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 jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
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The Paur Report
Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 6
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton led the team with six receptions for 57 yards in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals but couldn't find the end zone. Slayton averaged 9.5 yards per catch, with his longest reception going for 15 yards, and he was targeted 11 times, including a key pass interference penalty drawn in the end zone that set up a touchdown at the one-yard line. Despite his involvement, the Giants' offensive woes limited his fantasy impact to 8.7 points. While Malik Nabers is out, Slayton remains a solid deep-league flex option due to his target share, but his upside will depend on better red-zone execution from the Giants' offense.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson was a consistent target in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, though he couldn't find the end zone. Robinson caught five of his 11 targets for 50 yards, averaging 10 yards per reception, with a longest catch of 15 yards. Despite his solid involvement, the Giants' overall offensive struggles capped his fantasy output at 7.5 points, leaving managers wanting more. As a reliable short-to-intermediate option, Robinson's target volume makes him an option as a flex in PPR, but his ceiling remains limited without more scoring opportunities.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. provided a spark in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, contributing both as a rusher and a receiver. Tracy hauled in six receptions for 57 yards while adding 50 yards on the ground, including a one-yard scamper for his lone rushing touchdown. His versatility was key, but his 2.9 yards per carry highlights some inefficiency in the running game. Despite not finding the end zone as a receiver, Tracy's dual-threat performance netted 19.7 fantasy points, making him an intriguing flex option for fantasy managers with Devin Singletary injured.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones struggled in Sunday's 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, failing to find the end zone through the air or on the ground. Jones completed 22 of 41 passes for just 190 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception, averaging a meager 5.0 yards per attempt. He added 56 rushing yards, which helped pad his fantasy output, but two sacks and an overall lack of offensive efficiency limited his impact to just 12.8 fantasy points. Despite his mobility, Jones' poor passing performance continues to hold back his fantasy value, making him a risky QB option moving forward, especially against stronger defenses.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce saw four targets in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans but could not reel any of them in. Despite the nonexistent production, Pierce saw the highest snap share of any WR, playing 62 snaps and running 33 routes. Despite his high snap share, Pierce has kept a low target share in the offense through the first six weeks, with his production coming primarily from deep shot passes from QBs Joe Flacco and Anthony Richardson. While none of those four targets materialized in Sunday's win, Pierce's usage makes him a viable option moving forward. All that in mind, Pierce can be viewed as a WR4/5 in the team's Week 7 game against the Miami Dolphins.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell caught two of his four targets for nine yards in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Mitchell once again saw a limited snap share in the matchup, playing just 15 snaps and running a total of 11 routes. Mitchell appears to be the WR4 option in this offense, which will translate into little fantasy relevancy should he stay in that role. Unless there is an injury to Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, or Mitchell earns additional playing time otherwise, he does not make for a viable fantasy option. The rookie is better left on the bench in Week 7 when the Colts take on the Miami Dolphins.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry caught three of five targets for 41 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans. The veteran pass-catcher served as a solid security blanket for rookie quarterback Drake Maye in his first career start, and the two continue to form a solid rapport in the passing attack. This was just Henry's second game of the season with at least three catches, five targets, or 33 yards. The touchdown reception was also his first since Week 15 of the 2023 season. Heading into Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Henry ranks as a mid-to-low TE2 for fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco was named the starter on Sunday morning and completed 22 of his 38 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Flacco also threw one interception in the matchup. Flacco hit Josh Downs on a 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and the Colts didn't score another touchdown until the fourth quarter when he found Michael Pittman Jr. on a ten-yard touchdown grab. The 39-year-old didn't jump off the box score with just 189 yards through the air, but that shouldn't be much of a cause for panic given the Titans' secondary has allowed the fewest passing yards so far this season. It's unclear who the starter will be moving forward, but Flacco would make for a solid streaming option once again in Week 7 should he get the start against the Miami Dolphins.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson registered 19 rushing yards on 13 carries during Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans. He also caught three of four targets for an additional 24 yards through the air. Gibson earned his second consecutive start this week with Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) sidelined. Despite setting a new season-high in both rushes and touches, Gibson struggled to produce and was significantly inefficient on the ground. Through the air, he was merely a modest contributor. All in all, we'd like to see more production from Gibson before we can trust him in fantasy football, even with Stevenson out. It's too early to tell what the Patriots' backfield dynamic will look like for Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte caught all three of his targets for 59 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans. The highlight of his performance was a 40-yard catch that represented not only Boutte's first career touchdown reception but also rookie quarterback Drake Maye's first career touchdown pass. It was promising to see the second-year receiver demonstrate a quick rapport with Maye as the quarterback made his first NFL start. Boutte ended up playing a career-high 83 percent of offensive snaps and ran 32 routes; both of those marks were the highest among Patriots pass-catchers in Week 6. Going forward, Boutte, who was previously off the fantasy radar in all leagues, may start to generate some speculative buzz in dynasty formats.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk converted four targets into just one catch for four yards during Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans. It was an underwhelming showing from Polk, who had started to generate significant buzz after playing 100 percent of offensive snaps last Sunday and commanding 13 targets over his previous two games. Instead, Polk took a step back this week, registering just the one catch while falling behind Kayshon Boutte in terms of both snap share (65 percent) and routes run (29). Interestingly, he operated ahead of Douglas in terms of snaps and routes but was drastically out-produced by him, too. Going forward, fantasy managers should view Polk as an inconsistent wide receiver option in fantasy football. He is worth stashing in dynasty leagues but can probably be dropped in most 12-team redraft formats.