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
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White carried the ball just three times for 19 yards in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs but was able to score his first rushing TD of the 2024 campaign. The 25-year-old has three receiving TDs already this season, and even though he did not score through the air on Monday, he was involved in the passing game again, snagging all three of his targets for 16 yards. Thankfully for fantasy, White is used as a pass catcher and around the goal line, as it was the second consecutive week that he's ceded more carries to fellow back Bucky Irving. With Sean Tucker in the mix as well, there just aren't as many carries to go around. It'll be a grind in next week's matchup at home versus the 49ers, so look for him to land in the low-end RB2/3 range with at least a solid floor in PPR leagues.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton led his team in targets, receptions, and yards in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs, the third consecutive week he's led the Bucs in each of those categories. Otton caught eight of 11 targets for 77 yards and a score on Monday night, now with double-digit targets and at least eight receptions in three straight games. The TD was his fourth of the season but his third in the last two games. The 25-year-old has clearly been the top receiving option in the absence of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and he'll probably need to be again in Week 10 when the Bucs take on the 49ers at home. Jalen McMillan was inactive on Monday with a hamstring injury and should that linger into next week, Tampa will again have to rely on Otton and Co. Despite the tough matchup, the former fourth-round draft pick will be a TE1 again on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 23 of 31 passes for 200 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in Monday night's 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs, adding 20 yards on four rushes as well. Of the 200 yards passing, 69 came on Tampa's final drive in regulation, culminating with a critical touchdown pass to wide receiver Ryan Miller. But instead of going for two points and the win, the Bucs kicked the extra point to tie the game and force OT. The Chiefs won the toss and Patrick Mahomes never let Mayfield touch the ball again, leading the Chiefs on a game-winning touchdown drive on their first possession in the extra frame. While there were a few very close calls, it was the first time since Week 5 that the 29-year-old did not throw a pick, tossing seven of them in the three games prior to Monday night, but it was also the sixth consecutive game in which he threw for multiple TDs, now with a 23:9 TD:INT on the season. Believe it or not, the former first-overall draft pick has thrown the most TDs in 2024, three more than the next closest (Lamar Jackson). Week 10 brings a tough home matchup with the 49ers, but the veteran signal-caller likely still projects as a borderline QB1.
From RotoBaller
After firing three offensive coaches on Sunday night after their Week 9 blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Las Vegas Raiders are considering bringing in veteran NFL coach Norv Turner in an undisclosed offensive role, according to a source. Turner's son, Scott, the current passing-game coordinator, is the leading candidate to replace offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. The father-son combination worked together under head coach Ron Rivera with the Carolina Panthers the late 2010s. The 72-year-old Norv Turner spent 15 seasons as a head coach in the NFL, including two years with the Raiders in 2004-05, when he went 9-23 during that span. The Raiders' season is spiraling at 2-7 and in last place in the AFC West, and they could be considering benching quarterback Gardner Minshew III in favor of Desmond Ridder.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on the team's Monday practice estimate. It's the first time that Likely has "missed" a practice all year, putting him in danger to suit up in a quick turnaround this Thursday night against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. We'll have a better idea if the 24-year-old will be able to play based on his practice status on Tuesday and Wednesday. If he isn't able to play in Week 10, it will mean more opportunities for both Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar. Likely was a popular waiver-wire pickup after going for nine catches, 111 yards and a touchdown in the season opener, but that's been the outlier, and he has gone over 27 yards just once in eight games since. He put up a donut in the Week 9 win over the Denver Broncos and should be benched by fantasy managers this week, even if he's active against the Bengals.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said he is hopeful that this is the week that quarterback Will Levis (shoulder) will return. The Titans plan on increasing Levis' workload in practice this week as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10. An AC joint sprain in his right (throwing) shoulder has kept him out of the last three games. Mason Rudolph has gone 1-2 in his absence, and the Titans have said that Levis will return to the starting role once he's healthy. The second-year signal-caller wasn't exactly looking good before his shoulder injury while making questionable decisions, but the strong-armed QB does give the Titans' offense more overall upside. If the 25-year-old gets the green light to play this Sunday against the Chargers, he'll be a low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues against a stingy defensive unit.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday that running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) has a chance to make his season debut in Week 10 on Thursday night against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Mitchell was also listed as a full participant in Monday's practice estimate, so he's clearly tracking towards a return this week. The 22-year-old second-year back also practiced in full all of last week but wasn't activated for the Week 9 blowout win over the Denver Broncos. Make no mistake that Baltimore's backfield will continue to be led by the NFL's rushing leader in Derrick Henry, but Mitchell will give Baltimore yet another explosive change-of-pace weapon in an already stacked offense. Mitchell's return will make Justice Hill less interesting in deeper fantasy leagues. Mitchell will likely be eased in if he returns Thursday, but he's worth rostering in most leagues as RB depth.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that the team would love to reduce running back Tony Pollard's workload because his heavy usage lately is wearing on him. Backfield mate Tyjae Spears (hamstring) has missed the last three games due to injury but could return in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers to take more backfield touches away from Pollard, who had a season-high 28 carries for a season-high 128 rushing yards while also catching three passes for 26 yards in the Week 9 overtime win over the New England Patriots. The 27-year-old played through a questionable designation due to a foot injury that limited him in practice leading up to the game. Pollard should still be Tennessee's lead back going forward, but it sounds like the Titans may look to distribute more of his touches, which will give fantasy managers less volume heading into a tough matchup against the Bolts.