dolphins: With Peyton Manning set to hit the open market and speculation rising that the Dolphins could be the front-runner for his services, WR Reggie Wayne is reportedly receptive to the idea of joining his QB in South Florida. Last week, the idea of the duo sticking together first surfaced, with the Dolphins among the teams interested in courting the pair. Frankly, Miami wouldn’t be a terrible landing spot for Manning and Wayne; the chance to work with Brandon Marshall and a strong backfield pairing of Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas would provide the type of offensive weapons Manning hasn’t had in awhile. There’s a lot that has to happen to make that a reality, but it could make Manning a top-five fantasy QB again while resurrecting Wayne’s sunken value.

Best cleared to work out: Lions RB Jahvid Best (concussion) has been cleared to work out and is expected to fully participate in team OTAs during the offseason. It’s a positive step toward Best getting back onto the field after missing the final 10 games of last season. But after two NFL seasons that have seen the former Cal Bear suffer a handful of injuries, it’s hard to recommend him as anything other than a No. 3 RB. Plus, with Mikel Leshoure expected to play after missing all of 2011 with a torn Achilles and Detroit considering re-signing Kevin Smith, there may not be enough touches to go around.

– Marcas Grant

“Drew Brees is a fantasy football bust.”

I don’t think I’ll ever write that sentence in a column and mean it. He’s been one of the studliest quarterbacks in fantasy land over the better part of the last five years, culminating in a 2011 campaign that saw him post a career-best 46 touchdown passes to go along with an NFL-record 5,476 passing yards. But I do have to admit — I don’t like what’s going on in New Orleans.

The Saints decided to franchise Brees, who was reportedly “livid” about the move and has no intention of signing the franchise-tag deal. Could that lead to a holdout? Maybe, but the Saints are going to have to give the face of their franchise a huge deal when the smoke clears.

According to NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora, the Saints “don’t project to have too much cap space, especially until Brees is done. They have to carry him at a much higher number now than once he’s done, but no one knows when that will be done.”

That could be problematic.

Consider this — the Saints are in real danger of losing OG Carl Nicks and WRs Marques Colston and Robert Meachem as free agents. That sort of scenario weakens the offensive line and removes two of Brees’ best options in the pass attack. There is also a strong possibility that the team will lose draft picks as a result of the “bounties” scandal, which would mean even fewer opportunities to replace lost parts in April.

With little money to spend on the open market and the real threat of league discipline, how will the team make up for their losses?

Randy Moss, who worked out for the Saints this week and looked good, could be an option at wide receiver. And honestly, Brees is so good that it doesn’t really matter who he’s throwing the football to on offense. But will the team be as effective in protecting their star quarterback? And what happens if coach Sean Payton gets suspended for an extended period of time? That could be the biggest concern both for Saints fans and fantasy owners.

Stay tuned…

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Brees won’t sign franchise tag: A bad week just got worse for the Saints. After applying the franchise tag to QB Drew Brees, reports surfaced that the veteran is “livid” about receiving the tag and doesn’t plan on signing. Contract negotiations hadn’t been going well between the two sides and this latest news seems to be a step in the wrong direction. The ultimate outcome could be Brees holding out if the parties can’t reach a long-term deal by mid-July, but it’s best to wait awhile before sounding any of those alarm bells. It’s still worth paying attention to, since Brees’ status would have a major fantasy impact on the entire Saints roster, however, fantasy owners should probably be more afraid of the QB getting entangled in another unsavory deal.

Moss to work out for Saints: As if there couldn’t be more NFL news centered around New Orleans, Randy Moss is expected to work out for the team Tuesday as part of his attempt to re-enter the league. Since the last we saw of Moss was a severely underachieving receiver who looked well past his prime, there’s no reason to consider him as anything more than waiver wire fodder. But if there’s any team that could squeeze some fantasy value out of Moss, it’s the Saints and their stable of interchangeable receivers … provided, of course, Brees is there.

Jackson drawing interest: After avoiding the franchise tag from the Chargers, WR Vincent Jackson will hit the free-agent market and already is drawing quite a bit of interest. The Bears and Redskins are two of the teams that could pursue Jackson and the Bills reportedly have interest as well, despite signing Stevie Johnson to a five-year deal. There’s a chance more teams could jump into the bidding (the 49ers and Vikings immediately come to mind), but among the early contenders, the Bears look like the best fantasy fit. It would give Jackson a chance to be a No. 1 receiver on a team with a quarterback that can get him the ball consistently. The big wideout could see his fantasy draft value fluctuate based on where he ultimately signs, but he will primarily rate as a high-end No. 2 fantasy WR who should come off the board in the second or third round.

