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
New Orleans Saints undrafted rookie wide receiver Mason Tipton has been routinely hauling in long passes and running by defenders early in training camp this summer. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Yale product ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash on his pro day and is slowly earning his teammates' respect. He caught 132 passes for 2,067 yards and 19 touchdowns in four seasons at Yale and is looking to separate himself from a list of receivers behind starters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed that includes A.T. Perry, Cedric Wilson, Stanley Morgan Jr., Bub Means and Equanimeous St. Brown. "I think he's got the skill set," head coach Dennis Allen said. "He's a smaller player, but he's got some real good quickness and he's a savvy route runner. He's got some football awareness, and so I think he understands kind of how to play the position." For now, Tipton is merely a player to watch as we near preseason action.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Dolphins have signed wide receiver Willie Snead. Dynasty Analysis: If you thought Snead had already retired or left the league, you're not alone. Remembered fondly for a nice little stint in New Orleans, Snead bounced around a bunch of practice squads before playing the last two years in San Francisco. He'll provide some depth for Miami should he make the team but this roster is loaded and it would take some kind of miracle for Snead to be relevant in a dynasty league any time soon. It's a fun story to follow but little else.
The trio of Los Angeles Chargers Receivers Ladd McConkey, Joshua Palmer, and DJ Chark have emerged to become the main receivers working in 11 personnel for the team through six training camp practices. McConkey has "flashed" in the slot for the Chargers, stringing together multiple quality outings so far in camp. Palmer looks to be the top receiver for the Chargers after ascending to the top of the depth chart following the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The fantasy buzz hasn't been the greatest at times for the Los Angeles Chargers, as they are expected to run the ball more with the addition of head coach Jim Harbaugh and former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman. However, McConkey and Palmer are the two Chargers' receivers with the highest fantasy draft capital, going off in drafts in the middle rounds. With Justin Herbert throwing the ball, both McConkey and Palmer are WR3 candidates with upside.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton had some praise for rookie quarterback Bo Nix after Wednesday's practice, saying he played "overall, pretty well" and that Payton "liked his progress." Nix ran with the first-team offense and it's a great sign early in camp, but there is plenty of work to be done by Nix. When Nix takes his first regular-season snap, he will be 24 years old, but Nix has a solid cast of weapons and an experienced head coach in Payton. Despite being in a competitive AFC West, the Broncos are live to be a playoff contender, especially if Nix can keep ascending. Nix's fantasy upside is capped as a streaming QB2 off of waivers when he earns a starting nod in 2024, but with a cast of weapons like Courtland Sutton, Javonte Williams, and others, Nix's cupboard isn't barren.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) worked off to the side in Wednesday's practice and was spotted running, indicating further progress on his injured foot. With a quick return to jogging and running, it's a good sign that Johnson's foot injury is progressing well. While Johnson's Week 1 status is still up in the air, it's something to keep monitoring. The 27-year-old Johnson has been a solid contributor for the Saints, with 37 receptions, 368 yards, and four touchdowns in 13 games. If Johnson is unable to begin Week 1 as the starting tight end for the Saints, those opportunities likely fall into the lap of veteran Foster Moreau and jack-of-all-trades Taysom Hill. A healthy Johnson is more of a TE2 than a starting tight end in fantasy, but Johnson has been known to hit on a spike week or two as a touchdown-dependent streaming option during bye weeks.
