Vikings Add Kyler Murray | Fantasy Football Impact for Several Moves

Let's run through another round of NFL transactions, all announced on Thursday.

Here is the first story we did today, which links back to other stories we've done this week, which is when free agency moves started.

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Vikings Find Their Quarterback

Minnesota has been looking for a quarterback this offseason, and found one on Thursday by signing Kyler Murray. He's signing a one-year deal.

The 28-year-old Murray has been in the NFL for seven seasons now. He's made 87 starts, but just five last year, and eight in 2023.

He had 962 passing yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions over his five games last year. Murray completed 68.3% of his passes.

Murray rushed for 173 yards and a touchdown on 29 attempts. He has been over 400 rushing yards and three scores in several seasons.

Minnesota has J.J. McCarthy, but he struggled in his first healthy season in 2025. Minnesota still was in the playoff hunt, so a quarterback could be the difference.

The Vikings want McCarthy to be their leader, but Murray is probably the better option, especially on the prove-it deal he'll be on in 2026. Whoever starts has a great offense around them, so their outlooks are really bright.

Minnesota is powered by wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. They lost Jalen Nailor this offseason, but could replace him with Tai Felton. Minnesota is likely to add more wideout talent this offseason, whether that be in free agency or the draft.

Aaron Jones Sr. is back to help lead the backfield, and Jordan Mason is another option. Zavier Scott is a depth option in the backfield. I wouldn't be surprised if Minnesota adds more bodies to that room, as Jones is aging, and has battled injuries of late.

T.J. Hockenson is the tight end, and while he's post-injury and on the back nine of his career, he's still a good option.

So again, whoever is starting at quarterback has a good outlook in Minnesota. Now it comes down to who the Vikings start.

I think Murray will earn the starting role, but it could be a tricky situation, and it will hold them both back as fantasy assets right away. They could work into standard leagues if they excel in the starting role.

This is a smart real-world move for the Vikings, who fortify the QB position a bit. 

Washington Grabs a Running Back

Rachaad White found a new home, signing a one-year deal with the Commanders.

It's a fantastic landing spot for him, as Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the only other notable back remaining. Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols are free agents.

Right now, I'd predict a split backfield between White and JCM. It's about as favorable a landing spot as White probably could have found this offseason.

There's a lot of offseason to go, and Washington is likely to add at least one more notable back, whether that be in free agency or through the draft. It will likely cool the outlook of White and Croskey-Merritt, so we'll wait and see how that exactly shakes out.

Chig Okonkwo is another free agent that the Commanders added on offense this offseason. They need more pass catchers yet, so that should be a priority the rest of this offseason. 

The defense has been the priority this offseason, which was the smart thing for this team. Now the offense should be the priority, and the right moves should help the Commanders get back on track after regressing in 2025.

Back to the backfield though, White and Croskey-Merritt are deep-league assets right now. We'll see if that changes over the offseason.

Dolphins Add Atwell

Tutu Atwell signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins.

He is 26 years old and has made 27 starts over five seasons and 64 total games. Atwell fell off in 2025, only having 192 yards and a score on six receptions and 15 targets. He went for 562 yards, but no scores, over 42 catches and 62 targets in 17 games in 2024.

I like the landing spot, as Miami is really weak at wide receiver. Jaylen Waddle now leads the wideout room, while Atwell and Malik Washington are the other projected starters.

Miami's offense is not great overall, but we'll see what they can do with Malik Willis at quarterback. They likely will add a bunch of offensive players in the draft, as the team needs an infusion of talent and doesn't have a ton of money to spend.

Right now, Atwell seems like a sneaky-good fantasy asset in deeper leagues. That's likely to change before the offseason is over, but the landing spot couldn't be much better for Atwell.

Other NFL Moves

Let's run over some additional NFL transactions from the day before we wrap up this article.

Cincinnati signed Orlando Brown Jr. back, giving him a two-year deal worth $32 million. He adds some o-line help as the Bengals look to protect Joe Burrow. It's a good signing in the real world, and it could have some fantasy impact, even if you might not see it directly.

The Bengals also added Jonathan Allen on a two-year deal with $26 million. He joins Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook as offseason defensive additions in Cincy, and the defense is definitely on the rise. Allen will help fortify the d-line, and clog up the middle a bit.

Lil'Jordan Humphrey re-signed with the Broncos. He's had some success with the Broncos, so it makes sense to see him back there as a depth option. He'd likely only be a big fantasy asset if injuries hit the Broncos' wideout room.

Kader Kohou signed a deal with the Chiefs. He's a projected starter at nickel back. Adding in Alohi Gilman and Khyiris Tonga and the Chiefs have added some starters in an offseason where they lost a lot of talent.

Emari Demercado was another pickup of the Chiefs today. He is a depth running back for KC, which will be powered by Kenneth Walker now. Brashard Smith is also there, so it might be tough for Demercado to see the field if everyone is healthy.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year pact with the Bills. He's projected to start at safety. Bradley Chubb and Dee Alford were a couple other defensive pickups the team has made so far, and that should improve the Bills' defense overall in 2026.

Denzel Perryman signed with the Chargers for one year. He is another projected starter, so it's a nice free agency pickup. The Chargers' defense should be good again in 2026, even though it hasn't added anyone in free agency.

Calvin Austin signed a one-year deal with the Giants. After losing Wan'Dale Robinson, this signing makes a lot of sense. Malik Nabers is the alpha wideout for New York, and there's room for others to step up, so Austin could do just that. He'll just be a deep-league fantasy asset to kick off the season though.

Dre Greenlaw is back in San Francisco on a one-year deal. He's projected to be a backup, but adds needed depth for the Niners at linebacker. After trading for Osa Odighizuwa and seeing the defense the Niners already have, the unit looks pretty solid going into 2026.