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 jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quadriceps) would have been a non-participant on Monday had the team practiced. Higgins injured his quad muscle two weeks ago and has missed the last two games as a result. With a quick turnaround in Week 10 on Thursday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, there's a good chance the 25-year-old is looking at a third straight missed contest unless he improves on Tuesday and Wednesday. In Higgins' absence this past Sunday in the Week 9 blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincy's offense didn't really miss him, as quarterback Joe Burrow tossed five touchdowns to tight end Mike Gesicki (two), running back Chase Brown, tight end Drew Sample and receiver Andrei Iosivas. Gesicki hit the 100-yard mark and will be the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy perspective if Higgins is out again on Thursday.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (back) experienced some back tightness in the Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, according to an NFL source. However, Barkley said that he will be ready for Sunday's Week 9 divisional clash against the Dallas Cowboys. Barkley had a monstrous day against Jacksonville but was seen for a bit on the sidelines wincing before eventually re-entering the game. He appears to be on track to play in Week 10, but it's something that fantasy managers should monitor throughout the week. Don't be surprised if Barkley misses some practice time but ultimately plays against Dallas, where he'll be a no-doubt, must-start, high-end RB1 in fantasy. Barkley had 27 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown and added three catches for 40 yards and another TD against the Jags and is the RB2 in overall fantasy points in 2024, behind only Derrick Henry.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams' two-game suspension has been lifted and he has officially been reinstated by the NFL heading into a Week 10 game against the Houston Texans. In his absence, the Lions won both of their games. Williams was suspended two games for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 23-year-old will give the Lions another speedy field-stretching weapon for an offense that has been humming of late. In six games before his suspension, Williams was in the midst of a breakout season, catching 17 of his 30 targets for 361 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. He's currently tied for 29th among all wideouts with 11.0 half-PPR points per game and will return to being a boom/bust WR4/flex option for fantasy managers in what could easily be a shootout against Houston in primetime on Sunday night.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) is considered "day-to-day" after undergoing an MRI exam on Monday after he injured his knee in the Week 9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Brown's injury was never expected to be serious, but now the Eagles and fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief that he won't miss extended time. He could even be ready to roll for a Week 10 divisional showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. We'll know more on the 27-year-old's status for this upcoming Sunday once the team releases practice reports from Wednesday through Friday. If Brown doesn't make enough progress later this week to get the green light to face Dallas, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson and rookie Johnny Wilson would start in three-wide sets for Philly. Brown is a high-end, must-start WR1 in fantasy when he's active.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (toe) is officially active for Monday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs. Irving has been playing through a toe injury that he's going to have to manage for the rest of the season, but despite his questionable tag in Week 9, the 22-year-old was expected to play as part of Tampa's ongoing three-man committee backfield that also involves Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. Irving has been the team's most explosive ball-carrier this year and had 18 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown while adding 10 receptions for 94 yards in the last two games. His fantasy ceiling will remain capped because of the presence of White and Tucker, but he's proven to be an intriguing RB3/flex in fantasy lineups as the Bucs' most effective backfield weapon this year.