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) is expected to be back on the field for the Week 10 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Parsons has been sidelined for the last four games while recovering from a high-ankle sprain. This return is a welcoming sight for this Cowboys defensive unit. Parsons has 14 tackles and one sack through the four games that he's played in this season. The Cowboys offense took a huge hit with Dak Prescott (hamstring) going down for multiple weeks. However, Parsons should be able to give them a lift on the defensive side of the ball.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush has been named the starting quarterback in the absence of Dak Prescott (hamstring) over the next few weeks. Prescott suffered a significant hamstring injury that is going to force him to miss multiple weeks. Rush came in for Prescott during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. He completed 13-of-25 passing attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown in the loss. He didn't look awful under center and has proven to be able to hold his own in the league. However, Rush isn't exactly an appealing streaming option against the Philadelphia Eagles next week.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was a healthy scratch from Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. The Cowboys decided to elevated Dalvin Cook and make Elliott a healthy scratch after his rough start to the season. However, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that Elliott would be available for the Week 10 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The veteran back is averaging 3.1 yards per carry on 48 attempts this season. He figures to serve as the change-of-pace back to Rico Dowdle in the backfield. It's hard to imagine Elliott having reliable value anymore at this point.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) is currently considered day-to-day, according to head coach Sean McDermott. This news comes after Cooper was inactive ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. He was able to get through limited practice sessions, but the Bills ultimately decided to hold him out. Fantasy managers will have to wait and see what Cooper does during practice this week. If he sits again, Keon Coleman (wrist), Dalton Kincaid, and Khalil Shakir figure to have expanded roles. The fact Cooper is listed as day-to-day means he shouldn't have an extended absence.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) is back on the field shortly after exiting Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman was forced to exit in the first quarter after suffering a shoulder injury while returning a punt. He was taken to the locker room to be evaluated, but appears to be fine. He's back and returned a punt in the second quarter of this game. Hardman was yet to be targeted as a receiver with the game nearly at halftime. However, Hardman is a solid punt returner, so having him back is a plus for the Chiefs.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (shoulder) was forced to exit during the first quarter of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman suffered a shoulder injury during a punt return and was taken to the locker room. He's currently being evaluated and is considered as questionable to return to Monday's game. The absence of Hardman won't have much of an impact on this offense. He didn't see a target before exiting and has only been targeted three times over the last two games.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco will remain under center for at least one more week. There was some speculation that the Colts would turn back to Anthony Richardson after Flacco's struggles in Week 9. However, head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Flacco will remain the starter. The veteran signal-caller completed 16-of-27 passing attempts for 179 yards and an interception in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. It's not exactly going to get easier for Flacco against the Buffalo Bills next week. Outside of one strong performance, Flacco has been quiet under center. He'll be low-end QB2 for this Week 10 matchup against the Bills.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos have been open to trading tight end Greg Dulcich. We wonder if there is any interest around the league in Dulcich, a former third-rounder in 2022 out of UCLA. Dulcich has been very injury-prone early in his NFL career and has been a healthy scratch for the Broncos since Week 5. In the first four games of the season, he did very little, catching five of his 12 targets for 28 scoreless yards. The 24-year-old just hasn't been a big part of head coach Sean Payton's offense and is currently behind both Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull on the team's TE depth chart. In two-plus NFL seasons, Dulcich has 41 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games played (10 starts). He will remain well off the fantasy radar in all leagues unless he's traded before Tuesday's deadline to a team that will utilize him as a pass-catcher.
From RotoBaller
The Arizona Cardinals acquired edge rusher Baron Browning from the Denver Broncos on Monday in exchange for a sixth-round pick, according to sources. Browning, who has 9.5 career sacks in three-plus NFL seasons, will now head to the desert. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2021 out of Ohio State has missed four games in 2024 due to injury but has been healthy each of the last three weeks for Denver. In his five games played (two starts) this year, Browning has recorded only seven tackles (one solo) and one tackle for loss. If he can stay healthy, Browning could have a bigger role in Arizona with rookie first-rounder Darius Robinson (calf) injured. Browning has 114 career tackles (66 solo), 15 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits, one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 43 career games (28 starts).
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins DT Zach Sieler (eye) has a chance to be available for the Week 10 game, according to head coach Mike McDaniel.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) underwent ankle surgery. "He will hopefully be back later this season," LaFleur said. Musgrave was placed on Injured Reserve on Oct. 11 due to his ankle injury, but barring a setback in his recovery, he'll have a chance to return to the team later this season. The 24-year-old quickly took a back seat to fellow TE Tucker Kraft as a pass-catcher in the early portion of 2024 before injuring his ankle. The second-round pick in 2023 out of Oregon State had five catches for 22 yards in four games before getting hurt after putting up a 34-352-1 line in 11 regular-season games in his rookie campaign. When Musgrave returns later this season, he'll most likely go back to playing second fiddle to Kraft. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can continue to ignore him.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (rib) suffered a bruised rib in the Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but it sounds like he'll be OK for the Thursday night game in Week 10 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, Zack Moss (neck) is out indefinitely with a neck injury, which will open up a bigger backup role for Trayveon Williams behind Brown moving forward. Brown has been trending up in fantasy in recent weeks and went off for a season-high 27 carries for a season-high 120 rushing yards while catching a season-high five passes for a season-high 37 yards and a touchdown in the blowout win over the Raiders in an excellent matchup on Sunday. He'll be a must-start on Thursday versus Baltimore. In Week 5 against the Ravens, Brown had 12 carries for 46 yards and caught all three of his targets for eight yards and a touchdown.
From RotoBaller