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts running back Tyler Goodson carried the ball eight times for 51 yards in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. He also caught four of his five targets for another 14 yards through the air. Goodson once again played a secondary role to running back Trey Sermon, getting out-carried 18-to-eight. That being said, Goodson was the much more efficient and productive back in the matchup and was the only back to see any work in the receiving game. Goodson could make for a decent start in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins if Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is inactive, but likely won't see much action if Taylor is a go.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin finished Denver's 23-16 Week 6 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday with two catches on three targets for 31 yards and his first career NFL touchdown. He added one carry for a five-yard pickup. Franklin came into the contest with just five catches on 12 targets for 29 yards in his first five games. The 21-year-old only saw three targets and had a very modest three grabs and 31 yards, but his touchdown is a reminder that both he and fellow rookie pass-catcher Devaughn Vele, who led the Broncos with 78 receiving yards, will see more opportunities with Josh Reynolds (finger) on Injured Reserve and missing at least three more games. The best thing that Franklin has going for him as a dynasty/keeper stash is his chemistry with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, dating back to their days playing together for the Oregon Ducks in college.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon carried the ball 18 times for just 29 yards in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. He was also not targeted at all in the receiving game. Sermon once again saw the bulk of the work in Jonathan Taylor's (ankle) absence but was inefficient with the opportunities, averaging just 1.6 yards per carry. Sermon out-touched running back Tyler Goodson 18-to-eight, but Goodson was able to turn his eight carries into 51 total yards. It's unclear when Taylor will return from his injury, but with Tyler Goodson having another strong outing, fantasy managers can expect him to continue to eat into the workload between these two backs. Sermon is off the radar in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins if Taylor is a go, and is at best an RB3/4 option if Taylor is once again inactive.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 20 of 33 passes for 243 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions during his first career start in Week 6 against the Houston Texans. He also rushed for 38 yards, took four sacks, and lost a fumble. The No. 3 overall pick played far from perfect football on Sunday, but he showed numerous flashes of potential while leading scoring drives and converting down-and-distance opportunities against a relentless Texans pass rush. He also showed confidence and touch when throwing his deep ball as he connected with Kayshon Boutte for a 40-yard score. Going forward, Maye has the arm talent and rushing ability needed to survive both as an NFL starter and in fantasy football. He'll jump into the low-end QB2 tier ahead of next week's clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas caught six of nine targets for 92 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans. The touchdown reception was the first of Douglas' career and came on a fourth-quarter catch-and-run thrown to him by rookie quarterback Drake Maye. While Douglas' large role within the Patriots' offense isn't necessarily anything new, it's very promising to see him lead the unit in targets, catches, and receiving yards even after the Patriots switched quarterbacks from Jacoby Brissett to Maye. Evidently, Douglas is a central piece of the Patriots' offensive game plan week in and week out. With his high-volume role and an apparent quarterback upgrade, Douglas has suddenly become a solid WR3 option in fantasy football. He's worth starting in many 12-team leagues next week versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. caught three of his five targets for 35 yards and a touchdown in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Pittman was tied for second in targets with running back Tyler Goodson and finished third in total receiving yards for Indy. While Pittman didn't jump off the box score from a yardage perspective, it was an encouraging performance given the Titans' secondary was allowing the fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. On top of that, Pittman looks to be in the clear from the back injury that initially looked like it was going to sideline him for multiple games. It's still unclear who Indianapolis' starting QB will be moving forward, with Joe Flacco getting the start today and Anthony Richardson serving as the QB3. All in all, Pittman is considered a W2/3 option again in Week 7 when the Colts take on the Miami Dolphins.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (hamstring) took advantage of a weak Carolina run defense in Sunday's 38-20 victory, rushing 15 times for 95 yards and two scores. Robinson did most of his damage in the first half, including both scores, and the second-year back also tacked on three catches for 10 yards. Whatever was wrong with his hamstring that caused him to pop up on Thursday's injury report was clearly not an issue in this game, although he ultimately ceded 10 of the team's final 12 rush attempts to fellow backfielder Tyler Allgeier in the fourth quarter who looked strong too, racking up an 18-105-1 line himself. The 22-year-old has rushed for 61 or more yards in four of six games in 2024, now with 380 yards and three TDs on the year while averaging 3.5 receptions per game to boot. The former first-round draft pick gets a favorable matchup versus the Seahawks in Week 7, a rush defense that has yielded big games to the New England backfield (177 yards) in Week 2, the Detroit backs in Week 4 (118), and even the Giants' Tyrone Tracy in Week 5 (129). Next week's matchup boasts one of the highest expected totals as well, so there should be plenty of offense and Robinson stands to benefit again.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught seven of his nine targets for 66 yards and a touchdown in the team's 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Downs led all Colts in targets, receptions, and yards in the matchup. Downs has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Joe Flacco's starting in Indy, seeing nine-plus targets in each of his last three games. While it's unclear who the starter at QB will be for the Colts moving forward, Downs is a clear favorite in the offense, and fantasy managers can prioritize him as such. He'll look to keep the momentum going in Week 7 when the Colts take on the Miami Dolphins.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones refused to entertain the idea of a coaching change following Sunday's 47-9 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions at home. "I haven't even considered it," Jones said. "I'm not considering that. So you're clear, I'm not considering that." The owner's comments suggest that head coach Mike McCarthy's job is safe for the time being. Indeed, it would be bold for the Cowboys to relieve their head coach with a 3-3 record after six weeks, but there's also no denying that the Cowboys have underperformed. They're currently third in the NFC West, and Sunday's defeat at the hands of Detroit was the Cowboys' worst home loss during Jones' 34-year stint as the franchise's owner. The road doesn't get any easier for the Cowboys, who head into a Week 7 bye but then play their next five games against the 49ers, Falcons, Eagles, Texans, and Commanders.
From RotoBaller
