I'm sure I've missed a few, but here are some guys with new outlooks for 2006.
Players who could benefit from new defensive scheme
DL Anthony Weaver/Antwan Peek
Weaver was given a fat contract by the Texans to play DE in their new 4-3 front. He's never been much of a pass rusher, though, and he's not played end in a true 4 man front in the NFL yet. Antwan Peek gets the RDE slot, but he's barely 240 pounds and will get owned against the rush. Neither look like great options. But be on the lookout for rookie with potential here.
LB EJ Henderson, Dontarrious Thomas, rookie TBD
Vikings move to the Tampa-2 this year. Whoever falls into the WLB slot could produce LB1 numbers. EJ probably stays in the middle and Dontarrious Thomas has been inconsistent. It's the rookie TBD to watch for here. If Ernie Sims lands in Minnesota, watch out. There's a bunch of guys in this deep LB draft class that could work out of the second/third round as well.
LB Kailee Wong, Sam Cowart, Morlon Greenwood, Dashon Polk, rookie TBD
MLB (and probably WLB) positions will be productive here. Nobody really knows how this one shakes out though. Wong and/or Cowart are probably your best bets, but neither have stayed healthy of late. Polk is interesting too, but this may be another spot where a rookie will be your target.
LB Teddy Lehman, Alex Lewis
The Lions go to the Tampa-2 as well. Unfortunately, like the Vikes, there's no obvious WLB candidate here. Lehman could be ideal, but he can't stay healthy. Another rookie to grab?
DB Nate Clements, Terrence McGee, Antoine Winfield, Dre Bly
All guys on teams moving to the Tampa-2. All have shown some interest in run support. Clements has the size, but guys like Ronde Barber have been nice tackle producers despite less than ideal measurables. All of these guys have been decent fantasy DBs in the past; they may move into Charles Tillman territory in 2006.
DB Glenn Earl, CC Brown
Meh. Somebody will eventually get some stats in the Houston secondary.
Players on new teams with nice potential
DL Darren Howard
Signed with the Eagles. If he can stay healthy, will no longer have to play in rotation (although Trent Cole will still get some snaps in pass rushing situations) and has a DL to keep the heat elsewhere (Kearse, Patterson). Could be more valuable than he was in NO.
LB Will Witherspoon
Plenty of discussion about him already. No reason to think he won't approach LB1 numbers in STL.
LB Shawn Barber
Probably moves into the WLB gig in Philly. Matt McCoy may have something to say about it. Not likely to be a big fantasy producer, but may be worth rostering if he wins the job.
LB Anthony Simmons
Reaching here, but assuming his wrist has healed fully and he wins a job in NO, there's no reason to think he can't give you starting quality numbers in leagues that start 3 LBs.
DB FA Sucked
Meh, guys like Lawyer Milloy, Corey Chavous, Dexter Jackson, Renaldo Hill, and Chris Hope moved to okay situations. And Milloy could put up some numbers in Atlanta. None have true stud potential though. But Adam Archuleta, Will Demps, Marquand Manuel, Marlon McCree, and Tank Williams all ended up in places where there's another nice option at safety already or a system that just isn't very attractive.
Same team, but new upside
DL Tony Hargrove
Maybe not new upside, but if this guy can rid himself of the questions that plagued him with the previous coaching staff, he's got the potential to be a nice three down player. Being in a contract year won't hurt.
LB Thomas Davis
Not confirmed yet, but there's no reason to suspect that Davis won't be the WLB in Carolina. He should be a three down LB and put in the position to make plenty of big plays. Sky's the limit.
DB Brodney Pool, Sean Jones
Pool may be the better bet here, but both are big safeties that could take a big step forward this season with Chris Crocker gone.
DB Marlin Jackson
Colts have said they want Jackson involved more. If he earns a starting corner gig, he's the prototypical big, run supporting player in the Tampa-2. Even if he plays safety with some slot coverages, he'll still have nice value.
DB Josh Bullocks
Expect Bullocks to keep the starting position he took over following Jay Bellamy's injury last year. He should easily reach starting level production.