Draft Day Winners and Losers
Mon Apr 29 11:53am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
White should be lead back
The draft is always so exciting, seeing where all the players get picked. But after the draft, the big issue is figuring out what it all means for their fantasy value. We thought it would be a good idea to look at some of the biggest fantasy winners and losers from draft day. These are some of the players that were picked but also some of the guys that were already on rosters, seeing their fantasy value get impacted from the draft. Adjust your rankings accordingly!
WINNERS
Bryce Young, QB, Panthers. The Panthers did a great job of getting Young some much needed offensive help. The team took a receiver, running back and tight end in three of the first four rounds of the draft. Carolina already added Diontae Johnson this offseason, so the receiver corps should be much better after getting Xavier Legette in the first round. The receivers got very little separation last year, so it was hard to gauge Young. He needed help and got some this offseason. Carolina also took a possible franchise running back in Jonathon Brooks and hopefully a solid starting tight end in Ja’Tavion Sanders. Things are looking up for Young and this offense.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs. Worthy could not have landed in a much better spot. He heads to one of the best offenses in football that has some openings at receiver, especially with the status of Rashee Rice a bit up in the air. Worthy has electric speed and the Chiefs should find plenty of ways to utilize that. He could be the new Tyreek Hill for this offense. Look for Worthy to make an impact right away.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys. Maybe one of the biggest surprises of the draft was the Cowboys not addressing their running back spot. Instead, the team signed Elliott after the draft. He is likely to be the starter in this top offense. He might not rack up the yards of past seasons, but has big touchdown potential in this offense. Elliott seems a pretty sure bet to get double-digit touchdowns. He could be a solid No. 2 for fantasy teams.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Panthers. Brooks is returning from a major knee injury and could be slowed a little early in the season, but once he is back healthy look for him to the three-down back for the Panthers. He lands in a great spot for playing time, having little top talent to compete with for playing time. Brooks could really get the volume in this offense. He is our top rookie fantasy back.
Zamir White, RB, Raiders. Many thought the Raiders were another team that could address their running back spot during the draft, but that didn’t happen. They used a sixth-round pick on Dylan Laube, but he is not expected to challenge White for that starter’s job. It sure seems the Raiders are comfortable with White as their lead back. He has a chance to get a lot of touches in year two. His stock is going up.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers. The Chargers need help at receiver and McConkey helps fill that need. It would not surprise if he quickly became Justin Herbert’s favorite target in the passing game. We really like his chances to rack up the weekly looks in this offense. Someone has to fill the Keenan Allen void and McConkey seems the best bet out of the options at receiver for the Chargers.
Keon Coleman, WR, Bills. Coleman is another rookie receiver that lands in a great spot for playing time. The departure of Stefon Diggs leaves a big opening for the Bills. Coleman could help fill that void. He has great size for the position and could be a top red-zone threat from day one for Buffalo. Coleman should get his chances from the get go, giving him a high ceiling for the coming year.
LOSERS
Raheem Mostert, RB, Dolphins. Mostert had a monster season last year and helped many fantasy teams to championships. He is going to have a very hard time repeating, especially after the Dolphins picked Jaylen Wright in the fourth round. Wright is a speed back similar to Mostert but a lot younger with less wear on his tires. Remember, Mostert is 32 years old. He might end up falling to third on the depth chart after the addition of Wright.
Rome Odunze, WR, Bears. Odunze is a super talented player that could be a star in the NFL. But for his year, you have to worry about him being up and down. He has two really good receivers ahead of him on the depth chart in DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. This is going to limit the ceiling of Odunze. He will be a much better fantasy player in a few more seasons. For now, expect erratic production from the talented rookie.
Kyren Williams, RB, Rams. Williams remains the lead back for the Rams and is coming off a breakout season. But the Rams picked Blake Corum in the third round. He is going to be a factor in the offense. He might get put a huge dent in Williams’ workload but the big concern is the goal-line work. Corum is more of a between the tackles runner that does well on short-yardage work. He could end up stealing some touchdowns from Williams, hurting his fantasy value.