From RotoBaller
After leaving practice on Tuesday following a training camp scare where New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hip) landed on his hip, Olave returned to practice on Wednesday. Hopefully, this is more of a minor bump than anything that will linger throughout camp, but it's excellent news that the 24-year-old Olave returned to the field just 24 hours later. The bulk of the passing game targets should go directly to Olave in 2024, as Olave and Alvin Kamara are the only two members of the Saints' roster who have earned 75 or more targets in a season. For fantasy purposes, Olave is a low-end WR1 with big-time upside at wide receiver in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (quadriceps) won't play in Thursday's Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears in Canton, OH. That said, Mixon has been making steady progress in his recovery from a minor quad injury that knocked him out of practices early in training camp. After being ruled out of the opening preseason contest, Mixon should be on track soon to resume activities in his first season with the Texans. Mixon will assume the lion's share of the workload at running back for Houston with an average of 253 rushing attempts in his last three seasons as a Cincinnati Bengal. The 28-year-old Mixon is settling in as an upside RB2 thanks to his volume projection, and with the leap the Texans' offense should get in 2024, there will be plenty of touchdowns and available work for Mixon to capitalize on this season as an every-down workhorse back.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (undisclosed) was seen wearing a red shirt on Tuesday, which seems to indicate that he's unlikely to suit up for Thursday's Hall of Fame game when the Texans square off against the Chicago Bears in Canton, OH. With Brown wearing a red shirt, which indicates non-contact, it likely gives more work to some of the depth receivers on the Texans' roster, including Xavier Hutchinson, Ben Skowronek, John Metchie, and Robert Woods. Brown has been dealing with a labrum injury suffered in the Texans' playoff game against the Browns in January. The 28-year-old Brown signed a one-year deal in the offseason to remain with the Texans and is competing for touches and time on the field after the team added Stefon Diggs to Nico Collins and Tank Dell.
From RotoBaller
The Houston Texans are expected to sit their starting units in Thursday's Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears in Canton, Ohio. That will certainly include second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud, as the Texans are set to start backup quarterback Davis Mills. Replaced as the starter by last season's first-round pick Stroud, Mills figures to get most of the snaps under center for the Texans on Thursday. Stroud's hype train in his second season keeps on chugging, as the Texans added Stefon Diggs to an already capable receiving unit featuring Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz. While the rushing part of the equation may not be there for Stroud, his prolific work as a passer vaults him into the top grouping of quarterbacks on draft day for fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones has earned significant praise from offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for his versatility in the passing game, effectiveness in goal-line situations, and strong football IQ. The Vikings plan to leverage Jones in multiple roles across their offense, making him a valuable and versatile asset in today's NFL. Jones showcased his elite talents during last year's Wild Card game against the Cowboys, where he shined on national TV with 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns, leading Green Bay to a 48-32 victory. Despite his on-field success, Jones's health has been a concern; he missed six games last season and had to leave others early due to injuries. As Jones nears his 30th birthdaya significant age for NFL running backshis recent injury history adds some risk. Although the fifth round might be too early for an injury-prone player like Jones, he could be a solid RB2 if available in the sixth or seventh round in upcoming fantasy drafts. Fantasy managers should look to add a reliable RB3 on their roster to cover for the inevitable missed games from Jones.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams starting guard Jonah Jackson (shoulder) is expected to miss the preseason due to a bruised scapula. However, he may return in time for the regular season opener against his former team, the Detroit Lions. Today, Jackson was seen on the sidelines with his left arm in a sling, highlighting the severity of the injury. The Rams have labeled Jackson as day-to-day with a shoulder issue. Signed to a three-year, $51 million contract, Jackson is now the sixth-highest-paid guard in the NFL, acquired from the Lions. The Rams were already without left tackle Alaric Jackson (ankle), who tweaked his ankle earlier in the week, so any significant injury to Jonah Jackson would be a major setback as training camp progresses. These injuries could adversely affect the fantasy value of the Rams' offensive players, particularly Matthew Stafford and Kyren Williams.