From RotoBaller
The Kansas City Chiefs elevated wide receiver Justyn Ross from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Monday night for the Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It will be Ross' first game of 2024 on the team's active roster with JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) missing his second straight game. KC is also without Rashee Rice (knee) and Marquise Brown (shoulder) for the rest of the year, which led them to trade for veteran DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins should have a bigger role on Monday alongside rookie Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman, with tight end Travis Kelce also having a higher ceiling and floor in fantasy. The 24-year-old Ross had six catches for 53 yards in his 10 regular-season games for the Chiefs a season ago. Fantasy managers should continue to ignore Ross.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) is active for the Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs, while Jalen McMillan (hamstring) has been ruled out. Both wideouts came into the Week 9 game listed as questionable to play. With Mike Evans (hamstring) previously ruled out and with Chris Godwin (ankle) out for the year, Tampa's receiving corps is much thinner for this matchup against the reigning two-time Super Bowl-champion Chiefs. McMillan tested his hammy during pre-game workouts and wasn't feeling great. On Monday night, Shepard and Trey Palmer are expected to be quarterback Baker Mayfield's top targets, as well as tight end Cade Otton, who could easily lead the Bucs in targets. Additionally, Ryan Miller, Rakim Jarrett and Marquez Callaway could have bigger roles against KC.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Mostert called both wide receiver Drake London (hip) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (Achilles) as day-to-day on Monday. London suffered a hip-pointer injury while coming down hard on his hip on a touchdown catch early in Sunday's Week 9 win over the Dallas Cowboys. It will be a pain-tolerance issue for the 23-year-old as far as his status is concerned for Week 10 versus the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Fantasy managers should at least be happy that London avoided a long-term injury, but his status for this weekend may be up in the air and could come down to how much he's able to do in practice. For now, consider him questionable for Week 10. If London is out against the Saints, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III figure to serve as Atlanta's top two pass-catchers.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports that it appeared that San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody (ankle) was back at practice on Monday coming out of the bye week. Nothing is official this early in the week, but if Moody continues to make progress in practices throughout the week, he could have a real chance to return for Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Moody, one of the best fantasy kickers when healthy, hasn't played since Week 5 due to a right-ankle sprain. In the meantime, the Niners have been rolling with second-year man Anders Carlson as their field-goal specialist. Before his injury, Moody made 13 of 14 field-goal tries and all 12 of his extra points in five contests. If he's on your league's waiver wire and you are in need at the kicking position, Moody is a no-brainer pickup if he gets the green light to return this weekend.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports that it appeared as though San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) returned to practice on Monday as the team comes off their bye week and into a Week 10 battle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said last Monday that Jennings was expected to return after the bye week after missing Weeks 7 and 8. With Brandon Aiyuk (knee) out for the season and Chris Conley (hamstring) also banged up, Jennings should return to a prominent role in San Fran's passing attack. Deebo Samuel (oblique, rib) is also banged up. We'll have a better idea of the 27-year-old's Week 10 status once the Niners start releasing official practice reports on Wednesday, but Jennings appears to be on track to play. If he's available on your league's waiver wire, pick him up immediately.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he's very optimistic that rookie second-round running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will be ready for Week 10 against the New York Giants in Germany. Canales said a "critical" decision will have to be made on Wednesday as to whether to officially activate Brooks. The 21-year-old rookie has had the start of his first NFL season delayed in 2024 as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee last November while playing at Texas. He was able to practice in full all three days last week and appears primed to be activated in order to make his NFL debut this Sunday in Europe. Brooks should be rostered in all fantasy leagues for his upside potential, but there's a very good chance he's eased in behind Chuba Hubbard and alongside Miles Sanders initially. His impending return has made Sanders a trade candidate.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that he still hasn't made a decision on who will start at quarterback for the team in Week 10 in Germany against the New York Giants. The head coach wants to make sure everyone is on the same page and also admitted that gamesmanship is part of the decision to wait to announce the starter between either second-year man Bryce Young or veteran Andy Dalton. Dalton injured his thumb in a car accident several weeks ago, leading to Young starting each of the last two games. Young went 40-for-63 for 395 yards, three TDs and three picks while also leading the team to their second win over the division-rival Saints in Week 9. Our best guess is that Carolina will stick with Young again in a Week 10 tilt in Germany against the New York Giants, where Young will be a low-end QB2 for fantasy purposes.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that "Derek Carr is going to be the quarterback this Sunday as far as I'm concerned." Carr returned in the Week 9 loss to the division-rival Carolina Panthers after missing three games with an oblique injury. The 33-year-old veteran went 18-for-31 for 236 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions while mostly utilizing running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Taysom Hill to move the ball with top wideout Chris Olave (concussion) out for most of the game. It shouldn't come as a big surprise that the Saints are sticking with Carr after the firing of head coach Dennis Allen, as the alternative is rookie Spencer Rattler, who was very shaky in place of the injured Carr. He'll be firmly in QB2 territory in fantasy in Week 10 against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, especially if Olave isn't cleared to play.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Ben Baby reports that Cincinnati Bengals rookie tight end Erick All Jr. (knee) tore the ACL in his right knee, and he'll now miss the remainder of the season. It's a crushing blow for the rookie, as it is the same knee he injured in October 2023. Cincinnati feared that this was the case, and now it is confirmed. The rookie tight end had reportedly earned the trust of quarterback Joe Burrow, but he'll now begin the long road to recovery. In his absence, teammates Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson will pick up the slack in the Bengals' tight end room, with the former likely to benefit most from the rookie's absence. Gesicki has come on in recent weeks with wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad) listed as inactive, racking up 12 catches, 173 yards, and two touchdowns over the team's prior two contests.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring), who is eligible to be designated to return from Injured Reserve this week, is recovering and running 20 mph in training sessions, according to a source. However, head coach DeMeco Ryans sounded non-committal on Collins' status for Week 10 against the Detroit Lions, saying, "We'll continue to evaluate Nico throughout the week and see where he is." The 25-year-old hasn't had any setbacks with the right-hamstring injury he suffered on Oct. 6, but it's unclear if he'll actually be available to play this weekend versus Detroit. If Collins is active in Week 10, there's the risk for fantasy managers that he won't play his typical amount of snaps. Before his injury, Collins was a must-start WR1 and he should be the clear WR1 in Houston eventually now that Stefon Diggs (knee) is out for the year.
