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.
Seattle Seahawks running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet (undisclosed) are both expected to sit out of Saturday's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. Charbonnet missed both joint practices against the Titans this week and will almost certainly sit on Saturday. With both Walker and Charbonnet out, it will place more of an emphasis on the RB3 battle between Kenny McIntosh and George Holani. McIntosh, a seventh-round pick in 2023, entered training camp as the slight favorite. The injury to Charbonnet doesn't appear to be serious enough to put his availability in question for the Week 1 regular-season opener. The 23-year-old was a clear second fiddle to Walker in his rookie season and will probably struggle for standalone fantasy value in his second year in the league as long as Walker stays healthy. At best, Charbonnet is an RB4 bench stash in PPR leagues.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) didn't play in the team's second preseason game on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles and remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list in training camp with just a few weeks until the start of the 2024 regular season in early September. Bourne suffered a torn ACL in his right knee last October and has yet to practice with the team this summer. At this point, it would be a surprise if the 29-year-old were ready for Week 1, and with either quarterback Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye running the offense in 2024, Bourne's fantasy stock has plummeted drastically he had a career-high 800 receiving yards back in 2021. The longer Bourne remains out, the more opportunities open up for rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker and Demario Douglas and KJ Osborn, among others.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen said that rookie offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga's (back) injury isn't serious and he should be ready to go for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season in early September. Fuaga has been held out of training camp practice this week due to back tightness, but it appears the Saints are erring on the side of caution with the 22-year-old offensive lineman, who was taken 14th overall in April's NFL draft. Fuaga's health will be worth watching heading into the start of the season, as the 6-foot-6 rookie is expected to start his first year in the NFL as New Orleans' starting left tackle as the blind-side protector for quarterback Derek Carr.
From RotoBaller
The Miami Dolphins plan to play their starters for the second preseason game on Saturday against the Washington Commanders, according to head coach Mike McDaniel, but which starters and how much they'll actually play remains a mystery. Players like quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and running backs Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane will suit up but probably won't play more than a handful of offensive series as they prepare for the 2024 regular season. Miami's backfield and whole offense was incredible in 2023, and fantasy managers are expecting more of the same in 2024. Achane's blazing speed and big-play abilities make him the more attractive fantasy commodity as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 going into his second NFL season, even if Mostert is technically still a starter. The Dolphins list Mostert and Achane as co-starters on the depth chart, with rookie Jaylen Wright the favorite for a role as the RB3.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) was officially placed on the season-ending injured reserve on Friday afternoon. In a corresponding move, the Vikings signed quarterback Matt Corral, who will compete for the No. 3 job. McCarthy missed practice earlier this week as he was dealing with knee soreness but eventually underwent an MRI, which showed a tear in his meniscus. The Michigan product underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and will now focus on recovering for the 2025 season. This is a tough blow for the former national champion, who looked quite sharp in the pro debut on Saturday as he went 11-for-17 with 188 passing yards and two scores. Fantasy managers should expect Sam Darnold to serve as the starting quarterback in Minnesota this season, with Nick Mullens slotted as the No. 2.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent quarterback Matt Corral is signing with the Minnesota Vikings after they placed first-round selection J.J. McCarthy (knee) on Injured Reserve. McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus earlier this week and underwent season-ending surgery as a result. Corral will likely compete with Jaren Hall for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart as Sam Darnold is slated to start and Nick Mullens to serve as the backup. Corral was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Corral then joined New England but never once saw the field with these two teams. Fantasy managers should expect Jaren Hall to serve as the No.3 quarterback in Minnesota as he started in Week 17 last season and served as the emergency quarterback on several occasions, but if Corral looks sharp in the preseason, he could make the final roster.