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.
Free agent wide receiver Kadarius Toney completed his visit with the Seahawks and did not leave with a contract according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler reports that Toney will likely take at least one more visit as he weighs his free agency options. Toney had 27 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown last season for the Chiefs. The former first-round pick out of Florida will look to catch on with a team soon after he was released by Kansas City this offseason.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Devin White has been ruled out for Friday night's opener against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil with an ankle injury. White joined the Eagles from Tampa Bay this season after making the Pro Bowl for the Buccaneers in 2022. He is expected to have a big role this year in Philadelphia as a middle linebacker but will have to wait until Week 2 at the earliest for his Eagles debut.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II has signed a four-year, $96 million extension with $77.5 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The new deal makes Surtain the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. The two-time Pro Bowl corner saw his contract negotiated by Tory Dandy of CAA. Surtain was the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He was first-team All-Pro in 2022 and has seven interceptions in his three-year NFL career.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase could need to practice on Wednesday in order to play on Sunday according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Chase is still without a new deal as of Wednesday morning and today is a big day in the contract negotiations in relation to Chase's availability for Week 1 according to Russini's report. Chase is a long-time Bengal and has a long-standing connection with Joe Burrow so he could get by with less practice time than others, but Russini believes a Wednesday practice could be a key sign whether or not Chase will be on the field for the Bengals against the Patriots on Sunday. Chase would be locked and loaded as a WR1 in fantasy any time he is on the field.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills has signed a one-year contract extension according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The deal features $5 million per year in new money and keeps Mills with the Texans through 2025. There are also playing time incentives written into the contract extension. The 2021 third-round pick is locked in as the backup to C.J. Stroud and the new extension provides a bit of job security in the near future. This shouldn't have fantasy implications unless something were to happen to Stroud.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner is the 'bell cow in that (running back) room,' according to offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.
Fantasy Spin: In case some of Trey Benson's biggest supporters needed to hear it from the play-caller himself. It is not a fantasy football season unless Conner is underrated. This year, managers have been hesitant to invest too much into Conner for two reasons: 1) a potential challenge from Benson and 2) the 29-year-old's durability issues. Conner managers should not hesitate to pick up Benson whenever and wherever possible, but it seems as though the rookie's value in 2024 will be mostly as a handcuff. It should also be noted that Conner was the highest-scoring non-quarterback in fantasy from Weeks 13-18, which is about the same time Kyler Murray started to look comfortable with his knee following his recovery from a torn ACL.
From TheHuddle
Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon (quad) 'displayed explosiveness during a (recent) joint practice session against the Los Angeles Rams and appears to be fully recovered from the quad injury that caused him to miss the majority of the preseason, according to KPRC's Aaron Wilson. 'Joe will be doing what he's done his entire career. I don't think you'll see anything different. He's a strong, physical back. He's going to get yards. So, I'm excited about seeing Joe run the ball behind our offensive line,' head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
Fantasy Spin: Mixon was not an efficient back in Cincinnati despite the Bengals' ridiculous talent in the passing game, but the 28-year-old will get another crack to anchor a ground game attached to a dynamic passing attack. Ryans' comments would suggest he will get his usual 300-plus touches, which will be enough to keep him firmly in the high-end RB2 conversation at worst.
From TheHuddle
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will both have roles on offense this season, according to JJ Stankevitz of the team's official website. He noted that Mitchell has displayed impressive size, speed, and athleticism while getting extra reps in the slot with Josh Downs (ankle) sidelined. Meanwhile, Pierce has earned plenty of high praise from the coaching staff after consistently making plays on short, intermediate, and deep passes. Head coach Shane Steichen mentioned that he hopes Pierce's consistency will continue into the regular season while general manager Chris Ballard said that the receiver had his best camp yet. These two pass-catchers won't be able to touch Michael Pittman Jr. on the depth chart, but it sounds like they'll both still get involved as early as Week 1. However, with a little bit of competition and some lingering questions about Anthony Richardson's passing upside, it's best to hold off on pursuing Mitchell or Pierce in fantasy football for now.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told the media that he "can't say enough" about the consistency exhibited by wide receivers Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller this summer. Both receivers were new additions this offseason and appear to have earned some praise from the coaching staff. Jefferson caught 20 passes for 209 yards last year while Miller tallied 11 catches, 161 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. It's unclear exactly what role they will have in 2024, but Tomlin's praise gives them some extra credibility and favor as the Steelers sort through their depth behind George Pickens. With that said, they can both be avoided in fantasy football for the time being.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (quadriceps) is fully healthy, according to KPRC's Aaron Wilson. Mixon reportedly dealt with an undisclosed issue throughout the preseason, which we now know was a quadricep injury. He didn't suit up for any of the Texans' preseason games, but that may have been a result of his veteran status rather than any real injury concerns. Regardless, we now know that Mixon is fully healthy and should not have any limitations when he makes his Texans debut against the Colts on Sunday. The veteran appeared in all 17 games for the Bengals last season, registering 1,034 rushing yards, 376 receiving yards, and 12 total touchdowns. If he can continue to produce at this pace, he'll be a low-end RB1 in fantasy football this year.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner "is the bell cow in that room," offensive coordinator Drew Petzing told the media on Tuesday. In simpler terms, Conner remains the primary option in Arizona's backfield. After all, there's no reason to reduce his workload given that he excelled in 2023. Last year, despite being 28 years old, he delivered 1,040 rushing yards, 165 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. Now, entering his age-29 campaign, he remains a solid RB2 option for fantasy purposes. Petzing's comments come amidst speculation that rookie Trey Benson may eat into Conner's workload. While Arizona surely hopes Benson is their future franchise running back and could need him to carry the backfield at a moment's notice, the bell cow role still belongs to Conner for now.