Michael Mayer, TE, Raiders. Mayer was a second-round pick for the Raiders last year and showed well at times his rookie season. The Raiders couldn’t pass on the talented Brock Browers in this year’s draft, though. This move absolutely kills the fantasy value of Mayer. He is going to play second fiddle to Browers, getting few weekly looks. Browers is the clear tight end to own in this offense.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers. Pearsall is a talented pass catcher that can get in and out of his breaks in a hurry. He is a really good fit for the slot and could fill that role for the 49ers his rookie season. The problem is he has some of the top talent in all of football to compete with for targets. He could really be up and down his rookie season. He will look better in a year or two when he has a more defined role and less to compete with at receiver. His rookie season could be a tough one to gauge for fantasy owners.
Malik Nabers, WR, Giants. Many considered Nabers the top receiver in this year’s draft. He is super talented with a high fantasy ceiling. The problem for Nabers is he got drafted by the Giants, a team that really struggled offensively last year. Plus, he has Daniel Jones throwing him passes. This is not a great landing spot for the talented Nabers. Jones needs to make some big strides this season if Nabers hopes to reach his potential. We aren’t sure that happens.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
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The Paur Report
Tight End Preview
Dynasty | The Bengals have no intention of signing wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to an extension this off-season. Dynasty Analysis: Chase is under contract for two more seasons, so there isn't a huge sense of urgency here. However, the Bengals already have one disgruntled receiver in Tee Higgins and need to get all of this settled sooner rather than later. Regardless, Chase is one of the top three assets in all of dynasty fantasy football and he should be with the Bengals for a long time, regardless of the delay.
The Detroit Lions placed defensive lineman DJ Reader (quadriceps), edge rusher Marcus Davenport (ankle) and defensive back Brian Branch (ankle) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday, meaning they will not be able to practice with the team for the start of training camp this week. This was fully expected for Reader, who tore his quadriceps last year while playing for the Cincinnati Bengals. The 30-year-old has been one of the NFL's most productive interior defenders the last eight years and is expected to play a big role on the interior of Detroit's D-line when he's healthy. He's not a fantasy option in IDP leagues, though, with only 9.5 career sacks in eight years in the league, although he's produced at least 32 QB pressures in each of the last three seasons.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has impressed head coach Matt Eberflus with his maturity. "I think he knows himself really well," Eberflus said of Odunze. "Very mature for his age. He's a wonderful teammate and he's going to be exciting to watch," Eberflus also shared. After Odunze caught 92 passes for an FBS-leading 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns in 15 games at Washington in 2023, the Bears chose him at ninth overall in the NFL draft to form one of the league's preeminent supporting casts for No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Odunze has plenty of upside as a WR3/4 pick in the second half of drafts this summer, but while working alongside D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet in Chicago's offense, he'll need the attack to run at a higher tempo and become more pass-oriented to avoid getting lost in the shuffle. The 22-year-old wideout is ranked by RotoBaller as the WR45 overall, with an ADP of 69 ahead of training camp this week.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa could opt to not participate in any practices until he receives a new contract. Tagovailoa is still expected to report for training camp this week, but he's in the final year of his rookie deal with the Dolphins and is searching for a long-term extension. It's not clear at this point where the two sides are at in this regard, and it's be something for fantasy managers to keep an eye on throughout camp. The 26-year-old star signal-caller was a first-time Pro Bowler a season ago, leading the league in passing yards (4,624) while registering career-high marks in completion rate (69.3%) and touchdown passes (29) with 14 interceptions over 17 starts in Miami's high-powered offense. Tagovailoa remains safe to draft this summer as a low-end QB1 starter without much rushing upside in the later rounds after the top-tier options are off the board, with RotoBaller ranking him as the QB12 overall.
From RotoBaller
According to Cincinnati Bengals owner/president Mike Brown, kicker Evan McPherson and the team have discussed a contract extension. "We've been talking," said Brown on Monday. "We're hoping we can get there with him." The 25-year-old has been a solid fantasy asset over the last three seasons, making 83.9% of his kicks in 49 appearances. He's also gone 21-for-28 from beyond the 50-yard line. Without question, McPherson has been instrumental to Cincinnati's success, so there's a good chance a deal will get done sometime soon.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) is expected to begin training camp on the active/Physically Unable to Perform list. The 25-year-old appeared in just two games last season before suffering an ACL tear during practice ahead of the Week 3 meeting in Arizona. Fortunately, he has made progress in rehab since then. However, the team will take a cautious approach by not rushing things. Diggs has appeared in 47 games for Dallas since entering the league in 2020, totaling 173 tackles, 18 interceptions, and two touchdowns. Diggs can be removed from the list as soon as he passes a physical. But the Cowboys defense will suffer until he's ready to suit up.