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler (thigh) told the media that he is feeling 100% amid his thigh injury. The fifth-round pick in this year's draft reportedly suffered a bruised thigh in Saturday's preseason game. Before the injury, Rattler looked quite sharp in his pro debut, going 9-for-17 with 70 passing yards and a rushing score. This injury kept him out for a few days, and he is now past the minor setback. Even though Jake Haener is currently serving as the backup in New Orleans, Rattler could contend for that role, given his performance last week. Dynasty managers should continue to follow Rattler during the preseason, as he could be worth stashing if he continues to take advantage of any playing opportunities.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson expressed that he is "not where he wants to be" after Thursday's practice. Dotson further expressed, "I'm trying to grow every single day that I come out here. Trying to find something to get better at every single day." These comments came just a few days after head coach Dan Quinn told the media that the Commanders are still searching for the No. 2 receiver. Dyami Brown led all wide receivers in yards in their first preseason game on Saturday afternoon and has been having a fantastic training camp. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to the Washington wide receiver room during the final two weeks of the preseason, as it may decide who plays alongside Terry McLaurin this fall.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (shoulder) is hopeful to be ready for Week 1, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The first-round selection in this year's draft recently suffered a shoulder injury last week at practice. This was the same injury that kept Pearsall on the Non-Football Injury list earlier this spring. This is a tough blow for the Florida product, as he could have cemented himself as the No. 2 wide receiver in San Francisco amid a contract holdout with Brandon Aiyuk. Seeing that Shanahan is hopeful the 23-year-old could be ready for opening week is a great sign. Fantasy managers should take a look at Pearsall at his current 131.0 Yahoo ADP, as he may be a value if Aiyuk is eventually traded. If not, fantasy managers should expect Pearsall to split time as the No. 3 wideout with Jauan Jennings.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to shine at training camp this summer. During Thursday's practice, Harrison created separation with a nice move at the top of the route to get open in the end zone. The 22-year-old highly-touted prospect has been one of Arizona's brightest stars at camp all summer long, and he's being treated as such with a costly second-round fantasy ADP in drafts already in Year 1. Harrison has drawn comparisons to a young A.J. Green, who was also a No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft in the past, and he's all set to be quarterback Kyler Murray's top target with the Cardinals. Harrison dominated at Ohio State in 2023 to the tune of 18.1 yards per catch through 67 receptions (12 games) with 12 touchdowns and a massive 29.3% target share.
From RotoBaller
ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler believes Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson is likely to cede the majority of rushing attempts to James Conner in 2024. After totaling 1,040 rushing yards in just 13 appearances last season, Conner is locked in as Arizona's lead back to start the campaign. However, the Cardinals selected Benson with the second pick in the third round of the NFL Draft to provide a change of pace in the backfield for this year. It's also worth noting that Conner is riding an expiring contract in 2024, which would figure to make him a trade candidate when we get closer to the deadline around midseason. Benson, 22, profiles similarly to a young J.K. Dobbins based on workout metrics, and he's unlikely to see more than the occasional carry on early downs as an RB4/5 luxury stash in fantasy drafts while Conner is around and healthy in the desert.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown believes running back Chase Brown is primed for a breakout year in 2024. "If I could play fantasy football, I'd take him as my first running back," the four-time Pro Bowl left tackle said of Brown. "He's going to have a year. I guarantee it. Special talent, special player." Brown represents a popular late-round pick as an RB4 for fantasy managers this summer, ranking 12th among qualifiers at his position in full-PPR fantasy points per opportunity (0.91) in his rookie season a year ago. Incumbent veteran Zack Moss is set to start the season as Cincinnati's lead back, but the Bengals figure to be more inclined to get Brown involved as a change-of-pace back after workhorse starter Joe Mixon's offseason departure to the Houston Texans. Brown, 24, should at least see plenty of usage in the passing game after posting 11.1 yards per catch over 14 receptions in 2023.
From RotoBaller
The Buffalo Bills plan to play quarterback Josh Allen and the team's healthy starters for a quarter and half of Saturday's preseason game against the hosting Pittsburgh Steelers. The playing time could change depending on the weather, considering there is rain in the forecast at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday. Allen as well as the star and veteran players made a brief appearance in last week's preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, but weather permitting, it sounds like fantasy managers will get a more extensive look at Buffalo's first-team offense on Saturday against the Steelers. One of the top storylines to watch is how the Bills' receiving corps might shakes ou; third-year receiver Khalil Shakir, veteran wideout Curtis Samuel, and rookie second-rounder Keon Coleman have yet to separate much in terms of ADP this summer.