From RotoBaller
The Washington Commanders have claimed kicker Riley Patterson off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars. After a brief stint with Brandon McManus, the Commanders are turning to Patterson, a recent kicker for the Jaguars. Patterson has appeared in 39 career games, including 15 last season with the Lions and Browns. On Wednesday, Ramiz Ahmed was the only kicker on the Commanders' 90-man roster. Ahmed has played in just one career game, serving as a fill-in for Mason Crosby with the Packers in 2022. Patterson joined the Jaguars on a reserve/futures contract but lost an early camp competition to sixth-round rookie Cam Little. The Commanders will evaluate whether Patterson or Ahmed can serve as a dependable kicker. The winner of this competition could hold significant value, especially as the Commanders' offense, led by Jayden Daniels, looks promising but might need to score heavily due to a potentially weak defense.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings tight end Robert Tonyan (back) left practice due to back spasms, and his return timeline is still uncertain. If Tonyan's injury proves severe and he misses a significant amount of time, the Vikings' tight end situation could become problematic. T.J. Hockenson (knee) the team's primary tight end, is only seven months removed from an ACL tear in his right knee and is not expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. He is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, with no clear timeline for his return. Typically, recovery from an ACL tear takes 9-12 months. Tonyan was brought in to fill Hockenson's pass-catching role, but without both Hockenson and Tonyan, the Vikings' tight end group consists of Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, N'Keal Harry, and Trey Knox. With limited options at tight end, the focus shifts to increasing targets for critical players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones.
From RotoBaller
On his second day back from his pre-training camp hip injury on Wednesday, Green Bay Packers rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (hip) returned to team repetitions after only doing individual work on Tuesday. It's good news for the 23-year-old as he attempts to learn a new offense entering his first year in the big leagues. While he's going to start the preseason as the team's RB3 behind Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon, the explosive third-round selection could easily surpass Dillon on the RB depth chart, especially if Dillon continues to look sluggish like he did in 2023. The 5-foot-9, 220-pounder will merely be a sleeper option in deeper fantasy leagues to begin the 2024 season, but as long as he can stay healthy, he should become a bigger part of Green Bay's offense later this year.
From RotoBaller
The New England Patriots and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux agreed to a two-year contract extension on Wednesday that is worth up to $21 million and includes $16.5 million in guarantees. The deal was completed by Drew Rosenhaus, Jason Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha. The Miami Dolphins selected Godchaux in the fifth round (178th overall) back in 2017 out of LSU, and the 29-year-old defensive lineman has come into his own the last three years in Boston after spending the first four years of his NFL career in Miami. Godchaux isn't on the IDP fantasy radar, but he's accumulated 81 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, nine QB hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in three years for the Patriots. He has not missed a game in his three years with the Pats.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys LB Eric Kendricks (back) did not participate in practice Wednesday, July 31, because of back tightness.
From TheHuddle
Washington Commanders WR Damiere Byrd and WR Dax Milne were released Wednesday, July 31.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent WR Willie Snead (49ers) signed with the Miami Dolphins Wednesday, July 31. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The team also waived DT Mario Kendricks.
From TheHuddle
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton told reporters at training camp on Wednesday that his starters will play in the preseason. That means fantasy managers should catch their first glimpse of rookie quarterback Bo Nix under center during the Aug. 11 preseason opener against the hosting Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, but Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson should also see their fair share of snaps this summer. It also means we should get some clarity on the pecking order at running back in Denver. Javonte Williams figures to get the first crack as the Broncos' lead back after Payton praised him during the first week of camp, while veteran Samaje Perine mixes in to try and keep his spot on the roster. The workloads of the speedy Jaleel McLaughlin as well as rookie fifth-rounder Audric Estime will also be worth monitoring.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (undisclosed) is back practicing at Wednesday's training camp. After leaving Monday's practice and missing Tuesday's session, Bateman is back on the field for the Ravens on Wednesday after his undisclosed injury was downplayed. The 24-year-old deep threat will have a chance to cement himself as superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson's No. 3 option in the passing game behind star wideout Zay Flowers and All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews in 2024, but he'll need to do a better job of staying healthy this year after dealing with a Lisfranc injury in the past. After posting a healthy 14.5 yards of average target distance in Baltimore's potent offense last season, Bateman profiles as a post-hype sleeper in the final rounds of 12-team fantasy drafts this summer.
From RotoBaller
