EAGLES CUT SALARY, MOVE MCCOY FOR ALONSO
The Buffalo Bills acquired running back LeSean McCoy from the Philadelphia Eagles for linebacker Kiko Alonso.
What does it give the Buffalo Bills
The Bills seem intent on getting their offense going, and adding McCoy is a huge step in that direction. While Buffalo still has major question marks in the passing game, they add an elite (if expensive) backfield option in McCoy who can simply carry the offense for them. This move likely means the end of C.J. Spiller's tenure with the team (as he's set for free agency), and McCoy should take pressure off aging warrior Fred Jackson. Buffy will miss tackling demon Alonso, but McCoy does more for the 'O' than Alonso would have likely done for the 'D' in 2015.
What does it give the Philadelphia Eagles
For the Eagles this deal seems to be about dollars more than anything, as they shed almost $10 million in 2015 salary by moving McCoy for Alonso. They recently cut the hefty salaries of two other stars (defenders Trent Cole and Cary Williams), so it's clear finances are a priority. Meanwhile Alonso is a stellar producer when healthy--and a highly affordable one--so he'll help bolster the defensive losses of Cole and Williams (assuming he gets back to full form in 2015 from his ACL tear). This deal also reuintes Alonso with Eagles head coach Chip Kelly (after the two served together in college at Oregon).
Fantasy impact
McCoy gets a definite fantasy upgrade with this trade, since he'll probably be option A, B, and C for the Bills' pass-challenged offense. His arrival probably saps whatever fantasy value Fred Jackson had left before this deal, while Spiller likely sees a minor upgrade as well (assuming he's headed for a featured role with a new team in 2015). On the Philly side of the trade, fantasy-wise it's wait-and-see; Darren Sproles is still around but he's aging and mostly a situational back nowadays. This suggests the Eagles will either try to sign a tailback in free agency, and/or draft one before next season. That said, do keep an eye on running back Kenjon Barner, who gets an increase in sleeper value from this swap.
