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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- Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins injures knee, out 4-6 weeks
- Patriots sign veteran DT Mike Purcell
- Broncos place OT Quinn Bailey (ankle, fibula) on injured reserve
- Chargers QB Justin Herbert (foot) could miss weeks
- NFL adjusts rule to address 'cheat motion'
- Packers RB Josh Jacobs (groin) sits out practice
- Orlando to host 2025 Pro Bowl Games
- Pats LB Matthew Judon, miffed about contract, back at practice
- Browns RB D'Onta Foreman leaves practice on stretcher
- RB Tarik Cohen ends comeback attempt, retires
- Steelers sign LB Markus Golden to 1-year deal
- Buccaneers LB YaYa Diaby (ankle) leaves practice on cart
- Bucs, LT Tristan Wirfs agree to $140M deal
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- Rams OG Jonah Jackson (shoulder) out about 6 weeks
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The Paur Report
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) is in danger of missing the beginning of the regular season. The veteran wideout suffered a knee strain during Tuesday's practice. Hopkins was reportedly wearing a wrap on his knee during Thursday's practice session. The organization believes that Hopkins could miss four to six weeks of action because of this injury. Hopkins could potentially be unavailable for the Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears. When healthy, Hopkins should be considered a high-end WR2 for fantasy purposes. The knee injury is a concern, but it shouldn't drop him too far on draft boards.
From RotoBaller
The New Orleans Saints have signed wide receiver Marquez Callaway to a one-year deal. This is far from a blockbuster move, but the addition of Callaway does give the Saints depth at wideout. Most notably, Callaway hauled in 46 receptions for 698 yards and six touchdowns during the 2021 season. Since then, Callaway has been quiet with only 16 total receptions over the last two seasons. He should slot into the back end of the wide receiver depth chart which means Callaway is unlikely to have any kind of fantasy value.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles TE Grant Calcaterra 'has really done an excellent job to be the second tight and currently' and 'has a great awareness and understanding of the game,' according to offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (ankle) suffered an ankle injury during practice and had to be carted off the field. Fortunately, preliminary X-rays showed no fractures, relieving Diaby and the team. An MRI is scheduled later in the day to assess the full extent of the injury. Diaby, selected by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Louisville, had a strong rookie season, starting in seven of 17 games and recording 38 combined tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and a team-leading 7.5 sacks. The Buccaneers expect Diaby to start opposite Joe Tryon-Shoyinka as an outside linebacker. The Buccaneers also used their second-round pick on former Alabama pass rusher Chris Braswell and signed veteran Randy Gregory, though Gregory has yet to report for camp. Such an injury would significantly weaken the Buccaneers' defense, likely leading to more high-scoring games for Tampa Bay. This situation could enhance the fantasy value of playmakers like Rachaad White, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin.
New England Patriots outside linebacker Matthew Judon returned to practice on Thursday after a productive meeting with head coach Jerod Mayo. This was after Judon wasn't dressed to participate as the Patriots began their first full-pads practice of training camp on Monday, leading to a heated confrontation with Mayo. He was also absent the following day but rejoined the team as a full participant in Thursday's non-full-pads practice, following a team rest day on Wednesday. The dispute arose because Judon is looking for a new contract before the season begins. He is currently set to earn $6.5 million in the final year of the four-year, $56 million deal he signed in March 2021, but he feels this does not reflect his actual value. Complicating matters, Judon, who turns 32 in August, missed 13 games last season due to a torn biceps. With Judon, the Patriot's defense/special teams can fill in with the right match-up; without him, they are a defense to target wanting to play against.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been diagnosed with an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot. Doctors have recommended approximately two weeks in a boot for Herbert, which will be followed by a graduated return-to-play protocol with the expectation being that he will be ready for the start of the regular season.