From RotoBaller
According to Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, wide receiver Rashod Bateman is expected to be a "top receiver" in the NFL. "Rashod's been working to make plays," said Harbaugh, addressing the media following Monday's practice. "To see him come out and make those catches, those are great catches. Traffic catches, one catch he plucked off the ground there. I was excited, everybody was fired up about it." Bateman, who received a contract extension this offseason, hasn't met expectations since entering the league, amassing only 93 receptions for 1,167 yards and four touchdowns. He's also been limited to 35 games due to injury. With that said, the 24-year-old likely hasn't reached his ceiling from a potential standpoint. However, the Ravens offense is loaded with capable producers, so it could be tough for anyone not named Lamar Jackson to remain consistently involved for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk officially requested a trade nearly a week ago after not securing a contract extension from the team. While there is still time to rectify the situation, the wideout is at least drawing support, with tight end George Kittle openly expressing his admiration for his teammate. "Aiyuk's just a phenomenal football player," Kittle told NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. "He does everything you want him to do as a wide receiver. So, yes, getting Brandon Aiyuk the money that he deserves -- I hope nothing for the best for him." The 26-year-old is due to make just over $14 million this season on the fifth-year option. But as long as both sides remain at a stalemate, Aiyuk's fantasy outlook won't get much brighter despite coming off a 1,342-yard, seven-touchdown 2023-24 campaign.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running backs Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller are locked into a positional battle for the No. 3 running back spot behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins (Achilles). With Dobbins recovering from injury and Edwards no stranger to injury himself, this team's No. 3 running back is an important position. Spiller is the incumbent but also a product of the previous regime. Spiller has only rushed for a total of 137 yards on 2.5 YPC in two seasons in the NFL. Vidal was a sixth-round pick out of Troy in April's draft. With a solid size-to-speed ratio, Vidal is an exciting young prospect. If Dobbins and Edwards get and stay healthy through training camp, then it is more likely that this positional battle will come down to blocking acumen and special team play. Given that Vidal is the pick of the Harbaugh regime and Spiller has been so abysmal to start his career, Vidal may be able to separate himself. If he wins the job and Dobbins or Edwards gets injured, Vidal could be a sneaky fantasy add in a Chargers offense that projects to be run-heavy.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin has had a career marred by constant quarterback changes and organizational dysfunction. Through it all, McLaurin has recorded four straight 1,000-yard seasons. His talent has constantly been on display with highlight-reel catches, and he has been a consistently solid presence in Washington's receiving core. With rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels stepping in, McLaurin feels the Commanders offense could be headed somewhere special. For fantasy football's sake, hopefully, McLaurin is correct. Daniels brings stability to the quarterback position and should provide McLaurin and the other receivers with one single presence throughout the season. McLaurin has a chance to build on his 1,002-yard and four-touchdown season in 2023. As roughly the WR33 in fantasy drafts, McLaurin could provide your team with solid value even with a rookie quarterback slinging the rock.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (illness) was once again absent from the team's practice on Monday. He was also unavailable for Sunday's session. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh did not have an update on Jackson's condition beyond the fact that he remains out with an illness. Jackson is coming off a season in which he threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns while running for 821 yards and five touchdowns. Jackson finished as the QB4 in fantasy in 2023. As such, fantasy managers are anxiously awaiting his return to the field. Given that he is suffering from an illness, hopefully, Jackson will be back on the field later this week.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been one of the best players at his position since entering the NFL as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The LSU product has the seventh-most receiving yards (3,717) in a player's first three seasons of all time and is part of one of the best QB-WR pairings in the league. With Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jaylen Waddle, among others receiving lucrative contract extensions this offseason, Chase was thought to be next in line. However, Bengals president Mike Brown suggested Chase is unlikely to be re-signed before the start of the regular season. "It's not so likely that this is the good time to negotiate," Brown said. "The offseason is a better time for that and we're going to try to keep focused on the football part. I'm not going to rule anything out, but I will tell you that the die has probably been cast." However, Brown said the team has every intention to keep him in Cincinnati long-term. "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]," Brown said. "He's our next one. He knows that. We know it. This may take a while. We are going to bend over backward to get it done. I can't tell you when." Either way, Chase has overall WR1 upside in fantasy football as long as Burrow remains healthy.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings running back DeWayne McBride (undisclosed) is being placed on the non-football injury list, the team announced on Monday. McBride joined the organization as a seventh-round pick last year, but he did not appear in a game after spending the season on the practice squad. McBride was once a deep sleeper in fantasy football following his prolific college career at UAB which saw him rush for over 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns in his sophomore and junior seasons combined. Heading into his second year as a pro, he'll likely have a tough time earning a role behind Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, and Kene Nwangwu, especially since he's beginning the offseason with an injury.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed was placed on the non-football injury list ahead of training camp, and he is not practicing on Day 1. However, the second-year playmaker said he suffered a minor toe injury at his youth camp, and it is "nothing to worry about." This is promising news for his availability later in camp as he looks to build off a strong rookie performance. The No. 50 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft posted 64 receptions for 793 yards and eight touchdowns and added 119 yards and two scores as a rusher in 2023. Although ascending quarterback Jordan Love is likely to spread targets around in 2024, Reed should continue to see manufactured touches and be a difference-maker in the red zone.