From RotoBaller
When the Kansas City Chiefs signed wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) as a free agent this offseason, he immediately became their most accomplished and experienced wideout. The Chiefs are expecting Brown back in their lineup early in the season but not necessarily in time for the Sept. 5 regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the Chiefs are feeling his absence. "We lose a little bit of that veteran-type receiver in that room," Mahomes said on Thursday. "We have other guys that can replace him a little bit, but to have that much talent and have a good understanding of what I want hopefully we're getting him back sooner rather than later." Mahomes dealt with a league-high 35 dropped passes by his pass-catchers in 2023, and he'll likely have to lean on tight end Travis Kelce as well as receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy to begin 2024.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen said on Friday at training camp that wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (toe/foot) is dealing with either a toe or foot injury. Allen wasn't sure when sharing the news with reporters, so with the extent of the issue not yet known, it's something for fantasy managers to monitor going forward. It's fair to expect the Saints to take a cautious stance and hold Shaheed out of Sunday's preseason game against the hosting San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium at the very least. The 25-year-old former undrafted wideout has carved out a significant role in New Orleans' passing game as a formidable deep threat opposite star receiver Chris Olave, racking up 15.6 yards per catch across 46 receptions last season. Shaheed should be considered day-to-day until more clarity becomes available.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Bills have released wide receiver Chase Claypool. Dynasty Analysis: This seemed inevitable when he was placed on IR earlier in the week. He'll get an injury settlement and be free to sign with another team when he's healthy. Claypool has been battling a toe injury and was unable to much of anything this off-season for Buffalo, who seemingly lost patience with his status and was unable to wait for him to heal. Claypool should latch on somewhere but we haven't seen anything to get us excited in years now. He's best left on waivers in dynasty leagues.
Dynasty | Drake Maye completed 6-of-11 passes for 47 yards in Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles, adding four carries for 15 yards and a touchdown. Dynasty Analysis: Maye's numbers don't really reflect how well he played. He looked calm in the pocket and had one significant deep pass dropped. After the game, Jerod Mayo said the competition between Maye and Jacoby Brissett isn't settled and that's significant news as Maye was not expected to be considered to start week one as of two weeks ago. Clearly making strides, Maye continues to be a solid top-5 pick in Superflex leagues.
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (back) was not spotted at Friday's practice. That makes a third consecutive absence at training camp due to a back issue for Kamara, who appears all but certain to sit out Sunday's preseason game against the hosting San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned with Kamara's injury at the moment, but it would certainly be encouraging to see him back on the field at some point next week with the regular season quickly approaching. It doesn't help the Saints that there remains no sign of second-year back Kendre Miller (hamstring) at practice. Veteran power back Jamaal Williams makes sense as a bench stash in deep fantasy leagues while New Orleans' backfield remains banged up, and he figures to draw the start on Sunday against San Francisco.
From RotoBaller
The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to terms on a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension with kicker Evan McPherson on Friday, according to his agents. McPherson will earn $10 million in new money in the first year of the deal, the most ever for a three-year kicker extension. The 25-year-old former fifth-round pick in 2021 out of Florida earned his extension by making 83.9% of his 93 field-goal attempts in his first three seasons in the NFL with the Bengals, including going 126-for-132 on his extra points in 49 regular-season games. McPherson went 26-for-31 on field goals and a perfect 40-for-40 on extra points in 17 games for Cincy last year. All five of his missed FGs in 2023 came from over 50 yards out. With quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) back from injury, McPherson should be drafted as a top-12 fantasy kicker in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Rams plan to hold out the same players that missed the preseason opener in Saturday's preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers, including wide receiver Cooper Kupp and running back Kyren Williams. Kupp has been healthy this summer during training camp, but head coach Sean McVay isn't taking any chances with the team's key players in the preseason this year. It remains to be seen if the 31-year-old Kupp or other key players will even suit up for the preseason finale next week. Kupp missed the first four games of 2023 with a hamstring injury, so it makes sense as to why the Rams want to rest him this summer. With better health, a bounce-back campaign in 2024 is possible for a player only a couple years removed from a league-high 145 catches, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, but the presence of rising star Puka Nacua won't help Kupp's cause.
From RotoBaller