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown is listed as the team's primary kick returner heading into the 2024 season. This update coincides with the news that Brown ranks second on the running back depth chart behind Zack Moss. As it stands, Brown may have a slightly smaller role than many managers anticipated; we may see the two of them receive more of a defined starter and backup workload rather than a true 50/50 split. This means that Brown will still get involved out of the backfield, but he's likely headed for fewer opportunities than Moss while also playing a role on special teams. As a result, Brown is difficult to trust in fantasy lineups for Week 1 against the Patriots. He ranks outside the top 36 running backs while Moss is a low-end RB2.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler is expected to return kicks following the latest depth chart update. Chandler is listed as the team's primary kick returner while Brandon Powell handles punt return duties. This development comes in the wake of Minnesota's decision to release talented returner Kene Nwangwu. Chandler has big shoes to fill but is likely up for the challenge after getting a taste of the job last year. He returned four kicks for 97 yards in 2023. Fantasy managers should keep in mind that just because he is returning kicks doesn't mean he won't see snaps out of the backfield. Minnesota is expected to rely on Chandler to take some of the workload off veteran Aaron Jones. Chandler might not see quite enough snaps to warrant any fantasy consideration immediately, but he's an intriguing insurance policy at the very least.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Devin White (ankle) was able to get through a limited practice session on Tuesday. White is currently battling an ankle injury that could sideline him for the Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The former first-round pick is heading into his first season in Philly. He collected 566 tackles, 23 sacks, and six fumbles forced during his first five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His absence would certainly be a hit to this Eagles defense. Nakobe Dean would likely be in line to start at inside linebacker if White is unable to play. That would be a downgrade for this defense, but nothing is official yet.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was named one of the starters ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Unsurprisingly, Thomas has been named as a starter after the Jaguars selected him in the first round of this year's draft. Thomas had a breakout season during final year at LSU where he recorded 1,177 receiving yards with 17 touchdowns. There was little doubt that Thomas wouldn't be a starter given Parker Washington and Devin Duvernay were his main competition. Now, Thomas will have to fight for targets with Christian Kirk and newcomer Gabe Davis. The expectation is that Thomas is going to see a solid volume of targets making him worth snagging in just about every fantasy format. The rookie wideout could end up being the best receiving option on the team before the season is done.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins will look to rejuvenate his career with his new team in 2024. The former second-round pick has been held to 24 total games since being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020. The talent is there as Dobbins has averaged 5.8 yards per carry since joining the league. Sadly, Dobbins hasn't been able to stay on the field due to injuries. Despite that, Ben Solak of ESPN believes Dobbins can be the X-factor on this Chargers roster. He's probably not wrong as Dobbins does have all the talent and big-play ability to be a legitimate option in the league. The Chargers figure to be a run-heavy offense under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Fantasy managers shouldn't spent a high pick on Dobbins, but he could be worth a look as a late-round option in deep leagues. If healthy, Dobbins could be a difference maker on this offense that doesn't have a true No. 1 back heading into Week 1.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku has been banged up during the preseason, but appears ready to go for the season opener. The 28-year-old will get back on the practice field this week as he prepares for the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Njoku surprised fantasy managers last season with 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. The Browns have done very little with adding any competition at the tight end spot. Right now, Jordan Akins is penciled in as the No. 2 tight end and he's not a threat to take away targets from Njoku. Last season, Njoku saw 123 targets which is a career-high for the veteran tight end. He figures to once again be relied upon in an offense that doesn't have many reliable options outside of Amari Cooper in the receiving game. Njoku finished as the TE6 last season and he should be able to post similar stats again as long as he can stay healthy.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon is fully healthy after a preseason quadriceps injury and is expected to have a heavy workload in the offense, Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com wrote on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Fantasy Spin: Mixon has Dameon Pierce and Cam Akers behind him, but he was always expected to at least lead the group. After finishing as RB11 overall in points per game last season, Mixon stands to receive a heavy workload in an explosive offense that should offer plenty of touchdown chances. He's an RB2 with RB1 upside if everything pans out.
From TheHuddle
The New Orleans Saints have listed quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener as co-backups on their first official depth chart for the 2024 season behind starter Derek Carr. The Saints apparently couldn't decide on either Rattler or Haener as the primary backup behind Carr after they competed all throughout training camp and the preseason. Neither signal-caller stood out over the other during preseason games, so it's anyone's guess who will be active behind Carr this Sunday for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Rattler was a fifth-rounder back in April, and the Saints want to develop him for a potential starting role down the line. Haener, 25, was a fourth-round selection back in 2021 but has yet to make his NFL debut.
From RotoBaller
The Houston Texans reached injury settlements with rookie running back Jawhar Jordan (oblique) and defensive tackle Pheldarius Payne (hamstring) on Tuesday, waiving them from Injured Reserve. Jordan was taken in the sixth round this past April out of Louisville by the Texans, but he won't make his NFL debut in Houston. The 25-year-old will need to prove his healthy before potentially joining another organization, most likely on the practice squad. Jordan lacks size and physicality, but he could eventually develop into a third-down back somewhere if he can stay healthy because of his vision on the field and his blocking skills in pass protection. Payne, 24, is expected to join the team's practice squad after reaching an injury settlement. He suffered his hamstring injury in the team's preseason finale.
From RotoBaller