From RotoBaller
Veteran defensive back Daryl Worley re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens, the team announced on Monday. Worley has spent the last three seasons with Baltimore after being with eight different organizations before the 2021 regular season. The 29-year-old played in 12 games in 2023 and racked up 12 tackles and one pass deflection. The Ravens added former All-Pro safety Eddie Jackson and first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins this offseason, so it would be a surprise if Worley sees an uptick in playing time heading into his ninth pro campaign.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (hip) is not practicing on the first day of training camp due to a hip injury, according to team reporter Rob Demovsky. The rookie out of USC is expected to have a role in the ascending Green Bay offense right away, so missing reps is not ideal. However, it's early in the offseason, meaning teams are going to be extra cautious with bumps and bruises. For now, this development should not affect his rookie fantasy football value. While Josh Jacobs is fully expected to be the lead back in 2024, Lloyd could have standalone value as a handcuff running back, and his role could increase as the season moves along, especially if Jacobs continues to regress after a disappointing final season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
From RotoBaller
The Minnesota Vikings announced that first-round linebacker Dallas Turner signed his four-year rookie contract on Sunday in order to report for the start of training camp this week. The Vikings traded up with the Jacksonville Jaguars in April's NFL draft to take Turner with the 17th overall pick out of Alabama. The 21-year-old was one of the top pass-rushers in this year's draft class after recording an SEC-leading 11 sacks in his final collegiate season in 2023. Turner is undersized for an edge rusher but makes up for it with his elite athleticism and is expected to be an immediate starter in Minnesota's defense. The Vikings are hoping that Turner can make up for the loss of Danielle Hunter, who is now playing for the Houston Texans.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that quarterback Sam Darnold will take the majority of the first-team QB snaps in training camp this summer, although rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy will get some first-team work as well. This isn't breaking news, as the Vikings announced in early June that Darnold, a former first-rounder himself, would head to camp as the QB1 as they look to give McCarthy plenty of time to develop as their potential franchise signal-caller. Darnold looked sharp in offseason workouts and is working with the best supporting cast of his career in Minnesota. His fantasy stock is on the rise as a QB2 in fantasy and is ranked as the No. 17 QB by RotoBaller. However, Darnold is going to need to perform well in 2024 in his first year in Minnesota if he wants to hold off McCarthy all season long.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent DB Daryl Worley (Ravens) re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens on an undisclosed deal Monday, July 22.
From TheHuddle
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. It's not a surprise, although O'Connell said Hockenson is "well ahead of schedule" with his rehab from ACL surgery in late January. The 27-year-old tight end tore his ACL at the end of last season and is doubtful to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 campaign despite being ahead of scheduled this offseason. In addition to coming off a major injury, Hockenson will be more of a fantasy question mark now that he's going from quarterback Kirk Cousins to a potential mixture of Sam Darnold and rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy this season. Even when Hockenson does return to the field in the regular season, he's likely to be eased in, so he should be considered more of a high-end TE2 stash in fantasy football drafts this fall.
From RotoBaller