The Los Angeles Chargers have announced that quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) has been diagnosed with an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot following Wednesday's practice at training camp. Doctors have recommended approximately two weeks in a boot for Herbert, which will be followed by a graduated return-to-play protocol, with the expectation being that he will be ready for the start of the regular season. Herbert's fantasy stock was already down heading into the 2024 season after the Chargers let most of their supporting cast go during the offseason, and this development should drive down his late-round ADP even further. He still has time to be ready by September, but he'll be working against the clock by the time he's ready to resume practicing. 2019 fifth-rounder Easton Stick is the next man up at quarterback on LA's depth chart, which would hurt the appeal of the entire offense if he were to be under center for Week 1.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end coach Jon Embree says that Jonnu Smith and Durham Smythe have a rotation every other day at training camp. The Dolphins signed Smith this offseason as a potential upgrade over Smythe, who failed to carve out a meaningful role in Miami's prolific passing attack behind target hogs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Smith, on the other hand, was quietly productive as the No. 2 tight end behind Kyle Pitts for the Atlanta Falcons a year ago, registering a career-high 50 catches on 69 targets for 582 yards. The 28-year-old also put up the seventh-most yards per target (8.4) and yards per catch (11.6) at the position, so he'll try to beat out veteran wideout Odell Beckham Jr. as star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's No. 3 target as a TE2 option in the closing rounds of 2024 fantasy drafts this summer.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill told reporters at Thursday's training camp that he is optimistic that he'll get a new contract done. Hill signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with Miami back during the 2022 offseason, so he won't be an unrestricted free agent until 2027. The Dolphins just inked star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a long-term extension, however, while Pro Bowl wideout Jaylen Waddle also bagged a three-year, $84.75-million contract extension with the Dolphins this offseason, so Hill wants his next payday as well. The 30-year-old All-Pro is a consensus top-five selection in fantasy drafts this summer, after compiling a league-leading 1,799 receiving yards through 16 games in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman (neck) sustained a concerning injury during a kickoff drill, suffering a direct hit to the head that led to neck pain. The situation became alarming as he was immobilized and transported by ambulance, then airlifted to a medical center in Roanoke, Virginia, for further evaluation. Fortunately, Foreman retained movement in all his extremities. The 28-year-old is expected to be released from the hospital on Thursday afternoon as his X-rays and CT scans came back negative. The 28-year-old, who joined the Browns in March after a stint with the Chicago Bears, had his most successful season in 2022 with the Carolina Panthers, rushing for 914 yards and five touchdowns. The Browns signed Foreman to bolster their running back depth alongside Nick Chubb (knee) and Jerome Ford, which is especially important, with Chubb recovering from a season-ending knee injury. If Foreman is sidelined, Ford could become a valuable RB2, particularly early in the season, as Chubb recovers.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns say that X-rays and CT scans on running back D'Onta Foreman (neck) are negative, and he will be released from the hospital this afternoon and return to the team. It's very encouraging news after Foreman was immobilized following "a direct blow to the head that resulted in neck pain" before getting transported to the hospital to undergo further evaluation. The team previously added that Foreman had movement in all his extremities before he was airlifted from Thursday's practice. From a fantasy perspective, the 28-year-old veteran journeyman stands as Cleveland's No. 2 back behind Jerome Ford at the moment with starter Nick Chubb (knee) and satellite back Nyheim Hines (knee) not currently practicing. The Browns are certainly going to be cautious and likely ease Foreman back into action after such a scary incident.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back and kick returner Tarik Cohen has announced his retirement. Despite having a promising training camp and expressing optimism about his return, Cohen has decided to step away from the game. Known for his standout performance as an All-Pro returner with the Bears in 2018, Cohen's career was significantly impacted by injuries. His last NFL game was in 2020 after he suffered a severe leg injury and torn knee ligaments. Cohen also endured an Achilles' tear in the spring of 2022. Though he hoped the new kickoff rules would help him secure a spot on the 53-man roster, something changed his decision. Drafted by the Bears in the fourth round in 2017 from North Carolina A&T, Cohen finished his career with 2,676 scrimmage yards, 14 touchdowns, 985 punt return yards (including one touchdown), and 628 kickoff return yards. He spent most of his NFL career with the Bears, with a brief stint on the Carolina Panthers practice squad last season.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (groin) isn't practicing on Thursday due to a groin injury. No word on the severity of Jacobs' issue, but it's fair to believe the Packers are simply monitoring the reps of their key offseason acquisition. Jacobs has nine days if he wants to be available for Green Bay's preseason opener on Aug. 10 against the hosting Cleveland Browns, but he may not be active if healthy, anyway. The 26-year-old Pro Bowl tailback remains safe to draft along the RB1/2 borderline in the second or third round of fantasy leagues this summer, after leading his position in percentage of total carries and targets (84.9%) across 13 appearances with the Las Vegas Raiders last season. Jacobs' void in the backfield leaves veteran AJ Dillon and rookie third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd as the temporary top two backs at training camp.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (leg) is "very close" to practicing, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reports at Thursday's training camp. Jeudy is going through individual drills at Thursday's session, with the hope being that he'll be able to resume all activities and overcome a leg injury in the very near future. The 25-year-old former first-round pick out of Alabama is trying to revive his career in 2024 with star quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Browns, after posting 8.7 PPR fantasy points per game over 16 contests with the Denver Broncos in 2023. Although Jeudy begins the year as Cleveland's No. 3 target behind star wideout Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku, he could eventually become one of Watson's preferred deep threats and can be drafted in the later rounds as a post-hype sleeper WR4/5 choice this summer.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns RB D'Onta Foreman (neck) 'had movement in all his extremities' when he was taken by helicopter to a hospital on Thursday, Aug. 1. Foreman was participating in a punt coverage drill when he was injured 'a direct blow to the head.' Foreman was immobilized and taken away by an ambulance before he was transported via helicopter to the hosptial.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent DE Markus Golden (Steelers) re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on an undisclosed deal Thursday, Aug. 1, and LB David Perales was waived.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett (hamstring) is close to returning, according to sources Thursday, Aug. 1.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent OL Jake Burton (Giants) and DL Patrick O'Connor (Buccaneers) signed undisclosed deals with the Detroit Lions on Thursday, Aug. 1.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns RB D'Onta Foreman (neck) was carted off the practice field after sustaining a blow to the head that resulted in neck pain Thursday, Aug. 1. Foreman was immobilized, taken to an ambulance and was transported via helicopter to the hosptial.
Fantasy Spin: Foreman signed with the Browns this offseason with a chance to be the backup behind Nick Chubb. This will be something to monitor, but his absence should include more reps for Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong.
From TheHuddle
New York Jets RB Tarik Cohen announced his retirement Thursday, Aug. 1.
From TheHuddle