From RotoBaller
Per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is "optimistic" that wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) will return for the team's Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Metcalf has missed Seattle's prior two contests with a knee injury he picked up in the 34-14 Week 7 win over the Atlanta Falcons, and with the team on bye in Week 10, he could be ready to roll coming out of it. The 26-year-old was initially dubbed as week-to-week, and it appears that designation was accurate. It's worth noting that Macdonald stopped "short of saying he for sure will be" back, but with another week of rest on tap, Metcalf should have a good chance of doing so. If not, fellow wideouts Tyler, Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will continue to operate as the Seahawks' top two pass catchers in the divisional tilt.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier received just six carries, compared to Bijan Robinson's 19, but it was Allgeier who found paydirt in Week 9's 27-21 victory over the Cowboys, his second score of the season. Allgeier gained 18 yards on his six totes and was not targeted in the passing game. The 24-year-old was averaging 5.7 yards per carry through Week 7, but over the last two weeks, he's averaged just 2.8 YPC. His usage has been pretty volatile, so he'll be hard to trust even in a favorable matchup versus the Saints in Week 10, a team in which he ran for 60 yards against on eight carries earlier this season.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) has an AC joint sprain. Lamb has been designated as week-to-week due to his shoulder injury, but according to Schefter, there is still optimism that he can play this Sunday despite the soreness he's experiencing. With the news that Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) is expected to miss multiple weeks due to an injury of his own, Dallas is in danger of being down two critical pieces of their offense this coming Sunday. The fact that there is optimism surrounding Lamb's status for this weekend hints that maybe it will be a pain tolerance issue for the 25-year-old. In the meantime, fantasy managers might want to assume the worst and begin putting a contingency plan in place in case the superstar wideout can't go in Week 10's divisional clash against the Philadelphia Eagles. Keep an eye on his practice status this week.
From RotoBaller
The NFL's Adam Schefter reports that the San Francisco 49ers have opened the 21-day practice window for star running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles). Finally, some good news. McCaffrey has yet to appear in a game this season, but, per Schefter, he is tracking to play this Sunday when the team lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Stanford alum would not likely handle a full workload if he suits up. Still, it's excellent news for the 49ers and fantasy managers, as he'll be a boon on the field and in fantasy lineups. Keep an eye on his status over the next few days, but things are looking up for the 28-year-old heading into Week 10. If he plays, he'll get one of the better matchups of the weekend against a Buccaneers squad that's allowed the most yards per carry to their opponents in 2024 (5.2).
From RotoBaller
In a report by ESPN's Ben Baby, he noted that Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) will be out indefinitely due to his neck injury. Yikes. Per Baby, the team is seeking more information on the 26-year-old's injury this week, but it's not looking good for his availability moving forward. Fellow backfield mate Chase Brown had his best outing of the season in Sunday's 41-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, totaling 157 yards and a touchdown on his 32 touches. Brown projects to be the team's lead rusher moving forward, with Trayveon Williams and Kendall Milton mixing in behind him as a change of pace. Brown played on 80% of snaps in the team's Week 9 win and has his outlook on the rise heading into the back half of the season. Cincinnati will square off against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10.
From RotoBaller