– Marcas Grant

Jets considering Campbell: The Jets reportedly are interested in soon-to-be free agent QB Jason Campbell amid talk that new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano would like to include some of the Raiders concepts into his new playbook. Meanwhile, QB Mark Sanchez has started working with former Jets and Dolphins QB Chad Pennington to get a feel for Sparano’s offense. The Jets front office has pledged their support for Sanchez, but haven’t been afraid to say that the former USC star needs to improve in 2012. If nothing else, bringing in a veteran free agent to work as a backup could light a fire under Sanchez and inspire him to be something more than a second-tier fantasy quarterback. But right now, any threats to his job make Sanchez a draft risk outside of the middle to late rounds.

Johnson makes huge statement: Never fear, fantasy owners … Chris Johnson is back! Just ask him. The Titans running back, coming off a disappointing 2011, took to Twitter Saturday to proclaim that he will lead the league in rushing in 2012. After missing all of training camp with a holdout, Johnson ran for just 1,047 yards with four touchdowns. The encouraging part is that he looked better as the season progressed and had some of his best performances in the latter half of the season. With a full summer workouts, we’re not going to co-sign Johnson’s bold prediction, but we can reasonably expect him to erase the bad memories of 2011 with a bounce-back season.

Price for No. 2 spot too high?: While the Rams continue to shop the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, teams are beginning to name their price. At the moment, the price appears to be steeper than what the reported front-runners are willing to pay. The Rams will probably find a trading partner before the draft, but it could be at a slightly lower than expected price. With the popular opinion that Robert Griffin III will be selected with the pick, his fantasy value won’t come into focus until we learn who will eventually be making that pick. Griffin’s talent will have fantasy owners crawling over each other to take him in the early rounds of keeper leagues and — depending on which team drafts him — he could be a solid mid-round selection in seasonal drafts.

– Marcas Grant

Hillis considered CIA career: The 2011 season was far from a conventional one for Browns RB Peyton Hillis. After being another apparent victim of the Madden Curse, Hillis says he considered retirement and a new career with the CIA (no, really). It sounds as though the fourth-year runner is backing away from those statements, but they’ve likely already set off alarm bells in the front offices of NFL teams looking for a free agent RB. Add to it that Hillis has fired his third different agent and any contract negotiations could become messy. The former Arkansas Razorback will need to prove to us that his breakout 2010 season wasn’t a fluke before we suggest taking a chance on him as anything more than a fantasy reserve.

Manning throwing better: What’s a week without another Peyton Manning update? The latest, courtesy of the Indianapolis Star, says that the rehabbing quarterback is “throwing much much better.” Gentlemen, start your rumors. If Manning truly is progressing as reported, the market for his services will only intensify. It could also impact the draft status of some QBs not named Luck or Griffin. Since Manning should have a large fantasy impact on whichever team eventually lands him, you can bet this will continue to be one of the top stories of the offseason.

Peterson running in pool: Not long ago, Adrian Peterson proclaimed that he hopes to be ready for the Vikings’ 2012 season opener. He is taking a lot of short, choppy steps in that direction — in a swimming pool. After having surgery on his torn ACL in late December, most believe it would be difficult for A.P. to be ready for the start of the season. Understandably, the Vikings would like their franchise back not to rush his rehab, especially after Toby Gerhart showed that he was very capable last season. Until we see how far Peterson has progressed and what he can do in live game action, he shouldn’t be a first-round fantasy back.

– Marcas Grant

Giants, Steelers considering Burress?: Who says you can’t go home again? That could be the case for WR Plaxico Burress, who could be pursued by both the Giants and the Steelers, according to Yahoo! Sports. On the surface, it would seem that neither squad is a great fit for Burress. Even though the Steelers plan to release Hines Ward, it’s likely that Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown will remain atop the depth chart with Emmanuel Sanders also in the mix. Similarly, Mario Manningham’s possible departure from the Giants would do little to affect the status of Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. Burress’ remaining value is as a big red zone target. For fantasy owners, it’s as a reserve WR who can possibly add touchdowns, but won’t do much in the way of yardage or receptions.

Redskins targeting free agent WR: The NFL’s free-agent market is expected to be chock-full of wide receivers and the Redskins reportedly plan to take a serious dip in that pool. Jabar Gaffney was the team’s leading receiver last season, posting 947 yards and five touchdowns — a respectable season, but not enough for a team looking to be a contender. With an anticipated upgrade at quarterback, any receiver who lands in the nation’s capital could have an upgraded fantasy value. The issue might be who makes it to the market. There is still a chance that Vincent Jackson, Wes Welker and DeSean Jackson could all receive the franchise tag. Mike Wallace will be a restricted free agent, likely with a first-round tender. This is a situation that might not be settled for some time. Get comfortable.

Tolbert headed for free agency: Chargers RB Mike Tolbert could be on his way out of San Diego. The bruising back is expected to hit the free-agent market after talks with the team reportedly broke down. It’s not much of a secret that the Chargers hope Ryan Mathews is their RB of the future, but the organization could still look into free agency for some backfield help given his injury history. For the moment, the prospect of Mathews as a featured back could push him into the first round of some fantasy drafts. But if he ends up with company in the backfield, that value could be pushed back down again.

– Marcas Grant